The Bookstore Mage

Lucien stood by watching the entire scene with a sad face. The girl's parents continued to argue, completely oblivious to what has just happened. The girl, however, slowly approached the golden puppy, almost as if in a trance.

Everything slowly began to fade away, and her parents' voices grew distant before they as well disappeared. Soon, only the girl and her dead dog remained.

She didn't seem to notice Lucien, her hollow gaze was fixated on the puppy's collapsed form as a small pool of blood gathered beneath it.

This was no normal dream, no, this was a nightmare. Lucien knew that. The thing he was supposed to bring back could only be found inside a nightmare like this. He didn't know who the girl was, he didn't know her name, nor where she came from.

He only knew that he had invaded her nightmare. His target is the remnants of the puppy's soul. Calming himself, Lucien used his mana to change the color of his wings into a bright white one. His hair turned into a bright golden color, while the features of his face became hard to discern. Lastly, he donned a white celestial robe before he made his way toward the little girl.

The sound of her soft sobs pained him, as he stood beside her and spoke:

"It was not your fault, my child." His voice was pleasant to the ear.

The girl not expecting anyone raised her head to glance at him. Her auburn hair fell on the side of her face as she stared at him with bright green eyes.

"A-An angel?" She asked hesitantly, the tears still visible on her face.

Lucien kneeled and gently patted her head.

"I came to take him away," he said.

The girl turned her gaze towards the collapsed puppy, her expression collapsed as she continued sobbing.

"But why? Finn never did anything! He was the only one that cared about me! A-and—" Her voice choked as she struggled to continue:

"A-And now he's gone... All because of me..."

Lucien approached her again and patted her head before speaking:

"It was not your fault, my child. It was just his time to go. And although he left, he will always be waiting for you. Look." Saying that Lucien pointed at the collapsed form of the puppy.

The translucent remnant soul appeared above it. The puppy looked dazed for a second before it saw its owner, it then rushed to her side happily wagging its tail.

The girl's eyes widened as she pulled it into a hug, her cries echoing throughout the empty 'dream'.

"I'm sorry! I'm sorry!"

The puppy still confused but nonetheless, happy with the attention it was getting licked the little girl's face.

Lucien let them continue like that for a few seconds before he sensed the 'dreamworld' shaking. The girl was about to wake up, and he could not stay there any longer.

He gently patted her head and grabbed the puppy.

"A-Ah! N-No! Please!"

"I'm sorry little one." Saying that Lucien used his giant wings to cover both him and the puppy before their forms turned hazy and disappeared.

He reappeared in the dark sea, only this time he was not submerged underwater. The cute golden puppy tilted its head as it stared back at him.

"Hi, little fella."

****

"Molly, wake up! You're going to be late for school!" Yelled a middle-aged lady with auburn hair as she placed the last tray of breakfast on the table.

Seeing how she got no reply, the lady frowned and made her way towards the closed room of her daughter.

"Okay young missy, if you're not up yet they n you'd best be ready for the tickles—" She said and opened the door only to freeze.

Her daughter was already up and was sitting on the floor with her back to the bed with tears streaming down her face.

The mother rushed to her side and pulled her into her embrace:

"Sweety, what happened? Did you have a nightmare?"

The girl weakly shook her head and replied:

"I-I saw Finn..."

"Oh, sweetheart I'm sorry..." The mother's expression collapsed as she hugged her daughter tighter.

"A-An angel took him," The girl continued crying before she added:

"B-But I said goodbye... I said goodbye mom..."

"Oh, sweetheart"

****

Lucien opened his eyes, and the familiar ceiling of his bedroom stared back at him. He raised his hand from under the blanket only to find a pale blue orb inside.

"So it worked... And it was real..."

A sigh escaped his mouth as he used his other hand to cover his face.

"Of course it's real. After everything that we have been through, what did you expect?" Another sigh escaped his mouth as he slowly stood up and brought the orb closer to his face.

It was pale, smooth, and cool to the touch. Lucien stared at it for a few seconds. The dim light it was giving off was almost negligible under the bright morning sun.

"Tamellalt, you there?" He called out.

The familiar figure of the butler fairy reappeared but his side immediately.

"You called, my lord?"

Lucien nodded and replied:

"This, keep it safe for me please," He said and handed the orb to the fairy.

"Understood. Breakfast is also ready for you, my lord."

"Ah, thank you."

Tamellalt gave him a final bow and disappeared. A yawn escaped Lucien's lips as he stretched his limbs and forced himself to the bathroom. He washed his face, brushed his teeth, and took a quick shower before he made his way back to the bedroom where he changed into a new set of clothes.

Tamellalt reappeared in front of him with a woosh and asked:

"Will you have your breakfast here, or downstairs, my lord?"

"Ah, downstairs will be alright, thanks again."

The fairy gave him another bow and disappeared.

Lucien then glanced at the mirror and adjusted his shirt. A small part of him was anxious as he started at himself. Would he suddenly lose control again? Is it even him when that happens?

The new questions made him feel anxious, but Lucien forced himself to calm down. He glanced at the ancient book on the table and used Imer to bring it along with him to the bookstore downstairs.

Tamellalt had already cleaned the counter and neatly placed a tray of food along with an aromatic cup of coffee.

Lucien made sure to thank the fairy again before he wolfed down the food. It was as amazing as always. After he finished, Lucien moved to the entrance where he switched the sign to open and unlocked the door.

Moon who had been ignoring him thus far, and was sunbathing next to the window threw him a glance before she stood up and left for upstairs.

"Hmm, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed it seems," he muttered and went back behind the counter just in time as the bells chimed indicating the arrival of the first customer of the day.

"Welcome!"