Chapter 51: Gigantic pains

Legs hanging lazily over the edge of the island. No matter where I looked, I couldn’t find either of them; it's strange. Wait, I have a tracker for Chic, I should use it.

Taken out the beautiful compass, ‘brows ceased’ why is it spinning? That means… they are not in this dimension or dead. Given they have eaten the dinners I have set out… those cheeky pets; I know where they are.

Promptly heading to my portal area, I find some suspicious webbing around the portals. The most likely choice being twilight forest, the second being Aether. Promptly heading within, I am immediately teleported within my small base. More webbing and small amounts of slime. Taking out my compass, it now points in a specific direction; to which I follow. Walking towards them, It didn’t take long to spot them, or well spot Sling.

Sling is currently the size of super-sized oak trees. Approaching, I find Chic fiddling with a familiar device, the size-changing device. ‘facepalming’ They have been bullying the local fauna by supersizing themselves.

I could have sworn I placed it within my bag of holding. Checking I find it missing, curious. Approaching closer, Sling continues to mess around with some very large trees. Chic manages to spot me approaching, fear clearly displayed. She steps back, legs tapping, looking behind themselves for escape.

Sighing, “You clearly are smarter than I gave you credit if you are smart enough to steal and utilize a device like that; you are smart enough to tell me you're going on an adventure.”

Promptly grabbing the terrified spider, I shrink them down and stick them within the viewing cage. I create a tracker for Sling, deciding to let them have some fun for now. Now, punishment time.

How do you punish a spider? No idea, but clearly, they are far smarter than I anticipated, so they should understand this lesson. I quickly spent over an hour looking for another naga, to which I defeat using mostly flight; cheap I know. I made sure that it was clear it hit like a truck.

I was trying to teach them these dimensions can be dangerous; luckily, they chose the tamest dimension I have access to, to play.

Spotting a shivering spider, I deem it a success. Collecting the terrifyingly large slime, whom I am sure could eat the naga whole. When I shrunk them down to normal, I could have sworn Sling looked disappointed.

Taking them home, I let them go; now if they do it again? Some real punishment will rain down. I have never been one for punishment, it's not like I mind them exploring, but they didn’t tell me and worried me needlessly. I am not around enough to supervise they could at least make a breadcrumb trail to the portal, and no, random webs don’t count; the whole castles covered in them.

Heading into town, directly towards the mayor's office. Not in the mood for all the stuff in-between I just rush to the place. Finding the familiar clerk.

“Where is the Mayor?” I say slightly louder than my usual volume.

Not even flinching “Still gone, sorry,” they say calmly.

“I need to get stuff done, and I am no mood for games; you work around him you must know where he is,” I say as if it's facts, and I totally didn’t guess the whole thing.

They deflate visibly, “Sorry, I simply am not allowed to disclose it, it would break my contract.”

Should I try a bribe? Let's do something that is not as damaging as demanding to see them. “Can you get the Mayor to contact me within the day?”

Face remaining stoic, “I could try?” shrugging.

“If you can get me in contact with the mayor within 3 hours, I will give you this, ‘slamming a flying belt on the counter’ A flying belt!”

That got them moving, they rushed out the door like a fire was lit on their arse. I do like this clerk and his no unneeded conversation.

Heading back into town, I quickly check my Ender mailbox, seems Jengal has a lead on some presses for AE2. Heading to his house to find him, I am directed to his living room.

“Hey Jengal, how are you?” I say politely.

“I am good, I had some luck recently.” He says as he rubs his head.

“Go on, do say.” Trying to hide my excitement at potentially being able to have perfect storage.

“Well, I have been using the money you gave me well. I managed to get in contact with someone. They said a full set of these presses that are mysteriously found within meteorites are for sale by a collector named Sam. Apparently, they couldn’t make heads or tails of them, even families are baffled.” He says with a shrug.

“Perfect, is he local?” I say hopefully.

His face dropping slightly, Jengal replies. “He is in the next town over, although I can get a letter out to him within a day, inviting him to come here for the sale.”

Grateful for the diligence of my friend here. “Please do.” Pausing for a moment, “Since I have learned to trust you, what would you like as your reward?”

He seemed to freeze up for a moment before speaking at a mind-numbingly fast speed. “Well, I considered your genetic stuff, I think I will wait a little bit. I want something cool, a nice item.”

Since nether stars are stupid easy to make now, “Want a belt that lets you fly?”

His dumbfounded face told me all I needed to know, I placed it on the table. Along with an ender mailbox for himself, a large number of ender letters, and a bag of holding to store it all. “Enjoy, I can contact you as long as you have your own mailbox.” Explaining how it's used; I can now contact him; although I have no immediate plan to do so.

After finishing the conversation and watching the pure joy of him flying around I head out. Narrowly avoiding his mother who would demand I stay for dinner. Mentally noting to both make more flying belts and to ask how his mother reacts to his new toys.

Sweeping the market for a quick resupply, not noticing anything of note. My face; well helmet, is well known now. I don’t get as many odd looks, more like admiring gazes. Being a local celebrity was a shock to realize, but after building the island far more people are interested in talking to me.

If I don’t move with haste, acting like I am busy; people swarm me. I managed to grab some supplies before I am grabbed by someone and their polite conversation. Turns out people are very interested in me continuing my enchanting business. Mentally noting to make an advanced enchanter, they are super cool.

While I am here, I visit the island. Finding fewer builders and a few ordinary people. Asking around quickly shows they are the equivalent of beta testers. I had great fun explaining the function of many of the attractions. I even had a go at doing the parkour. Removing my gauntlets to disable my flight.

Apparently, I am pretty poor at it. I did make sure every part of it is possible. A few people joined me in trying it. One particular small girl blazed through it all the way up to medium before she struggled. At this rate, we will have our first winner. Watching her hope around like a rabbit was very impressive.

I took a moment to speak with her. “You’re really great at that, nice job.”

She replies lightly, “Thanks, you’re really bad at it.”

Faining pain in my chest, I quickly straighten up to reply. “Yeah, I know, that’s why I fly instead.”

Before she could reply in disbelief I quickly say, “Work hard, a very special prize is at the top for the first 3 winners.” Before flying away, enjoying her surprise.

I head over to the administrative building, finding it less hectic. I can hear through the door Carl and his normally loud voice. Choosing the best option, I walk away; no rush.

Flying over to the clay soldiers' area, finding it untouched. I begin having small battles, testing out each of the items. I had a lot of fun doing this. I found it surprising how cool the arena looked now. Lots of mini-houses have been erected by the civilian clay soldiers.

Playing around quickly attracted a small crowd of people looking over to the island. The bridge being barred meant they couldn’t enter. Noticing the envy in their gaze, I allow them to enter. Overseeing a few battles for a while.

4 people, 4 colors, 10 points. Each item costs 1 point irrespective of what the item does. Most went for the more powerful items, but the actual winner surprised me. He went for a long-ranged build with healers. He outlived everyone. Finding his skills rather impressive I congratulate him by handing him 2 clay soldiers for him to keep.

The young man positively jumped for joy. I sealed the bridge back up before leaving. Best to keep it sealed until it has proper administration. Actually, gaining free clay soldiers for winning a tournament is a great idea. Enough clay soldiers are down below for sure. They are super cheap so I made a chest full, far more than needed.

Noting it for the future; I need a notebook at this rate. Heading home, I ponder what I should do with the rest of my day? How about some painting, that should be relaxing? Finding my painting supplies, this time my target is the island itself. Setting the shield to invisible I fly a ways away. Overlooking the island and the ocean, I create a small floating platform. Adorned with a wonderful seat a fireplace nearby.

It might look silly, but it really sets the mood to paint. Getting comfy, I take my pencil in hand. Gliding over the canvas with the care I use a ruler and some freehand to sketch out the island. Mostly outlining structures, creating the rough shape, and giving me direction for more complex areas like botania and witchery. Creating a very light blue sky, dotted with quick and broad clouds. I contrast that with the sun being lower, breaking the sky into oranges and reds.

I then create the ocean, a rich blue with whites smartly placed for waves. I create a white ripple effect from the sun, tinting the white yellow. Having created the environment, I focus on the island. With ease, quickly drawing the greys with random cobblestones in certain places. I took great pleasure in making the island rounder and pointer in the painting. Giving it a more, floating island vibe than the real thing can.

I took great care to paint out the top part of the island carefully. Making sure to add darker tones for shading in some places. Actually, being around the sunset helped immensely. I managed, through several hours to make a half-decent painting. No masterpiece, a little rushed; but mine none the less.

I finish the day by making a seasoned fish steak, fried in butter. Generously donated by my fish pond; which is rather full of fish now. I did actually check up on the clerk during a break. He failed to get the mayor in contact but assured me he will be back tomorrow. He was very sad he missed out on the flying belt.

Having settled all my matters for the day, I touch up the painting before allowing it to fully dry. I am not completely happy with it, but I have a world of time to do more. The fish was very tasty, although my pets missed out as they are being punished. Mean? Yes, Cruel? No.

I had a great read to settle my mind, finding an interesting book about dimensions recently, I thoroughly enjoyed what I read. Even though I knew most of it. I was more impressed he successfully went into so many dimensions.

Well, I will definitely be visiting them in time, for now; my bed calls my name.