"Hey, Morn, how about we go to the library and look for books about Gekko?" Shimo suggested, brushing aside his blue hair.
"Quick, before someone takes a table!" Morn replied with the urgency of someone afraid of losing a treasure.
The two boys—newly self-declared aspiring adventurers—were the first to leave the room after making their choices before the Baron. Their eager footsteps revealed both curiosity and ambition.
Pushing open the heavy library door, they entered a wide space divided into two platforms.
Right at the entrance, on the ground level, three round tables sat neatly on the left side, arranged as if chasing symmetry. On the right, shelves overflowing with cookbooks, agriculture guides, writing manuals, mathematics tomes, and all sorts of general knowledge created a mosaic of subjects for curious minds.
At the far end, a worn wooden staircase led to the upper platform. There were the more specialized subjects—Gekko, weaponry, continental history and geography, and books so ancient their covers seemed one breath away from turning to dust.
The duo crossed the first floor without sparing a single glance at the "mundane" knowledge. Their eyes were fixed on their true destination: the upper section.
They climbed the stairs quickly, driven by almost childlike excitement, until they reached the shelves filled with the books that truly mattered.
Without delay, they began scanning spines and titles, searching for anything that might spark interest.
That was when Shimo, holding a hefty book, called out:
"Morn, look at this… 'The Continent of Hikari.' It must talk about our world."
Morn approached.
"All right, let's take a look," he said, already pulling out a chair.
They settled at the table, ready to dive into a world they still knew only on the surface.
Shimo opened the book carefully—the volume was heavy, with a firm cover and pages yellowed by time. He ran his finger over the elegant lettering of the title before beginning to read aloud, slowly, so Morn could follow.
"'The Continent of Hikari is home to two intelligent races: humans and elves.'"
Morn straightened in his seat, intrigued.
Shimo continued:
"'Elves are a people who live more isolated and in more unified formations than humans. Most inhabit the lush Taken Forest—an ancient region stretching for miles beyond sight, located in the northeast of the continent.'"
The words seemed to come alive.
Shimo tilted the book slightly, as if he could see the scenes described.
"'It is a land of ancient, towering trees. Wildlife there is as vibrant as it is dangerous. Mystical and feral creatures roam the forest's shadows, and only elves possess the wisdom—or perhaps the permission—to wander freely. Their bond with the forest is profound, making Taken a symbol of their very existence.'"
Morn whistled softly.
Shimo turned the page.
"'At the heart of Taken stands a great tree shrouded in legend and mystery. Elves are extremely territorial and closed off to humans. Few men or women have earned enough of their trust to even glimpse their culture.'"
He paused briefly and continued:
"'However, smaller elven clans can also be found in other regions, such as the icy lands of Ai—a high-altitude territory in the southeast, covered in ice and surrounded by mountain formations circling a great volcano.'"
Morn widened his eyes.
"Sounds cold."
Shimo smirked and kept reading:
"'Humans, while not as unified as elves, are more scattered across the territory. Their main urban centers are located in the Sonobi Peninsula, a vast northwestern plain known for fertile agriculture and prosperous trade cities.'"
They both nodded. That part felt familiar.
"'There is also the isolated island of Yuha, in the southeast, whose mercenaries are widely known for their efficiency and skill. And the arid Domiods Desert, in the southwest, where its people form a powerful empire.'"
Morn leaned forward, drawn to the epic tone.
Shimo continued:
"'Beyond these major states, countless other peoples—known and unknown—are scattered across the continent.'"
He flipped the page, revealing a drawing of the End Range.
"'To the north, the continent's borders are defined by the imposing End Range—a vast chain of mountains stretching across the entire northern region, blocking access to the enigmatic "Hidden Continent." Up to the date of this book, all who attempted to cross it either never returned or failed.'"
Morn swallowed hard.
"Sounds dangerous…"
"Very," Shimo agreed.
Turning another page, he read:
"'Another mystery lies in the Veil Ocean, the vast body of water surrounding Hikari. We do not know whether land exists beyond it, as our ships cannot withstand the fury of its waters—nor the monsters dwelling in its depths.'"
The next section described the great Kiri Lagoon.
"'At the continent's center lies the Kiri Lagoon, a massive freshwater formation connected to the ocean. It is heavily used for trade and transport. However, only certain routes are considered safe. Its waters hide pirates, monsters, and the unpredictable might of mother nature. At the lagoon's heart sits a large central island with varied biomes—the Island of Alaris.'"
Shimo noticed a footnote and read:
"'Officially, hybrids are said to be impossible, as different races are not fertile with one another. However, occasional reports describe individuals with mixed elven and human traits. Throughout history, such hybrids have been met with superstition: omens of misfortune? Signs of the end? Or mere random mutations? The cause and nature of these beings remain unknown…'"
Shimo lifted his eyes toward Morn.
They exchanged a look.
Morn leaned in dramatically, examining Shimo's blue hair, faded tips, and matching eyes.
Then he declared, with full seriousness:
"Did you come to announce the end of the world? Because I still need to get a girlfriend."
Shimo stared back with disappointment and challenge.
"No. I came to announce the misfortune of you never finding a girl who wants you."
Morn clutched his chest as if struck by emotional tragedy.
"That's where you're wrong, my young mutant. I'm irresistible."
He posed—as seductively as someone absolutely not seductive.
Shimo crossed his arms.
"I think your hormones kicked in a little too early."
"Hor… hor-what?" Morn blinked, confused.
"I don't really know," Shimo said. "I read it in a book."
Morn nodded as if that explained everything.
The afternoon flew by.
They browsed martial arts manuals, combat techniques, regional fighting styles, continental history, and even a questionable swamp-survival guide—which Morn considered "useful, in case giant alligators ever show up."
Shimo rolled his eyes.
Night settled over the orphanage. Moonlight slipped through the upper window, stretching tall shadows across the library floor.
Shimo walked along the upper shelves, whispering titles to himself:
"'Curse of the Weak'…"
"'Forest Guardian'…"
"'The Yuha Style'…"
"'Variations of Aura'…"
He froze.
"Variations of aura?" he murmured.
"Morn, I think I found something good."
The brown-haired boy nearly trotted over.
"'Variations of Aura'? What is that?"
"I don't know… but it looks promising."
They sat down like two kids opening a forbidden tome.
Shimo opened the book; the scent of old paper rose with it. He read:
"'Our auras are used by Aces for countless purposes. They may enhance their bodies, use special abilities, imbue objects, and many other applications. Creativity, skill, and the user's capacity are the only limits.'"
Morn was already excited.
Shimo continued:
"'Beyond basic usage, Gekko possesses affinities with the natural elements: air, fire, earth, and water. These affinities develop once an Ace matures their Gekko through intense training.'"
Morn's eyes gleamed.
"'Some Aces possess two, three, or even all elemental affinities. However, the more elements one develops, the rarer they are.'"
Morn stood as if lifted by divine energy.
"Woooow! We need to start training right now! I can already see my brilliant destiny!"
He climbed onto the chair and table, posing heroically.
"'Morn, the Lord of Flames!'
'Morn, Master of Earthquakes!'
'The Herald of the Seas!'
NO—'Morn, the Elemental Torment!'
The one who masters ALL ELEMENTS!"
He raised his arm toward the ceiling.
"'Morn the Unmatched! He who made the heavens tremble and the seas retreat!'"
Lost in his own glory, he continued:
"Fear not, Shimo! I, Sir Morn of Sonobi—fearless warrior, commander of armies, admiral of every sea, defender of the weak—shall allow you, little snowflake, to be my loyal squire!"
He turned to make the oath official…
But found only an empty seat.
And an empty row.
No witnesses.
Not even a ghost.
"Shimo?"
Silence.
"Shiiiiimo?"
A cold voice suddenly echoed:
"Who's there?"
Morn froze.
It was the librarian.
The feared guardian of books.
As terrifying as Theodore Foodinger when someone spilled flour on the kitchen floor.
A shiver ran down his spine.
He tried to hide under the table—
Too late.
"YOU AGAIN, MORN?!" she roared. "LOOK AT THIS MESS!"
She grabbed him by the ear and lifted him like a divine punishment.
"Aaaah—wai—"
"No leaving until EVERYTHING is in place… and shining!"
Meanwhile…
Shimo was already in bed.
Calm.
Peaceful.