It was a normal day for me, I've been to the library where I copied as many enchants as possible. And after I felt tired from all of that I then would go to the enchanting room where I'll try to get them enchanted.

Some of them were accepted while others didn't get any reaction from the enchanting table. It was very frustrating at that time since it didn't show me what was wrong, nor did I have someone that could teach me what I did wrong.

At least I made improvements with my enchanting skill, and I also decided to enchant only the paper, even if it was a temporary thing.

I didn't want to give those guys more materials than necessary even though they could've done this job a lot better and faster then me, and with this method, I didn't occupy too much inventory which I'm sure they appreciated. I don't think level-one enchantments are that popular around here.

I did find out that after a week passed the enchanted paper would turn back to a normal empty sheet, even if it was in a chest, which took me by surprise.

Unfortunately I can't keep doing this kind of enchantment since I can put only two enchantments on a piece of paper.

But my skill tab didn't look too bad.

_______________________________________________

SKILLS

_Crafting lvl 4

29.125/100.000

_Enchanting lvl 3

130/10.000

_Brewing lvl 2

110/1.000

_Trading lvl 4

9.500/100.000

_______________________________________________

"Finally I'm level 3 in enchanting! Unfortunately, I have to get back to enchanting books. But this leaves less chance for error since it won't accept the book. So I should level up more efficiently with this method."

The progress brought a smile to my face, it felt nice to see your skills improving. Especially if you could visually see it like in a game.

Even though I was technically in one.

But the fan part of the day is over, now it's time for the not-so-fun part, but still a necessary one.

Mining the tunnel.

It wasn't as hard as the first time I've done it. I luckily managed to find a storage room with broken iron tools. I took some of them, put them in a furnace to get some iron nuggets, and then I was able to make an iron pickaxe after all that trouble.

And the best part about this was that I think that I took all of that from a trash room, so nobody would bat an eye if something goes missing from there.

Of course, once I've got another pickaxe I enchanted it with unbreaking three and efficiency one.

I didn't get enough time to make too many enchantments, plus I didn't want to destroy the random anvils that I use.

Back into my room I took out a golden carrot from inventory which I quickly ate for more energy.

Then I went down into the food storage room, which further lead me to my hidden tunnel system.

I walked through the hot empty tunnels until I arrived at the last place I stopped.

I hit the block in from of me until it broke, I then took the item from the ground, and continued to do that until suddenly something changed my pace.

I was greeted by a wall of obsidian.

"This doesn't look good."

I tried to mine around it, but I was still blocked by the wall of obsidian.

"Looks like this is the worst-case scenario. We're in an unbreakable box. Well, have to use that actual entrance to get out."

I took a deep sigh and decided to see what was my position in the huge box.

I mined up, until finally I was greeted by light. It was from the side instead of the ceiling as I was expecting it.

"I think I minded into the wall itself."

I looked through the hole and fortunately, I wasn't in a place easy to see.

Through the one-block hole I could see some trees, the green grass and even some flowers.

"I think I'm in a garden or something similar."

I carefully got out and looked around for any signs of life.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

There was no one that I could see, which was a good start.

After walking in circles I finally figured out where I was. I was in sight of my balcony.

There was only one more room besides mine that had a balcony, and that was Froggy's old room which now is empty.

"This is a pretty good spot to have an exit. I only need to figure out the guard's schedule and the location of the gate. Then we can make a plan on how to get out of here."

I couldn't wait to tell Froggy the good news. I finally made some progress and this would surely brighten up his mood.

With the new discovery, I decided to stop here and explore at night when there was less visibility for the guards on the walls.

I'll probably ask Froggy for a night vision potion and maybe invisibility.

We'll most likely have to use invisible potions when we're going to escape. We only need a distraction for the guards at gate so we can open or break the iron doors.

I went back through the narrow tunnels into my comfortable room. I was tired and dinner won't come for a few hours so I decided to take a nap until then.

_____

* Knock knock

Someone was knocking with power at my door which startled me.

I quickly got up to see that the moon was already outside shining through the cold desert.

"I surely missed dinner. But who would look out for me at such a late hour then?"

I walked to the door to open it, only to be surprised that my guest was actually the prince himself.

"Ahh, hello there prince. I did not expect a visit from you at such a late hour...or at all."

The prince looked curious around to room and then back at me.

"You must've been asleep, I'm sorry for disturbing you at such a late hour."

I did sleep for a few good hours, so now for sure, I won't be able to get back to it.

"I didn't manage to fall asleep yet sir, so there's no problem."

The prince just smiled and nodded his head pretending to believed my lie.

"I'm glad to hear that. I came here to ask about your program with the enchantment skill?"

"I recently got it to level 3"

"Already? That's some great progress in such a short time. I'm happy for your success, now that you've got this far I can help you speed up your progress in the next few days."

This took me by surprise. I thought the prince would want to contact me only when I get to level 5 where he could request me or something, but it seems that he wants to help me get there faster.

And the only reason that he would suddenly change his mind would be because he doesn't have enough time for me to get there naturally.

This made me think for a minute, there has to be a reason for his rush.

But the only thing that came to my mind was the new year party, which is in two weeks.

"This would be an honor for me to be guided by such a brilliant man."

The young prince took my compliment with a smile.

"Of course, anything for my new business partner. We'll meet tomorrow at the library where we would start our first lesson."

He then turn around and walked away.

"Well, this just happened."

I quickly closed the door and started to think about what just happened.

The reason that he wants me to level up as soon as possible is because I need to do something for him that he can't do or is not allowed to do.

He is maxed level in the enchanting skill for sure, so that leaves the option where he is not allowed to do it himself.

There are a few rules when it comes to enchanting, especially in the Sandstone kingdom. But the only one that would truly affect a prince would be to make a forbidden enchantment like the curse of biding.

In the game, the only way to obtain a curse of biding book or enchantment is through a treasure chest.

But here you can actually make the enchantment yourself. It has the same effect as in the game where you can't take it off but here it also has another ability, which is that it binds the wearer in one place for a few moments.

That's why it's a forbidden enchantment that is punished with death no matter your status.

The question is why would he want me specifically to do it? I'm sure he can make one himself and hide the fact that he did it.

"I think he wants to put the blame on me, if anyone finds out. I guess I have to get out of this place before I'm thrown under the bus."

With that out of the way, I decided to check on Froggy and tell him everything that I'd found today.

_____

"Froggy, Froggy! "

I tried to wake up the witch with a strong shaking but to no avail.

"Why are you such a heavy sleeper?"

I kicked him out of bed which finally brought him back to the real world.

"Wha-What's, happening? Do I have to get back to training already?"

"Oh good thing that your awake. I thought you fell asleep."

Froggy didn't look too pleased about my joke.

"What brings you here at such a late hour?"

"Well, a few things happened while I was mining today. For starters, I finally reached the wall."

The sleepiness from his eyes quickly went away as soon as heard what I said.

"That's some really good news. Does that mean we can finally escape once the party will start?"

"Unfortunately it's not that easy. While I did find the wall I also found out a problem when I got there. It's the worst-case scenario. We're in an obsidian box."

His face changed to one of disappointment when I said that.

"So what's the plan now?"

"It didn't change too much from the original, we only need another distraction that would make the guards leave their post for a few minutes while we get away."

"And how do you plan to do that?"

"I'll probably dig some more and find a room that I'll light it on fire."

"That's... I guess that could work."

"Yes, but I think I have another problem. Do you know by any chance about the curse of binding enchantment?"

"Curse of binding?"

He repeated with a confused face.

"Ok, let me take you back to the beginning. Remember when I told you that I've got access to the enchantment room? Well, the prince just visited my room a few minutes ago and wanted to start helping me to level up my enchantment skill."

"I mean it's a little bit weird not not that dangerous."

"Let me finish first. The prince let me use the enchanted room only because I'll help him with some enchantments. But he's already maxed on that skill, so why would he need my help, why would he suddenly want to help me increase my level?"

Once I finished sayin everything, I could see Froggy starting to think about it.

"So is this when the curse of binding comes in?"

"Yes! I read in the library that this enchantment is a very dangerous one, it forces someone to wear or equip an item and to never let it go. The enchantment is so dangerous, that it's a crime punishable by death if you get caught."

"Why would he want to do such a thing to you? I don't think you ever did something to him that would make him want to kill you. And I think there are better ways than this one to assassinate you ."

"I don't think he wants to kill me specifically. I think he wants to use that enchantment at the next party, and then throw the blame on me. He couldn't teach a random person from the palace since nobody would want to get in trouble here. Then the two of us came out of nowhere, both of us have hatred towards this place since were basically prisoners, so nobody would be that surprised if we did something bad. And since he can't get you, especially when you're too busy with the training, that only one left is me. Nobody would be surprised if I did something for revenge."

Froggy looked shocked when I explained my theory.

"I don't know if that's true, but if it is, we'll have to do something about it."

"I don't think we can really do something to prevent it. The sooner we're going to leave from here the better would be for both of us."

He nodded in understanding.

"Well, I've told you what I wanted to tell you, and for the next few days maybe I won't be able to visit you. So I'll get back to exploring around the walls for a bit. Do you have night vision potions by any chance?"

He searched through his chest before handing it out to me.

"Thanks, hope you'll manage to get back to sleep."

I then jumped back into my hole and went for more exploring.