Chapter 2: Testing the Waters
The next few days were a blur of experimentation. Ethan dove into the Library—pulling out everything from science fiction novels to obscure fantasy epics. The Silvertongue ability manifested in subtle ways. Whenever he spoke, it was as if his words carried weight, making people listen more intently. He could convince a shopkeeper to throw in an extra item for free with a single sentence or persuade a stranger to help him without them even realizing how they'd been manipulated.
He grew more powerful each day, leveling up his experience by reading more. Each book took a little from him—memories, energy, focus—but he found the tradeoff to be worth it.
One evening, after pulling out an old X-Men comic, he noticed something odd. As he finished reading, a ripple went through the air, and suddenly, in front of him, Wolverine stood, claws outstretched.
Ethan blinked. "What the hell?"
"Who are you?" Wolverine growled, his eyes narrowing. "Where am I?"
Ethan scrambled backward, his mind racing. Was this really happening? Was he being dragged into his own stories?
Before he could think of a response, Wolverine sheathed his claws. "I... feel like I've been called here," he muttered, looking around. "But I don't remember why."
Ethan could barely comprehend what was happening. He had summoned Wolverine—one of his favorite comic characters—into the real world, or rather, into his living room. This was beyond anything he could've imagined.
"Okay, okay," Ethan muttered to himself, trying to regain his bearings. He hadn't expected this level of interaction. The Library wasn't just about reading—it was about control, about creation.
"Okay, let's test this," he said, his voice trembling with excitement and a little fear. "If you're here, then I can control you too, right?"
Wolverine tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "Try me."
Ethan closed his eyes and whispered, "Go back to the comic where you belong."
There was a flash of light, and in an instant, Wolverine was gone—returning to the world of ink and paper.
Ethan stared at his hands, stunned. This was real. He wasn't just reading stories anymore—he was controlling them, pulling them into reality and sending them back.
Chapter 3: The Power of Words
As the days passed, Ethan grew more adept at using his Silvertongue and the Library. He realized that he could influence not just characters, but entire plots. He could rewrite them, bend them to his will. He was shaping stories like a master architect, creating a new reality where anything was possible.
One night, in the midst of reading a particularly intense fantasy novel, he had an idea.
"I want to be more than just a spectator," he muttered. "I want to be part of the adventure."
With a deep breath, he spoke aloud, the words forming in his mind as they left his lips.
"I choose my path. I want to step into the story."
In an instant, he felt a sharp pull, like gravity shifting. His body seemed to dissolve into the air around him, and when he opened his eyes, he was no longer in his living room.
He stood in the middle of a bustling medieval town, the sounds of merchants and horses filling the air. His surroundings were a perfect replica of a world straight out of a high fantasy novel.
And in the distance, he saw a figure approaching: a knight in shining armor, wielding a sword and looking directly at him.
Ethan grinned. "Let's see where this adventure takes me."