After getting thrown out of the manual hall, Cain appeared back in the grand library, but due to the suction force of trying to send him out, his reappearance wasn't the best.
Cain was thrown against the floor into a tumble, and made distance across the library before slamming into a bookshelf near the front desk.
Cain laid in the spot he landed as his eyes swirled, before the pain started to spread throughout his body.
'Ugh, I almost wish I hit something earlier.'
As Cain struggled to sit himself up as he leaned his back on the bookshelf, he was hit with a sudden realization.
Feeling as if time had slowed around him, his heart raced as he glanced towards his right hand.
The hand that had reached for the book.
And with a soft smile,
'I did it.'
It was almost instinctive how tightly he was holding the book, never wanting to let it go.
For this was the start of his journey, as he graciously stared at the ancient text in his hands.
Using his left hand to push himself off the ground as he slowly stood up, he looked at the front desk, only to see it vacant.
"I wonder where the old man went?"
Seeing as he finished his business here, Cain thought it was time to head home.
Upon taking his first step, he let out a deep groan, as the pain had yet to recede.
Deciding to take it slow, he headed towards the exit.
Upon exiting the library, he could feel the cold air against his skin. The temperature had dropped significantly since he first arrived.
The trees around him started to turn white as the snow fell hard. The ground collecting the remnants of what the tree missed.
Seeing as the sun headed into deep afternoon, and he had around a two-hour walk back, he resolved himself as he tucked the manual into his pants. It was time to go home, and then he would digest everything this book had for him.
As Cain headed down the mountain, the meeting in the great hall was reaching its end.
—----
"What manual did he take?" Stella asked.
The old man lingered for a bit before responding, "Spoilers."
"I'd better put the old man down, it seems his age is affecting him," Reidar said as he slowly raised his hand as a dark form of lightning started to spark in his palm.
"Or what? You gonna tickle me to death? It seems like a few seasons have passed since we last dueled. I guess it's time we figure out who still sits at the end of the table." The head elder retorted as he rolled up his sleeves.
The nobles' spines chilled upon seeing a potential fight between two of their strongest warriors. One was the past, the other the current ruler of the Whiteheart clan.
The noble's eyes spanned in all directions as they tried to figure a way out of this, but then one could hear a small soft tone, one that almost seemed a whisper, but had reached into every corner of the hall.
"Mhm, yes, I guess it is time for my vacation. Seeing as you two are both here, I guess it's time for both of you to catch up... It should be no problem as you would only need to deal with the internal and external affairs of the clan while I'm gone."
After Stella spoke, the hall went silent as both Reidar and the head elder looked at her with scared eyes.
Some nobles even thought, how could a small voice end such madness?
"Ah-hem, it seems our play fighting has gone too far, head elder," Reidar said as his fist covered his mouth in a fake coughing tone.
"Yes, yes, my son. It seems we've gotten a little too ahead of ourselves." The old man spoke with his head tilted to the side.
"So, what's the reason you're actually here?"
Acting as if the previous argument had never happened, the Head Elder spoke in a stern voice.
"I want you to give a tutor to the youngest."
Seeing as this was a visit about his youngest, Reidar looked at the nobles around and ordered.
"You are all excused."
With a deep bow, a few giving a relieved expression, took their belongings, and exited the hall.
As Reidar, Stella, and the head elder remained the only ones left, Reidar responded.
"The youngest does not need a tutor. He has Tess, and thus no reason to fight. Let alone the chance of using mana. There's no hope for him."
The old man looked at Reidar with soft eyes and spoke in a natural tone.
"He has no hope, because you gave him none."
Reidar shot up as he voiced back his words, echoing throughout the main hall.
"How dare you!"
Stella rested her hand on Reidar's shoulders as she looked at the head elder.
"Was this reason of thought solely based on what he found in the manual hall?"
"I was going to wait till his trial was over, seeing about what potential he had left to train or what was even left."
With a slight pause, "But then that manual fell right into his hands, almost as if it was showing itself to him, and at that moment… I saw a chance for him."
The room lighten upon hearing the head elder's words.
"Which one was it?" Reidar spoke in a domineering tone.
With a slight smirk, "The one the first ruler of Whiteheart found but could never figure out…
The wordless manual."
—----
As Cain passed through the inner gates, he could see a different set of guards filling in.
He was quite happy to see that, as he walked through them, not seeing any facial expressions on the guards.
As he entered the town, he could see that the shops and stalls were closed down for the day.
He noticed a few stalls staying open as they tried to sell some desserts.
The night loomed over the town as the moon stood high.
As he walked through the town, he noticed all the restaurants' lights were on, as music and the sound of people could be heard.
Cain's stomach growled; it was indeed late, and he was hungry.
Upon arriving at his house, he slowly opened the door and stepped in.
He noticed a note on the table with beautiful writing, as it read.
"Sorry, Cain! I had to head out of town for a small errand. I'll be back in the morning before you wake up! I left some food in the fridge.
-Tess"
Seeing how he was alone for the night, he quickly grabbed the meat Tess had left in the fridge before drinking it down and heading upstairs.
Cain sat in his bed as he took out the manual and held it with both hands, staring at the cover.
As he took a deep breath, he slowly exhaled and making sure no thoughts would try and intrude tonight.
Slowly lifting the cover, his eyes sparkled as he read the name of the manual.
"The Nine Forms of Genesis."
…
…
...
"Mhm?"
Cain took the book and lifted it in front of his head before turning the book upside down.
As he was constantly pushing in and out while rotating the book, his excitement turned into depression.
Turning the book upright, he flicked through the pages, only to see that every page was blank.
His eyes darkened, as his body went cold before one final thought rushed through his head.
"Did I grab a fake one!?"