8.

Vivian Topaz’s stomach grumbled. She had unconsciously shushed Ida earlier when she attempted to wake her up for breakfast. Anyone who knew her would have persisted despite her protesting but Ida still remained largely a stranger to her and ignorant of her sleep habits. She had simply accepted her answer and allowed her to continue sleeping. Now, as a result, an hour before noon, Vivian scoured the hallways looking for the entrance to the courtyard. Every stairway was blocked by robed individuals and, after questioning one, Vivian discovered that only those deemed worthy of becoming Mystics were allowed in the upper levels. After asking several of them for directions, finally one of the robed men pointed her in the direction of the courtyard and she thanked him fervently.

She burst through the door less than decorously and with Ida shadowing her. Her breath left her. In front of her spread a beautiful green courtyard with hedges cut in the fashion of obscure creatures.

But the truly marvelous aspect was the drop. Fifty feet in front of her, the courtyard stopped suddenly, as if the ground had been cut by a massive sword and elevated. Vivian tiptoed over to it and peered over the edge. She estimated it dropped about three hundred feet. At the bottom, a ruined city sprawled out, consumed by vegetation. Even from her height Vivian saw the unkempt streets cluttered with rubble.

“I recommend taking a step back, missy,” a muffled and unfamiliar voice said. Vivian turned to the speaker. A robust man with a belly like a pregnant woman who refused to give birth for a decade. Yellow teeth popped out below his white handlebar mustache forming an ugly smile.

Vivian frowned. “Should I know you?”

“Nah, not if you’re who’s I’m looking for. I was told to fetch you missy. You’re late for the meetin’ and you’re supposed to be there. Mandatory.”

Vivian frantically glanced up at the sky where the sun hung angled. “Late? But it’s not even noon!”

A roar of laughter left the mustached man as he doubled over. A glob of spit splattered against Vivian’s quickly reddening face. When the man finally regained control over himself, he leaned toward Vivian. “Missy, the sun’s goin’ down, not up.”

Vivian’s breath caught. No. She had been quick…except…there had been quite a bit of time where she had been wandering around the halls and staring at the different murals…and she had spent some time talking to that robed man about his family before he gave her the directions….

Vivian closed her eyes and swallowed a breath. “Can you please take me to the location?”

The man’s yellow grin turned into a sneer. “Didn’t I already tell you that’s what I would do? A little girl like you shouldn’t be critiquing my jobs. Oh, and servants aren’t allowed at the meeting. Leave the woman behind.” He began trudging back away from the cliff and rounded the corner of the castle.

With a nod of understanding, Ida turned back toward the castle as Vivian chased after the man. He left behind a nasal simulacrum of his body odor, causing her to gag at first as she followed him. Thankfully, the scent became overpowered by the aroma of the vibrant plants growing all around as they went further into the garden.

She even slowed down for a moment to better examine her surroundings until the white mustached man stopped to turn and glare at her. He led her to a large pond. Several small islands, connected by a series of bridges, lined up to a larger island with a gazebo in the center. Scarlet and yellow colored fish swam up as she crossed over the bridges, as if curious of her.

Each of the applicants sat on stone benches within the gazebo. Vivian caught sight of Lynn sitting between Lord Diamond and a pale, ghastly young woman. He appeared to be buried within a book and she resisted the urge to wave and catch his attention. An unfamiliar scrawny man wearing spectacles who seemed to be swallowed by his robes and a black haired woman who actively grinded her teeth both sat on a bench at what appeared to be the head of the gazebo.

“I’m glad to see our tardy member has finally deemed us worthy of her arrival,” the black haired woman said. She stopped grinding her teeth and rose from her seat. “Thank you Darius. As always, you were quite helpful. Both of you sit.”

The white mustached man, Darius, grunted and took a seat next to the scrawny spectacled man. He gave Vivian a final glare before beginning to mutter to his neighbor. Vivian took a seat next between Alexis Jade and Ivan Quartz. The latter of which eyed her curiously and smirked.

“My name is Tiara. I will begin my brief lecture and explanation. It was supposed to be completed by this time...but unfortunately we lost one of our newcomers.” The disdain was not hidden from her voice.

“To begin,” Tiara continued, “I want to clarify exactly what The Silvian Library is. A place to study and increase one's knowledge of the world. A location of unique magnitude with enough materials to continue to educate an individual for over a century. It is not a school. There will be no classes, no teachers. If you believe otherwise I recommend you forfeit your application as a Mystic and return to Neo Regnum at the end of next year. However, those applicants allowed to continue studying, will receive a single mentor for the next three months. But as I said, he or she is not a teacher. The mentor will be in place solely to assist your integration into the library’s lifestyle and provide suggestions on how to properly study. Any form of knowledge gathering while you are here will be your responsibility. You have each been gifted with a wonderful opportunity, I recommend taking advantage of our vast resources. If you decide to lethargically waste your life away, then that will be your mistake to make. We hold no accountability for your lack of growth.” Tiara locked eyes with Vivian while making the comment.

Vivian, ashamed, turned her gaze to the dirt.

“Now, as you are each aware,” Tiara continued, “At least half of you will be turned away. The resources here on Silvian Island are some of the most exclusive and so we keep only those who hold the most potential. Those turned away will be given a year to study on the library’s first floor before being sent back to Neo Regnum. The method we use to choose who stays and leaves is quite simple.”

The woman waved to the skinny man who reached in his robes and pulled out a dozen necklaces. He began passing them out rather timidly. He skipped over Vivian and went on to Ivan Quartz. She leaned in and looked over his shoulder at it. It just looked like a string attached to a vial of white liquid.

“The vial you have been given contains a rare element named savirelet. Savirelet is known as the most susceptible material to Mystics on the planet. If kept close, it has the ability to shift its properties to whatever element or sub-element the potential Mystic is most attuned to. You are each to wear this necklace until noon tomorrow, I recommend keeping it against your skin. If the vial contains anything other than its current contents by that time, you will be permitted entrance to the next elimination process.

“You are now permitted to leave. Supper is at sunset.” With that, Tiara turned and stalked toward the castle with Darius and the skinny man at her heels.

The other applicants hurriedly threw their necklaces around their necks. She sat down on a bench and watched as each of her peers wandered away. Vivian waved to Lynn as he left and, for a second, he hesitated, as if about to approach her. In the end, he just raised his hand in acknowledgement before traveling back over the bridges.

Vivian continued sitting on the stone bench long after everyone had left. She stared out at the still water. The glazed appearance with round rocks speckled beneath reminded her of rain on a glass window pane.

“I see you’re pond-ering, whatever could it be about?” A voice came from above causing Vivian to jump in her seat. A white haired boy peered down at her from atop the gazebo’s roof.

“Wh-what are you doing up there?” Vivian squeaked.

“Making funny comments. Isn’t that obvious?” Rin said with a grin on his face.

“How long were you up there? Why were you up there? Did Tiara know you were on top of the gazebo?” The questions shot from her lips as if a shield to hide her surprise.

“I certainly hope she knew. That witch told me I was required to be in attendance. I considered not attending, as an act of defiance, but decided against that. I wanted to make certain she explained everything thoroughly enough. After all, it’s not as if the yappy little dogs at her heels would speak a word if she glazed over any important topics. They’re quite frightened of her. I suppose that’s to be expected, she’s a frightening woman. Black greasy hair. Inititaled attitude. Put those traits together to create pure terror.”

“But you’re not scared of her? Isn’t she your boss?”

Rin fell off the roof. His legs kicked the air as he laughed. Finally, noticing the irritation on her face, Rin settled down to moderate chuckles.

“You’re hilarious,” he said, a grin still plastered on his face as he stared up at the sky. “People like her are only as intimidating as others allow them to be. It’s all a matter of perspective. Now, as for your first question- since I last saw you.”

Vivian cocked her head, trying to recall her first question. “Since last night? You mean you slept on top of a gazebo?”

“It’s actually quite comfortable. A lovely breeze swept by last night helping disperse the humidity. You see, Tiara demanded I attend punctually. I’ve found that the easiest way to get somewhere on time is to simply arrive ridiculously early. That way you, not only can enjoy your surroundings on the way there, but also at the destination itself.” The white haired boy sat up and leaned against her stone bench, looking out at the pond with her for some time. He remained perfectly still, reminding her once again of a corpse.

“Did she miss anything?” Vivian said, breaking the elegant silence.

“Excuse me?”

“You said you were in attendance to make sure she didn’t miss anything important.”

Rin shrugged. “I don’t know. It didn’t sound like it.”

“How do you not know? Was there information you were given when you arrived that she didn’t share with us?”

“Oh loads. But I hardly think any of that is prudent to the little test with the vials. Speaking of which, can I get a look at yours?”

“They didn’t give me one. Wait, have you never seen it before?” Vivian asked. “Is it a new application method?”

“No, as far as I’m aware, they’ve been using savirelet since the beginning of Silvian Island. It would simply be worthless for me to use the element, I’ve heard it’s a quite pricey product. You know, wars have been started over that stuff.”

“You’re not a Mystic?”

“Not in the slightest.”

“Why are you here?”

Rin grinned. “Now you’re getting to trickier questions. Not everyone on the island has the abilities of a Mystic. Most do, but there are still people natively born here who are as average as the poorest beggar.”

“So you’re a native to Silvian Island?”

“I suppose I am.”

Vivian bit her lip in irritation. “What do you mean? Can you clarify?”

“I could but I don’t think I will. I meant what I said. But, I’m nothing if not honest. Now here’s my question to you, do you always quiz strangers for the details of their lives? It’s quite rude. Next I expect you to question me about my luscious, lively skin tone. Which, I’ll add just to satisfy your obvious curiosity, was part of my package at birth. Nothing even slightly mystical about it; however, it does give me the ability to burn rapidly when the sun is out. Maybe that’s a new form of magic.”

Vivian blinked, taken aback by the subject change. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to offend you. How did you know I wanted to know?”

Rin’s boyish blue eye twinkled. “Everyone does. And I didn’t take any. What’s your name?”

“It’s Vivian Topaz. And yours is Rin? Do you have a second name?”

“I have a lot more than just two names but Rin is all you need. I wish you the best luck tomorrow, you’re an entertaining girl so I hope you’re able to pass. Strange they didn’t give you a vial though. You’ve already angered sweet Tiara but I’ll see if I can scrounge one up for you. She’s vindictive like a pillow full of rocks. Still, I can’t wait to see your future misadventures.” Rin stood and stretched, yawning like a fatigued house cat.

“Oh, I don’t think I need a vial. I’m already accepted. I’m a Natural.”

For the first time since the beginning of their discussion, the tips of Rin’s lips flickered into a slight frown. “I’m sorry to hear that. I had a good friend who was a Natural. I’ve never met anyone quite like him. But he’s not around anymore. Other responsibilities and all...” Rin’s voice trailed off.

Vivian squinted her eyes. “I thought I was the first in over half a decade.”

Rin’s grin returned. “Not at all, you’re only the first that Silvian Island has been able to find in 70 years. Your breed is incredibly rare but, if I had to estimate, I’d say one pops up in Neo Regnum about every ten years or so. There are most definitely others out there.”

Vivian blinked. Others? She had spent the last half a year being taught that she was unique, the only living Natural in the world. Entertaining an idea contrary felt bizarre.

“Where are they now?” she asked.

“Oh, I imagine they’re just doing their best to continue their lives.”

“What do you mean ‘imagine’? You just said that you’ve met the other Naturals!”

“I don’t recall that statement. You should learn to not misquote others. It’s not an attractive trait in a young lady like yourself.”

“You should learn to speak plainly because that is an attractive trait in boys like yourself,” Vivian huffed.

“Boy? I suppose I am pretty young. Isn’t it funny how we believe ourselves to be so experienced? I look back at yesterday and cringe. I was so young and inexperienced back then, I have an entire day more of knowledge now. But we always forget about tomorrow. Tomorrow I’ll probably be a genius in comparison to today. We’re never satisfied with our past selves. If only I knew this or said that back then. Hindsight. It’s the curse of education.”

Vivian, getting a headache from his words, rose from her seat with a huff and stalked off. “If you’re going to talk about nonsense then I don’t see why I should be here,” she said over her shoulder.

“Nonsense? Actually, you’re right. Tomorrow I probably will think my words were rather nonsensical but then, that is sort of my point.” Without turning around, Vivian could hear the grin in Rin’s voice.

Vivian gave the ruined city below the cliff a long look before entering the castle once again. The beauty of it took her breath from her body. Eventually, her aching stomach took her back into the maze of corridors toward the smell of a meal.