Void roams, and suddenly, a gleam of light appears.


    It is not a beginning but an awakening, a consciousness.


    From the sound of cries, the world opens up.


    Scorching body heat, delicate fur, a sense of comfort and warmth, and a wet, warm licking.


    Touch and embrace, kisses and whispers, snuggling together, like the temperature of golden sunlight beginning to melt the snow.


    "Qirnangajuq."


    Laughter.


    "Stop showing off; I never learned Inuktitut."


    More laughter.


    "Gray snow."


    I opened my eyes, surprised that I had fallen asleep--something that had never happened before.


    Noticing that I was lying on the book, I immediately sprang up from the desk, wiping the corners of my mouth to check for drool, fearing it might have soiled the book.


    Luckily, there was no damage. I flipped through the pages, thoroughly inspecting it from cover to cover, ensuring it was in perfect condition. Otherwise, the librarian would have skinned me alive. Even though this was a reprinted version based on the library''s archives, it was already a century old, and Master Ontara took his duties very seriously. I had no desire to find out if the rumors about some books being bound in wolf skin were true.


    Then again, this book was "Atlas Shrugged." It would be hard to make it any dirtier, even if I peed on it. I shivered at the thought of some of its content and wondered if steel wool could scrape the memory from my brain.


    Qana had mentioned that psychics could manipulate memories, so maybe I could try that sometime.Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Gathering my things, I slung my backpack over my shoulders and handed the book to the robotic arm on the shelf, letting it check the book''s condition and reshelve it.


    "Changing tastes?" On my way out of the library, Master Ontara looked up from the terminal, a rare occurrence.


    "Exploring different perspectives of the world, or something like that." I found a noble-sounding answer and praised myself for my bravery. "Understanding different viewpoints might help with... communication."


    "Young pup should keep an open mind." Master Ontara grinned, making me wonder if he was mocking me or telling some joke only he understood.


    "But..." I hesitated, then turned back to the master''s desk. "Is it really possible to understand each other, these... fundamental differences?" I asked the question that had been bothering me for a long time.


    "It is possible." The librarian pushed his glasses up, and the changing display text reflected in his eyes, the celestine-like irises flashing various light spots that made it hard for me to maintain eye contact. "Objective facts are the basis for dialogue and discussion. Even if the stances are different, it is possible to negotiate a solution acceptable to everyone." He stuck out his tongue and continued, "At least, it was before the ''post-truth era'' began."


    "How did they finally... resolve the issue?" I had heard of that era, one of the darkest periods in Gaia''s history. "What allowed people to start communicating again without throwing the whole world into a happiness machine?"


    "Oh, trust me, they almost did that." The librarian laughed, taking off his glasses to wipe the corners of his eyes.


    They?


    "But that''s the historian''s job; I don''t like to meddle in others'' professions." Ontara winked at me and gestured towards the library exit, indicating I could leave as he continued working on the terminal.


    I had more questions, but after sensing the unusual vibration, I bowed to the master and left.


    It was a wave--Master Ontara had tried to achieve some effect on me using a vibration I didn''t recognize, but it was neutralized by my mirror circle.


    I made a mental note of the pattern, moving slowly down the empty corridor and pondering.


    Psychics could perform various miraculous things, but specifically, what were they? How many had I not even considered? And just among the Snows, how many psychics were here? How many had I missed, and which ones, as Qana had said, could be dangerous to me?


    What about beyond Hadrian''s Wall, beyond the Senate, and the world? Even though I didn''t care about the Senate, I couldn''t say I truly understood the outside world, let alone the parts related to psychic. I started to understand why Qana said we didn''t have much time.


    I silently resolved that once Qana had the time, I would thoroughly ask him about the community of psychics and their relationship with the world. I no longer wanted to fumble through this incomprehensible world under a curtain.