In the end, I borrowed the book about the philosopher Pliny.
I actually chose books by philosophers who had touched on the subject of 'magic' in their studies.
I was also planning to read more about
I at least know now that the Grand Magister does not bother about the floors beneath his room. That means I could slip inside the library after lights out and read all the books I want to read, no matter what floor it is located! This is very useful information indeed!
I was humming happily to myself as I made my way back through the pathway that ran along the woods, when I heard voices coming my way. Thinking that they were the crown prince's vassals, I decided to stray from the path and watch them from the shade of the nearby trees.
I wasn't wrong to do so, for I recognized the three new knight candidates, Timothy, Basil, and Peter walking the path with the senior Will. They were probably on their way back to the dorms from the crown prince's residence.
"You should be very grateful that his Royal Highness, the first Crown Prince Nigellus, has given you the privilege to dine with him," Will told the three.
"We truly are very honored!" Timothy and Peter fussed around him, obviously sucking up to the vassal. "We hope that his majesty would invite us to dine with him more often!"
"That depends on your actions." Will gave the three before him a sly smile. "His highness will continue granting you favors as long as you are beneficial to him and his cause," he told them. "Did you see how his highness favored me after I sent him my best new apprentice? I had been training that neophyte myself. Did you see how talented his tongue is?!"
The three of them gave a sick laugh.
"I think perhaps I should give him one of my newly acquired apprentices as a gift as well!" said Peter.
"Make sure it's a virgin, though. His majesty hates second hand whores."
"O-of course!" Peter quickly added.
"We only aim to please his Royal Highness, Prince Nigellus!" Timothy followed up.
"Your Loyalty would surely be repaid ten fold!"
The three of them looked at Basil, then, whom I noticed had been silent all that time.
"I shall think about it," he finally said, which earned him the glares of his companions.
"Basil," Will placed a hand on his broad shoulder. "I know that you are part of Prince André's white knights, but I wouldn't let this opportunity pass, if I were you. Tell me, can the second prince give you all the privileges the future emperor can give you right now?"
I didn't hear Basil's reply, or if he replied at all, since their group had walked out of my earshot.
I waited a bit longer for them to get even farther away before I cautiously stepped out from behind the tree I was hiding from.
"The first crown prince must be quite desperate if he's busy recruiting more bodyguards..." I found myself thinking aloud as I clutched my borrowed book to my chest.
"Of course," someone whispered in replied from behind me. "After all, he's afraid that I'd slit his throat while he slumbers!"
I turned around in alarm. I didn't notice that someone was behind me!
I saw an image in the darkness, flitting, rushing at me! He took hold of my left arm and twisted it behind my back.
"Food. Do you have any with you?" he asked me in a hoarse voice.
"I-I'm afraid not... I am actually on my way to get some..."
"Damn..." the person cursed. "Where are you headed? What year are you in?"
"first year. I am a neophyte," I added, "like you."
The person's hold on my arm tightened.
"What gives you the idea that I'm a neophyte, too?" he snarled at me.
"You don't seem to know that this path leads straight to the west dorm building," I told him. "Also, with the way you are acting and that hoarse voice, I can tell that you have been hiding from the seniors, probably, an apprentice forced to stay in some place against your will, like perhaps, the first prince's resi – ow!" the hold on me got even tighter.
"I don't believe you deducted that much information from the way I speak alone," he snarled at me. "tell me, you're one of his dogs, aren't you!?"
"I wouldn't be hiding here if I was, and if you must know, I also have an idea who you are, that's how I deducted those things about you."
"You? How could you know about me?" he asked, but this time, his hold on me got a bit loose.
"The prince's vassals are still combing the campus in search of a missing apprentice," I told him. "I don't actually know your name, but I have a good hunch that you're the person they have been looking for."
The hold on my arm finally loosened completely.
I gave a deep sigh and slowly turned around to face my captor. Sure enough, I found Darius standing there, his wild eyes wide open, his filthy white night gown, now the color of dirt, helping him blend in with the surroundings.
"Would you like some help?" I asked him. "I can sneak you inside our room, but you would have to trust me."
He didn't reply. He simply stared at me with his wild, hollow eyes.
"Do you trust me?" I asked him again.
"Take off your cloak," he told me as he strained to look at my face.
I took my hood off and stared straight at him.
He simply stared back, not even flinching, as most people do when they first see my face.
I guess his eyes have seen worst demons.
"You can help me inside the dorms?" he repeated.
"Yes, but you would have to put your trust in mefirst."
His wild eyes narrowed.
"You... you don't look like one of them..."
"Yes, the prince only fancies beautiful men," I nodded in agreement.
"No," he replied. "Your eyes are clear and true... and you faintly smell of maples..." he mumbled, before his legs buckled, dropping him on the ground.
"A-are you okay?" I asked him. It looks like hunger and anxiety has worn him down.
"Please, help me..." he whispered as I sat next to him. "Please... help..."