I gave her one st wave, turning to leave the history section. As I made my way toward the exit, I stopped for a moment, seeing Victor again sitting at the front desk."Goodnight, Victor," I said with a small nod. "I'll be back tomorrow, bright and early."Victor gave a tired, but friendly smile. "Take care, Kael. Good luck with whatever you're pnning to do."I gave a slight wave and exited the library, the cool te afternoon air hitting me immediately. I felt a sense of relief, as if the weight of the day had finally started to lift off my shoulders. But what I didn't realize was that the moment I left, the atmosphere inside the library shifted.Back in the history section, Abigail remained standing at the table, her eyes tracing the path Kael had just walked. But as she stood there, a shadowy figure emerged from the shelves, moving with the quiet grace of someone who had spent years in the shadows. The person knelt in front of her, their head bowed low."Is it wise, midy, to give such a precious armor piece to him?" the figure questioned, voice low and cautious. "It's more than just an arm guard."Abigail's expression didn't falter. She didn't even blink, but a strange, subtle change seemed to pass over her. Her chestnut hair and bck eyes seemed to vanish in the blink of an eye, repced by flowing silver hair and piercing blue eyes. Her face remained unchanged, but there was something ethereal about her now—a stark contrast to the girl I had just spoken to."I know what I'm doing, Shen," Abigail replied, her voice now carrying a cool, serene quality.

  "He's the only friend I've had outside of my family. And besides, I can give him the other pieces when they come."Shen, the figure, didn't question her further, but simply gave a quiet nod. "As you wish, midy. Let us go now. Tomorrow is your graduation day."Abigail nodded, her gaze distant for a moment before she straightened up, her new form almost regal in its presence. "Yes, let's go. I have a lot of preparation to do."As they turned to leave, the shadows in the library seemed to shift, and the figure of Shen followed closely behind, ready to fulfill whatever tasks Abigail had set for them.Then Victor, the vice head librarian, walked toward the back of the library, his footsteps echoing slightly in the otherwise silent space. He made his way through the winding corridors until he reached the door to Mesha's office. Without knocking, he opened the door, and Mesha, the head librarian, looked up from her desk."Looks like Kael is friends with the daughter of that family," Mesha said, her voice soft yet carrying an undercurrent of knowing. She leaned back in her chair slightly, observing Victor with a thoughtful expression.Victor raised an eyebrow as he entered. "Looks like it," he replied, a note of curiosity in his voice. "Should I prepare that book for him?"Mesha gave a small, knowing smile. "Yes, fetch it. But I want you to enchant it, so only Kael can use it. It'll make a perfect parting gift, along with a birthday surprise."Victor nodded. "Understood. I'll make sure it's done."As he turned to leave, Mesha's voice stopped him. "Victor," she said softly, her eyes glinting with something like fondness.

  "Kael may not know it yet, but that book will be more useful to him than he realizes. We may not be able to help him with his physical strength, but he has something the others don't."Victor gave a small nod, then disappeared into the library to retrieve the book Mesha had requested.Back in Mesha's office, the head librarian leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping thoughtfully on the desk. She had known Kael for years, even if their interactions had mostly been limited to his work at the library.

  But today was different. She had seen something in him—the same spark she had seen in others who had gone on to do great things.Kael's journey was only just beginning, but Mesha was certain that the path ahead would not be an easy one. And so, as she waited for Victor to return with the book, she knew that this gesture, this gift, would be the first step in Kael's deeper involvement with the world of dungeons—whether he was ready for it or not.

  –

  Next morning, sun filtered through the windows of Kael's home, casting a warm glow over the modest but cozy interior. The smell of freshly baked bread and sizzling meat wafted through the air as Evelina prepared breakfast. Aiden and Lyra were already up and running around the kitchen, their ughter echoing through the house.Kael had barely stepped out of his room, still groggy from sleep, when his family burst into a cheerful chorus."Happy Birthday, Kael!" Aiden and Lyra shouted in unison, their faces beaming with excitement.Evelina turned from the stove, her expression soft and loving. "Happy birthday, my dear. Come sit; breakfast is ready."Even Darius, who was rarely home in the mornings due to his work at the local farm, was seated at the table, his rugged face lighting up with a rare smile. "Happy birthday, son. Fifteen, huh? Big day for you kid."Kael blinked, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "Thanks… everyone." He couldn't help but smile at the sight of his family's efforts to make the day special. It wasn't grand, but it was heartfelt, and that was more than enough.As they all gathered around the table, Evelina pced a hearty meal before them—eggs, sausage, and slices of buttered bread. Aiden and Lyra chatted excitedly between bites, asking Kael about his pns for the day.After breakfast, Kael pitched in with the morning chores, helping Evelina sweep the floors and fetch water while Darius kept an eye on the twins. Though the tasks were simple, Kael didn't mind. He knew that after today, his life would start to change.The streets were lively as usual, with merchants calling out their wares and the scent of fresh bread and spices wafting through the air. But Kael's thoughts were focused. Today marked the end of a chapter for him.