The warm morning sun pierced through the window cracks, its glare waking Zego from a deep sleep. It had been a long time since he had felt the sensation of sleeping on a soft, warm bed. For years in the gorge, his pillow was a stone, his blanket was his cloak, and his bed was the cold ground. He got up, stretching his muscles which felt stiff yet full of power. He had no specific agenda for today. Piro and Sophie were busy with their trade affairs, and Silvi was nowhere to be seen. He decided to go out for a bit, get some fresh air while walking around the AETHEEN Kingdom, a place far larger and more crowded than anything he had ever imagined.
As he stepped out of his room, he saw Silvi already standing by the door. The girl wore a simple leaf-green dress, which for some reason looked perfect with her silver hair. Her blue eyes shone with the brightness of the morning. A smile bloomed on her lips when she saw Zego.
"Hey, Zego," Silvi greeted, her voice cheerful. "What a coincidence you're awake! Come on, let's go out and buy some books."
Zego nodded, pleased with the invitation. "Of course, I also want to go out and get some fresh air." He didn't know what "fresh air" was, but he liked the sound of it. He just wanted to explore this new place.
They went out together. Morning in the AETHEEN Kingdom was a busy and colorful scene. Merchants hawked their wares, and the aroma of warm bread and unfamiliar spices filled the air. Knights in gleaming silver armor patrolled, exuding an aura of power that kept Zego on his guard. Amidst all the hustle and bustle, Zego and Silvi walked side by side, as if they were the only two people there.
"This bookstore we're going to is very famous," Silvi explained, her eyes sparkling. "They have a collection of very rare books, and there are even some ancient books that no one can read anymore."
Zego listened intently, his curiosity piqued. He never knew that books could be so important. In his village, books were just blank paper sometimes used to start fires.
They arrived at an old bookstore made of oak wood. A small bell rang as Silvi opened the door. The scent of old paper, ink, and dust filled the air, a strange yet somehow comforting aroma for Zego. Hundreds of bookshelves towered high, packed with books of various sizes and colors.
"Uncle, I'm looking for a book related to auras," Silvi asked an old man who was dusting a shelf.
"Ah, an aura book," the uncle replied, stroking his gray beard. "There are a few, but they're in the back. Wait a moment, I'll go look for them."
Silvi started Browse the books on the shelves nearby. Zego also looked around, but his eyes, trained to see energy, were immediately drawn to a shelf in a far corner of the room. A strange energy emanated from there. It wasn't strong, but it felt very old, ancient, and alien. Zego walked toward the shelf, forgetting about Silvi for a moment.
"Hey, where are you going, Zego?" Silvi asked, noticing Zego walking away.
"Over here," Zego replied, his eyes still fixed on the book. "There's something interesting."
Silvi was curious, so she followed Zego. She saw him stop in front of a shelf filled with worn and dusty books. Among all those books, there was one that was very large and thick, with a cracked leather cover.
"What is this, Zego?" Silvi asked.
"I don't know," Zego replied, his hand touching the book. "But this is the only book that emanates energy."
Silvi frowned, confused. "Huh? Energy from a book? Is that even possible?"
"I don't know," Zego said, his curiosity peaking. "Let's just check it out first."
Zego tried to open the book. However, it was filled with writings that he couldn't read. It wasn't the script he was used to seeing in the AETHEEN Kingdom. His eyes, which were able to see energy, saw that every character and word had energy within it. It was as if every letter was a living, ancient rune. Zego was puzzled, continuously opening new pages, but still finding no clues. He didn't understand the content, but he knew this book was very special.
Suddenly, the voice of the old shop owner startled them. "Hey, what are you two doing?"
"Oh, Uncle," Silvi quickly replied. "We're just looking at this book."
"Uncle, do you know what kind of book this is?" Zego asked, looking at the old man with a serious expression.
"Oh, that book," the uncle said with a wry smile. "I am selling it. I got that book at an auction a long time ago, but no one has wanted to buy it until now. No one can read the writing, and most people think it's just a strange, empty book."
"Would you be willing to sell it to us?" Zego asked, his heart pounding. He had to have this book.
"Are you really going to buy this book, Zego?" Silvi asked, surprised.
"Yes, I'm very curious about this book," Zego replied. "The energy feels so ancient, I'm sure there's something inside."
Silvi smiled, seeing Zego so excited. "Alright, if you want it, I'll buy it for you."
"Oh, that's great!" the uncle exclaimed, his eyes twinkling. "I'll give you a good price. How about 1,000 gold coins?"
"Well..." Silvi was about to answer, but Zego immediately cut her off.
"That's too expensive, Uncle," Zego said with sharp eyes, his voice turning serious. "I'm interested in this book, but it seems the price makes me no longer interested."
The uncle fell silent, not expecting his negotiation to be cut off so bluntly by a young man. Tsk, this is difficult, the uncle thought. "You know, young man, that book is very special. That strange writing must mean something. Don't you feel it?"
"If that were the case," Zego replied, his gaze unwavering, "that book would have been sold a long time ago, Uncle. If something has value, it must have a price. And that price is not 1,000 gold coins." The uncle was shocked by Zego's words. He had never met anyone like this.
"So, what's your offer, Uncle?" Zego continued. "I will negotiate. 50 gold coins for this book, and also for the aura book my friend took. I will take them both now." Zego stared at the uncle with a sharp, serious look.
The uncle sighed, realizing he couldn't win against Zego. "Alright! Alright! You win, young man. The book is yours now. Where are the 50 gold coins?"
Silvi immediately paid the uncle, her eyes still wide with shock at what had just happened. Zego carefully took the large book. Though it was thick, the book felt light in his hands, as if he and the book had already become one.
They left the shop. Silvi walked beside Zego, a faint smile on her lips. "Wow, Zego," she said, her voice filled with admiration. "I didn't expect you to be so ruthless when you negotiate." She moved closer to Zego, observing his face intently.
"Well, of course," Zego replied, his shoulder brushing against Silvi's, creating a warm sensation that spread through her body. "That price was too high for that book. Even if you're rich, you should buy things based on their quality value, not their price."
Silvi looked at Zego with a sense of awe. Her mind went back to the incident in the clothing store, when she saw Zego's body covered in scars. Silvi's cheeks flushed, the memory making her heart race. She immediately looked away, trying to hide her blushing face.
They continued walking, buying some fruits and snacks from street vendors. Their conversation flowed naturally, from small talk to more serious matters.
"Oh yeah, Silvi," Zego asked, suddenly remembering Piro's words. "You're going to the Knight Academy, right? Do you have a sword yet?"
"My father is having one custom-made for me," Silvi replied.
"Have you studied swordsmanship?" Zego asked again.
"No," Silvi replied, her tone a little sad.
Zego asked again, "Have you studied auras?"
"No," Silvi replied again, her voice getting softer.
Zego fell silent. His face showed a puzzled expression. "So how can you enter the academy if you haven't studied the basics?" he asked, not intending to be harsh, but that was genuinely what he was thinking.
Silvi's face flushed with embarrassment. She looked down, not daring to meet Zego's eyes. "That's why... you have to teach me," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Zego was surprised to hear the request. He looked at Silvi, then smiled warmly. "Alright," he said, gently taking her hand. "I'll teach you tomorrow."
Silvi felt incredibly happy. Her heart pounded, not just because of the embarrassment, but also because of the warm touch of Zego's hand. The feeling made her feel safe and happy. They walked home, their hands still intertwined, enjoying the companionship they had just found.
"Father! Mother! I'm home!" Silvi cheered as they arrived at the inn.
"Oh, my little princess is home, who did you go out with?" Sophie asked, who was sitting on the sofa. She immediately saw Zego behind Silvi, and a faint, meaningful smile appeared on her lips. "Well, well, my daughter went out with a handsome young man all day, did she?" The teasing tone from her mother made Silvi's face flush.
"We just went to buy some things, motherrrr..." Silvi whined.
Piro, who was reading a book, also joined in. He looked at Zego with a playful look, as if he felt left out. "My handsome father was abandoned all day," he said, pretending to be sad. But in his heart, he was very happy to see his daughter so joyful.
"Fatherrrrr..." Silvi yelled, her face bright red.
Zego was delighted to see this close-knit family. The atmosphere between them was so heartwarming, something he had never experienced in the gorge. He saw how love and affection could make a family so happy. He felt as if he had found something he had been looking for all this time.