Chaos and Order - A Multiverse Fanfic (Part I)

C17: The Tales of Beedle the Bard! (3)

The question was not about how, but when.

It had to be fast. It had to be incredibly fast, for not even the legendary wizard to notice. Mr. Beedle was often in his scared, crazy state. Often didn't mean all the time, though. So, Kai needed to be as fluid as thin morning mist, and as quick as the bolt of lightning.

Yet, the question had persisted. When? When to swap?

The moment Desmond had talked to Kai about his mission's nature, this one thing had been taking roots in his mind; in his heart even more so. The lure was so great, so enticing, that Kai could scarcely think about something else.

When he saw the similar-looking black book in Shae's hands, during their break after crossing Hidden Moor Hills, that greed had erupted with a bang.

Shae's black book was the key.

The opportunity had come so suddenly that Kai had to rely on his beastly instincts. It was the attack from the official wizard, Peter.

With his hands around Mr. Beedle, Kai had crashed over the rocks. The legendary wizard must have high Mana, Kai knew. But Defense? It was another thing. The impact was tremendous, shaking both their figures.

It was then. In a single motion, Kai had thrust the ordinary book in between Mr. Beedle's hand and his chest.

By the time he stood back up, facing the official wizard, he had already swapped the real book, sending it to his Inventory.

Smooth! Swift! Snaky!

All the time, Kai had been on his toes, thinking if Mr. Beedle would recognize the fake book. But the events that had followed turned out to be in Kai's favor. Mr. Beedle's wrath, his raging spell, and him getting scared witless all screamed in the joy that Kai had won half the battle.

The only thing that had remained was to make sure no Contestant would ever get to look at the fake book ever again.

By then, Kai had found out that one can see an Item's Stats by touching or being extremely close to it.

What to do then? Kai had asked himself. This question had the simplest answer.

Mr. Beedle was covered in mud, his face filthy. No one could have recognized him as a legendary wizard. But the book was still visible, pressed against the wizard's chest. So Kai acted. He acted fast and prudently.

Hide the book! Hide Mr. Beedle... under a coverlet!

It was just an idea, but Kai had planted it in Arlen's mind with absolute success.

The next roadblock was to hand over Mr. Beedle to the upper floor's Contestants. Kai had known what future awaited him if anyone would get to see the book up close.

It was a risk Kai Stormborn had been willing to take.

"The Tales of Beedle the Bard!" Kai spoke out loud as if thinking about it wasn't enough to give reality to it.

But even if he didn't believe himself, how could the Stats hovering over the Item be untrue?

...

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Item: The Tales of Beedle the Bard (Original)

Grade: Common (Growth - 0/3)

Specification: An anthology of magical tales handwritten by Beedle the Bard

Requirement: