The wheel stopped spinning, and Alan's heart skipped a beat. The AI, Nillen, declared, ["Congratulations! You have won the super ultra-rare prize: Luas and Niass."]
Alan stared at the screen, bewildered. "What is Luas and Niass?" he asked, still not comprehending his luck.
Albert's eyes widened for a moment before he burst into laughter. "Well, well, this is quite the surprise! I never thought anyone would actually win that prize. It's the most valuable one I have."
Alan looked at him skeptically. "Why is it so valuable?"
Albert composed himself, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Ah, my dear boy, Luas and Niass is a prize beyond compare. It's a symbol of unity, power, and legacy in Elven culture. It's something every elf dreams of having. To claim it, you must travel to the Celestial Cosmos and find it in the floating castle. There, you will understand its true value."
Still confused but intrigued, Alan asked, "And how do I get to this floating castle?"
Albert handed him a small, ornate box. "Inside, you will find a letter, a pendant, and a ring. These will guide you. But remember, only open the box when the time is right."
Alan took the box, feeling the weight of its importance. "So, I just go to the Celestial Cosmos and find this castle?"
"Precisely," Albert replied. "And to help you on this journey, I will make you one of my finders. Your mission is to locate the prophesied Chosen One who will save us from the upcoming Celestial War. I trust you will take this task seriously."
Alan procrastinated for a moment, unsure of the enormity of the task ahead, but he eventually nodded. "Alright, I'll do it. But I need proper gear and a weapon."
Albert smiled. "Of course. Here are some travel clothes, tailored to your needs." He handed Alan a set of well-crafted attire. "And for a weapon, choose what you will."
Alan, being an otaku, immediately thought of a katana. "I want a katana," he said, imagining himself as a samurai.
Albert raised an eyebrow but complied, summoning a beautifully crafted katana. "A fine choice. But be warned, it's heavier than it looks."
Alan took the katana, surprised by its weight. "Damn, this is heavy," he muttered, cursing his luck.
Albert chuckled. "You'll get used to it. And lastly, I have a special gift for you." He presented a small, floating orb. "This is CST-5, a personalized AI designed to assist you. She can learn from human emotions and evolve over time. She may look like a simple orb now, but she's incredibly advanced."
The orb floated around Alan, and he named it Ellen. "Welcome, Ellen," Alan said, feeling a strange attachment to the AI.
["Greetings, Master Alan. I look forward to assisting you on your journey,"] Ellen responded in a clear, melodic voice.
Albert watched the interaction with a fond smile. "Take care of her. She's still a prototype, but she has great potential. Now, where would you like to go first?"
Alan hesitated before speaking. "I want to go to Celestial Harmony in the Realm of Beasts."
Albert's expression turned serious. "That's a dangerous place, Alan. Are you sure?"
"Yes, I need to get the legacy I've been searching for," Alan replied, keeping the details vague.
"A legacy huh?" Albert glared at Alan suspiciously
"It's a family ornament left by my great grandfather ha ha ha" Alan tried his best to not disclose too much information. He still could not trust Albert too much who knows what he might do if he told him the truth!
Albert sighed, showing a hint of concern. "Very well. But be extremely careful. The Realm of Beasts is not to be taken lightly."
With a wave of his hand, Albert activated a teleportation circle. "Step inside, and you'll be transported to Celestial Harmony. And please, don't step out of the circle until the teleportation is complete."
Alan nodded as he had a past experience which was a pleasant one at that and stepped into the circle, feeling the familiar pull of teleportation. As the light enveloped him, he cursed his luck once more for the heavy katana he now carried. The last thing he heard was Albert's voice, filled with hidden care. "Good luck, Alan. May you find what you're looking for."
The world around Alan shifted, and he found himself standing in the middle of a dense, lush forest. The sounds of wild beasts echoed in the distance, and he tightened his grip on the katana, despite its weight.
He took a deep breath, readying himself for the challenges ahead. "Alright, Ellen. Let's find that legacy and get out of here alive."
["Affirmative, Master Alan. I will assist you in any way I can,"] Ellen replied, floating beside him.
Alan glanced around, his senses on high alert. The forest seemed peaceful, but he knew better than to trust appearances. He took a step forward, and the ground beneath him shifted slightly. "What the—"
Before he could react, a massive beast lunged at him from the shadows, its claws gleaming in the dim light. Alan barely managed to dodge, his heart racing as he realized just how dangerous this place truly was.
"Great, just great," he muttered, tightening his grip on the katana. "Here we go again."