Tay strolled along the impossibly long hallways of the Finick mansion. His arm was in a sling as it had been broken during their escape the day before. He gazed at the workmanship that was put into every aspect of the building. Every piece of marble didn't even look chiseled, but that it had come from the earth looking perfect.

It was his second lap around the mansion. He had been told by the team that it was good to gently exercise the body after leveling up. His aching muscles protested that with every step.

Waking up that morning had been a surreal experience. Whether it was the cloud-like sheets or the beautiful colors that the sun made on the bright materials that the whole structure was made from. Tay wasn't sure.

Being greeted by the team of adventurers when he awoke was something he found surprisingly enjoyable. Their kindness towards him was forcing him to lower a guard he forgot he had put up.

He hadn't yet experimented with his powers, and in fact, he hadn't even resummoned Orby. It seemed that absorbing the Spirit, even in the correct way that spell was supposed to be done, took a lot out of both his familiar and Tay.

He had planned on experimenting later in the day after he finished his walk, but he realized that now would be as good a time as any.

Letting his body walk without thought, Tay Shrank into himself, into his soul. He quickly found the pool of mana. It was pulling and pushing, he realized that he had never truly looked at it, but rather at the things held within.

It was serene inside the space of his soul, like his own little world. His magic was a physical thing there, as much as water was in a cup. He allowed himself to sink into it, and a warm sensation washed over him. It was thick, but in a comfortable way. It didn't smell or taste of anything, but when it touched his tongue, it seemed to fizz.

Going deeper, he found his spells. Stoke was resting gently in the water, looking almost like a playing card. His summoning spell, which did not have a name, was beside it. He could feel that his only spell he could actively use had changed, if only slightly. But his summoning spell felt…incomplete.

Both spells had symbols on the face of their ‘cards.’ But Orby's spell card was odd, almost as if it was changing.

Then he saw his new spell. He instantly gained a basic understanding of it, and he grew very excited. Its name was ‘throw.’ It allowed him to form a ball of fire and then release it. Though He felt limitations. He knew that he could only form it at the tip of his sword. His weapon had become a part of him, he realized.

Molding, as it was called, was a common thing. When someone used a weapon for long enough and goes through evolution with said weapon, their soul assimilates with it. The weapon takes a part of the person, and in return allows for easier and more efficient magic.

Feeling somewhat unsatisfied—what with him fairly certain that he wouldn't be able to summon his familiar and all, he left his soul. The world seemed to come back into focus as a blinding blur of white light, and he stumbled. A hand grabbed his arm and helped him upright. It was Raya Vania Finick. The Baron's beautiful level 4 daughter.

It had been her bed that he had woken up in. He was told that it had made more than a few waves in the mansions community. He only hoped that her father wouldn't hear about it, and that if he did, he chose to not wipe him from the face of the earth.

“I've been calling for you for quite some time.” She said softly. Her eyes, purple as a violet flower, looked at him coolly. “Deep into your soul, I see.” She said as she steadied him. Tay nodded.

“just seeing what's changed.” Raya stared for a moment more before turning and motioning for him to follow as she walked away. “Evolution is an interesting thing, wouldn't you agree?” She asked. Tay shrugged, not realizing that she wouldn't be able to see him.

“With nothing more than our own desires, needs, and wants, it changes us, changes our bodies.” Her voice trailed off into the endless halls. Tay hesitated for a moment, he knew that one's magic wasn't a result of their desires, but he was curious about someone who had such incredible power.

“and your wants, Ms. Finick?” She hummed quietly as if pondering.

“Freedom, Mr. Mallor.” The rest of their trip was done in silence.

A roaring laugh came from Rayas bedroom as they opened the door. “weak!” came a voice. The inside had been cleaned when Tay woke up that morning, but apparently their company couldn't stand for that.

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The once shottely repaired table was now fully broken again as Alexander laid on top of it and Olms stood triumphant over him. They were each back into their fine silk clothes. Their hair was clean and silky, and all the grime from Their battle yesterday was gone.

Tay heard Raya sigh beside him. The men noticed the pair only too late. “Olms.” She said In an uneasily soft voice. The big adventurer gulped nervously.

“Al-Alexander started!” He stammered. Raya rubbed a finger over her eyebrow. Alexander, the other big adventurer, stood and shook off pieces of wood.

“Like hell I did!” He said loudly. Before Olms could say something even louder, Raya put up a tired-looking hand.

“I don't care.” her voice was exasperated. “I don't know why I bother…anyways,” she turned to Tay. “I was hoping that you would accompany us on a little outing.” The other Phantoms looked expectantly at him.

“To the tower?” Tay asked worriedly. He thought it a bit too soon for that. Raya laughed softly. “No, Mr. Mallor. To the Association Hall.”

Besides being the place that adventurers went to for missions, the impressive Association Hall was a sort of shopping center. It had all manner of business inside from clothing shops, smithies, taverns, entertainment, and Healthcare. It was truly an adventurer's paradise.

“I get to take him first!” stated Olivia as if Tay was a new Puppy. They stood just inside the bustling Hall. Raya and the others sighed before waving her and Tay off. He soon found himself in Silvias's silky Wares. Tay instantly got flashes of his past from when his mother came to such places.

“I didn't think you were so…” Tay struggled to find the word. “Girly?” Olivia offered. Tay blushed. “Oh come on. A lady's got to spend time on herself every once In a while.” She giggled. It didn't take long for Silvia Mertly, the owner of the store, to find them.

“Oh Yes, that one's perfect dear.” Silvia had said while showing his companion a jeweled dress that he suspected to be a good hundred silver hulvs above what it was worth.

After picking out a few more items, The most expensive being a 20-gold Hulvs handbag, they left the shop.

She mentioned that there was another shop that she wanted to go to. Apparently, it sold a particular skin ointment that she liked. Tay was reminded then of how little he had been around women. To his relief, Olms found them.

“My turn.” He said seriously. His eyes had a glint in them that made Tay nervous. Olivia grumbled but turned to leave. “Good luck.” She said as she disappeared into the crowds.

“Axes!” Came Olm's booming voice as he swung an ax twice as big as Tay knew he could use. The big man. Had taken him to a shop called Plumy&Son smithery. When Tay first saw the shop, he was weary. Smoke had been billowing out of the storefront and into the main hall. It somehow vanished before becoming a problem.

It turned out that many accidents happened in that particular shop. Olm's face instantly lit up upon entering the store. Even Tay had to admit that it was impressive.

Rows of tightly stored weapons from words to boss stood on rows of racks. The walls had shields, armor, and weapons encased in glass. Above them was a second floor with ladders leading to it.

The sheer volume of masterfully crafted pieces of glinting metal was staggering, and Tay quickly came to wish that he had more money.

As they browsed the products, Olms came and went between Tay and the racks of weapons. He brought spears, swords, daggers, and many, many other weapons. He gave little tidbits of Information about each one. For example: Did you know that the first king of the country wielded a sword that was considered to be the very first rapier?

They spent quite a while there. Even Tay got lost in that place. But eventually, they decided to leave. This time no one was there to greet them besides the masses.

Olms decided to split And look for the rest of the Phantoms. He had run off before Tay could acknowledge. That was fine by him, though.

He browsed the many stores. He breathed in the scents of food, perfume, and the fiz of magic. He thought for a moment about where the others would take him. He thought He knew where Alexander would go. He was a man after his own heart, after all. Food was just too good.

But Raya…he didn't know. Perhaps she enjoyed clothes as well, although he doubted it. In all the time he knew her, which admittedly wasn't much, she hadn't been one to wear lavish outfits.

She seemed to like simplicity above all. Tay didn't mind, and in fact thought it suited her. He smiled, remembering when he had first seen her in that black, perfectly fitted gown.

He had to stop himself from thinking about how it fit her so well. She was the baron's daughter.

Then he saw a woman he did not wish to see; Lithra Rose.

She had her usual white combat robs and her hair was neat and proper. She stood straight an arrow, yet with the relaxed disposition of a drunkard. Her eyes showed no sign of emotion.

“Ms. Lirtha,” Tay said calmly. He had done nothing wrong. There was no actual agreement that he would join their guild…but that didn't make him feel any better.

“Mr. Mallor. How nice to see you again. I suspect you know why I'm here?” She asked. Tay smiled politely.

“Yes…” He readied himself to make the decision that would set him on a new path.

“I'm afraid—”

“Before you finish that sentence,” She interrupted. “The Guild has a new offer for you.” Tay felt a knot in his throat as his smile faded. He nodded for her to go on.

“We've been doing some research, Mr. Mallor, and we've found something quite interesting about your past.” There was no smile on Tay's face now, and in fact there was no emotion at all. He simply stared coldly at her.

She smirked as she saw the change in him. “I'm sure you remember that day so many years ago when that fire ”Accidently” took your parent's life.” She quoted The city guard’s report of the incident.

He took a step back, shaking his head. He knew what she was about to say. “Don't…” he pleaded.

“If you agree to join us, then we will tell you the truth of your parent's death.”