After the girls all finished using the Awakening Stones, it was decided that we would just take it easy for the rest of the day. Quality rest time was just as important as quality training when it came to major events such as tournaments.

However, since I still had a task to do, I headed out of the inn. I didn't tell the other girls what it was, but they knew better than to ask, since I wasn't going to answer anyway.

My destination this time around was the Library of Infinite Beginnings. I was already familiar with the path there, and since I was alone today, I was free to travel however I liked.

Level One Sky Magic - Flight.

Rising high up into the air, I looked around. I wasn't the only one in the skies - there were plenty of other mages with Sky Element affinities taking the high road as well. I began flying in the direction of the Library of Infinite Beginnings - it was a massive tower that reached the heavens; it wasn't exactly hard to miss. In fact, I could see a faint silhouette of it even from here.

As to not attract any unnecessary attention, I chose to refrain from using any speed boosting spells. I could've actually went even faster, but that would've caused problems. I had a Cloak of Invisibility, but honestly, I wasn't in too big of a rush, so I decided to just take it slow. Besides, this was a good opportunity to really admire the breathtaking view of the Fortress. There was nothing like a bird's eye view.

As I looked around in wonder, before I knew it, I had arrived at the Library of Infinite Beginnings. I nearly crashed into the walls of it, too.

Sighing, I slowly descended, landing softly on the ground and walking into the building through the front doors. Mrs. Fang happened to be on her shift today, so she waved at me in greeting. I walked over.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Fang," I said.

"Greetings," she replied with a warm smile like that of a mother.

"Was there anything you wanted with me?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. In all honesty, I already had a goo idea what this was about, but I wanted to hear it directly from her mouth, just in case.

She nodded, then looked around hesitantly. "Yes… it's about… the antidote."

As expected.

"Actually, I came here to the Library just for that," I said, scratching my hair.

Her eyes widened. "D-Did you manage to obtain it?"

"… Mostly," I replied cryptically. "There's just one final piece we need."

"What is it? As long as it's anything I can get, I will definitely do my best."

"It's no big deal… just wait here. After I finish my other business here at the Library, I'll let you know."

"Uh… alright?"

She seemed hesitant and confused, but there was no point telling her anything further for now. I waved her goodbye and headed for the ascending spiral staircase.

On the way, I ended up running into Four Eyes, Cherry, and Ling Ling on the 16th floor. It seemed they have made quite some progress.

"Oh, it's Xuan Kai!" Ling Ling exclaimed upon seeing me. "Hey~"

"Quiet down, Ling Ling! We're in a library!" Cherry whispered sharply from beside her, and turned to me. "Sorry about that…"

I shook her apology off. "It's alright. Where's… Shi Yan?"

The three's expressions suddenly turned dark as they averted their gazes uncomfortably.

Realizing what was going on, I quickly smacked myself on the head. "Ah… I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"I-It's fine," Cherry said with a sad look on her face.

"If you don't mind me asking… what happened?" I asked hesitantly. "I believe you participated in the preliminaries as well, right?"

"Yes… we did," Cherry sighed. "We ended up being accepted by a group of six, thus forming a group of ten. However…"

"Those bastards… treating us like tools and sacrifices…" Four Eyes muttered, gritting his teeth and clenching his fists angrily.

"… I see. My condolences," I muttered. There was no need for them to say anything more. I pretty much already understood.

"Yeah…"

"Sorry for bringing the topic up again," I scratched my cheek awkwardly.

"It's alright. Really."

"…" Without anything else to say, I walked away, the three of them exchanged a look, and returned to reading their books.

I didn't particularly care about Shi Yan since he kept ogling the girls, but the others… they weren't bad people. I genuinely felt bad. Though… I wonder what Xiang Peng would think of this? She had ruthlessly manipulated Shi Yan before, after all.

Putting this matter aside for now, I continued climbing the floors.

*****

At last, I arrived at my destination - the 18th floor. Facing me was the entrance to the 19th level. Scanning my library card, I waited patiently for the door before me to open up, revealing a purple portal underneath.

I stepped through.

The reason I came here today was not to climb up in levels. There was a certain someone I wished to meet, and knowing the Founders, they wouldn't give up on me that easily. Which, in this case, worked in my favor.

The environment on the other side of the portal was beautiful. It was a wide, open plains area, filled with vibrant greenery and flowers. There was a massive tree in the middle of it all that seemed pretty unnatural, but provided just the right amount of shade.

It seemed to be the perfect spot for a picnic - I doubted the real 19th floor Gatekeeper lived here.

"Welcome back," an alluring voice whispered behind me.

It seemed that I was right.

I immediately turned around and pulled Ace out of its holster by instinct, pointing it directly at the forehead of the person who had spoken.

"… Aluna," I muttered.

"Hi~" she smiled happily, not at all distressed by the gun in her face. "I said we would meet again, didn't I?"

I sighed and put the gun down. "What is it? If it's about this special power I have again, my answer will be the same as every time. I really don't know what you're talking about."

"Hm… well, I thought that would be the case as well, but today will be a little different," she murmured thoughtfully. "Everyone else will be here as well, so just follow me."

Everyone else…? Does she mean the other Founders?

Aluna, the beautiful elf, walked over to the shade beneath the tree and swiped her arm gently. Immediately, a large, round, marble table phased into reality, along with seventeen chairs surrounding it. She casually sat down on one of them, then turned to me and patted the seat beside hers.

"Come, take a seat."

Seeing no reason to refuse, I did as told.

She smiled happily, then said in an evidently louder voice, "How long are you all planning on hiding for?"

"Haiz… ya couldn't let us give the kid a lil' scare?!" Hephestus, the Dwarven Founder, muttered angrily.

I immediately spun around to see fifteen people emerge out of nowhere. They were all familiar faces, though not all friendly ones. Well, if I had to say, no one here was completely my ally, and no one here was completely my enemy either.

The fifteen various Founders took their respective seats at the marble table, with Sylvoir, the Elemental Founder, being last, directly across from me.

"What is going on here…?" I feigned ignorance.

"Fufufu, don't pretend you don't know," Lienne, the Fairy Founder, giggled. "I can see through your thoughts, you know."

I sighed. "If you could see through my thoughts, honorable Founder, then you should know I really don't know anything about this 'power' you all claim I have."

"Mm… not necessarily. While it is true, I can't see anything about the 'power' in your head… that may be the power itself at work, preventing anyone from seeing through it."

"Enough teasing. Get to the point," Kracken, the Monster race's Founder, grumbled in a deep voice. He was an enormous octopus-like creature that commanded the ocean itself last time I saw him, but today he seemed to have shrunk down quite a lot. He was almost… adorable, in a way.

Though, if I actually said that out loud, I would get killed without mercy, information or not.

"Fufu~" Lienne giggled as she read my thoughts yet again, and I sent her an unamused glare.

"… Today will be the last time we ask this of you," Sylvoir, the Elemental Founder, said as all the Founders focused their gaze on me. "Tell us about your power."

"Like I said, I don't know any-"

"Don't be so quick to refuse," she cut me off. "I have an offer to make."

I raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"All sixteen of us here have multiple identities - Founders of the Library is just one of the many titles we hold. Whether it is fame, influence, or outright power, we all have it. Therefore, I have a proposal. One that no one else can offer."

My eyes focused on her as I leaned in on the table, resting my chin on my hands.

"… Let's hear it."