The Library

Blaze returned Dusty to the stable, And the next day he went to speak to Leus

"Leus, We're going outside today"

Leus became a bit excited when he heard that

'I've never seen what the outside world looks like'

"Where?"

"You'll see, We need to ask about something, And I'll get you the Atlas too"

"Okay"

Blaze gave Leus one casual attire from Merlin's wardrobe and they were ready to leave

At the door, Viorica got a little emotional, She gave Leus a hug and said

"My little genius is growing up all too fast"

Leus felt a bit embarrassed

"Mom, We'll be home soon ..."

But his words made no difference, Viorica's eyes were watery and she kept hugging Leus for a bit more time

'Mom is ... So cute'

Eventually, Blaze pulled Leus toward him and said

"Don't pamper him too much Viro, Leus is very strong"

"You're right, Just like The Oracle said"

Leus didn't know what that meant, But regardless, Blaze was able to finally take him from Viorica and they left the house

Leus began exploring his surroundings

'It seems that our house is in a rich neighborhood'

' ... But it also feels a bit empty'

There were many similar villas around, But Leus didn't see people living in them

'Maybe because we're at the very end of the neighborhood? I guess things are more lively in the middle of it'

But anyway, Leus didn't care much about that, And in a couple of minutes they were out of the neighborhood and entered a more lively area

There were many big buildings and shops around, And also many people going and coming, Leus took note of how the people looked

'Most people here have red hair and red eyes ... Just like Dad said, Fire Affinity is so common'

Leus suddenly asked

"Dad, Is Mom not from here?"

"Why do you think so"

"Because she has a Water Affinity, Unlike most people here"

Blaze shook his head

"No, There are all kinds of affinities here, It's just less common"

"I see"

Occasionally, People would stare at Leus for a few seconds then quickly avert their gaze, Like there was something strange about him

At first, Leus didn't pay it much attention, But as more and more people looked at him he felt intrigued

"Dad, Why do people look at me a lot?"

"That's because you have a unique affinity, It's one of the reasons I brought you with me today"

Leus nodded

'Interesting, I'm kinda special hehe'

He didn't really mind people looking at him

'As long as they don't get in the way, It's alright'

After walking for a bit, They stood in front of an old-looking, Grand building

It was so big, Compared to all the buildings and shops around it, The building looked imposing and prestigious

Blaze looked at Leus and explained

"This is the Crimson Library, There's one in every major city

It has books about everything, From Magic to beasts to history, And most importantly, It has The Archivist's books"

Leus inspected the building but he noticed something interesting

In front of the Library's door, There were two fully armored knights, Each of them was wearing a water-blue armor

Leus found it amusing

'Why would a Library be heavily guarded like this?'

So he asked Blaze

"Why are there knights in front of the Library, Do people steal books?"

Blaze snickered when he heard that

"The books are indeed expensive, But people don't steal it

First of all, These are not Knights, They're Elite Knights

Second, They're not here to protect the Library, But for other, more complicated reasons"

Then he looked at Leus and spoke in a serious tone

"The reason I brought you here is to meet The Librarian, He's an Elite Mage, I want you to introduce yourself in front of him"

Blaze's line of thought was like this

'No one knows about Magic and Affinities better than the Librarian'

' ... Well, There's the Duke, But I can't meet him, The Librarian is the second best'

Naturally, Leus didn't know why exactly Blaze brought him here, But regardless

'I'll just do what he says, Dad knows better'

"Sure dad, No problem"

Blaze and Leus approached the Library's doors and stood in front of the Elite Knights

Blaze didn't need to introduce himself, He only showed them a military badge that he was keeping in his pocket and they let them inside

After they walked inside, Leus could hear the knights mumbling something that he didn't understand, But he heard something along the lines of

"What do you think that is?"

But Leus didn't pay them any mind, He was very impressed by what was in front of him

The Library was phenomenal

'It's so huge ...'

The temperature inside it was warm, Not cold nor hot, Unlike the weather outside, It was perfect

'There's a ventilation system somewhere too'

The entire Library was painted Crimson, And there were countless bookshelves all over the place with wide corridors between them

The corridors were dimly lit and looked almost shadowy, And the shelves around them were lined with books and tomes

'There are probably hundreds or thousands of books here'

'Such an immense library'

Leus followed Blaze and they entered one of the shadow corridors and walked toward a desk on one end of the Library

Leus looked at the bookshelves surrounding him

'Either I'm too small or the bookshelves are too tall'

'It's really a bewitching place ...'

The Library was extremely silent, That and the lack of strong light gave it an eerie atmosphere

Occasionally, The silence would be broken by the whispers of unseen readers or scholars here and there, Or by the sound of pages turning, But Leus heard nothing other than that

That's when he noticed something

'Even our steps aren't making any sound ... '

'Spooky'

When Blaze and Leus got closer to the desk, Leus was able to clearly see the features of the man sitting behind it

He was an elderly man wearing a majestic blue robe, His hair and eyes were of bright blue color, And he was reading a book

The man glanced at Blaze but quickly averted his gaze in disinterest, But as soon as his eyes met Leus' the atmosphere changed

The man was intently staring at Leus with narrowed eyes and Leus could sense slight pressure coming at him

Blaze noticed the Librarian's interest and only smirked

'Looks like the plan worked'