The library seemed to hum around Riku as he stumbled, gripping his head. His left eye throbbed painfully, and with every heartbeat, a flood of information surged through him, each piece tugging relentlessly at his mana. Every object, every person in his sight felt as though they bore volumes of information—histories, abilities, secrets—all spiraling into his mind without end.
"No… stop…!" Riku gasped, pressing a hand over his left eye, struggling to contain the overwhelming flow. Yet the knowledge kept forcing its way in, like an unstoppable current. It wasn't simply draining; it felt as if his very soul was being drawn out with every pulse, leaving him hollowed and raw.
He realized, with a sinking sense of dread, that his left eye was the key to this uncontrollable power. The "Absolute Knowledge" ability seemed to be tied to his gaze—anything he looked at triggered a surge of information. But without a way to manage or limit it, the ability felt more like a curse than a gift.
Summoning what strength he had left, Riku tore a strip of cloth from his shirt and tied it around his left eye. The flow stopped instantly, leaving him gasping and drenched in cold sweat. Exhausted, he managed a few shaky steps before collapsing onto a nearby bench. His limbs felt heavy, his mana utterly drained. After a few minutes, he gathered himself enough to stand and made his way back to Aina's home, hoping that some rest would steady him.
As he entered the academy courtyard, Aina appeared, her face lighting up at first—but her expression shifted to concern when she saw him clutching his left eye.
"Riku, what happened to you?" she asked, her voice laced with worry. "Why are you covering your eye like that?"
Riku tried to wave her off, feeling the strain even as he spoke. "It's… nothing, Aina. I just… need some rest."
But Aina crossed her arms, her brow furrowing. "You don't look fine, and I'm not letting you go until you tell me what's going on."
Sighing in defeat, Riku relented. "It's my left eye," he admitted. "It holds… a certain power that I can't control yet. When it's uncovered, I can see things I shouldn't… it's exhausting, to say the least."
Aina's eyes softened with understanding. "If it's that bad, I might know someone who could help you. He's a friend—a dwarf named Tetsugorou. He's a master craftsman, specializes in making tools and gear with unique properties. Maybe he has something that could help with… restraining that power."
Grateful yet wary, Riku nodded, allowing Aina to lead him through the busy streets to Tetsugorou's workshop. The shop was nestled between rows of towering buildings, a cozy, warm place with walls lined with gleaming tools, strange devices, and odd trinkets that bore the marks of fine craftsmanship.
A gruff, stout figure emerged from behind a workbench, his face breaking into a wide smile as he saw Aina. "Aina! What a pleasant surprise!" His gaze shifted to Riku, his eyes narrowing with curiosity as he noticed the cloth covering Riku's eye. "And who's this?"
"A friend," Aina replied, explaining the situation. "Tetsugorou, Riku here has a powerful ability tied to his left eye. But he can't control it yet, and it's causing him… well, a lot of pain."
The dwarf rubbed his chin thoughtfully, nodding as he walked over to a cluttered cabinet, rummaging through its contents. "Ah, here it is!" He pulled out a small, finely crafted leather eyepatch with intricate rune engravings on its surface. "This patch was designed to suppress mana flow. It should prevent your eye from drawing in excess mana, blocking its power."
Riku took the eyepatch, studying the intricate patterns woven into its surface, each rune etched with meticulous care. With a deep breath, he removed the cloth and placed the eyepatch over his left eye. Instantly, he felt the strain lift. The torrent of information faded, leaving only a comforting silence in his mind.
Tetsugorou grinned approvingly. "Seems like it worked. Just be careful not to strain yourself until you're ready to handle that power."
With a grateful bow, Riku thanked Tetsugorou, and he and Aina left the workshop. On the way back, Aina glanced at him with a mischievous smile. "So… now that you've got that under control, what do you say about coming to the Royal Festival tomorrow?"
Riku hesitated, still feeling a twinge of discomfort at the thought of being in a crowded, bustling event. But he saw the hope in Aina's eyes and couldn't bring himself to decline. "Alright," he replied, managing a small smile. "I'll go."
Aina's face lit up, and for a moment, Riku's concerns faded. As they walked through the dimming evening, he felt a newfound determination settle within him. He had a power unlike anything he'd ever known—one that held promise, and risk in equal measure. And with Aina's support, he was ready to face whatever awaited him.