The day's final bell rings, jolting me out of my trance. The once-familiar hum of the classroom fades into the background, and the reality of the situation crashes over me like a cold wave. Venti—my angel—now a real person, sits just a few desks away from me. My thoughts reel, trying to stitch together the fragments of this overwhelming revelation.

I pack up my things mechanically, my hands trembling slightly. My classmates chat animatedly, oblivious to my inner turmoil. I can't blame them; they're excited for the new school year, eager to catch up with friends and enjoy the fresh start. But I'm not in the mood for pleasantries. My mind is a storm of confusion and disbelief.

"Xiao, wait up!"

I glance over my shoulder to see Ganyu approaching. Her concern is evident in her furrowed brow and the gentle way she calls my name. As she catches up with me, I try to force a smile.

"Hey, Ganyu. What's up?"

"You seemed a bit off during class. Everything okay?" Her eyes search mine, seeing through my facade.

"Just... a lot on my mind," I mumble, avoiding her gaze. I can't bring myself to explain. Not yet.

"Alright, but if you need to talk, I'm here." She gives me a reassuring smile before heading off to her next commitment.

I nod absentmindedly, watching her walk away. My own reflection in a nearby window catches my eye. I look pale, almost ghostly. I rub my temples, trying to ground myself. The image of Venti, his ethereal presence, keeps flashing in my mind. What is this connection between us? Why does it feel like my entire world is shifting on its axis?

I need to be alone. I need to think.

The library is the first place I head to. It's quiet and dimly lit, offering a haven from the chaos outside. I find a secluded corner, pull out a chair, and sit down heavily. The bookshelves around me are a comforting embrace, their familiar scent of old paper and binding glue a small solace.

I close my eyes and try to steady my breathing. Images of the dream, of the angel's face obscured by light, flood my mind. The clarity of Venti's appearance today only adds to the turmoil. He's right here—yet so distant, an enigma wrapped in an aura of mystique.

"Why?" I whisper to the empty room. "Why him? Why now?"

My thoughts turn to the few interactions I've had with Venti since the beginning of the school year. His presence is both mesmerizing and unsettling. I remember his calm, almost detached demeanor during class, how he seemed to blend effortlessly into the environment, yet stood out like a beacon. There's a sense of familiarity about him, like I've known him forever, even though this is our first meeting.

Unable to sit still, I get up and wander the aisles of the library. My fingers brush over the spines of the books, searching for something—anything—that might offer answers. I pull out a few volumes on mythology and reincarnation, hoping to find something that could explain the strange pull I feel towards Venti.

Hours pass in a blur as I lose myself in research. The library's quiet hum is a soothing background to my frantic quest for knowledge. I come across a few references to reincarnation and karmic debt but find nothing concrete that relates directly to my situation. The lore is vague and fragmented, leaving me with more questions than answers.

As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the library floor, I decide to take a break. I head to the front desk where Lisa, the librarian, is busy organizing a stack of new arrivals.

"Hey, Lisa," I say, trying to sound casual. "Do you have any books on—uh—dreams and their meanings?"

Lisa looks up, her sharp eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Dreams? That's quite a broad topic. Are you looking for something specific?"

"Just... something that might explain why I keep seeing the same figure in my dreams."

Lisa's expression softens. "Well, dreams can be quite personal and symbolic. I'd recommend starting with some texts on psychological interpretations of dreams. There might be something that resonates with you."

"Thanks." I take the recommended books and head back to my corner. I feel a sense of comfort in Lisa's empathy, but it's fleeting. The weight of the day's events is too heavy to ignore.

As I leaf through the pages of my new books, I can't shake the feeling of being watched. I glance up to see Venti standing at the entrance of the library. He's looking right at me, his expression inscrutable. My heart skips a beat.

"Xiao." His voice is soft, almost musical. He approaches me with an ease that feels both familiar and alien.

I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. Instead, I nod, feeling a strange mix of relief and apprehension. Venti takes a seat across from me, his presence filling the space with an almost tangible energy.

For a moment, we sit in silence, the air between us charged with unspoken words. I glance at Venti, who seems to be studying me with an intensity that makes me uncomfortable.

"You've been troubled since our meeting today," Venti says finally, his voice gentle yet probing. "Something seems to weigh heavily on your mind."

I look down at my hands, which are clasped tightly together. "I—" I start, then stop, struggling to find the right words. "I saw you in my dreams before. You were... an angel."

Venti's gaze doesn't waver. "And now you're wondering if this is reality or just another dream?"

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "Yes. I don't understand why I'm seeing you. What does it all mean?"

Venti's expression softens slightly. "Sometimes, our dreams are reflections of deeper truths we aren't yet ready to confront. Perhaps your dreams are guiding you towards something you need to understand."

"But what?" I press. "What am I supposed to understand?"

Venti's eyes gleam with an ancient knowledge. "That's something you'll have to discover for yourself. But remember, the journey towards understanding often begins with accepting the uncertainty."

With that, Venti rises from his seat, giving me a small, enigmatic smile before walking away. I watch him leave, feeling a mixture of confusion and awe. His words resonate with a haunting clarity. There's something I need to uncover, and it's up to me to find out what that is.

As the library's lights flicker on and the last few patrons begin to leave, I gather my things and head out into the evening. The sky is a deepening shade of twilight, reflecting my own inner tumult.

I walk home in a daze, the world around me seeming both familiar and foreign. The day's events have left me feeling unmoored, but Venti's presence—his cryptic advice—has sparked a flicker of determination within me. I don't know what lies ahead, but I know I can't ignore the path that's unfolding before me.

The weight of the day hangs heavy as I approach my house. I glance back at the fading light of the library, a symbol of both my quest for answers and the uncertainty that lies ahead.

Tomorrow is a new day, and with it comes the promise of new revelations. For now, I need to rest and gather my strength. The journey has only just begun, and I can't afford to falter.

As I drift off to sleep that night, the image of Venti lingers in my mind—a beacon of mystery and possibility. The answers I seek are out there, and I'm determined to find them.

The first steps of my journey are behind me, but the path ahead is still shrouded in shadow.

And so, the search for truth continues.