"Other living beings can be saved without using a miracle, but a simple drop of blood. However, a miracle takes ones lifespan and a fragment of their soul," I continue reading and finish the description.

I roughly read the rest, but I then notice that the bottom of the page is ripped. Some text, including the Nature and Darkness attributes, is missing and ripped off. Although, there's another one. It starts with a... D, it seems? No, maybe a P. 

Closing the book with a soft thud once I'm finished reading, I put it back into the shelf where I took it from. The drawings and descriptions are easy to remember, but the last three attributes piqued my interest.

It's kinda unfortunate that the page was ripped, though. I also didn't understand some words, or they were unreadable. I should seriously hone my Elaris vocabulary. 

Meanwhile, the guard keeps watching me with interest. I can feel his gaze on me... 'He's going to burn a hole in my head soon at this point!' 

With a sigh, I climb down the ladder. So far, I have learnt a few new things. Now, I just need to learn how to utilise my power properly without hurting myself like last time. I still have burn marks across my abdomen and arms.

Once I walk closer to Aiden, I notice how his expression shifts ever so slightly. He looks me over to ensure that I don't have anything on me. 'There's a librarian right over there... Is he cautious that I might have something to steal? I would be a dumbass to try that.'

Even though my subconsciousness urges me to tell him that I don't have anything on me and stop touching me, I hold myself back and stay silent, allowing him to check me over. 

Unexpectedly, he looks rather... scared. Perhaps unnerved would be a better way to describe his expression right now. Although both fit him.

I give him a confused look since I don't get why he looks so surprised and distressed right now. Most people are okay while looking at me... 'Am I really that ugly from his point of view for him to make such an expression?'

'What... What is this? What is this chilling and dark presence around him?! Just what is this boy for him to have such a presence lurking around him?!' Aiden thinks, looking at me before he quickly lets me go. 

Aiden then allows me to leave the library, still looking rather shaken up. I give him a slightly worried look, but I let it go. 'I hope he'll be fine... I feel kinda bad knowing that I'm the one who made him like that.' 

Just then, Hewie speaks up once we're alone. She mentions something that throws me off guard and makes me stop in my tracks.

Hewie just says that out of nowhere, like it's second nature to her to say things like these. She settles down on my shoulder and lets out a small sigh.

I look at her in surprise, processing what she just said. 'She's a spirit? Tied to me? That explains as to why nobody ever reacts to whatever she says or does... But tied to me? What does that mean? How and why?'

Thoughts race through my head. I try to figure everything out. This just makes it all the more confusing! What am I supposed to think of her now?! Just how... Why? 

Meanwhile, Hewie looks at me and chirps quietly. It's almost like she's comforting me in some kind of way. I snap out of it and stare at her for a long moment.

'I can't do it this way anymore. I need to accept it and confront it.' "Hewie, tell me honestly. Who are you? And don't dodge the question. I want a clear answer." 

My stern tone, focused gaze, and serious expression make it clear that I won't allow her to beat around the bush.

Picking her up from my shoulder and placing her in my palms, my gaze focuses on her and her only. There's no way that I'm going to allow her to dodge the question now. I need to know!

She always knows so much about everything, even the mirror, which is not from Elarion, but my world. It's way too suspicious.

Still, I need her for my journey exactly because she knows so much about everything. Sure, she's a bit off her head at times, but she's useful. Although I need to be sure that I can trust her fully. That she won't harm me in any way.

"Please, Hewie... If I can even call you that." I plead her, sincerely wanting to hear her answer. There are so many questions that I want to ask, but I don't want to overwhelm her. One question at a time. Let's take it slow. 

"I'm a spirit, as I've said earlier. To be specific, I'm actually y-" She begins explaining, and I listen intently, finally getting an answer from her.

But just then, a voice cuts her off, and my head turns in the direction of where the familiar voice came from.

"Alaire! About your new bow..." He stars, but he trails off once he notices my troubled and annoyed expression. "Did I disturb something?" He asks, looking slightly worried.

His bright blue eyes flicker around us in worry and confusion, but they narrow slightly once he doesn't notice anything out of the ordinary except the tension. 

"No, not really..." Despite my answer, my voice carries a slightly reluctant undertone. I look at him and then spare a glance at Hewie. 'Right, he can't see her... I forgot.'

Merle looks at me and nods. However, I notice his eyebrow twitch a bit in presumably doubt or speculation. 

"Is something the matter, Merle?" A quieter yet clear question that breaks him from his rain of thoughts. I cock my head to the side, awaiting his answer. "Nah, it's nothing. Let's get you a new bow."

He quickly answers, changing the topic whilst wearing a small grin, almost like a sly fox. 

'When he grins like that, I just get the urge to smack that look off his face!' I calm myself down and place Hewie back on my shoulder without him noticing.

"Haa... alright. Let's go." I answer and then glance at Hewie, giving her a silent look that clearly tells that I'm not going to let this slide. She's lucky that Merle interrupted us.

Then, I return my attention back towards Merle and notice how he seems to be curious about something. Yet another expression that makes me feel uneasy...

"If you want to ask something, spit it out." Without a warning, I say this and walk towards him. 'Jeez. He's so curious.' 

A small, annoyed scowl forms on my face whilst waiting for him to ask whatever is making him oh so curious.