Kale stood in the centre of the Association's grand library... his green eyes reflecting the faint... magical glow of floating luminescent scripts. True to his nature as a researcher... he began to move through the towering aisles with a quiet... intense focus.

The vast hall was filled with the distinct... dry scent of ancient paper. He kept flipping through the heavy books... his hands moving with a fluid and practised ease that drew irritated glances from other scholars.

He was scanning through every single section of the high-level archives he was now allowed to touch. His fingertips glided over the ancient text... absorbing formulas... diagrams... and records with an insatiable scientific greed.

Due to his increased capacity and strength... there was a sky-and-earth-level difference compared to before. He was now a Greater Master Tamer... and his Hexarion physiology could handle the immense cognitive loads.

No matter how complex the quantity of knowledge he devoured... Kale did not feel any mental pressure. His brain processed the complicated strings of data instantly... sorting the variables into neat categories within his mind space.

He spent about half a day in this study... his fingers creating a soft... rhythmic rustle of papers. By the time the noon light shifted... he had gathered more than enough information to satisfy his goals.

But Kale was not satisfied with standard Artificer formulas. He was deeply interested in learning more about a different subject... specifically, the deeper mechanisms of the cursed ones in the world and the Dragon Church.

As a recognised Master-rank individual... he believed he could access some restricted data on these sensitive topics. He closed his final textbook and walked toward the central desk to confront the duty librarian.

The glass-eyed librarian listened to his query with a flat expression. "We do not store such records here..." the old man noted... his voice carrying a raspy, clinical detachment.

"The details regarding the Church's authority and the cursed marks are monitored..." the librarian added... squinting slightly. "If you seek such dangerous knowledge... you must visit the Capital's Central Library."

Kale gave a silent... respectful nod to the old man and immediately turned to leave. He walked out of the Association's main gates... the dry... warm air of the southern sector hitting his face.

After several minutes of walking... his boots clicking against the smooth... paved roads... he finally reached the grand gate of the Capital's Central Library. The massive stone structure rose into the blue sky.

But as he drew closer... his eyes locked onto the two bored guards standing like statues at the primary entrance. The sight of their polished armour and arrogant postures refreshed his memory of his first arrival.

These were the same two guards who had given him a pretty hard time when he was poor. Back then... they had extorted his savings... forcing him to pay extra silver coins to pass.

The memory of their smug faces and mocking laughter burned in his mind... a cold spark of vengeful anger tightening his jaw. Kale wanted his revenge... to show these petty gatekeepers the true weight of their past actions.

But there was a significant issue before he acted. The Capital's Central Library was under the direct jurisdiction of the imperial family... and causing an open scene here was not a wise idea for his future.

If he attacked them without cause... the imperial guards would detain him... disrupting his research. But then... a dark... calculating grin slowly spread across his face as a perfect solution appeared.

He could easily put some nonsense blame on the guards and beat them up brutally. There were undoubtedly some followers of both the prince and the princess who would carry word of his actions back.

Considering how both Prince Renard and Princess Aria valued his talents... he was positively sure they would not let any harm befall him. Even if the worst happened... their shields would protect him from retribution.

So Kale did exactly that... his eyes shimmering with amusement. He retrieved his old Apprentice Artificer robe and slipped it over his clothes... as a perfect disguise.

The two bored guards watched his approach... their eyes landing on the silver emblem of the Apprentice robe. Seeing the Association's symbol... they immediately straightened their posture respectfully.

They did not recognise the tall, broad-shouldered young man. To them... he was merely another young scholar, his long green hair and striking green eyes disguised beneath his low hood.

Kale walked straight past them into the quiet interior... his boots making no sound on the marble floor. He navigated the primary hall... selecting a massive stone table near the wide windows.

Once inside... he called for the two guards with an authoritative... calm voice. "You two... come over here immediately..." he commanded... his green eyes locking onto their startled faces.

The guards hesitated... but they could not easily ignore an Artificer's request. They walked over to his table... their heavy armour clattering in the quiet room as they stood before him.

Kale looked at them expressionlessly and ordered them to bring several thick... heavy historical volumes. The guards complied begrudgingly... carrying the dusty books to his table in minutes.

But just as the two guards turned to leave... Kale's voice cut through the silence. "Stay standing right there..." he ordered... his tone flat and carrying an unquestionable weight.

The guards froze... their expressions turning hostile as they realised the young Apprentice was trying to treat them like personal servants. Technically... they were not obligated to perform such tasks.

"We are gatekeepers... not your personal maids..." the left guard rebuked coldly... his hand resting on the hilt of his short sword. "An Apprentice Artificer is indeed important... but that does not mean you can do whatever you want here."

The right guard stepped forward... his eyes narrowing in anger. "This is the imperial library... kid... not your master's private workshop... if you want to behave like a noble... go back to your own manor."

Kale stood up slowly... his towering frame casting a long shadow over the two men. He looked down at them with a cold... predatory glare that made their breath hitch. "If you have complaints... let us discuss them outside..." he suggested.

He walked out of the library... his movements fluid and deliberate. The two angry guards followed him immediately... determined to teach the arrogant apprentice a lesson in respect. But the moment they stepped into the outer courtyard... the world shifted.

Kale did not offer any warning. He lunged forward... his body reinforced by a sudden surge of Beast Force, making his movements invisible to their mundane senses. He beat them up brutally... his fists delivering precise... kinetic strikes.

The left guard was sent crashing into the stone steps... his armour denting under the impact. The right guard tried to raise his spear... but Kale grabbed the shaft... shattering the wood with a single twist before slamming his fist into the man's jaw.

Within seconds... the two guards were lying in the dirt... their faces bruised and bleeding. A large crowd of passing scholars and merchants quickly gathered... whispering in shock at the sudden... violent display of strength.

The noise of the commotion rattled the library... and the Central Librarian rushed out in pure anger. He was a Peak Master rank entity... his powerful mana flaring around him like a heavy... invisible shroud.

"You!? How dare you commit such violence upon imperial grounds?" the Librarian roared... his eyes locking onto Kale's calm figure. "You will pay a severe price for this insolence... I will personally ensure your containment!"

Just as the powerful Librarian was about to attack... raising his hand to channel a devastating spell to teach the boy a lesson... a sharp... commanding voice echoed from the edge of the courtyard.

"Stop right there..." the voice called out... carrying an authority that made the Librarian's mana freeze mid-flow. The crowd parted immediately... revealing a tall... hooded figure walking forward with measured steps.

It was none other than Rando... the trusted subordinate of Prince Renard. The Librarian stopped his spell... his expression turning cautious. Although Rando was slightly weaker than him in terms of pure rank... his position was far higher.

Serving the prince directly placed Rando on a much higher pedestal... allowing him to bypass standard imperial laws. "What is the meaning of this... Master Rando?" the Librarian asked... his voice tight with suppressed anger.

Rando approached the desk... leaning closer to whisper directly into the old man's ear. "He is a personal friend to Prince Renard..." Rando murmured... his eyes shifting toward Kale. "I am highly certain you do not want to offend him."

The Librarian's face went pale... his anger evaporating in an instant. He gave Kale a long... horrified look before bowing slightly and retreating into the library... his previous desire for punishment completely gone.

Rando then turned toward Kale... a warm... genuine smile appearing on his face as he walked closer. At first... Rando also did not recognise his companion... until his eyes locked onto those striking... light green eyes.

He had only ever seen one person with those unique... draconic green eyes. "It really is you... Kale..." Rando whispered in surprise... shaking his head. "Let us take a walk... we have much to discuss in private."

Kale let out a soft sigh and adjusted his hood as they walked away from the whispering crowd. They moved toward a quiet... tree-lined avenue near the southern canals... ready to have a short... necessary conversation today.

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