Chương 33: Aurelia's Determination (1)

Ethan's POV

On entering the black tower, I found myself in a dimly lit hallway. The air was heavy with an ancient, almost oppressive silence that carried an eerie weight. I followed the corridor, my footsteps echoing faintly against the stone walls, and eventually arrived at a room that revealed itself to be a library.

The sight was both fascinating and melancholic. The room was vast and circular owing to the tower's shape, its ceilings arched high and inlaid with the same purple and blue gemstones that I saw in the master Nyx's cave. It emitted a soft, otherworldly glow and cast a serene radiance across the otherwise somber interior, giving the gloomy space an oddly tranquil ambience.

Rows of black stone shelves stretched across the room, sparsely populated with books and scrolls, many of which had succumbed to the relentless passage of time. The air smelled faintly of decay and ancient parchment, a reminder of the library's age and neglect. I approached one of the shelves and carefully reached for a yellowed book, its fragile form barely clinging to its existence. The moment I touched it the book crumbled to dust in my hands leaving behind only a faint wisp of disappointment in me.

I sighed, brushing off the residue, and continued my search. Despite the disheartening state of the library, my curiosity surged. The reader in me was alive again, eager to uncover the mysteries hidden within these forgotten tomes. After some time, I came across a peculiar book that seemed a lot different than those of its surroundings.

Its cover was an unsettling pale white, bordered with sharp black edges. The title, Blood Veil Continent: An Introduction, was etched in vivid blood-red letters that seemed almost alive. The moment my eyes settled on the script, an intense pain shot through my head. My vision blurred, and tears involuntarily welled up. Startled, I averted my gaze, yet I clung to the book, inexplicably compelled to explore its contents.

I ran my fingers over its surface, only to recoil slightly as I realized its strange texture—it wasn't parchment but bone. A shiver ran down my spine as I confirmed the material was no illusion. The cover felt unnervingly smooth, like polished ivory, yet carried an unnatural coldness.

Overcoming my initial hesitation, I flipped open the book. As I began to read, the world around me seemed to fade, my mind wholly consumed by its enigmatic contents.

Aurelia's POV

I walked the snow-laden ivory paths alone, my thoughts tangled in a web of memories and longing. The cold air bit at my cheeks, but the whispers of passing students stung even more. They whispered among each other but they didn't know that I could hear them as my level was higher than theirs,

"Hey, isn't that Aurelia? The top acolyte in the Tier-2 Frost spire Enclave? I heard she comes from a renowned magic family, but she's so antisocial. Doesn't have any friends, except maybe her brother."

"Yeah, I heard about her. They say she was so lively and cheerful when she joined the academy four or five years ago. But then, something changed. Now, all she does is train, take on dangerous missions, and push herself endlessly. That's why she advanced to Tier-2 so quickly while the rest of us are still struggling to channel mana, let alone cast spells."

"I heard she rejects everyone who tries to befriend her, especially the guys who dare to court her," one girl added in a conspiratorial tone.

"Hmph, she just acts haughty and aloof to get attention. Inside, I bet she's nothing but a pretentious little bitch," hissed another girl, jealousy dripping from every word.

I heard it all but paid no mind. Their shallow judgments couldn't even begin to touch the truth of my world. My aspirations, my goals and my pain were beyond anything they could fathom. As their voices faded into the snow-filled air, my chest tightened. My thoughts turned to Ethan, and despite my best efforts, my eyes misted.

The memory of the day he disappeared hit me like a storm. I swallowed hard, forcing back the tears. I had to be strong, strong enough to grow, strong enough to protect Aunt Eleanor, and strong enough to find Ethan one day. Wherever he was, I knew he was fighting just as hard to come back to us… to me.

I reached the professor's lobby and made my way to Aunt Eleanor's cabin. The familiar scent of scrolls and potions greeted me as I stepped inside. She was there, as always, her purple lab coat perfectly in place, her purple-rimmed glasses perched on her nose. Her hands moved deftly, mixing ingredients and murmuring arcane words over a bubbling beaker. Without turning, she spoke, her tone steady and warm.

"Oh, little Aurelia, you're here."

"Yes, Auntie. I've finally perfected my control over the Ice Blast potion," I replied, my voice steadier than I felt. "And… there's something else I wanted to ask you."

"Hmm, well done," she said, finally pausing her work to inspect the ice-blue potion swirling in her beaker. It gave off ripples of frosty light, casting delicate patterns on the walls and sending a chill into the air. "Your talent in potions might even surpass mine."

I smiled faintly as she placed the potion aside.

"Sit," she said, gesturing toward the chair across her desk. "I'll make you some coffee."

I sat down, my hands clutching the edge of the chair. When she returned with two steaming cups, I opened my mouth to speak, but she interrupted me, her tone laced with sorrow.

"I know what you want to ask," she said softly. "But father has already searched the Western Wildlands. Scouts from other regions have also reported back. There's been no sign of Ethan, no abnormal demon manifestations or any traces of random teleportation."

Her words hit me like a cold, unforgiving wave. My body slumped against the chair, and this time, I couldn't hold back the tears. They spilled freely as the memory of Ethan's smile and our kiss beneath the conifer tree behind the castle flashed before me. The aching void left in his absence felt unbearable.

Aunt Eleanor moved around the desk and wrapped her arms around me. Her warm embrace only made the dam inside me break further. My sobs filled the room, and though she stayed silent, I felt her grip tighten. I glanced up to see tears glistening in her own eyes, betraying the facade of strength she had maintained for so long.

For a moment, the two of us held onto each other, bound by our shared grief.