It was a new day. The wind was as pleasant as ever, its breeze brushing against anyone who stepped outside. In the distance, seagulls called out over the city, their cries mixing with the steady hum of morning activity. Everything blended into a single backdrop of sound.

  Tap. Tap. Tap.

  The rhythmic steps of leather boots against the cobblestone road stood out against the morning bustle. The sun had only just risen, but Kael was already on the move.

  He was on his way to the café. He had given it some thought. If Syleena had noticed him, he doubted he had any chance of tracking her down. She wasn’t just any Luminaire—she was a genius within the Eireindaile family, and in this situation, she held all the cards. Outmaneuvering her was wishful thinking.

  So he decided not to change his approach and stuck to the same routine as yesterday. He chose the same route for a few reasons. As he had already considered, if she had truly noticed him, there was little he could do to find her. Not because he lacked the ability, but simply because she had every advantage right now.

  As for why he didn’t change his route, the reasoning was simple. He was trying to show good faith. If he adjusted his search pattern to match hers too closely, she would only grow more suspicious.

  If he could track her down using his usual methods, he had no doubt he would succeed. But the need to remain unnoticed complicated things, restricting his movements and limiting his options. Therefore, he was forced into this passive state, unable to take direct action without risking suspicion.

  He sat in the café, legs crossed, with a cup of coffee resting in front of him. The atmosphere was as pleasant as always, but Kael’s expression was dark. He didn’t enjoy being in such a passive state, unable to shift the situation through his own actions. The sheer amount of details he forced himself to remember was mind-boggling. Every movement, every hushed conversation, even the subtle shifts in breath from the people around him—he was unwilling to miss a single thing.

  Hours passed, and yet Syleena had not entered. She hadn’t visited the café today either.

  Kael rose to his feet and made his way to the counter. The same barista from yesterday stood behind it, though she seemed more energetic this morning. She was scribbling something on a notepad, but as soon as she noticed his presence, she turned her head to look at the young man in front of her—only to pause slightly.

  Before her stood a young man with an ice-cold expression.

  “Can I help you, sir?”

  Her voice was filled with a little bit uncertainty as she spoke.

  "Yes."

  Kael’s response was cold and direct, leaving no room for small talk. Without hesitation, he proceeded to describe Syleena once more, his tone steady and unwavering. Then, he waited, his piercing gaze fixed on the young barista, silently urging her to answer.

  She didn’t dare waste any time, answering almost instantly.

  “Yes, I saw her. She was here just a moment ago, she left around ten minutes ago.”

  As she spoke, she noticed Kael’s expression harden, his features growing even colder. His emerald eyes turned sharp, locking onto her with an intensity that made her shift uncomfortably. A prickling unease settled in her chest.

  But before the discomfort could grow any further, the young man abruptly turned on his heel and walked out of the café without another word. The door swung shut behind him, and she let out a small breath of relief, realizing only then how tense she had been.

  As Kael walked along the streets, his expression remained firm, though hints of uncertainty lingered beneath the surface.

  How had he missed her?

  He had tracked every breath taken inside the café, every movement, every detail. And yet he was supposed to believe that Syleena had not only entered but also ordered her tea and pastry, sat down, eaten, and then left without him noticing.

  He could not accept it.

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  Kael was not arrogant. He understood his own limits well. This was exactly why he knew she should not have been able to do it without him noticing even the slightest trace.

  Something was wrong.

  Either he had missed something crucial or there was more to this than he initially thought. The idea unsettled him. His jaw tightened slightly as he replayed every detail in his mind, searching for a mistake or an oversight.

  He was not pleased.

  As his thoughts swirled in his mind, a towering stone building slowly came into view. The library stood as majestic as ever, its presence unwavering amidst the bustling city.

  Kael stepped inside, the familiar scent of aged paper and polished wood filling his senses. The air was still, carrying the faint rustle of turning pages and the occasional whisper of quiet conversation.

  Without slowing his pace, he walked straight to the counter where the librarian stood. The moment she noticed him, she shifted her posture, turning to face him fully as he approached. Her expression was neutral, but there was a quiet attentiveness in her gaze.

  As he reached the counter, he gave a small nod before speaking.

  “I need your help.”

  The librarian perked up slightly, her interest piqued. That was what she was here for, after all.

  Kael described Syleena’s appearance and usual habits once again, asking if she had been in today. The librarian tapped her chin, thinking for a moment before answering.

  “No, she hasn’t been here today.”

  Kael exhaled quietly, a hint of relief washing over him. There was still a chance.

  He thanked her and turned to find a table where he could wait. But just as he took a step away, the librarian’s voice called out again.

  “Would you like me to let her know you’re waiting for her?”

  Kael glanced back at her, giving a firm nod before continuing toward his seat.

  Kael settled into the same seat as yesterday, this time with only a single book in hand. He flipped through the pages absentmindedly, his attention elsewhere. Positioned with a clear view of the entrance, he leaned back slightly, fingers idly tapping against the wooden table. There was nothing left to do now except wait.

  The details he forced himself to take in were even more unforgiving on his mind than before. Every movement, every shift in the room, every turn of a page demanded his attention. His senses were stretched thin, his mind pushed to its limits.

  Time dragged on as he waited, each passing moment stretching thinner. Before he knew it, his time in the library was up. Syleena hadn’t appeared once again.

  Kael let out a quiet exhale as he rose to his feet, pressing his thumb and index finger against his temples, massaging them gently. A dull throbbing echoed in his mind, the weight of the day settling in heavier than he cared to admit.

  He adjusted his coat slightly, then grabbed his cane from where it rested against the table. Without hesitation, he made his way toward the counter once more, his expression unreadable.

  The librarian was completely absorbed in her book and didn’t notice Kael’s arrival. Without bothering with a greeting, he spoke plainly.

  "Has she visited?"

  She snapped out of her trance, blinking up at him with a slightly confused expression. Then, as realization struck, her face paled slightly, and she smacked her forehead with her palm.

  "Oh no! I completely forgot. I’m so sorry, sir. She was here just a moment ago, but I forgot to tell you."

  Kael cast a cold gaze at the librarian before turning away, his steps steady as he made his way to his final stop.

  Now he was certain. Something was off.

  There was no way he would have let himself miss her twice.

  As he walked, the familiar ache in his head persisted from the intense strain he had put his mind through. But he didn’t allow himself even a moment of rest. His thoughts raced, piecing together everything he had gathered so far. The sun sank lower with each passing moment, casting long shadows across the streets.

  ‘How did I miss her twice? Has she been using a second alias? No, that makes no sense… She is a representative of the Eirendaile family. She has no reason to hide her name. Could she have sent someone else to carry out her routines under her name? No, that does not add up either. Maybe she has a mote that helps conceal her presence? But that would contradict the whole point of these habits, which is to make her seen.’

  The world around him faded as he sank deeper into thought, piecing together the situation in his mind. His steps carried him forward on instinct, and before he knew it, he had reached the shore. He lifted his head briefly, casting a glance at the sun sinking into the horizon, its golden glow stretching across the water. Then, just as quickly, his gaze dropped back to the ground at his feet, lost in thought once more.

  Soon, the bench came into view, but Kael had already noticed it was empty. He didn’t even spare it a glance, his feet carrying him forward as his mind remained occupied, thoughts swirling with every step.

  Tap, tap, tap.

  Kael closed in on the bench, his steps measured and steady, his mind still tangled in thought. His gaze remained fixed downward, focused on nothing in particular, as if looking for answers in the very ground beneath him.

  Then, just a few meters away, his steps came to an abrupt halt. His body stiffened, frozen in place, as if his thoughts had finally caught up with him.

  Slowly, he raised a hand in front of his face, exhaling as a small laugh slipped past his lips—quiet at first, barely more than a breath. Then another, slightly louder, laced with something between amusement and frustration.

  He wasn’t laughing at anyone.

  He was laughing at himself.