Chapter 153: Still Not Enough
"Alright alright, spare me," Aren sighed as he picked out a book from a nearby shelf and settled down right next to Miu. "Why did I think it was a good idea to let Professor Sterling pick out our fake identities?"
"I think it’s pretty good!" Miu said with a hint of amusement. "Don’t you think so?"
"The unstoppable transfer siblings! Little sister from the Quartz school and big brother from the Amethyst school...doesn’t it make your blood run when people talk about you!"
"Miu, you were an idol. I’m just a regular guy. How the hell am I supposed to get excited at that."
"If anything," Aren added. "How do you deal with gossip and people just following you everyday?"
"Heh," Miu grinned. "You’ll start to develop selective hearing like I do."
Aren rolled his eyes at the comment and chose to ignore it, instead skimming the book in front of him instead.
When it was apparent nothing useful would be found, he simply put it back where it came from and went straight to the book right beside it.
"Ugh..." Miu sighed, probably reading the same page she just did before speaking. "Why the hell does a place called the ’Grand Library’ not have some kind of filtering database!"
"What a freakin’ oversight..."
Another book slid into place with a soft thud as he returned it to the shelf, his fingers already reaching for the next one.
"Not really an oversight," he said after a long moment.
Miu glanced up from her book, raising a brow. "Oh?"
Aren flipped through a few pages before closing it just as quickly. "It’s intentional."
Miu leaned back slightly in her seat. "...You’re serious?"
Aren nodded once. "If information was easy to access, anyone could find what they’re not supposed to."
"It was probably built this way by the first Emperor, Chen Yu, after all."
Miu hummed softly at the response. "Sounds like a pain."
Aren sighed once, now onto his fourth book. "It is. But it’s the only reason this place hasn’t been completely picked apart."
"You mean by Aetherion?"
"Mhmm."
Miu flipped another page before speaking again, her tone a bit more casual. "Speaking of, how did your little spying trip go?"
"Not that productive to be honest. Nothing that I didn’t already find out surfaced."
She glanced up, closing her book and deciding to take a break. "That bad?"
Aren leaned back slightly in his chair, deciding the same. "Yeah, ever since Commander Mars passed, Aetherion’s been slowly but surely seeping their influence everywhere."
"Commander Mars, you mean—"
"Yeah, Stella’s father."
Aren exhaled quietly. "I feel bad for them."
"Ever since then, the eldest son had to step up. And it was clear he wasn’t ready for the responsibility."
...
"Neither was Stella."
Miu frowned slightly. "...That alone shouldn’t be enough, though."
"Well, with their Commander gone. Mystic Law Enforcement suddenly had a huge power gap. Investigations slowed down until they stopped going anywhere...leaving Aetherion to do what they please."
Miu was quiet for a moment after that, her fingers idly tracing the edge of the table before she spoke again. "...What about the drake?"
Aren stilled for a moment, only for his voice to come back out flat. "Nothing... absolutely nothing."
She hesitated. "...Not even a trace?"
His jaw tightened slightly. "I had one. And then it disappeared."
Aren gripped the edge of his chair with so much force that it began to crack, before realizing and easing off.
"I know it’s here. It hasn’t left the Western Dominion. It’s in one of Aetherion’s facilities somewhere..."
"I just haven’t found which one yet."
Miu lingered for a moment longer, her eyes resting on him as if she wanted to say something else. But in the end, she simply pushed her chair back and stood.
"I’ve got a class soon," she said, stretching lightly as she gathered her things. "Try not to look too suspicious while you’re brooding here."
"What–? I don’t brood!" Aren flinched at the comment.
"Oh you definitely do," she shot back. "See you later, Brother."
She turned on her heel and slipped into the elevator with skip in her step and a carefree attitude.
How can someone be so carefree and annoying at the same time? I don’t get it!
He watched her go before his attention returned to the book in front of him, though the words on the pages no longer registered.
But even so, without Miu, the silence became a lot heavier. Without her constant chatter, his brain kept diverting itself back...to his purpose.
Aren closed the book.
This isn’t enough...I need to get more access.
The lower sections of the Grand Library had already given everything there was to offer, mostly fragmented records and incomplete histories—all curated truths that danced around information of real value.
What I need isn’t here...
Slowly, his head tilted upward as he looked at the vast number of floors above.
There was only one way to go...up.
Aren rose from his seat, sliding the book back into its place before stepping away from the table. The towering shelves stretched endlessly around him as he made his way toward the exit as well.
He made his way down, back through the elevators, and out of the Grand Library, reaching in to his pocket and pulling out his phone.
With a few taps, a small list appeared...a list of ranks with names and numbers cascading down with clarity.
Adrian Locke — Rank #47
Top fifty...
"Tch," Aren clicked his tongue. "Just barely a Core Disciple... I could drop below fifty at any time."
For most students at the Western Dominion Academy, it would’ve been more than enough. It was a position that carried real weight and recognition, along with privileges that a student might never see in their lifetime.
But for him?
It wasn’t even close.
Core Disciple status had granted him entry into the Grand Library, but only the surface of it. The deeper archives were reserved only for those that were ranked higher.
He needed to enter those upper vaults. And to do so...he must reach Rank 1.
That was one of two ways he could find a cure and save Luna. Though the other method lingered in his head...the Mad Hound’s words.
He knows how to cure her...
No, Aren...don’t believe anything a criminal says.
He slapped himself with both hands, leaving red marks on his face but also clearing his head. The path forward was clear.
"Get stronger."