Aesther was surprised that Ezrahl said nothing about Ahzure and Noah being there.
Someone being punished wasn't supposed to repent while having fun with their friends after all. The rules demanded solitude and humbleness.
That included abstaining from some special meals.
"Take care of the library first," Ezrahl told her in an indifferent voice.
Aesther was glad to be away from the cold and the place which brought back treacherous memories. She cared little about his change of decision and agreed with a practised fake smile.
A couple of hours passed in that lonely library and as she looked through the titles, Aesther wondered how boring someone's taste could be.
The books were mostly about warfare, mystic arts, and astronomy; the three major subjects of the heavenly city. But which sane person will only read them? Shouldn't he have something entertaining like the novels Inez carried?
Or at least some books that spoke of adventures and heroic deeds.
In any case, she wasn't the type to read.
Aesther couldn't bring herself to read for more than a minute. This was a reason for her to choose martial arts in her former life, as soon as she can.
The sounds of crickets and night winds dimly echoed inside the library.
She was getting tired and bored, but when Aesther heard no sound coming from Ezrahl or his study, she decided it was the right time to execute her plan.
Aesther hopped out of the window and hurried to retrieve the stack of Inez's books.
She hugged them in glee while unable to contain her snicker.
If only she gets the chance to see Ezrahl's face when he finds them!
Aesther surveyed the shelves and then randomly placed the books in different places. All of them were high up.
It won't be any time soon that he discovers them and when he does, what proof will Ezrahl have against her?
He can not just use his Sight on her either. Using the blessings against each other was forbidden to the disciples. Hazel had the right to ask Ezrahl for it because of her status.
Ezrahl won't do it on his own so easily.
"Holy hell…" a voice brought her out of her thoughts.
Aesther was halfway up the ladder, placing the last book and giggling to herself when that familiar voice made her pause.
Outside the window, Noah was watching her with wide eyes.
She stopped laughing.
He raised a brow, "Have you lost your mind with so many books?"
"You won't?" Aesther asked with nonchalance.
The response was Noah's laughter. He easily climbed inside the library much to Aesther's surprise. She nervously glanced at the doors, towards the study.
Ezrahl's room was clearly visible from her there
"Oh damn," Aesther murmured watching Noah with a narrowed gaze, "You will increase my punishments even before I finish one of them!"
"I am here only for a moment," Noah scratched his head, but his usually goofy voice was now serious, "Earlier, I noticed something. In the gardens."
"What?"
"You're uh…I don't know how to explain but, you are hurt."
Aesther blinked her eyes dumbly.
In her former life, she and Noah had met at a much later time.
Most likely because he didn't end up in Alkazar. But their first few meetings were rather…not really comfortable. Aesther liked Noah as a person but he had feelings for her that were more complex than that.
Her heart became wary as she saw Noah coming toward her.
"What?" she repeated.
"Here," Noah poked her head, " Something is wrong with your mana. It's diminishing…I don't think that should be possible?"
Aesther took a step back and rubbed her head.
She knew better than to not take his words lightly.
The time they spent in knowing each other was very limited in her former life but Noah was a unique person.
There has never been someone like him.
"Well, what can we do." Aesther shrugged.
She couldn't bring herself to care.
His words made her heart sink a little. But that was all. Even though her mana shouldn't fade, wasn't she in unusual circumstances?
Her soul had travelled through time. Her existence alone betrayed the Fates. It shouldn't come as a surprise that in retaliation, the Fates were now making her mana gradually diminish.
But it meant nothing.
Aesther would just have lesser time to deal with Ezrahl.
Noah was silent for some time, something sad lingering in his gaze but then he just grinned in his silly way.
"Don't worry, you're not alone."
Aesther only smiled at that, concluding he only said that to reassure her.
He didn't know the reason her mana was fading, there was no way he could.
"Anyways," Noah yawned, "I only came to tell you that because I would be leaving in the morning."
"Have a safe journey," Aesther replied, "And thanks."
"Nah, it's nothing. I just like you, Rose."
He stated as a matter of fact in the most carefree way.
Noah never cared about what others thought, she had never known him to be dishonest with his heart.
Aesther could only smile.
In her former life, she had been easily cold to him. They started on the wrong footing, and the small time they spent together was mainly filled with hostility on her part.
It was so easy to just ignore him.
But that was until...
Aesther blinked with a distant look in her eyes. She could not remember.
"What the hell is that?" Noah exclaimed as his eyes glanced down at her skirts, "So much blood!"
Aesther followed his gaze.
She was also surprised. The wound must be deeper than expected when she busted her knee earlier. Her skirts were very layered and thus it shouldn't be possible for the blood to normally seep out.
"Alright give me your hand," Noah frowned, "I bet my healing magic surpasses yours. It's pretty cool."
"Eh, no." he was right but, "You should leave, Noah. It won't be good for us if Ezrahl finds us like this."
"It would be quick! The healing arts of Akamori are the best!"
"Noah―"
She sighed as he took her hand regardless and let him perform his magic. But her shoulders were a little tense as she resisted the urge to glance back again.
Noah noticed this too.
And as the softest of golden light spread from his palm to through her hand, as the faint throb dulled gradually, Noah said in a calming voice.
"We will be quiet, don't worry." he chuckled, "He won't even notice!"
Those words have barely left him when a voice dripping with frost interrupted.
"And what exactly do you plan to do so quietly?"