"Sealed? By the water, you mean?"


    "Of course not." They look irritated now, likely by how slow my brain is catching up to their thought process. "The seals, girl."


    "So, a lockbox?"


    "Lockb—you humans have such odd innovations." The way they''re peering into my face, it feels like they''re tearing apart my memories to educate themselves.


    "In a sense, I suppose. It isn''t that easy." They sit.


    In the air.


    Floating.


    Just—there. As if one would lower themself into a chair, only there''s nothing there.


    "Why so surprised?" they ask, tilting their head as they blink owlishly in my direction.


    Gesturing toward them, I just say, "You''re floating. In mid-air."


    They roll their eyes again, a surprisingly human gesture for such an otherworldly being. "And you''re standing on the ground. How extraordinary."


    Their sarcasm catches me off guard, and I shake my head, trying to refocus. "I''m sorry. I''ve never seen anything like this before."


    "Clearly." They wave a dismissive hand, changing the subject abruptly once again. "Why are you here, girl? This isn''t a place for casual visitors."


    Left off-balance mentally and physically, it takes a while to gather the words. "I was... I was trying to focus on a new connection I felt within me. My magic, I think. I didn''t mean to intrude on your, er, world."


    The spirit clicks their tongue, annoyance flashing across their ethereal features. "You make quite a habit of coming uninvited, don''t you?"


    "Habit?" I frown, confusion swirling in my mind. "What do you mean? I''ve never been here before."


    "The future of magic is doomed," they announce to the canopy above, which has parted into a frame of green trees surrounding a sliver of blue sky. "Perhaps I should just set the world ablaze and start anew."


    A chill runs down my spine. This spirit, for all its human-like mannerisms, doesn''t seem to have any real empathy for my life. I''m sure it''s even worse for a real human.


    "Is that... possible?" I ask, unable to keep the worry from my voice.


    The spirit''s reaction is like something out of a horror movie. They sit up so abruptly it makes me flinch, their eyes burning into mine with an intensity that roots me to the spot.


    "Obviously not," they snap. "Or why else would I be stuck in this hellhole?"


    Their words hang in the air between us, heavy with frustration and bitterness. I steel myself to request the information again. "Can you help me? You seem to know about Grimoire. How can I reach him?"


    They sigh, a sound that seems to echo through the trees. "It''s not that simple, girl. Grimoire isn''t just a book you can flip open whenever you please. He''s... particular."


    "Particular how?" I press, eager for any information.


    The spirit waves a hand dismissively. "He chooses when to reveal himself. If he hasn''t shown himself to you yet, there must be a reason."


    Wrapping my arms around me, I fight off the frustration edging into my voice. "But I need to contact him now."


    "Ah, there it is," the spirit says, a knowing look in their eyes. "The weight of expectation. It''s always the same with you humans."


    I frown. "What do you mean?"


    But it isn''t like I can''t guess.


    I want the book because Magister Orion told me to. Because it can teach me magic. Because it has use for me.


    Despite the feeling of welcoming from this string inside of me, have my expectations been the wall between us?


    They lean forward, still floating in the air. "Magic isn''t about meeting others'' expectations, girl. It''s about understanding yourself, your place in the world. Grimoire won''t reveal himself until you''re ready to see what''s already inside you."