Lucas leaned back in his chair and sighed. He wasn't sure how much time had passed, but it felt like at least an hour since he started reading all those books. 'But it's strange... how come Eldric hasn't come back yet?'
He glanced at the window beside him, where he could see the bustling street outside. Elves moved about, chatting, carrying goods, and going about their daily lives. The sight stirred a sense of curiosity in Lucas. He felt tired after reading for so long and craved some fresh air. Still, a bit of hesitation tugged at him. What if Eldric returned and couldn't find him? He wasn't exactly familiar with this place, and getting lost seemed all too possible.
But then he remembered what Eldric had said earlier—he would find Lucas no matter where he went.
'Did he say that because I'm the only human wandering around here?' Lucas wondered. It made sense. He stood out like a sore thumb, his lack of long, pointed ears marking him as different. That thought made him a bit self-conscious but also reassured him. Even if he wandered outside, Eldric would probably spot him in an instant.
"Well, I guess it'll be fine if I don't go too far," Lucas muttered to himself. He stood up, stretched his stiff legs, and walked toward the door. Just as he reached for it, the librarian's voice caught him off guard.
"Leaving already?" she asked, her tone calm but curious.
Lucas turned to face her. The elven woman, with her elegant features and kind expression, was watching him from her desk.
"Uh, yeah," Lucas replied. "I just need some fresh air."
The librarian tilted her head slightly, then asked, "Are you, by chance, Eldric's friend?"
Lucas hesitated. Were they friends? They had been through a lot together, so it didn't seem wrong to say yes.
"Yeah, kind of," Lucas answered with a small nod.
The librarian smiled warmly, surprising Lucas. Her reaction made him wonder if Eldric didn't have many friends.
'Is Eldric an outcast too? Like me?' Lucas mused. It was hard to imagine. Eldric seemed like the type of person who'd be popular back on Earth. Then again, his cold personality and distant nature might make it hard for him to connect with others.
"I see," the librarian said. "You may go. Sorry for keeping you."
Lucas smiled back. "It's alright," he said before opening the door and stepping outside.
The moment Lucas walked out, he stopped in his tracks. The view before him was just as mesmerizing as when he had first arrived. The streets were alive with activity. Elves of all kinds bustled about, some shopping, others selling goods. Children laughed and ran past, their bright voices filling the air. The architecture caught his eye too—graceful buildings with intricate designs, their beauty unlike anything he had seen on Earth. Even though he'd already roamed around earlier, it still felt like he was seeing it all for the first time.
'No matter how much I see it, I just can't get used to it,' Lucas thought, a sense of wonder filling him. 'This is amazing.'
He took a step forward, looking around as he tried to decide where to go. But as he stood there in the middle of the street, he noticed something unsettling. People were staring at him. Not everyone, but enough to make him uncomfortable. Their gazes lingered, curious and cautious.
Lucas immediately realized why. 'It's my ears... They're not used to seeing someone without pointed ears. This is so awkward.'
Trying to shake off the discomfort, Lucas started walking, unsure of where he was heading. He scanned his surroundings, hoping to find a quieter area with fewer people. Turning back to the library crossed his mind, but he dismissed the idea. He wanted to explore more of the city, even if it meant enduring the stares.
'They didn't look at me this much earlier when I was riding the Skyrak,' Lucas thought, glancing around nervously. 'Maybe I should've brought it with me. Then again, I don't even know how to control the thing. I'd probably cause more trouble than it's worth.'
Eldric had taken his own Skyrak with him to the guild, leaving Lucas's tied up outside the library. Back when they had arrived, the Skyrak's towering size must have hidden Lucas from view, sparing him from the attention he was getting now.
In the Land of Blossoming Flowers, where elves made up most of the population, a human walking the streets was an unusual sight. This land was far from human territories, and the journey here was dangerous, filled with bandits and monsters. It made sense why humans rarely visited.
As Lucas wandered, trying to find a less crowded spot, someone suddenly bumped into him. He stumbled slightly but managed to steady himself. Turning to see who it was, his eyes widened in surprise.
'Wait... a human?!'.