The remainder of the morning lesson passed quickly as Maya guided the class through increasingly complex symbol combinations. By the time she announced the end of their session, Aeon had filled his slate with practice exercises and felt confident in his grasp of the basic phonetic principles underlying the written language.
"Excellent work today, everyone," Maya announced as the children began packing their materials. "Remember to practice the symbols we learned at home. Tomorrow we'll begin combining them into simple words."
Around him, seven-year-olds chattered excitedly as they prepared for their midday break, but Aeon noticed Marcus taking his time organizing his slate and chalk with methodical precision.
"You really did learn fast," Marcus said quietly as the other children filed toward the door. "It usually takes new students weeks to get comfortable with symbol formation."
"I had good motivation to pay attention," Aeon replied, appreciating the boy's genuine interest rather than suspicious curiosity. "You seem to enjoy the lessons yourself."
Marcus's serious expression brightened slightly. "I want to be a scholar someday. Maybe work in the Great Library in the capital, or become a translator for the trade guilds." He paused, then added with characteristic directness, "Is it true you came from outside? What are other places like?"
The question was asked with pure academic curiosity, and Aeon found himself genuinely touched by the boy's earnest interest. "I haven't seen much of the world," he answered truthfully. "Mostly I've been... confined to one place until recently."
"Oh." Marcus's expression showed understanding beyond his years. "That must have been difficult. But now you can learn about everything, right? That's exciting."
If only it were that simple, Aeon thought. Aloud, he said, "I hope so. Knowledge is important for understanding how the world works."
"Exactly!" Marcus gathered his materials with renewed enthusiasm. "I'll see you in tomorrow's class, Aeon. Maybe we can sit together?"
"I'd like that," Aeon replied, and found he meant it. Having at least one friendly face among his classmates would make the learning process more pleasant.
As Marcus joined the stream of children leaving for their break, Aeon approached Instructor Maya's desk where she was organizing papers and cleaning the large slate board.
Up close, she appeared to be in her early thirties, with kind brown eyes and prematurely gray streaks in her hair that suggested years of patient work with young students. Her hands moved with the efficient grace of someone who had performed these same tasks thousands of times, and her posture spoke to both confidence and quiet competence.
"Instructor Maya?" he said politely. "May I ask you a question?"
She looked up from her papers with the slightly wary expression he was beginning to recognize from most adults in the village. "Of course, Aeon. How can I help you?"
"I'm grateful for the opportunity to learn reading and writing," he began carefully, "but I was wondering if there might be a public library where I could study additional materials once I've mastered the basics."
Maya's eyebrows rose slightly, and he could see her processing the implications of his request. "You're interested in advanced reading? Most children your age are content with the basic lessons."
"I have a lot of catching up to do," Aeon replied truthfully. "There's much about the world I don't understand."
For a moment, Maya studied his face with the analytical attention of someone trying to solve a puzzle. "We do have a village library," she said slowly. "It's part of the civic center, near the Assembly Hall. The collection focuses mainly on practical subjects—agriculture, basic crafts, local history."
"That sounds perfect," Aeon said with genuine enthusiasm. "Would I be permitted to use it?"
"I... I'm not certain what the access policies are for your situation," Maya admitted. "You would need to speak with Librarian Oswald about obtaining permission. I could provide you with a letter of introduction, explaining your educational progress."
Bureaucracy, Aeon thought with wry amusement. Some things are universal regardless of the world.
"I would appreciate that very much," he said. "Thank you for considering it."
Maya nodded slowly, still wearing that expression of someone trying to reconcile conflicting impressions. "You're quite different from most students, Aeon. Your maturity level and learning speed are... unusual."
Careful, he warned himself. Don't stand out too much.
"I suppose difficult experiences can make someone grow up quickly," he replied, which was true enough to satisfy any truth-detection magic that might be monitoring him.
"I suppose they can," Maya agreed softly. "I'll prepare that introduction letter for you. Check with me tomorrow after class."
"Thank you, Instructor. I'll see you tomorrow."
As Aeon left the Learning Hall and made his way back toward his quarters for the midday meal, his mind was already racing with the possibilities that library access might provide.
Basic crafts and agriculture might seem mundane, but they'll tell me about the economic foundation of this society. Local history will reveal political structures, past conflicts, and social organization. Even simple trade manuals can provide insights into how this world's commerce and communications work.
More importantly, any collection of books would likely contain references to the broader world beyond Millhaven's borders. Names of kingdoms, major cities, trade routes, powerful organizations—all the information he would need to navigate his eventual exile with some hope of survival.
I need to understand what options exist for someone in my position, he reflected as he walked through the village's peaceful streets. What occupations are available to those without family connections or noble backing? How do political alliances work? Where might someone with unusual abilities find acceptance rather than persecution?
The mana oath bound him from revealing information about Millhaven, but it didn't prevent him from learning about the outside world. If anything, such knowledge would better prepare him to avoid leading threats back to the village inadvertently.
Four months to absorb as much information as possible about history, politics, economics, and geography. Four months to understand how power really works in this world, and where someone like me might find a place to belong.
Or at least, a place to survive long enough to build something more permanent.
The afternoon's attribute training would provide insights into the magical aspects of this society, but the library would offer something equally valuable—a window into the mundane realities that shaped how ordinary people lived, worked, and died.
Knowledge is power, Aeon reminded himself as he climbed the stairs to his quarters. And power, properly applied, is freedom.
Both were things he intended to acquire in abundance before his time in Millhaven came to an end.