The Loneliest Soul

Maxi stormed out of his mini castle, frustration simmering beneath his calm expression. Angelina followed closely, her sharp eyes scanning their surroundings as they approached the towering doors of the main castle.

Maxi sighed heavily, knowing what was about to come. He clenched his fists, knocking on the massive doors before pushing them open.

Then, it hit him.

That overwhelming, suffocating pressure—the weight of countless powerful, blessed individuals existing within a confined space. His knees buckled instantly, the force pressing down on his fragile frame like an unseen tidal wave.

Angelina was ready to stabilize him, reaching out instinctively, but Maxi held up a trembling hand.

"No… I got this. I am fine."

He gritted his teeth and forced himself onto one knee, then slowly, painstakingly, stood up fully. His breath came in short gasps, his chest rising and falling rapidly.

How the hell do my siblings live in this place? he thought, sweat forming on his brow. They must be so much stronger than me…

Yet, despite the struggle, a small smile tugged at his lips. At least I'm making progress.

With effort, Maxi took in his surroundings. The grand entrance hall was lined with a deep red carpet, golden patterns tracing along its edges like ancient calligraphy. A massive staircase loomed ahead, its railings crafted from a pale wood—almost a mix of white and peach.

On either side of the room, strange plants stood tall. Their striped green and light-blue leaves reached upward, surrounding a blood-red rose at the center. Tiny, thin red roots stretched out from the base, all converging toward the rose like veins feeding a heart. Even from a distance, the scent of lavender and ginger filled the air, intoxicating and unfamiliar.

Maxi exhaled, then turned left, stepping toward the hallway. Every fiber of his being prayed that he wouldn't run into any of his siblings.

The corridor stretched long before him, countless doors passing by as he kept walking. Finally, he turned right.

Almost there.

Then, he spotted them—stairs leading downward.

His heart leaped with joy. I made it!

But just as he took a step forward, Angelina's hand clamped onto his shoulder.

A silent warning.

Maxi immediately flattened himself against the nearest wall. Angelina positioned herself in front of him, her stance composed but shielding.

Footsteps.

Two people. Slow, deliberate.

As they passed, Angelina bowed politely. "My lady. My sir."

The moment they were gone, Maxi released a deep sigh of relief. He shook his head, feeling a bit embarrassed. Hiding from teenagers… at my age? The thought stung his pride. Then again, his memories were too fragmented to let that sting last long.

Finally, he reached the spiral staircase leading to the library.

And when he stepped inside, he felt small.

The giant library stretched before him, an endless maze of knowledge. Towering shelves of rich brown wood rose high into the sky, streaked with a yellow so vibrant it shimmered like gold. The entire place was illuminated by floating golden orbs, bouncing gently in the air as if suspended in water.

Some orbs sprayed subtle scents into the air—every single one different.

Today, the library smelled of cinnamon, sugar, and rosemary.

Maxi inhaled deeply, eyes closing in bliss.

"It's always worth it… just to come here, read, and exist."

Angelina raised an eyebrow, amused.

"You come here nearly every day and say the same thing. I don't understand your obsession with books."

Maxi didn't even acknowledge her. His focus was entirely on the scent of the books, the rows upon rows of untapped knowledge.

Without thinking, he ran.

He leaped onto a rolling library ladder, the dark oak wood swallowing all light that touched it. Grabbing the sides, he kicked off the wall, propelling himself forward at exhilarating speed.

As he soared past the endless bookshelves, he looked up.

The roof stretched miles above him, as tall as the bookshelves themselves. And right above his section, the ceiling displayed the category of books housed within.

Maxi grinned wildly. This place is perfect.

He punched the air in joy, silently screaming as he glided across the shelves.

Behind him, Angelina groaned in exasperation. "Young master, come back! Gods damn, it I hate the library!"

Maxi, of course, ignored her.

Angelina sighed, then narrowed her eyes. "Tch. Fine."

A faint illusion of blue, ethereal wolf paws flickered into existence over her hands and feet.

Then, she ran.

First on two legs. Then, she dropped to all fours.

With a powerful leap, she landed on the bookshelf itself, sprinting across it with supernatural agility.

"YOUNG MASTER, WHEN I CATCH YOU, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" she shouted.

Maxi only laughed, pushing off the ladder even faster.

The grand library echoed with the sounds of their chase, the scent of books and cinnamon filling the air as the young master and his ever-exasperated maid disappeared into the endless world of knowledge.