The Magecraft of Love

by steamroco

What is love to a mage? How can it be used as a magecraft? One day, Waver gets called to deal with an entity case inside Clock Tower. But the situation turns into something much darker than what he had anticipated.

7. The Case from the Past (Part 1)

Chapter 7: The Case from the Past (Part 1)

Back then, I was just a naïve student in Clock Tower. I was bullied and alone and was called Waver the Failure by many. This case happened twelve years ago, in 1992. Many things have happened since then, but this is important for the current case.

We were dealing with the same entity.

Inside a lecture hall, an older and stricter blonde haired mage was teaching Modern Magecraft to his students. He pointed towards the chalkboard to give his lecture while many students were taking notes and listening.

"Love is not something to be taken lightly. The word itself has power, and it has influenced humanity across time and space with its countless civilizations and growth. That is why we have had many Gods and Goddesses that are connected to Love in the past. It has helped in reproduction and procreation and was worshipped in many cultures."

The professor turned away for a moment to hide his blush from his students.

"And also can change your very heart and soul."

Waver looked bored as he sat in front of the class. He hid his disdain of the subject by covering his face from the teacher with his notebooks, pencils, and textbooks. He was idling with a pencil as he grudgingly listened. But his behavior was attracting the professor's attention instead.

"Waver Velvet, you don't look interested in this lesson. Do you look down upon this subject?"

Waver immediately noticed everyone watching him, and there was an awkward silence. Afterwards, he got up from his seat to answer his teacher's question. Even though he didn't want to do it, he had already attracted a lot of attention. Many students were looking at him, with some of them whispering things he couldn't hear.

"Love is about reproduction and procreation; I understand that part. But what else is there to it? Professor Kayneth, isn't Love just an emotion based on chemicals the brain produces? Isn't it just a feeling?"

Kayneth shook his head in dismay from Waver's response. His face expressed great disappointment towards his ignorant student in front of the class.

"You really don't know anything, do you? Waver, you do not understand what love is. Have you ever experienced it? Your parents clearly didn't raise you well."

"Leave my parents out of this! They have nothing to do with me. What does this have anything to do with magecraft? What does love have to do with this?"

But Kayneth didn't answer his question this time. Instead, he turns towards the class to give them on their assignment related to Love magecraft. There was also another event that was coming up, in which he let the students know about.

"Students, please be prepared for the next upcoming event. Many professional mages from all over the world will be coming to visit the Clock Tower and help give students advice on what paths they should take in the future. Everyone would be assigned a different mage to speak with. The results will be randomized, so that no one will know who they will speak with beforehand."

Class was then dismissed for the day, but Kayneth didn't let Waver go immediately. He sent him to another room to talk with him privately instead.

"Are you going to insult me again, Professor? Shouldn't you let me go stud—"

Kayneth lightly smacked Waver's forehead. He quickly held his head in pain from the smack, confused on his teacher's reaction. Waver glared back at him.

"What was that for?! Do I look really that low-class to you?"

Kayneth then gave him a quick briefing from his argument with him in class.

"Waver, I won't accept an answer like that in your assignment. It's better telling you now instead of making you redo the work all over again when you don't understand something. For such a studious student, I don't want you to fail it. Do you understand me?"

"I-I…Fine. I understand, Professor. I'll think of something else to answer to the assignment."

"Very well then."

He then left Waver outside of the lecture hall and went on his way. Waver felt alone and frustrated as he slowly walked towards the library. However, as he approached the locker rooms, a couple of his classmates from Kayneth's class approached him. He noticed a few familiar faces even though he couldn't remember their names very well.

"What do you want from me? Is it because of Professor Kayneth again?"

One of the boys cracked his knuckles.

No! Not this again! I don't want to deal with these classmates. I need to find a way to escape…

"You always insult the Professor, Waver. How does someone as low class as you get to have a statement against what he teaches? You're just a third-rate mage."

Well, he's got a point. But…

"What's wrong with that? Teachings need to be questioned so that we can improve. Experiments. Research. The heart and blood given to reach the Root, right? Isn't that the path for humanit—"

Waver felt himself get flung into a locker wall for a brief moment. He fell down on the floor to catch his breath. Some of his books fell to the floor, with his pencil case opened up. But the commotion attracted other students towards the area, so they quickly left. Waver picked up his books and pencil case and organized them back into his backpack, which was strangely left opened by someone.

Those people can't really let me go. They could have just left me alone. It's not like I have friends or anything…

He slowly began walking to the library, ignoring the other students around him. But he felt a pair of eyes watching him. He couldn't hear their footsteps or hear any sound differences with the crowd walking past him. The chitter chatter from the other students were drowning out his intuition.

"I shouldn't think too much about it. It's probably someone else that wants to bully me. I need to focus and study so that I can become a better mage than those that rely on their bloodline and prestige to get by. I don't want anyone to look down on me!"

Waver walked into the library and was greeted by the librarian. She was a woman of a tall slender build and was wearing a decorative collared dress. Through her brightly rimmed glasses, she saw him walking by. He stopped as he approached her, placed his backpack down and took out some books.

"Ah, Waver Velvet. Same place again? Your usual spot has not been taken, so you can go study there. Are you here to return some books?"

"Yes. Hope you wouldn't mind returning these for me, Miss Lucia."

He gave her some of his books and she quickly checked them to return to the bookshelves later. There were books on Magic Crests, Basic Magecraft, History of the Clock Tower, and Spirit Origins. Afterwards, he picked up his backpack and prepared to go to his studying area.

But the strange intuition feeling never left.

Is someone still watching me? What's that feeling? What do they want?

He turned around and spotted another student walking into the library. He looked frail and weak but was still able enough to walk by himself. He had white hair and short bangs, similar in hairstyle to Waver. He casually walked towards the front desk and went to talk to Miss Lucia, the librarian.

"Miss, do you have anything to guide me around this vast library collection? I might get lost around here."

"Yes, we do. Please take a look at these pamphlets and map guides we have around the corners of the library."

She pointed out the small stacks of maps and pamphlet guides to him and he happily accepted them. He looked to be having a conversation with the librarian, so Waver turned his back on the student and continued on his way to the study room.

That was probably nothing. There's always new students coming in everyday to ask for help. I still need to figure out a way to do my assignment somehow. I can't have too many distractions right now.

He was a regular at the library, so the librarian and her assistants knew him well. He quickly found his spot in the studying area and set up his materials. Professor Kayneth had recommended him some books on Concepts to help him theorize for his homework. But what was the meaning of love? Why did he have to learn it? What was so special about it?

Aren't mages known for trying to reach the Root? They need to pass down their Magic Crests, so engagements and arranged marriages are common here. Experimentation and research is everything here. The Mage's Association really is something…

Waver flipped through his recommended books before feeling bored. He looked around to found no one was around him. The silence was deafening, yet there wasn't any sense of malice around the place. Many rows of bookshelves lined all over the room, indicating he was still inside the library.

"I wonder if there's any book related to Love. There should be, otherwise Professor Kayneth wouldn't have taught it in class. There should be references somewhere in the library that I can look at. This is troublesome."

Carrying a small load of books into the study room, he set them aside to flip through them to find anything related to his assignment. On one of the books' pages, there was an ancient inscription based on Love Magecraft.

Amor periculosus est. Una est via ad Amorem. Ejus conjecturam cum aliis.

"Love is dangerous. There is only one path towards Love. Its meaning lies with others."

Waver translated the inscription from Latin, based on what he had learned before in previous years. An image of a mysterious faded book was also on the cover of the page. There was a faint red gem on top of the cover of the book. Its description on the subject was interesting, yet vague. It was possible that the book could help him on his assignment and possibly be a good counter against Professor Kayneth's lecture.

This looks good. There must be something special inside this book if even its descriptions were kept vague from other sources. I'll have to ask about the book later with Miss Lucia later. I still need to ask about the title as well.

He put some notes and stickers onto the library book and continued studying on other subjects. The clock ticked as the hours flew by, and his eyes slowly grew tired overtime. Before he knew it, he fell asleep over his pile of books.

He dreamt about prestige and everyone applauding his efforts for everything he had done. His parents' approval despite them not taking magecraft seriously. His status as a top tier mage.

"Sir Velvet? Waver Velvet?"

"Huh?"

Someone was shaking his shoulders, trying to get him to wake up. Waver rubbed his eyes to see who was calling him. A homunculus assistant was touching his shoulders. It looked to be one of the librarian's assistants that patrolled the library at times to check up on students and to prevent mischief.

"You're finally awake, Sir Velvet. You have been sleeping for a few hours inside the study room. I believe it is best that you rest in your dorm. It is getting late. Please come back to the library again when you have rested enough."

Waver looked up to check the time. It was already late evening. He still had to participate in the upcoming adult mage pairing activity with his classmates soon afterwards. Getting himself ready, he reorganized his books and brought the rest for checkout. The assistant nonchalantly assisted him back towards the front desk of the library.

"Many students tend to fall asleep in the library, so I have to check that you didn't fall asleep as well, Sir Velvet. Someone was worried about you, and we had to check up on you to make sure you didn't do anything risky inside the study room."

Someone? Who is this someone? I never asked for this…

"Excuse me. Who was the person who wanted to check up on me? Can you tell me?"

"Sir Velvet, he has not given me permission to tell you who he was. I'm sorry, but I cannot reveal that information to you."

What?! Is someone stalking me or something without me knowing? What do they want from me? I didn't do anything to anyone! They must have used some form of Concealment…

"Fine. Thank you for answering my question. I'll be off now."

"Take care, Sir Velvet. Please come again to the library as always."

Waver sighed in dismay. He was too tired to pester the assistant and he had to catch up on sleep for the event tomorrow morning. There were still many things he had to do first. He had to take it one thing at a time, so that he could get his assignment done eventually.

"I'll probably ask about the book title and what it is tomorrow."

The next day, Professor Kayneth's class were gathered in an open area inside Clock Tower. There was a selection hall with various mages of different professions from all over the world. Students were organized into groups, with Professor Kayneth coordinating with the other teachers in Clock Tower.

Waver was sitting by the sidelines, with his arms crossed. While he was used to having students from other areas, there were even more mages from other countries than he had expected.

"Magecraft is truly being used all over the world. There are probably more variations of its use than what we're taught in Clock Tower. So many people dressed in different attire. I wonder what kind of person I'll meet during the randomization process…"

The students were later organized into lines, in which different mages were being assigned to them. They were led into a private room together inside the open area with the other guests. Tea and cakes were being offered so that the students wouldn't feel too uncomfortable.

Professor Kayneth handed Waver a slip as he came forward to the front of the line.

"Waver Velvet, here is the mage you will be meeting with today. Be sure to greet him and be polite. I wish you well in your meeting with him."

"Thanks, Professor."

He looked over the slip to check who it was. The name sounded foreign.

"Makoto Nijima."

Sounds like someone from Japan. Interesting…

Waver walked towards the area where some homunculus maids were leading him into a room. There was a seating table between them, where a young adult mage was sitting across from him. A teapot with some cakes were set between the two of them.

"So, you are the student I'll be speaking with today? Don't be shy, why not try this tea I have made specially prepared for you."

He looked down on his teacup. The tea appeared green in front of him. Its scent smelled bitter compared to his usual morning teas. It looked unusual and foreign.

"This is matcha green tea. It's made out of finely grounded green tea leaves and turned into a powder. It's probably tastes different than what you're used to but give it a try. You might like it, Waver Velvet."

"How do you know my name?"

The Japanese mage chuckled to himself before answering him. He looked to be a young man in his early 20s, wearing a traditional robe attire. It reminded Waver of some monks that tended to live and congregate inside their temples for worship. Despite that, the man did attempt to modernize to blend into the city, so he also wore a casual jacket on top of his robes.

This doesn't look like someone from the city. But I'll give it a chance and get through this activity over with…

"Let me introduce myself. My name is Makoto Nijima, and I come from Japan. I'm here to give you a basic idea on what I do. I'm a Sealer, a subset of mages that deal with sealing spirits and other entities. You can take it as another form of exorcism in the West."

"Sealing?"

"Yes. I can show you an example of it right now. In the meantime, please try the Japanese matcha green tea, Waver Velvet."

Nijima's hands were filled with some sort of mystical tattoos, resembling Magic Circuits. He had covered them in white bandages to hide it while in public. Its reddish glow indicated that he was activating his magecraft from his tattoos. Taking a tissue box that he had nearby, he created a small Seal around the object.

It resembled a lock and key. There were some banded elements around it.

So, this is Sealing Magecraft. Another form of magecraft usage from another country. If he was willing to show me something like this, he must mean well. I might learn something from him…

"If it can Seal objects, can it also affect humans? I heard that you dealt with supernatural entities and spirits, so I was wondering about that."

"I can tell you more about it if you can try the drink first."

Waver sighed. It would be rude to not taste something someone offered to him.

"Alright, I'll drink it. You don't need to keep telling me that!"

He went to take a sip of the green tea in front of him. The flavor was different from what he was used to, but it tasted good. Despite no sugar or milk added, its bitterness managed to stay relatively mild. There was always something special about trying something new.

It made him feel like he regained a bit of his energy back from all the schoolwork stress.

"This tea was delicious. Thank you for letting me try something new, Mr. Nijima."

"No problem, Waver. I'm glad that you enjoyed it. You can always ask for more."

Nijima smiled and patted Waver on the shoulder. His own teacup remained untouched, but Waver didn't seem to mind. A homunculus maid was on standby, offering them more tea. Afterwards, they began to talk to each other over other topics, such as future job opportunities for future magi.

"I don't understand Professor Kayneth. Why should we learn this type of subject for? What does feelings have to do with magecraft? Maybe I'm not understanding something here."

"He probably means well. Otherwise, you wouldn't have to be in this event with other professional mages. There is something for everyone, even if you are not the strongest or most talented mage in Clock Tower. Are you looking for prestige?"

Waver looked to the side, away from Nijima's face. He gritted his teeth, thinking about the prospects of magecraft and on how low he was looked down upon by others in the school.

"Prestige? That would be nice. That way, I wouldn't need to deal with people that don't appreciate what they have. I want to become a well-known mage if I could. People who appreciate my efforts and talents. But right now…"

Things weren't looking too bright. The uphill battle of mage society. Bullies and underclassman. And a stern professor who didn't understand him.

If only I was born into a Magi family, I wouldn't have these kinds of problems! Why did I have to come from a normal one? Plus the uncertainties of mage society…

But Nijima didn't look concerned or worried at all. He smiled throughout the entire conversation and gave Waver advice as best as he could.

"Mages. There are many kinds of mages, Waver. You will find your own strengths and weaknesses in time, just like any other human being. Seeing how you're very smart and intelligent, I'm sure you will become a very powerful mage!"

Waver's eyes widened in surprise.

"Really?"

Nijima nodded.

"Why not? You just need more training, and you will be exceptional in no time. Don't worry about it. You will get there in time."

Waver felt hopeful from the message but was still unsure about himself. He still had to focus on his assignment afterwards. But he had to take it one step at a time. The adult mage's words were uplifting for some reason, but he had other things on his mind.

"So, I still need to work on the love assignment soon. I can't talk here for too long, Mr. Nijima. Thanks for the help and advice. I should really get going…"

But just as Waver was about to leave, there was a small commotion outside their covered room area. He could hear some of the maids rushing towards the student from the outside.

"Someone get him his pills! Hurry!"

"The floor is full of blood again. Clean it up quickly!"

Maybe I should wait until that commotion quiets down before I leave. I don't want to walk into something disturbing…

Waver turned around to see Nijima offer his farewell towards him at the end of their activity together. He touched Waver's hand and offered a small prayer with some chants inside the room.

"Waver, I will still be here after this activity is over. I'm still on a business trip with the Clock Tower currently, so you can always ask for help until I leave. Good luck on your studies, young man."

"Thanks, Mr. Nijima. I'll talk to you some other time then."

With the activity over that day, Waver still had to focus on his assignment from Professor Kayneth. The book cover he had found from the other books he had researched in had led him to be more curious on what was inside the mysterious book.

It didn't seem to have any name or written description that could easily be noted.

Now, I should really try to get the book I had been thinking about borrowing. Miss Lucia can probably help me with that. I have already borrowed plenty of books from her in the library before, so she should say Yes!

But instead, the result inside his mind ended up differently in real life.

"Waver Velvet, I cannot allow you to borrow this book. You are not authorized to get this particular book without permission at this point in time. It is better that you take something else better suited for you."

"What?!"

Miss Lucia looked sternly at him in the eye.

"The book with the red gem on its cover is only known as the Amoretto. It contains the secrets towards Love magecraft and may have something hidden inside it. Knowing your current magecraft ability, you would not be able to handle such a book, Waver. Yes, I understand that it is important for your studies, but I recommend you borrow something else."

"…"

Why you…Ah! Calm down. Don't get angry with her like that. She probably means well. Calm down!

Waver clenched his fists, resisting the urge to argue with the librarian. In the end, she was only doing her job and had good reason for him to deny access to the book. He was going to have to figure out another way to get it later on.

"Fine. Thank you for the service, Miss Lucia."

Waver turned around to leave and go back towards the study room.

"I-I'll try to find something else for my assignment…"

But before he headed towards the study room, he overheard some conversation the librarian was talking with a homunculus assistant nearby. It sounded like something she was genuinely happy about, as if she had wanted it for some time. Sneaking behind a bookshelf, he began to hear part of the conversation they were having.

"Miss Lucia, you will be going on vacation in a week? Congratulations, madam."

"Make sure to keep the students in check and not let them do anything that causes trouble for the library. I'll be back shortly."

"Yes, madam."

Waver immediately sneaked away from the bookshelf, hoping no one noticed him eavesdropping. But there was a chance that there were homunculus assistants nearby. He needed to make up a cover in case one of them saw him.

I don't think I can ask any more information about the book from her. She might think I might try to do something in the library, which could make me a suspect. Maybe I can ask the assistants later…

He quietly walked towards an aisle and saw another assistant wandering around. She seemed to be a little light headed from how she moved, checking on every student around the library to make sure there was no mischief going on as well as give help support.

"D-Does anyone need help? Please keep quiet and do your studies diligently, Clock Tower students. Y-You can always ask me."

On her hands were a small pile of the library map that he saw on the front desk before.

Wonder if I should ask her. She doesn't look like she's with anybody or on duty with certain tasks around the library right now. Hmm…

"Sir Velvet, what are you doing here? Do you need help?"

"Huh?"

How did she spot me so quickly?!

Waver turned around and noticed the assistant coming towards him. Her presence was Concealed very well, so he didn't notice her looking back at him. Thankfully, her reactions and questionings were related to giving help around the library instead of suspicion.

I'll just ask her then. I can't make them suspect me of doing anything right now…

"Well, I actually do need some help. Why do some books need permission to be borrowed instead of being out in the open for everyone to use? Is there any potential danger with using the book? Anything like hidden magecraft or curses involved?"

She smiled and chuckled at his questions.

"Pardon me, so you need help with something like that? Are you not familiar with the borrowing permissions in the library?"

"Ah! Uh…I really don't know."

She looked closer at Waver and checked his height, age and magecraft ability from a hidden notebook that she took out from her pocket. Afterwards, she nodded to herself smugly.

"I see, I see. You're probably one of the younger generations of students to come to Clock Tower, Sir Velvet. There is a certain area hidden inside the library that protects certain books from inexperienced mages. You may be a library regular, but you are still young. There are many Bounded Fields around the library, so you might not know all the areas around this place. Please be careful, as there might be traps and curses if you go too far without permission."

T-That was a handful of information. Homunculus assistants and their vast storage of data based on their jobs. At least I learned something new this time.

"Thank you for the help. May I have a library map pamphlet that you are carrying?"

"Of course. Please ask again for help if you need anything else."

The homunculus assistant handed him a pamphlet and bowed before leaving him alone to continue her routine around the library. Waver sighed and rested nearby, with a pamphlet in hand. There were probably other ways of getting the book, but he could also search for other alternatives for his assignment.

"It would be simple to just get another book, but I don't want to start my research all over again. Maybe I can ask the older students for help on this one. They probably have the permissions to get it for me."

Maybe they could be kind just like the adult mage he talked with from the activity event.

But it was not as easy as he had hoped.

Rejection after rejection. Failure after failure.

No one was willing to help him, as he had no connections in Clock Tower. Being an outcast and loner had its downsides, despite Waver's own integrity and intelligence. The hopelessness and denial from everyone didn't help at all. But he didn't want to give up.

Don't give up. Mage society has more class importance than I thought. I'm just not used to it yet…

Back inside his dorm room, Waver sat next to his desk to focus on what to do. Piles of books laid strewn all over his bed, trying to figure out an alternative to his assignment. A dim lamp on his desk shed light on his papers, with the library map pamphlet next to him.

Think, think, think. What to do. There's got to be something that I'm missing here. Why isn't anything working? Did I do something wrong? Is this what I get for trying to research something for my assignment?

He took a pencil nearby and flicked around with it. Maybe it was best that he could try to contact the adult mage from the event if he could. But he didn't want to risk anything with outsiders yet. But how was he able to borrow the book? Let alone get permissions.

I can't fail now. Professor Kayneth would insult me again! I can't let this happen. But is there really no other way? The only other way to get the book…

Was to steal it.

Waver Velvet, aren't you smart and intelligent? Those mages who made fun of you and insulted you, they don't know understand you. Why not steal the book? You can just return it when you're done using it. You are a student in Clock Tower after all.

The teachers and students will understand your dilemma…

Stealing a book? But how was he going to do that? He doesn't even know where they even kept the room that housed the books that required permissions to get in. It could be filled with traps and curses, just as the homunculus assistant had said before. He wasn't powerful, and he was alone.

It would be a huge risk to even attempt such a feat.

"I still don't know who had been watching me lately, I hope they won't find out what I'll be doing if I did try something like this. But it's worth a shot. I-I'm just doing it for my assignment. A mage has to risk something once in a while, right?"

Waver pondered on how he was going to attempt this task. He had to learn the layout of the library first. Find its blind spots and how the homunculus assistants moved around the area. Figure out the Bounded Field locations that can pinpoint to something hidden. Maybe he can find out the entrance toward the books that required permissions to get in.

I should try to explore the library more instead of staying inside the study room this time. Also, Miss Lucia sounds like she would be out for a while in a week, so I'll have to see if I can do it before she returns. I still need to get past the maids, assistants, and guards around Clock Tower…

With that in mind, he prepared himself to check out the library once more after class the next day to investigate his surroundings. The library map only gave a brief location of the main areas of the library, but there were some areas that were not mentioned or cut off.

Touching one of the Bounded Fields in one of the main library rooms, Waver felt a slight sting from it. There was a barrier that looked like glass, mirroring the countless bookshelves around him. He was on the second floor of the room, pretending to check out books with the ladder.

"Usually in stories, there's always a hidden mechanic through books that can reveal a hidden passageway or door. The Bounded Field locations around the library all seem to indicate a secret entrance somewhere. I don't know if it would lead to that place though."

The library mysteries were kept very well hidden despite using the map as a base. There could be countless Curses and hidden Magecraft all over the area that he wouldn't be able to pierce through. But everything was worth a try, even if it seemed impossible.

"Sir Velvet, do you need any help?"

He turned around and spotted a homunculus assistant looking up at him. It was the same girl who gave him the library pamphlet the other day. Her stance was stern and formal, as she stared at him. Waver hoped that she didn't suspect him of doing anything.

"I-I think I'm doing fine. Just trying to get a book around a Bounded Field. Can you help me get it?"

The assistant smiled again.

"Very well. Someone was just checking up on you so that you wouldn't hurt yourself. I'm glad that I came to help!"

Huh? Someone? Again? Why aren't they telling who is observing me? Are they under some spell to not mention their name to me?

Waver sighed and nodded. He slowly got down from the ladder and let the assistant get the book for him. The book was located by near the bookshelf ledge of the second floor, which proved risky to get. He thanked her afterward and she went back towards her routine around the library immediately.

"That was too dangerous. I should be more careful in the library, there's way more risky areas than I thought. I hope no one knows what I'm doing…"

The rest of the day was uneventful, so Waver decided to return to the library one last time to make sure the Bounded Fields around the area weren't being tampered with. He didn't want even more security measures due to his mess up with the assistant.

Might as well return the book that the assistant handed to me as well. I don't want to look too suspicious. There shouldn't be many people around at this time of day.

It was late evening again, so Waver walked towards the study room to make sure no one was nearby. He still needed to plan a route and find a way into a hidden room without getting caught. He brought his backpack and some books to hide himself from onlookers.

The library was unusually quiet that day, as the assistants weren't as stingy with checking with the students as before.

Maybe it's because of the librarian's temporary absence soon. That would be a good time to attempt it. We'll see…

But over time, he felt like someone was continuously watching him.

Who is there? I should go check who is watching me. But they could be using Concealment so I couldn't see them either. I hope they don't know my plans.

Waver got up from the study table and looked around him. All he was met with was silence and a suspicious feeling. There was someone there, even if he couldn't see them.

"Who is there?"

He didn't want it to meet some ghost or paranormal spirits that could have lingered around the library and the Clock Tower. Its facilities and buildings were very ancient, but many renovations had modernized them over the centuries.

But all he sensed was a human.

"Are you going to come out or not? What do you want from me?"

Then, one of the books on the table fell on the floor. Waver got startled by the thump before someone's face showed up in front of him. It looked ghastly and freaky, as it made a cunning grin with its arms stretched out.

"Ah!"

Waver fell to the floor in shock and fright.

What does it want from me? Is this the person that has been following me?!

The figure slowly came out of the shadows, revealing to be another student.

He looked oddly familiar, yet Waver couldn't figure out who he was. But he looked sickly and small based from his appearance. However, his stance and pose was stern and stable. A small streak of moonlight reflected against the window nearby.

"Waver Velvet, can I be your friend?"