One spine stood out. The faded cover matched the description he'd memorized from the novel.
With careful hands, Liam pulled the book free, staring at it as a grin tugged at his lips.
This was it—the very thing he'd spent nearly four hours of his weekend morning searching for.
He flipped through the pages carefully.
It was a journal, though crammed between its entries were spell theories—notes that had helped Celeste push her light magic to an unprecedented level.
A Celeste without this would be nerfed so hard the story itself might collapse. The main cast relied heavily on her support.
Liam's grin pulled crooked, upper lip curling as a dark shadow crossed his face.
He wanted to keep it for himself, to hoard its secrets and grow stronger.
Too bad half the theories looked like gibberish to him.
sigh
"Even if I studied it thoroughly, I wouldn't be able to use it properly," Liam muttered, shutting the book with quiet frustration. "I don't have an affinity for light."
'Now I just need to find Celeste and make a trade. Even if it's underselling, I've got no other choice. I need that earring.'
He'd thought it over more than once.
He couldn't afford to botch the trial; each candidate only got one shot at earning their battle art.
And if he was going to pass the mental test, he needed that earring—an item that sharpened the mind and bolstered mental fortitude. There wasn't a more perfect tool for the trial.
Sure, he would've preferred not to mess with one of the main cast. But at this point, he was out of options.
Reassured, Liam slipped the book into his storage ring and left the library.
***
The train ride back took him toward the Dormitory District, but instead of heading to Aries Hall, he veered off toward Aurelia Hall.
It was his first time seeing it up close—both before and after transmigration—and the sight gave him pause.
Where Aries Hall was a cluster of spired towers, Aurelia spread wide like a plaza, ivy draping over pristine white stone walls and grand buildings.
Their banner—a deep gold and navy—fluttered in the wind, far richer than Aries's crimson.
"They really went all out, huh," Liam muttered.
He wasn't surprised.
Kingsfield was a school for the best of the best.
And the best of the best were showered with rewards—not just to recognize them, but to serve as a dangling carrot for everyone else.
Another difference Liam noticed was that Aurelia Hall was heavily guarded. Far more so than the others. He doubted they'd let a nobody like him stroll in.
That worried him.
Waiting until class would've been safer, easier even.
But the longer he went without his weapon art, the longer he stayed weak.
And weakness disgusted him.
He took in the scene a moment longer, then drew a deep breath and stepped toward the entrance.
Inside the lobby, two bulky guards blocked his way.
"Hello," Liam greeted with the friendliest smile he could manage.
The left guard grunted.
The right one frowned. "Who are you?"
"You don't recognize me?" Liam asked.
"No."
"I'm Liam."
The guard exhaled heavily through his nose, unimpressed. "Do you live here?"
"No."
The guard's scowl deepened. "Do you have a visitor's permit?"
Again, Liam shook his head, smile steady.
"Leave," the left guard snapped, his tone dripping with hostility.
Liam locked eyes with him, expression flattening.
"And what if I don't want to?"
Both guards stiffened, caught off guard by the audacity.
Their anger spiked—but before they could act, Liam's grin returned, wider and lighter than before.
"Relax, I'm kidding. I'm here to deliver a package for…" He fished a folded slip of paper from his pocket and pretended to read. "Celeste Benedara."
The guards exchanged exasperated looks. "Why didn't you just say that?"
Liam chuckled.
"Where's the package?" the right guard asked.
"Here." Liam pulled a brown-bound letter from his ring and held it up.
The guard sighed, pointing toward the desk. "Drop it off there."
"Thank you," Liam replied politely.
As he passed, he overheard the left guard mutter to his partner, "Kids get weirder every year."
Liam almost laughed.
At the front desk, he greeted the woman there with his usual polite smile and handed over the letter.
"Package for Celeste Benedara."
The clerk raised a brow as she took it. "This isn't a love letter, is it?"
Still smiling, Liam shrugged. "Wouldn't know. I'm just the delivery guy."
She gave him a knowing smirk and set the letter aside. "She'll get it when she gets it. You can go now."
"Much appreciated."
Liam nodded, turned, and walked out of the hall.
But instead of leaving the grounds, he slipped into the garden nearby and sank onto a bench.
"Now I just need to wait," he muttered, leaning back against the seat. "If she's home, I'll get a reply soon. If not… I'll just have to try again later."