Chương 13: Attention.

Ch. 13- Attention.

"And you're certain you saw nothing else unusual before discovering the chamber?" Professor Kaelen asked, his thin fingers steepled before him as he leaned forward in his chair behind the oak desk that dominated his office. His dark eyes hadn't blinked once during the entire twenty-minute interrogation. Amy had kept track of it. The office was dimly lit, with tall bookshelves lining the walls and strange artifacts displayed in glass cases. A subtle scent of old parchment and something metallic hung in the air.

Amy sat across from him, uncomfortable in her hard-backed chair, feeling increasingly like a specimen under observation rather than a student.

"Nothing beyond what I've already described," she said as she shifted in the seat.

"The hallways were strangely quiet. The floor felt... wrong. Then we found the hidden passage." Kaelen's gaze intensified, as if trying to extract information directly from her mind.

"And these 'monsters' that attacked you—they acted like humans at first?"

"Yes. They mimicked students perfectly until they were exposed." The professor made a noncommittal sound as he scribbled something in a small black notebook, his quill moving with unnatural precision. The scratching echoed in the quiet room.

"Fascinating," he murmured, more to himself than to her.

"The ability to maintain such complex illusions requires considerable power. And you say they were connected to the Blood Emperor?"

"That's what it seemed like, based on the ritual chamber we found." Kaelen's eyes narrowed.

"A first-year student being able to recognize ancient blood magic and tamper with it. How... interesting." Amy kept her expression neutral despite the alarm bells ringing in her head.

"I didn't recognize it specifically." A large clock ticked loudly somewhere behind her, making the silence between them feel even more oppressive.

"Hmm." Kaelen closed his notebook with a snap that made Amy flinch slightly.

"Well, Miss Stake, you've certainly had an eventful first week at the Academy." His thin lips curved into what might generously be called a smile.

"Rest assured, the staff is investigating this incident thoroughly."

"I'm glad to hear it," Amy replied, eager to escape the suffocating atmosphere of his office. As she stood to leave, Kaelen's gaze dropped to Libris, clutched in her hands.

"An unusual tome you have there. Might I examine it sometime?"

"It's just a family heirloom," Amy said quickly, instinctively pulling the book closer to her chest.

"Nothing special."

"I'm quite knowledgeable about rare artifacts," Kaelen persisted, his fingers twitching slightly as he gazed at Libris.

"I might be able to trace its origin." [Don't you dare give me up again, girl.]"Sorry," Amy said with practiced politeness.

"It's very fragile. I don't let anyone else handle it." Kaelen's expression cooled several degrees.

"... As you wish. Perhaps another time." He rose from his chair and moved to accompany her to the door. Amy felt the weight of his presence behind her.

"By the way," he said, his voice deceptively casual, "I've been curious about your interactions with my nephew, Zayd. I understand you two haven't become acquainted yet." Amy's pace faltered.

"We haven't had much reason to speak."

"A pity," Kaelen murmured. He reached past her to straighten a crooked frame on the wall, his arm blocking her path for a moment.

"Zayd has significant insights into prophetic abilities. Particularly those that manifest unexpectedly." His eyes slid to her face.

"Like yours." Amy said nothing, waiting for him to move his arm.

"You know," Kaelen continued, lowering his voice, "the Academy takes a special interest in students with unusual talents. For their protection, of course." His smile thinned.

"The Disciplinary Committee has become quite concerned about students concealing the full extent of their abilities," he added.

"Especially after this incident. There's talk of mandatory magical examinations." He finally moved his arm, allowing her to continue toward the door. Amy reached for the door handle, but Kaelen's pale hand flattened against the wood, holding it shut.

"Zayd takes his tea in the East Tower gardens most afternoons," he said, leaning slightly closer.

"As a faculty advisor and teacher, I strongly recommend you join him tomorrow for your own benefit. The Academy can be a dangerous place for isolated students. Particularly those involved in... incidents." He finally removed his hand from the door, stepping back with a thin smile.

"Do consider it, Miss Stake. Some invitations shouldn't be declined." Once she was safely down the corridor and out of earshot, Amy exhaled shakily.

"Creepy fuck," she muttered, her knuckles white around Libris. [He's threatening you.]"No shit." Amy quickened her pace, putting as much distance between herself and Kaelen's office as possible.

"He wasn't trying to be subtle about it." [What are you going to do? The Gaspards aren't known for empty warnings.]"Dunno. I'm honestly so tired of giving a shit…" She stepped out of the main faculty building, blinking as her eyes adjusted to the afternoon light. The campus grounds were emptier than usual, as classes would only start tomorrow. The few students who were there chatted among themselves, creating a welcome contrast to what she had just experienced. Today is such a good day to rot in bed.

She headed toward the dormitories, keeping to the stone path that wound through the Academy's central gardens. The morning sun cast long shadows across the manicured lawns, and despite the pleasant weather, she felt a chill that had nothing to do with the temperature.

"Did you see? That's her," a voice whispered from a nearby bench. Amy kept walking, pretending not to notice the group of first-years staring openly at her. Their attempts at subtlety were laughable. As she walked toward her dormitory, the whispers followed her. Since there weren't many people around, those who openly stared at her were quite hard to ignore. Keeping her eyes fixed ahead, Amy quickened her pace. The adoration in their gazes made her stomach twist uncomfortably.

A small group of second-years nudged each other as she passed. One girl even started to approach before her friend pulled her back, whispering something. Amy had thought that the attention she had received due to her new face back when she first came to this world was annoying. But now she realized that the occasional glances were nothing compared to this. By the time she reached her dormitory building, her jaw ached from clenching it so tightly.

She rapidly got herself into the 'elevator', desperate to escape the weight of all those admiring gazes that understood nothing. Finally reaching her room, she flung the door open and immediately collapsed face-first onto her bed. [You're going to soil your bedding with those filthy shoes.] Amy responded by burying her face deeper into her pillow. [At least close the door. Anyone could walk by.] With an exaggerated groan, Amy dragged herself off the bed just enough to kick the door shut before flopping back down.

The silence of the room pressed in around her, broken only by the distant sounds of students in the courtyard below and by her own uneven breathing. After a few minutes, it became unbearable.

"Libris," she said finally, her voice muffled by the pillow. [Yes?] Amy rolled onto her back, staring at the ceiling.

"Can I see my new status?" [Very well.] Libris floated, the pages glowing softly before revealing her updated status in its pages: Name: Amy Stake Special ability: Fate's road. STR: F / END: E / DEX: E / AGI: F / MAG: C (F) READER SENTIMENT: Fanatic: 0. 0% Devoted: 1. 0% ↑ (Increase of 0. 8% since last chapter) Like: 20. 7% ↑ (Increase of 12. 4% since last chapter) Neutral/Undecided: 77, 49%↓ (Decrease of 13. 51% since last chapter) Dislike: 0. 8% ↑ (Increase of 0. 3% since last chapter) Hate: 0.

01% ↑ (Increase of 0. 01% since last chapter) Overall: Your ability power has increased to level 12. Ability's Mastery: 3 Amy stared at the status, fixating on the numbers before her.

"Wow, you actually did quite a good job with the system. This breakdown by percentages is cool." [Thank you,] Libris replied, a hint of pride in its tone. [I've implemented a new feature which tracks reader's sentiment. We can now see precisely how your character is being received.] Amy's eyes lingered on the 'Dislike' and 'Hate' percentages.

"Only 0. 8% dislike me? And just 0. 01% hate me? That seems... low." [Haters always scream the loudest. A handful of vocal detractors can create the impression of widespread disapproval. In reality, most readers are still forming their opinions or warming up to you.] Amy nodded absently, lingering on the MAG rating.

"What's with this MAG stat, though? I'm C but also F in magic? I don't understand, I can't even cast a single spell." She tapped at the glowing letter with her finger.

"How can I have a decent rating in something I know nothing about?" [The MAG stat is tied to your special ability. Fate's road has magical properties by nature. Even without formal training, your connection to fate operates on principles similar to what others would call magic.]"So I've got decent magical potential just sitting there unused?" [Essentially.]"I see." Amy's eyes drifted back to her stats, focusing on the ability.

"My power level is 12 now, but mastery is only at 3? That's a pretty big gap." [Indeed. Your raw power has increased substantially thanks to reader investment, but your control and understanding haven't kept pace. It's like having a powerful engine without knowing how to drive properly.]"So even though I've technically become stronger, I can't actually use most of that newfound power effectively," Amy frowned, sitting up on her bed.

"That's frustrating." Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. [Which isn't really surprising considering that you barely had a few days to acclimate to the experience. Practice will definitely narrow the gap; however, don't expect quick upgrades. Training isn't a life or death situation, and powers advance faster during those situations.]"Yeah, I think I'll spend the rest of the day practicing my ability, now that my core is somewhat healed. My mastery is way too low.

There's no point in having upgraded powers if I can't use them properly, right?" [...]"What? Say it. I know you have something to comment…" [I don't think you should be training for the rest of the day.] Amy's body tensed, her fingers tightening.

"And why is that…?" There was a brief pause before Libris spoke again, its tone gentler than usual. [Even if your core has replenished at a faster rate than expected, it is still delicate. Moreover, the minute of silence for Elias Varn… I think you should attend it instead of—]"I should really focus on training my mastery," She interrupted quickly, her eyes darting away from the book.

"That's what matters," she murmured while nodding, as if convincing herself. [Of course,] Libris replied after a moment. [Training would certainly be beneficial.]"So, how exactly do I train this 'mastery' thing? Is there some exercise I can do, or...?" [Your powers aren't exactly something there is precedent for, so the only thing you can really do is to figure them out by yourself.]"Then I guess I should get started…" [You should.] -————-　■　-————- Amy didn't attend the minute of silence for Elias Varn, but as the Academy bells began their solemn toll at precisely 6 PM, their deep resonance reached every corner of the campus. She paused in her room, her hand hovering over Libris as the first bell rang out across the grounds. For sixty long seconds, she stood frozen, listening to each heavy note as it marked a life cut short. When the final bell faded into silence, she released a breath she hadn't realized she was holding.

-————-　■　-————- [Mastery increased to level 4. Congratulations.]"Finally!" By early evening, restlessness, tiredness, and hunger had finally caught up to her. She flopped onto her bed and groaned dramatically. I should have rotted in bed just like I said I would… I'm so fucking dumb…

"I'm starving," she complained, staring at the ceiling.

"Do you think the dining hall is still open?" [Doubtful. It usually closes at eight on non-class days. You've been stubbornly ignoring your body's needs for hours.] Amy's stomach growled loudly in confirmation.

"Well, I need food. And I have exactly zero money." [A predicament of your own making. If you'd fulfilled the scholarship requirements instead of complaining about how many papers you'd have to complete, you wouldn't be in this situation.] A memory of her first day in this world came back to her mind.

During her bureaucratic inscription into the Academy, she'd been offered the option of receiving a scholarship, which she would have accepted if she hadn't been so tired of all the questions and the papers she had to sign. Curse you, Goddess! I don't know if you were the one who created me, but if you were, then it's your fault I'm lazy!

"... Come on," Amy rolled over to face the book.

"Please? I'm really hungry." Libris remained silent for a long moment before emitting what sounded remarkably like a sigh. [Check my inner back cover...] Amy eagerly flipped to the back of the book, finding a thin leather pouch that definitely hadn't been there before. Inside were several small silver coins stamped with the Academy's crest.

"You're a lifesaver!" she exclaimed, pocketing the money. [You need to sort out your money situation. It's annoying to constantly create more; do you even know how much energy it costs...?]"Yeah, yeah," Amy waved dismissively as she grabbed her jacket, pulled the book into her satchel, and headed for the door. The campus was quieter than usual as Amy made her way toward the small row of shops and eateries that lined the western edge of the Academy grounds.

The evening air carried a slight chill, and long shadows stretched across the cobblestone paths as the sun sank lower in the sky. As she approached the central square, her steps faltered. The memorial had been impromptu but was unmistakable. Small clusters of candles flickered in the growing darkness, surrounding a makeshift shrine where students had left flowers, notes, and small personal tokens. A framed drawing of Elias Varn—smiling, alive, ordinary—sat at the center.

Amy swallowed hard, an uncomfortable tightness forming in her throat. She tried to look away, to redirect her path around the square, but her eyes kept returning to the memorial as she approached. The shrine was larger than she'd expected, with far more flowers than seemed reasonable for someone most students had barely known. A few people still lingered, placing fresh flowers or simply standing in contemplative silence.

"That's her," a whisper carried on the evening air. She instantly quickened her pace until she was nearly jogging by the time she reached the small noodle shop at the corner. Inside was mercifully quiet, with only a handful of patrons seated at the counter. Amy ordered quickly, keeping her gaze down as she handed over Libris's coins, and selected the table farthest from the windows while she waited for her food.

When her order came—a steaming bowl of spiced noodles and dumplings—she nearly reconsidered eating there. The thought of returning to her room, to privacy and silence, was tempting. But hunger won out, and she began to eat with single-minded focus. The first bite almost made her groan with relief. It wasn't spectacular cuisine, but to her empty stomach, it might as well have been a feast. She was halfway through her meal when the shop door opened, admitting a gust of cool evening air and two new customers.

"Excuse me," a soft voice spoke nearby, causing Amy to freeze mid-bite.

"Are you... Amy Stake?" Slowly, Amy looked up to find a woman in her thirties standing beside her table. She wore a simple dress, and her hand rested protectively on the shoulder of a boy who looked to be about Amy's age. The boy was immediately recognizable—not by his face, which Amy had never seen clearly in the darkness of the ritual chamber, but by the fluffy dog-like ears that poked through his sandy brown hair and by the tail that curled nervously behind him. One of the twelve. One she had saved.

"I—" Amy began, already shifting in her seat, preparing to stand, to leave, to escape.

"I was just finishing, actually—""Please, wait—just a moment," the woman said, her voice trembling. Her eyes held a desperate earnestness.

"I know you must be tired of people approaching you, but... are you her? Are you Amy Stake? The one who helped find the children? I've been hoping—praying, really—that I might find you or one of the others who were there that night." Amy reluctantly settled back, her fingers fidgeting with her satchel.

"... Yes... that's me..." The woman's eyes brightened, and a small smile appeared on her face.

"The moment I saw that golden hair, I knew it had to be you..."

"Is there anything I can do for—" Before Amy could finish the sentence, the woman bowed deeply, her hand never leaving her boy's shoulder.

"Thank you," she said, her voice thick with emotion.

"Thank you for saving my son. I know those words must sound hollow and inadequate compared to what you did, but I don't know how else to express what's in my heart right now." Amy's discomfort intensified, her gaze darting around the shop as if seeking an exit.

"It's fine. I mean—you don't need to—""When they told me what happened," the woman continued, straightening, "that my boy had been taken, that he was just... gone..." Her voice broke, and she took a steadying breath.

"I didn't even realize. Can you imagine that? My own child was replaced with something else, some... creature pretending to be him, and I didn't notice at all. I've been replaying every conversation, every interaction we had, wondering how I could have missed the signs. How I failed to recognize that the child in my house wasn't my Relan." She swallowed hard, her fingers tightening on her son's shoulder.

"I hated myself for that. I still do. What kind of mother doesn't notice that her own child has been... replaced? The guilt has been eating me alive. I can't sleep, I can barely eat. I keep thinking about what could've happened if you hadn't found my kid when you did." Amy shifted uncomfortably as the woman's raw emotion filled the small space between them. The few other patrons in the noodle shop had fallen silent, their attention clearly drawn to the scene unfolding at her table.

"Please," Amy murmured, "you don't have to—""But I do," the woman insisted, her eyes glistening.

"I've been carrying this weight, this gratitude mixed with shame, and I needed to say it to you directly. They told us everything—the Academy officials, I mean. What you and Lady Lain did. How you found them all, how you fought those... those demons, risking your own lives for kids you didn't even know." She squeezed her son's shoulder.

"Relan hasn't spoken much since it happened, but he told me enough. About the dark place they were kept in, about the strange symbols, about how scared they all were. And how you came for them when no one else even knew they were missing." The boy—Relan—looked up at Amy with eyes full of timidness. Amy's body shifted in the chair, her appetite gone.

"I was just in the right place."

"Nonsense," the woman shook her head firmly.

"I know this is making you uncomfortable—I can see it in your face—but please understand that what you did... it means everything to us. Truly everything. Relan is all I have in this world, especially after his father passed three years ago. My boy has been the only thing keeping me going forward since then. If he had disappeared forever..." Her voice faltered.

"I don't know what I would've done. I honestly don't think I could've survived that loss." The woman squeezed the boy's shoulder and gave him an encouraging nod, gesturing for him to step forward. Relan approached her, his ears still flat against his head in nervousness. Then he bowed, and in a low voice said, "Thank you." Amy stared at him, unable to form words. The woman smiled at his son's awkwardness.

"He's always been shy, but he insisted on coming to find you. We won't take any more of your time—I promise. We just... needed to thank you. In person. All of you who were there that night. Crow, Lady Lain, Ash, Lyra... and you. Us parents—we know very well what you kids did. And we won't forget it." Amy sat in silence, only responding with a short nod. It seemed to be enough. The woman bowed once more, then guided Relan out, disappearing into the now-dark evening.

Amy stayed motionless for several long moments before mechanically gathering her things and standing. Her food lay half-eaten, forgotten. She left the shop without looking back. The walk back to her dormitory passed in a blur. The square with its candlelit memorial, the whispers that followed her, the faces that turned to watch her pass—all of it registered only dimly through the fog of her thoughts.

When she finally reached her room, she closed the door behind her and leaned heavily against it, sliding down until she sat on the floor with her knees pulled to her chest.

"I hate the silence," she murmured after several minutes. [Pardon?]"The silence," Amy repeated, staring at nothing.

"My mother always kept the TV on so loudly that I couldn't even keep count of how many times the neighbors complained. I never understood it before. Now I do." [I don't understand. Is it because silence leaves room for thought?] Amy nodded slowly.

"And memory…and guilt..." [You have nothing to feel guilty about. You should be proud of what you've accomplished. A good deed is worth celebrating.]"...'good'... That's the problem, Libris. I've never been good…" She picked at a loose thread on her sleeve, unable to meet the book's metaphorical gaze. [I beg to differ. Despite my numerous complaints about you—]"No, you don't get it," Amy interrupted, her voice growing harder.

"Back home, before all this... I was awful." [Everyone has regrets—]"I was a bully," Amy said flatly, the words hanging in the air between them.

"There was this girl in my class, Mira. She had these ridiculous glasses and braces and was way too smart for her own good… I was obsessed with her." [Obsessed?]"Yeah." Amy leaned her head back against the door, staring at the ceiling.

"I didn't understand what I was feeling—still don't." Her voice hardened.

"So, I made her life hell." She closed her eyes, memories washing over her.

"I stole her notebooks. Knocked books out of her hands. Called her names. Made everyone laugh at her." Her hands curled into fists.

"Every time she cried, I felt like shit, but I couldn't stop. It was like... if I couldn't have her attention one way, I'd get it another." [I see.]"No, you don't." Amy's eyes snapped open, suddenly fierce.

"One day, she didn't come to school. Then another day passed. And another. When she finally returned, she was... different. Quieter. She'd tried to— Her parents transferred her to another school but It did not matter, in the end... Ughh... I never even apologized." [We all have regrets, Amy. That doesn't mean—]"Can we not?" she interrupted, her voice coming sharper than intended.

"I don't know why I'm even telling you this..." Silence filled the room after Amy's abrupt interruption. She hugged her knees tighter to her chest, trying to quell the storm of emotions that threatened to overwhelm her. [Your feelings are... fascinating,] Libris finally said, its voice once again robotic. Amy frowned, looking up at the book.

"What?" [Nothing. It's simply that humans experience such... intensity. Such depth. Even negative emotions like guilt and shame have a certain vibrancy to them.]"Are you seriously analyzing me right now?" she asked incredulously, wiping away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen. [I'm merely making an observation. You speak of your guilt as if it's unbearable, yet you wear it so comfortably. Like a familiar coat.] Amy stared at the book, confusion slowly replacing her earlier vulnerability.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" [Nothing is 'wrong' with me. I simply find it remarkable how humans can be so consumed by their emotions. How you can feel so deeply.]"..." [Your capacity to experience life fully. To taste, to touch, to feel. To have a past that haunts you and a future that awaits you. To change and grow… All that is fascinating.] A heavy silence settled between them, broken only by the distant sounds of students in the courtyard below.

[Amy,] Libris began after a long pause, its tone still sounding metallic. [Do you recall what you said back in the nightmare? That you would give me anything I wanted?]"... yes..." [And do you remember what you said yesterday?] Amy furrowed her brow, trying to recall her exact words.

"That I owed you?" [Precisely. You said you owed me a favor. Any favor.]"I did," Amy admitted slowly, a tendril of unease beginning to curl in her stomach.

"What about it…?" [I've been contemplating what I might ask of you. What would truly matter to me.]"Libris, I—" [I understand that this is unexpected. And I don't wish to place more obligations on your shoulders. You already have enough to deal with—the Gaspards' threats, managing reader likability, the looming end of the world... not to mention your own internal struggles.] The book's pages rustled gently, almost like a sigh. [But this... this matters to me. More than I can properly express. I want to be human, Amy. I need your help. This is the only thing I want from you: help me become human.]