I was shocked by Jacob's statements about not caring about his new birthday.
I had never celebrated a birthday before, much less been wished a happy birthday.
For me to hear Jacob write off celebrating his birthday to spend time with us made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.
I clung to his arm the whole walk to the Tower, feeling happy just to be able to touch him.
I at least knew that it was too early for me to confess my feelings for him, but I really wanted to confess and make him mine.
We arrived at the Tower too soon. I sighed and released my strangle hold on Jacob's arm.
We arrived at the second floor and saw a very miffed wyvern move to let us pass.
Opening the door to the third floor, I let out a sigh of frustration.
In front of us lay a puzzle that had nine pieces, but five corner pieces.
"If only all of us were intelligent." Atlas remarked, looking to me.
"What are you looking at me for?" I asked.
"You're a mage, right?" He responded. "I would have thought you were the smartest out of us."
"I'm not sure about that, but I can probably use mana to simulate the pieces and figure out their orientation." I said, making replicas of the pieces in the air.
"Got it." Jacob interrupted us.
I glanced in shock at the completed puzzle that Jacob then pressed in.
"..." Atlas opened his mouth, but nothing came out.
I felt a giggle bubble up in my chest, but I held it back.
"How are you so good at this?" I asked.
"I thought it seemed easy." Jacob said.
"Let's just check out the rewards." Nick said, walking to the pedestal that had risen up in the place of the puzzle.
On the pedestal lay three items: A robe, a mace, and a skill tome.
"You should have the robe." Jacob said, handing it to me.
"The skill book seems to be for Nick." I said, noting the title. "It's Sword Steps."
Nick read the skill tome like a dehydrated man in a desert would drink water.
"I think Jacob should have the mace." Atlas said. "Or at least try it." He amended himself.
"So I can be more than a meat shield?" Jacob asked, hefting the mace. "I've never tried a mace."
"There's more puzzles on this floor." I said. "But the exit is open. Should we solve all of them and see what happens?"
In response, Jacob went over to the remaining six puzzles and solved each of them in quick succession, ignoring the rewards that popped up as he went.
After he solved the last one, the wall next to the fourth floor entryway opened and revealed a beautiful green bow.
Atlas jumped at the chance to get a new bow and examined it closely.
"Patience...and...time." He read out the inscription on the wood.
"Cool name." I remarked, inspecting the spoils of the completed puzzles.
"Hey guys?" I said, picking up one of the items. "Check this out."