A deep breath steadied me as I glanced around, the flattened path beneath my feet reminding me of the last time I was here. My gut tensed. If those 'traffic cops' showed up again, I'd be an easy target. I quickened my steps, instincts urging me to keep moving. The thought of high-tech scanners tracking my every move sent a flicker of unease down my spine. I glanced over my shoulder, heart thudding. No sign of them yet, but I wasn't sticking around to find out. My gaze snapped forward—focus. The building loomed in the distance, calling me onward.

As soon as I took my first step to turn, I suddenly found myself spinning into a full pirouette. Whoa—way too fast! I felt slightly off balance, spinning faster than I have since I was a kid. Guess I’m sticking with these Discomancer moves. Didn’t the write-up mention something about chaos? Well, it’s definitely chaotic to try and just turn around, only to end up spinning like a ballet dancer. But honestly, it’s kind of cool. I could probably go dancing with my friends now instead of just guarding the table all night—unless, of course, these are just martial arts moves or something entirely impractical. Hmm, I should probably test that out. But first, I need to put as much distance between myself and this place as possible.

I dashed back onto the cobblestone road, the uneven stones making my footing feel precarious as I pushed myself to run faster. The building loomed ahead, but it still felt far away as my backpack thudded heavily against my back, each bounce throwing off my rhythm. The straps dug into my shoulders with every jarring movement, but I couldn't slow down. All I could focus on was reaching the building before anything—or anyone—caught up to me.

Why am I not tired yet? By now, I should be feeling some sort of fatigue, but there’s nothing. I had to stay fit for my job, sure, but I’m certain it’s been at least two days since I stood in line at that book signing. Normally, I sleep like clockwork—always have. Even as a kid, I appreciated the structure of a good night’s sleep. The only times I ever stayed awake for days were after I first discovered I could do magic. I was too excited, too determined to experience that power again. Could that be what’s keeping me going now?

Could it be some skill related to the class? The sudden fluidity in my movements feels too chaotic to simply be affecting the way I run on a smooth road. But what if I’ve somehow "gained" a skill or stat? That seems absurd, though. How could that even be possible? Can magic and science really quantify and distribute abilities like that? It’s like something straight out of a game. But if that's what's happening... what other changes might be coming?

After cresting another hill, the building was coming into sharper focus, and I could make out some details—tall, imposing, with dark windows that seemed to watch me. But something felt off. Was it really getting closer already? It didn’t seem possible. I had expected to jog or at least walk for quite a while longer before reaching it. Yet here it was, looming ahead as if it had somehow drawn itself toward me. My pace hadn’t slowed, and I hadn’t stopped, but this seemed almost unnatural. Had I covered that much ground so quickly?

It looked like something straight out of a video game—castle ruins, with the signature spires and thick, obsidian stone walls, towering over the landscape. A tall central tower rose ominously above the rest, all of it cast in dark, menacing colours and sharp, jagged shapes. It was the kind of place you’d only describe as an "evil castle." Even the grass seemed to avoid it, stopping short and leaving a ring of bare earth around the base as if nothing wanted to grow too close to the ominous structure.

My feet began to slow down. Should I really be heading toward this ominous, evil-looking castle? Why would the hint lead me here of all places? Maybe there’s some kind of lost treasure inside, a powerful grimoire, or ancient scrolls and books? But surely Claeffen wouldn’t send me off to read something dangerous, would he? Evil books? The thought unsettled me, yet the curiosity gnawed at me. There had to be a reason I was sent to this place, right?

Like a moth to a flame, the very idea of forbidden or lost knowledge became too enticing to resist. My hesitation melted away, and before I knew it, I was running even faster, driven by the possibility of uncovering secrets hidden within those dusty corridors. The danger seemed secondary to the allure of what I might find.

Now that I have the system, I should be able to read anything! Why didn’t I stop to read the signpost earlier? Slowing down, I turned around and continued toward the ruins, this time walking backward at a brisk pace. As I squinted, I noticed movement in the distance, back the way I had come. My pulse quickened. Without thinking, I stopped and dashed into the tall grass, hoping to stay hidden while I figured out whether I had drawn any attention.

I squatted down, trying to make myself as hidden as possible. The grass was taller here, which gave me some cover. Staying in a crouch, I peeked over the top, squinting in the direction of the signpost. I could just make out a figure, too far away to see any details, but they were definitely searching the area. No vehicles around—how did they get here? I watched for a few minutes, heart pounding, as they moved around. Then suddenly, they stopped, stood still, and vanished. I really hope that was teleportation and not invisibility.

Should I take off running for the castle or stay hidden? It’s probably smarter to linger here a bit longer before making a move. What if the castle has defenses or some kind of magical shield? Rushing in blindly could make things worse. Now that I think about it, maybe the hefty fine will be covered as a necessary expense.

Reaching over, I activated the bracer.

“Dev, I got to the planet okay. However, there is a chance I will be stuck with a fine from trampling the native terrain from last time. Wait, this time too. As I am now standing in grass again. Anyways, Is a local fine something that is a necessary expense for me?”

Hi Mal. Please wait while I check.

Yes, I have found a clause that indicates that you're covered for legal fees and local fines.

“Thanks. Is there anything you can tell me about my current location? Specifically if the castle in front of me is evil.”

No, the castle doesn't appear to be associated with anything evil. I am unable to give you anything more than that at the moment. I am looking at a lot of redacted information.

“That's alright. I am just happy to know that I can stand up and walk to where I was going.”

I am not permitted to answer any other questions while you're there. I can give you a reminder of the services you will have available during this part of your quest: atmospheric, translation, encrypted translation, basic location information, limited generalized facts answered and credits. Enjoy your quest!

My view turned purple and wavy. Ugh Bleah. Ew, Eww, Ewwww... Ugh, that’s so gross. I ran my hand over my face and tongue, trying to dislodge the hair that had somehow gotten in my mouth as I stood up. Once I made my way back onto the path, I shrugged off my backpack, quickly unzipping it to search for something to drink—anything to get the taste of Brussel sprouts out of my mouth. Why does the grass taste like Brussel sprouts? Its purple furry hair!

I held up my prize—a bottle of Fanta—and guzzled down the last of it, hoping it would wash away the awful taste.

When did I last drink anything? Oh Yeah it was with Claeffen! I need to be more careful about time passing. I am so glad I brought a sugary drink with me to help me stay alert during the long wait in line. I don’t think the water would have helped me dislodge that taste.

After slinging my bag over my shoulder, I took a deep breath and started back toward the ruins, the weight of the backpack settling comfortably against my back. The path ahead seemed a little less daunting now, though the ruins in the distance still loomed ominously. Each step felt deliberate as I moved forward, my mind racing with questions about what awaited me inside those ancient walls. The apprenticeship and mystery were enough to push me onward, despite the unsettling feeling lingering in the air.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Finally, I stood before what was once a grand archway entrance, now reduced to rubble with its broken remains scattered across the ground. I looked up at the ominous structure towering above me, dark and foreboding. What could this place have been in its prime, besides an evil castle? A bustling city? Maybe a long-forgotten temple or even a wizard’s tower? The air around it felt thick with ancient secrets, and the crumbling stones seemed to whisper stories of a time lost to history.

Hopefully I am here to discover more than my mage’s calling but also some hidden secrets or hidden treasure! After the treasure room, I had been secretly hoping that the ruins would have one for me to uncover. I hope my ideal learning environment is a vault of historical magical artifacts not seen for thousands of years. Haha, now that would be pretty great. Although, these ruins aren’t exactly giving off the vibe of safe, enchanted objects. It feels more like the "evil cursed" kind of place.

I wonder if Claeffen even knows what his potential apprentices will uncover. In the books, his magic was incredibly well-rounded, and there were definitely chapters hinting that he might have access to foreknowledge. It was never clearly explained whether it was a skill, a spell, or some kind of artifact, but the possibility was always there.

I continued investigating around the collapsed archway, the jagged remnants of stone and debris making each step a cautious one. My eyes scanned the area, looking for any gaps or weak points in the dilapidated defenses. Every so often, I paused, inspecting fallen stones or peering through narrow openings, hoping to find a hidden path or a vulnerable spot I could slip through. There had to be some way past these ancient barriers, some forgotten entrance that time had not completely sealed off.

I guess I’ll head to my right around the wall. With that, I began what I hoped would be my only circuit around the ruins, scanning the area for any sign of an opening or clue, hoping I wouldn't have to make another pass.

I’m bound to find a way inside eventually. There’s no way this whole structure collapsed without leaving at least one opening. I just have to find it. Ideal conditions and all that. Man, I hope trying to find a break in the wall isn’t the perfect condition to trigger my magic learning.

The clue only said, "Go to that building." It didn’t actually specify anything about entering. I am just assuming the goal is to get inside. What if the answer isn’t hidden within the ruins at all? Maybe what I’m supposed to find is around the outskirts, hidden in plain sight, or tucked away in some forgotten corner outside the walls.

Alright, Mal, focus. What magic do I actually know so far, and how can it help? Well, I’ve levitated plates a few times. Tried other items, but only my plates worked, and I still don’t know why. Maybe it had something to do with the material or even the shape. Hell, I even bought the same brand of plates to practice with, and they didn’t even budge. So, I’m not exactly confident I’ll be levitating any of these massive rocks.

Still, it’s worth a shot before I spend however long walking around this place. Who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky.

I placed my backpack down at my feet, then selected a random rock nearby. Taking a deep breath, I began chanting the spell I had carefully decoded from the books. The familiar words flowed from my lips, though doubt lingered in the back of my mind. Would this actually work on something other than my plates?

The answer became overwhelmingly clear: no. I moved from larger rocks to smaller pebbles, repeating the chant over and over, but nothing happened. Each attempt left me more frustrated as the stones remained stubbornly grounded, refusing to budge.

Of course, it wouldn’t be easy. If it were, you wouldn’t need to be his apprentice in the first place.

I picked up my backpack and continued on my way. Okay, I need to keep an eye out for anything that seems out of place as well as an entrance. It shouldn’t be too difficult to find something out of place with the grass so far from the walls. Any object, or hidden clue should stand out against this empty ground. If there’s something important nearby—whether it’s a hidden doorway or some kind of artifact—it’ll be easy for me to spot.

I looked up and down the curtain wall, noting its deep black surface threaded with traces of brownish veins running through the stone. In the narrow window slits, I thought I could see a faint turquoise glow, barely visible but unmistakably there, as if something within was quietly pulsing with energy. It was the first visual confirmation that the ruins might still hold traces of magic.

Aww yes! Magic! That pulsing had to be magic, right? I really hope it’s not some kind of technology. It would be such a letdown to finally make my way in, only to find a bunch of pulsing screens. Maybe the pulsing will energize me with mana or something to assist me to do spells.

Glancing to my left, I thought I saw that same pulsing glow. If only it were nighttime, I’d be able to spot the openings much more easily. Sure, it would look a lot spookier, but it would definitely make finding an entrance simpler.

As I walked closer, the light seemed to vanish. Wait. Where did the glow go? I stepped back a few paces, and just like that, the glow reappeared. No wonder I hadn’t noticed it near the ground before—it disappears the closer I get to it.

I carefully examined the area around the faint glow, searching for any distinct marks or features that could serve as a reference point. If I was going to find this spot again, I needed something clear to signal where to stop—an arrow slit in the wall, a uniquely shaped stone, anything that would stand out amidst the overwhelming sea of crumbled, jagged rocks. The ruins were so fragmented that everything seemed to blur together, making it even more important to find some detail that wouldn’t easily blend into the chaos of the decaying structure.

I found a spot where a flat stone lay, almost as if an altar had slid down from above. Its smooth surface contrasted sharply with the surrounding rubble, making it stand out. It seemed deliberately placed, though worn by time, giving it an eerie significance amidst the chaos of the ruins. The turquoise glow was visible just above the altar-shaped stone, its smooth, flat surface elevated just enough to stand out from the surrounding debris.

I wonder if someone placed it there intentionally, as a marker for an entrance. The grass on this planet has no distinguishing features, no obvious signs to guide anyone. Once off the road you would just be in an indistinguishable plain of purple hair grass. Though the grass does seem to have different heights. To find this again you would need a marker or maybe you could count your steps from the front archway to find your way, but was this flat stone deliberately placed, or just a coincidence? It seemed too perfectly positioned to ignore, yet in a place this old, it was hard to tell what was deliberate and what was simply time’s doing.

Focusing on the “altar,” I walked forward until I stood before it—at least, I hoped that’s where I was. I realized I’d need to climb a bit to reach it. Testing a few spots for stability, I carefully began the climb, hoping debris wouldn’t shift much under my weight.

I peered over the edge and I noticed an alcove, noticing a narrow tunnel that I could just about crawl through. Loose stones cluttered the entrance, but further in, the passage seemed smoother, more inviting. I brushed aside the scattered stones to create a more comfortable spot to sit. Carefully, I climbed over the lip of the opening and, to my relief, discovered it was just tall enough for me to leave my backpack on and make my way through in a crouch.

I can definitely fit through there, I thought, sizing up the tunnel. It wasn’t exactly spacious, but it looked manageable. The passage was just wide enough to crawl through, and the height seemed forgiving enough that I wouldn't be completely hunched over the entire way. This should work. I just needed to stay calm and avoid any sudden movements. Yeah, I can do this.

It doesn’t look too far, maybe 3 to 6 meters? Very manageable. My eyes lost focus for a moment. There was a shimmering pink glow at the other end. It was a fluctuating, fluid-like barrier, almost like the iridescent surface of a soap bubble. The way it moved and danced was mesmerizing, its colors shifting and swirling in hypnotic patterns. I couldn’t take my eyes off it—it was captivating in a way that felt both magical and otherworldly.

Shaking off the entrancing feeling, I steadied myself against the walls of the long crevice that had once been part of the defensive outer wall of the ruin. Without thinking, I placed my hands on the smooth, cold stone to keep my balance as I moved forward. The chill seeped through my fingertips, grounding me as I approached the pink glow that filled the tunnel and blocked my view of what lay beyond. Stopping just short of it, I reached out, tentatively pressing my hand against the swirling surface. It gave slightly under my touch, like soft clay, before springing back into shape as I pulled away, rippling as though it were alive.

Great, it’s a typical fantasy sci-fi boundary—exactly what I needed.

Invading my vision was a system screen,

Welcome to The Solstitial Stronghold. Would you like to enter?

I indicated Yes.

The screen cleared from my view, finally revealing the interior of the ruins. What lay before me wasn’t some new teleporting surprise, but rather a very dark room. Faintly glowing swirls of turquoise traced along the walls, just enough to keep the space from being completely pitch black. The passageway exited flush to the ground, confirming my suspicion that this was a deliberately made exit, not just some natural break in the ruins.

The room appeared to be completely devoid of any furniture or familiar objects. I cautiously stepped inside and, deciding to regroup, lowered myself into a sitting position. I reached in my front pocket, touching the bag of holding. With a focused thought, I willed it silently with the command, torch. Nothing. I tried again. Still nothing. What the hell? Who packs an adventurer's bag of holding but forgets to include torches?