Chapter 14. Completion of the First Task
Chapter 14. Completion of the First Task
The crystalline beetles held an important place among the academy's creatures. Arthur had learned about them from the guidebook he was given—they were highly valued for the properties of their shells. Their enclosures were located in a dark, quiet part of the park, resembling a cave, where it was cool and humid. These were the perfect conditions for the beetles to thrive.
When Arthur first entered the enclosure, he was struck by how different it was from the others. The cave was lined with crystals that shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow. They looked like fragments of precious gems, carefully embedded in the walls and floor. In the center of the enclosure, a small spring of mineral-rich water bubbled, and in one corner, a pile of colorful stones was stacked—food for the beetles.
Arthur stepped forward slowly, holding a container filled with small minerals meant for feeding. He stopped when he heard a strange yet melodic sound. It was like crystalline singing.
"So that's how they communicate," he whispered, listening to the delicate, almost musical sounds.
The beetles were incredibly beautiful. Their bodies were covered in crystalline armor that refracted light, creating soft, glowing halos around them. They were about the size of a palm and moved leisurely.
Approaching a bit closer, Arthur carefully poured the minerals near one of the beetle clusters. They immediately noticed him. One beetle, slightly larger than the rest, slowly crawled toward him, extending its tiny legs to explore his hand.
"Hello, little one," Arthur said, trying not to move.
The beetle gently touched his fingers, then, seemingly satisfied, crawled back to its group. The rest of the beetles began approaching the food, making a soft rustling noise.
Arthur watched as they carefully gnawed on the minerals, their crystalline jaws producing a strange but pleasant sound.
According to the instructions, caring for the crystalline beetles was relatively simple. The main task was keeping the enclosure clean. The beetles left behind fine crystalline dust, which had to be carefully collected.
Arthur picked up a special magical tool that resembled a small broom and began sweeping. He noticed how the dust sparkled in the light, almost like diamonds.
"Even their waste looks like treasure," he muttered, feeling a little envious.
As he was finishing the cleaning, one of the beetles—the smallest one—suddenly jumped onto his shoulder. Arthur flinched but relaxed when he realized it was just sitting still.
"Looks like you want to come with me?" he said with a smile.
However, after sitting there for a moment, the beetle hopped back to the ground and rejoined its kin.
After spending several hours with the crystalline beetles, Arthur began to notice their behaviors. They moved in sync, as if they were a single organism. At times, it seemed like they were dancing, communicating through their melodic sounds.
"This is incredible."
Spending time with these creatures made Arthur feel at peace. Their slow, graceful movements and gentle singing seemed to calm his mind.
Once he had finished cleaning, replenished the mineral supplies, and ensured the water source was clean, he lingered for a moment to admire the remarkable creatures once more.
"You might just be the most beautiful creatures I've ever seen."
Arthur left the enclosure with a sense of tranquility. The work with the beetles hadn't been the most difficult task, but he had enjoyed it.
Caring for the crystalline beetles had become more than just a routine—it was a time for reflection.
***
Early in the morning, Arthur headed to the ecological park. It was his last day of work, and he wanted to say goodbye to the teacher in charge of this remarkable corner of the academy.
As he walked past the enclosures, he observed the animals going about their usual routines. The moonwalkers played among the grass, the rocky bear had fallen asleep once again, and the ents seemed to be whispering to each other—perhaps even about him.
Soon, he was met by the teacher—a tall man with a thick, slightly unkempt beard, dressed in a simple green robe. His gaze was kind but perceptive, as always.
"So, Arthur, finishing your task?" the teacher asked as soon as he saw him.
"Yes, today's my last day. I wanted to thank you for the opportunity to work here," Arthur replied, bowing slightly.
The teacher smiled and gestured for Arthur to follow him to his office, a small wooden cabin in the center of the park. Inside, it was warm and cozy. Maps, sketches of animals, and notes covered the walls, while books and strange objects were piled on the desk.
The teacher sat down and looked at Arthur with genuine warmth.
"You did well," he began. "Not every novice lasts five weeks working with such a variety of creatures. Especially with the ents."
"The ents are a challenge of their own…" Arthur admitted with a slight smile.
"That's for sure," the teacher laughed. "They love to talk, but sometimes, you can find real wisdom in their words. As for your work, you proved yourself to be reliable. Animals can sense when someone truly cares for them, and with you, they were happy."
Arthur felt warmth spread inside him at the praise.
The teacher paused for a moment before continuing.
"We always need more helping hands here. If you ever have free time or need extra credits, I'll always be glad to see you again. There's plenty of work, and you handled it excellently."
"Thank you, I'll definitely come back if I get the chance," Arthur assured him.
"Just remember—caring for magical creatures isn't just a job. It's a way to understand the magic of the world. What you've learned here may be more useful in the future than you realize," the teacher added, rising from his chair.
They stepped outside, and the teacher walked Arthur to the park's exit. Before parting, he extended his hand.
"Good luck to you. I hope your first spell will be a fitting one."
Arthur shook his hand firmly, thanked him again, and headed for the exit, feeling a twinge of sadness that this time had come to an end.
***
Five weeks in the ecological park had changed Arthur's usual routine. It felt like he had lived a whole lifetime there—getting to know incredible creatures, learning countless new things, and beginning to feel like a part of that place.
Now, he sat in his room, a card with the coveted 50 points lying on the table in front of him. These weeks had been challenging, but the rewards were far more valuable than the effort spent.
Arthur realized just how vast and diverse the world of magical creatures truly was. His understanding of magic was no longer limited to abstract lessons or theories. He saw it in everything—the shimmering fur of the moonwalkers at night, the stillness of the rocky bear, the movements of the crystalline beetles.
The work had become more than just an obligation—it was something greater. Every day brought new experiences. One time, for example, the moonwalkers had tried to steal the key to their enclosure and hide it in their burrow, forcing Arthur to carefully observe their cunning tricks to retrieve it.
The rocky bear had once woken up and stared at Arthur with its calm yet piercing gaze. In that moment, time seemed to stand still. Arthur had already begun saying his goodbyes to his life…
The forest spirits had unexpectedly thrown a whole "carnival" around him, making him laugh despite himself.
The ents, of course, continued to astonish him with their persistence—one had even started reciting poetry about the ancient roots of trees. Arthur doubted the accuracy of their tales, but he couldn't deny the beauty of their words.
Each of these creatures had given him a unique experience.
In the park, Arthur had realized just how much more there was to learn. He wanted to explore more—more creatures, more possibilities. The points card before him was the key to his next step.
But even now, sitting in the quiet of his room, he felt that these five weeks had been more than just work. It had been a time of discovery—a time when he had learned to feel more confident in the academy and in his own path.
He glanced at the points card and then at the shelf where his spell catalog lay. Tomorrow, he would go to claim his first spell model.
But tonight, he allowed himself to relive it all once more.