Lucien smiled slightly. He patted Aiden's head and went in the direction of the table where they were sitting earlier. The books in his hands are all about the Mages' exorcism and cleansing records.
These books should contain accounts of the major cleansing done by the Mages for the past fifty years. If Lucien is not mistaken, it should also list some information about the exorcism tools and arrays.
He gave one to Aiden.
"If you want to be a Mage, you must know what Mages are and their responsibilities." Lucien flipped the book open and patted the pages.
"I will be a Mage if you become one." Aiden said resolutely. Lucien reluctantly nodded.
Oh fuck. The little protagonist has grown attached to me. How much lack of love does this little one have that he will follow anyone blindly if they are kind to him? Doesn't he know I'm only this caring because I have ulterior motive? I'm by your side because I want to shelter in your protagonist halo. So, please don't trust me too much.
The moment my missions are done and I'm able to go back to my real world, you won't be able to meet me again.
Lucien scratched his head. Supposedly, the thing he must do now is protect the little protagonist and become his stepfather. He will live if he does exactly what he planned to do from the start. Lucien began to scan the pages and read the contents.
It was not until afternoon that the old grey haired man in charge called them out. Saying Old Fe is already outside waiting for them. Lucien nodded and placed the books back where he had taken them. As they went out, Aiden ran to his side and wrapped his hands around his left arm. Leaning his head against Lucien's shoulders.
"You two spent all afternoon here?" Old Fe asked with a smile when they appeared. Lucien nodded.
"Are you hungry? The kids bought a lot of snacks for you while watching the show. Although most of it has already been eaten."
One of the four boys, whom Lucien remembered as Lester, went to him and handed a bag of peanuts.
"Sorry, Lucien, we finished the rest." The bag is as big as the large chips sold in the convenience store. The peanuts inside are still steaming, giving off a heart warming smell. Lucien took a handful and handed it to Aiden.
"It's okay. Did you enjoy the show?"
"Yes! It was so nice! Lucien, did you know that the man playing the main character is so strong?! He fought the demons valiantly! He killed the demons one by one, and he was so invincible that they couldn't fight back, so amazing! He was like you!"
They were just leaving the library when Lester blurted that out. Old Fe and the other middle aged women who came with them stopped and looked at the children. Their voices were rising, and they squealed as they went on about how awesome the main character was. And compared him with how good Lucien is when he faces the first demon and Vanessa.
Lucien did not think too much about it. He wondered when did he became a valiant, strong hero type in the minds of these kids? All he did in front of them was talk.
If he doesn't stop these blabbermouths soon, the adults will find out about the demon whip and the rest of the fighting and killing he did. Now, he can't have that. He didn't sweat for hours and fight off his nerves when he lied to those Mages only to be caught by these oblivious kids.
Lucien was just about to open his mouth when Old Fe told them off.
"Shh. We are in the library. We don't raise our voices here, children, so keep it down. " Lucien can sigh in relief. It seems the rules applied here were the same in his world back there. The children hushed themselves and followed Old Fe quietly.
This time they did not squeal like they used to and settled in muttering among themselves. Along the way, Aiden clung to his side and never let go. Lucien was too preoccupied to notice anything amiss. Aiden has folded his fingers into his and they are holding hands from the library down to the children's facility.
While Lucien was thinking about Mages, he was unaware that he and Aiden were being led by Old Fe to his office on the first floor. It was only when Aiden pulled on his shirt to sit down that he realized they were in a room with much the same structure as the nun's office back in the church.
"Lucien, Aiden, here, drink some warm milk." They receive it silently and sip on the warm liquid that seeps through their tongue.
Old Fe was looking at them with kind eyes as he sat in his chair. The desk table separates both sides, and the surface is full of handwritten letters. Lucien can't help but be curious. Some words he couldn't read because of the crude handwriting and upside down position, yet he vaguely felt there was something familiar among them.
It's like he's seeing the notes of scientists and their trial and error experiments. Full of formulas and equations.
"Is there something you want to talk to us about, sir?" Lucien asked. He pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped Aiden's mouth.
"Mr. Greyman told me that you both want to be Mages?"
Lucien stopped drinking. He studied Old Fe closely and the written documents in front of him. Is there a reason behind such a question? He remembered Old Fe was not a bad character. He was one of those supporting types who cheered and encouraged the protagonist to pursue his goal.
He remembered the strictly hidden information of the last member of the Alchemist. Lucien drummed his fingers on the table. If ten years from now, the number of alchemists rises to twenty individuals. How did they find them?