LIBRARIAN

As the sun seemed to caress the horizon line far away in the distance, Inai and Fennel crossed the entrance to the inside of the tower where the library was meant to be.

Just like with most towers in Rossmaria, the entrance faced directly towards a connecting bridge, and it was composed of an open archway that led to its center. From there, people could take the old staircases both to the upper and lower floors, using small entrances at the sides of the hallway; as well as elevators, that had been installed after the technological revolution, and functioned at a central, transparent glass cylinder that seemed to reach the highest point of the building, but didn’t seem to go to the lower floors.

The largest towers usually had three to five elevators at the exact center of the tower, that could be merged together in order to transport larger objects. However, this tower, had a single, small elevator at its center, revealing the lack of concern for improving the infrastructure of the old construction.

Fennel looked around to see if there was any indication of the floor number where the library should be, but there was nothing. In fact, the whole hall seemed to be completely empty, without any sign of recent activity, or indications for visitors.

"Any idea of where the library is Inai?" Asked Fennel. "You used to come here when you were a kid, right?"

Inai looked around as well, seemingly as confused as Fennel.

"From what I remember, most floors were part of the library. Even this entrance had a reception." She said as she circled around the central elevator chamber. "I’m afraid they might have abandoned this place after all."

This possibility worried Fennel, since it meant their next best option would be to search inside the library of the palace, which could raise concerns from Miss Elia, or other members of the palace.

"I wonder if there’s anyone living here." Said Fennel as he looked towards the staircases that connected at the side of the hall. "Should we go take a look?"

"I’m not sure Fennel. What if this is private property?" Replied Inai with concern.

As both researchers were looking around towards the paths that led to the upper and lower floors of the tower, they didn’t notice someone else was closing in from the entrance.

"Yooo! Can I help you?" Asked a deep but airy voice from behind them.

Both Fennel and Inai seemed to jump from the surprise, as they turned around to look at whoever was talking to them. It was a fit young man, wearing a very loose white shirt that seemed to seamlessly hide his sporty physique, as well as purple shorts that reached slightly below his knees. He was walking barefoot, and had a few chains around his neck, that hanged inside his shirt, as well as smaller chains around his right wrist and left ankle. His long hair was of a washed-out brown color, and his skin was tan, similar to Inai’s color, but probably as a consequence of being exposed to the sun rather than genetics.

"Oh, hello!" Greeted Fennel trying to seem less suspicious. "We were told there was a library in here."

"Well, you were told right!" He replied with a lighthearted energy. "There was a library in here." He developed. "When I saw you two walking across the bridge, I thought you might be looking for that. It’s the only reason anyone comes around here anyways."

Inai and Fennel looked at each other, as his choice of words seemed to suggest the library was no longer in this tower.

"Did it move somewhere?" Continued Fennel, trying to obtain more information. "We really need to find some texts."

"Hmm… Not really." Replied the man with a calm but seemingly unpreoccupied attitude. "I closed it years ago, bro, after my grandfather passed away. These days, nearly no one is interested in physical texts anyways. But I haven’t been able to bring myself together to dismantle it, so everything is still in here."

"That’s great! Could you please let us look for some texts?"

"Sounds like a drag, honestly." Replied the man as he crossed his arms. "I don’t want strangers lurking through my tower."

It was as Anise had predicted, however it seemed that the librarian she had known was no longer alive, and the new owner was this person. Fennel hated negotiating after being given a no, but this was more important than his comfort, so he decided to try something out.

"But we’re not strangers." He said. "I think my mother used to know your grandfather." Continued Fennel as he showed Anise’s badge. "She sent me here and asked me to greet him on her behalf. But it seems that won’t be possible."

The owner of the tower seemed unimpressed, without any reaction to seeing the badge from afar.

"Well, I’m sorry to hear that. But as I told you, he passed away years ago." He said relaxing his posture. "And since I don’t know any of you, nor your mother, I’m afraid I can’t trust you."

"I understand." Replied Fennel, seemingly giving up at the first sign of rejection.

However, Inai wasn’t ready to throw the towel yet.

"I’m really sorry for disturbing you, but this is a very important matter. My name is Inai and his name is Fennel, we work at the royal palace." Said Inai with a slightly forced charming voice. "Could you at least let us know what is it that’s worrying you? We’re not here to steal or anything like that."

"Oh, I’m sorry if I seemed to suggest that, sis! I don’t think you’re thieves." He said. "By the way, my name is Laos, nice to meet you, people from the royal palace."

Both Inai and Fennel awkwardly greeted Laos with their heads.

"How do I put this." He said as he seemed to get lost in his thoughts for a moment. "This collection and this tower are everything I have left from my family. They used to be very important people for the kingdom, but after the technological revolution, our library lost all of its relevance." He continued. "I don’t think I would be able to take it if some strangers came in and damaged any of the books my family left me."

Both Inai and Fennel weren’t expecting Laos to be so invested in the collection, but this information seemed to open new options to negotiate.

"We perfectly understand Laos." Said Inai. "Do you live here and read the books from the library?"

"Every single day." He said with soulful pride. "Most people around consider me to be some sort of hermit, just because I spend most of my days working-out and reading. Although I try to go out to The Keep every day to meet new people and stay social. But it’s really hard to find anyone who's interested in the stuff I’m reading, so at times I prefer to just stay here in the tower. Do you know what I mean?"

Both Inai and Fennel now seemed to be genuinely interested in Laos, but there was an important issue they had to take care of.

"Well, Laos, I think we might be able to help." Said Fennel, as he had an idea. "We’re actually royal researchers, so we know how to take care of valuable texts, and we might actually be able to give you some insights on whatever you’ve been reading."

The eyes of Laos lightened up as he heard this.

"Are you serious bro? So that badge you showed me was that of a royal researcher?" Asked Laos excited.

"Absolutely! although that one is from my mother. But we’re in a really tight situation right now." Said Fennel, quickly changing the subject. "I’ll be glad to talk with you when we’re done with the emergency."

Inai wasn’t really sure if she wanted to commit as well, so she stayed silent.

"Right, right. I’m convinced. What are you looking for?"

"We’re looking for The Code of the Royal Palace, The Guardians’ Mandate, or any similar books that might give us an insight on the laws that define the conduct of guardians during their training."

Inai looked at Fennel with curiosity, since she hadn’t heard about Fennel’s plan. But she seemed to understand where he was going with this.

"Hmm… I’m more into novels, self-improvement and texts about old machinery, so I’m not too familiar with that section." Said Laos. "But down at the lowest floor I have texts from the kingdom as well as old royal history. You’ll have to find whatever you’re looking for on your own, though."

Both Fennel and Inai sincerely thanked Laos.

"You’ll have to go through the staircases. I didn’t want the elevator to damage those beautiful rooms." Continued Laos. "Take as much time as you need. Since this is now my private collection, it’s not like I have an opening or closing hour. Just make sure to leave everything just like you found it, whenever you’re done. I live at the top floor of the tower, in case you need me, but please don't wake me up if it's too late."

Laos grabbed one of the chains in his neck, and pulled it off to reveal a metallic key hanging from it.

"I know it’s vintage, but you will also need this to open the bottom floor."