Certainly, the mansion was not normal.
“The book said the form of the mansion changes based on the master’s power,” Kaien told Benji and Nathan.
“Changes form?” Nathan questioned. “What do you mean?”
“Have you ever wondered why your ‘exploration’ in this mansion seems like it will never end?” Asked Kaien. “There’s always a new room. New stairs. New objects. There’s also old rooms or objects that suddenly disappear, right?”
The room was silent for a few minutes. Benji and Nathan keep silent and only stare at Kaien. He took that as they agreed with what he said.
“The book said it changed based on the master’s power,” Kaien repeated, somewhat more sternly. “I don’t know what it means by ‘power’. But, I guess the master is referring to Dominique.”
“Wow!” Exclaimed Allen which caused everyone to turn and look at him. He quickly sat next to Kaien and was ready to listen to the next thing Kaien would say while everyone's eyes still fixed on him. “What?” He asked.

Everyone turned away from Allen like nothing happened and Benji spoke, “Why is Dominique the master? Isn't he just the mansion’s caretaker?”
“Did he?” Kaien asked, his face masked in shock.
Benji did not answer. He scratched his not itching head while thinking about Kaien’s question. He began to doubt his memories. Did he hear it wrong? Did Dominique say it or not? Did himself not hear it or misheard it? Benji could not think of any answer for his own questions. Since when can simple things be so complicated, he wondered.
“What else the book said?” Benji tried to avoid thinking about Dominique by showing interest in the book.
“I don’t know. I just read a few pages,” Kaien said as he flipped the page one by one. “I need to read more.”
“Oh,” Allen, Benji and Nathan respond in unison. They looked at each other, unsure what to do while Kaien was focused on flipping and scanning the pages in the book.
“Take your time, I guess,” Benji said as he turned to the bookshelf and pretended to look for a book. He was trying to give Kaien some space and alone time. “Let us know what you find out.”
Without looking up, Kaien responded. “Hmm. . .” He read the book again and after a moment he closed the book and said, “I think I need to look for another book. I’ll be right back.”
Kaien immediately left without waiting for any response from his friends. Benji and Nathan just looked at each other and did not bother to follow him. They believed it was better to leave Kaien alone and let him do what he wanted to do. He knew everything better than anyone else.
Allen on the other hand was following Kaien like a lost puppy. “Kaien. . .” Allen whispered.
“Hurm?” Kaien responded without looking at Allen.
“Oh. . . Um. . . Aaa. . .” Allen was unable to utter any word as he did not expect Kaien could hear him.
The library was so quiet. Of course he could hear Allen calling his name. He could even hear it if a pin was dropped somewhere in the library.
“Urm. . . Why do you need another book? What are you looking for?” asked Allen when Kaien stopped at a bookshelf and looked for a book.

“Because I think there’s another book that could tell me more than this book could,” Kaien stated while repeatedly pulling out a book, flipped multiple pages and put it back on the bookshelf.
“Really? Tell me about what?” Allen was worried. But, when Kaien did not answer, he became more nervous. “Is there anything that bothers you that you didn’t tell anyone.”
Kaien stopped reading and looked at Allen. He smiled and questioned, “Is it written on my face? Haha.”
“No.” Allen smiled back and replied, “I can see it in your eyes.”
“Oh, I wish I could do that too. See what everyone’s hiding through their eyes.”
“You will. Someday,” Allen whispered softly. “Tell me what’s bothering you.”
“Nothing much,” Kaien muttered and looked down. “It's just that I think the mansion somehow could be a grand wish. Like what you want would appear before your eyes.”
“I thought the mansion only responded to the Master’s wish?”
“Yes, but what if the Master wishes to give anything the guest needs and the mansion was a response to the Master’s wish?” Kaien stated.
“Isn’t it great?” exclaimed Allen happily. “To have anything you need? To have all your wishes granted? Isn’t that great?”
“Maybe. Sometimes. Or to someone. Maybe, just maybe,” Kaien said. “Not for me, for sure. I don't want whatever I want. Nobody actually does, I think. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if I just got everything I ever wanted just like that, and it didn't mean anything? What then?”
Kaien was right, thought Allen. What was the meaning of life if you just could get anything you want without doing anything or moving at all? What if someone wishes for something bad? There was not such a perfect wish because the repercussions of getting things wrong could be very serious.
“I’m sorry if I made you feel uneasy,” Kaien interrupted Allen’s thought.
“Not. Of course not. Actually, you are right. What’s the meaning of life if you didn’t work hard for what you want, right?” said Allen and Kaien smiled hearing his statement. Allen smiled back and asked, “I was wondering why you think any books in this library would help us? Maybe there’s something else in this library? The painting? Or anything?”
“Hahaha!” Kaien raised both eyebrows and laughed. Allen pouted unsatisfied. “Tell me, Allen, what does a ‘secret’ mean?”

“Urmm. . ,” Allen looked around the floor, thinking of the answer. “Something that you didn’t tell anyone?”
“But you write it down. In a book. In a diary” Kaien added. “Where do you hide the book?” Asked Kaien and he answered his own question. “Among the other books.”
“Oh,” Allen understood now. “Ok. Let’s keep looking.”
Kaien smiled and continued reading the new book he just took. Few hours had passed. . .
“It’s been a few hours. . .” said Benji.
“Kaien and Allen still didn’t come back. . .” Nathan added.
“Did he leave us?” asked Benji. He looked around nervously before his gaze fell on Nathan.
“Please no,” answered Nathan.
“I’m going to look for him,” Benji determined as he no longer has the patience to sit and wait for Kaien anymore. Before he could leave his spot, Kaien appeared with Allen behind him.
“I got it!”