After multiple tries, I managed to find a way to complete my chores.
("Finally done…!") [Solace]
Feeding the monsters was the hardest part. This took much skill, in which I went into the cage myself. The rules stated they needed to be fed by hand, but I kind of just threw their food into their mouths everytime they attempted to bite me.
("Alright, what's the next thing on my list?") [Solace]
After all the time I had worked in the tower, I was given a little notebook to write in. Sadly, I had to request the making of it since apparently the thought of a small notebook was non-existent in this world.
("Hm. Next is cleaning up Lapis' desk, but I can save that for later. I guess I'll go read some books.") [Solace]
Using the teleport points within the tower, I suddenly found myself in Lapis' office.
"Huh?" [Solace]
("This doesn't look right.") [Solace]
I could've sworn I was going to the library. The only reason why I ended up here was that there was something wrong with the teleport stations.
("Let's try teleporting again.") [Solace]
Re-entering the teleporter, I suddenly found myself in another room. Unfortunately, it wasn't the library.
("What is this place?") [Solace]
I was in a room I had never seen before. There were shelves lined across the walls, just like the library. However, they didn't hold books. They held things shaped like spheres, which kind of piqued my curiosity.
("What are these?") [Solace]
I leaned in for a closer look.
("A… crystal ball?") [Solace]
I tapped the sphere, causing it to light up.
"Woah!" [Solace]
I jolted in surprise.
("That scared me…") [Solace]
Quickly realizing it wasn't anything much, I took another look at the ball.
("This is… a video?") [Solace]
Within the ball played something kind of like a thirty second video. In other words, a Utube short of something like that.
("Wait… I feel like I've seen this before.") [Solace]
Watching the video closely, I could see an icy mountain. There were three people who scaled it, with only two holding some kind of weapon.
("Hm… They look so familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it.") [Solace]
Trying to gather more information, I inspected the video. One person held a ginormous sword, one held a really weird staff that kind of looks like a stick, and someone wearing gauntlets.
("...Wait a minute. That sword…!") [Solace]
Then it clicked. What I was seeing was Cor Sanguis, the sword king.
("How could I forget that! That dude literally knocked me out hundreds of times!") [Solace]
I became curious about the other two companions, but was alerted when I heard the teleporter activate.
"Oh? What are you doing here, little spirit?" [Lapis]
It was strange. After hearing that question, I really wasn't sure of what to say. It was like those moments when you feel guilty of something even though you didn't do anything.
"Uh… Your teleporter is broken?" [Solace]
Lapis made an expression that visibly told me I was being stupid.
"Impossible. I don't think you would have the intellect to analyze my creations for that conclusion." [Lapis]
("Harsh much?") [Solace]
Lapis was kind of right, but the way she roasted me had me kind of pissed.
"Okay. Sure. Then try checking it yourself." [Solace]
Making a smug expression, Lapis replied.
"I will." [Lapis]
She waved a hand over the teleportation pad, which then summoned an incredibly large magic circle. I tried reading a bit of the inscriptions on it from afar, but I didn't understand a thing.
("I guess she was right about me not having the intellect for it, huh.") [Solace]
"You have gained |Experience|. |Mystic Tongue| has gained a level." [Spirit Guide]
("...I forget that this world can increase intellect.") [Solace]
Thinking about it now, I really wished this leveling system existed in my previous world. How easy would it be to learn a new language…
"Huh?" [Lapis]
Waving her hands in confusion, her brows furrowed.
"That's weird…" [Lapis]
That's where I saw my opportunity.
"Was I right?" [Solace]
Lapis glared at me for a moment and returned back to studying the magic circle.
"I was right, wasn't I?" [Solace]
"Shut it." [Lapis]
Without even looking at me, she fired a bolt of lightning at my feet.
"...You missed." [Solace]
"That was a warning shot." [Lapis]
"Is that an excuse for missing I hear?" [Solace]
Not going to lie, I was getting carried away from teasing her.
"I see how it is." [Lapis]
Lapis made a grabbing motion at the magic circle which caused it to vanish. She then proceeded to turn to me with a palm full of… I don't even know how to describe it. It was like a dark mass that seemed to swirl in her hand.
"What is that?" [Solace]
"A curse." [Lapis]
Hearing that was kind of concerning.
"...What kind?" [Solace]
"The kind where you will stub your toe every ten minutes." [Lapis]
Now that was quite terrifying.
"Er… Is it too late to apologize?" [Solace]
"Sure. I'll give you three attempts to entertain me." [Lapis]
There was my way out. Except that it was probably a trap.
("Why do I always put myself in terrible situations?") [Solace]