For the next two days, Maxi's routine remained unchanged. He finished his six books and acquired new ones from the main castle's library. By the 16th of Elve, he was already a quarter of the way through his fourth book. His body still ached, but the pain had dulled enough that he could move more freely.
As Maxi woke up, he stretched his limbs, yawning as he wiped the crust from his eyes. The dull ache in his muscles flared occasionally, but he pushed through and made his way to the bath. The warm water eased his tension, washing away the last remnants of discomfort. After several minutes of relaxation, he stepped out, feeling refreshed.
He dressed in a light blue button-up shirt, dark blue pants, and matching shoes. Running his fingers through his hair to neaten it slightly, he settled into his chair and picked up his book from the bedside table. As he did, a familiar fragrance filled the air—lemon, smoked cinnamon, and the faintest hint of mint, slowly fading away. It was an aesthetic explosion of bliss, and Maxi loved it.
Engrossed in his book, he read for hours, finishing it and making it halfway through the fifth before a knock at the door interrupted him.
"Come in," he called.
Angelina stepped inside, hands on her hips. "Morning, young master."
"Morning, Angelina."
"So, you've just been reading again, haven't you?"
Maxi smirked. "There's no better pastime than books."
Angelina sighed and facepalmed. "I hate that you're right—knowledge-wise, not fun-wise."
"Hey, books can be fun. There are myths, legends, and fantastic stories about gods and heroes."
Angelina scoffed and waved him off. Maxi leaned forward, grinning. "If you actually gave books a genuine try—something for entertainment instead of work—you might enjoy them a little more."
"Probably," she said, then quickly corrected herself. "But probably not."
Maxi raised an eyebrow. "I mean, no. Just no," she clarified.
He shrugged. "Suit yourself. Anyway, is Tengen available today?"
Angelina shook her head. "No, sir. He was too lazy to fill out the paperwork that excused you from lessons due to your condition. He did it last minute—like an idiot—and ended up getting sick from lack of sleep."
Maxi sighed, shaking his head. "So, to the library we go."
Angelina frowned. "Why? You already have books from the main castle's library here."
"Yeah, but I'm about to finish them. Besides, the main castle's library is much nicer than my bedroom."
Angelina crossed her arms. "You want to go there for your brother Colen, don't you?"
Maxi met her gaze. "Yes, yes I do. Tell me, why should I be ashamed of that?"
She held up her hands. "Nothing. Nothing at all, young master."
"Good. Now, let's go."
Maxi grabbed the unfinished book along with the one he was currently reading, while Angelina collected the four finished books. Together, they left his small castle and walked toward the main castle. As they approached, Maxi sighed, bracing himself before pushing open the grand doors.
The moment he stepped inside, a crushing pressure bore down on him. He nearly lost his balance, but he gritted his teeth and steadied himself. Angelina, unfazed, simply shook off the weight of the castle's oppressive atmosphere and continued walking.
They moved through the halls undisturbed, descending the spiraling staircase leading to the main castle's library. When they arrived, Maxi took a deep breath, absorbing its grand, breathtaking beauty. The vast chamber, lined with towering bookshelves and intricate designs, was nothing short of magnificent.
Without wasting a second, Maxi rushed toward a rolling library ladder and climbed aboard, pushing himself toward the library's center. In his excitement, he nearly forgot the pain lingering in his body. Angelina sighed, following at a slower pace, carrying the finished books with her.
As Maxi neared the center, he spotted Colen sitting at a long table, seemingly waiting for him. Slowing himself down, Maxi hopped off the ladder and approached his older brother. Colen looked up, his cold eyes meeting Maxi's gaze. His voice, sharp as ice, sent a chill through the air.
"So, you're finally here."
"Yep," Maxi replied.
Colen closed his book and leaned back. "Okay then. What do you want to learn about?"
Maxi thought for a moment before deciding. "How about our history?"
Colen nodded and took a slow, deliberate breath. As he exhaled, a soft wind of snow drifted from his mouth, filling the air with a crisp chill. With a lazy flick of his finger, the snow separated into individual flakes, weaving together to form a massive, intricate snowflake wall.
Colen's voice remained cold, yet there was a depth to it—a weight of knowledge carried through his words.
"Okay. Let's start from the beginning—the start of the New Age of Blessings."