Chapter 77
As I pushed open the library's heavy door, the soft glow of fluorescent lights enveloped me, casting a warm ambiance over the rows of shelves that stretched towards the ceiling like sentinels. The air was thick with the musty scent of old books and the faint hum of studious concentration. Students sat hunched over their texts, their faces illuminated only by the soft light of their desk lamps, their eyes scanning the pages with an intensity that bordered on reverence.
I wove my way through the narrow aisles, as I made my way towards the librarian's desk. The woman behind the desk looked up as I approached, her eyes peeking out from behind a pair of wire-rimmed glasses perched on the end of her nose. Her smile was warm and inviting.
"Good morning," I said, my voice barely above a whisper, as if I was afraid to shatter the peaceful atmosphere that filled the room.
As I stood before the librarian's desk, her eyes sparkled with a warm familiarity, like a soft glow illuminating the quiet library. "You're Sarah, right?" she asked, her voice a gentle harmony that filled the space between us.
I nodded, a flutter of surprise dancing in my chest. "Yes, that's right. You still remember my name?" The question slipped out, laced with a touch of wonder and a hint of curiosity.
The librarian's smile was a soft, reassuring curve of her lips, like a sunrise breaking over the horizon. "Don't worry, I have your details. You can pick up the books you want." Her words were a gentle permission, a key to unlocking the treasure trove of stories that lay before me.
I turned to make my way to the shelves, but a thought occurred to me, and I turned back to her. "Ma'am, please... I feel like all the fascinating novels are always nestled in the most inaccessible places. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were a bit more... within reach?" My voice was a whispered entreaty, a request born of a deep passion for discovery.
The librarian's chuckle was a low, throaty sound, like the purring of a contented cat. "Well, there are some hidden gems down on the lower shelves too," she said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
I shook my head, a wry smile twisting my lips. "I think the ones that are just out of reach are often the most captivating." My words were a confession, a testament to my love of stories that soared to great heights and challenged my perspective.
The librarian nodded thoughtfully, her eyes never leaving mine. "I'll definitely take that into consideration." Her words were a promise, a vow to ponder my request and perhaps even act upon it.
I smiled, feeling a sense of satisfaction wash over me like a warm wave. Then, I leaned in, my voice barely above a whisper. "May I inquire about borrowing multiple books at once?" The question was a tentative probe, a test of the library's rules and the librarian's willingness to accommodate my request.
The librarian raised an eyebrow, her expression a mask of curiosity. "I'm afraid not. Why do you ask?" Her words were a gentle challenge, an invitation to explain myself and persuade her to bend the rules.
I launched into an explanation, my words tumbling out in a rush. "It's just that I have a tendency to discover multiple books that resonate with me, and I'm worried that if I don't take them all out now, I might miss out on something incredible." My voice was a persuasive melody, a plea to understand my perspective and grant me the flexibility I sought..
The librarian's eyes twinkled with a hint of indulgence as she leaned forward, her voice taking on a conspiratorial tone. "Alright, because it's you," she said, a small smile playing on her lips. "I know you're a regular here, and I'll let you take three novels. But let me make one thing crystal clear: you have two months to finish them, and if it's not back on the shelves by then, I'll be coming after you. I'm strict about this, not just with you, but with other students. These novels are precious commodities, and I need to ensure they're available for everyone to enjoy."
I met her gaze, my expression sincere and reassuring. "Trust me, I'm not that kind of person," I said, my hands spreading out in a gesture of goodwill. "Why would I want to keep a novel for myself? I'll return it, I promise."
The librarian's expression softened, her eyes searching mine as if seeking confirmation of my words. After a moment, she nodded, a small smile still playing on her lips. "Alright, I trust you. You can pick three novels, but don't test me on this."
------As I drifted along the rows of shelves, my fingers trailing over the spines of the books, I felt a sense of anticipation building within me. The library was a treasure trove of stories, each one waiting to be discovered and devoured. And then, my eyes landed on a novel that seemed to leap off the shelf - "Revenge of the Dragon King". The title was like a whispered promise of adventure and intrigue, and I felt a shiver run down my spine as I pulled it off the shelf.
"Oh my God, this is going to be good," I breathed, my imagination already racing with visions of mythical lands, ancient magic, and epic battles. The cover art seemed to dance with dragons and flames, and I couldn't wait to immerse myself in the world within its pages.
With my first selection clutched tightly in my hand, I continued my search for two more novels to complete my quota. I wandered over to the next section, my eyes scanning the shelves with a sense of purpose. The library was a vast and wondrous place, full of secrets and surprises, and I was determined to uncover them all.
As I stood before the shelves, my gaze swept across the rows of books, and I felt like a kid in a candy store - there were just so many tantalizing options. "I Am the Knight", "The Blood Covenant", "Shadows of the Damned"... each title seemed to whisper its own siren song, beckoning me to pick it up and devour its secrets. I even caught sight of "The Last Oracle", its mysterious aura drawing me in like a magnet. For a moment, I was tempted to grab every single one of them and cart them off to my room, to lose myself in their pages forever.
But alas, I had to be practical. I had to choose just three. And so, after much deliberation, I made my selections. "Revenge of the Dragon King" was a given - its dark, epic fantasy world had already captured my imagination. Next, I picked "Rise of the Vampire Lord", its promise of blood-soaked battles and supernatural intrigue too enticing to resist.
As I stood before the shelf, my gaze was drawn to the third novel that had captured my attention. "Sold to the Third Prince" was emblazoned on the spine in bold, black letters, seeming to pulse with an otherworldly energy. The words whispered secrets to me, drawing me in with an irresistible allure. I felt a shiver run down my spine as I realized this was the one I had to have. "Oh my God," I whispered, my eyes locked on the title, my breath barely audible.
I had told the librarian that the most captivating books were the ones tucked away on the highest shelves, as if waiting for someone with a sense of adventure to come along and claim them. And now, here I was, stretching out my hand to claim this one. My fingers strained to reach the novel, my fingertips brushing against the shelf as I leaned in, my heart pounding with anticipation.
As I stretched up on my tiptoes, my fingers straining to reach the book, a hand suddenly materialized out of nowhere, and the book was plucked from the shelf.
I whirled around, my heart racing with a mix of frustration and determination. I was ready to battle for the book - I coveted it that intensely.
But as I turned, my gaze collided with the amused eyes of hyun min. He held the book tantalizingly out of my reach, a hint of a smile playing on his lips.
"Why do you always strain to reach for things just beyond your grasp?" he asked, his voice low and teasing.
I felt a flush rise to my cheeks as indignation surged through me, but before I could articulate a response, he added, "I've noticed you before - you seem to have a penchant for books that are just out of reach. They are the most captivating ones, aren't they?"
His words left me momentarily speechless.
He flipped through the pages, his eyes scanning the text with an air of quiet curiosity. Then, he looked up at me, his gaze piercing.
"What draws you to this book?" he asked, his tone genuine.
I hesitated, feeling a twinge of defensiveness. "The title," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper.
He raised an eyebrow, his expression skeptical. "Captivating titles don't always translate to captivating content," he said, his voice laced with doubt.
I snatched the book from his grasp, a spark of determination igniting within me. "We'll see about that," I said, my voice firm. "If it's not what I'm looking for, I'll return it and find another. Simple as that."