Library

Very early the next day, Derrick climbed up the stairs of the library with bright eyes. He had been dreaming of the library throughout the whole night. He could not wait to read all the books there.

The guards were the same ones as the day before and they only glanced at Derrick perfunctorily as he passed through the doors of the library.

The expected scene of towering shelves filled with ancient books and a mystical air was not what greeted Derrick as he entered. Instead, there was a small plain room with a high desk at the end. At the sides of the desk were two doors. One was closed while the other revealed a spiral staircase leading upwards. A middle-aged man sat at the desk. His face was sallow and he had a pale complexion. His ragged brown hair hid behind his high crown which made him look like he was balding.

The man looked at Derrick drowsily and asked in a tired voice.

" What level are you?"

" First Stage apprentice".

The man dragged his right hand across the desk so it was p