Chapter Four – Fred
Eugene walked out of the lecture hall, heading toward the academy's library—a massive building adorned with golden-edged books and a brown wooden gate. His steps were calm, but his mind was lost in the nightmare he had seen.
When he arrived at the library's open door, after the students before him had entered, he stepped inside and immediately felt an odd coldness wrapping around the place.
"Why is it so cold in here?"
He continued walking, glancing left and right, searching for the Primitive Resources book. The library was vast, filled with all kinds of books. After seven minutes, while he was staring at a giant bat statue, he bumped into something.
"You? Look—why are you standing in the middle of the way?" Eugene's tone was full of pain from the impact and frustration from finding someone blocking his path.
A boy his age responded, "Sorry, I was a bit distracted."
Eugene lifted his eyes and saw a blond young man with yellow eyes, wearing white clothes and brown pants, extending a hand to help him up. Eugene took his hand and stood.
"Aren't you from the new batch?"
"Yes, I am."
The blond boy smiled lightly. "Sorry, I didn't introduce myself. My name is Fred, second-year student."
"And I'm Noah Eugene, but everyone calls me Eugene."
Fred's eyes widened in surprise, and before he could say a word, Eugene cut him off, sounding exhausted:
"Yes, I'm that Eugene. The survivor of the Elesu incident."
His tone was tired from lack of sleep and annoyed from the collision.
Fred continued, "Seems like you're upset with me for not noticing you coming."
Eugene replied, "No, my mind was somewhere else. I should've been watching where I was going."
"Well, aren't you looking for the Primitive Resources book?"
Eugene stared at him, confused—how did he know? Then he realized: Of course. He's a second-year student; he came for the same book last year.
"Yeah, I'm looking for it. Do you know where it is?"
Fred pointed to the second floor. "You'll find it up there."
Eugene looked at the second floor. "You mean I have to climb all that?! … Anyway, thanks."
"Eugene!" Ryn's voice came from behind. Eugene and Fred turned to see Ryn approaching with Reem, carrying two copies of Primitive Resources.
Ryn said, "Why were you late? I thought something happened to you!"
Reem looked at Fred. "Aren't you a second-year student? What are you doing here?"
Fred answered politely, "I was looking for a copy of Zane's Memoirs."
Ryn frowned. "And why do you want that?"
Eugene, puzzled and curious, asked, "Who's Zane?"
Reem stared at him. "Weird! Even though you're Ryn's brother, you barely know anything!"
Eugene muttered, "Do you think I'm a bookworm like you two?"
Ryn heard him—his voice calm but sharp. "Did you just call me a bookworm?"
Fred chuckled at Eugene's comment, then said, "Zane is one of the most important figures of the Fourth Era."
Eugene blinked, as if Fred was speaking some alien language. "Era? I seriously have no idea what that is."
Reem scoffed, "Haha, being a bookworm is better than being clueless."
Ryn continued laughing arrogantly.
Fred explained, "An era is the name given to a specific period in the world's history—not just Monian. History is divided into four eras, and we're currently living in the Fifth Era. As for Zane, like I said, he was one of the most significant figures of the Fourth Era. But there isn't much information about him—or rather, everything related to him is hidden by governments and organizations."
Reem asked, "And what do you want with this book?"
Fred looked at her. "Powerful cultivators, before dying, create places to hide all their valuable and worthless belongings. These places are known as 'Legacies'. I want Zane's memoirs in hopes of finding his Legacy."
Eugene yawned loudly. "Okay… continue your nerd talk. I'm going to sleep."
He began walking toward the exit.
"Eugene! Catch!" Eugene turned just in time to grab the book flying toward him. He stared at Ryn, annoyed and confused.
"Why are you throwing books at me?"
Ryn said, "Look at the title."
Eugene flipped it over. "Primitive Resources." He remembered he forgot to get his copy.
Ryn added, "When you took long, I grabbed one for you and one for me. I knew you wouldn't find it."
Eugene smiled warmly. "Thanks, brother."
Ryn returned the smile. "No problem."
Eugene turned and left the library. The sun was beginning to set, and the wind played with his hair. He walked toward the apartment he shared with Ryn inside the academy, admiring the cherry and lotus trees, the waterfalls, the clean ground, and the sounds coming from the students' rooms—some laughing, others watching movies, chatting, or training.
Eugene felt like he was walking inside a massive, comforting home.
He reached the apartment, opened the door, pressed a button on the gray wall, and the lights flicked on. He placed the book down, took off his academy outfit, and threw himself onto his bed—a large, soft white bed matching the wall.
"This bed is seriously soft…"
His eyes slowly closed, and he slipped into deep sleep.
End of Chapter