I was in an expansive grass field.
A figure sat opposite me. A figure that looked just like me. A tired boy with long blonde hair and weary blue eyes.
He sat in a wooden chair and rocked.
"Nice to see a familiar face." He spoke softly as he stared up into the infinite blue expanse.
I walked over and sat beside him. "Yeah. Hey, you mind doing me a favor and just unlocking this seal for me?"
My clone chuckled softly as he continued to rock. "If only life were so easy, we wouldn't look like we're twelve going on thirty."
I huffed with a faint smirk. "Ain't that the truth?"
The two of us sat in a comfortable silence for a long time after that. We watched as gentle winds danced with the crisp green grass.
The clouds passed overhead and brought shade against a sun that didn't shine too bright. But it wasn't dim either.
Everything was just right.
Strangely enough, even though I came here to open the seal of life I really didn't feel the urgency anymore.
I just enjoyed the peace and eventually I fell asleep.
— — —
In the morning I awoke to the first bell.
Bong-Bong. Bong-Bong. Bong-Bong.
I rose with some drool on my chin and a little crust in my eyes.
A long yawn escaped me as I stretched my arms and looked around. Lance wasn't anywhere to be found.
But there was another note on his bed.
I got up and examined the note.
— — —
I'm in the city again, sorry buddy. But on the bright side, you're already handling yourself quite well so I have faith in you. Oh, and I forgot to mention, avoid the central elevator.
There's a girl on it who I think hit her head really hard.
— — —
I tossed the note aside.
"Useless."
I entered the bathroom and ran some sink water to clean my face. As I did so, I thought back to the seal of life.
Opening it might actually be harder than opening the seal of self. Mostly because it was so peaceful.
No Lilith, no crazy bitch on the lift, no stupid schedule, no Melissa…
Ugh.
I turned off the sink and dried my hands as I turned to the tub. I blinked. "Wait, did I just wash my face before I took my bath?"
God damnit.
— — —
Today was less eventful than yesterday.
Mostly because after lunch I was left to my own devices. That and well, Reinhardt kept his distance today.
Which I appreciated.
I aimlessly wandered the halls until I came across the library. It encompassed the entirety of the seventh and eighth floors.
Oak bookshelves stretched between both floors, with spiraling staircases containing them. In the center of it all was a circular desk with one member of staff.
He looked to be one of the older students.
Tables dotted the room with large glass windows that lined the walls. There were a few older students who flipped through books with bored expressions.
I headed to the front desk where the staff member had his feet kicked up on the desk.
"Hey."
He peeked one eye open.
"Hey."
"Got any recommendations?"
The student dropped his feet and sighed. "What are you looking for? Math? History? Philosophy? Our Theory?"
I shrugged. "I don't know, whatever I guess."
He nodded and picked up a book from the return section near his seat. "Here."
The book was red and thick. I took it carefully and examined it. "What is it about?"
"Uhm, I think it's about childbirth or something. Some idiot got a chick in the city pregnant. On the bright side, at least he's trying to be there for his new family."
I blinked.
That was way too much information.
Still, I took the book. I mean it's not like I'll ever need it, right?
"Thanks, I guess."
With the book in hand, I found a spot near a window. The seats were plush and comfortable.
I sat back and cracked open the book.
— — —
The light of life is something that cannot be appreciated without first understanding the darkness of reality.
Because it's only in the deepest depths of winter that we appreciate the shine of the sun.
Listen closely now, as I try to expand your understanding to reach true enlightenment.
To begin, let us first identify basic human needs. In this list, we'll include water, food, and shelter.
These are the three things necessary for survival.
Not to thrive, but survive. The distinction is important.
Because survivors are plentiful, but there are only a few that thrive. And it is not the kings, the queens, or even the nobility.
It's those who understand themselves.
— — —
Hold up.
I sat forward and narrowed my eyes.
— — —
But I digress.
Currently, you are a survivor.
You've had your highs and you've had your lows. For example, one day you could find a gold coin. The next day you could lose it.
Just like you consume food and water, you later excrete waste. These moments come and go. It's all a part of the survivor's cycle.
The lack of permanence.
Some find comfort in that, and to those I say congratulations. But if you take a moment to step away from the cycle, to really understand it you begin to ask yourself a question.
Why?
And this, this question is the key to everything.
The more you ask it, the more you understand.
And the more you understand yourself and this world, the better you become as a person.
Most importantly, it's what separates the survivors from those who thrive.
Yes, even your local lord is a survivor.
Because he never asks himself why.
He only consumes and defecates. He wants the victory, he wants the title, the women, the feasts.
But he never asks himself why he wants those things.
And because he does not know, he will never find satisfaction. He will continue to chase and conquer until death, never understanding why.
I beg of you.
Do not become that man.
Start today, start tomorrow, start forever by asking yourself why.
It is a difficult road to walk and it is not for everyone. But throughout this book, I will continue to ask the question for you.
Until you can look yourself in the eye and understand your purpose on this rock.
— — —
I closed the book and flipped it over.
The Key to Life, that was the title in little golden letters. Easy to see why it was mistaken for a birthing guide.
And also easy to see why it was returned.
I opened the book once more and read through it a little more.
Each page seemed to draw me further in, until the sky went from blue to gold. I didn't quite understand this book. But at the same time, it made sense.
Ask myself why.
On the surface it was simple, but after the first one, things quickly started to fall apart. The first 'why' I asked, why I was here, led to a simple answer.
To get away from Lilith.
But why did I want to get away from Lilith? Because I couldn't beat her. So I ran.
Why can't I beat her? It's the difference in our skill levels. She's stronger than me in every physical metric.
I knew this. So why was I trying to beat her in a head-on fight? I need to find a way to beat her without fighting her.
That's my answer. It's not just to train my ass off, it's to reach a point where my strength lies within other means.
Who did I know… Zenith! I could get in contact with Zenith and work with her to outmaneuver Lilith.
Once that's done, I can work towards building a power base separate from the Dumica branch of the Tide family.
And to do that, I need to stand out at the academy.
I need to be the best. Not to satisfy my ego, but to put myself in a position where I can succeed. That's why I want this, to secure my independence for both myself and Jashen.
I placed my fist over my lips.
This was it.
Footsteps. "Hey, are you done with that?" An older, and very pregnant student gestured a finger at the book.
I looked down at it, then back up at her. I knew this book wouldn't have what she was looking for.
But it would take too much energy to explain what this book was actually about.
I wordlessly handed it to her.
She took it and walked back towards a guy who shook like he had a bad cold. Poor bastard, chased ass and now he's got another mouth to feed.
Still, him aside, I got work to do.
I stood up and exited the library with a pep in my step. I needed some paper and a pen.
But first.
"Hey." I stopped a student in the hall. "What's the academy policy on outside guests?"
The student tilted his head.
"You can't really bring people here. But you can buy a place out in the city and do whatever you need there. Just make sure you don't miss class because of it."
I nodded and jogged off.
"Thanks."
"No problem."