The woman in the sleek robe, its fabric hugging her curves, glanced at the nurse without looking away from Chast, who was snoring softly in his deep sleep.
The nurse rolled her eyes but kept her thoughts to herself. Duh, he's snoring. Obviously, he's just sleeping. She wouldn't risk offending a High Celestial. Instead, she offered a polite smile. "He's fine, just sleeping. Likely overwhelmed after what happened earlier. Judging by his appearance, he seems new to Valvrynth Academy."
The woman nodded, lips pressing into a thin line. "Call me when he wakes. I'll send someone to escort him to his dorm." With a graceful turn, she left the infirmary, heading to a meeting with the High Celestials and professors—a discussion about the mysterious incident that had terrified the students earlier.
Once the door clicked shut, Chast exhaled in relief. He had been awake for a while, feigning sleep just to get some peace. Finally alone, he cracked open his eyes and pushed himself upright, his mind already spinning with plans to escape this place.
The infirmary was massive, far larger than he had expected, with pale walls that glimmered faintly under floating crystal lights. Potted plants lined the corners, their soft fragrances tempering the sharp scent of disinfectant and rubbing alcohol. The mix of sterile and herbal aromas was oddly calming, like a strange blend of magic and medicine.
Across the room sat a plush couch, its cushions spilling over the edges, and a polished coffee table decorated with glass vials and glowing orbs.
Chast padded over to a tall cabinet and swung the door open. "Wow..." he muttered. Rows of neatly folded infirmary clothes and soft slippers greeted him, all in muted pastel shades.
He explored further, peeking through the other doors. One revealed a tidy washroom with marble sinks and glowing soapstones; another, a cozy kitchenette with enchanted cookware that floated slightly above the counters. The final door opened to a sitting room lined with bookshelves filled with tomes that whispered softly when he passed.
Chast shut the door and leaned against it, a slow grin tugging at his lips. This was no ordinary clinic. This was a cage of luxury.
And he wanted out.
The next thing he knew, he was gone from the room—vanished in the blink of an eye.
What the hell? Did I just teleport? How did this happen? Chast spun around, taking in his new surroundings. The rich scent of aged wood filled the air, mixed with a faint trace of magic that made his skin tingle.
He was standing in a massive chamber, far larger than his bedroom back at the mansion. The dark, ancient wood of the walls stretched to a vaulted ceiling, gleaming warmly under the soft glow of floating orbs. The orbs drifted lazily, casting dancing shadows across the polished floor.
A towering bookshelf dominated one wall, almost swallowed by thick, twisting vines. Curiosity pried him closer. He ran his fingers along the bark-like vines, and with a faint crackling sound, they slithered to the sides, revealing row upon row of magical books—organized not by size, but by the colors of their glowing spines.
"Wow..." Chast whispered, stepping back. Even a bookshelf is magical here. The vines seemed almost alive, curling and uncurling as if breathing.
He turned and noticed the rest of the room. Plush couches were arranged in a wide semi-circle around a floating marble table. At each end of the couches hovered amber orbs, their soft glow radiating warmth that made the whole room feel welcoming. Without thinking, Chast jumped onto one of the couches and sank into its cushions. The heat seeped into him, easing the tension in his muscles. Finally... a little comfort in this insane place.
But just as he closed his eyes, a sharp crack! echoed through the room. Chast bolted upright, his heart hammering. From one of the arched, rune-carved doors, a brown-haired figure emerged—black jeans, a crisp white shirt, and a large leather jacket that looked suspiciously familiar.
Chast's eyes widened. "That's my clothes!" he yelled, pointing at the newcomer.
"Oops!" The guy grinned and strutted toward him, striking exaggerated poses as if auditioning for a fashion show. "Does this outfit make me look cool?" he asked, spinning dramatically in place.
Chast didn't answer. He just glared, dagger-like, and clenched his fists.
The brown-haired guy paused, gave a final flourish, and winked. "Luke. Name's Luke." With a snap of his fingers, he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared—like a balloon popping in midair.
Chast blinked, stunned. Great. First day, and I'm already surrounded by teleporting fashion models. This is going to be fun... not.
And how the hell did my clothes end up on him? Chast slapped the pillow in frustration. He's not a fashion teleporting model—he's a fashion teleporting thief model.
Chast strode toward the bookshelf, needing to divert his frustration into something productive. He touched the shelves, brushing his fingers through the books while choosing which one might catch his attention. As he brushed by them, the books glowed and trembled as if they wanted Chast to pick them. Each book had its own weird, attractive cover, but nothing caught his eye—until a metallic gold book, thick and placed on the very top shelf, glowed more brightly than the others.
Chast tiptoed to reach it, but couldn't; though he was six feet tall, the bookshelf towered over 6'5". Just as he was about to give up, the book floated toward him and landed in his palms.
Chast sat comfortably on the couch, staring at the metallic gold book titled Valvrynth Academy. The title alone excited him, and a flood of questions about the academy surged in his mind. Finally, answers that will feed my curiosity!
Excitedly, he tried to open the book, but disappointment quickly replaced his anticipation. He shook it, stretched his arms, and tried again. What's wrong with this book? Does it have a lock? He flipped it over—nothing. Do I need a spell? A ritual?
Lost in thought, Chast didn't hear the loud sharp crack of the door as Ronnie appeared.
Ronnie was delighted to see him alive and rushed toward the couch, grinning with a mischievous idea. He crept closer, trying not to make a sound, intending to startle Chast. But Chast suddenly stood upright, holding the book and placing it on the marble table.
Ronnie, crossing his arms behind him, watched curiously.
Chast remembered his dad casting a spell when opening a portal to Labrynthia. I hope it'll work on the book.
Clearing his throat, he said awkwardly, "Manlukat ka!" as he pointed at the book.
Nothing happened. Maybe I need to say it out loud.
"Manlukat ka!" Chast repeated, louder. Luke rushed out from another room and found Chast and Ronnie in the living area.
Ronnie turned his back to acknowledge Luke. Luke pointed at Chast. "What the hell is he doing?"
Ronnie shrugged. "I think he's losing it."
Luke chuckled. "Is he stupid? Casting a portal through the book?"
Before Ronnie could respond, Chast hugged the book. Ronnie and Luke widened their eyes—they couldn't believe what was happening.
"Please, manlukat ka!" Chast begged in a soft, pleading tone.
Luke and Ronnie burst out laughing. "I told you he's losing it!" Ronnie said, laughing.
Chast flushed, ears burning. Have they been watching me? For how long? Oh please, let a portal eat me right now!
He took a deep breath to calm himself. There's no way out for me. I need to save my dignity. I need to be cool. He stood up, walked to the bookshelf, ignoring the two men as if they were invisible, and slid back the book.
Luke nudged Ronnie, pointing at the flickering orbs that had turned red. Ronnie's eyes sparkled. "The orbs turned red!" They burst out laughing, saying in unison, "Someone's embarrassed!"
Their laughs echoed in Chast's ears. The embarrassment shifted into annoyance. Their teasing wasn't funny.
Chast admitted to himself that he was embarrassed and wished he could erase their memories of witnessing his antics.
Ronnie and Luke stopped laughing, astonished. "What the hell?" Luke whispered as the golden metallic book floated back into Chast's hands, glowing so brightly it outshone the room's orbs.
In Chast's hands, he could feel the pulse emanating from the book. It grew louder and hotter. "Aww!" Chast immediately dropped the book and looked at his palms. The hot book had left a diamond-shaped burn with the letter V inscribed on his skin. Unease and nervousness surged through him.
Ronnie and Luke rushed to him. "What's this?" Luke muttered, examining Chast's hands and glancing at the book on the floor.
"I... uhh..." Before Chast could respond, the sigil on his palm glimmered bright yellow. He yanked back his hand, groaning, and collapsed to the floor.
"Hey, you alright?" Ronnie asked, voice trembling.
"Ice... ice... we need ice!" Luke rushed to the kitchen but found the fridge empty.
"I got it!" Ronnie shouted, returning quickly. He raised his right hand, cast a spell, and an icepack appeared, which he immediately placed on Chast's hand.
"Will it work? Or should we just cut his hand off to relieve the pain?" Luke blurted, pacing.
Chast and Ronnie burst out laughing. "What makes you think cutting off my hand will help? Wouldn't it make it worse—and leave me with just one hand?"
The orbs flickered white, unnoticed as Chast's hand glowed faintly.
Ronnie suggested, "We could cut it off... I can cast a new hand anyway."
Chast scoffed. "And how would we attach it? Glue? Sew it?" He raised an eyebrow.
Ronnie and Luke laughed, stopping abruptly as they noticed the icepack vaporizing. "Man, look!" Luke pointed at the sigil.
Chast watched in bewilderment as the faint smoke transferred to the book, which opened to its first page.
"Welcome to Valvrynth Academy!" all three read aloud in unison.
"This book is one hell of a magical book!" Luke exclaimed.
Chast picked it up, and the book turned into faint yellow smoke, rushing into his palm as the sigil disappeared, along with his pain.