#Marcus Laurier#
The plan was set.
Clara and I were to gather the materials to make our attempt of an invention. Yesterday, we concluded that it was better to keep it cheap and affordable instead of durable. Though Isla was reluctant, she eventually agreed after I shut Wallace up from bragging. However, the production process was more complicated.
Though the materials come cheap and abundant, the manufacturing process proved difficult to make without the use of certain items. We needed the oil of a slime, which is extremely scarce because of how slimes are 90% water with only 0.01% oil, leaving the rest lol, on average, usually weighs 2 pounds, we could only expect little in return. And for our specialized traps, we need at least a pound for each trap made. Since Clara and I couldn't hunt 500 slimes for a trap, we went to the library to check for more efficient methods.
After waving my ID to the librarian, we were allowed entry to the deeper sections. The chief librarian shot me a look.
"Why did you bring another person here, you know I told you to keep it a secret?"
I called Clara over, asking her to show her ID. As it turns out, the librarian quickly became humble towards the new uninvited guest.
"You, you brought such a monster here?" The librarian whispered to me.
"I thought anyone with a good rank had access," I explained.
The librarian taken aback my simple logic, stands straight and speaks up, "You cannot enter the library today unfortunately, there is a special guest using that section, feel free to use the public section or come back tomorrow." The librarian leaves us to our own devices.
"What do we do? We're going to lose a day from this, we only have 2 weeks left." I ponder as we walk to our rendezvous. Clara sends no reaction, deep in thought. What is she thinking about?
We spot Wallace and Isla arguing in broad daylight.
"That's why I said we had to buy this colour or else it won't camouflage!" Isla remarks while Wallace pretends to listen.
"We don't have all the money in the world. If we gotta buy this much just for one product, we'd have no money left over!"
We could hear their chatter from miles away. Though it seems they have grown closer. From the time that Wallace and I have been at the academy, he rarely talks to other people besides me. This side of him was something I hadn't seen.
"Getting all friendly without us?" Clara cuts in on their debate, "Any success?"
"We've found a supply of iron and the other parts. We were just deciding on a colour scheme," Isla sighs, "this guy thinks painting it dark green is enough."
"Hey, I don't want us to go broke after this task," Wallace rebuts.
Wallace stops butting heads with Isla, "how about you guys. Things go well on your end?"
Clara and I told them about the librarian and how they rejected our entry. It was strange. The library was only given access to the academy, its top students, nonetheless. "Still, we need to use to library, or the other groups will get ahead of us."
"We'll have to wait another day," Clara states.
A chuckle. Then a diabolical laugh. Wallace cracks up and points his finger towards Clara.
"What's the meaning of this," Clara asks, bewildered at Wallace's change in persona.
"You! Do you really think we can idly sit by and watch as our competitors get a time advantage. Nonsense! We're in our youth. There are things we can do that other can't!"
I have a bad feeling.
"We'll break in."
We all stand and stare at Wallace's unbelievable plan.
"I knew there was something wrong with his head," Isla comments, "let's go back and rest."
"I'm serious. If we lose a day because of this, we'll be at a disadvantage," Wallace's tone steels itself, "we can't afford to lose this." Wallace continues to argue. However, I feel that he is not joking.
"Isla, Clara. We won't ask you to come," what am I doing? Why am I doing this? I looked at Wallace gritting his teeth. If it's for Wallace… "You two can go rest for tomorrow. I'll help Wallace tonight."
I'll gladly take on this task.
⁜⁜⁜
Wallace and I met up behind the library in secrecy.
"Here, Isla wanted us to have it." I handed Wallace a teleportation scroll, "It'll take us to their dorm after we're finished here."
Wallace peeks through the glass pane windows, It seemed nobody was inside the main library. Wallace's hand starts glowing green. The tiny particles in the air gravitate towards his index finger, concentrating the mass into a single, fine point of radiant green light.
This was Wallace's magic.
Wallace points his finger discreetly at the window's metal joint and he fires it. Rather, he continuously pours his mana into a stream of light. It hisses away and plops on the ground, the smell of smoke was distinct.
The glass pane began to fall. I caught it. Wallace and I then enter the library, fitting the glass pane back to where it was. Wallace melds the glass to the window.
Now we're in. It felt surreal. Not in a million stars had I thought I would end up like this. Sneaking into a library outside of curfew, the repercussions would be immense if we were to get caught.
Wallace and I make our way to the restricted section. The gate was still locked, although it didn't mean much to Wallace with his abilities. I wonder why Wallace wanted to do this so badly.
"Aren't you curious?" Wallace whispers out of nowhere, "about why I acted like that?"
I nod in disagreement, "I'm sure you had a reason for it." Otherwise, you wouldn't have made that expression.
After Wallace finishes cutting a path, we enter the library to search for information. The alchemy section should prove useful. We scour the Alchemy section for a book on mixtures.
"These books are old." Wallace says while admiring the books in awe, "It's a shame I don't have time to read them all." It was true, the books here had barely been maintained, I would assume that only the head librarian had permission to go inside.
While searching, I found myself staring at an old paperback book, it had been degraded as its edges had begun to crumble. Curious, I pulled out the mysterious book. It had one title. History of Lia
"Oh, what's that book doing there," I jumped at the sound of Wallace peering through the gaps in the bookshelves, "Isn't Lia the forgotten kingdom? Looks like someone didn't sort things out…"
I flip the cover, the pages as fragile and brittle as a wafer. The colour of its page had naturally dyed it into an old colour. Brown and yellow. Judging by the state the book was in, it must have been at least 100 years for paper to become like this. But what came next surprised me…
A name at the bottom.
To my Beloved and to my Comrades whom I trust my life with.
Herman Saurlight of the Sacredeye Order.
Sacredeye Order.
That's the former Order of Knights my father was in.
I flipped through the pages. This could be a personal discovery. The remnants of my heritage, in this old book. I must bring this with me.
"Who's there!"
Wallace and I freeze like statues.
Footsteps. This is not good.
"Do you have the book?" I whisper quietly to Wallace. He nods and we both run behind the bookshelves.
"I said who's there!" A gruelling voice that could hardly be the librarian echoes through the chamber.
"I already told you."
The gate opens. Two men step into the chamber.
"I've restricted access. Nobody is allowed to enter."
I peer my eye into a small gap between the books. There was one man shrouded in dark with a cape that could blend in with the night. The other was the head librarian.
"Let's continue our conversation here." The librarian says, "Our agreement was for you to grant me a high position.
Future world?
"In exchange for your cooperation," the hooded man spoke sharply, "do not forget that."
"I won't, but what should I do with the bombs?" the librarian asks, "They managed to mitigate the damage last time we set it off."
The bomb? The reason why the school was shut down?
"Quiet," the man looks around warily, "we shouldn't discuss this in the open…"
I peek further in the hole for a better look.
Our eyes meet, a piercing gaze, and I feel my soul strapped around my chest. As if he'd held his reins against me.
He advances with each second. He feels taller with each second. He feels stronger with each second . And by time he was near us. My trembling hands reached Wallace's, praying for help as my mouth would not do my own speaking.
"Use the scroll."
Wallace, still unaware, responded with confusion.
"Use the scroll!" I shout as the man was millimetres away from the corner.
Wallace fumbles, "where is it?" it was too dark. We needed to be faster.
The man comes around the corner. His hood concealing much of his body with only the glimmering reflection of his eyes. He had come to kill us. He reaches his hand behind his back, pulls out a blade and runs toward us.
"Quick!" I shout to Wallace.
He was close.
"I got it!"
He was too close.
We're going to die.
I watch as he brings his bade from his hip. His arm beginning to extent as it yearns for our throats. The blade, cutting through the air, came slow at a perfect trajectory.
I close my eyes.
I'm sorry mother.
I brace for impact.
I don't want to die.
I feel the cold of the blade against my throat.
But there was nothing.
⁜⁜⁜