He was hungry by the time he finished but he didn't notice until he finished, his stomach growling loudly as if protesting its neglect.
Eldris went back to the shelf the books belong to, his legs stiff from sitting so long, so as to return them back to their proper places. After he returned them back he could see the librarian, now in a different position than before. His eyes was tightly closed, the headset was gone, revealing features that were more bat-like than human. His ear which is has long as a bat ear is now visible, twitching slightly even in sleep.
Eldris could see that although the guy is asleep, that he was more aware than when he was not, his entire body poised as if ready to spring into action at any moment.
Eldris wanted to disturb his sleep, after all the guy scam him from his money earlier that day, the memory still fresh in his mind. But he felt that doing that will be a very big mistake on his part, some instinct warning him against it. So he just left, his footsteps deliberately quiet as he exited the library.
As soon as he left the young bat sleeping woke up with unnatural suddenness, his head snapping up. His eyes went to the side Eldris was supposed to be sitting, scanning the area with unnatural precision. He looked at the door with a eyes still full of sleepiness but also sharp awareness. After not seeing anything wrong he slept back, his body relaxing into its previous position with eerie smoothness.
After Eldris left the library's imposing doors behind, he went back towards the hotel, the evening air cool against his skin. Luckily for him it was another receptionist that was there when he arrived, the change a welcome relief. This one was a male, a normal looking male with none of the predatory interest of his female counterpart.
After entering the hotel's warmly lit lobby, he went towards the eating lodge, his stomach growling loudly now because he was famished. He haven't eaten since morning, the realization surprising him. He was so immersed in reading that he forgot to eat in the afternoon, a fact that now made him feel slightly lightheaded.
After eating a hearty meal that disappeared almost too quickly, he went to the sweet embrace of the bed in his rented room, his body aching with exhaustion. Unfortunately his dreams was not sweet, the knowledge from the books apparently haunting his subconscious. He keeps having the dreams over and over, each one more vivid than the last.
For the next two days before he collect his permanent ID, he follows the same routine with mechanical regularity: eat, sleep, and do some research on the library, the pattern becoming almost comforting in its predictability.
Finally the D-Day arrived, the morning sun shining brightly through his window as if celebrating the occasion.
On that day, he still have money with him so he ordered a hover car to the hunters association, the luxury feeling strange but necessary. And damn the price was steeped from his own perspective, the cost making him wince as he handed over the coins.
Three hundred bronze like coin for the journey, the driver had said with finality. And Eldris could already feel the emptiness of his wallet, the remaining coins pitifully few as he tucked it away.
Reaching the inside of the hunters association building, the grand structure even more impressive in the morning light, he went towards the female receptionist which name he find out during previous visits was "Riley", her nameplate gleaming on the counter.
"Good morning, I am here for the collection of my permanent ID," he said, his voice more confident now than during his first visit.
"And who could you be kind sir, identify yourself," Riley said, her professional mask in place though her eyes showed recognition.
"I am Eldris Chrille, I was here in the last three days for the registration of my permanent ID," he said, carefully omitting any mention of their previous awkward conversation about Sky-Ray.
"Oh yes Mr Chrille, I remember you," she said, a slight smirk playing at her lips. "You where the one who made trouble with the blood flame trio jewel," she added, her tone suggesting this was becoming office gossip.
Eldris almost facepalm from the reputation he has make for himself in such short time, barely stopping himself in time.
"Yes, I am the one," he said through slightly gritted teeth, deciding it was better to just own it.
After he said that she brought out his ID which was still blank from a drawer beneath the counter, its surface smooth and featureless. She then told him to imprint his mana on it, guiding his hand to a specific spot. As soon as he did it, it showed all the information it filled out with and his level, the text glowing briefly before settling into permanence.
After acquiring his permanent ID, holding the small card carefully as if it might disappear, he then asked the question he'd been waiting to ask since arriving in this world.
"Am I now eligible to be an hunter?" he asked, trying to keep the eagerness from his voice.
"Yes you are eligible," she confirmed with a nod. "Are you willing to take it now or later?" she asked, her pen poised over a form.
"Please now," he answered immediately, unable to wait any longer.
"Okay please wait for some minutes," she said, pressing a button beneath the counter. "I will call someone who will take you for your tests," she explained as a soft chime sounded somewhere in the building.
Before a minute reached a young man appeared with unnatural speed, seeming to materialize from the shadows. With no shoe or slippers on, his bare feet made no sound on the polished floors.
"Ma, you called for me?" the man said, his voice surprisingly deep for his youthful appearance.
"Yes," Riley said, gesturing toward Eldris. "Take him to the testing area so we can determine the rank he will be in," she instructed while pointing at Eldris.
The man then looked towards Eldris with eyes that seemed to see right through him and said with a grin that showed slightly pointed teeth.
"Mr man follow me, and hold on tight," the man said, his hand shooting out with snake-like speed to grab Eldris's wrist.
Eldris wanted to asked what he meant, but before he could asked he was in another location in a couple second, the world blurring around him in a nauseating whirl.
His organs felt like they switched position during the sudden travel, his stomach lurching violently. He almost has the urge to vomit but he swallowed it back in with effort, his face pale and sweaty from the experience.
................................................................................................pls read, vote and add my novel to your collections.