"Finally here, my palace of solitude.", She opens the door to the library, the door three times bigger than her as the door knob is just as tall as her upper arms. Slowly walking to the librarian, talking in stutter while trying to greet the standing tall female figure there.
"G-Good, a-a-afternoon!", it's her usual greeting before she eventually storms off deeper into the library. At first, she tried to hide herself before ending up being questioned about many things by the librarian without further notice.
The girl spends her day, not just hours, but an entire three hours simply reading and walking back and forth like this is her last bastion of existence.
After a while, she walked up to the librarian and put three books on the table. "I'd like…t-to borrow these b-books! Where do I-", she gasped before she could finish her words. The librarian's reply doesn't even help things get better.
"Name, please. Sign, and take your book with you. Don't forget to return those within the 7 days period. No return means a hundred percent fine, and you'll be restricted from borrowing anything for 90 days, three months.", The librarian spoke with a stoic tone, which the girl ended up seeing as her response of being offended.
"Eek! I- I will, return the books in time…", the girl slowly reaches the quill on the table, carefully pulling it while its ink intact to the very tip, and signs the classic paper of library lending form.
"Tanaka Ruka. There, I signed it…may I take the books now-", she carefully signed the form, and grabbed the books that she borrowed with her, hugging one of them close to her chest, while the rest of two were held by her other hand.
With this, the timid introverted girl makes her appearance.
The Library – Seeking Myrdvawein's Secrets
The morning sunlight streamed through the tall windows of Asterblume Academy's grand library, casting colorful reflections from the stained glass onto the polished wooden floor. Blanche strode purposefully between towering bookshelves, her gaze sharp and focused.
Trailing behind her, Yuxin walked with her usual nonchalance, her hands tucked into her coat pockets. She glanced around at the endless rows of books, a faint frown tugging at her lips.
"So, let me guess," Yuxin began, her tone laced with mockery. "You're still thinking about that elf."
Blanche hummed softly, her fingers trailing over the spines of ancient tomes. "She lives in Myrdvawein. A place tied to history, tragedy, and mystery. Wouldn't you be curious?"
"Not really," Yuxin replied with a shrug. "She told us to leave. End of story. Why dig deeper?"
Blanche turned her head slightly, her expression serene but unyielding. "Because she wasn't just another person we met in passing. She's connected to something bigger—something worth understanding."
Yuxin raised an eyebrow. "You think she's hiding some grand secret?"
Blanche smiled faintly. "Perhaps not intentionally. But her existence alone is significant. Myrdvawein was once a sanctuary for elves. Now it's just her. Doesn't that strike you as unusual?"
Yuxin sighed, following Blanche as she pulled out a thick, leather-bound book titled The Tale of Myrdvawein. "I still don't get it. Why the sudden fascination with elves? Or is this about her specifically?"
Blanche paused, flipping through the book's yellowed pages. "It's both. Meeting her reminded me of something—a memory I didn't even realize I'd held onto. An elf I saw in Sonnefield few days ago. I think it might have been her."
Yuxin crossed her arms, leaning against a nearby shelf. "So, you're chasing vague fragments of memory now? That doesn't sound like you, Blanche."
Blanche chuckled softly, her eyes scanning the text. "Perhaps. But sometimes, even faint memories can lead to important truths. And if I can learn more about Myrdvawein, I might understand why she's so determined to protect it."
Yuxin sighed again, though her gaze softened slightly. "You're too sentimental for your own good, you know that?"
Blanche's smile deepened as she found a passage in the book. Her finger traced the words as she read aloud:
"The Myrdvawein Forest, once home to a thriving elven civilization, is now considered a cursed land. Legends speak of an attack centuries ago that left the forest devoid of its inhabitants. What remains are whispers of an elven guardian—a lone figure said to protect the forest's sacred heart."
Yuxin frowned. "Sounds like her. But why stay behind? Why not leave that place and move on?"
Blanche closed the book, her expression thoughtful. "Perhaps it's not just the forest she's protecting. Maybe it's the memory of her people. Their legacy."
Yuxin stared at Blanche for a moment before letting out a short laugh. "You really do have a thing for unraveling mysteries, don'tcha think?"
Blanche placed the book back on the shelf, her eyes gleaming with quiet determination. "Some mysteries are worth solving. And I believe Vilaphine is one of them."
"Fine," Yuxin muttered, rolling her eyes. "Just don't drag me into anything reckless. I've had enough of her strike for one lifetime."
Blanche smiled gently. "Don't worry. I'll be careful. And besides…" She glanced at Yuxin. "I think she'll be seeing us again sooner than we think."
Yuxin snorted. "Great. Just what I need—another 'ally' who stabs first and talks later."
Blanche didn't respond, her mind already spinning with thoughts about the enigmatic elf and the secrets hidden within Myrdvawein.
As Blanche continued her search through the library, Yuxin wandered off, her steps aimless as she scanned the quiet corners of the room. Near the farthest wall, tucked behind a tall bookshelf, she spotted a figure sitting alone—a girl with dark greenish hair falling over her face as she stared intently at a book.
Yuxin squinted, a flicker of recognition crossing her features. "No way... Ruka?"
The girl flinched at the sound of her name, her head snapping up to reveal wide, startled eyes. "Y-Yuxin, e-eh…i-its you?!" she stammered, clutching her book like a shield.
Yuxin smirked, crossing her arms as she approached. "It is me. What are you doing here, hiding away in a corner?"
Ruka's cheeks turned red, and she glanced down, her voice barely above a whisper. "I... I wasn't hiding. I just... I like to be alone."
"Sure you do," Yuxin said, her tone teasing but not unkind. "Still the same introverted bookworm, huh?"
Ruka frowned slightly but didn't argue.
"Anyway," Yuxin continued, leaning against the shelf. "I didn't know you made it into Asterblume. I thought you'd be... back in the tavern."
Ruka hesitated before answering, her fingers fidgeting with the edge of her book. "I didn't think I'd get in either. But... here I am."
Yuxin tilted her head, studying her. "Well, good for you. You've got the talent, even if you don't have the confidence to back it up."
Ruka's face flushed deeper, and she muttered something incoherent.
Yuxin straightened up, gesturing over her shoulder. "Come on. There's someone you should meet."
"W-What? No, I'm fine here—" Ruka began, but Yuxin grabbed her wrist and pulled her to her feet.
"Nope, you're coming with me. Trust me, she's not scary," Yuxin said, dragging Ruka along despite her quiet protests.
Blanche glanced up from the book she was reading as Yuxin approached, Ruka trailing awkwardly behind her.
"Blanche," Yuxin said, a rare grin tugging at her lips. "Meet Tanaka Ruka. She's my neighbor when I was still living with my parents."
Blanche closed her book, offering Ruka a warm smile. "A pleasure to meet you, Ruka. Yuxin doesn't often mention people from her past."
Ruka shuffled nervously, avoiding eye contact. "Um... nice to meet you too, Lady Equinox," she mumbled.
Blanche's smile softened. "Please, just Blanche is fine."
Yuxin nudged Ruka lightly with her elbow. "Come on, don't be so formal. Blanche doesn't bite, much."
Ruka gave a timid smile, though her shoulders remained tense. "I... didn't think I'd see anyone familiar here," she admitted.
Blanche nodded thoughtfully. "The academy draws people from all over. It's a rare chance to reconnect."
Yuxin leaned back against the table, crossing her arms. "Ruka's got a knack for magic. Don't let her shy act fool you—she's sharp when it counts."
Ruka blushed, shaking her head. "N-Not really. I'm just... average."
Blanche tilted her head slightly. "Humility is admirable, but don't sell yourself short. If you're here, it's because you earned it."
Ruka blinked, her cheeks flushing further. "T-Thank you."
Yuxin grinned, patting Ruka on the shoulder. "See? Told you she's not scary. You'll get along fine."
Blanche chuckled lightly. "You're welcome to join us anytime, Ruka. And if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to ask."
Ruka glanced between them, her nervousness slowly ebbing away. "Maybe... I will," she said softly.
As the three continued their discussion, Yuxin leaned casually on the edge of the table, her sharp eyes fixed on Ruka. "Hey, since you're practically glued to books, do you know if there's anything more detailed about Myrdvawein?"
Ruka blinked, momentarily startled by the question. "Myrdvawein?" She tilted her head, thinking. "There are mentions of it in some older texts, but... not much. The details are vague."
"Vague?" Yuxin repeated, crossing her arms. "You're telling me there's a whole forest people don't bother writing about?"
Ruka nodded slowly. "It's strange, but yes. Most of the records I've found only describe it as a mysterious elven sanctuary. They don't explain its location or what really happened there."
Blanche, who had been listening quietly, frowned thoughtfully. "Not even the exact location? That seems deliberate."
Ruka hesitated before answering, her voice soft. "Some scholars theorize it was erased from maps on purpose. To protect it... or to hide what happened there."
Yuxin snorted, her tone dripping with skepticism. "Great. So we've got a forest that's not on maps and a mysterious elf who wants to keep it that way. Sounds promising."
Blanche glanced at Ruka, her expression calm but intent. "What do you think, Ruka? Is it possible Myrdvawein's history was buried intentionally?"
Ruka fidgeted slightly, avoiding their gazes. "I... don't know. But if it was, someone must have had a reason. Maybe it's connected to what that Elf said."
Yuxin rolled her eyes. "Wonderful. More questions and no answers. This just keeps getting better."
Blanche gave a faint smile, placing a reassuring hand on Ruka's shoulder. "You've already helped us more than you realize. Even small clues can lead to bigger revelations."
Ruka flushed slightly, glancing down at her hands. "I'm glad I could help, even if it's not much."
Yuxin straightened, her sharp demeanor softening just a bit. "Hey, don't sell yourself short. You're doing fine."
Ruka looked up, surprised, and gave a small, hesitant smile. "Thanks."
Blanche turned her attention back to the stack of books in front of her. "If Myrdvawein's history isn't fully written, then perhaps the answers lie with those who lived through it."
Yuxin raised an eyebrow. "You mean Vilaphine?"
Blanche nodded. "She may be the only one who truly knows what happened to her people—and why the forest was hidden. We'll need to earn her trust if we want to understand."
Yuxin let out a low whistle, leaning back. "Great. So now we're playing detective and diplomat. Interesting."
Blanche chuckled lightly. "Challenges make things interesting, don't they?"
Blanche closed the last book on their table with a quiet thud, her gaze drifting toward the towering shelves around them. Despite hours of searching, Myrdvawein remained shrouded in mystery. Even the most ancient times yielded only scraps of information, none of which answered the questions now swirling in her mind.
Yuxin let out a frustrated sigh, leaning back in her chair. "All this effort, and we've got nothing. It's like this forest doesn't exist."
"It exists," Blanche said softly, her tone unwavering. "We've seen it with our own eyes. But its history... someone wanted it forgotten."
Ruka, who had been quietly fidgeting with the edge of a book, spoke up hesitantly. "Maybe Vilaphine knows more. If she's the last one left, she might be the only one who remembers the truth."
Yuxin scoffed. "Sure, because that elf was so eager to share last time. She almost screwed every single of my limbs."
Ruka's eyes widened in shock. "She... she nearly did what?!"
Yuxin raised an eyebrow, looking at Ruka with a sly grin. "Oh yeah. She was fast enough to nearly turn me into a pincushion. Felt like a close call."
Ruka's hand instinctively moved to her chest, as though she could feel the tension of the moment replaying in her mind. "That's... terrifying. I can't believe I missed that. I... should've been there."
Blanche smiled softly, shaking her head. "It was a misunderstanding. Yuxin is quick, but she tends to jump into things without thinking. Vilaphine was just protecting her home."
Yuxin smirked. "Hey, I don't need anyone to save me. But sure, thanks for the rescue."
Ruka, still looking concerned, muttered, "I really should've been there, though. I don't know how I could've missed something like that."
Blanche placed a reassuring hand on Ruka's shoulder. "You're not at fault. We'll just have to make sure we're all more prepared next time."
Yuxin sighed, relaxing a bit. "As long as I'm not the target again, I'll be good."
Blanche smiled faintly, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "That's why we'll need a different approach. If she's protecting something important, we have to show her we're not a threat."
"And how do you plan on doing that?" Yuxin asked, raising an eyebrow.
"By understanding her perspective," Blanche replied. "We can't expect her to trust us if we know nothing about her struggles. Myrdvawein isn't just a place to her—it's her home, her history. We need to respect that."
Ruka glanced between them, her expression uncertain. "But... What if she doesn't want to talk to you two? She seemed pretty firm about us leaving."
Blanche's expression softened. "If that's the case, we'll respect her wishes. But I believe there's more to her than what we saw. She was protecting her forest, not attacking without reason."
Yuxin rolled her eyes, though there was no real heat in her voice. "You're too optimistic sometimes, Blanche. But fine. I'll go along with it—for now. Just don't expect me to grovel."
"I wouldn't dream of it," Blanche said with a small laugh.
Ruka hesitated before speaking again. "If... if you're going to talk to her, maybe I could help. I'm not great with people, but I can research more. There might be something we missed."
Blanche gave her an encouraging smile. "That would be wonderful, Ruka. Your insight is invaluable."
Ruka's cheeks flushed, and she nodded quickly. "O-Okay. I'll do my best."
Yuxin leaned her chin on her hand, smirking slightly. "Look at you, Ruka. Volunteering for something. That's new."
Ruka glanced away, mumbling, "I just... don't want to be useless."
Blanche's gaze softened. "You're not useless, Ruka. Everyone has a role to play, and yours is just as important as ours."
Yuxin straightened, stretching her arms. "Well, if we're done here, let's move. Sitting around with dusty books isn't exactly my idea of progress."
Blanche stood gracefully, nodding. "Agreed. Let's regroup and decide our next steps. Myrdvawein won't reveal its secrets easily, but we're closer than we were before."
As the trio left the library, a quiet determination settled over them. Each step forward brought them closer to the heart of the mystery—and to Vilaphine herself.
"When?", Yuxin asked with a low voice, staring at both Ruka and Blanche.
"Next dusk.", Blanche replied with a sharp tone.
On the way to Eurandel, the streets of Sonnefield. A horse cart.
Yuxin lightly chuckled as she leaned against her back, the steps of clacking horse feet to the ground filling their ears. Blanche and Ruka sat in front of her, mildly staring at her sudden words captured completely with a direct demeanor.
"What can I say, the academy won't transfer us small funds for travels. I had to use my money, regardless of the situation. Sorry if this cheap ride doesn't suit your taste, my noble ally.", Yuxin gave away a small smirk, tucked on her lips.
"W-Well, it can't be that bad, right? As long as we get there safely…", Ruka whispered quietly, never intending to break the silence with her shy features.
Blanche stared awkwardly before she let out a small sigh, ignoring their banter as the cart immediately stopped by the time they arrived at their destination. Back in Eurandel, they had planned to go to the southern part, coming back to the forest where they once held the event a few days back.
"Let's haste. We're walking straight to the woods, come follow me.", Blanche softly said, as three of them handed over a small portion of silver Rells.
"Make sure to pay me back, or else I can't spend myself on snacks.", Yuxin snorted in annoyance, her pace still consistent as she pulls Ruka to match her speed, and follows Blanche right on her back.
"Yes of course I'll make sure of that", Blanche replied casually, they walked just the three of them, until there stood very tall trees, clustered and spread throughout the forest they wanted to explore.
"D-Do I also need to…t-tag along? You know, I'll be fine…keeping myself on wa-", Ruka's voice interrupted by Yuxin's voice, made her jump and hitch a breath.
"Stop chickening out, Ruka. You said you'd regretted that you missed yesterday, now you have nothing but to stick with us.", Yuxin replied with a laugh, while Ruka gave a small pout, her cheeks puffed and she let out a small grunt.
"Fine…", Ruka sighed heavily, nodding in acceptance.