Aegon decided not to reveal his true identity for the time being. He had yet to learn more about this version of her, so he couldn't be careless.
"My name is Aegon, a fellow Earthling like you. That's why I chose to save you," he answered, weaving around the massive shelves.
Hearing that, Nina seemed excited.
"So, you're from Earth as well? That's great. My name is Nina. I was really starting to feel unfamiliar in that foreign world. Do you know how we crossed over into this world? I can't remember much about my life on Earth..."
'Hmm, just as I expected, some part of her memories has been erased. She might not even recognize me if I reveal my identity,' Aegon summarized inwardly.
"I also don't know much, Nina. But I think this library might provide us some clues," he answered without turning.
Nina rolled her eyes. She didn't believe his excuse at all. If he didn't know anything after becoming so powerful, then something was definitely wrong with this world.
She was sure he was hiding his secrets, but she didn't want to pry further.
Just then, an old man with a long grey beard appeared before their eyes. His sudden appearance surprised them both.
"So... it's you. That thing chose you," the old man mumbled, as if speaking to himself.
The old man, despite his frailty, radiated an ancient power that seemed to hold the entire, infinite space of the Library.
Aegon immediately recognized him from the deep lore of his novel. He was the benevolent, yet enigmatic, Keeper of the Library of Eternity. The same "Senile Old Fool" that Zadkiel had screamed at moments earlier.
Aegon and Nina stopped. The faint clang-clang of the Angelic Warriors was growing closer, but this encounter took precedence.
"Old man, who are you?" Nina asked, instinctively placing herself slightly behind Aegon.
Aegon, however, bowed his head slightly in respect, maintaining a strategic silence.
The Keeper held the keys to everything.
"Grandmaster, was it you who helped us?" Aegon asked humbly.
After hearing his question, the old man adjusted his robes. His eyes, resembling deep pools of starlight, fixed directly on Aegon.
"No. It was not I who saved you, boy. It's the One Piece. You're its chosen one," the old man answered, looking at Aegon with an unfathomable gaze.
Aegon was confused. Even as the writer, he couldn't recognize this "One Piece" the old man was talking about.
"What is One Piece, Grandmaster? Would you please take the effort to explain?"
The old man replied in affirmation, "Yes. Follow me! I shall guide you toward your destiny."
Aegon and Nina quickly followed after the Keeper, afraid of being left behind.
While walking, Nina observed the endless shelves containing mystical books around them.
"Grandmaster, are all these books Grimoires? Can you give us some?" she asked, rubbing her hands with greed.
The old man's answer was quick and precise, "Yes, they are all Grimoires. You can take as many as you want. But a little warning: don't bite more than you can chew, little girl."
Aegon then explained to her, "Nina, if your Soul Power is high, you can go for a high-tier one. But if your Soul Power is low, then you should be satisfied with a low-tier one; multiples are out of the question."
Nina's eyes sparkled with understanding.
"So how do I know how much Soul Power I have, Aegon? I want to get a strong Grimoire and beat those bad guys!"
Aegon smiled. "Patience, little one. You'll get your chance soon enough."
After wandering through the maze for a while, the Keeper led them into a vast hall.
The chamber here was dimly lit, its walls lined with countless small podiums, each holding a Grimoire that glowed faintly with their dormant power.
Nina and Aegon looked around in awe. The powerful aura radiating from the books was enough to tell them that these were no ordinary Grimoires. These were the true Grimoires of Invincibility.
But the old man didn't stop at any of the powerful Grimoires. Instead, he guided them to a shadowed corner of the hall.
There, resting on a single wooden bench, lay a tattered old notebook.
On its cracked cover, one ancient word was etched:
"ATUM."
Nina tilted her head, confused. "What does it say?"
Aegon's expression darkened slightly. He could read it, though he wished he couldn't.
"This is the one, boy," the Keeper said solemnly. "It has chosen you. The key lies within you already."
Aegon frowned. He had no idea what this old notebook was. Choosing it carelessly could very well lead his fate toward doom.
"Grandmaster," he asked carefully, "do you know anything about it? What kind of Grimoire is this? Can it help me become stronger?"
The Keeper fell silent for a long moment, his gaze distant, as if lost in memories buried by eons.
"I know little of its true nature," he finally said. "I can't even read the word written on the cover. But from your reaction, I see that you can. That alone means something."
He took a deep breath, the air around him growing heavy with nostalgia.
"All I know is that this book is older than the Age of Primordial Gods."
He looked up, eyes clouded with a strange mix of sorrow and reverence.
"Let me tell you how I found it. It was long ago, when I was still a young Celestial, wandering the farthest corners of the cosmos. I was driven by curiosity and the hunger to uncover mysteries. I loved reading and writing more than anything else.
But then… I met a mortal woman. Her name was Geisha. Gentle. Kind. Fragile, yet strong in spirit. I fell in love with her."
His voice softened as he continued,
"We married and had children. But one day, the human realm was engulfed by the greed of the paragons. Worlds after worlds were wiped out. My wife was broken by grief."
He clenched his fist slightly. "Back then, humans were helpless. As an inferior species, they were unable to use Celestial Power, unable to defend themselves. I wanted to change that. Not because I pitied them, but because I wanted to ease my wife's pain."
"That's when I found this notebook. It looked ordinary, filled with blank pages, but the moment I opened it, my mind was filled with visions and insights. From it, I learned how to create Grimoires, those books that could hold mystical power and allow mortals to wield it."
He paused, letting the words sink in.
"Yes, it was I who created the Grimoires. Every single one of them. I began the craft to please my wife… but over time, the desire to unlock the notebook's true secret consumed me."
He looked at Aegon with weary eyes. "For eons, I studied it. Wrote. Created. Failed. Until now. The moment that quill revealed itself to save you, I knew you are the key I've been searching for."
The Keeper's tone turned solemn once more. "But fear not. My only wish is to meet the Supreme Being who made this single, perfect creation… this One Piece of all knowledge."