With his newly acquired identity secured, Alex embarked on a mission to better equip himself for his explorations in the otherworld.
After returning to his home he methodically packed his backpack with a change of clothes, a sturdy water bottle, a notebook and pen, and a few other essentials that might prove useful on his journey. As he prepared, he contemplated the unknown territories he was about to venture into, reminding himself that careful planning was key to a successful adventure. The thought of testing whether his backpack could traverse the cupboard with him sparked a flicker of excitement.
Standing before the cupboard, backpack slung over his shoulder, Alex took a deep breath and stepped forward, attempting to bring both himself and his belongings into the otherworld. To his dismay, he discovered that only he could pass through, leaving his backpack behind on his side of the portal.
He reappeared at the transportation hub, taking a moment to survey the surroundings. Once again, he marvelled at the way the local populace dressed, their attire reminiscent of the Victorian era. His outfit, a simple yet clean ensemble consisting of a white shirt, black pants, and polished Oxford shoes, felt almost plain in comparison.
Refocusing on his goals, Alex reminded himself of the tasks at hand. Today, armed with his newly acquired identity card, he was determined to follow through on a task he postponed: to gather more information about this world. The library, with its potential to provide insights into the world's language and culture, interested him. It was a place of learning and exploration he was eager to experience firsthand.
Exiting the transportation hub, Alex embarked on a direct route to the library, his key and ID card safely stowed in his pocket. Though he had located the library during a previous visit, fatigue had prompted him to postpone his exploration. As he walked, his attention was suddenly captured by a procession of knights, their emblems proudly depicting ravens. The knights exuded an air of majesty, clad in their impressive armour and armed with gleaming swords. He speculated whether these were the knights the maid had mentioned, guardians or some kind of knight order.
Arriving at the entrance of the library building, Alex was greeted by vigilant guards stationed on duty. Approaching them with a sense of purpose, he presented his ID card for inspection. After a cursory check, the guards granted him access, allowing him to step into the sanctum of knowledge beyond. Once inside, the sheer splendour of the environment swept over him. The exterior of the building had offered little hint of the vast expanse within—a labyrinth of towering bookshelves that seemed to stretch into infinity. The presence of individuals in grey coats, engaged in the meticulous arrangement and retrieval of books, added to the sense of purpose that permeated the space.
Approaching the central counter, Alex encountered the librarian—a warm-faced man sporting glasses that perched upon his nose. Inquiring about a book to learn the Elsin(this world language) language for beginners, Alex was momentarily taken aback by the librarian's reaction. The librarian retrieved a purple crystal from his desk and requested that Alex repeat his query. Puzzled by this interaction, Alex's curiosity was further piqued. Could this crystal be the language artifact the butler had mentioned, an artifact for understanding languages like his key?
Turning his attention to a grey-coated assistant who had just arrived with a stack of books, the librarian dispatched him to retrieve the book titled "Frogs in Well: Elsin for Beginners." The assistant complied and swiftly departed on the errand.
After a brief interval, the assistant returned, a relatively thick yet inviting book in his hands. He handed the book over to the librarian, who then directed his focus back to Alex. Presenting two options—borrowing the book or reading within the library—the librarian detailed the terms of borrowing, including a security charge and a deadline for return. Opting to read within the library, Alex expressed his decision with a nod of gratitude. Armed with the book, he chose a nearby table to settle down.
As he opened the book, he was met with an unexpected sight—a meticulously rendered image of an apple graced the first page. Beneath the image lay a striking letter (ђ) in bold, accompanied by a complete word. The unconventional teaching method intrigued Alex, prompting him to delve further. With each page turned, he encountered more letters coupled with corresponding images. While some were immediately decipherable, others, like the image of a winged cow denoted by the letter ק, left him pondering the whimsical nature of this world's linguistic approach.
Immersing himself in the process of learning, Alex lost track of time until a yawn reminded him of his body's need for rest. With a sense of accomplishment, he closed the book and allowed himself a moment of quiet contemplation amid the library's hallowed halls before going back to his home.
Returning home after a brief rest in the GOLD lounge, Alex entered his room and noticed his backpack lying on the cupboard. He picked it up and set it aside, then checked his phone for messages or missed calls, finding none. Glancing at the time, he realized that only two hours had passed since he left, while in the other world, he had spent roughly 29 hours. This observation led him to the conclusion that time passed about 14.5 times faster on Earth compared to the otherworld.
Turning his attention back to his backpack, Alex contemplated how he could bring it with him next time. He decided to try keeping some items in his pockets and see if they could pass through the portal.
Finally, he retrieved a notebook and began jotting down everything he had learned that day in the library. There was still a long journey ahead, and he didn't want to forget any crucial details.