Chapter 12

The Weird Stuff Store

In the quirky and dimly lit interior of the Weird Stuff Store, Adom and Leon stood awkwardly, their gazes fixed on the store's eccentric owner, Mr. Biggins. The shop was a labyrinth of curiosities, shelves lined with an array of oddities that ranged from the fascinating to the bizarre.

Mr. Biggins, straightening his colorful cape, turned to them with a flourish. His eyes, previously hidden behind dark shades, now twinkled with a mischievous light. "Ah, welcome, welcome, young adventurers! Step into my realm of wonders!" he exclaimed, his voice a blend of enthusiasm and theatricality.

Leon, still adjusting to the overwhelming ambiance of the shop, managed a timid smile. "Thank you, Mr. Biggins. It's quite an... interesting place you have here."

Adom, more accustomed to Mr. Biggins's eccentricities, nodded in agreement. "It's always a surprise visiting your store, Mr. Biggins. Never a dull moment."

Mr. Biggins beamed at them, his hands making a sweeping gesture that encompassed the entirety of his bizarre collection. "Oh, my dear boys, the world is full of mundane and ordinary things. Here, we celebrate the extraordinary, the magical, the inexplicably weird!"

His eyes darted between the two boys, a spark of recognition flickering in his gaze. "Now, which one of you is Leon?" he asked, his voice teeming with curiosity.

Adom chuckled, pointing towards Leon. "This one is Leon, Mr. Biggins. Don't you remember who I am?"

Mr. Biggins snapped his fingers, an exaggerated gesture of realization. "Of course, of course! You're Adom Sylla, the skinny boy from Xerkes!" he exclaimed, his eyes twinkling with amusement. He then turned to Leon, who stood somewhat shyly, unsure of how to react to the store owner's eccentricities.

Mr. Biggins circled around Leon, studying him with an enigmatic look, much to Leon's discomfort. "Leon, dear boy! It is you! How is your father? Your mother? Your siblings? Your household? How're the dogs? Do you have dogs? No, no, a cat! You do look more like a cat person. I like cats too," he rambled on, his questions coming out in a rapid, almost breathless stream.

Leon, caught off guard by the barrage of questions, managed a nervous smile. "Uh, everyone's fine, thank you. And, um, we don't have any pets."

Mr. Biggins nodded sagely, as if Leon's response had revealed some profound truth. "Ah, no pets, I see. A wise choice in these magical times. Pets can be quite a handful, especially the enchanted ones."

His gaze then fell upon the floating luggage that Adom was effortlessly levitating. Raising an eyebrow, he removed his dark glasses, revealing eyes that seemed to pierce through Adom's facade. "Hmm, little Adom, you've changed," he observed, his tone taking on a note of curiosity. "You're not sick anymore, are you?"

Adom's eyes met Mr. Biggins's, a sense of curiosity and relief washing over the old man. “No, I'm not. I’ve recovered,” he replied, his voice steady and confident.

Mr. Biggins clapped his hands together, his face lighting up with genuine delight. "Marvelous! Absolutely marvelous! The boy who defied the odds, standing right here in my shop! What a story, what a story!"

Leon, watching the exchange, couldn't help but feel a sense of awe. He knew about Adom's miraculous recovery, but seeing Mr. Biggins's reaction made it all the more real and impressive.

Adom, slightly embarrassed by the attention, shifted the topic. "Mr. Biggins, Leon here is looking for his room. He'll be staying at your store for a while."

"Oh, right, right!" Mr. Biggins exclaimed, suddenly remembering the purpose of their visit. He turned to Leon with an exaggerated bow. "My apologies, young Leon. Let me show you to your quarters, a cozy little nest amidst the clouds of imagination and wonder!"

As Adom followed Mr. Biggins up the creaky staircase of the Weird Stuff Store, he couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and trepidation. He had visited the store before, but never ventured beyond the ground floor, which was a curious blend of an antique shop and a magician's arsenal. The upstairs, however, was a different world entirely.

The staircase opened up to a long, narrow hallway, its walls adorned with peculiar artifacts and whimsical paintings that seemed to shift and move as they walked past. The air was thick with a mixture of scents — old wood, dusty tomes, incense, and a faint hint of something metallic. Adom noticed that the hallway stretched far beyond what the exterior of the building would suggest. Clearly, the building had been designed with spatial magic, creating a labyrinth of rooms and corridors within a confined exterior space.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

Mr. Biggins led them through the hallway, his cape billowing behind him as he enthusiastically introduced each door they passed. "This is the Chamber of Whispers," he announced, gesturing towards a door adorned with intricate carvings that seemed to whisper faintly. "And this," he continued, pointing to a door with frost forming around its edges, "is the Everwinter Room. A bit chilly, but perfect for storing perishable potions!"

Leon followed, his eyes wide with awe and curiosity, occasionally exchanging excited glances with Adom. Each door they passed was a gateway to a room more bizarre and intriguing than the last. There was the Gravity-Defying Chamber, where objects floated mid-air, and the Hall of Mirrors, where reflections showed different ages of oneself.

As they ventured further, they came upon a slightly ajar door, from which a soft, golden glow emanated. Unable to resist, Adom peered inside. The room was filled with treasures beyond imagination — piles of gold coins, stacks of essentia crystals, jewels of every color, and other precious items. At the center of the room lay a solitary rock, seemingly unremarkable, yet Adom felt an inexplicable pull towards it.

Before he could step inside, the familiar blue box of the system materialized in front of him, displaying a message: [You found [???]'s egg!]. Adom's heart skipped a beat. An egg? What kind of egg? And why was it marked with question marks?

His train of thought was abruptly interrupted as Mr. Biggins, noticing the open door, hurried over. "Oh dear, I forgot to close this one," he said with a nervous laugh, swiftly slamming the door shut. "That's the one room you boys should avoid. Nothing but boring old trinkets in there," he added hastily, his eyes darting around suspiciously.

Adom and Leon exchanged amused glances, both aware that Mr. Biggins's 'boring old trinkets' were anything but. "Understood, Mr. Biggins," Adom said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "We'll steer clear of that room."

As they continued the tour, Adom couldn't shake off the feeling that he had just stumbled upon something significant. The mysterious egg in the treasure room piqued his curiosity. What secrets did it hold? And why was it hidden away in a room filled with riches?

As the tour came to an end, Mr. Biggins showed Leon to his room, a cozy space that was surprisingly normal compared to the rest of the store. "Voilà, Leon! Your very own sanctuary amidst the chaos," Mr. Biggins declared, his eyes twinkling with delight.

Leon's room in the Weird Stuff Store was nothing short of astonishing. As Mr. Biggins ushered them in, the boys were greeted by a space that redefined the concept of a guest room. It was at least twice the size of Adom's room at the academy, and every corner of it seemed to hold a delightful surprise.

As Leon stepped in, his eyes widened in disbelief. The room was elegantly furnished, with a large, plush bed adorned with velvet covers and a multitude of soft pillows. The walls were lined with bookshelves filled with a variety of tomes, some that Leon recognized as classics, and others that were clearly of magical origin.

But what truly caught their attention were the peculiar devices and amenities scattered throughout the room. To the side, there was a small fridge, but upon opening it, Leon discovered it was filled to the brim with an assortment of sodas and fruit juices, each bottle and can shimmering with a faint magical glow, suggesting they were enchanted to stay perfectly chilled.

Next to the fridge stood a wardrobe, but instead of clothes, it was stocked with an array of candies and treats. There were chocolates of every shape and size, some still steaming as if freshly made, shortcakes topped with luminous icing, and a variety of magical candies that seemed to change colors and shapes when touched. One particular candy, shaped like tiny stars, emitted a soft glow, casting dancing lights across the room.

Leon picked up one of the star-shaped candies, marveling at its gentle luminescence. "This is incredible," he said, his voice filled with wonder.

Adom chuckled, equally impressed by the extravagant preparation. Biggins might be eccentric, but he certainly knows how to welcome a guest.

Biggins, standing at the doorway with his hands clasped behind his back, beamed with pride. "Of course, my dear boy! We at the Weird Stuff Store believe in providing a magical experience in every sense of the word. And speaking of experiences, breakfast will be served in bed, and dinner in the dining room."

Leon's eyes lit up at the mention of breakfast in bed. "Really? That's amazing!"

"Yes, indeed," Mr. Biggins continued, his voice taking on a grandiose tone. "And you mustn't miss dinner in the dining room. It's not just a room, it's an experience. The entire room transforms each evening to match the theme of the meal. One night you could be dining under the stars, and the next, you might find yourself in an underwater palace. The possibilities are endless!"

After exploring the wonders of Leon's lavish room, Adom sensed it was time for him to continue on to Xerkes Academy. He turned to Leon, who was still visibly enamored with his new surroundings. "I should head off to Xerkes now, but I'll definitely come by to visit when I can. It's not every day you get to stay in a place like this," Adom said with a smile.

Leon looked up, a tinge of disappointment in his eyes at the prospect of Adom leaving. "That would be great. I'd appreciate it, Senior! This place is amazing, but it's also a bit overwhelming. I could use a familiar face around," he admitted.

Adom gave him an encouraging pat on the shoulder. "You'll do great here, Leon. And remember, if you need anything or just want to talk, I'm only a message away."

Mr. Biggins, who had lingered at the doorway, beamed at them both. "Ah, the bonds of youth! So vibrant and full of promise! Do visit us often, little Adom. The Weird Stuff Store always has its doors open for you."

Adom chuckled at Mr. Biggins's flamboyant manner. "I'll remember that, Mr. Biggins. Thank you for taking good care of Leon."