Starlight, Starbright...
Trudging home, deep in thought, Jake thinks to himself what that voice was. Even though it was just a mere voice in his head, somehow, he lost control of his body for that very brief moment. Although he did regain control of it at the end (more like it finished of its job), by then it was far too late: everyone now believes that he is the 'chosen' one, the one who will usher in the next renaissance for alchemistry after Professor Ubelnaught.
Just as he was about to reach home, he bumped into a solid wall. Shaking his head, he took a step back, trying to find out who he bumped into.
A solid, steel back was seen to be in front of him. Light yellow wool seemed to be sticking from his flan. It was old man Edward.
Just as Jake was about to sidestep him, a curt cough sounded beside him. Edward, realising who had bumped into him, grew happy, but soon curbed after rememberingwhat he had done to him. After a couple of sighs, evident of a struggle of sorts, a rough voice called out "Boy, listen again carefully, use your gifts soon, for you will be in danger soon." Jake, remaining befuddled at this random warning, stood still, brain stuck in rut. Just as he managed to process everything, old man Edward simply walked away, fists in pocket, visibly clenched.
Still in stupor, Jake managed to walk home safely, despite being nearly done by a car crash. "Oi, you there, watch where you're going!" A faint, fading choice seemed to have been there, yet Jake thunk that it was just a hallucination.
He reached home, took off his bag, and cleaned himself. Just as he was about to go shower, he remembered the old man's warning to open his gifts as soon as possible. He hesitated for a brief moment, contemplating the consequences of doing so, before deciding to compromise to open after taking the shower, for he stunk to high heaven.
After making up his mind, he decided to take his warm, comfy shower, before taking another look into the box.
All of a sudden, he had the sudden urge to openbthe book, and aske it for any information what this box might be. Having realized thatvthe box looked far older than it's visage, he held no hope, just a trace of trying.
But what happened next shocked Jake extremely, for despite his reservations, words started to appear in the book's page:
The Miracle Manifold is one of my many greatests. This tiny device, though small in size,has the capability to grant any wish the user desires (though only twice the size of the box at its maximum, otherwise Newton would climb out of his grave to catch me, hehe). All you have to do is just hold it, focus on your wish deep in your heart, and project it onto the box by your thoughts. The Manifold will grant your wish to the best of its abilities (the brighter the glow, the more successful in doing so). Once complete, I have designed it to disintegrate into the wind, so that no one can 'cheese' the system (as they say).
Having read this description, Jake does what the book has told, and watches it glow. I hope that the box can help me get stronger, so that something like what happened at the museum will never happen again. Hole nothing goes wrong...
Just as the box began to glow, it started to shake vehemently, jumping left to right on his hand. Just as he closed his eyes for fear of explosion happening, it stopped, popped out a bottle, and disintegrated into the air.
Curious, he stared at the container, gold particles emanating from the side, wondering whether it will help fulfill his wishes, or not.