While Thomas was spending his time playing with Rune Beasts and leading poor waitresses on, Victoria had been working on her cultivation. Specifically, getting better at multitasking, because that appeared to be the major hurdle she'd need to deal with from now on, which made it all the more frustrating that she legitimately sucked at it. Victoria's talents revolved around hyperfocusing on one thing. Her version of multitasking was providing distractions so that she wouldn't get too focused and lose herself in whatever she was doing. But in order to continue cultivating, in order to control her Spirit threads, she needed to figure out how to give multiple things an equal amount of attention, and she just wasn't built for that. At least, that's what she thought she needed to do, until she asked Obanonos for advice in a moment of weakness and frustration.

"Foolish child, the key isn't to do multiple things at once, it's to create a single system of actions!" Obanonos explained mockingly. "Think of how you walk, the various movements involved. It isn't a matter of controlling them all individually, it's about forming them into a system where one action naturally flows from the other. You do the same when you fight, when you eat, when you speak, when you do anything. No action takes place in isolation, so don't isolate what you're trying to do. Figure out how it all fits together."

After resisting the urge to see if she could crack the arrogant reptile like a whip, Victoria settled down to focus on his advice. She had to connect the actions into a system? She thought back to her first attempt at wielding the sledgeblade in concert with her daggers, how they'd swirled around in the wake of her swings as she struggled to keep the Spirit threads out of the way. If the Spirit threads were always following the sledgeblade, then they wouldn't need to avoid it, because they'd always be in the area it just moved out of. Victoria frowned. But wouldn't that be too predictable? The point of using the daggers with the sledgeblade was to cover for the innate lack of flexibility the sledgeblade had. Once you got it moving, it was hard to get it to stop moving until you got it back into a stance. If she tied her daggers to the movement of the sledgeblade, it defeated the purpose of even using them.

Victoria sat back with a sigh. Maybe she was thinking about this the wrong way? She focused on some of the examples Obanonos had given her, starting from the basics. How did she walk? It was mostly unconscious, wasn't it? Even running, she didn't really need to focus on it. She just fell into a pattern, and she only needed to consider what she was doing when she did something weird, like jumping over an obstacle or something… so if she looked at it that way, what she needed to do was train herself to use a pattern, not to attack, but so that when she was ready to attack, her daggers would be there, ready to strike. Victoria blinked, before smacking herself in the forehead. That's exactly what sledgeblade stances were about! How had she not put that together earlier?

Victoria sat up again, shaking her head. Sledgeblade and daggers aside, what she really needed to figure out a pattern for was her cultivation. Admittedly, she could just focus on compressing her energy, then have Thomas spend points to increase it, since that was something he could do, but just relying on points to increase her cultivation didn't sit well with her. If she was going to do that, she might as well be out with Thomas hunting Rune Beasts. But how was she supposed to turn cultivation into a pattern? No matter how she looked at it, focusing the pressure from her Runes and focusing on her Runes to gather energy was… Well, it was trying to focus on two things at once. All she could think of was to somehow try to cycle the two. Alternate between the pressure and gathering energy.

However, for some reason, that just didn't feel right. The actions were still separate, which didn't seem to fit with the idea of making a system of actions, it was just switching between two actions over and over. They weren't connected. But that brought her right back to the question of how to connect the two, which led right back to switching back and forth or trying to do both at the same time. Victoria scowled as she struggled with the ideas conflicting within her mind. This wasn't helping. She shook her head, turning her focus away from cultivation, considering the other things she did all the time. Breathing, walking, looking around, listening… all these things that she did pretty much without thinking, all at the same time. What made those things different? Why were they so instinctual? It wasn't that they didn't require any thought, it was that the thought required wasn't… arduous. It didn't take concentration, it just took the decision to act. Could she somehow make cultivation like that?

Victoria frowned as she considered the problem. It should be possible… it was just a matter of making either absorbing energy or compressing energy second nature. She was pretty sure if she did her best to keep one of them active all the time, eventually it'd get to the point where she didn't even notice she was doing it anymore. The question was which one would she want to do? Pressure would probably be easier, but… if she could get to the point where she could gather energy without even thinking about it, it would benefit her throughout all her cultivation, while pressure would only benefit her through Core Strengthening. Victoria sighed. Well, if she was going to do it, she might as well get started.

As Victoria began to focus on her Design Rune, she paused. This wasn't going to work if she just concentrated on it like she was cultivating… she needed to be doing something else too, so she could get used to doing it without giving it all her focus. Nothing too hard though… Victoria froze as she realized her attention had slipped and she'd stopped cultivating. This might be harder than she'd thought…

*

Thomas returned to the Hunters Guild early the next morning, checking out the missions while he waited for Ursa to arrive. He'd taken the most convenient grouping of missions yesterday, so for today he'd need to be a bit more strategic, while planning for the next few days as well. If he just kept grabbing missions by area, then he'd be forced to go further and further away each day, which would make every day less efficient than the last, so instead Thomas started planning routes for each day, keeping the travel time similar. Based on their performance the previous day, with the amount they'd need to travel, they could only hit four missions a day, instead of five, which was still decent. If they went for areas, they'd be able to do five missions a day for a few more days, but then it'd quickly go down to four, then three, then two… not even worth it at that point.

Of course, eventually they'd run out of these easy missions and need to start taking the missions that actually required them to travel into the forest, but Thomas was pretty sure they could get a good two or three weeks out of them in the meantime, if only because there seemed to be a rather sizable backlog of them. Apparently, the Rune Beasts at this level were just strong enough that newbies were too nervous to face them, but not enough of a problem that anyone was willing to pay enough for the veterans to get involved. Thomas wondered if it was really wise to just let these bounties pile up like this, since eventually the Rune Beasts would become an issue as they grew stronger, but it benefited him at the moment, so he couldn't really complain, now could he?

"Thomas!" Thomas turned as he heard someone call his name, catching sight of Elena rushing towards him with a bright smile. "I did it! I'm a freaking two star now!" She exclaimed happily as she gave him a celebratory hug.

Thomas froze awkwardly, not entirely sure what the appropriate response in this situation was, before settling on patting her back. "Uh, good job? That means you can take the better paying bounties now, right?"

Elena pulled back, flushing slightly as she nodded. Maybe she shouldn't have hugged him? She barely knew him… but he'd given her this chance and she was so excited! She'd done it! "Yeah… though I'll still need to find a new team first. Uh, which reminds me, you said you'd be willing to help a few more people out?" She asked hesitantly.

"Yeah?" Thomas replied, raising an eyebrow at her as he noticed a few other girls following behind her, looking slightly uncomfortable. "You mean them?" He asked, gesturing towards the waiting women. He frowned slightly. "You know I'm willing to help guys too, right?"

Elena froze. "Huh? I- I wasn't- I just don't know any guys in a similar situation." She explained. "These three all work at the bar with me, and we talk, so I know they're ready to advance, they just don't have the money yet… I don't know about anyone else."

"Ah, that makes sense." Thomas nodded. "So if they pass too, all four of you will form a team?"

Elena nodded. "That's the plan."

"Sounds good." Thomas nodded back, reaching into his pouch, pulling out thirty silver, and handing it over. "Good luck you guys!" He smiled at them, giving them a thumbs up, before turning back to the mission board.

Elena blinked slightly at the pile of silver once again just dumped in her hands. That was it? He- he didn't even want to talk to them? She turned back, walking over to the others. "Uh… I guess you all should go take the test now?"

"Wait, he just gave you the money?!?" Claire asked incredulously. "Just like that?!?"

"Didn't you say he'd want to talk to us first?" Nancy asked, frowning slightly.

"I thought he would, but I guess he just wanted to make sure you actually existed before handing over the money?" Elena replied, shrugging helplessly.

Daisy just stared at the money in disbelief. "This- this just doesn't feel real. Why- why would he do something like this? What does he get out of it?"

"Nothing. Or everything." Elena sighed. "All he asked of me was that when I had the ability, to pass it along to someone else who needs a little help. But I also know that if he asked me for anything at this point, could I really say no? I mean, I'm not giving him my body, but… if he ever needs my help, it's his."

"Maybe it's political? An attempt to make people like him so he can get support for a position within the guild?" Nancy suggested.

"Maybe?" Elena shrugged. "But even if that was the case, I'd still have taken the money and I'd still support him. If he wants to earn the position by helping people, I'm not going to stop him. We could use more officials who notice the people who struggle and just need a little help to get going."

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

The other three nodded in agreement, all four of them falling silent for a moment, until Clair let out a small cough. "Well? Shall we get started? After all, we can't disappoint our patron, now can we?"

Thomas shook his head as the girls left, having caught most of the conversation, even as he tried not to eavesdrop. He was generally pretty good at zoning out all the extra noise his enhanced senses let him pick up, but he knew they were talking about him, so it was hard not to pay attention. Of course, all he really learned was that charity was rare enough around here that it made people suspicious, which… Maybe he should talk to Albert about that? Well, have Victoria talk to him. Albert didn't seem very comfortable with the whole 'his daughter created a second self who turned into a man' thing. Not that Thomas could exactly blame him… that shit was definitely weird. Honestly, most of what Victoria got up to was pretty weird… maybe they should give the man a break? Try to be normal for a few weeks?

*You say, as if we're doing this shit on purpose.* Victoria commented, rolling her eyes.

*I'm just saying it might behoove us to just take things slow for a bit, you know? If you see a wild situation coming, just turn around and walk away.* Thomas replied.

*What, like a man literally falling out of the sky?!?* Victoria retorted.

*Hey, I didn't say it would be easy.* Thomas chuckled.

It didn't take long for Thomas to finish picking out the bounties for the day, so he spent the rest of the time waiting in a small lounge area, and for the first time since he arrived in this world, Thomas got bored. "Huh." He grunted absently as he realized that. Ever since he got here, it seemed like he always had something else to do. Even when he wasn't dealing with random bullshit, he could train or meditate on his Runes or do something. But right now, in this moment… he had nothing. No Runes to meditate on, nothing to train, no one to talk to… and suddenly it hit him. "I'm never going to finish that fucking manga." Thomas cursed under his breath with a scowl. "Or the Deathworlders… damn, that was a good story too. Oh, fuck, the new Souls game!" All the media he'd enjoyed on Earth… just gone! It wasn't that Thomas was particularly sad about it, but it'd been a large part of his life. He could confidently say he'd spent more time on the internet than he had talking to people. Whether that was healthy or not… Well, that was a different issue. The point was, there was a void there, which he'd been ignoring because of how busy he was, but now… there was nothing to fill it in this world. No games, no manga, no tv shows… he supposed they still had books, but not a lot. At least, not a lot of fiction. "Shit." Thomas sighed.

"Are- you okay?" Elena asked carefully. After getting her friends set up for their tests, she'd been about to go, when she noticed Thomas sitting in the lounge area and decided to say goodbye. However, when she'd gotten close, she saw him staring off into space with an absolutely miserable expression, and felt the need to say something.

Thomas glanced over at her, before letting out a long, weary sigh. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just… mourning a loss."

Elena blinked, before her expression twisted and she nodded in understanding. "Being a Hunter… that's the risk we take everyday, isn't it? Facing off against the Rune Beasts… one slip up, and that's it."

Thomas paused, raising an eyebrow at her. Where had that come from?!? Though… she had a point. Thomas looked around the guild, taking in all the people with scars, even a few missing hands or entire arms… being a Hunter wasn't for the faint of heart. These people ventured into the wilderness and risked their lives… mostly for money, sure, but even then they hunted down dangerous Rune Beasts before they could threaten the rest of humanity. "Huh… Well now I feel like an idiot." Thomas snorted. "I was just bummed I can't…" Thomas paused for a moment, searching for an equivalent in Farovan culture. "Find any good plays around here." He finished slightly bitterly. Man that made him sound like an ass, didn't it?

Elena blinked. "Plays? Like… from the Capital?"

Thomas flashed her a twisted smile. "Stupid, huh? I'm bemoaning a loss of entertainment, while all these people continually put their lives on the line." Thomas shook his head. "I have been spoiled."

Elena shifted awkwardly, not sure what to say to that. He'd seemed so miserable earlier, she'd assumed it was something big… "Well… everyone here deals with that loss, and none of them have taken the time to help out the people struggling beneath them. Maybe- maybe you are spoiled, but… it gives you a different perspective? Maybe even a better one…"

"Ah, maybe." Thomas shrugged, not really interested in getting into it with her. Ultimately the Hunters were here to make money. Sure, they prettied it up by painting themselves as the heroes who faced down the monsters, but one look at the mission board showed the lie in that. Missions to help people were constantly ignored in favor of missions that paid more. The Hunters wouldn't look at the people struggling and think they should help raise up more heroes, they'd look and see future competitors. Honestly, the best you could hope for was benign indifference, because it'd be in their best interest to do everything they could to keep them down. Thomas shook his head. "Anyway, what's up with you? Any big plans for the day?"

Elena shook her head. "Not really. Once the others finish their test, we'll take a few easy missions to get our teamwork down, before moving on to two star missions. That is, if everyone passes… which they should! But if not… we'll just do one star missions and train until they can."

Thomas nodded. "Sounds like a plan. I honestly wish you all the best of luck."

Elena flushed, ducking her head. "Th-thank you."

Thomas felt the conversation was over at that point, but Elena kept standing there, looking uncomfortable. After a moment, Thomas gave her a weird look. "Is there anything else?"

"Um, no, just- if- if you ever need anything- I just- you've done so much- I just wanted you to know I'm here if you need me." Elena finished, flushing furiously.

Thomas smirked slightly. "I'll keep that in mind. But honestly, you don't need to make that big a deal about it, alright? I'll appreciate any help, but don't think you owe me anything major. It was just a few silver, don't sell yourself so cheaply, alright?"

Elena's flush deepened, nodding stiffly. "O-okay, uh, I-I should go… um, I'll- I'll see you later?"

"I'll see you." Thomas chuckled before she rushed off.

Ursa was just walking over when she rushed away, raising an eyebrow at her before turning to Thomas. "What was that about?"

Thomas shrugged. "Just some misplaced- well not misplaced… exaggerated? Yeah, exaggerated gratitude. The way she acts, you'd think I'd given her my kidney, not ten measly silver."

Ursa blinked. "What would she do with your kidney? Eat it?"

"No, it's- ugh, nevermind." Thomas shook his head. No point in explaining surgeries and why they were necessary to a bear who healed himself through magic. He got up, heading for the door. "Come on, I already got our bounties. Let's go."

Ursa nodded, following him out. "Do you want to go to the Barracks now or after then?" He asked.

Thomas froze. "Shit, I forgot about the damn Barracks!" He cursed, frowning as he mentally adjusted his plans. "Okay, let's head there now, so I can see what the process is. If it's quick, I'll just take care of it, if not I'll see if I can do it later or if I need to take tomorrow off for it."

Ursa grunted in agreement as they headed outside. Tiffany was humming happily, balancing on a nearby fence as she paced along it, jumping down as they came out. "That was quick! Where are we going today?"

Thomas paused, giving her a weird look. "Well you seem… peppy today."

Tiffany smirked, glancing at Ursa, who suspiciously avoided her look. "I guess I just slept well."

Thomas looked between the two, narrowing his eyes, before shaking his head. "You know what, I don't even want to know. We're going to head over to the Barracks first, then we'll do these." He explained, handing over the bounties.

Tiffany looked them over, frowning. "I don't think we're going to have the time to do all these plus the Barracks today."

Thomas shrugged. "Then I'll take care of the Barracks tomorrow. I just want to see what I need to do first, to see how much time I should set aside for it."

Tiffany gave him a look, before shrugging. "Whatever."

Tiffany led the way over to a nicer looking building near the Hunters Guild, stepping aside to let Thomas in while she and Ursa waited outside. Thomas walked up to the front desk, smiling at the attendant. "Hi, I'd like to see about getting a house?"

The attendant smiled back. "Absolutely! Can I see your Hunter ID?" Thomas quickly pulled it out and handed it over. The attendant took it and began copying down the information. "New in town?" She asked lightly as she did.

"Fairly." Thomas nodded.

"Were you a Hunter before?" She continued.

Thomas shook his head. "Nope. I'm a… fresh recruit, you could say."

She raised an eyebrow at him. "Three star on your first test? That's pretty impressive."

Thomas grinned. "A bit, I suppose. But I'm not exactly untrained, just… never tried to be a Hunter before."

"Oh?" The attendant paused, looking him up and down. "You look a little young to have been in the military… a minor noble, then? Third or fourth son?"

Thomas hesitated, frowning. "Does it matter? Why the interest in my past?"

"Do I need a reason to be curious?" The attendant asked, smirking at him. "It isn't every day a powerful young Cultivator walks in looking for a home. Besides, the more I know about you, the easier it will be to narrow down what type of home I should look for."

"You could just ask that, you know." Thomas replied.

"But that would be boring, now wouldn't it? So much more fun to try and figure it out on my own." The attendant winked at him.

Thomas blinked at her, before chuckling and shaking his head. "You know what, sure, go for it. Tell me what kind of house I'm looking for." He smirked, a slight twinkle in his eye.

"Well, then you have to let me finish asking my questions, now don't you?" The attendant retorted, smiling back. "Why did you decide to come here? There are plenty of places to make it as a Hunter."

Thomas shrugged. "Why not here? I was already close and this seems like a decent place to start."

The attendant nodded. "So you're skilled, powerful, noble… you aren't looking for position, otherwise you'd have joined the military, and you aren't looking to get rich or you'd have gone somewhere more profitable, which means… you aren't looking for anything ostentatious, but you wouldn't settle for a shithole. You're used to having servants, so you'll probably want space for a maid, as well. A place to train, somewhere quiet to cultivate… how would a nice three to four bedroom with a medium sized courtyard sound?"

Thomas blinked. "That- sounds good, actually."

The attendant raised an eyebrow at him. "Why are you surprised? This is my job after all." She smiled. "Would you like me to contact a good maid service for you, or do you already have something in mind?"

"I- already have something in mind." Thomas coughed, slightly embarrassed.

The attendant nodded. "I assume you'd like to see the homes before you buy?" Thomas nodded. "Excellent, then I shall schedule you a viewing for…" She narrowed her eyes at him for a moment. "Tomorrow. Tenth bell?" Thomas nodded. "Excellent! We will see you then! Have a nice day!"

"Uh, thanks, you too." Thomas replied numbly, taking back his ID and leaving, shaking his head. He didn't know if there was a Rune for being an attendant at a real estate office, but if so, that lady deserved one.