While Leo was learning some new things on his journey, at the same time in a different kingdom—a kingdom known as the Holy Empire of Luminael—Arvaris was walking up the stairs. There were bandages on his face, and he was not wearing anything on top but he was wearing a loose blue trousers and black slippers. His hair was down. As he went straight up the stairs, there was a white carpet. Just as the stairs came to an end, Agrest was standing there with five of his knights. They were wearing armor with golden lining and helmets that covered their heads. Agrest was wearing a white long-sleeved shirt with white pants and black shoes. There were golden buttons in the middle of his shirt. As Agrest seemed to be talking with his knights and walking straight, he was shocked to see Arvaris there. But not by much; he turned to Arvaris and asked, "So, what are you going to do next?"

  Arvaris stared at Agrest and replied coldly.

  "I should be the one asking that."

  Agrest smiled and waved his hands to his knights, and then the knights left them alone. Once the knights were gone, Agrest replied politely, "Look, it seems like we have lost. But I have some more plans to do."

  Arvaris's mouth opened for a moment and he replied, "So are we going to ignore everything?!"

  Agrest sighed and shook his head, "No, I'm just going to make our alliance a little stronger, and for that, I have found some different species who could help us." Arvaris didn't understand, so he asked, "Where are you going then? And which species are you talking about?"

  Agrest smiled, "Let them come first." The moment he said this, he started to leave, but Arvaris’s words stopped him. "What about Leo?"

  Agrest didn't turn back, he chuckled a little as Leo is some kind of little brat name for him he said, "Leo? Who cares? I mean, we could kill him at any time." He turned back to Arvaris and continued, "The only reason he survived until now is because of Aurelius. I know he killed a hero, but it's not something dangerous, at least according to me. After all, it was only the hero's fate which was defending him, not his power."

  He went a little closer to Arvaris, stared into his eyes, and said, "But if he comes in our way next time, either I'll kill him or you do it, okay?"

  Agrest’s eyes widened. "You're going to meet someone? Who is that per—"

  The moment he said this, Arvaris stepped in close and grabbed his collar. "None of your business. And don't forget, we are only allies for a limited time."

  "Okay, okay..." Agrest sighed and continued, "See ya then. Goodbye."

  After the conversation, Agrest walked away.

  Arvaris looked at the ground and headed straight ahead.

  Outside the tremendous castle, the people of the Holy Empire were clean and calm. Almost all of them wore white clothes, including the women and children. The morning sunlight was warm, and the streets were clean.

  Then, Agrest arrived with some of his knights and walked straight through. When the people saw Agrest and the knights of their empire, they all seemed happy. A shine appeared in their eyes as if Agrest, their king, were very generous. Agrest remained calm while his people bowed their heads before him, even with the knights standing beside him.

  After a while, they reach at the shores of kingdom. Many boats were there, both small and large. He walked down some stairs and finally reached one. It wasn't that big but it wasn't small either. It was far too simple for a king. Agrest stepped onto the boat and went inside. Some of his knights followed him while others stayed on the shore. Those who remained bowed down and said, "May your journey and work go well, King."

  Agrest nodded and turned away. After a while, the boat began its journey.

  The sun was still high as Agrest went to stand at the edge of the boat, feeling the sea air. He looked up at the sun, smiled, and said, "Just wait, my little sister. After this work, I'm coming to get you."

  Meanwhile at the castle.

  A door opened and Arvaris came out. Steam was coming off his body he was only wearing a towel on his lower body. His dark blue hair and body were wet as if he had just come from a bath. His hair was down and he wasn't wearing anything on top. His physique was muscular, and he had multiple scars on his chest. Some of his hair strands were falling down over his right eye. On his right and left sides, there were long cupboards containing multiple clothes for different seasons. There was a red carpet on the ground, and at the end of the carpet, there was a chair and a desk with a mirror on it. Arvaris simply walked on the carpet and stopped when he reached the desk and chair. The chair and desk were white, and the frame of the mirror was golden. Arvaris’s hand reached for the desk. He took a blue band and tied his hair in a high ponytail. Some of his hair strands fell down over both his left and right eyes. As he was tying his hair, his eyes were on the mirror, seeing his own reflection.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  He suddenly chuckled in mockery and a thought struck him.

  'Being this formal is exhausting. Once I have the power to overpower Aurelius, I’ll destroy that arrogant, sister-complex bastard.'

  While thinking these thoughts he was wearing his cloths till now he was wearing his black pant.

  Back in Rustalia.

  It was dusk, and an orange glow bled through the library windows. Leo sat slumped in a chair, flanked on both sides by towering wooden shelves packed with volumes on magic, history, and academics. The entire room—from the floor to the vaulted ceiling—was crafted from deep brown wood, giving the space a heavy, quiet atmosphere.

  Leo had been staring at the same page for an hour before he finally collapsed onto the open book with a groan. 'Man, what the hell? This one isn't helping me find the Advisor either.'

  Frustrated, he stood up and blurted out, "Hey, Librarian Lady! Can you give me another book?"

  The silence of the library shattered. Dozens of heads snapped toward him—high school girls and boys his age staring with varying degrees of irritation. Realizing he’d just committed a cardinal sin of the library, Leo’s face flushed. He quickly pressed a finger to his lips and offered a nervous, whispered "Sorry."

  As the other patrons returned to their work with lingering scowls, Leo sighed. What am I even doing? Maybe coming here was a bad idea.

  Suddenly, the librarian appeared. She was an elderly woman draped in a heavy black cloak that wrapped around her small frame. Her short, snow-white hair brushed her shoulders, and her glasses perched atop a face mapped with kind wrinkles.

  "What’s the matter, kid?" she asked, her voice sweet and steady.

  Leo turned away from the shelves he had been scanning. "Hey... um, Mrs. Librarian? That book didn’t help me either."

  She chuckled softly. "I have told you multiple times, my name is Thia."

  Leo smacked a hand against his forehead, embarrassed. "Oh! Right. Sorry about that, Mrs. Thia."

  "Anyway," Thia continued with a smile, "did you want me to find you something else? You still haven't found what you're looking for?"

  Leo shook his head. "That’s exactly why I called you over. Can you help me find a few more?"

  Thia shook her head gently. "I’m sorry, young man, but I can’t help you right now."

  "Why not?" Leo asked, his shoulders sinking.

  "Well, simply because my shift is over. It’s my granddaughter’s turn now. But don't worry—she’ll be able to help you find your way through the stacks."

  Leo’s eyes brightened. "Alright then! I’ll wait here. Please let me know when she arrives."

  Thia nodded, and Leo turned back to the shelves to see if anything caught his eye. Just as Thia began to walk away, a joyful young voice rang out through the hall.

  "Grandma, I’m back!"

  Thia’s face lit up, her wrinkles shifting as she smiled.

  "Young man, she’s here."

  Leo turned around and saw her. Her blonde hair was pulled back and pinned with a floral barrette, though a few stray, wavy locks escaped to frame her face, resting softly against her blue cardigan. She wore a simple black skirt and carried an air of bright energy.

  "Oh, dear," Thia said, her voice full of affection.

  "I've told you many times not to shout in here."

  The young lady chuckled. Mirroring Leo's earlier gesture, she pressed a finger to her soft lips and whispered a playful "Sorry" with a beaming smile.

  Thia turned back to Leo. "Mira, can you help this young man?"