Chapter 165 - 160: A Chance Encounter
John walked beside Elena through the quiet corridors of the Royal Library.
The research journal rested securely beneath his arm, while the fountain pen Miriam had given him was tucked safely inside one of its pockets.
He glanced down at it from time to time.
It still felt unreal.
In just one morning, he had gone from being an ordinary visitor to becoming a temporary research assistant under the Chief Archivist himself.
"You’ve been smiling ever since we left Master Aldric’s office."
John looked at Elena and laughed softly.
"Was it that obvious?"
She nodded.
"It was."
"You should be proud."
"Very few people are invited upstairs."
John rubbed the back of his neck.
"I still feel like I’m dreaming."
"You’ll get used to it."
She smiled warmly.
"Although..."
She thought for a moment.
"Knowing Master Aldric, he’ll probably give you enough reading material to keep you busy for months."
John groaned dramatically.
"I had a feeling."
Elena laughed.
"I was joking."
She paused.
"...Mostly."
---
When they reached the main reading hall, the atmosphere was much livelier than it had been earlier.
Scholars carried stacks of books between tables.
Students copied passages from ancient texts into notebooks.
Several librarians pushed wooden carts filled with returned books toward the shelving aisles.
Everything moved with quiet purpose.
John admired how smoothly everything operated.
No one raised their voice.
Yet everyone seemed to know exactly what they were doing.
"It must take an incredible amount of work to manage a place like this."
Elena nodded.
"It does."
"There are over a hundred librarians working here."
John looked surprised.
"That many?"
"Not all at once."
"Some organize collections."
"Some restore damaged books."
"Others travel throughout the kingdom searching for manuscripts to preserve."
John’s curiosity grew.
"They travel?"
"Of course."
"Books don’t always come to us."
"Sometimes..."
"We have to find them before they’re lost forever."
John smiled.
"I never realized librarians could be adventurers."
Elena laughed.
"We don’t usually fight monsters."
"But we do chase history."
---
As they approached the entrance hall, John noticed a familiar figure standing before one of the large notice boards.
Aerion.
The elf had apparently decided not to wait at the inn after all.
He looked up as John approached.
"There you are."
John smiled.
"I thought you were staying at the Silver Stag."
"I was."
Aerion answered calmly.
"For about twenty minutes."
"Lythriel became impatient."
John couldn’t help laughing.
"So she sent you."
"No."
Aerion’s lips curved slightly.
"She insisted on coming herself."
Before John could ask where she was...
A familiar voice echoed across the entrance hall.
"John!"
He turned just in time to see Lythriel weaving through the crowd with Sylvara following close behind.
The two reached him moments later.
Lythriel crossed her arms.
"You disappeared for half the day."
John looked toward the tall windows.
"...Has it really been that long?"
Sylvara giggled.
"I don’t think you noticed the time."
"I really didn’t."
---
Lythriel noticed the leather journal tucked beneath John’s arm.
"What’s that?"
John carefully showed it to them.
"A research journal."
"Miriam and Master Aldric gave it to me."
Lythriel blinked.
"They gave you gifts?"
"They’re tools."
John corrected with a smile.
"And..."
He hesitated for a moment.
"I’ve officially become Master Aldric’s temporary research assistant."
For a second...
Neither Lythriel nor Sylvara reacted.
Then...
"What?!"
Several nearby readers immediately looked in their direction.
Lythriel quickly covered her mouth.
"...Sorry."
She whispered.
John couldn’t help laughing.
Sylvara looked genuinely amazed.
"Already?"
"You’ve only been here for two days."
"I know."
"I’m still trying to process it myself."
Aerion nodded approvingly.
"It seems the Chief Archivist has high expectations."
"I hope I can meet them."
"You will."
Aerion replied confidently.
---
The group slowly made their way toward the library’s main entrance.
As they descended the broad stone staircase, John paused for a moment to admire the enormous stained-glass window overlooking the city.
The afternoon sun illuminated the image of an open book beneath a golden sky.
It somehow felt different now.
Yesterday, he had admired its beauty.
Today...
It felt welcoming.
Almost familiar.
---
Outside, the Scholar’s District bustled with its usual quiet activity.
Students hurried between lectures.
Professors discussed research while strolling beneath ancient oak trees.
Book merchants displayed newly copied manuscripts on wooden tables outside their shops.
John noticed one particular bookstore crowded with customers.
The sign above the entrance read:
**Riverside Books & Maps**
Lythriel followed his gaze.
"Don’t even think about it."
John looked innocent.
"What?"
"You already spent the entire morning surrounded by books."
"You don’t need more."
John smiled sheepishly.
"I was only looking."
"Mm-hmm."
"No."
She grabbed his sleeve before he could wander toward the shop.
"We’re eating first."
Sylvara laughed.
"I agree."
Aerion nodded once.
"Research is difficult on an empty stomach."
John surrendered.
"Fair enough."
---
As they walked toward the market district, none of them noticed a man browsing books beneath the awning of the very same bookstore.
He wore a dark traveling coat with a leather satchel slung over one shoulder.
His appearance was ordinary enough to disappear into the crowd.
Dark brown hair.
A neatly trimmed beard.
Simple gloves.
Nothing about him attracted attention.
Except...
His eyes.
They calmly followed John’s group as they disappeared down the street.
The bookseller looked up from arranging his display.
"Not buying today, Master Voss?"
The traveler smiled politely.
"I found something more interesting."
"You mean another rare manuscript?"
Darius Voss closed the book in his hands.
"Perhaps."
His gaze lingered for one last moment in the direction John had gone.
"The young man who just left the library..."
"He isn’t a scholar."
The bookseller chuckled.
"How can you tell?"
Darius slid the borrowed book back onto the shelf.
"Scholars leave a library looking at their notes."
"He left looking at the world."
Without another word, he adjusted the strap of his satchel and continued walking.
His pace was unhurried.
Patient.
He had no intention of confronting John today.
Observing was enough.
For now.
---
Meanwhile, John and his companions arrived at a lively outdoor café overlooking one of Valenor’s canals.
Flower boxes decorated the windows, and the scent of fresh bread filled the air.
They found a table beneath a large maple tree.
A young waitress approached with a friendly smile.
"Welcome."
"What can I get for everyone?"
Before John could open the menu...
Lythriel answered without hesitation.
"The house special."
The waitress blinked.
"You haven’t even looked."
"I trust the chef."
John laughed.
"That’s one way to order."
Moments later, everyone followed her example.
As the waitress hurried inside, John leaned back in his chair.
The gentle breeze carried the sounds of the city across the canal.
For the first time in what felt like weeks...
There was no urgency.
No monsters.
No desperate battle.
Just good company.
Good food.
And the promise of new discoveries waiting tomorrow.
Yet somewhere else in Valenor...
Another mind was already piecing together clues.
Darius Voss didn’t believe in coincidences.
A young traveler arriving in the capital.
An invitation from the reclusive Chief Archivist.
Renewed interest in the Dragon Kings.
Individually, they meant little.
Together...
They formed the beginning of a pattern.
And Darius had built his entire life by following patterns others failed to notice.
---
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