Maxi clapped slowly, the sound sharp against the now-quiet air.
"That was as beautiful… and trifling," he said, his voice carrying a mix of awe and irony, "as the New Age of Blessings story."
Angelina gave a slight nod, though her expression remained rigid. She was still stewing from Colen's earlier scolding, but she wouldn't let it show. Maxi glanced at her, taking mental note.
His thoughts drifted.
That was amazing storytelling. I don't really have anyone to compare it to, except for Tengen...
Tengen, was more of a campfire storyteller—his tales brimming with reckless adventure and charm. But Colen? Colen was a mountain of knowledge. His stories were told like sacred texts, each word intentional, each pause deliberate. They didn't feel like tales—they felt like living, breathing memories from an ancient librarian who had lived them all.
Maxi chuckled inwardly. Tengen's like a hill in a sandbox compared to Colen. But I shouldn't make it a habit to slander Tengen… that would become a bad habit.
He focused again as Colen raised his hand and—
Snap.
A single drop of melted ice began to fall from above. Before it could touch the ground, it froze midair and shattered—along with the entire thin layer of ice on the table—into thousands of delicate snowflakes.
Simultaneously, fire burst upward beneath the hovering flakes, careful not to burn the table. The snowflakes floated above the flames like sacred ashes suspended in time. Colen extended a finger, around which illusory rainbow stars circled in a slow, divine orbit.
The red star glowed gently. The temperature rose.
The snowflakes evaporated into water vapor.
The white stars flared next. They transformed into a gust of sacred wind, blowing the vapor upward into the library's floating orbs—those mysterious orbs that had always filled the air with a sweet, fruity aroma.
Now Maxi understood. He muttered, "So those things are the ones making that smell…"
Angelina nodded in response.
Colen clasped his hands together and spoke casually, "So… any questions?"
Maxi thought for a moment. "Yeah. Was that magic?"
Colen let out a sigh.
Maxi's soul wept inside from the coldness that hit his body like a blistered.
"Yes, it was magic," Colen said, sounding both amused and tired. "But I meant questions about the history, not the presentation."
Maxi nodded. "Right, okay… Yeah. When are we starting the War of Betrayal and Blood? Because you kinda left me on a cliffhanger."
Colen scoffed, clearly expecting the question.
"That's obvious—tomorrow."
Maxi nodded. "i know dump questions, right?"
"Dump question indeed," Colen replied.
Maxi's curiosity wasn't finished yet. "Do we know what happened to Oasis's brother and that fox Uki girl?"
Colen leaned back. "No. Some say he's dead. Some say they know where he is but won't tell. Some even claim he was killed before he could ever become a god."
He paused. "But me? I believe he did become one. Probably married the fox Uki girl, had a few divine children, and now lives quietly, happily, as a forgotten god with them or maybe not happy at all."
Maxi smiled softly at the idea. "Yeah… that sounds nice. Well, the nice part of it sounds nice."
Colen says in his cold voice, "You can't too optimistic had a fight with his brother and from what history tells us he never made up or taked to his brother again so what kind of effects do you think that would have"
Maxi nodded knowing way too well the world wasn't sunshine and magical star rembow he was an adult for cry out loud he knew life but he was child right now he had to act like he hadn't had that reality check yet
Maxi stood. "Well, that's all the questions I've got for now. Thanks for the history lesson, big brother."
Angelina then stood up without a word and stood right beside maxi
Colen nodded. Maxi turned and left with Angelina right by his side, their footsteps echoing as they walked toward the outer shelves of the giant library.
Colen watched him go. He lifted his finger, the rainbow stars still orbiting like playful memories.
He gave a slow blow.
The stars vanished in a soft shimmer.
Colen then leaned back in his seat, alone once again beneath the watchful orbs, the scent of fruit and frost lingering in the air.