The next day, Eric went out with Chara, who was helping him find a job, while Joshua played with the other children. As for me, I found myself unsure of what to do. The new world we were in held so much unknown, and I was determined to uncover as much knowledge as possible to help us navigate our future. With that resolve, I decided to visit the guild to seek out some books for study.
As I was on my way, Clark's mom called out to me. "Can you take Kara with you?" she asked. "She's heading to the town hall with a packed lunch for her father, who's a janitor there." I agreed to her request, and Kara and I set off together. After delivering the lunch to Clark's father, I resumed my journey to the guild with Kara still accompanying me.
At the guild, I inquired about books related to monsters, herbs, and plants. The guild members directed me to the library, explaining that I would find the information I sought there. Kara, full of curiosity, followed me as we made our way to the library.
Upon arrival, I asked the librarian about the procedure for reading books. She informed me that we could read the books inside the library but couldn't take them home. Additionally, she mentioned that children like us weren't allowed to use the library. Her last statement was disheartening, as it meant I had to wait until I was older to access the information I needed.
Kara noticed my disappointment and asked why I was so worried about it. "These are not important things," she said, with the innocence of youth.
I smiled at her, understanding her perspective. "You're right," I replied, though I knew the importance of the knowledge those books held. "But books can teach us so much about the world and help us understand things we don't know."
Kara tilted her head, her young mind trying to grasp the weight of my words. "But why do you want to know so much about monsters and plants?" she asked.
"Because knowledge is power," I explained. "In this new world, knowing about monsters can help us stay safe, and understanding plants can help us find food and medicine."
Kara seemed to ponder this for a moment, then shrugged. "I guess that makes sense," she said. "But what do we do now if we can't read the books?"
I thought about it and decided that, even though we couldn't take the books home, I could spend time in the library learning as much as possible. I asked the librarian if there was a way for me to spend more time in the library despite the age restriction.
Seeing my determination, the librarian softened a bit. "I'll tell you what," she said. "You can come here during the less busy hours, and I'll allow you to read as long as you promise to be careful with the books and not make a mess."
I thanked her profusely and felt a sense of relief wash over me. I had a plan to gather the knowledge I needed, even if it would take some time. Kara, seeing me a bit happier, asked, "So, what do you do with your free time?"
I realized that, in the midst of all the chaos and new responsibilities, I hadn't thought much about leisure. "I guess I haven't had much free time lately," I admitted. "But when I do, I like to read and learn new things. What about you? What do you do in your free time?"
Kara smiled brightly. "I like to play with my friends, help my mom with chores, and sometimes I visit my dad at the town hall. We have a garden at home, and I love taking care of the plants there."
Her words reminded me of the simplicity and joy of childhood, something I hadn't allowed myself to enjoy recently. "That sounds wonderful," I said. "Maybe you can teach me about gardening sometime."
She nodded enthusiastically. "I'd like that."
As we walked back to our neighborhood, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. I would spend my mornings learning at the library and my afternoons helping Eric and Chara, while also finding time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life with Joshua and our new friends. The road ahead was uncertain, but with knowledge, determination, and the support of those around us, I felt more prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead.