The mimic chest launched itself like a spring-loaded maniac.
"WRAAAGH!! INTERN HUNGRY!! INTERN READY TO HELP!!"
Ace jumped three feet into the air.
"WHY IS IT HELPING BY TRYING TO EAT ME?!"
The mimic skidded around the cave floor like a possessed suitcase.
It snapped its wooden jaws at Ace's tail, chomping the air just centimeters behind him.
Milo screamed.
Sir Bramble screamed.
The dragon screamed louder than both.
Ravenna calmly wrote notes.
"Observation: Mimic Intern lacks basic training. Approach with caution."
Ace yowled as he dodged again.
"What training?! It shouldn't EXIST!"
The dragon explained in a panic,
"I hired him so my cave could be more 'organized,' but he started eating the labels, the shelves, and… uh… two accountants."
Ace glared.
"WHY WOULD YOU HAVE ACCOUNTANTS??"
"I was doing tax season for my hoard!" the dragon said defensively.
The mimic leapt toward Ace again.
This time, Ace spun, tail whipping like a sword.
"STOP TRYING TO BITE ME! I AM NOT FOOD—I AM MANAGEMENT!"
The mimic froze.
Tilted its lid.
Blink-blinked.
"…management?"
Ace puffed his chest out, putting on his best Project Manager tone.
"Yes. And I am conducting a full audit."
The mimic suddenly stood upright.
Saluted.
Like a soldier.
With its lid.
"INTERN READY FOR DUTY!!"
Ace blinked.
Milo blinked.
Sir Bramble fainted.
The dragon gasped.
"It… It listens to authority?"
Ravenna nodded knowingly.
"All interns fear management. Universal law."
The mimic began hopping rapidly.
"WHAT TASK INTERN DO?! INTERN DO ANYTHING! INTERN EAT MESS? EAT TREASURE? EAT PROBLEMS??"
Ace grabbed Milo and pulled him back.
"NO EATING. None. Zero. No chewing anything."
The mimic shook violently.
"Difficult… but INTERN TRY."
"Good," Ace said.
"Now, your first job: open gently and reveal your inventory."
The mimic shivered excitedly…
Then slowly opened its maw.
Inside was:
A rusty spoon
Three gemstones
A tiny wizard hat
A sock
A glowing purple cube pulsing with ominous energy
A small note: "Do NOT touch — dangerous."
Another note: "Seriously, don't."
A third note: "Why are you like this."
The dragon gasped.
"MIMIC!! YOU ATE THAT?! That was in the Forbidden Relics Room!!"
Ace pointed at the cube.
"What… is THAT thing?"
Ravenna narrowed her eyes.
"I've seen this before. In old archives. That is a Relic of Dimensional Memory."
Ace raised a brow.
"What does it do?"
Ravenna frowned deeply.
"It stores memories… of OTHER WORLDS."
Ace froze.
His tail stiffened.
Milo whispered, trembling,
"You mean… memories from Ace's original world…?"
Ravenna nodded.
"If this relic responds to him… it might show what brought him to this world."
The dragon gulped.
"Should we… open it?"
The mimic hopped proudly.
"INTERN FOUND IT!! INTERN IS USEFUL!!"
Ace stepped closer to the cube.
It vibrated.
Then glowed brighter.
Then—
It whispered.
"ACE."
Everyone froze.
Ace's heart dropped.
"…It knows my name."
The relic lifted slightly off the mimic's mouth, spinning with growing intensity.
Ravenna shouted,
"Everyone BACK!"
Milo hid behind a gold pile.
The dragon shielded Ace with one giant wing.
But the relic flashed.
A burst of light shot toward Ace—
WHOOM!!!
Images flashed in Ace's mind.
Modern buildings.
Traffic lights.
His old desk.
His laptop.
Fabric scraps.
Tailoring tools.
Messages.
Projects.
His workspace.
His old life.
Then a final image:
A pair of glowing eyes.
Watching him.
Choosing him.
A voice echoed:
"You were selected."
Then everything went silent.
The relic dimmed.
And dropped into Ace's paws.
He stared at it, breathing heavily.
Milo peeked out.
"Ace… are you okay?"
Ace didn't answer.
He looked at the relic, tail trembling.
Ravenna stepped forward carefully.
"What did you see?"
Ace swallowed.
He whispered:
"I think…
I think someone sent me to this world on purpose."