Bam!

The mansion's doors slammed shut after I entered the building. As the wind stopped pushing me, I managed to steady myself and took a good look around.

My first impression was that inside looked just like how I expected it to be. Old, grand, and palatial, the entire place was built with dark wood and bricks. Silver and bronze furnishings were peppered along the hallway and some suits of armour were arranged by the walls. There were also large impressive frames of paintings and a dark crimson carpet covered the floor.

However, the longer I looked, the more I realised that the hallway was filled with oddities. While most of the suits were human-shaped, some of them were obviously not meant for humans, or even animals for that matter. I could see figures moving in the paintings from the corner of my eye. Even the carpet contained magma-like bubbling patches and quick-moving whirlpool spirals.

"It's nice to meet you."

A short kid who was dressed in a flamboyant purple suit, a silver bangle on his wrist and an equally eye-catching golden shoes appeared, nimbly side-stepping the abnormal parts of the carpet as he walked down the hallway. He had a beautiful androgynous face with piercingly bright blue eyes and an impish grin.

"I'm Leroyasham Balsaphut Marucilius Tang Drowpitipka, the current owner of this place," he said. "But you can just call me Leroy."

"I am Arang Hudan," I replied and shook his hand.

"This wasn't what you were expecting, innit?" Leroy grinned. "Which is odder, me or this place?"

"Uhh..." I scratched my head, slightly at lost.

"It's a joke, a joke," Leroy laughed and slapped my arm. "So what brings you here?"

"Ah, well, actually, I think there's a mistake. I was meant to go elsewhere..." As I was explaining, I took out my letter and showed him. Leroy read my letter with a raised eyebrow.

"Hmm... hmm... Ah, I see what's going on," Leroy handed me the letter and pointed to a line of small text close to the very bottom.

"... if the slots at the candidate's chosen institution is filled, the University will transfer the candidate to the next institution in alphabetical order. Please refer to the list attached in..."

This is why reading fine print is so important!

"Sigh. Well, at least I understand now," I said and tucked the letter away. "No hard feelings, but I wonder if it's possible for me to transfer elsewhere?"

"None taken. Let's see... You can try reapplying at the university to Fackerland Research Institute, but this region gets a bit dicey around this time, so the last train would've left in the morning."

Shit, wasn't that the one I boarded?

"Yes it is," Leroy read my expression and replied. "Not sure if you noticed, but the weather gets slightly freakish recently. I assume you experienced one yourself earlier?"

"You mean... when the sky suddenly turned black and so on?"

Leroy nodded.

"This usually happens every three years or so. The empire suspends train services over the Nacrux Range when this happens."

My heart sank. Three years?

"Too bad, you're properly stuck here then," Leroy shrugged. "While this place might not fit your expectations, there's still plenty of, well, unique, experiences to be gained."

"Plus, if you perform well, I won't mind giving a bit more allowance then what Fackerland is offering," he added. "So, what says you?"

I scratched my head. "Not like I've a choice, do I?" Leroy just smiled.

"Guess I'm in your care then," I eventually answered.

"Marvelous, excellent!" Leroy clapped his hands in delight. "Once again, welcome to Fickleland Research Institute, which isn't actually established in 566, but that's a story for another time."

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

"Right, here's something for you before the house tour," Leroy handed me a silver bangle similar to the one on his wrist. "It seals any ambient magic leaking from your body, which is very important unless you want to transform into a pile of ashes. Wear it and follow me."

"By the way," he pointed to the odd patches on the carpet. "Make sure you avoid those. One of my previous assistants tried equipping the carpet with anti-theft measures, but it obviously didn't do a very good job."

I held my tongue as I followed after Leroy despite feeling increasingly baffled, pretty sure anything I ask would generate more questions.

"They aren't human," Leroy said. His back was still facing me as he led the way. "Their species have some very specific pronouns. But since it's too long and almost intelligible after translating, I just use they."

I tried my best to pay attention as we continued traversing the corridor. After walking, or hopping, carefully around the carpet, we arrived at a wide open hall. Instead of a solid surface covering the entire floor, we were standing on an octagonal platform with most of its sides connected to either staircases or walkways leading to other corridors. There were endless levels both above and beneath us. While most of the staircases connected to the levels, some were just left hanging or led to swirling black spirals in thin air.

Doors of different shapes and sizes surrounded us, not one of them alike. There was a metallic one with a flashing red light bulb above it, one was made of slimy flesh, one which seemed to be a mouth lined with rings of teeth, even a palatial golden door inlaid with precious stones. I could hear voices occasionally from behind the doors - humans chattering, animals growling, strong winds blowing, explosions, and so much more.

"Impressive, isn't it?" Leroy said after a brief silence. "I'm sure I don't need to warn you, but don't go opening or closing them without my permission."

I nodded. The mana in this space felt viscous, solid even. I understood why the bangle was important, as even the slightest hint of a spell might trigger an actual explosion, both literally and figuratively speaking.

Just as we were about to leave, one of the doors opened and spat out a person. The man, who was wearing a yellow raincoat mottled with slime, flew across the room and landed right by Leroy's feet. He looked understandably cross as he plonked down a fang-like black rock nearly as big as himself.

"All good there Jorum?" Leroy asked as he shifted his body away from the blobs of slime.

Jorum looked remarkably like Janna, except that his blonde hair was tied up in a bun and had a more wiry, muscular physique. Half of his face was covered by a silver mask with complicated glyphs, patterns, and symbols. He nodded at Leroy then looked at me with a questioning gaze.

"Jorum, Arang. Arang, Jorum." As Leroy was introducing me, Jorum took off the raincoat and threw it off the edge of the platform. He extended his right hand for a handshake, but withdrew it in embarrassment when he noticed several specks of slime on his hands. I smiled and nodded to indicate it was alright.

"Jorum is Janna's twin brother and is looks after some of the larger inhabitants in this building." Leroy walked over and tapped the black rock with his knuckles. "This here is a fine specimen of a black dragon's tooth. It's a hassle for me when they get toothaches...," Jorum raised his eyebrow, "... but since Jorum is extremely talented with mythical creatures, he now has the privilege of taking over some of my duties. Bring it to my study." Jorum picked up the tooth and walked into one of the corridors.

Leroy signaled for me to follow him and led me down another corridor on our left. After giving me a brief tour of the parlor, pantry, kitchen, and toilets, we arrived at a magnificent library. It was a bibliophile's dream, the whole place had rows of shelves filled with books, several reading and studying nooks, and even ancient-looking scrolls, parchments and skins protected under glass covers.

"This is one of my favourite places in the entire building." There was an undisguised pride and joy in Leroy's expression. "You can find nearly anything you need to know here, as I personally curate and renew this collection every week. Feel free to use this place anytime you wish."

Janna appeared from behind a shelf whilst carrying several thick tomes. After putting down the books, she politely curtsied to Leroy and looked at me.

"I've already put all your stuff in your room, along with dinner," she said.

"Excellent, can you be a dear and bring him there as well? I need to examine what Jorum has brought in." Leroy asked. She nodded. After thanking her and shaking my hand, Leroy wandered off, whistling as he went.

"Let's go," Janna said curtly. We exited the library and turned right into a different corridor. After walking past several rooms, she opened one revealing a simple bed, wardrobe, table and chair. There was also a window, a door on the left wall beside the table and another door close to the edge of my bed on the right. My luggage was already inside along with a plate of hot food on the table.

"This is where you'll stay. The door on the left leads to your personal study while the other one is your bathroom." Janna pointed to one of the rooms that we passed by earlier. "Just knock on my door if you need anything. My brother stays in the room next to me. The room with the fancy lion knocker belongs to Mr Leroy, but he's rarely in and is usually either in his study or the library."

"Just bring your plate to the kitchen once you're done, or if you need more food and water. I'll let you rest up for tonight and brief you on your duties tomorrow morning. Lift up your bangle." She rotated my bangle and pointed to one of the symbols embossed on it. "Channel some mana here if you need help. Any questions?"

"What time should I be up tomorrow?" I asked.

"Don't worry, you'll find out. Alright, goodnight." Janna smiled and left me alone in my room.

After unpacking and wolfing down dinner, I leaned back in my chair and absentmindedly stared at the scenery outside. The thick fog made the building seemed like a solitary island in a grey sea, and I felt like a castaway struggling to survive alone in this manless place.