image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
23) INTERCOLLEGIATE COMPETITION ~ BOAT RACE
The day of the intercollegiate boat race between South Briten and North Briden arrived with a palpable sense of excitement hanging in the air. The riverbank was packed with spectators, all eager to witness the intense competition between the two rival schools. Colorful banners fluttered in the breeze as the cheerleaders from both sides shouted, their voices blending into a cacophony of anticipation.
South College’s boat team, wearing their white uniforms adorned with three red stripes, stepped onto their boat with determination etched into their faces. Across from them, North College’s rowers—dressed in sleek black uniforms with contrasting white stripes—looked equally focused. The tension was electric, thick enough to cut with a knife.
"Sophie, are you ready?" Lucy called out from the shore, her voice filled with excitement.
Sophia, positioned as the coxswain for South College's boat number 16, waved back. “More than ready!”
She adjusted her grip on the rudder, her mind already working through the strategy. Her mathematical mind was always calculating, planning the optimal way to get her team through the race. But something about today felt different—there was an energy in the air, something she couldn’t quite place.
As the referee’s whistle blew, the boats surged forward, their oars slicing through the water with a rhythmic splash. The crowd erupted into cheers.
"Go, South! Don’t let them take the lead!"
Sophia’s eyes darted to the side. North College had gotten a good start, and their lead boat was already inching ahead. Her brow furrowed, and she called out to her crew, "Keep steady! Row faster on the right side—take the inside on the next curve!"
Her instructions were met with a grunt of acknowledgment from the rowers, who pushed harder, their muscles straining under the effort. The boat responded, picking up speed, but North College was still ahead. And without their star rower, Ardelbert von Ritterstein, North College seemed strangely vulnerable today.
"Come on, we can catch them!" Sophia shouted, her voice barely audible over the roar of the crowd.
The two boats were neck and neck, their oars churning the water into frothy waves. North College’s boat was fast, but South College was closing in. The river was narrow, and the next bend was crucial.
Sophia clenched her teeth. "Right, harder! Left, steady!"
The athletes responded, digging their oars deep into the water. South College’s boat pulled closer, and for a moment, it looked like they might overtake North College.
Suddenly, there was a sharp impact. South College’s boat collided with North College’s number 7. The jolt rocked both boats, and Sophia felt the sting as she hit the side of the boat, biting her lip.
"Ah—!" A small trickle of blood dripped from her mouth, and she wiped it away, her heart pounding.
At that exact moment, something strange began to happen.
A mist, thin at first, began to rise from the surface of the river. Sophia blinked in confusion as it thickened, curling around boat 16 like an ethereal veil. It wasn’t just the usual fog that sometimes settled over the water—it had an otherworldly quality, almost alive.
"What... what’s happening?" one of the rowers asked, his voice tinged with alarm.
"I... I don’t know," Sophia muttered. The mist was swirling now, wrapping itself around them, making it hard to see. She could hear the oars splashing, but the mist blurred everything around her.
But something else was happening too. The boat, which had been struggling to keep pace, suddenly surged forward as if propelled by an unseen force.
"Soph, what’s going on?" another rower called back, panic creeping into his voice.
Sophia tightened her grip on the rudder, her mind racing. The mist had thickened, but the boat was gliding through it, cutting through the water faster than it had any right to. She could feel the wind whipping her face, hear the cheers from the riverbank, though the crowd was nothing but distant noise now.
"Keep rowing!" she shouted. "We’re overtaking them!"
And just like that, South College’s boat 16 shot past North College. The mist enveloped them completely now, hiding the other boats from view, but Sophia knew—they were in the lead.
Lucy’s voice cut through the haze from the riverbank, "Go, Sophie! You’re doing it!"
Sophia’s heart raced as the boat surged forward, the mist thickening around them like a protective shroud. She had no idea what was happening, but there was no time to question it. They were heading straight for the finish line.
"Come on, just a little more!" she urged her team.
The oars sliced through the water with renewed vigor. The mist, somehow, seemed to propel them forward, as though the river itself was carrying them to victory.
With a final push, boat 16 crossed the finish line.
"South College number 16, first place!" the announcer’s voice boomed, and the roar of the South College cheering squad echoed in the air.
Sophia exhaled, her hands trembling slightly as she let go of the rudder. The mist began to dissipate, slowly lifting from the boat. The other rowers slumped back, exhausted but triumphant.
"Sophie, that was incredible!" one of her teammates called out, grinning despite the fatigue etched on his face.
But Sophia didn’t answer right away. Her eyes were still fixed on the water, where the last traces of the mist were disappearing. What had just happened? Was it really the collision, or something else? She touched her lip where the blood had been, wondering if that tiny drop had somehow triggered the strange mist.
Lucy ran over, hugging her tightly. "You did it, Sophie! I knew you could!"
Sophia smiled, hugging her back, but her thoughts were elsewhere. The mist... the sudden surge of speed... it was as if some unseen force had taken over.
As the celebrations continued, the official scores were posted:
1st place: South College boat 16 (10 points)
2nd place: North College boat 7 (5 points)
3rd place: North College boat 3 (3 points)
4th place: North College boat 5 (2 points)
5th place: South College boat 8 (1 point)
Sophia’s eyes scanned the scoreboard, but her mind lingered on the mist and that inexplicable feeling from earlier. She looked up at the sky, still clutching the rudder.
"What was that...?" she whispered to herself, though the answer seemed just out of reach.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
24) PROFESSOR RITTERSTEIN'S OFFICE
Sophia felt a flutter of nerves as she strolled through the grand campus of North College. The recent boat race victory for South College had stirred curiosity about the absence of North College’s captain, Ardelbert von Ritterstein. Word had spread that Ardelbert, only 20 and already a professor, was on a research trip after creating a drone rider with Wilhelm Weiss and uncovering ruins deep in the forest. He hadn’t returned yet, and his whereabouts were a mystery.
Ardelbert was no ordinary student. Despite his professorship, North College allowed him to participate in student activities, believing it would nurture his emotional growth. He led various teams—boat racing, cricket, chess—and was renowned for his horsemanship, moving with his horse as if they were one. His absence had weighed on Sophia's mind, especially after her recent triumph in the boat race. The desire to meet him had only grown stronger, and now that she knew he was at North College, she wanted to see him.
“How has he been? Was everything from that strange encounter real?” Sophia wondered. Reinhart, her Chihuahua, had urged her, “You should go meet him.” So here she was, dressed in a bright red dress with her hair braided but wearing sports shoes for the long walk. After all, North College’s main gate was five train stations away.
As she neared the imposing school buildings, she started asking passing students, “Do you know Professor Ritterstein?” Just then, a familiar face—Bone, the caller from North College’s boat number 7—recognized her.
“Hey! Weren’t you the caller for South College’s boat number 16? I’m Bone. Sorry about the other day.”
Sophia blinked in surprise. “Oh, right, from the race! Are you alright? Were you hurt?”
“I’m fine, just a bruise or two. But I saw you got hurt—your lip.”
“Yeah, just a small cut. But thank you for asking.” She smiled, feeling a strange sense of fate in meeting him here.
“So, you’re looking for Professor Ritterstein? His lab is on the third floor of the North Campus Building. Rumor has it he’s on a research trip, but his older sister works here as an associate professor. Want to meet her?”
Sophia’s heart skipped a beat. If she couldn’t see Ardelbert, meeting his sister might be the next best thing. “Yes, please! I’d love that.”
With a kind smile, Bone led Sophia along the campus’ cobblestone paths. The buildings at North College were regal and ancient, steeped in history that South College didn’t quite have. As they reached the North Campus Building, Bone stopped outside a heavy wooden door on the third floor.
“This is it—Ritterstein Laboratory,” he said, gesturing toward the door. A plaque confirmed it.
Feeling a mix of excitement and nerves, Sophia knocked. A calm voice invited her in. Inside the lab stood a woman of striking elegance, with an air of grace and poise. This was Clarissa Ritterstein, Ardelbert’s older sister.
“Yes, who might you be?” Clarissa asked, her gaze both warm and inquisitive.
Sophia, slightly flustered, introduced herself. “My name is Sophia Weiss, from South College. I was hoping to inquire about Professor Ardelbert von Ritterstein.”
Clarissa gave a gentle nod and motioned for her to sit. “Please, have a seat. So, you’re here to ask about Ardelbert?”
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
25) WHY DID THEY KNOW EACH OTHER'S NAMES WITHOUT INTRODUCING THEMSELVES?
After a soft knock, a composed voice responded from behind the door:
"Come in."
Sophia opened the door to find herself face-to-face with Associate Professor Clarissa Ritterstein, Ardelbert's sister. Her poised elegance and sharp, intelligent eyes made an immediate impression, lending an air of authority that felt a bit intimidating.
"Who might you be?" Clarissa inquired, her tone graceful but direct.
"Excuse me, I'm Sophia Weiss from South College. I wanted to speak with you about Professor Ritterstein..."
Clarissa's gaze fixed on Sophia for a moment, as if she were assessing more than just her words. The intensity of that stare made Sophia feel a slight twinge of nervousness.
"Is this regarding course credits? If it's a student matter, you should go to the academic office—"
"No, no, that’s not it," Sophia interrupted, her voice instinctively leaning forward with urgency.
"I... I want to see his photograph."
At this, Clarissa’s eyebrows lifted slightly. She looked surprised, though a trace of realization seemed to flicker in her expression.
"Why... his photograph?"
Sophia inhaled deeply, gathering her thoughts before she spoke again, trying to explain the reason behind her visit.
"Doesn't Professor Ritterstein have a Doberman? With black fur and... mismatched eyes?"
Clarissa’s calm demeanor cracked ever so slightly, her voice wavering as she responded, "How do you know that?"
Sophia pressed on, "And he can read cuneiform fluently, but his pronunciation—it’s a little different, right?"
Clarissa’s surprise deepened. "That’s something you wouldn’t know just from his papers. His pronunciation isn’t recorded anywhere..."
A long pause settled between them as Clarissa’s gaze grew more contemplative, scrutinizing Sophia with newfound intensity.
"Have you met my brother before?" she finally asked, her tone measured.
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
"I... I don’t know how to explain it. It was in the mist, somewhere, somehow... He knew my name, and I... I knew his."
"What name?" Clarissa’s voice had dropped almost to a whisper, but there was a subtle urgency beneath her calm tone.
"Ardy... and the dog's name is Gustav."
Clarissa’s eyes widened at this, her expression tightening before she regained composure. After a moment, a gentle smile returned to her face.
"Well, how about some tea?" she offered kindly. "We should talk calmly."
She moved to the back of the room, pulling out a tea set. The clinking of the cups and the quiet rustle of tea leaves added a touch of warmth to the suddenly charged atmosphere.
"Do you, perhaps, not know Professor Weiss?" Clarissa asked, a hint of curiosity in her tone as she poured the tea.
"He's my grandfather," Sophia answered proudly.
Clarissa gave a quiet nod and handed Sophia a cup of warm tea. "I see... Things might be more complicated than they seem."
She settled into a chair across from Sophia, her gaze serious but kind.
"The fact that Ardy knew your name in the mist—there might be more significance to that than you realize."
Sophia leaned forward slightly, her heart racing. "What do you mean? I want to meet him and ask him directly."
Clarissa took a delicate sip of tea, gathering her thoughts before speaking again.
"Ardy is currently on a kind of quest," she said carefully. "If you know about your grandfather, you may sense what Ardy is seeking... and where he might be."
Standing up, Clarissa crossed to her desk and pulled a photograph from one of the drawers. She handed it to Sophia with a soft smile.
"This is Ardy with Gustav. He left it with me before he went away."
Sophia gazed down at the photograph. There was Ardelbert, his face filled with a blend of nostalgia and determination, and at his feet sat the regal Doberman, Gustav. Something about the image struck a chord deep within her, and she felt an unexpected warmth behind her eyes.
"Thank you..." Sophia whispered, her voice barely audible as she continued to study the photo.
Clarissa’s smile softened further. "Believe in your own strength, Sophia."
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
26) YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO SAVE ARDY
As Sophia and Clarissa were sipping tea and chatting, the ground suddenly began to tremble. The cups rattled, and a violent quake hit the entire room.
"Earthquake!"
Clarissa quickly grabbed Sophia’s hand and pulled her under the desk. The shaking intensified, and books tumbled from the shelves while the teacups clattered over, spilling their contents. Sophia held her breath, her body tense as the strong tremors shook the room.
"Are you alright?" Clarissa asked, her voice calm but edged with concern.
"Yes... but it’s really strong, isn’t it?" Sophia replied, her voice quivering.
The quake seemed to last an eternity, with the sounds of rattling furniture and creaking buildings all around. Outside, plants swayed violently, and birds scattered in flight. After what felt like ages, the tremors finally weakened and stopped.
Sophia and Clarissa crawled out from beneath the desk, surveying the scattered books and overturned cups. Clarissa sighed as she looked around the room.
"There have been so many earthquakes lately..."
Sophia furrowed her brow, her mind racing. "Now that I think about it, these quakes have been happening more often since Ardy disappeared..."
Clarissa’s eyes lit up, a sudden realization dawning on her.
"Was Professor Ritterstein researching earthquakes?"
Clarissa paused in thought, then nodded. "Yes, he was studying ancient records on earthquakes. Wait just a moment..."
She pulled an old book from her desk, its cover engraved with ancient symbols.
"This is a record of historical earthquakes, though it only covers events after the rise of the Germanic language. There’s hardly any mention of earthquakes in runic inscriptions."
Sophia leaned in, peering at the book. "Why’s that?"
Clarissa flipped through the pages and stopped at a particular passage. "There’s one exception—an old legend about the god Loki."
"Loki..." Sophia murmured, recognizing the name.
"Yes, the trickster god from Norse mythology. He was believed to bring chaos and upheaval, and ancient people thought Loki was responsible for earthquakes—when he moved, the ground shook," Clarissa explained. "Similarly, in Greek mythology, Poseidon was said to cause earthquakes with his trident. It seems many cultures attributed quakes to the gods."
Clarissa closed the book and set it down on the desk.
Sophia, lost in thought, noticed something hanging on the wall. A large map of Britain, marked with red dots, caught her attention. She stood in front of it, studying the markings.
"Are these... the locations of runic stone monuments?"
Clarissa followed her gaze and nodded. "Yes, Ardy mapped them. There are 32 in total."
"32..." Sophia’s eyes widened. "That’s the same number of pieces on a chessboard!"
Clarissa looked at her, intrigued. "You’re right... there are 32 chess pieces."
Sophia nodded, the doubt in her mind giving way to certainty. "Maybe there’s a connection between these stone monuments, the earthquakes, and where Ardy might be."
Clarissa fell silent for a moment, then fixed Sophia with a serious look. "If you sense a connection, there could be something there. But we still don’t know how it links to chess, or what role the earthquakes play."
Sophia tightened her grip on the photograph, her resolve strengthening. "I’ll investigate. If I find anything, I’ll come back and let you know."
Clarissa smiled and handed her a notebook. "Be careful. It might be up to you to solve this mystery, to find out what’s happened to Ardy—and perhaps the answer lies in these quakes."
As Sophia prepared to leave, Clarissa added, "This is Ardy’s notebook. Someone in your family might be the key to saving him."
Sophia nodded, clutching the notebook tightly as she left the room, a new sense of determination guiding her steps.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
27) PROFESSOR RITTERSTEIN'S NOTEBOOK
Sophia gazed at the notebook, feeling its weight in her hands as she opened the wooden-textured cover adorned with an ancient coat of arms. Ardelbert’s handwriting filled the pages, the script both precise and imbued with determination. The first entry read like a message left behind for those who might follow in his footsteps: “To whoever is reading this notebook. If I do not return, the person who receives this is either a descendant of my clan or perhaps Highness.”
"Descendant of the clan? Highness?" Sophia repeated to herself, puzzled by the cryptic introduction. A wave of curiosity and confusion washed over her. It was clear that this notebook held a larger mystery, but solving it all at once seemed overwhelming. She let out a sigh, placing the notebook gently on the table.
"For now, I need something to eat."
She closed the notebook and made her way to the cafeteria, where the comforting buzz of conversation and the aroma of food greeted her. After ordering a club house sandwich and a chocolate drink, Sophia found a seat by the window. Gazing out into the courtyard where students strolled, she took a bite of her sandwich, savoring the crisp bacon and melted cheese. The familiar taste helped clear her mind.
As she sipped her warm chocolate drink, something caught her eye—a small figure staring at her from outside the window. It was Reinhart, her Chihuahua, sitting patiently with expectant eyes.
"Sorry, you can’t come inside," Sophia muttered with a smile. She tore off a piece of her sandwich and dug into her pocket, retrieving a jerky treat for him. She tossed the treat outside, and Reinhart eagerly caught it, wagging his tail as he sat back down, satisfied.
After finishing her meal, Sophia felt more focused and ready to dive back into the notebook. She flipped through more pages, encountering a note that piqued her interest: “Runic characters are a multi-layered cipher. The same content can be hidden in multiple patterns, and they cannot be easily decrypted with modern technology.”
"Multi-layered cipher?" Sophia murmured, intrigued by the idea. She recalled her own knowledge of runic characters being used as ancient ciphers, but Ardelbert seemed to imply something far more complex. His notebook was filled with intricate diagrams and runic symbols, each painstakingly analyzed. In the corners of several pages, he had sketched patterns from what appeared to be stone tablets.
Sophia leaned in closer, recognizing the runic stone tablet designs from her own memory. The characters were beautiful but shrouded in mystery, revealing just how deeply Ardelbert had delved into their secrets. Page after page, she saw his meticulous work and the passion that drove him. He had been searching for something hidden within these ancient symbols, and now, it was up to Sophia to understand what he had left behind.
As she continued reading, she felt herself being drawn further into the notebook’s secrets, realizing that this was more than just research—it was a map to uncovering something far greater.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
28) THAT KID, NOT HUMAN BUT HUMAN
Reinhart, the Chihuahua waiting outside the window, suddenly began hopping up and down, clearly trying to get Sophia's attention. Puzzled, she opened the window to see what was going on.
"What's wrong, Reinhart?" she asked, looking down at him.
The Chihuahua, ears perked and eyes bright, seemed excited.
"Sophie, do you remember the guy we bumped into during the boat race?" Reinhart asked with a serious tone.
Sophia furrowed her brow. "Bumped into... Oh, you mean the boy from North College’s boat number 7?"
"Yes, that’s him. I need to meet him."
Sophia blinked in surprise. "Wait, why? Why are you so interested in meeting him?"
Reinhart stared up at her, unwavering. "There’s something different about him. I can sense it. He’s not ordinary."
"Even if that’s true..." Sophia hesitated. "I have no idea who he is or how to find him."
"You don’t need to find him," Reinhart replied confidently. "Look, he's coming."
Startled, Sophia glanced up just as the young man from the boat race appeared outside the window, waving awkwardly as he approached.
"Hey, I didn’t think I’d run into you again," he greeted her, a bit sheepishly.
Sophia was momentarily confused but smiled politely. "Yeah, hi. I'm Sophia. No need to worry about the race. It's not a big deal."
Bone, as he introduced himself, smiled back. "I just wanted to apologize properly for the bump during the race. That final sprint you guys did was pretty incredible."
"Thanks," Sophia replied with a shrug. "It was... strange."
Before she could say more, Reinhart, who had been quietly watching Bone, suddenly spoke up with a sharp tone.
"Hey, you. You’re human, but also not human, right?"
Sophia froze. There was no way Bone could hear Reinhart speak—only she could. But, to her shock, Bone glanced down at Reinhart and nodded slightly.
"You... your name is Reinhart, isn’t it?"
Sophia gasped, her heart skipping a beat. "How do you know that name?"
Bone shrugged, giving a casual smile. "Just a feeling. Your Chihuahua told me. But he's not just a regular dog, is he?"
Sophia was left speechless. Bone had heard Reinhart speak—something no one else should be able to do. She glanced between Bone and her Chihuahua, trying to process what was happening.
Reinhart tilted his head slightly, narrowing his eyes at Bone. "So, you can hear me. I knew there was something unusual about you."
Bone turned back to Sophia with a serious expression. "It seems like you're involved in something bigger than either of us realized. If you need help, I'm here. Just let me know."
Despite her confusion, Sophia couldn’t deny the strange pull she felt toward Bone. There was something about him—something that felt like a key to unlocking the mystery surrounding her.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
29) EARTHQUAKE IN THE LIBRARY
Sophia stepped into the college library, still savoring the sweet aftertaste of the éclair she’d just enjoyed from the shop near campus. The creamy sweetness and flaky pastry had put her in a relaxed mood, but as she pushed open the heavy library doors, the calm, almost mystical atmosphere within quickly drew her focus. She walked toward the back, aiming for the section with old books. While the runic manuscripts were kept in the basement, today she had a different objective—researching the Old English books, hoping to find clues about the stone monuments Ardelbert had mentioned in his notebook.
Sophia scanned the rows of worn spines until her eyes landed on several authored by Professor Ardelbert von Ritterstein himself. As she pulled one of his books from the shelf, she felt a strange sense of nostalgia wash over her, likely a lingering feeling from their encounter in the mist. Flipping through its pages, she unexpectedly found a slip of old paper tucked inside.
"Huh, what’s this?" Sophia murmured, pulling out the handwritten note. The paper, yellowed with age, described a particular stone monument Ardelbert had found. It caught her attention because the monument wasn’t from Britain, but from the European continent, close to what was once the homeland of his clan. Her heart quickened as she read further.
"This stone monument was discovered near my ancestors’ land," the note said. A map was included, marking numerous locations of runic monuments, each pencil-marked with precision.
Sophia felt a chill run through her. "My ancestors..." she whispered, recalling the stories her grandmother had told her as a child about their family’s lineage, which was said to have witch’s blood. The power, she was told, had vanished six generations ago when the family chose to hide their abilities to survive the witch hunts.
As she studied the map, Sophia wondered if this ancient stone monument might hold secrets connected to her family’s hidden past. The professor’s notes described the monument as a square plate with an engraved map, created with such precision that it seemed impossible for ancient people to have produced it without modern technology.
Suddenly, the ground beneath her feet trembled. Sophia froze, gripping the book tightly. The tremors grew stronger, and the old shelves around her began to rattle.
"An earthquake...?" she thought, heart racing.
The entire library began to shake violently, and the sound of groaning wood and falling dust filled the air. Students and staff exchanged nervous glances as the tremors intensified.
"Everyone, please remain calm! Evacuate outside immediately!" the librarian shouted, trying to maintain order.
Sophia hurriedly shoved the memo into her pocket, returning the book to the shelf. The bookshelves swayed dangerously, and the floor beneath her feet seemed to shift. Instinctively, she crouched down and covered her head, but the librarian’s urgent voice rang out again.
"Everyone, hurry outside!"
Sophia knew she had to move. Gathering her courage, she made her way toward the exit, her mind racing with questions about the monument, her ancestry, and the unsettling connection to the strange events that seemed to follow her.
image [https://urogyn.sakura.ne.jp/images/2024-10-09chess1.png]
30) IT'S A BIT EMBARRASSING THAT A DOG'S LICK REVEALS A SECRET
Sophia rushed toward the exit, her heart racing as the library shook violently around her. The sudden tremors had startled everyone, but just as she was about to leave, she noticed a familiar small shadow darting toward her through the chaos.
"Huh? Reinhart?" she gasped, eyes widening in surprise. There, weaving through the panicked students, was her Chihuahua, tail wagging nervously as he sprinted toward her.
"Hey, Sophie, we need to get out of here!" Reinhart called out, his little paws skittering across the floor. It seemed he had somehow managed to sneak into the library amidst all the commotion caused by the earthquake. Normally, Sophia would have laughed at the sight of her tiny dog in such a big, scholarly place, but now was not the time for amusement. Nodding quickly, she scooped Reinhart up into her arms and headed for the exit, her thoughts racing as fast as her heartbeat.
In her rush, however, something slipped from her pocket. A small biscuit tumbled to the floor with a soft thud.
"Ah!" Sophia exclaimed, startled. Reinhart, still in her arms, craned his neck toward the fallen treat, his nose twitching.
"Is that something I can eat?" Reinhart asked, his ears perking up. "No onions or anything like that, right?"
Sophia blinked, momentarily caught off guard by her dog’s concern over ingredients, especially during an earthquake. "No, it’s just a plain biscuit," she replied, smiling despite the situation. "No sugar, no salt. It’s safe."
"Good," Reinhart said, and with one swift motion, his tongue darted out and scooped up the biscuit. As he did, his tongue brushed against a folded piece of paper that had been tucked in Sophia's pocket—the same piece of paper she had found in the professor’s book earlier.
"Hey, what are you doing!" Sophia cried, half-laughing, half-frustrated. But before she could say more, something strange began to happen. Where Reinhart’s tongue had touched the paper, faint symbols started to appear—runic characters, ancient and mysterious, revealing themselves slowly as if awakened from centuries of slumber.
Sophia’s breath caught in her throat. "What… is this?" she whispered, staring at the paper in disbelief. Reinhart, biscuit still in his mouth, gazed at the glowing runes, his brow furrowed in thought.
"There’s something hidden here," he said through a mouthful of biscuit. "But seriously, Sophie, we didn’t exactly uncover it in the coolest way. You know, if this were some grand adventure, we’d be revealing these runes with lemon juice over a candle flame, like in the movies! Not… this."
Sophia could only shake her head, still processing what had just happened. "A dog’s lick…" she muttered under her breath, unable to suppress the smile tugging at her lips. "Of all things, a dog’s lick revealed the secret…"
Reinhart sighed, looking somewhat displeased with the anticlimactic discovery. "Well, at least we found it, didn’t we?" he said, trying to sound nonchalant.
Sophia nodded, slipping the paper carefully back into her pocket as they both hurried toward the door. The mystery of the runes, the earthquake, and now this strange discovery—everything was beginning to connect in ways she hadn’t imagined. The weight of the unknown pressed heavily on her, but one thing was clear: their journey was far from over.
"Let’s get out of here first," Sophia said, her mind buzzing with the possibilities of what the runes might mean. "Then we’ll figure out what to do next."
Reinhart wagged his tail, content with his biscuit as they stepped out of the library and into the world of uncertainty waiting beyond.