Chapter 26: Research, distraction and duty.

Chapter 26: Research, distraction and duty. There were piles of book formed on the table beside Luke. He had been researching on the flower on all kinds of texts related to the forest. But it was not that productive since not much direct information was available on it. He found mostly the general information available to all. But there were some clues which he found to be useful. The most important information he got was that the flower blooms in high places which receive direct sunlight and flame mana in the surrounding is intense. The forest of corruption was huge and the area was more than all the kingdoms present on the land. To find a specific location in that huge landscape was close to impossible without a map, which Luke believed Noah would definitely be able to get his hands on. He closed the book he was reading and took some of the books from the pile to put them back on the shelves. He started putting the books one by one and just when he was done with the last book, his eyes fell on a book with red cover and golden letter at the edge of the shelf. The title of the book was ’the miraculous herbs and flowers in the corrupted forest’. ’’How did I miss this!’ Luke had passed by this area of the bookshelf but he didn’t remember seeing this book. He felt this book definitely held the information he needed. He walked towards the edge of the shelf and moved his hand towards the book. He held it and just when he was about to pull it out, suddenly another hand came to take the book as their hands touched each other. Luke was taken aback, the hand he felt was full of calluses as that of a seasoned warrior who wielded a sword, but the fingers were long and slender with pale white skin. It was the hand of a woman. He traced the hand as he moved his eyes towards the person for a look. Luke was stumped and mesmerized. The long wavy grey hair rested on her shoulders, her pale and pristine skin without a blemish and her blue ocean eyes were hammering a nail into Luke’s heart. The silver armor she was wearing was reflecting light on her face and glowing her up like the halo of a goddess. Luke was spellbound, unable to utter a word as he froze on the spot. "I’m sorry! I didn’t see you!" Adriana said. "Huh!...Oh! No...wo...worries!" Luke stammered in nervousness. "I just put the book back and wanted to confirm something. Can I take a look again, it will just take a second." "Sure! Take your time! Hahaha!" Luke agreed instantly and gave an awkward laugh. He was drowned in nervousness. "Thank you!" She gave a smile as she thanked him. ’Fuck!!’ Luke cursed as he saw her smile, another nail had just been hammered in his heart. Adriana took the book and flipped through the pages. she stopped at a point and started looking around for something with utmost focus. Luke kept gazing at her with a smile on his face. After a few minutes she closed the book and returned it to Luke. "Thank you! You can take it now!" "Haha! No worries! I’m...Luke by the way!" Adriana was surprised at him suddenly introducing himself. She was always busy with training and didn’t know much about the matters of the heart. She couldn’t guess nor get a clue that the young man in front of her was mesmerized by her beauty, the beauty she had, that even she was unaware of. "I’m Adriana!" she said with a polite smile. "Are you also looking for the noon bloom?" Luke asked. Adriana was surprised at the flower’s mention. But she quickly recovered and realized that the count had made the mission public and replied politely. "Yes! The count gave us this responsibility so I’m trying my best!" "Wow! So, you’re with the military! Great!" "I’m trying to find it too!...Do you want to work together? I believe we’ll be definitely able to get it if we work together!" Luke asked with a nervous smile. She was starting to get annoyed now as Luke kept on speaking and she just wanted to get away from there. "Are you also in the military?" she asked with a forced smile on her face, trying to act polite. "No! I’m an adventurer! I’m low in class right now, but I’ll soar to S rank in the near future. Believe me!" The smile instantly vanished from her face. Her face became dark as black lines formed on her forehead. "You dare invite me to work together! You greedy selfish bastards of the guild! I hope you never find it!" She forced the words out through gritted teeth and turned around and left, without sparing a glance at Luke. Luke was shocked, he couldn’t believe what just happened. He did nothing wrong then why did she got angry and left as if he was her greatest enemy. Just then he remembered that the military hated the adventurers. They were like oil and water. A chuckle escaped him. he found her quite cute. He didn’t mind much and moved back to his table. He opened the book and started skimming through it. But he couldn’t forget the girl he had just met. He kept giggling thinking about her when suddenly a voice came from his back. "Why are you giggling like that? Did something good happen?" "Ah!!" Luke screamed in shock. "Oh! Noah, it’s you!" "Why are you sitting alone giggling and lost in thought?" "Nothing! I just remembered something! Leave it. Did you get the map?" "Who do you think I am huh!?" Noah pulled out the map and placed it on the table. "I knew it!" Luke was ecstatic as he patted Noah on the back. Noah opened the map and both of them started looking through it. Just then Luke stopped at a spot where some mountains were drawn on the map. He quickly flipped some pages of the book he was reading and stopped at one. He read the book and then looked at the map, and then read the book again. after repeating the process for a few times, he laughed out loud. "Hahahaha! We are getting that ten thousand coins soon!" "What! did you find something?" Noah asked in surprise. "I’ve cracked the location buddy! Let’s get ready for the journey!" a wide smile spread on Luke’s face.