Page 220 of The Wishing Game

Who would have thought that gods would have banned books? Yet it just goes to show that even when one has limitless resources, boundaries must still exist to allow for society to function and avoid mayhem. Maybebecausethey have limitless powers, they have to ensure that everything is carefully organized and curated.

If there's something that I've noticed so far about Aperion, it's the fact that it's not that different from my own world—they still rely on power structures. Maybe they're not as concerned with colorism or social class based on the people I've met so far, but they're definitely judging others by their abilities—or lack thereof. Even Thea, who is from a noble family, has encountered this issue, with people constantly putting her down because of her limited powers. In fact, social standing seems to be correlated with the abilities one has.

"Welcome, what can I help you with today?"

I jump back, startled by the sudden voice. Looking left and right, I don't see anyone around.

My brows furrow.

"Who's there?" I ask tentatively.

"I am Nigel, the librarian," the voice replies at the same time as a see-through figure materializes on top of the table.

I scramble back, my eyes wide.

"What?" I squeak in surprise.

A floating torso appears in front of me. His face is somewhat humanoid, but it lacks expressivity. The entire body is a shimmery white, and the only dot of color is his dark eyes.

"What are you?" I whisper.

"I am Nigel. The librarian. I am a wraith in charge of the Duke of Sigmore's library collection."

"Oh," I murmur, blinking rapidly as I take in the information.

Okay, this makes sense. They don't have computers to catalogue everything, so they would need someone—or something—to do it. And from what I remember from the wraiths in the game, they are similar to a programmed algorithm with no mind of their own. Just like Siri.

"What can I help you with today?" Nigel repeats.

"Hm." I take a moment to think. "Do you have any romance novels?" I ask sheepishly.

"I am not familiar with that term. Can you rephrase it?"

"Stories about love?"

"I am not familiar with that term. Can you rephrase it?"

What? Seriously? I can understand them not having romance as a genre, but stories about love?

"Stories where two people fall in love?"

"I am not familiar with that term. Can you rephrase it?"

Not one to give up, I try every combination I can think of. Yet the result is the same. Nigel does not know what I mean, which suggests that likely he wasn't trained with this terminology in the first place.

It's not too surprising that this world wouldn't have romance, but somehow I still hoped there might be something. Damn it, but the more I find out about this place, the more hopeless I become.

If gods have no notion of romance, then how do humans have it? We were modeled after deities. It stands to reason our capacity to love would come from them, too. But maybe these gods have been around for so long they've completely forgotten the meaning of love—after all, their marriages are all about power, nothing more.

"Do you have any books on The Wishing Game?" I ask instead. If I won't be able to find something to pass the time, I might as well do some research on the game.

"Yes, of course," Nigel answers. With a flick of his hand, a yellow shimmer envelops a bookcase on the second floor. "That is the selection of books we have on The Wishing Game. If you need further assistance, call my name and I shall be happy to guide you."

"Thank you." I nod.

His figure dissipates and I'm left alone in the library.

The bookshelf on the second floor still emits a low light, and I climb up the stairs before the beacon fades. Reaching the landing on the second floor, I stop in front of the section Nigel had pointed to and I browse the titles.

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