Setting Out

Gilan rose from the sofa.

Following the sound, he arrived at a private room on the second floor.

The palm-sized, seductive little figure fluttered its tiny bat wings and hovered before an ornate glass display case against the wall. Pointing inside, it said with a giggle:

"Master, there's a card in this cabinet that matches your description perfectly."

"Let me see."

Gilan nodded and strode over.

Whoosh—

He slid open the glass panel of the display case and saw several ceramic animal ornaments inside. Beneath the base of a white wolf sculpture, something seemed to be pinned down, with the corner of a flat object sticking out.

Gilan moved the sculpture aside and found a gleaming white card beneath it.

He picked up the card and examined it. Its surface bore exquisitely fine diagonal stripes, with an inconspicuous book symbol engraved in the center.

This was clearly the emblem of the "Solidified Book Bureau."

"Platinum Borrowing Card."

"A rare credential forged by the secret society known as the 'Solidified Book Bureau.' Over the past century, fewer than ten distinguished guests have received such a credential."

"With this credential, one may present it to an 'Administrator' and visit any 'Grand Library' to borrow books, freely perusing the mysterious knowledge and secret lore within."

Colorful, crooked lettering appeared on the card in Gilan's hand.

He nodded and said to Vivi:

"This is the one."

"Congratulations on finding such a treasure, Master!"

Vivi said sweetly.

Gilan glanced at the little familiar. Knowing what it was thinking, he took out two glass beads and handed them over.

"You deserve some credit too. Go ahead and eat them."

"Thank you, Master!"

Vivi quickly accepted the glass beads, cradling them in its arms with a beaming smile.

"Wow! Such pure soul energy! This is Vivi's favorite