Chapter 4:

Under my care, the jasmine bud grows bigger by the day. I am happy but also nevous.

According to my expertise, the jasmine will bloom in less than a week. I don’t have much time.

I’ve also learned that, other than reading and checking on the jasmine, the Foreseer stays at a location hidden behind an ordinary door in the basement.

What does he do in there? Is the Creatio Protocore’s location perhaps...

When the Foreseer disappears behind that door again, I pretend to lose my way and follow after him. What greets me is unbelievable, a sight to behold.

Behind that door is a library, the ceiling nowhere to be found. Bookshelves stretch as far as the eye can see.

MC: “Does the Foreseer obtain his books from here? How can be find anything in this place? I don’t even know where he is...”

My mumbles activate some sort of switch. Ice materializes beneath my feet and carries me into the air.

MC: “?!”

MC: “...The mystery of how he acquires his books has been solved.”

I feel as if I am lost in a sea of books, for shelf after shelf is filled to the brim with them.

The ice stops in front of a bookshelf. I’m a good distance off the ground.

MC: “He’s not here...”

The ice doesn’t move.

I carefully grab the book right in front of me. Its title is Philos: Floral Inquiry.

I open the book and see the pages about jasmines have been read the most.

MC: “Jasmines again... Why is this flower important to him? Is it just because he wants the one atop the Tower to bloom?”

Reading the notes, I try to piece together an answer. When I turn to the title page, there is a single word on it: Zayne.

MC: “Zayne? Who is this Zayne?”

Foreseer: “He is the peson you seek.”

MC: “?!”

——————————

I turn around. On a platform of ice, the Foreseer stands behind me. His steadfast gaze sends a chill down my spine.

MC: “I had no intention of intruding, Foreseer. The ice kidnapped me—“

Foreseer: “Are you claiming the frost coerced you?”

I take a step back, forgetting I stand on a sheet of ice. My foot touches nothing.

MC: “H-help!!!”

In a moment, I go from descending to being caught in the air.

Foreseer: “Expressing your regret does not require theatrics.”

MC: “...Are you mocking me? I find that hard to believe.”

His eyes, their depths seemingly immeasurable, are close to my face.

The Foreseer carries me to the ground. I come to senses and lower my head.

MC: “...You can let go.”

MC: “It was good that you were present... It must be dangerous to acquire your books like this.”

Foreseer: “Likewise, ‘tis dangerous to push one’s duty onto others.”

MC: “Others...?”

An ice cluster appears in front of me and slowly spins.

MC: “The ice at my feet... Is this its original form? Are you its creator?”

Foreseer: “Twas not the work of magic but a phantasm.”

The Foreseer taps the ice cluster.

Foreseer: “Carrying her to the higher shelves without a reason was your doing. Am I wrong?”

It unfurls and blooms like jasmine, ice particles rippling around us.

MC: “...Does it understand our language?”

Foreseer: “We are like-minded in our distaste for lies.”

MC: “...”

Though part of me is still in disbelief, the Foreseer’s spells and this library’s very existence are starting to convince me that what I’ve experienced is real.

MC: “My apologies, I snuck in because I... wanted to know what you did here.”

MC: “The ice heard me talking to myself, so it flew me up there.”

The phantasmal jasmine runs circles around me before leaping into my hand.

Foreseer: “...Your forgiveness is boundless, for better or worse.”

MC: “It... accepts my apology?”

Ice gathers under me again, and it lifts me into the air. I stumble. I’m about to fall again.

Yet another piece of ice appears beneath my foot, steadying me.

Curious, I take another step. Regardless of the direction I take, ice forms beneath me.

I walk around, excitement in every step. ‘Tis like having a platform at my command.

MC: “Incredible! It knows what I’m about to do.”

Foreseer: “The individual subconscious is also a form of energy. It can sense even rhe smallest of changes.”

MC: “May I name it Jas? It was reminiscent of jasmine when it unfurled.”

Foreseer: “You and the phantasm should decide. I am but a witness.”

I stop before the Foreseer. With my icy platform, I can look him straight in the eye.

MC: “Then may I... call you Zayne?”

With a piercing gaze, he stares at me.

MC: “A... name defines a person. ‘Tis important, I would think.”

I am unable to read his expression.

Zayne: “Do what you must.”

——————————

MC: “Zayne... Zayne...”

I stand in front of the mirror, mumbling Zayne’s name under my breath. All mu mind can focus on is him in the library, watching me scurry about.

MC: “I encroached on his territory by sneaking into the library. Why didn’t he lash out?”

MC: “Does he trust me now?”

The icy marks on my chest are reflected in the mirror, tendrils spreading and twisting, approaching my collarbone.

My time is nearing its end.

At this time, an idea presents itself.

Since Jas took me to the Foreseer in the library, could I also use it to obtain the Creatio Protocore?

MC: “Jas... Are you here?”

I call out to it. The sound if swirling ice reverberates in the air.

The cluster of ice manifests and makes an arc in the air to greet me.

MC: “You’re here...”

MC: “Jas, I... I have a request... Could you take me to the Foreseer’s scepter?”

The phantasm stops moving.

By Astra’s eyes... Does Jas know of my true purpose?

MC: “I wish to—“

Before I can fully explain myself, Jas expands and lunges at me.

MC: “?!”

...Am I destined to perish in the cold?

——————————

Before I could utter a scream, I realize the crystals phased through my body. There is only darkness.

The faint sound of running water catches my attention. Where am I?

A distance away, I can make out an indigo spark.

MC: (That... surely must be the Creatio Protocore?)

MC: (Thank you, Jas!)

As the light is within my reach, I take note of my surroundings.

MC: “...?!”

Steam escapes behind a dark-colored curtain.

Moonlight shines through the window, landing on Zayne’s shoulders and revealing the drops of water running along his back.

MC: (Why was I brought to the Foreseer’s bedchamber?!)

MC: (I must take my leave before he notices...)

I hold my breath and take one step back...

MC: “...!”

Zayne turns around, and our gazes meet.

——————————

Zayne: “...?”

MC: “I’m sorry for disturbing you! But I swear on my name that Jas brought me here...”

Maybe the turmoil in my mind is playing tricks, but Zayne is unperturbed.

With the slight curl of his finger, the steam around us turns into a white cloth that hangs around his waist.

And his another wave of his hand, an unseen force pulls me in his direction. I stand before him.

Zayne: “What brings you here?”

His hair, his face, his chest—all wet from the water—I am unable to avert my gaze, an I feel a rising heat on my face.

But what is more astounding is the number of scars etched on Zayne’s body.

MC: “I thought the jasmine was about to bloom... I was unaware you were bathing!”

Having coughed up a pitiful excuse, I close my eyes.

I sense the invisible force is gone. I open my eyes, and Zayne is putting on his robes.

Zayne: “One one could have predicted Jas to be unwavering in its loyalty to you.”

Zayne: “However, I expected as much. It knows only of us and thus considers you a friend.”

MC: “Are you going to punish Jas? It only indulged in my whimsy...”

Zayne: “Should I punish you in its stead?”

Zayne’s unwavering gaze meets my eyes.

MC: “If the jasmine meets something terrible as I sit in an icy prison for three days and three nights...”

Zayne: “Worry not, punishment awaits.”

MC: “What do you mean? Are you going to kill me after the jasmine blooms?”

Zayne: “...Is a horrible death the only consequence you can think of?”

Zayne: “I have no interest in taking the life of another.”

MC: “Is it for this reason you will let me leave?”

Zayne: “You should decide that for yourself.”

With a wave of Zayne’s hand, I am pushed out of his bedchamber by an unseen force.