13.

Leona walks over to the Keeper of the Royal Library, a smile on her lips.

“Good day, Mrs. Zoama.” She gives a respective bow of her head at the woman, getting a warm smile.

“Leona. What on Zalrar’s name are you doing here?” The elderly woman asks. She peeves at the clock on the wall behind her, a confused look on her face. “School is not even dismissed.”

“Oh, I didn’t go to school today. I had a meeting to attend at the palace.”

“Ahh.” The vanilla skin woman grimaces, sending a look of pity at the heiress. “Times like this, I thank the Supremes that I wasn’t born in a Founder House. I can’t imagine the work load you have to carry and deal with. And as the Keeper, that’s saying something.” She winces. “My sincerest sympathy.”

“I appreciate.” Leona sighs.

“So, what can I help you with, my Lady?”

“Do you have anything on magik?” Leona asks.

“Why, yes we do.” The woman gets up and walks away from her desk. “This way please.”

She leads Leona over to a section deep inside the library, a section Leona hasn’t noticed before.

“I can’t believe that this section exist.”

“I am not surprised about that.” The Keeper chuckles. “As you already known, the Empire is populated by 95% of non-magis, and half of them don’t even know there are books that talk about magik. Those who know about this section don’t say much about it; and I don’t know the reason why.”

“But the Academy teaches us about magik. So, why haven’t they told us about this place?” Leona asks with a frown.

“The school is afraid of any unforeseen accident. Again.” Zoama says with a grimace.

“Wait. Something happened?” Leona asks with an arch of her brow.

“Some students got their hands on a top notch Demon Summoning tome.” Mrs. Zoama says with a sigh. “Almost got themselves killed. They are banned from ever entering the Library.”

Leona blinks owlishly. “Does that mean that the book isn’t destroyed?”

Zoama gives her a funny look. “It is their stupidity that almost got them killed, not the book. I’ll sacrifice my life to save each and every book in this building from the biased foolishness of people. As the Keeper appointed from the previous Keeper, only I gets a say in what goes and stay. Not even the Emperor can do anything about it.” She finishes with a smug smirk.

Leona returns her smirk, giving her a look of respect.

“Anyways, have fun.” Zoama smiles warmly at her favorite visitor. “Do be careful not to summon a Demon. It’s hard to banish them from whence they came. And if you need any help, do feel free to call for me if you need any help.”

Leona nods in understanding. “I will. Thanks, Mrs. Zoama.”

The Keeper gives the teen a cheerful wave before going back to her station.

Leona combs through that section, going through shelf after shelf and reading the words labeling the shelf. She finally finds the Elemental Magik shelf and grabs a couple of books. She’s reads through page after page of them, dissecting their words.

Leona heaves a sigh as she closes the fifth book. It’s already been thirty minutes since she’s in the library and has found nothing.

She massages her temples in annoyance before grabbing the next book. This one has a red cover with words printed in green and blue and has a white spine. It is not as large as the others – maybe having a hundred plus pages.

“A Brief Guide to Elemental Magik, The Elemental Guardians and their duties.” She reads out. With a hum, she starts reading through.

The book starts by introducing magik and all its grandeur. It lists the different types of magik – ranging from Floramancy to Necromancy. It states that there are two different types of Mana cores – the first being the Natural core and the other being the Artificial core. Those with the Natural core are born Magik Users. They can do magik freely with no use of external help. The Artificial core users are those who collect magik from the earth itself and make a deal with Demons to get powers. They use things like wands or staffs to channel that magik.

Then the book dives into Elemental magik. Those with this magik can only control the elements – but at a certain limit. They can do simple things like cast fire spells or manipulate water to their will. Natural fire Elementals can manipulate fire or shape it to their will. Due to them being all born Natural, Elementals are very rare to find. Liliane is a miracle herself – earning awe for even having the ability to control all the elements – even though her control is terrible and limited.

“Hmm… maybe I am a Fire Elemental.” Leona muses as her eyes roam the page. “I did seem to make the tub water boil, and my feet were on fire. Oh boy…”

Leona inhales and exhales silently, before she continues reading.

According to the author, they don’t know much about how the Guardians came to be but they are the protectors of the planet assigned by the God and Goddess. The four are each given an elemental magik each and they control everything in that elemental domain.

The book goes to explain that the Guardians possess two forms. One is the form which looks completely human, and which they use to blend in the crowd; the other is their Guardian form.

The Earth Guardian known form possesses light green skin; long, thick vines as hair with beautiful and extinct flowers in it and is bare footed with bangles made out of precious gems on her ankles. Her eyes are rumored to be the darkest of emeralds – but the author isn’t truly sure. She, like the other Guardians, is as beautiful as sge is ethereal with colored skin - fitting her status. She is said to control every plants on the planet, as well as the earth itself. She can manipulate rocks and planets, as everything made of earth is her domain.

The Wind Guardian is said to have flowing white hair – which sometimes look to be transparent – that floats in the air and doesn’t seem to end. Their hair – their gender is unknown – are said to have feathers in their hair and tiny bells that chime softly as they move. They are pale in complexion and are also bare footed with two bangles on each feet that chimed softly as they moved. They are said to have the grayest of eyes that seem to sparkle like the stars of the night. They control the entirety of the Air Elemental magik. From the rumors, they can easily suffocate one with the snap of their fingers.

The Water Guardian is known to have blue hair that flows like the softest of springs, and vivid Nordic blue eyes. She wears bangles on her ankles and beads on her wrists that clink softly. Her skin tone is unknown. To be frank, all of their skin tones are unknown. Most just speculate their skin colors. Anyways, the Water Guardian has total control over water. Anything liquid to be precise.

Lastly, we have the Fire Guardian. They are said to be inferno incarnate. They have total control over the fire element – even lava. They can easily burn someone or something into nothing – not even leaving ashes behind. According to the book they possess-

“Vivid fiery orange eyes and flaming red hair…” Leona trails off. Her eyes are wide in shock – her mind conjuring the image of her mother from her dreams. “Holy shit. Holy shit!” The teen yells out and abruptly stands up, her chair scraping on the tile floor. “No way…”

Leona slams the book shut, the sound echoing in the section she is in.

“No… this has to be a mistake.” Leona whispers with a frown.

With a frown still on her face, Leona picks up the book and heads for the front table. As she leaves, the books she left on the table rearrange themselves on their rightful shelf.

Zoama watches with a light frown as the teen makes her way over to the front desk. “Is something wrong, Lady Leona? I just heard you yell not long ago.”

“I apologize for the noise, Mrs. Zoama.” Leona gives her an apologetic look. “I was just surprised, that’s all.” She gently drops the book on the desk. “Can I borrow this book perchance?”

“Hmm. Let me see that.” Zoama grabs the book and takes a look at it. “Ahh. A rare gem. The only copy in the library.” She gives the teen a gentle look.

Leona lightly grimaces at that statement. “I take it I can’t acquire it for a few days then?”

“On the contrary, you can.” Zoama grins at her.

Leona blinks in light shock before giving the Keeper an uncertain look. “Are you quite sure?”

Zoama checks the book out before placing it in a small book bag – that looks like a purse to be quite frank – with a Protection Spell drawn on it. “Unlike others, you, my Lady, are one of the few I can trust with my babies. You are always careful with the books here.”

Leona slowly takes hold of the book. “Are you really sure? Can’t you just procure a copy of it for me?”

“Unfortunately, like most of the books and tomes in this library, this can never be multiplied.” Zoama informs the young Lady with an amused smile. “It’s perfectly fine, Lady Leona. All I ask is that you return it in one piece.”

Leona nods with a smile. “I sure will, Mrs. Zoama. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.”

“By the way, is there any way I can shrink this?”

Zoama shows her how to shrink and unshrink the book with the seal circle on the plastic bag.

With another thankful goodbye, Leona makes her way out of the Royal Library; the shrunken book in her pocket.