abnabooks Chapter 99 Important People
Chapter 99 Important People
Chapter 99 Important People
Aaron stood by the mirror, gazing at the portrait.
He does this subconsciously whenever he feels lonely.
Now, the two little Bookers have been gone for more than a month.
Suddenly, he heard footsteps.
Turning his head, he saw Lola walking out of the stairwell.
The two looked at each other for a moment, neither of them speaking, but simply nodding to each other.
Then, Lola walked over to Aaron and stood with him in front of Brianna's portrait.
Lola's return means that Annie has arrived at school safely.
And the fact that she didn't come in through the door further illustrates:
"It worked?"
"Yes," Lola nodded.
Is it difficult?
"Um."
"How does it feel?"
Laura paused for a moment before answering:
"Tranquility, joy, and a captivating allure."
Upon hearing the word "decline," Aaron couldn't help but feel wary and warned:
"Don't get lost. The stronger the power, the easier it is to bewitch and corrupt the user's mind."
"Yes," Laura nodded calmly.
"I'm being very serious," Aaron said, staring intently at Laura.
But Lola simply nodded slightly.
"Um."
Seemingly sensing Aaron's worry, Laura turned to look at him, sighed, and explained:
"I was very serious. Using that power, especially when I personally experienced the Radiant Realm, made me feel as if I had arrived in an exceptionally beautiful and pure world—but—"
"but?"
"But there are things in this world that attract me more, so I won't get lost."
Hearing this, Aaron finally felt relieved.
At the same time, I can't help but make a joking remark:
"You speak the Kingdom Language quite fluently, don't you?"
Laura glanced at Aaron but said nothing, then turned forward and looked directly at the portrait.
Aaron raised an eyebrow, said nothing more, and continued to admire the painting with a smile.
The two stood there quietly for an unknown amount of time without exchanging a single word.
If others saw this, they would definitely think that the two had a tense relationship and had nothing to say to each other.
But in reality, the two of them had long been used to this kind of atmosphere between them, and felt quite comfortable with it.
Lola suddenly spoke up: "Annie—"
"Hmm?" Aaron turned to face Laura.
She said this was the enemy.
As Lola spoke, she stared intently at Brianna in the portrait.
Upon hearing this, Aaron immediately recalled what Anne had said to Lola earlier, and frowned:
"Lola, I told you, don't believe or accept everything Anne says."
"Hmm," Lola responded, "Why did Annie say that?"
"How would I know?"
After that, the two remained silent for a long time.
"Jealousy," a word suddenly escaped Laura's throat.
"What?"
"Anne gets jealous sometimes."
"That's normal, Lola. Everyone's the same. You should accept your emotions, but never let them control you."
"Um,"
Lola nodded, then asked,
"who is she?"
Aaron knew that the "she" Laura was referring to was undoubtedly the subject of the portrait.
Faced with this question, Aaron thought for a long time before answering:
"A very important person."
"important?"
"Yes, it's important. Her appearance brought a change to my monotonous life. But you might not believe it, but I've spent even less time with her than with you."
"So, am I more important to you than her?"
Huh? A life-or-death question?
But Aaron felt that Laura was just asking a simple question and probably didn't mean anything by it.
Therefore, he felt he could answer truthfully:
"She's more important. Of course, Lola, you're still someone I cherish, but she—has brought about many changes in me."
"Is change important?"
"I think 'special' is a more accurate description than 'important.' What's unforgettable is always special."
Then, the two remained silent for a long time, until Lola suddenly asked:
"So, is Anne more important, or is she more important?"
This question stumped Aaron.
Brianna was important, but Anne and Aaron had spent more than a decade together.
Aaron watched Anne grow up little by little.
This process brought Aaron so much joy and anticipation.
Anne always responded to Aaron's efforts with great emotion.
Aaron thought for a long time before finally answering:
"Anne holds an irreplaceable place in my heart. If I had to make a comparison, I might say Anne is more important. But that's based on my understanding of everything about Anne, and I still wouldn't dare say I understand this lady that well."
"Don't you understand?"
"Hmm, I don't know," Aaron nodded.
Lola didn't dwell on the question; after a long while, she asked again:
"What's her name?"
"Her name is—"
"Is anyone there?"
A sudden shout interrupted their conversation.
Aaron turned around and saw a man standing at the library entrance.
Seeing the various packages hanging on his body, Aaron immediately realized that this man was a messenger.
Aaron stepped forward and bowed politely, saying:
"Sir, is there anything I can help you with?"
"Are you the owner of this library?"
"Yes."
"Your letter."
After Aaron signed for the package, the messenger left immediately.
Take out the letter opener, cut open the envelope, take out the letter inside, and quickly read it.
Then, he called out with a smile:
"Lola!"
"Hmm?" Lola walked over.
"You've come back just in time; this is a letter for you!"
Aaron handed the letter to Laura.
This letter came from the general school, and it simply stated that Lola had passed the test and received a recommendation.
Aaron had long anticipated this outcome; he knew very well just how intelligent and talented the two girls he had mentored were.
If it were people from comprehensive schools who didn't recommend them or discover their talents, it can only be said that those mediocre people are blind to talent.
After reading the letter, Laura looked up at Aaron, her voice filled with confusion:
Aaron, do you think I should accept the recommendation?
"What do you think?" (October)
Lola stared at Aaron's face for a long time, then muttered something to herself:
"Annie was absolutely right—"
"What?"
Laura shook her head: "Aaron, I don't know."
Upon hearing this, Aaron understood that Lola was a green-eyed person, and the logic of life in this world was completely different from that of her homeland.
Therefore, it's perfectly normal for Laura to be confused.
At times like this, Lola definitely needs someone to comfort her.
"Well, let me rephrase the question: Is there anything you'd like to do?"
Lola shook her head again.
"Do you want to stay in the library?"
Lola thought for a moment: "I don't dislike it."
A neutral attitude? — Aaron couldn't help but ponder.
After a long pause, Aaron replied:
"Then why don't you give it a try?"
Lola tilted her head: "What's the reason?"
"You don't have your own goals, Lola, but you've lived here for four years, which means the library can't give you any new goals. Maybe you should go out and see more of the world, or experience new things. Maybe that will help you understand what you want."
Lola nodded slightly, then took out the letter of recommendation and examined it carefully for a while:
"But, Aaron, this seems to recommend that I learn witchcraft."
"That's right."
"But didn't you say that what you taught me was magic?"
"Everyone may not have only one talent," Aaron said with a smile. "It's also possible that the book 'The Knot of the Mist' has already exhausted your talent in magic."
"Hmm, but the universities you recommend don't seem to be on this continent—"
"Yes, if you want to learn witchcraft, there is naturally no better place than the frozen continent."
"Would you like to take a boat?"
"You hate traveling by boat?"
"The ship changed my life," Laura said.
Upon hearing this, Aaron suddenly became curious about what kind of attitude Laura harbored towards Henry.
However, if Laura herself didn't bring it up, Aaron wouldn't ask any further questions.
"Traveling by boat is unavoidable, but you can first take a carriage to the northwest of the kingdom. From there, take a boat across the Weeping Gorge; it should only take five or six days on the boat."
"Yes," Lola nodded.
She didn't ask any other questions after that, and Aaron made plans for Laura.
Lola booked a carriage for ten days later, after which she would travel to the frozen continent to study witchcraft.
During these ten days, Aaron also tried his best to help Laura solidify the contents of "The Knot of the Clouds".
"The Knot of the Clouds" doesn't have any particularly difficult points, but it's also not easy to master.
In particular, to fully understand the book, in addition to comprehending the meaning between the lines, diligent practice and application are also essential.
As her mastery of the spell increases, Lola can also construct more complex spell arrays and utilize the "Misty Realm" tool more freely.
In short, this extraordinary power severely tests the user's skill level, and the difference between the upper and lower limits can be as vast as heaven and earth.
Furthermore, since spatial forces lack unified protection, the more advanced the operation, the more dangerous it is.
So Aaron has been emphasizing this matter to Lola these days.
Laura also told Aaron something: Anne seemed to have secretly taken two forbidden books from the library.
In Aaron's memory, Anne was indeed lively, but by no means mischievous.
He believed that Anne would never do such a thing without a reason.
Therefore, Aaron was somewhat concerned about why Anne wanted to take those two books.
Anne showed an affinity for books from a young age, perhaps this is related?
As for which two books Anne took, Aaron could easily find out after Lola left by checking them briefly.
However, Aaron was not worried that the library would lose those two books; this was not the first time books had been stolen.
If Aaron hadn't lent the books out, they would all have tended to return to the library.
It may take a long time, but they will surely return to Aaron's hands.
Aaron's only worry and headache was that if the compatible users of those two books happened to come to the library during this time.
Soon, the day arrived when Lola left.
"Aaron, I'm leaving," Laura said briefly.
Aaron nodded and reminded Laura not to slack off on her study and practice of "The Knot of the Clouds," no matter what new things she learned.
After Laura agreed, Aaron said again:
"Once you've completely mastered that book, you must return it to the library!"
"Yes," Lorak said.
She stood there, thought for a moment, and then said:
"Aaron, we're all gone. You must be lonely, right?"
"Why do you say that?"
"The day I came back, you were standing in front of the mirror, looking at that painting. I think you must have felt lonely."
Aaron scratched his head: "I am a little lonely."
"I'll come back to see you often," Laura promised.
"Ha," Aaron laughed, "she can do it."
"Okay," Aaron nodded. "Then, be careful on the road, Laura."
The two waved goodbye, and Lola walked to the other end of the corner.
As Lola's figure gradually disappeared, Aaron closed the library door.
He came to Brianna's portrait again and gazed at the figure in the painting.
Does my face look lonely?
Aaron felt he should look in the mirror, but he didn't move.
Recalling his conversation with Lola that day, a look of melancholy appeared on Aaron's face.
If he could understand Brianna a little better, then in Aaron's heart, who would be more important, her or Anne?
Miss... Aaron thought, I really don't know you very well.
But now that you've been gone for over twenty years, isn't it a bit too late to find out?