After grappling internally for five minutes, Adam finally said, "You have a point, but I want you to write an official document stating you give me the authorisation to retrieve that book."
Sunned, Elysia answered, "Why? If they catch you, document or not, you'll be executed."
"Just do it. It'll help me think I didn't steal," answered Adam through gritted teeth. Selene's grimoire was too mysterious not to browse, not to mention his intuition screaming to get it.
He might be wrong about his assumptions, but he thought the teacher was right. His life started in this world as a ghost. He never truly died, yet wasn't living either. So, didn't he fit the description as she said? But why would Selene search for someone like him?
'So many questions,' Adam thought, his lips twitching. 'I'll give it back later anyway,' he added, trying to justify his actions.
Simultaneously, Elysia took out a piece of paper and scribbled on it before extending it to Julius. "Here, it's written. We can go now if you are ready. I'll show you around and explain all the defensive mechanisms," she said, impatient to plan their burglary operation. Somehow, she found the situation exciting despite the risks they incurred.
"Lead the way. We already warned Shepard," Adam said, holding his forehead, disappointed about himself. Yet, the teacher didn't leave him time to feel remorseful.
Elysia's green hair fluttered behind her as she raced to the door, saying, "The earlier we get there, the fewer guards we'll meet." Then, she continued, charging towards the Gate to set the Elven kingdom's coordinates.
With wry smiles, the duo followed behind her, reaching the towering construct ten minutes later. The familiar blue veil covered it already, signalling Elysia already completed the process.
"Let me warn you first. In Sylvaria, humans aren't common. In fact, most elves are reluctant to interact with them," she said, finding it difficult to explain why without hurting them. After all, they weren't just reluctant. They honestly found human inferiors. Be it their brief life span, common affinities or greed.
"Just know they won't treat you well and ignore it," she added, omitting the reasons and directly telling them the consequences.
"How long will we stay there?" Julius asked curiously, wondering with shining eyes if he could discover bits of their culture or explore their city.
"A few days should be enough to plan everything. We'll have to escape as fast as possible once done," answered Elysia, her eyes narrowed in focus as she walked towards the Gate.
The duo wondered why she seemed so impatient before following her.
The sickening feeling of teleportation assaulted Julius once more, causing his stomach to grumble in protest as he stepped on soft, green soil.
"Welcome to Sylvaria!" Elysia exclaimed, her arms outspread and lips curled into a bright smile.
Behind her, tall trees reaching for the sky covered the ground like mountains. The pleasant odour of nature filled the air as the duo gazed at the beautiful houses carved in their trunks. Firm wooden bridges swung with the wind in an intricate network linking every habitation together. Yet, their eyes narrowed after witnessing the most imposing building.
After noticing the duo's vision traj, Elysia proudly explained, "We are in Greenhaven, the city my family manages. The tree you are looking at is our manor."
"What?!" Exclaimed the duo simultaneously, gazing at the two hundred meters tall carved tree. How many people lived there?
With quivering lips, Adam said, "That's a nice house. You must have many relatives."
"Not really. Most rooms serve as training fields, storage, or to organise city weddings and feasts," Elysia responded, shrugging dismissively before focusing on their business. "People usually enter using the bridge on the third floor and have access to every floor above.
Officials use the second to organise meetings to rule the territory," she added, pointing her finger at them until she reached the first.
"This one is restricted to my family. But it's not the last. My ancestors dug the ground, creating an underground complex filled with traps, guards, concealed rooms, and the treasury. Everything was done to hide the grimoire from the world, including a magic circle switching the rooms' positions every few hours.
Truthfully, even we don't know where the book is," she concluded, reminiscing her father's stories. Every member of her lineage had searched in vain as if the grimoire deemed them unworthy to lay their eyes on it.
Upon hearing the descriptions, Adam palled. 'How does she want us to steal something so well protected?!' He thought, his lips quivering. The worst part was the need to check each chamber, praying to find the right one while avoiding the security measures.
The more he thought about it, the deeper his frown became. 'Isn't it a suicide mission?' He thought, planning to return to the academy.
However, Elysia's determination shot through the roof as she said, "I'll act as bait to distract the guards while you phase into the complex. I'll disable the traps related to souls as well. So, you'll be able to explore unbothered until you find it," she said, her confidence reflected in her green eyes.
Yet, contrary to her expectations, the ghost's grimace turned uglier. "I can't stand in a different room than Julius. Why do you think we are always together?" Adam revealed, annoyance covering his features. Even if he wanted to follow her plan, he couldn't.
"What? Why? I never heard of a ghost limited by a living being!" Responded Elysia, shocked to discover this information. Her plan didn't include the boy's presence. Deactivating every trap would be impossible before the guards noticed her actions. So, Julius would have to avoid them in their search.
A deep frown etched itself on her forehead as she pensively tucked her fingers around her chin, her mind racing for solutions. Then, sighing, she said, "Come to my house. We'll act in a few days after refining the plan." After all, the duo would lose their life if caught, something she didn't wish to happen.