Summer - 595

"Hey hey hey!" Skytore shouted loudly, far louder than necessary.

Baron Sky went up and gave him a hug, while his Mother was nearly in tears.

They would not usually be this excited for a simple graduation, but they had not believed that Skytore would graduate at all. They were surprised to near tears.

Skytore, of course, did not think this far. He believed that they were simply so happy that he had graduated that they were nearly crying.

Skybelle was not here. She had been so focused on her training that she had not returned in over a year.

Sky the 2nd had attended. He watched with pursed lips. Even when he had graduated at rank number one in the Imperial school, his father hadn't hugged him, only shook his hand. His Mother, however, had indeed cried.

Whatever. Idiots get praise, while the truly smart get none. This is life.

Sky the 2nd had been preparing to inherit the Barony recently.

He had furthered his studies, as naturally there was learning beyond the Imperial school. It was just less systemized and he had to seek it out himself, taking on multiple teachers and learning from real situations.

After stopping to see a few of his older brothers and sisters, then some younger, Skytore finally found Skymender, who had been trying to lower his presence as much as possible.

Skytore picked him up and hugged him so tight that Skymender felt his soul being ripped away.

He was barely put down in time, his life hanging by a thread.

Melly chuckled a little. 

After the graduation, everyone returned home and had a great feast.

That night, Melly, Skymender, and Skymerge snuck into the secret room in the library, as always. They had done this almost every night.

Skymender had read hundreds of books, as had Skymerge and Melly. 

Melly had particularly found herself interested in these fantasy books, especially the ones with female main characters, though those were few and far between.

There was nothing special about tonight's reading session, except for an idea Skymender had.

He spoke it aloud as soon as he thought of it. "What if we put normal book covers, or blank book covers, over these books so that we could read them outside of the library?" 

Skymerge shook his head. "It's a bad idea. If we get caught, we could be in trouble. Most people believe these to be nothing but children's books and would look down upon us for reading them. Our parents may even be disappointed."

"But there's nothing wrong with it. In fact, we are probably smarter than most people as a result of reading these books." Melly said.

Skymender and Skymerge nodded. 

Reading these books, their imaginations had grown beyond normal limits. What others could not imagine, they considered a low level thought.

"What matters is not what we think or even know to be true, but what others think. Even if others did not look down on us for this, would we want them to know about these books and their greatness?"

The three shared looks.

"Of course not." 

These books gave them an invisible edge that helped them succeed in many things. Who knew what the authors of these books had accomplished.

Perhaps the authors were well-known scholars who simply wrote under an alias. This seemed especially true for books like "The Plot of a Thousand Years".

No normal person could ever think or put together such a story.

"What if we created a code language?" Skymender said.

Skymerge fell into thought, as did Melly.

"Theoretically, yes. But at that point, we'd have already read the books now in code language. Plus, reading would be slower." Skymerge said.

Skymender agreed.

After much thought, Melly spoke. "What about some sort of material that can only be seen under a certain type of light?"

Skymender was about to reject this idea, saying they would have to copy the books anyway, but he suddenly had another idea.

"What about a liquid that could be put onto these books, completely covering the contents, but could be seen through with a special set of glasses?"

This idea seemed feasible to everyone.

A normal person in this world may not think of this, but through their readings, their imaginations were beyond ordinary.

"Does such a thing even exist?" Skymerge questioned.

"If it doesn't, then I will create it. This would not only help us read fantasy books, but conceal secret messages or documents. If I, Skymender, wish to create such a thing, it will be done." 

Skymender's words were arrogant, but he said them convincingly.

Since birth, he had never truly put his mind to something, but when he did, perhaps he would never fail.

There was only one way to find out.

That day, Skymender returned to his room with a new conviction, a goal that must be completed.

The next morning, he set out on it immediately. As the first year of school had just ended, he had an entire three month summer ahead of him.

However, his Father, Baron Sky, came up to him. "I plan to send you away this summer."

Skymender was stopped in his tracks.

He looked seriously at his Father. "I have something I want to do this summer."

His Father was surprised by the conviction in his eyes, but shook his head. "Whatever you want to do, you can do it in the Imperial capital, I'm guessing."

Skymender's eyes widened. "The Imperial capital?"

Baron Sky nodded. "I honestly don't want you to go at your age, but Skybelle had requested you come. I rejected her at first, but she said that it had something to do with her becoming a Sword Master."

Skymender saw the serious look in his Father's eyes and was confused.

How could he help at all?

Regardless, he understood why his Father would not allow him to reject. 

In fact, he would not reject either.

He owed his Eldest Sister far too much to forsake her wishes.

He nodded. "When do I leave?"

"Tomorrow. Melly will also be returning to her parents. They have missed her greatly, even though they visit so often."

Skymender nodded. 

He returned to his room and began to pack. His Father was right. No matter what he wanted to do, it would be more achievable in the legendary Imperial capital.