As we were wrapping up our conversation, Abigail's gaze softened, and she spoke with a hint of excitement in her voice. "By the way, Kael, I'm planning to dive into a dungeon soon after my graduation. But I'm not sure which one it'll be yet. I'll probably get assigned to a squad by the academy after tomorrow."
I raised an eyebrow, curious. "You're diving into a dungeon right after graduation?"
Abigail nodded, her smile tinged with both excitement and a touch of uncertainty. "Yeah. After graduation, we're all expected to prove ourselves, you know? I'll be assigned to one of the squads from the academy. But the problem is, I don't know if it will be the same dungeon you'll be diving into. There are a lot of factors to consider when they're assigning groups."
"Guess we'll both be diving into different dungeons, huh?" I said, trying to lighten the mood. But in truth, I was thinking about how things were changing between us. We wouldn't be able to meet up as easily as we used to.
Abigail sighed, the weight of the unknown in her voice. "I suppose so. And with the squads, I won't know where I'll be stationed, or when I'll be able to visit the library." She looked down, her eyes drifting over the rows of books. "It feels strange, doesn't it? Knowing that we're both heading into this world, but we might not see each other for a while. I won't be able to pop in and chat whenever I want."
I nodded, understanding what she meant. Our paths were diverging now—she would be with her academy squad, while I would be on my own, diving into the dungeons with no formal training or allies at my side. It felt like we were stepping into different worlds, even though we were so close.
"Yeah," I said, my voice quieter than usual. "But you'll be alright, Abigail. You've got the skills. You'll figure it out."
Her smile returned, though there was a hint of uncertainty in her eyes. "I hope so, Kael. I really do. But for now, let's just make sure we don't lose touch completely, okay?"
I nodded, offering a reassuring grin. "Of course. I'll make sure to drop by whenever I can. And when you're free, we'll catch up. Even if it's just for a quick chat."
She gave a small laugh, the sound light and easy. "You'd better, Kael. I'm holding you to it."
With that, the atmosphere between us shifted slightly, a sense of finality creeping in. It was clear that the next few days would be pivotal for both of us, and that our paths were going to diverge in ways we couldn't yet predict.
"Guess I should get going then," I said, standing up from the table. "I'll see you again, right?"
"Right," Abigail said, standing as well. "but who knows when we'll both be able to meet again maybe at the entrance of the dungeons."
I gave her a final nod, my gaze lingering on her for a moment before I turned to leave. "Good luck with your graduation, Abigail."
She gave me a wink. "And good luck with your dives. Try not to do anything reckless."
I smiled, though a knot of unease had started to form in my chest. It was strange, this feeling of growing apart, but I knew that our time together wasn't over. It was just... changing.
I gave her one last wave, turning to leave the history section. As I made my way toward the exit, I stopped for a moment, seeing Victor again sitting at the front desk.
"Goodnight, Victor," I said with a small nod. "I'll be back tomorrow, bright and early."
Victor gave a tired, but friendly smile. "Take care, Kael. Good luck with whatever you're planning to do."
I gave a slight wave and exited the library, the cool late afternoon air hitting me immediately. I felt a sense of relief, as if the weight of the day had finally started to lift off my shoulders. But what I didn't realize was that the moment I left, the atmosphere inside the library shifted.
Back in the history section, Abigail remained standing at the table, her eyes tracing the path Kael had just walked. But as she stood there, a shadowy figure emerged from the shelves, moving with the quiet grace of someone who had spent years in the shadows. The person knelt in front of her, their head bowed low.
"Is it wise, milady, to give such a precious armor piece to him?" the figure questioned, voice low and cautious. "It's more than just an arm guard."
Abigail's expression didn't falter. She didn't even blink, but a strange, subtle change seemed to pass over her. Her chestnut hair and black eyes seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye, replaced by flowing silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Her face remained unchanged, but there was something ethereal about her now—a stark contrast to the girl I had just spoken to.
"I know what I'm doing, Shen," Abigail replied, her voice now carrying a cool, serene quality. "He's the only friend I've had outside of my family. And besides, I can give him the other pieces when they come."
Shen, the figure, didn't question her further, but simply gave a quiet nod. "As you wish, milady. Let us go now. Tomorrow is your graduation day."
Abigail nodded, her gaze distant for a moment before she straightened up, her new form almost regal in its presence. "Yes, let's go. I have a lot of preparation to do."
As they turned to leave, the shadows in the library seemed to shift, and the figure of Shen followed closely behind, ready to fulfill whatever tasks Abigail had set for them.
Then Victor, the vice head librarian, walked toward the back of the library, his footsteps echoing slightly in the otherwise silent space. He made his way through the winding corridors until he reached the door to Mesha's office. Without knocking, he opened the door, and Mesha, the head librarian, looked up from her desk.
"Looks like Kael is friends with the daughter of that family," Mesha said, her voice soft yet carrying an undercurrent of knowing. She leaned back in her chair slightly, observing Victor with a thoughtful expression.
Victor raised an eyebrow as he entered. "Looks like it," he replied, a note of curiosity in his voice. "Should I prepare that book for him?"
Mesha gave a small, knowing smile. "Yes, fetch it. But I want you to enchant it, so only Kael can use it. It'll make a perfect parting gift, along with a birthday surprise."
Victor nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure it's done."
As he turned to leave, Mesha's voice stopped him. "Victor," she said softly, her eyes glinting with something like fondness, "Kael may not know it yet, but that book will be more useful to him than he realizes. We may not be able to help him with his physical strength, but he has something the others don't."
Victor gave a small nod, then disappeared into the library to retrieve the book Mesha had requested.
Back in Mesha's office, the head librarian leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the desk. She had known Kael for years, even if their interactions had mostly been limited to his work at the library. But today had been different. She had seen something in him—the same spark she had seen in others who had gone on to do great things.
Kael's journey was only just beginning, but Mesha was certain that the path ahead would not be an easy one. And so, as she waited for Victor to return with the book, she knew that this gesture, this gift, would be the first step in Kael's deeper involvement with the world of dungeons—whether he was ready for it or not.