More than an hour passed.
Elira arrived. Punctual as ever.
Honestly, Leo was starting to wonder if this woman even knew how to be late. At this point, he wouldn't be surprised if she showed up right on time even with the manor burning down around her.
Hell, she'd probably apologize for being late if the fire delayed her by a few seconds.
Thankfully, he'd used the past hour to freshen up. At least he'd avoided getting nagged by Elira.
It had taken him barely thirty minutes to get ready. Unlike those noble dramas he'd watched back on Earth, he didn't have a personal maid to help him with his bath.
Hmm...
"Should I add that to my bucket list?"
A creepy grin slowly crept across Leo's face.
Elira, who had been standing off to the side, couldn't help but stare at him with an expression that suggested she was seriously reconsidering her career choice.
After a moment, however, she nodded to herself.
It seems the young master is finally reaching puberty.
"Perhaps I should inform this to Lady Silvia"
Completely oblivious to the thoughts running through Elira's mind, Leo continued walking as though nothing had happened.
Then, all of a sudden, he felt it.
Someone was watching him.
Damn. What the hell was this creepy feeling?
A strange uneasiness crept over him. It was more than just the feeling of being watched; there was something about that gaze that made him feel as though he were being targeted.
His body tensed. He instinctively clutched his upper waist with both hands. A slight tremor ran through him.
What the hell is going on?
He quickened his pace towards the library.
Yet no matter how fast he walked, he couldn't shake the feeling that the gaze was following him. Clinging to his back like a shadow.
Elira, noticing the sudden change in her young master's behaviour, hurried after him. She had absolutely no idea what had gotten into him. But she wasn't about to let him wander off alone in such a state.
By the time they finally reached the library, Leo was breathing heavily. He stopped at the entrance, bent forward slightly, and panted as he tried to catch his breath.
Meanwhile, Elira stood beside him. Looking as composed as ever.
Leo glanced at her. Then down at himself.
"What the hell? How is she not even out of breath?"
He stared at her for another moment before shaking his head.
What's with this world? Are all women built like this from birth?
He wanted to ask. But he couldn't care less about it. He had more important things to worry about than Elira's seemingly monsterious stamina.
Besides, he had no intention of giving her another reason to question his sanity.
Straightening his back, Leo finally stepped inside the library.
---
Leo walked deeper into the library. His gaze fell upon the towering shelves lining the hall. Each one packed with books of varying sizes and thicknesses. His eyes searched for anything related to Awakening. Rituals. Anything that might explain what was happening to him.
After some searching, he found a few books on the subject. Unfortunately, none of them had what he was looking for. They explained the basics of the Awakening ritual. Nothing that could help him understand his own situation.
One book after another. Nothing.
Leo finally let out a disappointed sigh.
Seriously? Is there nothing useful in this entire place?
He was beginning to lose hope when a sudden whisper rang through his ear.
"It seems you're rather interested in rituals, young man."
A sudden whisper brushed against his ear.
Leo jolted.
His entire body went stiff. Then he lurched forward, nearly stumbling over his own feet.
And honestly? Who wouldn't react that way? Having someone suddenly whisper into your ear without making a sound beforehand was enough to scare the life out of anyone.
"What the...?!"
Leo spun around. His heart is still pounding. Ready to confront whoever had decided to sneak up on him.
But the moment he saw the person standing behind him, his anger faltered.
An elderly man. Well into his eighties, by the look of him. Long white hair fell around his shoulders. An equally long beard hung down his chest. He leaned on a wooden cane, his frail body trembling slightly. His hunched posture suggested that even standing upright required effort.
And yet, despite his seemingly feeble appearance, the old man had managed to approach Leo without making a sound.
...How the hell did this old man sneak up on me?
"Haha, young man. You no need to be wary of me. I am just a weak old man who has been managing this library for ages."
He laughed as if there were no tomorrow.
He thought, are all old men like this?
But soon the shock was replaced by embarrassment, and his expression softened into one of respect.
He gave the old man a slight bow.
"I'm sorry, Grandpa. You startled me when you approached without making a sound. I didn't mean to be rude, so please forgive me if my reaction offended you."
"Ha ha ha! What a polite lad." The old man chuckled, stroking his long white beard. "Don't worry about these old bones, young man. It's my fault for sneaking up on you like that."
He paused. His aged eyes settled on Leo.
"I was simply curious about what you were looking for. I've been watching you from the third floor, and you've been searching through the same section for quite some time."
Wait a minute. He's been watching me from the third floor?
If his memory served him right, access to the third floor was restricted to certain members of the Graythorn household. That included some of the family elders. Individuals of direct lineage with considerable authority. And, of course, the Duke himself.
Leo's gaze briefly wandered over the old man standing before him.
Despite his frail appearance, there was something about him that made Leo suspect he wasn't an ordinary member of the household. He might have looked like a harmless old man who could barely stand without his cane. But appearances could be deceiving.
Great. Just my luck. I come here looking for answers, and the first person I meet is someone who might be a big shot in the family.
Leo maintained his polite smile.
"Ah. Yes. I was looking for books on Awakening rituals."
The old man's eyes glinted with something Leo couldn't quite read.
"Awakening rituals," he repeated. "Interesting."
He took a step closer. His cane tapped softly against the floor.
"Most young men your age don't bother with such things. They prefer to wait for the ritual to come to them."
Leo shrugged. Then, with an embarrassed tone, he said, "Ha, actually Grandpa, I already performed my ritual. But I failed. Earlier. Due to the limitations of my weak physique."
The old man, whose eyes were clouded with long eyebrows, looked at him. His deep blue eyes studied Leo.
Leo was startled for a second. But he still maintained his composure.
"Oh? That's more interesting. It seems you wanted to find a way to awaken again, young man."
Leo looked at him and acted along with it.
"Ha ha. You caught me, Grandpa."
The old man soon reached his hand towards Leo's wrist.
Leo was startled by his sudden action. But he didn't react much. Just let the old man do his job.
"Hmm."
"You do have a very weak constitution. But there are very few cases where people have awoken after failure of their first ritual."
The old man studied him for a long moment. Then he smiled.
"Well then. Perhaps I can help you."
Leo blinked.
"Help me?"
"I've been in this library more times than I can count. If there's anything worth finding here, I know where it is."
He turned and gestured towards the far end of the hall.
"Come. There's a section most people overlook. You might find what you're looking for there."
Leo hesitated.
The old man glanced back at him.
"Unless you'd rather keep searching on your own, of course."
Leo looked at the shelves around him. Books he'd already searched for. Nothing useful.
Then he looked at the old man.
Well. What's the worst that could happen?
He looked at the old man politely and said, "Please help me, Grandpa. If I succeed in this, I will repay you with anything possible from my power."
"Save your words, young man. You should also know that awakening a second time is much harder than it seems. Most likely to be one in a hundred."
"So, young man, do you still want to repay me?"
Leo hesitated.
Of course he knew there would be clear limitations when it came to a second chance. But he still nodded his head firmly and said, "Of course, Grandpa. Once I've said something, it should always remain what it is."
"Ha ha. Young people nowadays." The old man chuckled. "But since you said this, you should keep your word, young man."
The old man with the wooden stick walked towards the end of the hall.
Leo followed. Hoping he could find anything useful, just as the old man said.