Nils Waltz was checking if he didn’t left anything important in his room, It was his last day in that apartment. While trying to close his overloaded suitcase, someone entered the room.
“You know that you don’t have to move out?”
He didn’t know how many times during last month he heard this sentence. When stubborn zipper finally gave up and suitcase was closed, Nils turned around. At the door was his aunt Kate.
Only 12 years older than Nils, she looked like fashion model or actress. About 1,8m in high, nice slender body, long blond hair and big blue eyes on beautiful face. In addition to gorgeous looks she was also a genius, she graduated from university with economy degree when she was only 19, in age 23 she got her PhD and she was already working for biggest international corporations to gain experience. She would probably get her second PhD, but accident from two years ago changed a lot.
In that moment she got worried look, which was often guest on her face for the last month, since Nils became eighteen and came up with idea to live on his own.
“I know Kate, but I fell like it is a right thing to do.”
To be honest, Nils didn’t believe in his words, but he spend last month on repeating them, so he sounded confident. Nils didn’t know if it was right to move out and live on his own, but he definitely needed a change in his life. Seeing that his aunt wasn’t exactly happy with his answer, he moved closer to her and embraced her in awkward hug.
“Don’t worry Kate, everything will be alright. I feel much better now and I can take care of myself.”
Another well trained line came from his mouth. Nils took two steps back to create some distance, he and his aunt were both a kind of socially awkward and rare family moments were little embarrassing for them. No wonder why Kate couldn’t find herself a boyfriend if even hug from her nephew made her fluster.
Nils could understand his aunt, for the last two years she became closer to him than any other person before, she was his only family. He knew, how much effort it took, to manage everything, after death of his parents. Yes, his parents were dead.
Two years ago, he and his parents had terrible accident, some drunkard driving loaded truck hit their car with high speed. Even their family SUV couldn’t stand a chance against 10 ton machine. As a result both of his parents died and he lost his legs.
Everything below his tights were crushed and even best doctors couldn’t save it. First two weeks Nils spend in coma recovering from operation. When he finally woke up, only person next to him was his aunt and he already knew , just by seeing look on her face, that he was the only one who made it alive.
Next few months were very hard, not only for Nils but also for Kate, even if she was kind of surprise child for his grandparents, she was 15 years younger than Nils father, they were very close to each other. In addition Kate had to take charge of whole family company. Waltz family was very rich, everything started when Nils great-grandfather started small transport company and after almost 3 generations Waltz Corporation was huge holding with dozens of other companies under it.
Fortunately Kate was more than well prepared to manage family business. From the other side, looking after sixteen years old boy who lost his parents and became cripple, was quite a challenge for her, but Kate didn’t gave up. With titanic effort, she was managing hundreds of millions worth company and taking care of her nephew.
People say, that we don’t know value of things, until we lose them and Nils has learned it the hard way. His parents presence was something obvious and natural for him, but after their death, he noticed how much he missed them. It took countless hours of talk, with therapists and his aunt, until he finally was ready to accept his death.
Rehabilitation was another great challenge for Nils, but once again his aunt was there to help him and to encourage him. With help of best specialists and most advanced prosthetics technology he was able to walk normally. It was impossible to notice that Nils was using prosthetics if you didn’t know about them, that’s how modern technology works, of course if you have enough money.
Year after accident Nils was living with Kate in her apartment in city center, all doctors said that he was alright, but he didn’t wanted to return to his high school, he just didn’t felt ready, instead he started to learn in home. Accident have changed him, he wasn’t the coolest guy in area before, he got few friends and he went for few dates with girls form his school, but in that moment he didn’t really wanted to meet with other people.
Firstly, his aunt wasn’t much against his studying in home, she understood that he need more time to return to society, but after few months she started to worry. Nils was aware that he shouldn’t cut himself off from other people, but it took him almost year to change his situation. It was his eighteen birthday, he was eating dinner with her aunt in luxury restaurant, when he told Kate what he decided.
First thing was about his finances, Nils was eighteen years old and he had full access to his assets. Savings and properties wasn’t much a problem but shares in family company were serious deal. For past two years Kate was managing his assets as legal guardian. Together with her own shares she got about 60% of a company, which was enough to be CEO. Nils wanted it to stay that way.
Second decision was to return to high school. Nils thought that he spend enough time away from other people.
And finally, he wanted to live on his own.
First two matters wasn’t a problem to Kate, to be honest she was very happy when she heard that Nils wants to return to the high school, but his desire to move out make her worried. Next month was full of arguments and hard talks, but when Nils bought himself an apartment without Kate knowledge, she gave up on trying to convince him, to stay with her.
When Edward, Kate's personal driver has dropped him in front of his new apartment, Nils was still emotional. His new place wasn’t even that far from Kate's, but he and his aunt were little overreacting about this situation. He said good bye to Edward and with his suitcase in hands he entered building.
When Nils became eighteen and he made his decision about moving out, he started to take interest in his financial situation. He was pretty sure that his aunt told him earlier how much money he got , but he didn't care about that time.
When he finally saw number of zeros on his account, he was pretty surprised, his family and was really rich but, amount of money that was still stunning.
Knowing that he could afford much luxurious place, Nils decided to not spend his money like a immature kid and he bought nice 2 bedroom + living room apartment in newly build building near city centrum and Kate's place.
Probably that choice stopped Kate from trying to convince him to stay with her.
Nils entered hall with lodge and was welcomed by janitor sitting behind his counter.
“Good afternoon mister Waltz, are you finally moving in?”
Middle-aged man with rather big mustache and 1,8m in high, greeted Nils with friendly smile on his face.
“Yes, all furniture are already in apartment, by the way, than you for your help Henry, I really couldn't make it yesterday.”
“No problem mister Waltz, I am happy that I could help.”
Day before, last transport of ordered furniture was scheduled to be delivered, but there was some unexpected delay, so Henry needed to receive it, instead of Nils who was on a dinner with his aunt.
When Nils arrived at his new apartment, everything was just like he wanted. Furniture in rather minimalistic design were standing in right places. Spacious living room with wide panoramic window was connected to an open kitchen.
Two bedrooms and two bathrooms were all on left side of apartment coming connected with short corridor.
Furniture's in all rooms were in rather simple shapes and mostly in black, grey and white colors. Everything clean and organized, just like Nils liked it.
The only exception, that was really standing out was full immersion virtual reality capsule, which was standing in one of corners in living room. It's futuristic shape and blue color was heavily contrasting with apartment design.
Virtual reality capsule was one of moat important tools in his rehabilitation. With maximum 3:1, virtual reality time to real time ration, it seriously speeded his recovery time.
Time spend in virtual reality helped a lot in overcoming not only his physical but also a mental problems with using his prosthetics. Event after his rehabilitation ended, Nils was using capsule at least few hours a week, just to make sure that his synchronization with his highly advanced prosthetics was in best order.
It was already evening, when Nils ended unpacking his stuff, when he noticed that there was one thing he forgot about, he didn't buy any food yet. He grabbed his jacked, and after quick chat with Henry, Nils got basic idea about convenient stores and supermarkets in area.
Shopping took him much more time then he thought, his experience with shopping was rather limited, so he spend a lot of time deciding what he needed to buy.
In addition, he was almost sure that he could feel stares of other people on his back. His suspicions were confirmed when he saw girl about his age, she didn’t even trying to hide that she was staring at him. At least she was quite pretty, with long brown hair and big chocolate colored eyes.
On the way back to his apartment, Nils still was thinking about why those people were looking at him, of course he could have some paranoia, he spend last two years, mostly sating in Kate's apartment. Admitting to himself that he may be a little oversensitive about other people Nils returned to his place.
First morning in his new apartment was rather ordinary. Nils woke up at 5:30 am and he headed to building basement where gym open for all residents was. After his accident and rehabilitation Nils decided that while he lost his legs, at least rest of his body should be in perfect shape, so he was working out almost every day.
After an hour spend on exercising his body, Nils returned to his apartment, took long refreshing shower and ate his breakfast. He still got some time before he needed to head out to his highschool, so he spend it on surfing into net.
Nils new high school was about 15 minutes walk from his place, in addition there was bus stop in front of his apartment, so event in rainy day there was no problem with commuting.
Under ordinary name of, 12th Capital City Highschool was rather standard educational facility for high- middleclass students. Nils didn’t wanted to go to some snobbish highschool for rich kids, in addition 12th highschool got great scores on University exams.
Before accident Nils was first year highschool student, but while studying in home he already learned whole material for first and second year.
Unfortunately for Nils, some ridiculous education laws, didn’t let him pass two years of highschool just in writing exam, so he was obligated to started on the second year.
When the time come, Nils was ready to head out to school, he took last glance at the mirror before leaving his apartment. Fortunately in 12th Highschool there was no tradition of wearing uniforms, so Nils could were his ordinary outfit, jeans, black t-shirt and some cool sneakers.
Looking at his reflection in the mirror, he noticed that visiting a hairdresser is rather good idea. His hair already about 10cm long were in serious mess. Nils her wasn’t blond like the rest of Waltz family, he got dark almost black hair, after his mother. Form the other side his eyes were in intense blue color just like his aunt's and father's eyes.
The only reason that could make Nils standing out from crowd a little, was his height. He was very tall, like 2 meters tall and he hoped that he won't grow any taller, readjusting his prosthetics every half of a year was real pain in the ass.
Unfortunately Nils wasn’t worrying much about his looks, the real problem was that, it was already a month since semester started and he was starting as a awkward “transfer student”.
Nils arrived at school about 20 minutes before his first lesson, it was enough time to do all paperwork which was left in school's office.
When everything was done, he was introduced to middle-aged female teacher who was supposed to be his homeroom teacher.
Nils was pretty nervous when he entered classroom with about 25 students in it, felling very uncomfortable, he was introduced to class as new transfer student. Trying to sound as less awkward as he could, he introduced himself to his new colleagues.
“Hi, my name is Nils Waltz, I had some accident two years ago and I have spend a year on home studying, but I am still a year older than you. I hope we will get on really well with each other.”
Awkward, awkward, awkward, Nils knew that it wasn’t best introduction ever but at least he could imagine it much worse. Trying not to notice, curious glances from other students he sat on a place showed by teacher.
On, his way to the desk, he found out that, the strange girl from yesterdays evening, when he went shopping, was one of his classmates and she was staring at him just like before.
Rest of hour, went normally without nothing special but when lesson ended he was surrounded by other students, they were asking him where he lives, what kind of music is he listen, what kind of books he likes, just standard questions, at least Nils thought that.
Nils focused on answering questions and trying to remember all names and faces but he always got some problems with it. At least he didn't worried much about it, no one was expecting from him to remember all names after one day, right ?
Everything was going well, when someone asked him, what is his level in Warring Kingdoms Online. WKO was super popular VRMMORPG, which players could play by using VR capsules, just like one he got in his apartment. Nils heard about it, but he never felt a need to try it out.
“Sorry, I don’t play this game.”
Everybody around Nils, made some weird faces, like he would same something insane.
“So, you don't have VR capsule?”
Guy who asked about game was trying to figure out, why I wasn’t playing.
“No, I have one, but I mostly use it to some sport simulation games, or to watch some VR movies.”
In that moment, Nils officially became new class weirdo. Questioning took rest of a break and when next lesson was about to start, everybody left Nils alone. Nils wasn’t bothered by his classmates for the rest of a day and he was glad about it.
When Nils returned from school to his apartment he was rather bored than tired, he already knew all material which was on lessons and he spend all that time reading book on reader hidden under his desk.
After quick meal, some frozen stuff heated in microwave, Nils was about to find himself some new book when he remembered about that game his classmates were talking about.Warring Kingdoms Online, Nils quickly bought game and started to load it to his VR capsule. He decided to at least try to play it, he will have at least one topic to talk about with his new classmates.
While game was still loading, Nils was checking some info about it in net, apparently it was classic fantasy MMORPG with elves, dwarfs, orcs and all that kind of stuff. For the next half of an hour Nils was going trough countless guides an tutorials for beginners. Unfortunately all info that he found, made him more confused than he was before, apparently there were dozens of ways to gather abilities and classes and players were always arguing about which method was better.
But there were few things which Nils tagged as important, apparently one person could have only one character which was permanent and couldn't be deleted or reset. In addition if you choose class in game, it couldn’t be changed, only exception from this rule were class upgrades and special events.
There was also death penalty after players reached level 10, after dying player lose Exp stat points and skill mastery progress. Nils was rather surprised by amount of players despite such a sever rules.
When his VR capsule made sound which was announcing finished task, Nils immediately went inside the device and logged in to the Warring Kingdoms Online.
After familiar flash of light all view in front of his eyes went black, only to be replaced by dim blue light after few seconds. Nils waited another short moment when suddenly message window appeared in the center of his vision.
Welcome to Warring Kingdoms Online.
New player detected, ID. 964511176 Nils Francis Waltz. Character creation module loading.
In next moment, Nils was transferred to different space with his mirror reflection in front of him. His mirror copy was following all his movements and has “human” name tag above his head.
“Welcome to character creation module, please choose your race.”
Clear, definitely robotic voice filled air. Next to his mirror reflection another message window appeared with description of current race, basic information and list of starting locations.
Nils spend another 15minutes by checking different races and its descriptions, only to return back to human. Apparently only human race have possibility to choose any from all classes and in addition had racial ability called Quick Learner, which gave humans 10% bonus Exp and skill mastery points.
After confirming his choice twice, Nils encountered something, which was rather problematic, creator was letting him to change his appearance. Nils was thinking about improving his looks a little but almost countless number of options and changes that could be made, scared him off, so he left his real life appearance unchanged.
When Nils confirmed his choices and read all warning messages, another window popped up:
Due to user's unordinary health condition, all of data about lower limbs will be downloaded from other software detected on VR capsule.
If permission won't be granted, user will be obligated to go trough additional synchronization process.
Nils knew how synchronization looked like, he had clear one before he could use his sport simulation games. He didn’t have good memories about it, so he decided to let WKO use data from other software.
When his race and looks were all set, Nils had to choose his in game name and starting location. Choosing location wasn't much problem, to be honest Nils got some basic plan how he wanted to play this game. Following simple logic that he should use all potential of this new world, he decided, that he want to became some kind of mage.
Obviously there was no magic in real world and learning how to fight with sword or other weapons wasn't much a problem if you had time and money, so if you wanted to try something truly unique in game, magic was way to go.
Nils already knew, which city he will choose, while his little research, he found some quite interesting tip about Rosenblum Kingdom and it's capital city Kingsport. Apparently in that big, port city was magic guild, and after some simple series of quest you were able to became mage much faster than in other locations.
So, Nils choose Kingsport in Rosenblum Kingdom as his starting location but there was still problem with his character's name. After 10 minutes of silent brainstorm with himself, Nils typed short and rather simple name.
Ged
This name wasn’t even his own creation, he just took it from his favorite fantasy series, but at least Ged from books was powerful mage so that name should fit.
After another avalanche of message windows and warnings character creation was completed and Nils was ready to enter world of Warring Kingdoms Online.
Character called Ged appeared in the center of huge medieval looking city. On the large plaza with gorgeous fountain in the middle, enormous crowd of people was chatting, trading and doing everything which large crowd should do.
Ged was rather surprised by the scale of a buildings inside of a city. Right next to central plaza which he was standing on, Great Cathedral was located. Enormous construction, which could astonish great masters of gothic architecture.
In the opposite direction of cathedral was wide alley heading up the hill where royal palace was located, it was another great building on enormous scale.
Ged noticed that he was looking rather stupid, staring into buildings with his mouths wide open, so he decided to find himself some quiet place in order to find out how game interface worked.
After few moments Nils found some free bench, located under cathedral walls. After another 5 minutes, he figured out all about how interface worked.
He didn't even bothered about many social options, friends, guilds he didn’t have any in that moment. There was also quest log, which was obviously empty. Next thing that Nils checked, was his game inventory. To his surprise he found 10 pieces of bread and 1 silver inside it.
Stolen novel; please report.
Bread in his inventory made him little suspicious, so Nils decided to do some research and he quickly found his satiety and thirst bars. Thing about money was rather obvious because next to the number was image of silver coin, in addition there were also images of gold and copper coins with zeros next to both of them.
The last thing that Nils checked was his status window, when he choose right icon a huge window appeared.
NameGed Level1(0/100) TitleNone ClassNone Health100Mana25 Strength10Agility10 Stamina10Intelligence10 Wisdom10Luck10
Obviously he got only basic beginner stats and no skills.
When Nils knew everything he needed, he started to play with interface customizations and after few another minutes he decided that, voice commands were only reasonable choice.
Rising from stone bench, Nils started to wander around the plaza. Besides crowds of people and huge fountain, there were also many stands with various goods. After 15 minutes of walking, Nils has seen almost every kind of goods that could be sold, from vegetables and meat, trough weapons and armors, ending on strange alchemy ingredients.
One thing made Nils worried, all kinds of equipment were really expensive, to buy simple iron dagger you would need 1 gold coin which was apparently 100 silver coins. Fortunately food was much cheaper, you could buy single apple for 5 coppers, while bread was worth 2 coppers. With his 1 silver Nils was able to buy enough bread to not die from hunger, at least in next two weeks.
Deciding, that he saw everything that was interest in enough, Nils headed out to find magic guild. After asking one of a city guard for directions and almost hour of struggles, he finally arrived in front of magic guild building.
Nils was rather disappointed with how magic guild looked like. It was a tower made form ordinary, gray stone. Build on the plane of wheel with one single gates as an entrance. At least it was quite a big building, its base was about 60 meters in diameter, but only half of it in height.
Nils was expecting something far more flashier than simple stone construction. Some pillars of light or blue flames rising from a rooftop would be good.
Still concerned how pity guild building as looking, Nils walked up to the gates and knocked on the wooden gates.
Silence…
He knocked one more time and waited few minutes but there was no one coming. Nils was ready to leave when small window in the center of gates opened. He couldn't see who was standing other side of gates, apparently room behind hates was very dark.
“What do you want?”
Unpleasant and filled with anger voice came from little window. Little surprised by how rude that person was, Nils answered.
“I am here to learn magic.”
Person, behind gates made some weird, unrecognizable sound and asked another question.
“So, you fulfilled all requirements?”
Nils was surprised, internet guide didn’t tell anything about it.
“What requirements?”
“Arrrgh, bloody adventurers, always the same, are you blind? There is bloody note, on the wall next to gates.”
Nils, looked to his left and found piece of paper pinned to stone wall.
“ You found it? Good, now get your ass out of there and came back when you got everything from the list, or don't came back at all, it would be even better.”
Rude doorkeeper shut his window loudly, leaving Nils dumbfounded. Feeling that his magical career was getting farther and farther from him, Nils decided to read note on the wall.
When he got closer, message window appeared in front of him.
Magic guild recruitment.
All those who want to learn arts of magic are obligated to pay 10 gold coins to guild. In addition future recruits need to bring novice magical staff and clear quartz crystal with them and pass series of magical trials in guild.
Quest level- Basic class quest
Reward- magic related class
Requirements
- 10 gold
- Clear Quartz Crystal
- Novice Magical Staff
Nils felt tricked, it was supposed to be basic quest, but now he found out that, it could be much harder. Firstly he had to obtain 10 gold coins, which was apparently 1000 time more than he had on him. Additionally he didn't know how he was supposed to find crystal and staff.
Still standing in front of magic guild building, Nils started to look around hoping that he will find something that will help him. He was ready to return to central plaza to ask local traders about items he needed, when he noticed small building standing strangely close to guild tower.
When Nils come closer to suspicious building, he found out banner hanging over the entrance. Simple drawing of magical wand crossed with something reminding typical wizard hat cleared all Nils doubts, it could be that simple, right?
When he entered shop with magic equipment, Nils was welcomed with by old lade sitting on a single chair in the middle of store. Around shopkeeper were many shelves filled with hundreds of books, jars full of ingredients and equipment. One stand cached Nils’s attention, it was filled with long wooden staffs with metal socked on one end. Next to the stand was opened chest full of rather big whit crystals.
Nils were furious, those greedy bastards from magic guild where making money on their novices. Nils was pretty sure that items he needed wasn’t cheap.
After short exchange with old shopkeeper lady, Nils knew that he will need to work his ass to became mage. Novice Magic Staff cost 2 gold coins while Quartz Crystal was little cheaper, only 1.5 gold.
After leaving shop, Nils returned to main plaza, to think about his options. Apparently there was a rule that players were obligated to stay first two week in city to gain basic skills ,equipment and game knowledge. So basically, he was made to earn those money by working in a city.
Nils decided that it couldn't be too hard to earn few gold coins in two weeks, so he started to looking for job. Once again guided by guards, Nils found himself in front of huge wooden board filled with notes and commissions.
Most of them were mister hunting quests for more experienced players, but after few minutes Nils found few jobs offers. Unfortunately all Nils felt after reading them was shock and disbelief. Apparently daily wage of unexperienced worker was between 5 and 8 silver coins. DAILY!
In addition Nils needed to take care about his satiety bars, would only increase his need for money. Slightly sulking, Nils was trying to found some solution to his problems, after half an hour siting near the great fountain and wondering about many ways to became rich, enlightenment struck him.
He didn’t need to buy equipment from shop, he could make those items by himself, at least partially. Nils realized that wages for new workers were so low, probably because skills and crafting abilities they were about to learn while helping more experienced craftsmen's.
Once again, Nils found helpful city guards, after explaining that, he want do find some jewelcrafter who would hire him, guards had rather troubled looks on their faces.
“Sorry young lad, I don’t think that any of jewelcrafters with stores on plaza will hire you. Jewelcrafters and their guilds are very closed groups and it's really rare event when they hire anybody outside family or guilds.”
Once again Nils felt disappointment, he thought that his plan was really good and will help him became mage. He was ready to thank guards and leave when other guard spoke.
“ But don’t worry lad, I think I know someone who will hire you. He is a jewelcrafter but not associated with any family nor guild. Obviously his works are little different from stuff that jewelcrafters on main plaza do but I think it will suit your needs.”
Ping. Message window appeared.
Jewelcrafter's apprentice.
One of main plaza guards may know someone who can hire you.
Quest level – basic
Reward – job as a jewelcrafter's apprentice.
Requirements- none
Without hesitation Nils accepted guards offer and following his instructions, he found himself walking trough poorer part of city.
When he arrived at place which guard told about, he saw solid two-story house with first floor made from stone and second, build with wood. Everything looked solid and made with care.
Nils knocked to doors made from thick wooden planks and reinforced with iron. After short moment doors opened and short man in his sixties appeared.
“How can I help you young man?”
Nils thought about how different this situation was from welcome he got in magic guild.
“Hello, my name is Ged and I was told that you may hire me as a jewelcrafter's apprentice.”
Old man showed troublesome look on his face.
“Who told you about me?”
“It was one of main plaza guards, unfortunately I dnt know his name.”
Old man sighed with relief.
“Oh, I had to be Malcolm if he send you to me then there shouldn't be any problem.”
Ding.
Jewelcrafter's apprentice completed.
+ 50 Exp
Nils was quite enthusiastic about completing his first quest, it was specially hard but still, he felt like he was progressing on his path to became mage.
Nils focused on old man in front of him, he started talking again.
“Come inside my friend, lets talk about this jewelcrafter thing.”
Nils walked trough doors and found himself in some kind of workshop. Large room, probably covering whole first floor, was filled with tables and various stands. In one corner was even small forge with anvil. Everything was clean and left in order.
Old man showed chairs standing next to one of a tables, when both of them sat down, old man started to speak once again.
“ My name is Oliver and as Malcolm told you I can teach you about jewelcrafting, but first, told this old man why do you want to learn this craft?”
Nils quickly explained about his circumstances, while he was speaking Oliver was only nodding and watching him carefully. When Nils ended, old man closed his eyes for a short second and started to talk.
“I understand now, that magic guild was reaping new novices from their money for years now. Unfortunately there is no alternative, only they can teach new mages or you would need to travel to other cities.
But don’t worry, your idea is right, if you learn basic jewelcrafting skills, you will able to craft both, staff and crystal.”
Nils was happy that something finally worked.
“As you already know, local jewelcrafters are guarding their secrets rather hard and they don’t want to share them with strangers.”
Earlier euphoria turned in to suspicions, there was something uneasy on old man's voice.
“You see young man, officially this place is simple engraver workshop. Engraving is only part of jewelcrafting I can do legally.”
That was rather surprising, Nils started to hesitate a little, he wasn’t sure, if he won't get in to some trouble.
“Everything because 20 years ago I stood out against local jewelcrafters and I was teaching people form outside. I lost my workshop and was banned from working in my craft, in act of mercy mayor and guilds let me do engraving, mostly because no-one wanted to do it, as it is much less profitable job.”
Finally Nils understood Oliver's positions, but he was still little hesitant about braking the law.
“So you need to break a law in order to teach me?”
Rather dim smile appeared on Oliver's face.
“I fear that it is your only choice, if still want to learn my craft. Don’t worry to much about city guards, it's not like they are hunting and checking on me and even if they somehow found out that someone is working for me, we just tell them that, this needs some help.”
“So there is no risk?”
“I didn’t said that there is no risk, if someone will be willing to punish us we won't stand a chance but is highly unlikely.”
Nils was almost sure that he want old man to teach him, when he realized one thing.
“What if I want to sell anything I created? I told you I need 10 gold to became mage.”
“You are smart, you want be able to sell your craft on normal terms, all stands are controlled by guild and guild checks if all items have been created by its member. But there is place where you can sell all goods without guild control, I can introduce you to some man working in such a business.”
Nils was seriously hesitating, selling goods without guild permission and taxes on some kind of black-market, it was something very important, but then a single thought stuck in his mind, it was just a game.
Oliver seeing resolve in Nil's eyes asked.
“So young man, do you want to be my apprentice?”
PING!
Message window appeared!
Jewelcrafter's apprentice part 2.
Old man Oliver want's to teach you his craft even though law forbids him to do that. Do you want to learn from old man Oliver?
Quest level-rare crafting quest
Rewards- Jewelcrafting connected crafting skills
Restrictions-Must be introduced to old man Oliver
Penalty- If your secret will come out into open, you will be branded as a criminal and chased by guards in Kingsport city.
Without further doubts Nils accepted quest. With bright smile on his face, Oliver stood up and with official tone in his voice said
“I greet you, as my new student. You can call me your master now, of course if there is no one around.”
Just like proper apprentice, Nils was given place to stay in Oliver's workshop. He was told that his term will start tomorrow.
When Nils left Oliver's workshop it was already evening. He spend about 6 hours in game now, which meant that with 3:1 time dilatation it was only 2 hours in real time.
Nils decided that was enough of WKO for the moment and he logged out.
When Nils left his VR capsule it was about 5 pm in real world, he felt a little tired, just like always after playing with time dilatation, his sports simulators have this option too.
Knowing that the best cure for dilatation tiredness is little workout, Nils headed out to gym.
One hour later, Nils was standing under hot shower. Sounds made by stream of water and pleasant heat made shower best possible place for Nils to think and all he could think about was WKO.
Nils was really surprised how fast he got into the game and how much it was to play that game. He already know that he will spend a lot of time playing it.
When Nils was done with cleaning his body, he set his alarm clock on 9pm, it should be morning in WKO by this time, and went to sleep.
Nils woke up refreshed and in great mood, few hours of sleep was enough to rest a little bit. Immediately after leaving his bed, he went to his living room and entered VR capsule.
Standing in front of Oliver's workshop and watching how sun was rising over a city was a nice experience, unfortunately Nils couldn't enjoy it for much longer when he heard Oliver's voice.
“What are you doing boy? We don't have time for you to watch how sun is moving on the sky all day. There is work to do.”
Apparently while working, Oliver was turning from nice old man into true master crafter. Fro almost whole day Nils was cleaning, bringing things, learning and cleaning even more. Old man was little obsessed with keeping everything clean in his workshop, even while working.
Nils was little afraid that someone will just walk in to the workshop and put them in to jail, but old man was right no one care about old Oliver getting some boy to help him with work.
Another surprise were Oliver's customers, moat of them looked like nobility, or were very rich. As probably, only engraver in a city, or at least only one with such a high quality skills, his craft was highly demanded.
Apparently, nobles loved their crests and signs, in addition they wanted to have them on almost everything, from plates to armors and weapons. While keeping his prices low to not catch attention from guild, his work schedule was full and he was making decent amount of money.
When day ended Nils was given 10 silvers for his hard work, it was already more than he would get from other crafters. Asked about it Oliver explained, that even if he was working as engraver, he still was earning more than other crafters, he also told Nils that, if he was working as a proper jewelcrafter master apprentice, he would be making about 20 silvers per day. It was another reason why jewelcrafters guild didn’t wanted people from the outside.
Before Nils could log out there was one more thing he needed to talk about with Oliver, next day in WKO was exactly when Nils should be in school, so naturally Nils couldn’t work that time.
With smile on his face Oliver explained, that he knew about that the adventures are sometimes disappearing for some time, and it's not a problem.
Nils logged out from WKO and throw himself on his bad.