Elyre and Heliona were in the Medicine section of the library, gathering some books for Elyre which could potentially have information on Princess of the Wood-Nymphs Nymphica or maginopia.
Heliona still wondered about Elyre's natural power in magic. She had felt it the moment Elyre took off her amulet and she'd lost the sensation once Elyre put it back on. She wondered if she had to tell her...
Some theories crossed Heliona's mind.
There might have been a powerful mage in Elyre's family a few generations ago. His or her powers could resurface in this one descendant now, while the other kinfolk were only magical at an ordinary level.
...But it wasn't quite believable. Most mages back then belonged to influential mage clans who did not mix themselves with "normal" people and with other mage clans. What would a powerful mage do among ordinary people?
...Then maybe Elyre was an illegitimate child of a powerful mage family?
~She should have studied magic. Such a pity!~ Heliona thought. ~The Queen can take away "mage" titles but she can't take away people's abilities…~
Heliona was curious about Elyre's lineage because strong raw talent in magic was hereditary. But obviously Elyre didn't come from a mage clan. It was obvious because of her manners, the way she communicated, what seemed to be her lack of knowledge when it came to magic...
Similar thoughts troubled the archmage's mind.
"I have heard that wood-nymphs tend to wear magical clothes," Heliona mentioned. "Have you been wearing this kind of clothing too?" She noticed Elyre's clothes seemed ordinary.
"Yes, in Wild Wood, sure," Elyre admitted. "But it's not so useful to me. Wood-nymph clothing is especially tailored to suit wood-nymphs' abilities."
"I see..."
"I do keep my wood-nymph veil though!"
***
Meanwhile in another section of the library...
Aristhaeus thought. The first time he sensed the energy of Elyre's amulet was when he let Fierce Wind escape on the way to the Dungeon of the Lost...
Back then the amulet had not become invisible, at least not initially. Because Aristhaeus had been able to see and recognize it.
***
Heliona was still relaxing on the arm-chair while Elyre climbed again the nearby ladder to take a book from the upper shelves.
They heard a voice which made Heliona open her eyes.
"How is your research going?" It was a male voice but Heliona did not see him immediately. "I've been looking for you and thought you'd be here."
"Very well," Elyre replied. She was on the ladder, holding a book and just planning to get down.
To Heliona's astonishment, when the man appeared from behind the wall of books, it was none other than Aristhaeus. He just barely saw the librarian in his peripheral vision.
He could surely sense Elyre's talent in magic too! What were they doing together?
If the archmage himself was investigating Elyre's amulet, it had to be a unique amulet.
Heliona decided it would be better to pretend she didn't recognize him. He'd probably fail to recognize her.
"This is librarian Heliona I told you about," Elyre said.
"Good afternoon," he said. And he asked Elyre, "Are you going to finish soon? I need to talk with you."
Heliona replied, "Actually I think that's enough work we did for today. Elyre, why don't you go and relax? You need to sleep well. You've exerted yourself. I will take some of the books and will skim through the pages to see if there's anything useful. You can join me tomorrow."
Heliona wondered for a bit. Maybe they were siblings?
"Don't let him worry about you," she told Elyre. "Is he your brother?"
"No," Elyre shook her head.
A cunning smile crossed Aristhaeus's face. He saw surprise in Heliona's expression.
"...We're not lovers either," he clarified in a level voice. Elyre stared at him. And then at Heliona. Both of them acted as if they were very suspicious of each other.
***
Once Heliona was gone, he added,
"But I will have to trouble you for a little bit longer. Unless you want to give me your amulet."
"But... shouldn't we find a place to stay for the night?"
"Don't worry about that. There are dormitories in the library," he replied. "For men and women. Let's go to one of the reading rooms now and talk." He halted, "Elyre, if you know anything about your family, you have to tell me the truth."
"Ah, you're an investigator. Find out! I wouldn't like to take away your business..." she laughed.
"I don't mean the Svetlidaris family," he said.
She raised her eyebrows. He'd never told her directly he knew she was Fierce Wind or even the second miss of the Svetlidaris family, but he'd hinted at it more than once.
"Then I don't know what you mean," she said.
He said solemnly, "Although I found out every detail about your life in Wild Wood and the fact you're adopted, there's absolutely no information about your real family."
"My 'real' family? I don't know them at all. I really don't know."
"Then Thyberia must know."