Lukas, having spent the morning in bed after a late night with the contest, strode into the dining room for a late lunch. The table was already set with places for everyone in the house, except for Lord Sulli’s seat, which was already cleared away. Lukas found his seat and discovered that his cup of wine was already filled and that his meal consisted of roasted venison and seasoned vegetables. The only other occupant of the dining table was Marie, who sat at the table with a small cup in front of her wine glass and an empty plate. She was engrossed in a thin, leather-bound book, the title remained hidden from view.

  “What are you reading?” Lukas asked, taking his seat across from her.

  Marie jumped and abruptly dropped the book on the table. “Lukas, make a bit of noise when you enter a room.” She grabbed the book and closed it.

  Lukas chuckled and began to cut into his meal, starting to eat. “Apologies, I thought you heard me walk in.”

  She shrugged. “It’s fine. I was trying to have a quiet moment; Aunt Atia has been asking me to help her get ready for the play tonight. She believes I’m eating lunch and will return soon, but I needed some time to myself.”

  She quickly glanced at the double doors leading out to the living quarters of everyone and paused, thoughtfully considering them.

  “Ah yes, William had me try on my new suit last night after the games. The vest was a bit tight, so it was probably wise that he made me try it on. I detest sitting in uncomfortable clothes, especially a vest. It would be foolish to unbutton it in front of uncle and the guests.”

  Marie chuckled at that statement and rolled her eyes. “I’m certain you’ll be fine. I still need to ensure Julia has my dress ready. We have ample time, but if Aunt Atia persists, I might only have a short while to prepare myself.”

  They sat in silence for a moment, Lukas savoring the delectable food. Marie took a long time to finish her wine before signing and standing to leave. “I suppose I should return. I’m surprised she hasn’t summoned a servant to search for me.”

  On cue, as if summoned, William entered the room and promptly moved to Marie’s side before bowing. “Lord Lukas, Lady Marie. Lady Sulli requests your presence again. She has some inquiries regarding necklaces.”

  William maintained a neutral expression while Marie displayed a weary expression. “Yes, yes, I’m coming.”

  William bowed once more and moved to depart.

  “William, hold on a moment.” Lukas turned to Marie as she picked up her book. “Have a great rest of your day.”

  She waved and made an exaggerated sad face. “Until tonight,” she said, and then she left.

  Lukas waited until she was gone before returning his attention to William.

  “Lord Lukas, is there anything I can assist you with?” William asked

  “Yes, I’d like to visit the library. Could you please have the carriage ready for me as soon as possible?” Lukas stood up and pushed his chair back.

  “Ah, is this with Lord Sulli’s blessing?” William inquired.

  He had mentioned that perhaps William could accompany him after the contest, so technically, Lukas had the permission. However, William didn’t know about this, and it wouldn’t affect him. If asked, Lukas could simply say that he had time to do it and that it was part of his education towards his wraith.

  Lord Reza had recommended it, and since her was likely to become one of Lukas’s teachers, he wanted to be prepared. How would he look in Reza’s eyes if he hadn’t followed Reza’s explicit recommendation? It seemed like a foolish decision when he had the time to research and learn more about his wraith. Perhaps it could even help them form a partnership similar to what Reza and Elana had. Their performance during the contest demonstrated how much trust they had built between them, and the level of skill that afforded them.

  Yes, but to ensure everyone’s safety, we’ll also bring one of the guards with us. If Pullo is on duty, please grab him.”

  So far, he’s been the only guard who hasn’t acted like they need to tread carefully around him. Lukas moved to the atrium and allowed a servant to help him into his jacket. He was still not accustomed to having others dress him, but that was the etiquette of high nobility, and he had to adhere to it.

  It took them an hour to navigate through the noble district, cross the bridges, and the forum before riding into the Northern district. Finally, the carriage stopped in front of the Arkhen Library. It was located in the same district as the amphitheater where he had been yesterday.

  Deep within the district, it was built directly into the wall on the Northernmost part of the city. It stood tall above the surrounding buildings, one of the oldest structures in the city, alongside the palace, the broken king’s domain, and Echoes’ towers. Its highest tower pierced the top of the wall; despite its age, the weathered rune-carved stone remained sturdy, having never been destroyed or burned throughout its long history.

  His father had always regaled Lukas with tales of the Arkhen Library’s vast collection of tens of millions of texts from across the globe—places that no one alive today had ever visited or could even imagine their existence. It had always been a place of immense interest that he had neglected to visit during his time in the city.

  The carriage door opened, and William extended his hand to assist Lukas down into the street. “Finally, it took longer than anticipated.” Lukas grasped his hand and exited the carriage. He gazed up at the library, noticing the same towering line of words, each a foot high, scrolled above the imposing wooden front door. These words were an unfamiliar language. The library’s front had few windows, and those he could see were small, casting limited light within.

  Pullo descended from the carriage, placing his hand firmly on the short sword at his side. “Lord Lukas, how long do you anticipate our stay here? I want to ensure that the carriage will be ready.”

  Lukas paused, uncertain about the duration of this endeavor. He turned to William for guidance. “How long do you require so that we are on time for the play tonight?”

  William’s eyes widened, and he faltered in his speech. “Um, ah, you must depart at the seventh hour to arrive on time. Consequently, we should probably leave here no later than the fifth hour.”

  Lukas refocused his attention on Pullo. “Have the driver return here in about thirty minutes early. Even if we’re not out here, it’s better to be punctual than late.”

  Pullo bowed and returned to the driver.

  “Come on, William. Let’s see what we can find.” Lukas began ascending the stairs that led to the library’s entrance. He paused and turned to face Pullo once more. “Pullo, you don’t have to come in.”

  Pullo shrugged, leaning against the building’s side as he stood facing the street. His eyes scanned the passing crowd, taking in everyone who entered the library. The street wasn’t particularly bustling, but it had become more populated since the contest commenced. There was a significant amount of foot traffic accompanied by their wraiths.

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  Lukas entered the library and surveyed the open first floor. He had never visited this place due to his limited time in the city. Moreover, he had few reasons to go, as his father and Lord Sulli would purchase books for the family to read. Nevertheless, this would be an opportunity for him to explore.

  Walking through the grand hall, Lukas awed by the sight. The cavernous first room boasted a ceiling soaring over three stories high, its walls adorned with shelves intricately carved into the very fabric of the structure. Each shelf held an array of books and scrolls, some stretching over fifty feet into the air, accessible only by massive ladders.

  The main room was vast and open, with lines of shelving stretching out as far as the eye could see. Books and scrolls of every size, color, and language adorned these shelves, Lukas could barely take in everything. As Lukas ventured deeper into the library, he noticed a large work area that opened up into a cluster of around fifty wooden tables and chairs. Each table was occupied by individuals engrossed in their work, their eyes fixed on their books or writing, oblivious to Lukas’s presence.

  Spying through the shelves, Lukas caught a glimpse of more people moving through the other aisles, their footsteps echoing off the ancient stone walls. Now that he was in the library, he realized he had no clue where to begin his research. Reza had mentioned that they had records, but that was all he knew.

  Feeling uncertain about his next move, Lukas made his way to the grand deck that extended the length of the building. This deck served as a barrier, preventing him from venturing further into the library’s depths. Lukas knew that there were multiple floors built into the very walls of the structure, and if the rumors were true, there were even more levels below ground that had been constructed over centuries.

  Behind a desk, a man with stark grey hair and a beard sat furiously writing on a piece of paper. His clothes were rumpled and disheveled, suggesting that he had slept in them. A wraith stood just behind him, holding a book in his hand and slowly turning the pages.

  The Liberian, Lukas, was taken aback when he stopped in front of the librarian. He had assumed the librarian would be much older, based on the grey hair. However, the man appeared to be no more than thirty, around Lord Reza’s age.

  “Well, hello there, my name is Alexander Tarimage. How may I assist you?” Alexander the librarian asked.

  Lukas froze, feeling a surge of nerves that made him want to turn around, walk out of the building, and return home. Gritting his teeth, he stood his ground and suppressed the uncomfortable emotions. “Yes, ah, Mr. Tarimage, I recently acquired my first wraith. I was informed that you might be able to help me determine if he has ever been cataloged.”

  Tarimage’s eyes lit up, and he smiled almost maniacally. “Of course, I can assist you with that. Emily, could you please take my place at the front desk?” he yelled into an open door behind him.

  A voice from another room responded. “I’ll be there in a moment. If you wish to leave, you’re free to do so. No one will steal your stuff, Alex.”

  His smile faltered. “You should’ve seen the look on my face when I left the desk last time. Those kids stole half my pens and a first-edition Alunok book. It cost us a hundred ghouls to replace that.”

  “Well, wait until I finish this letter, and I’ll be happy to help or take the chance,” Emily yelled.

  He rolled his eyes. “Just a moment. I can’t stand to lose another book like that.”

  Lukas just nodded. If she didn’t take long, he had no problem waiting. But he also didn’t want to waste much time on his research. Thankfully, Emily didn’t take long, and a young woman walked through the door.

  Tarimage moved and motioned Lukas to follow. “The room with all the records are below. Follow me.”

  He descended a set of stone steps into a dimly lit hallway. Tarimage retrieved an elemental lantern from the wall and ignited it, casting a low purple-white glow across the corridor. William grabbed another second, ensuring ample light to enable them to locate the records room.

  After traversing the darkened hallway for some time, Tarimage opened a door, leaving Lukas uncertain about their depth below the city and whether they had crossed beyond the library’s walls. Upon entering the room, Lukas noticed its smaller size compared to the library’s main hall, yet it held numerous shelves filled with large leather-bound books meticulously arranged in every available space on the walls. The room undoubtedly contained hundreds or even thousands of books. Could these be all the records he would have to sift through? The task seemed daunting, potentially requiring weeks or even months to complete.

  “Oh, I just realized I never introduced myself,” Tarimage remarked, gently tapping his forehead with a finger and chuckling.

  Lukas shared a laugh with him. “Apologies; I didn’t even consider offering my name. My name is Lukas Sulli.”

  Tarimage’s eyes widened slightly. “Ah, well, Lord Sulli. I believe the most suitable starting point would be to encounter your wraith.”

  The term “Lord Sulli” sounded peculiar coming from Tarimage, let alone anyone else. “Lukas is sufficient; my uncle holds the title of Lord.” Lukas channeled his power, and his wraith materialized, maintaining its scowl.

  “Ah, that’s perfect! I guessed the correct room. Let me see… These records begin with the color and gender of the wraith.” Tarimage crossed the room and entered a corner. He pulled a few dark red-leather-bound books from the third shelf and placed them on the middle table. Lukas noticed that each wall held a different color book: black, gray, white, and red. He slid one book to each of us.

  “It will be faster if we all take a book. These books are the first quarter of the male wraiths colored red.”

  Lukas had to ask, “Are the book covers the color of the wraiths depicted in them?”

  Tarimage nodded. “Yes, a librarian named Kennor Scoun, who lived about three hundred years ago, decided it would be useful. I must admit, I agree. Although we don’t often encounter people asking about their wraiths, it makes the records easier to search through.”

  Lukas nodded. He and William opened their books. Lukas’s first page had the name Muharia. It seemed that each wraith had at least one page, with the first half describing the wraith in detail. With their abilities, they explained afterward, along with whoever had made a pact with the said wraith.

  Muharia couldn’t be the wraith described in the book, as it depicted a young man dressed in the robe of the Celsior, a nomadic tribe Lukas had never heard of. Lukas turned the page and continued the process, with Lukas and the others flipping through the pages one by one, hoping to find a match.

  An hour later, William pointed at a page halfway through his book. “I think I’ve found him! What do you all think?”

  Lukas read down the page. Gregory was described as being uniformed in the style of Arkhen around the tenth century. However, Tarimage shook his head.

  “No, it’s not him. This wraith is older than the tenth century, based on the uniform he wears. The uniform of the legions added nine towers above the heart in the ninth century. No one would leave such details out. Also, the scars and the cards he holds would be another couple of things to look for in the description. Each detail will help us find him. Fortunately, we have multiple unique details to look for in the books, should he be there.”

  They spent hours searching through book after book, but their efforts yielded little success. Lukas’s frustration grew as he realized the extent of their underestimation. He hadn’t considered the number of wraiths the city could possess, let alone the staggering number of red wraiths he encountered. The sheer volume of names and descriptions overwhelmed him, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of dread that his wraith might not be among them.

  After hours of relentless searching, they only managed to find one other potential identification, but the scars didn’t match. The search continued in silence for a few more hours before William finally broke the silence.

  “Lord Lukas, we should probably head back. You said you didn’t want to be late tonight.”

  Echoes abyss. Lukas closed his book, another one empty and devoid of useful information. Despite his desire to continue the search, he knew they had to return. Being late to the play would be unacceptable, especially since Lord Sulli would be furious, and he was eagerly anticipating the opportunity to talk with the Rezas, particularly Marius and Cassia.

  “Yes, let’s go,” he replied, glancing down at the books they had examined. “We’ll have to come back another time to try and find him.”

  “I’ll continue the search anytime. He’s deeply ingrained in my memory, so I shouldn’t have any trouble identifying potential wraiths. I genuinely enjoy these searches; they’re so rare that I can’t afford to let them slip away. We can meet again to see if any of the candidates fit him perfectly.” Tarimage left the book on the table, grabbed his lantern, and led them out of the underground level, the purple light guiding them towards the stone stairs.

  “Thank you so much for your help. I’ll try to return here soon. If not, I’ll at least send William here to examine what you’ve found.” Lucas extended his hand, and Tarimage shook it firmly.

  Tarimage had been incredibly helpful, and they wouldn’t have made it this far without him. With his unwavering determination, Lucas was confident that he would have the answer to whether his wraith’s name was recorded in the records by the end of the week.

  “Of course, I’ll see you then or let you know if I find anything.” He bowed low, nodding to each. “Have a wonderful evening.”

  Tarimage hurried down the stairs, disregarding the risk of falling. “Let’s hurry. I hope we avoid any crowds on our way home,” Lukas said, leaving the library with William. Pullo joined them as they exited and opened the carriage door.

  “Find what you were looking for?” Pullo asked, his voice sounding somewhat indifferent.

  “Not yet,” Lukas replied, taking a seat and sinking into it heavily. Defeat washed over him, but he reminded himself that this was merely the first step. Even if he failed to find his wraith in the records, he was determined to uncover its power with Reza.