- Thud!
"Shit!"
As Zane was listening to the conversations of the three people who had just entered the library. He accidentally lost his balance, as he tried to over look at the very edge of the bookshelves. Making him grab one of the books to regain his balance, however, it ended up much worse instead.
As Zane held on the book tightly, it slipped out of the shelves grabbing all the other books in the shelves as well. Making it all drop in the floor.
Although Zane could hear them clearly talking about him, he couldn't see them that much because of how cautious he was. He never actually planned on trying to see them. Hearing them was enough.
But, I guess Zane became greedy. Considering he hadn't seen them in a very long time, he wanted to atleast see how they looked like currently. But doing so put him at a very great risk.
Zane tried to regain his balance, trying to hide even deeper in the bookshelves. However, the damage has already been done. He had already been discovered.
As the books dropped one by one, it alerted the three people inside of the library who was talking about Zane.
'Shit, shit, shit!'
There was nothing but curse in Zane's mind. He sticked in the bookshelve, as if he was some kind of spider hiding to it's predator. Zane greeted his teeth, hoping that he would still somehow get out of this dire situation he was in.
"Who's that?"
"H-hey is there a ghost here?"
Two of the three people spoke out of curiosity. However, one of them had a gaze as feirce as blades. As if he already knew who was behind all this ruckus.
"Come out, Zane."
"..."
"Zane?!"
"Wait what? What do you mean, Zane. Arlo?"
Arlo looked towards the two of them, he then said with a cold tone that made Zane tremble.
"What? Isn't it obvious? Back in Ironveil Zane was always in the library. What's the possibility he would be here the first time he arrives in the main castle?"
The two of them looked at Arlo blankly for a second, then a wide smile soon appeared on their faces.
"That's right!"
Meanwhile, Zane was still sticking in the bookshelve like some kind of spider. Anxiety was crepting inside him, affecting his ability to think thoroughly. Right now, all Zane could feel was dread.
'Oh, gods. Why the hell do I have to be so unlucky?!'
"Zane, you know how impatient I am. Either you come out now, or I'll be the one to meet you there myself."
As the three of them waited with a wide smile on their faces. The two of the three couldn't help but exclaim on Arlo's sharpness.
"You really are incredible, Arlo! To think you managed to find out it was Zane just from that situation alone!"
"Of course, you dumbass! Arlo was the strongest man in Ironveil!"
The reason why Zane feared him so much was because, Arlo was the strongest mage back in their time in Ironveil. Not only that but, Zane was a target for an egoist like him. So, Zane would often find his self in troublesome situations.
And Lyra would be the one to save him from all those bullyings.
Remembering all those times when he got bullied, his body suddenly started to move on it's own. As if his own muscle dreaded as well.
Slowy and deliberately, he headed towards the three people, with his eyes on the ground.
"There you are! Look at you, you have grown alot since the last time I saw you, Zane."
"He still looks like a wimp to me."
"Hey, tell us how you manage to pass the trial! You cheated didn't you?"
"Straight to the point are we?"
Arlo paused for a moment, he stared at Zane who remained quite the whole time. He then said in relaxed tone.
"Zane, look at me."
Hearing Arlo's words, Zane gritted his teeth, and as if he had no control over his own body. He looked towards Arlo dead in the eye.
"Good, now tell me the truth, Zane. How were you able to pass the trial? Did you cheat? Or did you perhaps... beg to our Instructor? Honestly, why does it matter how you passed the trial."
Arlo paused for a moment before continuing, he then said.
"Zane, I want you out of this castle. This castle is not for losers like you. So, I'm asking you, get out of here."
'W-what?!'
'You piece of shit! I worked so hard to even be able to pass the trial, and you are asking me to leave the main castle, the first day I arrived?!'
Hearing Arlo's words, Zane couldn't help but widened his eyes in agony. His expression were full of anger and pain. He wanted to say so much.
He wanted revenge.
However, he could only remain silent.
'Really? How long am I going to keep being like this? How long am I going to remain weak?'
Zane summoned all the courage he had, he then gritted his teeth even more and said in a low tone.
"No."
"..."
As Zane said those words, the three of them fell in silent, looking at Zane with their eyes slightly wide.
Zane before would have just said yes without any complaints, he was willing to do anything people asked him to do. Because Zane felt as if he was being useful as he did.
But, now. Things have change. Zane wasn't like the man he used to be. Zane had learn to overcome his fear and anxiety. Although he was still having a hard time doing so, he was determined to change himself.
"H-hey, did I hear that right?"
Arlo, meanwhile had a strange look on his face.
"Oh? Since when have you change so much, Zane?"
Zane's expression began to soften, as well as his entire body. He then looked towards Arlo, and said.
"I have worked so hard, trying to pass the Ironveil trial, and to answer your question, I didn't cheat, nor did I beg them to pass me. I simply took the test and passed fairly."
The three of them looked at Zane blankly for a while, then they started laughing except for Arlo.