“... So it’s basically Google.” 

Howl No.2 looked at me confused. 

“According to what you said, if I don’t collect the four books in time, the demons will take over the world?” 

“That’s correct. You must begin this journey immediately. No time to waste.” 

The four books are owned by the royal families of each kingdom. To get the books back, I would have to casually waltz into their castles, take the book, casually leave with their national treasure and not get hunted and executed on the spot. Hmmm… he must think I’m an idiot. 

“Before we continue, my name is Kai. I’m sorry for not asking earlier. What is your name?” 

This blonde haired princess really freaks me out everytime he smiles. “Felix” 

“My name is Felix Kezst. I have worked as an assistant for the enchanted library for almost 20 years now. Although you don’t need to mind the age too much. You’re free to call me Felix.” 

In a way, I was hoping he would say he was some kind of a spirit or fairy because it would explain the looks but I guess some people are blessed with genes. Ouch, my average self felt attacked. 

…….. 

“Felix, How do you plan that I can get my hands on the national treasures of the four kingdoms without dying? All of my plans seem to have the same ending, so I hope you will have a better strategy.” 

He straightened his back and puffed out his shoulders, with a wide grin he said, “It’s simple really. All you have to do is become the Head Student at Alden. The 15 head students are invited to each kingdom on an exchange program and they also get to view one of the spell books of each Kingdom. You do not have to bring back the book itself. All you have to do is reform the linking spell on each book with the library, and the world can be saved. Simple, right!?” 

His plan was definitely better than my ideas but it still had many flaws. As the two of us walked around the library, we stopped in front of two massive doors. They were navy in colour and had detailed artwork done out of gold. The doors did not have any handles nor a keyhole. They just stood in front of us like massive walls covered in expensive wallpaper. 

“What is this?” I asked while examining the intricate artwork. 

“This is the archive, the place that holds all of the spell books, and also the doors that have remained closed since before you came.” 

“Wait! You mean this is the real Enchanted Quarters!?” We just walked around the entire infrastructure filled with books, but these two doors are the real entrance to the library. Just how big is this place!? 

“Here you are.” I turned to face a hand that was stretched out in front of me. In that hand, there was placed a beautifully carved key with a large blue gemstone at the top. However, this key didn't have a moulding. It was a straight piece with a gemstone at its top. 

“A key? But the doors don’t even have keyholes?” 

Why would they make a key for a door that doesn’t need a key to open? 

“That is entirely up to the Master. Indeed the doors of the Enchanted Quarters have remained closed but that’s only due to the lack of a keyhole. Without a keyhole, a key can’t be made. Except that is the magic of this place. The Master of the Library is the only person with the right to open these doors. So if you just…” 

He grabbed my wrist and brought the key closer to the door, and all of a sudden the two doors started glowing. A blue light formed right in front of me and a keyhole formed on the door. I placed the key into the keyhole and the golden artwork started to move. Each of the gold branches were actually an additional lock on the doors. 

-Click- -Clack- -Click- -Clk- 

It opened. 

The doors of the library opened with ease and a bright blue light emerged through the strip between the doors. The light flashed onto my eyes until the doors were wide open. When I reopened my eyes, I thought they might go blind again by the scenery that stood in front of me. It looked like it was carved out of an ice cave. There were hollow shelves made into the blue tinted walls and they stretched down into a dark centre. I stepped onto the blue ground and walked down to the centre. Every single bookshelf only had one or two books. On average, the entire walk to the centre probably only showed around 50 or so spellbooks. 

In the centre of the chamber, there was a circular altar a step above the ground. From the centre eight different paths branched out. Each of them contained more spell books. Atop the circular altar, there stood five glass cases, one of them had a book in it. A white covered book with writing in gold, “Book of Light”.

“These must be where the original spellbooks were placed, right Felix?” 

I turned to see no one behind me. That’s strange. Did he not come with me?

“HEY FELIX! ARE YOU THERE?”

“...yes…I am…here… cannot… enter… not… the master…” 

He can’t enter because he isn’t the master. I walked back out of the chamber and the two doors instantly slammed shut. The key reverted back to its shapeless structure and the keyhole disappeared. 

“This was nerve wracking.” 

“How was it, Master?” He sounded so excited. His eyes were filled with sparkles, almost like I awakened his inner child. He must’ve been waiting years for this day. 

………

After spending a suspiciously long amount of time in the library, my head started to ache tremendously. Felix took note of my state and sat me down on a chair. 

“Master! Unfortunately the time has run out. Please listen to me. The first step you have to make to get anywhere near the books is entering Alden Academy. You have eight months before you can test for the Academy. Please give it your best. The headache became unbearable until suddenly, my vision went black. 

When I opened my eyes, I was back in the servant’s quarters. My clothes were the same and there was no sign of anyone else walking around. Just when I was starting to believe that it was all a nightmare, something fell out of my pockets. It looked like a key but it didn’t have any shape to call it one. It really did happen. 

-STOMP- -STOMP- -STOMP- 

“KAI, YOU USELESS WRETCH!”