"Earth to Albert," Mai said, tapping Arvard's forehead gently.
Snapping out of his thoughts, Arvard murmured, "Yeah, sorry."
"What happened?" Mai asked with a soft laugh.
Arvard rubbed his temple. "Nothing."
He wondered to himself, Is my body reacting to the rosary? Maybe it was just a side effect from his long sleep. Tomorrow, I should wear the Ring of Alizin too, he noted mentally.
"Wanna hit the history section next?" Mai offered, trying to lighten the mood.
With a fake, exaggerated grin, Arvard replied, "You stole my words."
Together, they left the current section and headed toward the historical archive.
"But—" Mai began, cheeks tinged pink.
"We're going to the history section," Arvard cut in smoothly, continuing ahead.
Twenty minutes later…
The lift doors opened with a soft chime. They walked toward the librarian's desk, where two girls were already engaged in conversation with the librarian—Alissa and her friend, Karen. They were getting their books issued.
Mai stopped short, and so did Arvard.
"Let's wait till they're done," Mai suggested.
Arvard looked toward the girl with black hair. "Do you know her?"
"You mean Alissa?" Mai asked, surprised. "The Goddess No. 3? Yeah, she's my friend."
"Goddess?" Arvard asked, curious. "Who gave them that title, and why?"
"It's a nickname chosen by the boys every year—usually when someone new arrives. The most beautiful, unattached girls get dubbed 'goddesses.' You could say... they're pure, elegant, and dazzling. Like celestial beings."
"Got it," Arvard said, a bit awkwardly.
At the librarian's desk, Karen whispered, "What do you think they're talking about?"
"I don't know... something serious, maybe," Alissa replied, tightening her grip on the book.
Karen nudged her. "You're jealous."
"I am not!" Alissa snapped, her face steadily turning pink.
"You both can go now," the librarian, Ms. Philippa, said, signing the register.
"Thank you, Ms. Philippa," the girls said in unison as they left.
Mai and Arvard stepped forward and placed their books on the counter.
"Your name, young man?" Ms. Philippa asked, scanning the books.
"Albert. Class 1-D," Arvard answered.
Her pen froze. She flipped a page. "Same class?" she asked, glancing at Mai.
Mai nodded with a smile. "Yes."
Ms. Philippa tapped an empty box in her register. "Sign here."
Arvard picked up the pen and, after a brief moment of thought, signed his name.
Mai peeked at the signature. "Wow."
"What?" Arvard asked.
"Your initials... they're beautiful, Albert."
"I agree," Ms. Philippa added with a knowing smile.
Then she stood up and addressed Mai politely. "Dear, could you give Albert and me a few minutes?"
Mai glanced at Arvard, unsure. He gave a small nod.
"I'll wait for you outside," she said, heading toward the exit.
Ms. Philippa then called out to a nearby staff boy, Lupine, and motioned for Arvard to follow her. She led him to a lift beside the one they had used earlier. This one had an additional button.
She swiped her card. The lift doors closed, and she pressed the button.
Then she turned to him. "Are you Sir Arvard Ampher?"
Arvard's expression remained unreadable. "What do you mean?"
"I recognized your eyes—and that orange gemstone ring."
He sighed. "No"
A smile formed on her lips, but tears streamed down her face.
Confused, Arvard watched as she dropped to her knees. Her voice trembled.
"Finally... I saw you."
"What are you talking about?" he asked, genuinely puzzled.
"When I was a child, nothing fascinated me. Then, one day, I overheard my father talking with his friend about a man who traveled the world to uncover the secrets of the moons. At first, it sounded silly. But then they mentioned how he fought monsters, wore strange rings, and wielded red eyes that could freeze men in fear. My father said his father had once fought beside that man in a war."
She choked up, wiping her nose.
"I asked my father for more stories. Over time, you became my favorite bedtime tale. He eventually introduced me to his master—Biltus. I was only seven then. Biltus asked me if I wanted to know more about you. I said yes, without hesitation. From that day on, I lived in a mansion filled with books, training, and stories of you."
She paused. "After a hundred years and editing millions of texts, I asked Biltus what happened to you. He only said, 'Don't worry. He will return. But can you wait?' Again, I said yes without thinking… and that was 510 years ago."
"You waited a long time," Arvard said softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Thank you. But I don't deserve your affection... You are a brilliant vampire."
She looked up at him. "Can I ask you something?"
"Depends on the question."
"I've only ever edited Biltus's work... but could I read your personal notes? Or better—hear the stories from you?"
"My notes may be gone, but after everything you just told me... yes. I'll tell you a few, when I have time."
She wiped her tears. "Thank you, my prince."
Arvard pressed the button again. "Let's talk again sometime—with a cup of tea."
The lift doors opened, and he stepped out, not waiting for a reply.
He left with three massive books in hand. Outside, he saw Mai speaking to Alissa and Karen.
"Done?" Mai asked as he approached.
Arvard nodded, glancing at Alissa. Her gaze locked with his. Her breath hitched.
Those eyes... how can they shine like that? she thought. It's like we've met before.
Mai introduced everyone. "This is Albert, the new student. And these are Alissa and Karen."
"Hi," Arvard said with a smile.
"Hi," Alissa said, cheeks flushed.
Karen offered a polite, tight-lipped smile. Her eyes were fixed on Arvard's books.
"So, you're coming from the library too?" Arvard asked.
"Yeah," Alissa replied instantly.
"You're lucky, getting to the special floor," Karen said enviously. "I wish I could read those rare books…"
Mai laughed nervously, subtly shifting her books out of sight. "Sorry, school rules."
Karen's eyes lingered on Arvard's books. "They look old… the leather binding... Never judge a book by its cover, huh?"
"Karen, please don't violate school rules," Mai said, stepping in front of Arvard protectively.
"Okay, okay, sorry."
Alissa shifted to get a better look at Arvard. Their eyes met again, and both quickly looked away.
"You know, it's kind of hard to believe someone like you could read those books," Alissa said, then instantly regretted how it sounded. "Sorry! I didn't mean—"
"It's fine," Arvard laughed. "I know what you meant. I get that a lot."
He's so kind, Alissa thought, her face glowing.
Karen silently studied Arvard. Alissa doesn't usually act this way. Why is she so drawn to him? Could he be some kind of flirt? And what's with the hug during assembly? I need to find out more.
"Earth to Karen!" Mai shouted, inches from her face.
Karen blinked. "Why are you so close to me?!"
Everyone laughed. Arvard's gaze found Alissa again. She looked away, flustered.
Suddenly, a voice called out, "Hey, new kid!"
They all turned to see a group of boys lounging under a tree nearby.
"I'll go see what they want," Arvard said, handing his books to Karen. "Could you take these to class for me? I'll catch up."
"But it's against school policy…" Mai protested.
"They can't read them anyway," Arvard said cryptically.
Mai frowned. Wait… did I tell him about the spell?
"New kid! Come here!" the voice repeated.
As Arvard walked toward the boys, Mai leaned toward Karen.
"I don't care if we're friends. If you open that book, you're dead."
"Okay, okay, Missy," Karen replied casually, walking ahead with the books.
Alissa and Mai watched Arvard with concern, as if he were marching toward a battlefield.
Alissa gently touched her chest. Why… does this all feel so familiar?