Ansel sat quietly at a corner table in The Whale Tea, one of the quaint cafes nestled in the heart of New Haven. Before him, a delicate cake rested. It was meticulously crafted in the shape of a whale with blue icing that shimmered under the soft cafe lights.
The cake was too adorable to eat. The miniature masterpiece seemed to capture the essence of the sea's giant, a whale. Ansel smiled faintly savoring not the sweetness of the cake but the calmness of the moment.
Across from him a man in priestly robes was enjoying a similar treat. The priest's serene demeanor contrasted with the vibe of the cafe. His name was Nollan Tiffin. He was a friend of Ansel's older brother, Hansel.
Nollan had chosen a path of faith and service becoming a priest.
Nevertheless, their friendship with the family remained steadfast.
Nollan said. "You don't need to come all the way. I can drop this off. Visit your Grandpa." His voice was warm but tinged with concern.
Ansel shook his head gently. His eyes filled with quiet determination. "No skin off my nose. Despite everything I want to see every moment in New Haven...for everything perhaps."
Nollan chuckled, a hint of nostalgia softly in his eyes, softly.
"Anyway, you grow up like Hansel. Once you are spoiled and sweet little brother."
Ansel's lips twitched in a smile. That was a refrain from everyone who knew him, including his buddy, Andrew. They saw him as the softer and weaker sibling.
He became the one who was always being sheltered and protected.
Ansel knew that perception was about to change dramatically.
In five days everything took on a different vibe. He became cold-blooded like Hansel before. However, it was just temporary. Once he held Viorenving in his hands he would no longer be the boy whom everyone thought and knew.
No one would dare call him wimpy or fragile.
He built his character, a soft heart. But his cheerful smile was gone. Nowadays he found himself hard to laugh as before.
Yet a lingering question gnawed at him. One that even his Grandpa couldn't answer. If his heart could thaw after obtaining Viorenving why did Hansel's heart remain frozen? Probably the power of Arioch was something beyond human to understand.
The mystery of their hearts' contrasting fates. It was a puzzle that Ansel desperately wanted to solve.
Nollan reached into his satchel. Pulled out a worn book. He said. "Here take this."
He handed it to Ansel. The title read Demon Sigil, a compendium of 72 demons and the sigils created by Solomon to bind them.
Ansels fingers traced the embossed letters reverently. This book was more than a collection of ancient knowledge. It was a key to survival.
He needed to learn how to seal the demon fayfiends after battle. These creatures were formidable. And sealing them was no simple task.
With a smile, Ansel said. "Nolan, thank you for this. I'll return this week."
The fayfiend was incredibly strong when compared to Ansel. Hence he had to fight first and weaken it. Before he attempted to seal. Otherwise, it was like committing suicide.
The moment Ansel tried to bind it without weakening it it would drain his life force in an instant soon as possible. Even he didn't have time to utter a single word of incantation or draw a sigil.
However, it was a task. The speed and ferocity of the fayfiends made the task more daunting. Their movements were as swift as lightning leaving room for error.
He wondered silently if the fayfiends shared a trait with the lantern woman whom he had encountered a long time ago.
If they too could manipulate time or perception. If that were true fighting them would be a greater challenge than he had imagined.
Nolan's eyes softened as he saw the weight of responsibility settling on Ansel's shoulders. "Nope just keep it. You need it more."
"Thank you." Ansel smiled gratefully.
Rising from his seat Nollan adjusted his robes. "After this, I will return to the church. You can join in if you want."
However, Ansel declined, his gaze distant. There was something. Something more important was waiting for him. Though he couldn't yet name it.
The path ahead was uncertain. He was ready to face it step by step.
As Nollan left Ansel took a breath the taste of a whale-shaped cake lingering sweetly on his tongue. The quiet cafe seemed to hold its breath with him. As if the world itself awaited the moment when Ansel would finally claim his destiny.
The real reason Ansel had come to New Haven was not the meeting with Nollan. That encounter was merely a distraction a brief respite to divert his swirling thoughts from the heavy burden he carried.
The visions that haunted him were relentless.
Each one was a reminder of the responsibility resting on his shoulders. It was a weight he could neither share nor escape.
"No thank you." Ansel said quietly. He rose from his seat. Politely declined Nolan's invitation to join him at the church event. The resolve in his voice was clear. He had matters to attend to.
Together they walked toward the exit of The Whale Tea. Nollan glanced at him curiously sensing there was something beneath Ansels' calm exterior.
"Then are you going home away?. Is there someone else you want to meet besides me?" Nollan asked, curious what Ansel would do after meeting him.
"I want to visit the museum." Ansel's reply was simple and direct.
Nollan nodded with a knowing smile. "Well, I'll leave. See yeah..."
They parted ways in front of the cafe each stepping into the bustling streets of New Haven moving in different directions.
Ansels' pace slowed as he wandered through the streets his mind both alert and distant. The city's vibrant life buzzed around him the chatter of passersby the clatter of footsteps on cobblestones and the occasional honk of drivers.
Yet Ansel was detached, savoring the normalcy while absentmindedly twirling a small stick between his fingers.
The stick was a toy at first glance but it held a special charm. It could retract, with a satisfying click.
It was inspired by the Sun Wu Kong, the Monkey King of Mount Huaguo.
a peculiar sense through his mind. He didn't have an idea why he kept an absurd toy around. Nevertheless, something told him to do. hence he did.