"Hello young man, a word please." He said with a stern voice. He walked into the building and looked around before he sat down on one of the wooden chairs in front of me. He looked me straight in the eye and all of a sudden, my body became really heavy. Suddenly, the force of gravity felt like it was ten times stronger. Due to that force, my body collapsed and I fell to my knees. "Hmmm, that's much better." It was him!
"A war orphan that doesn't even show respect to his elders, hah, what a disgrace." he complained. Although the noble hierarchy exists in this world, mages also have their own rankings. He may be the butler, but he is clearly more experienced in magic than me.
"These past few days, I have heard many complaints about you. Why the Duke ever brought you here still baffles me, but I don't have any right to go against him." So I'm not favoured by any of the servants except Charlotte. What sort of war orphan am I for them to hate me so much?
"This library was assigned to you and I believe the deadline for this assignment is near, am I right?" Since the Duke wants to gift this to his daughter, the library must be finished before the young lady's birthday, which I believe is-
"I have one month remaining." I spoke with a clear but diminished voice so as to not trigger his mana pressure again. If he kept that force on me for a few more minutes, my organs would have definitely given out.
"Precisely! One month! However, the progress does not seem like it will finish in one month." Either way I end up angering this man. "To ensure that the young lady's birthday gift is ready on time, I will be making changes to that deadline. From today, you have 15 days to finish reorganising the library. Failure to do so will not only result in punishment but also potential dismissal from the duchy."
15 DAYS! Does this man think I'm a robot or something!? There's around 5000 more books to be arranged and organised before shelving. How does he expect me to finish it in 15 days? And dismissal!? He basically wants me to work to my death. In that regard, dying sounds like a better option.
"If you do not think you have what it takes, simply return the token." Although it was faint, he definitely smirked. What a nasty old man! Returning the token is the same as dismissal, except I'll be doing it myself. That can't happen. As a war orphan, if I get kicked out of the duchy, my life is pretty much over. I rather eat the stale loaf of bread than starve to my death on the streets.
"Your answer?" He stretched his hand out, and looked almost certain that I would hand him the token. This man knew how ridiculous this task was and yet still offered it. There is no real choice in the matter; I either work to death or starve to death. Both ways I'll die, so I guess the choice is obvious.
"I'll do it."
The butler did not look happy. Winding up half of the library which previously took me 3 months in mere 15 days should be impossible. However, I'm not Kai. This kind of task is easy. A couple of all-nighters and persistence and I'll probably make it. Positivity is the only way to go. For now, my only task is to live.
The man in the stiff uniform pushed the chair back and walked right up to me. Out of fear of the mana pressure, I kept my head lowered. He stood in front of me in silence for a few minutes and then cleared his throat. "Very well then. I shall return in 15 days. Your right to stay will depend on this assignment." He turned around and walked towards the door, but right before he left, he turned around one more time.
"By any chance, were you prancing about the Magic garden a couple of days ago?" I knew he suspected me. He examined my expression to see if I would answer him. I maintained my composure, "No sir. I was in my room by 10 pm."
"I see." He definitely doesn't believe me, but it doesn't make a difference to me. He turned towards the door, grabbed the door handle and gently pulled it. -Tok- The handle popped out. Pffft- AHAHHAHAHAHHAHA! The handle popped out! It's a shame that I have to keep my head lowered, I really want to see his expression! The butler moved toward the second door, and elegantly pulled the second handle. -CrEAk!- This time the door opened with ridiculous creaks. Thank God, my head was lowered, because my expression would've definitely got me killed. Before he stepped out, he turned his head towards me, "Also, make sure to stay away from the North mansion." -Slam-
The North Mansion? Does he mean the house atop the hill? Well it doesn't matter anyway because an abandoned house is most likely haunted. Let's just say, me and ghosts don't really get along well.
.....
Once the butler left, I returned to the book towers. Back to my test! I picked up the same book, turned it upside down and opened it from the left side as the note instructed.
"The words of the language of magic are not so easily understood, except a few chosen individuals who have been blessed."
Either my eyes are killing me due to the butler's rude attitude or because the writing is the same as cursive english.
-tp-tp-tp-
A strange noise came from behind me. I turned to look but no one was behind me. Then why would they make such a strange noise- No! Please no! I picked up one of the tougher hardcover books and walked towards the noise.
-tp-tp-tp-
It's back! I walked down the aisles until I reached the back of the library. There were two rows of desks for people who wished to study. After catching up to the -tp- sound, I found myself in front of one of the desks. On it was placed a fairly old book.
"Introduction to Ancient texts"
-tp-tp-tp- It's back!
TBC