While he was still feeling depressed over the destruction of a vital clue, his gaze flickered past the bottom left corner of the diary to scan the whole page, he suddenly paused and returned to the bottom left corner again.
There at the corner, a tiny writing could be seen forming a short line of text which reads: "Beware of the black cave"
"Black cave? Was that where I saw him, where he died?"
'What is wrong with the black cave?'
Memories of the black cave surfaced in his mind and his confusion deepened further with creases forming on his forehead.
According to the memories he received from this very person who owns the diary, the black cave is just a place of rest from rain and shine, it is a place where people seek shelter after a long day of work and nothing noteworthy about it.
"What could he have meant by 'beware of the black cave@@,' could he have met with an accident or something? "
Nyxir was left perplexed again with numerous questions flooding his mind. "Why did I have to reincarnate into these loads of trouble, I might as well rest in peace than wake up worse than pieces"
Just as he was still lost in his frustration, a knock jerked him back to reality and he turned his head towards the door.
"Come in." His crisp voice echoed in the slightly dark room, he knew it was Olivia at the door the instant he turned his head towards the door.
' hummm? Why is that? '
The door creaked open slowly and a head peeked into the room scanned around before locking at the figure seated by the table staring back.
" It's time to eat" Olivia replied before withdrawing her head back outside and closed the door slowly just as she had opened it.
"True, I haven't eaten since morning, time to fill my belly" Nyxir got up and tucked the black diary amidst the pile of books on the table, there might still be clues for him in the diary.
Maybe something in the diary might trigger his memory and let him recover something from the previous host.
"Say, why did I not remember writing the word at the bottom of the diary? "
" I did not even remember tearing the diary"
" Could it be it was not the previous host that destroyed the diary and wrote the words? "
" Why did the handwriting look familiar then? "
Many thoughts ran through his mind as he opened the door and exited the room.
' I will try and find information about the black cave tomorrow '
' I will also ask Olivia about the awakening ceremony, I need to prepare for what is about to happen. '
He walked amidst the cluster of dormitory with different thoughts ravaging his mind.
Ha gradually calms his mind as he approaches the smallest dormitory adjacent to his, he lingered a little and pushed the door open before entering.
The small room was brightly lit by four gas lamps embedded into the wall surrounding the room at all four corners and another lamp on the roof all giving a warm glow to the room. There was a small polished round table at the center with three slightly big covered stainless plates placed on it emitting warmth and sweet aroma causing him to salivate, three flat plates also sat by the side with cutlery placed neatly into a pink tray beside it. Four wooden chairs surrounded the table with two already occupied by Old Lu and Olivia who turned their heads to look at him as he enters the room, he suddenly felt weird.
' might be because I'm nervous '
' who poses as another person to eat with his family, probably only I have the gut '
He tries lampooning to dispel his anxiety as he approaches the small round table enduring the urge to run outside. That is if hunger did not keep him back which it is actually doing.
' I had not realized how hungry I am until now '
Nyxir sat on a chair opposite Olivia flanking old Lu by the right.
"You need someone to call you to eat now right?" Old Lu grumbled while Olivia was already serving the food from the covered stainless plates into the flat ones in the table.
"I was arranging my room before Olivia came to call me" Nyxir replied, his gaze on the brownish yellow roasted potatoes Olivia was dropping on the plates. The corner of his mouth twitched but he quickly hid it from the scrutinizing eyes of old Lu who was still staring at him with a disgruntled expression.
' Why the packaging on roasted potatoes? '
Although he knew it was not going to be an extravagant meal like what he enjoyed in his previous life, he was still slightly expectant when he saw the arrangement and the aroma tingling his nose, who knew it was just some roasted potatoes and stew.
' so this is Olivia's idea of eating with extravagant and joy '
He knew Olivia had a strange idea when it comes to eating from the memories he had been recovering from the previous host but to witness it first hand,
' it is no wonder your brother termed it strange '
He dispelled his thoughts and picked up a fork from the tray placed by the side and pulled the plate passed to him towards himself. The aroma grew more strong that he did not even bother with anything else and just forked a piece of potato smeared in stew and threw it in his mouth.
The hot potato dissolved amidst his grinding teeth scalding his tongue and gum. He blew out steam and he tried his best not to spit out the potato. He was so hungry he had forgotten the need to blow the potato and reduce the heat.
"More like yourself now isn't it Liv?' Old Lu's voice rang out dispelling the tranquil thoughts running through his mind.
Nyxir looked up to see Old Lu and Olivia staring at him, old Lu had a shallow smile on his face while Olivia had a slight frown on her face.
"It is unusual for you to forget food especially when you've not eaten since morning" Olivia's frown gradually faded into a smile.
"It might have been because you were attacked but don't worry, I will get to the bottom of it" old Lu nodded reassuringly.
Nyxir nodded curtly and resumed his food
' The former Nyxir likes food a lot to the extent my abnormalities were almost exposed because of it '
' I should be careful in the future, who knows when I might give myself away again '
' I will just attribute it to the attack in the slush till I'm able to blend in completely '
Nyxir returned to contemplating as he ate his food slowly trying to feign restraint as he had been chided.
' say the stew is really delicious, I guess Liv can really cook '
After enjoying his food, he drank water, cleaned his mouth and rested his back slightly on the chair's arm watching old Lu futilely pick at the few crumbs left on his plate with his fork. He would have used his hands provided Olivia is not around.
' if I ask about the awakening ceremony in front of Old Lu, I might arouse suspicion if it was a general knowledge '
' what is there to be afraid of? They obviously won't think about reincarnation or possession right?'
"What did you think about the awakening ceremony?"
Suppressing his fear, he asked his gaze focused on Old Lu to read any changes in his expression.
There was a tense silence before old Lu looked up at him creases etched on his forehead.
"Thump thump thump '
Nyxir's heartbeat accelerated as old Lu's gaze was upon him.