Chapter 15: Take me home
Standing at the threshold, I surveyed the chamber bathed in the nostalgic scent of aged paper and ink. The library, a haven of knowledge within Lumosar, exuded an air of serene academia. The quiet murmurs and the gentle rustling of robes momentarily shifted their attention towards my entrance.
The path to the library was somewhat secluded within the academy, taking a few minutes to navigate. Despite being accessible to students beyond their first year, I typically avoided this time of day due to the persistent presence of bothersome bugs that frequented the area.
Upon entering, my gaze swept across the expansive room, taking in the sight of tall bookshelves, their aged spines adorned with gilded titles and weathered bindings. Dust particles danced lazily in the beams of sunlight filtering through the high windows, casting a warm glow over the worn wooden floors.
The librarian, an elderly woman with an ample figure, framed by orange hair adorned with freckles, stood behind a polished oak desk. Her name, Grola if memory served, commanded an air of authority within this vast literary domain.
The library itself spanned three floors, each housing an impressive collection of literature. The ground floor, where I stood, boasted row upon row of shelves, neatly organized and housing a myriad of tomes. The second floor housed specialized texts, ranging from historical chronicles to arcane studies, while the topmost floor was rumored to safeguard rare and restricted texts.
I turned towards Grola, who wore a disapproving frown, her gaze unwelcoming. Simultaneously, a young assistant scurried away, avoiding interaction with me, likely due to the recent rumors circulating around the academy.
"Could you grant me access to the third floor?" I asked, hopeful but met with firm resistance.
"What?" Grola's raised brow conveyed her lack of interest in complying with my request.
"I don't have time for this. Please, I need access immediately," I insisted, feeling the urgency of my impending departure from the academy grounds within the next hour and a half.
"Unfortunately, accessing the third floor is currently restricted. Only teachers have clearance for the next few days," she explained, her tone resolute and unwavering.
"But Professor Snutter informed me I could access anything in the library," I argued in vain.
"Headmaster Delhore specifically instructed me not to grant access to the third floor," she countered, signaling the end of my request.
With a brief glance back at Grola, I resigned myself to the refusal and made my way toward the second floor.
I ascended the grand staircase that led to the library's second level. The ambiance shifted noticeably as I reached the mid-tier floor, where the atmosphere felt more specialized, housing a distinct collection of texts.
Rows of books graced the walls, each section elegantly labeled to denote various subjects—history, ancient mythologies, and an assortment of esoteric studies adorned the shelves.
Soft lighting diffused through the stained glass windows, casting a mesmerizing array of colors that danced across the polished wooden floors. The air carried the hushed whispers of pages being turned, occasionally punctuated by the subtle shuffling of chairs.
Without delay, I headed toward the last two bookshelves, retrieving two grimoires and two epic poems from the royal family section, along with a substantial volume from the continental history section.
I swiftly gathered the books, tucking them under my arm, and hastened toward the library's exit. As I passed by, Grola, the librarian, shot me an annoyed look. She had come upstairs to keep an eye on me.
However, I paid no heed and hurried towards the grand staircase, eager to leave the library and the academy behind. With about an hour remaining, I made my way towards the sparring ground.
I arrived at the sparring ground, a vast open area where the sounds of clashing weapons and grunts of exertion filled the air, accompanied by cheers from onlookers.
Spotting the shed at the end of the ground, I hastened toward it, ignoring the ongoing duels. The building appeared rundown from the outside, used to store weaponry for second-year students. Pushing the door open, I found a few students inside, their expressions showing surprise upon seeing me. One of them was a classmate.
Navigating the lockers, I located the one marked with my name and opened it, revealing a single sword. This wasn't an academy-issued weapon; it was something I had kept hidden.
As I turned, a hand blocked my path. "Hello," greeted a third-year student, denoted by the red robe he wore.
Suddenly, a sharp sound echoed in the shed.
Pahk!
"Ugh!" The boy groaned, clutching his nose as he fell to the floor.
I was taken aback. Did he think I was some girl to flirt with? Stepping over his fallen form, I quickly exited the shed.
And with that, I had everything I needed. As for why Delhore decided not to expel me, it remained a mystery. I strode toward Lumosar's gate, my destination clear in my mind.
The carriage stood just outside the gate.
"Young master," the driver began, but his sandwich dropped to the ground as he flinched.
"Get us back to..." I paused, unable to refer to that place as my home anymore, "...the manor."
I stepped into the carriage, the door creaking as I settled in. The driver hesitated for a moment, eyeing me with a mix of uncertainty and concern before resuming his seat at the front.
The manor appeared in the distance, and as the carriage halted in front of it, I stepped outside.
"Keep an eye on the books," I instructed the driver, who nodded in response, though I doubted my authority over him now.
As I dashed into the manor, the maids and servants exchanged glances, stepping back wherever I went.
Reaching my room, I pushed open the door.
I felt... nothing.
There was an odd sense of freedom in my mind now that I was away from this place. Searching under the bed frame, I retrieved my wand, then lifted the mattress, finding a slip hidden beneath it. Pocketing the slip, I moved to the cupboard in the room.
Bypassing the clothes, I located a small drawer inside the cupboard. It held a diary inscribed with the name "Calista Vaishè" - my mother's diary. Clutching it briefly, I stowed it away in my pocket. Other than these items, everything here seemed worthless.
I left the room, calling for Alfred, the atmosphere of the manor becoming increasingly suffocating with each passing moment. Esme lingered nearby, a smug expression etched on her face.
Alfred hurried in, breathless. "At your service—"
"Papers and money," I cut in, issuing the terse command.
Alfred blinked, a fleeting moment of sadness flickering across his face before he regained his composure. "Right away," he bowed and hurried off.
As I waited, the oppressive air of the manor seemed to tighten its grip around me. Esme leaned against a nearby pillar, her expression bearing that familiar air of superiority.
Alfred returned with a pouch, and I snatched it from him, quickly examining the contents. The papers detailed my new status as the head of a vessel house in the Vaishè estate, along with five hundred gold coins and a small house at the capital's edge.
Reviewing the documents thoroughly, I departed from the manor, ignoring Esme's murmurs trailing behind me as I left without entertaining her nagging.
As the sun descended, casting a warm glow over the surroundings with hues of crimson and gold, I stood amidst the gentle caress of the evening breeze.
The gardens and the entire estate looked more beautiful at sunset—a sight I promised myself to return to someday.
Tossing the items I had taken into the carriage, I stepped inside. "Old man, want to work for me?" I inquired.
There was a momentary pause before he responded, "My daughter is a maid at the main manor, young master."
"Say no more," I quickly replied, not wanting to cause any trouble for him. I settled back into the seat.
"Where are we heading?" He inquired as he took hold of the reins.
"Take me..." I glanced at the documents in my hand, "Home."
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