"You know, if you use your siuni excessively, it will drain your energy. And if you keep using it all the time, it could even kill you. Arsh... didn't you know that?"
"I had no idea," Arsh said.
Until that day, he had always felt exhausted whenever he used his siuni. Sometimes, just for fun, he would use it for a long time to find random things or to understand its limits. But he probably hadn't used it excessively until now, as he hadn't felt that drained. At least he finally understood why he always felt so tired.
"Didn't Juan or the others in your team mention this to you?"
"No, no one said anything about that. And I was wondering why I was tired all the time."
"Okay then, let me explain. Some people can't use their siuni for a long time. Walter, for example. He is worthy, but not powerful enough to use his siuni constantly. He needs to practice, but he is just lazying around."
"So, can I use my siuni for longer periods with practice?"
"From what we understand, yes. For example, Professor Reiner has been practicing his healing ability for many years. He managed to treat major illnesses that require more power while consuming less of his own energy. Actually, you can think of it like a pool. If the pool is small, taking water from it reduces the water level. But imagine the pool getting bigger and bigger. Even if you take the same amount of water, it doesn't really change much."
"So, I can increase my energy capacity with practice?"
"Exactly... That's what we think."
Arsh asked a few more questions about siunis after that, but most of them went unanswered. Mes also had limited knowledge.
They started looking through the books and reading some old texts together.
While they were there, the Professor also came to the library to study.
"How is your new student, Mes?" when he saw them he asked.
"He's pretty impressive. Bera says he's in good physical shape, and he's already well self-educated. I believe he's stronger academically than Walter… But then again, everyone is better than Walter."
"Haha, don't let him hear you!"
After listening to Mes talk about Arsh's abilities, a pleased expression appeared on Professor Reiner's face.
"I guess Juan really sent me a treasure. We won't have to spend too much energy on your training. You are ready to go. We don't have enough men right now, so get ready in a week. I will give you a task, and Mes and the others will accompany you."
"Are you sending me, too?" Mes asked in surprise.
"Yes, I will find a task that you can handle. If the situation becomes difficult, you will stop. You always wanted to be part of something like this, so… let's give it a try."
Mes was extremely happy. On the other hand, Arsh was curious.
…
A week passed like that. He spent his days studying with Mes and training with Bera.
He described his own siuni to Mes. Apparently, they had designed a system using specific titles to classify and record their siuni. Professor Reiner was a Healer, Herman a Puppeteer, Juan a Shadow, Flora a Five-Sense, Bera a Reader, and Walter a Phantom. Even though he hadn't learned the full details of Bera's and Walter's abilities yet, he had a fairly clear understanding of the others. As a result, his own siuni was named as a Guide.
As he had promised, he gave Professor Reiner Will's notebook. Aside from a few siuni —other than his own—and several pages of personal notes, there was nothing else in it. The professor said he would investigate the siunis and look into the connections of the organization Will had mentioned.
During this time, Arsh also got to know the others in the house a little better.
Mes was a talkative person. But not the kind who gives you a headache or wears you down. It was pleasant to talk to him. He was curious and knowledgeable, and in just a few days, Arsh learned many things and found countless books he could read thanks to him. He was delicate and good-looking in a fragile way. Yet, almost unconsciously, Arsh couldn't help but see him as a younger brother. He thought the reason for this was Mes's frail body and his bright, shining eyes.
Bera, on the other hand, was calm… as calm as a desert. He was tall and had a slender yet muscular build. Sometimes, when Arsh caught a glimpse of his gray eyes shining beneath his black hair, he felt a shiver run down his spine. Bera didn't speak much in general, but when he returned from missions, he would usually sit with them and quietly listen to their conversations.
At first, Arsh found him strange, but seeing how naturally Mes talked to him, he gradually grew used to Bera's presence as well. He was also a good teacher. Every day, they trained for a couple of hours. It was tiring, but Arsh could feel that he was improving under Bera's guidance.
Professor Reiner was a nice person. Most of the time, he tried to act like a relaxed and cool person. But he wasn't at all. He was messy, both in his thoughts and his surroundings. Mes was always by his side, trying to fix things for him. Except for the days he went to the university to lecture, he spent his time either in the greenhouse or in his study room at the library. According to what Mes had told him, the Professor's father had once been a senator. But they hadn't been on good terms. Still, after his father's death, the professor had inherited all his wealth and used it to build this sanctuary for them, as well as facilities like an orphanage and a health center.
Herman was married and worked at the police station, so Arsh only saw him one more time after he arrived. Although he appeared stern toward others, he actually had a fatherly demeanor. The only thing that distinguished this clean-shaven man with brown hair and brown eyes from the crowds rushing to work through the streets of Tirsit each morning was his fit physique.
Since everyone addressed him as Herman, Arsh also called him that at first. But then Mes told him about Herman's real name. Apparently, his real name was Clarence Herman. However, because Juan used to tease him a lot about his name in his youth, he had asked those around him to call him Herman instead, and the name had stuck ever since.
Arsh didn't have the chance to meet the other person, Walter. But he had an idea about him based on what he had heard from others. He was lazy, not too smart, and cunning. The way he ended up with a siuni was a total coincidence. His father was a friend of the Professor; they used to work together. After he heard his father talk about siunis, he sneaked into his study and tried one of them he found in the notes. He was just lucky. He didn't die and ended up with a pretty good siuni.
When his first week there was over, while they were all having dinner together, the professor said that a task had come up in which Mes and Arsh could help.
"After dinner, Herman will join us to explain the details. Wait in the library."
"Hm… you're here. Let's start. Mes, you're quite familiar with the Tirsit Public Library, aren't you?"
"I haven't been there for the past two weeks. Why?"
"That's good. It's believed that some paranormal incidents have been occurring in the Old City Library. Several people have gone missing after entering it—as if they vanished into thin air, without a trace. A night guard, a cleaner, a librarian, and most recently, a student. Our assumption is that they disappeared the moment they were left alone. Their coworkers never saw them again. As for the student, a few classmates said that after they left, he stayed behind to continue studying alone. They were the last ones to see him," Herman said.
"Be careful about this. Mes, never stay alone. I'm sending you there to conduct research. And you too, Arsh—don't try to act on your own."
"I will be careful," Mes said.
"According to Herman's research, the disappearances began after an exhibition in the library's main hall. However, inspections suggest that there's nothing wrong with the objects on display. Arsh, I'm counting on you for this. We have photographs of the missing individuals. I want you to try your siuni."
With that, Herman took a few documents from the pile in front of him and handed them to Arsh. The documents, which contained information about the missing people, had their photographs attached.
"Alright. I'll try," Arsh said. He focused on the photograph attached to the top document. It belonged to a library staff member. After studying the man's face for a moment, Arsh closed his eyes and concentrated.
Just then, the library door on the upper floor opened. Bera leaned over the railing and called down
"I brought him. He's waiting in the hall."
At that, the professor quickly went upstairs. Herman and Mes followed him, and Arsh went after them as well.
Arsh had no idea who Bera had brought.