Elyas knew that his son was alive. But he didn't know much about his father, and he desperately needed to know. On top of that, if he was lucky he might even be able to get some idea of where Michael was.

  ‘I have to start the search from somewhere…’

  Lilith glanced up, perking her lips before she answered with an even tone. “Mister, I'm sorry… but we can't make such records public. You need to be either an employee of the Library, or a Protector to access them.”

  Elyas blinked a couple of times. ‘...What's the point of my visit then?!’ he let out a sigh, ‘Well… I guess it's still an opportunity.’

  Machy remained in his place, looking at Lilith and the Legacy. Then Elyas opened his mouth, “Can I have access to the basics of magic? If that's not possible, I want to know about Spells.” The best thing Elyas could do with this opportunity, was to lessen the amount of experimentation he needed to do.

  ‘Either is a boon. Julius called my fragment a Spell, so I think I asked the right thing. Knowing more about it would be a tremendous help with my current project, the magic however…’

  Elyas could still remember the Seer's ritual. He was still suffering from the piece of steel in his back, but more than anything, he was curious. He wanted to know if there were any tracking methods, or anything that could help his search right now.

  Machy and Lilith were stunned. Machy was specifically stupified, his crossed hands dropped down, mimicking his jaw. Lilith was a bit more composed, yet, one could see doubt bubbling in her eyes.

  Both examined Elyas thoroughly, under their gaze, he felt a bit uncomfortable. ‘Did I say something wrong... Wait, did I ask about something obvious again?’

  Lilith was the first one to speak. “Uhh…sir, are you sure you were supposed to have a meeting with us? We were expecting a True Legacy…”

  “Yes.” Elyas quickly responded. “My situation is a bit… “abnormal” to say the least. Due to that I am currently suffering from a great bond of ignorance.”

  Machy walked near Lilith as he spoke. “So, Mister wants basic information regarding basic magic and Spells, right?”

  Elyas nodded, making Machy smile a little. “Well, I'm happy to inform you we have just the thing for you—”

  Lilith interjected, “Mister we do have books regarding the subject you asked for, but… I believe it would be better to just buy them from a bookstore.”

  Elyas nodded slightly, as if already aware of the matter. ‘You can do that?! They sell magic 101 now?!’ he then calmly added, “I was waiting for restock, the owners didn't have what I was looking for. So I thought I might find it here.”

  The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  Machy and Lilith both nodded in enlightenment. Machy glanced at Elyas, “What are you exactly looking for? Runic, incantations, or ritualistic magic?”

  Elyas's answer came immediately, “Runic.”

  Lilith glanced at Machy, he nodded and walked away. As he did, he spoke, “You're an eccentric gentleman, Mister. Most of your kind don't know the true value of knowledge. But you seem…different. Are you a Sorcerer perhaps?”

  Lilith glanced at her coworker with silent awe written all over her face. She was currently grappling with the question of why did Machy suddenly become this friendly and polite.

  Elyas answered absentmindedly. As if amidst pondering a great question. “You could say that. But I'm a novice compared to the truly knowledgeable.”

  Machy's face ignited with delight at the response. “Truly humble, great men do come from any crowd.” He hurried his steps and soon reached a lectern holding a giant book.

  He then flipped it open with both arms and then raised his hands. “O keeper of truths, your power grander than the suns. Give me parts of yourself, for we have a bond.”

  As soon as he finished, the sound of rattling chains started. Seconds later, several chandeliers fell from the dark roof of the Library. They moved with tremendous speed, coming closer and closer to Machy.

  One of them stopped by a bookshelf and smacked it lightly, another dove beneath the book as it fell, stopping inches away from Machy's face. The slender man picked the book and bowed, making the chains rattle and the chandeliers to retreat to the darkness.

  Elyas was awe struck at the scene. But he kept an unfazed expression. Lilith's face was the same, but Elyas had an inkling that she wasn't faking it.

  Machy moved away from the massive lectern and tomb after gently closing it. After which, he picked his way to Elyas, across the room.

  “Here Mister, I hope it can be of use to you.” Elyas took the book and gave the tall slender man a pleasant smile. The book was… made of stone. It was sheets and sheets of thin clay and stone tablets with carvings on them. Elyas glanced at it for a while, then nodded as if satisfied.

  Lilith glanced at the collection of clay tablets in Elyas's hand, an amused expression finding its way onto her face. “No wonder Mister came to us. No store would keep something like that.”

  Machy nodded, “Yes. Now sir, you can choose to either read the manuscript here, or bargain for us to lend it to you.”

  Elyas was pleasantly surprised to learn that Libraries hadn't changed that much. He quickly asked, “So how much do I pay as the bargain?”

  Lilith chuckled, “Oh Mister, we don't accept money.” Elyas raised an eyebrow, making Machy explain. “We only accept an equal exchange. A bargain must hold the same value as the thing being bargained for.”

  Elyas nodded, ‘An equal exchange huh… do they want books in return? No, that wouldn't make sense…’ Elyas thought about it for some time, scratching his stubble.

  …

  After a long minutes of silence, the enigmatic Sorcerer spoke. “Is a story valid?” Machy nodded, making Lilith brighten up some more. ‘To think I would be hearing a story from ancient times. This is much better than just a day off!’

  She was excited, glancing at Machy, she could see him show some intrigue for once as well. ‘What has gotten into him? Nevermind, I won't let that grumpy idiot ruin my good day!’

  Elyas started: “Once upon a winter's day, a man was collecting firewood—” Just as he started, Machy stopped him.

  “Sir, unfortunately we have this story. You can't bargain using it.” He said with a disappointed tone. It seems like he shared Lilith's disappointment. She glanced at the Sorcerer, who had a thoughtful expression, and he spoke again. “Can I use a poem instead?”

  “Yes Mister, you can.” Lilith answered and watched as Elyas cleared his throat. “It's a poem my father loved to sing to me as a lullaby. I don't remember the other piece, can I use one part of the diptych?"

  Machy considered it, Lilith couldn't answer. She wasn't as experienced as her grumpy coworker. As she was wondering what kind of poem it would be to be sung as a children's lullaby, Machy's answer came.

  “It's alright. We can reduce the lend days. You can start Mister.” Elyas nodded, “The Serpent

  Feast upon the bread

  my flesh and wine.

  I have nothing to mourn

  other than hate for your kind

  Stricken by famine

  every morsel tastes better.

  They nibble when you're sweet

  but I like you bitter.

  I see your eyes widen

  realizing their deceit,

  hollowed and hungry

  they asked you to believe.

  But shed no tear child,

  I won't make you bleed.

  the nectar we'll savour

  decades of Their lives,

  hatred of the fallen,

  the torment of my kind.

  Between blood and wine

  stands no difference,

  so dear, do you mind

  If I offer you some liquor?”