The party continued for a few more hours, but the gifts didn't show up, so the celebrating crowd started to get impatient. Luckily, the bookshelves were also talking about the promotion, so the librarians were more confident in Adam's words.
Then something very strange happened around hexagon 0; small portals began opening everywhere, and black creatures with white bags ran towards the librarians.
—The rumors were true!— Aquiles exclaimed with excitement.
Without hesitation, Aquiles rushed to find two container with food. He shamelessly threw the food on the ground and hurried back to where Adam was. Handing one of the container to his student, he said enthusiastically:
—Here, take this, Adam, use it to shield yourself from the kick when they give you the book.
Adam looked at the container with many doubts but saw several people stealing the idea from his professor and searching for something to protect themselves. However, none of the librarians seemed scared by the impending attack; instead, they just stood there waiting for the strange black creatures that were getting closer.
—What are those things?— Adam asked.
—They're 'Sombrins'— Aquiles replied with a smile—They're peculiar creatures that roam the bookshelves. Usually, you have to try and catch them when you see them. If you manage to grab a Sombrin, it will give you a magical book and a kick. But this time, they're running towards us to give us the book... and the kick.
As the professor explained, the Sombrins were giving everyone a book that came out of their white bags, but then they sought to kick you and wouldn't stop until they succeeded. The key was to tire them out with a shield, and once they were tired, you let them kick you, and the creature would disappear into thin air.
—Does it hurt when they kick you?— Adam asked with some fear, watching the furry creatures kick the librarians.
—I've never seen one, but it doesn't seem to hurt; no one's complaining...— Aquiles replied, very excited to receive his first magical book—But just in case, it's better to tire them out.
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Finally, it was Aquiles' turn to receive his book.
Being so close to the creature, Adam could see that the small black creature only reached the professor's knees; they weren't very big. Their bodies were entirely covered in fur; they had no eyes or mouth, just black fur, resembling tiny humans.
The Sombrins were quite adorable; they spoke in a strange language with a very high-pitched tone. However, once they gave you the book, their attitude changed 180 degrees, and they did everything in their power to kick you.
It didn't take long for Adam's turn to come.
A Sombrin approached the boy and saw him defending himself with a shield. Smartly, the creature avoided giving the book directly to Adam's hand and instead threw it towards the boy's legs, causing Adam to fall. Before the boy could get up, the Sombrin was already running to kick him.
From the ground, Adam picked up the fallen container and used it to shield himself from the kicks of the strange furry creature. Fortunately, the creature was quite weak, and Adam managed to withstand the onslaught of kicks with his makeshift shield.
After a while of protecting himself with the improvised shield, Adam was tired, but so was the creature. Noticing the Sombrin's fatigue, Adam let go of the container and closed his eyes, mentally preparing for the kick.
Seeing Adam surrender and drop his shield, the Sombrin let out a triumphant cry and mustered the last of its strength to kick the boy. Immediately, the creature aimed its kick at Adam's calf, and then it vanished into thin air.
Adam felt as if he had been hit with a pillow on the leg and opened his eyes, embarrassed for being afraid of the kick from the little furry creature, which had hardly hurt at all.
Approaching the magical book left by the Sombrin, Adam observed it carefully.
The book was covered in metal chains, and its cover appeared to be made of wood. On its spine was the inscription: 'Golden Vegetables' and inside, there seemed to be a few yellowed pages. Adam didn't open the book because magical books could be dangerous, and he also couldn't read them, as it was one of the rules to enter the cave where he lived.
According to Adam's father, a magical book differed from a non-magical one based on the abilities it bestowed upon the reader when read. Generally, one acquired some peculiar power from reading a magical book. Therefore, the librarians didn't refer to special books as magical; only the books that granted some strange gift were considered magical.
After taking the book, Adam decided to leave the party that was being thrown.
The boy was already very tired after the long day, and according to his professor, there were no more gifts for the librarians aside from this magical book. Besides, the party was becoming boring for Adam; it was just a few old folks and adults chatting while eating.
The few kids who were present had already left with their parents after receiving their magical books, so Adam had no one to play with at the party.