Riley looked at her notifications on Saturday morning. Not unlike the snow, the notifications cascaded by, and she focused on the summary.

[Your base level has advanced: 320 → 325!]

[Psionic Assassin (B) has advanced: 203 → 212!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 208 → 217!]

[Ranger (C) has advanced: 231 → 237!]

[Spell Thief (B) has advanced: 208 → 217!]

[Noble (D) has advanced: 262 → 267!]

[Infiltrator (E) has advanced: 94 → 108!]

[Enchanter(F) has advanced: 75 → 90!]

[Alchemist (D) has advanced: 150 → 162!]

[8312 people have sworn loyalty to you. This bond will break if you fail in your noble duties.]

Willing it away, Riley looked out into the blizzard. The wind gusted, blowing snow everywhere. The drifts towered around her like frozen waves. She turned to the two next to her. “What now?” she said, her voice quickly drowned out by the wind.

Roger turned and looked at the fort.

Riley didn’t bother looking. We killed nearly a hundred of their strongest. Let’s go. She pulled her cowl tighter.

“Cold?” Nicole asked, jogging in place.

Riley grinned and shook her head.

“Cheater. Give me that armor.”

“No way.” Riley chuckled. Turning back toward her father, she waited.

“Good enough for this morning.” Roger yawned and looked around them.

Riley blinked and turned. I need something to protect my eyes. She frowned at the surrounding storm—snow blasted by, painting everything a pure white. No one is going to move for weeks.

Nicole grabbed her cloak and pulled it around her. “Let’s go.”

Roger turned. “Sorry. I’m debating some options. We could go further, but that’s not the plan.” He turned. “I have a better idea. Follow.” He turned and jogged through the snow.

Riley shrugged and followed, jogging across the snow, her shoes dancing across the top. With her cowl pulled tight, she jogged and jogged and jogged.

Squinting out at the ocean of white, she saw a faint line. Is that a tree? How do you even navigate in a blizzard? Or is it because I swapped out Ranger? Maybe it’s that.

Climbing up a massive drift, she looked and saw more snow. “Nicole, can you see anything?”

“Yes, but I have Ranger equipped, and it isn’t a lot,” Nicole said, frowning at the snow.

Roger chuckled. “You’ll both get there. That’s the plan. We have a little time, and they have a dungeon.”

Riley looked at her levels. It has been a week. I can afford one. She chuckled. “We’re stealing a run?”

“Yes,” Roger said. “It’ll be good for both of you.”

Riley focused on him and the snow, racing across the frozen landscape. The smell of smoke hit, and she ran along a drift.

The town came into view, and Riley leapt over the picket, sinking into the snow. Roger reached over and pulled her out.

Riley smiled and followed him down the streets. The nearby cottages were surrounded by snow. Smoke rose from the chimneys, and the group meandered through the town.

Walking down a street, Riley looked at the fancy home and nearby temple. I wonder if Dad has been before. She bumped into him. “What’s inside?”

Roger shrugged and smiled. He walked to the church and frowned at the drift in front of it. Sliding down, he pulled out lock picks and carefully opened the door.

Riley conjured two blades and waited. Roger wafted inside like smoke, and she poked her head in. The five guards dropped to the floor, their blood spilling across the floor.

Well, that was anti-climatic. Walking inside, Riley moved toward the glowing archway. “Is that all it takes to steal runs?” she whispered.

“Yes,” Nicole said, nodding. “I’ve done it a few times.” She grinned.

Roger chuckled. “Remember that most of them are E and D-tier, Riley.” He turned. “The real danger is in the exit. Go quick. You both have no more than two hours. You’ll be in different ones due to your levels.”

Right, right. Riley ran and leapt through the glowing archway.

[You have entered a place of power and are being transported. This place of power has been tethered. Damage and death will not persist. Experience and rewards reduced. Resources are temporarily recharged for your trial. May you find your path!]

Willing it away, Riley watched the world form around her, shifting like the snowstorm outside.

Shining walls formed around her. Dazzling lights appeared, and Riley looked out at a polished ballroom. A chandelier flickered. What trial is this?

People in fancy attire flowed into the room. A group who looked like royals walked in, and Riley turned to find a massive piano sitting there.

The servant nearby walked up. “Play,” she whispered.

Riley walked over to the piano. She studied the strange instrument. What even is this? Reaching down, she touched the key and sent a ringing noise through the room. People turned, and she ignored them.

Sitting on the bench, she worked through the line of keys with a growing smile. I get to play music in a trial? She shook her head and started pecking out a tune. The polished keys bounced up and down. The music rolled through the room, and Riley sunk into it.

With a growing breath of contentment, she poured her feelings and frustrations into the piano, sending a torrent of sound cascading through the room.

The chatter and other sounds died away, leaving the piano music. With her fingers playing happily, she started singing.

“I don’t see the purpose.

The test that’s here before.

Perhaps it’s something hidden.

What’s beyond the door?

Why does it seem to speak to me

like some long-lost friend?

Music, what’s the message?

Sing with me again.”

A glowing light lit the room, bathing the place, and a woman appeared.

Beauty? Riley looked at the goddess in surprise.

Beauty turned to her.

“Riley, good to see you.

The test is all around.

Do you yearn for power?

Or some forgotten sound?

There are people all around you.

You could talk to them.

Or you could turn to something else.

It’s an open end.”

Beauty twirled, sending her dress flying. She grinned and looked at Riley.

Riley grinned back.

“So, that then is the test itself.

What I seek to do?

An opportunity that’s wasted?

Is that what is in view?

Why’s it always killing?

You know I yearn to sing.

Where then is the progress

from simple practicing.”

Beauty chuckled, her laugh sounding like a bell in the room.

“Killing seems the answer.

Sometimes that’s what you need.

But here and now, that’s up to you.

And yet you choose to sing.

You could turn and harm them,

let your magic free.

Your peers would do it at a chance,

for it’s a guarantee.”

Riley’s fingers danced along the keyboard. She smiled at the goddess. So, I could go on a killing spree, or I could go search for contracts, or whatever. She looked at the piano. Why can’t I just play this? Her fingers slid along the polished keys, sending a waterfall of notes through the room.

“So, now I’m forced to choose it;

what things shall I do next?

Do I go a hunting,

or make music for the rest?

Some would say that I am foolish,

wasting time this way.

Perhaps that reputation,

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

will forever stay.”

Beauty smiled and nodded. She danced, her feet moving at a blazing speed and sending a drumming through the room.

“I wonder of your choices.

You are so hard to see,

not unlike all music

or your poetry.

I think I know the answer.

That’s why I joined you here.

And so we’ll dance together.

So, have a bit of cheer.”

Beauty winked at her.

Riley laughed and continued playing. She looked at the dancing crowd. It is nice not to worry about killing things. She looked at the goddess. But I’m passing up crystals, aren’t I? What do farmers or maids do in here? Clean stuff? I thought they brought weapons and hunted or something. I know you can barter for them—Am I getting paid for this? She looked at the servant and gestured.

The servant leaned over.

“Am I getting paid?” Riley whispered.

The servant nodded. “Of course. You’ll be paid based on your performance and time spent.”

Grinning, Riley happily tried other things on the piano, pounding out a tune while Beauty danced with several people. Another ray of light flashed through the room. Mischief winked and grabbed Beauty, spinning her with a dramatic flair.

Chuckling, Riley turned her focus back to the keys. She played, pouring her soul into the keys and letting the notes ring through the hall. Lights lit the room. The sound of dancing feet filled the air, and she smiled. Gods, I needed this.

Time seemed to blur. The people and outfits grew more elegant, and their dances became more elaborate. Riley played, and the sun above began its descent.

Snapping to, she looked at the window and grimaced. What time is it? She looked out at the room and saw gods dancing, the common people gone. The shock hit her like a blizzard, and her happy tune crumpled.

Beauty burst into laughter, turning toward her and clapping. “Thank you, Riley!”

The gods waved and vanished. Beauty winked, blew a kiss to Riley, and vanished in a burst of light.

Riley stood and looked behind her. The back of it was crowded. The nobles were all staring at her. The king was standing there with his mouth open, and townsfolk had crammed themselves into the room.

This is the strangest one I’ve ever had. Riley looked at the exit. I need to go.

“Payment, my lady,” the servant said cheerily, handing her a bag.

“Thank you.” Riley took it and looked at it.

[Payment For Entertainment].

She looked back at the nobles. I could kill them. Turning, she walked through the portal instead.

[Evaluating bardic, non-combat trial requirements…

Level 1 - Entertain the nobles.

Level 2 - Awe your audience.

Level 3 - Awe the city.

Level 4 - Entertain a god.

Level 5 - Entertain the gods.]

Riley stared at the notification. Oh. That’s how this works.

[Level 2 completed!]

[Your base level has advanced: 325 → 329!]

[Level 3 completed!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 217 → 267!]

[Level 4 completed!]

[Skill Unlocked: Heavenly Refrain (C) - +1 levels to the assigned class. Use this skill to have the heavens join your song. Grants +100 charisma for the duration of the song and may only be used as long as the gods are willing.]

[Level 5 Cleared: Class and base experience granted.]

[Your base level has advanced: 329 → 334!]

[Psionic Assassin (B) has advanced: 212 → 262!]

[Bard (C) has advanced: 267 → 317!]

[Ranger (C) has advanced: 237 → 287!]

[Spell Thief (B) has advanced: 217 → 267!]

[Noble (D) has advanced: 258 → 308!]

[Infiltrator (E) has advanced: 108 → 208!]

[Enchanter(F) has advanced: 90 → 190!]

[Alchemist (E) has advanced: 162 → 237!]

Riley barely had time to read it before the wave of power snuffed out her vision, and everything went dark.

Riley Milvsky

Level: 334

Bard (C)

Level: 317 + 4

Dominating Presence C +1 level to the assigned class. Enemies within 100 meters of you lose 20 strength, 20 dexterity, and 20 speed. You may expend bardic inspiration to increase the effect. Control Water E Manipulate the water around you. Cost varies based on amount. Restoring Presence B +2 to the assigned class. Subjects regain 1% stamina and 1% mana every 30 minutes; their healing is augmented by 50%. Allies within 100 meters count as subjects. You know of injuries and may use mana to heal allies within fifty meters. You may use inspiration to expand and increase the effect. Empowering Presence C Your subjects gain +20 strength, +20 dexterity, and +20 movement speed; allies within twenty meters count as subjects. You may use Bardic Inspiration to temporarily boost the range and the effect.

Psionic Assassin (B)

Level: 262 + 12

Assume Disguise S +30 charisma. Enhance your current disguise by altering your displayed information and taking on the disguised form. Grants +5 levels to the assigned class. Perception and Insight suffer -250 levels against your disguise and -50 levels against your deception or stealth. Penalty applied: Gods’ Oversight. Momentous Tempo B +10 speed. This boost will increase to up to +100 for every ten seconds you are in motion. Slowing in any way will reduce the effect. +2 levels to assigned class. You may use a charge of inspiration to boost your movement speed by an additional 10 for a minute. Death's Cloak A Slain enemies will grant experience to your base level and active classes. +3 levels to the assigned class. Perception and insight suffer -25 levels against you. Penalty applied: Covenant. Ambush B +10 speed. +2 levels to the assigned class. Costs one stamina to use. On use, you teleport to a shadow within 20 meters. Penalty applied: Covenant.

Spell Thief(B)

Level: 267 + 2

Predatory Sight C +1 level to the assigned class. Your perception and insight are boosted by 30. This boost is not reduced by low light or no light. You may use 1 stamina to double this effect for ten seconds. Spirit Blade C +1 level to assigned class. Manifest an ethereal blade of psychic energy that will vanish after thirty seconds or six seconds after being thrown. Costs one stamina or one mana to manifest a blade.

Pretty C Use a mana to get Beauty’s help! She may provide it anyway. Oh, and you’ll stand out in a crowd! After all, everyone knows a Beauty. Music's Lute - You may summon this lute from the heavens. It will return to the heavens when you will it away.

Ranger (C) Level: 287 Inactive. Noble (D)

Level: 308 Inactive. Enchanter (F)

Level: 190 Inactive. Alchemist (D)

Level: 237 Inactive. Infiltrator (E)

Level: 208 Inactive. - -

Psionic Storm C +1 to the assigned class. Conjure a storm of void or psychic energy. Variable cost. Conjure Storm D Manipulate or conjure up a storm. Mana cost varies. Conjure Potion C +1 to assigned class. Conjure a potion that you understand. You may add an additional minor healing effect to any potion. Cost varies based on the potion and potion duration. Heavenly Refrain C +1 levels to the assigned class. Use this skill to have the heavens join your song. Grants +100 charisma for the duration of the song and may only be used as long as the gods are willing.

Dexterity 1552 Strength 668 Speed 583 Intelligence 1246 Charisma 1019 Stamina 942 Mana 2436 Inspiration 655