Cyril stared at the outstretched hand for a few seconds.
I don't care after all.
I just want to figure out what Ambrosia did to me... As he thought of this, Cyril briefly froze.
After another second he moved his hand, Leo lightly flinching at the sight, and accepted the handshake.
"Sure, let's be friends." He said with a blank face.
The hand he was shaking was stiff and unresponsive. Cyril felt like he was shaking a tree branch.
"Why does he look surprised you accepted it?"
Leo composed himself and returned some strength to his arm, shaking Cyril's hand with more energy.
"That-that's good. Glad to see we are of one mind." He stammered, then went silent.
Without wasting any time, Cyril immediately asked, "You stole a bracelet from Anna. Did your men tell you what they did with it?"
Myra said it was a coincidence, but I just want to make sure.
Leo looked like someone slapped his face at this moment. His face grew a little redder, and his smile turned more into a scowl.
"I thought we were letting bygones be bygones?"
"Why would you even think I stole it? I have no interest in some commoner's cheap old bracelet."
Cyril's face didn't change. "Your subordinates stole it. What did they tell you about yesterday?"
"Those useless, greedy morons only whined about how they were ambushed on the road, begging me to reimburse their medical expenses. Now, are you done interrogating me?" Leo replied, barely containing himself.
Cyril went quiet, observing his face for a few moments.
This matches Myra's explanation. Those two were robbed by an opportunistic Lapis member.
"It does seem that way, but we have to be vigilant."
"I was just curious." Cyril nodded with the same cold face, "See you tomorrow."
Leo Arken took a deep breath and formed a smile on his face. "Good day to you, Thorne."
As Cyril walked away, he heard a quiet tsk coming from his direction.
...
With his path now clear, Cyril quickly reached the library.
Once inside, he went straight for the section he needed.
The librarian near the entrance only noticed that it was him and went back to reading, not paying attention to the red butterfly hiding on his shoulder.
Morpho successfully sneaked in, looking at the myriad of books and shelves around them.
With her help, Cyril started browsing the collection here.
The search proved long and uneventful.
Cyril sat before a table, a big pile of books placed in front of him.
On the same table nearby sat Rhamn, leaning in closer to him.
"At least it's interesting to read about magic creatures." She shrugged.
Interesting? I wouldn't really say so. It's mostly just normal beasts but capable of throwing a fireball or some other elemental-based attack. Nothing special.
Cyril complained, reading about yet another fire wolf.
"There is nothing wrong with the classics. A wolf capable of spewing fire from its mouth is somewhat cool. No need for fancy tricks here, as long as it's effective."
Whatever you say.
Cyril sighed and put away the book 'Beasts of Magic,' observing the resulting pile with a heavy heart.
The closest thing I found was a vampire, but that's not really it.
"Don't compare us to some overgrown leech. They drink blood to survive, while we consume mana. Even our need is more sophisticated."
...That's what I am saying.
But still, they are the only creature I've read about that specifically needs another energy source to survive.
He contemplated with a frown.
We really are unique for now.
As he was thinking that, Rhamn's smile widened and her head was raised even higher.
This really makes you happy?
"Of course! It's proof that we are special!"
Rare and special doesn't necessarily mean anything good...
Ignoring the pout on Rhamn's face, Cyril turned to the side, noticing someone approaching.
"Cyril? You've taken a lot of books..." Rose whispered as she walked closer, carrying a few books of her own.
"I am curious about something."
Rose put her reading material on the same table, just in the place where Rhamn was sitting.
"Find your own place," Rhamn said with a frown, staring at the pile of books phasing through her, and moved to a chair instead.
Rose leaned in to take a look at what Cyril's been reading.
"'All About Magic Creatures,' 'Magic Life,' 'Beasts From Beyond the City'" She read the names out loud, her voice slightly surprised.
Rose raised her body and stared at him with a raised brow, then, catching Morpho on his shoulder, a look of realization appeared on her face.
"You got yourself a butterfly? Is it a magic creature? Magic creatures are a fascinating topic, aren't they? It's incredible to think that so many unusual animals exist somewhere out there." She quickly said, her voice a bit louder.
Cyril blankly stared at her, then slowly nodded.
I don't even need an excuse, she found it on her own.
"Yes, her name is Morpho." Cyril pointed to his shoulder.
The butterfly fluttered her wings as a greeting.
"Magic creatures are indeed intriguing. However, I expected more from them."
Rose stared at him with narrowed eyes. "I think all of them are unique in their own way, but I can see what you mean."
She took a seat on a chair nearby, once again forcing Rhamn to move, and sighed, "Unfortunately most of the really interesting knowledge can't be found in any average library, not even here."
"Only in the Tower?" Cyril crossed his arms, continuing for her.
Rose nodded, "Just another perk of working there."
"Thankfully we are going there soon. I can't believe we are so lucky!" She leaned closer and whispered with her fists clenched.
"Hah! Look at her, so excited about this." Rhamn exclaimed, pointing her finger at Rose, "Unlike this nobody, we can waltz in whenever we want."
I am afraid not even nobles can act as they please in that place.
"Hmph," Rhamn scoffed, "Maybe a regular one can't, but there is a difference in status even among nobles."
Cyril ignored her and focused back on Rose, noticing the books she brought.
"What are you reading right now?"
Rose quickly grabbed one of them and showed him the cover.
"Mary's Adventures. It's a story about a poor girl who discovers she is talented in magic and swiftly achieves all her dreams to the amazement of everyone around her." She introduced the book with a straight face.
Cyril observed the cover depicting a purple-haired girl standing under a night sky and slowly turned to look at Rose.
"Didn't expect you would be interested in something like this."
"It's a fun genre." Rose shrugged.
Then she tapped on the book, her eyes narrowing.
"However, this one in particular is not that good. Terrible even."
"The writing is lazy. It's full of cliches and a main character who's more of a power fantasy than an actual person."
Then why are you reading it?
"Don't stare at me like that. I wanted to read it at first because there are rumors the main character was inspired by our principal! Plus it's good to read something simple from time to time."
Rose raised the book higher.
"As long as you enjoy it," Cyril said without changing his expression.
Just as Rose's face was getting colored by a subtle red, he slowly asked, "What happens in that book? What is our principal like?"
Her face returning to normal, Rose opened her mouth after some hesitations.
"According to this book, quite a handful. The main character is a mischievous girl who is never taking anything seriously... There is a moment where she casts a spell, making all people in a district dance for several days straight."
"...Hopefully, those are only rumors."
Let our principal be normal.
Rose silently nodded.
...
By the end of it, Cyril found himself knowing the plot of that book fairly well.
He said his goodbyes to Rose and went back to his dorm.
Going to the Tower seems like the best way for now.
"In the meantime let's enjoy our daily life. The next weekend will arrive in no time at all."
Not a bad idea.
He turned his head at the red-colored insect on his shoulder.
The butterfly fluttered her wings, from her a warm feeling soon spread to Cyril, making his footsteps somewhat lighter.