“Mana Bolt!” A charge of bright fluorescent energy generates in my hand and then shoots toward the chest of the pinned down goblin. It impacts with a sizzle and pop, while bright light obscures my vision. Just as suddenly it fizzles out of existence.

Dealt 16 Health Points: Magical corrosive damage.

Awarded 2 experience points for assisting in the defeat of a goblin.

The goblin lies still. Smoke trails from a blackened scorch mark across its rib cage. Along the edges, cartilage and muscle still sizzle and pop. A testament to the magic now at my fingertips.

“Hell yeah! Again!”

Graem wrinkles his nose as he pulls his spear out of the goblin’s abdomen. “Don’t you think you’ve smelt enough seared goblin flesh for one day?”

“Are you kidding me? I could happily smell this all week! Again!”

“Reed, that was the tenth time!” Graem’s voice grates. “You must be getting bored!”

“Bored!?” I’ve been waiting to experience the power trip of having video game world powers since I first opened my status. “Not at all!”

“Reed, it’s well past time we went back to our regular strategy.”

“Come on Graem, let him have his fun today. Don’t you remember how excited you were when you first got Mana Bolt?” Laela asks while walking over.

“That’s beside the point,” Graem replies, as his face heats up. “Besides, it lowers our levelling efficiency and more importantly it’s risky. If we get ambushed by another hobgoblin Reed will be out an ability and some mana. That could matter in a life-or-death situation.”

Laela rolls her eyes. “We can afford to let Reed have fun for the rest of the day. Mana Bolt has a low cooldown and you said yourself that he doesn’t even have enough abilities for mana overuse to be a serious concern.”

“Even still, we should all be promoting good habits, especially-”

“It’s just one day Graem!” Laela cuts Graem off. “Think of it as an opportunity to teach Reed how to use his abilities properly.”

Graem knuckles turn white from gripping his spear so tightly. It’s obvious he’s unhappy and wants to argue Laela’s points, but surprisingly he doesn’t. “Fine.” He turns to me agitatedly and sighing deeply, loosens his tense grip on the spear. “Reed, we’ll take this as an opportunity to learn how to aim a Mana Bolt. You certainly need the help.”

Whether or not that’s true, I keep my mouth shut. If accepting a few sarcastic jabs like that from Graem without giving lip is all it takes to spend the rest of the day vaporising goblins, then bring on the sarcastic jabs.

Graem passes his spear to Laela then turns back to me. “When I’m back I’ll give you some pointers. Make sure you enjoy today because tomorrow we’re back to taking leveling up seriously.”

“Right. And thanks.”

“You know, if I had known you only wanted to use Mana Bolt, I would have suggested you put that free stat point into charisma.”

“Good idea.” With a slight smirk I respond. “I’ll use my next point on charisma then.” Graems eyes squint shut and he pauses midstep. Okay fine, I take it back, I can’t help ribbing him.

Graem picks up the goblin corpse by the legs and drags it out of the way. As he does so Jaed appears at the cavern entrance puffing lightly. She glances over Laela and I before rushing to help Graem.

A hand clasps my shoulder jolting me out of my thoughts.

“Come on rookie.” Laela whispers. “Let’s get in position. You want to Mana Bolt some goblins, don’t you?”

“Right,” I whisper back, and walk with her. “Thanks for persuading Graem to let me enjoy.”

“Don’t mention it.” Laela smiles. “I think Graem takes becoming the very best adventurer a bit too seriously. I believe that’s what drew him to you in the first place. Back when you made that speech back in the guild.”

That’s a sobering thought, I was hardly thinking clearly then. “You think he is disappointed then?

“Disappointed?” Laela asks obviously confused.

“That I’m not working hard enough? Not as hard as I professed I would in the guild?”

Laela laughs. “No. Not if he has any self-awareness at all. It took him three days to stop firing Mana Bolts at every goblin he saw after he chose it at level two, and that really wasn’t that long ago. Perhaps a week before we met you.”

She hops over the rocks and slides to the floor. I follow after her.

“So Graem was the same, huh?”

“Uncannily similar.” She smiles at me. “One system obsessed lunatic in my life was more than enough trouble for me. And now I’ve got a second on my hands.”

“Yet you joined the adventurer’s guild, notorious for being filled with system obsessed lunatics,” I mirthfully reply.

“Perhaps, I’m just as big a lunatic.” She smiles ruefully.

“Is that why you became an adventurer?”

Laela laughs. “Adventure. Protecting the commonfolk. Eventually the pay is excellent.” Laela pauses and fiddles with her locket. “Plus, I always knew my little brother was destined to become one. He’s been learning everything he could about adventuring since he was nine. And when he’s got his mind on something well, you’ve seen for yourself how headstrong he gets. I figured he might need someone like his big sis to reign him now and then. Keep him from getting in too much trouble.”

“You’re here for his sake?” That’s a surprise to say the least. Never would have taken Laela as the overprotective elder sibling type.

“Don’t tell anyone.” She stuffs her locket into her shirt and smiles. “Now get ready, I hear goblins. I believe this will be the eleventh Mana Bolt of the day?”

----------------------------------------

It’s still bright as my adventurer companions and I once more arrive at the street entrance to Elizabeth’s boutique. Despite having seen it before I’m still draw to the gentle swinging motions of the ball and yarn sign in the wind. I hear the tell-tale bell of the store jingle, Gorm is holding the door wide open for everyone. Promptly shuffling past his bulky person we enter the vibrant store.

“Welcome to the boutique. I’ll be with you shortly.” Elizabeth’s warmly calls out.

Glancing around I catch sight of her tiny figure draping yellow and maroon sheets of fabric over some sort of owl headed woman. Laela brushes past me and seems to delight in taking this time to investigate some of the more feminine apparel. Gorm too walks around, infrequently picking up different pieces only to rapidly drop them with boredom with an apparently discerning eye. Jaed and Graem meanwhile, stand with me by the door, as we wait for Elizabeth to finish up with her other customer. Perhaps, they too, feel as out of place as I do.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

Finally, the colorfully dressed owl lady drops some coins onto the counter before Elizabeth and begins walking to the exit. She brushes in between Graem and I and then opens the door of the boutique.

“Thank you for your patronage and be sure to come back any time,” Elizabeth calls as the bell jingles again. “Now.” She turns her attention to me. “You must be here to pick up the clothing ordered yesterday.”

I glance towards Laela expecting her to answer these questions on my behalf, but find that she is too preoccupied with trying on a particularly flamboyant red cape.

“Right. We are,” Graem answers instead.

“Excellent. Please follow me to the backroom dearie. There you’ll be able to try everything on and make sure it is all to your liking.”

My new clothes lie neatly folded and stacked upon a wooden bench beside a large silver mirror and some impressive glowing crystals lighting the room by some magical means. Besides being bright the backroom is also cramped, much like the changing rooms I’m used to back on Earth. I wouldn’t be surprised if the previous owner of this building had used the space as a storage closet. I mean, were it not for the rooms emptiness, I’d suspect it really did double as a storage closet.

“We’ll give you some privacy,” Graem says from outside the doorway. Jaed waves and then closes the door behind her.

I pick up the first article of clothing; a neatly folded grey undershirt. I slip off my own tattered pyjama shirt and am struck by the difference. The excessive wear and tear it’s been subjected to over the past few days has left it in a terrible state. Though it could be worse, at least after the numerous dips in the river it no longer smells like goblin goop. I slip the new undershirt over my head, the material feels strange though not unpleasant. It’s soft like cotton, but not as flimsy. It doesn’t feel like it will tear easily; useful for what I need it for.

Pants are next. Dark green and made out of something that reminds me of leather, but also clearly isn’t. It is firm and flexible like leather, but it’s far less course than any leather I’ve felt before. Whatever, at least it isn’t itchy.

Next are the socks. Thick and soft, as promised. Woven out of wool, I think? Nothing else to say about them really, except that as soon as I can afford to, I’m buying a dozen more pairs.

Finally, the cloak. The best for last. It’s a heavy reddish-brown piece. Similar to the pants it is tough, though it’s more rigid. Immediately upon donning it I feel satisfyingly warmer. The material is tough and rigid and feels. Specially designed to endure slashing from goblin claws I assume. At least it should fare better than my poor cotton pyjamas.

Looking at myself in the mirror is discordant. I can’t tell if it’s my mangy hair or these rugged clothes, but there is something about the person looking back at me that feels off. Some characteristic that is uncharacteristic of me. That said I don’t hate it. Elizabeth delivered on my only requirement; I look freaking cool.

I step out of the backroom and find Elizabeth and my companions waiting for me. My pants slip down slightly as I walk, but I catch them and pull them back up. All the while the rest of the people in the boutique consider me in silence. The stares are getting a bit much and I feel my cheeks begin to heat up. “Well. How do I look?”

The silence continues for a while before Graem finally responds, “like a proper adventurer.”

“Err, that sounds good.” I am struck by a memory of the incredibly wide and varied assortment of clothing worn by the adventurers I’ve seen within the Guild Hall. “I think?”

“He means it suits you. I can’t believe you can look so civilized,” Laela adds.

“Thanks?”

“Mhm.” Gorm grunts in approval. “Spellsword clothes, not berserker.”

Damn… What’s with all these backhanded compliments?

“Is everything to your liking?” Elizabeth asks appearing in a flash before me.

“I mean. I like it. It’s cool but…”

Elizabeth’s eyes widen. “Surely nothing is the matter?”

“Well… Shouldn’t my pants fit a little better?”

“Loose pants are the current trend within the adventurer and nobility circles.” Her voice is chiding. “If you would like me to refit your pants that can be arranged for a small fee.”

“Will a belt keep my pants up?” I ask, addressing Laela.

She looks at me funny before nodding and replying, “yes, a belt will keep your pants up. We’ll get you one after we leave. After all, that was the point of getting you new clothes in the first place.””

“Okay.” I sigh in relief. “Then there are no problems. No need for any refitting or fees.”

Elizabeth replies with indifference, “then if everything is acceptable that will be six silvers and nine coppers altogether.”

Laela steps forwards jubilantly and places the coins atop the counter. Looks like she’s reacquired her enthusiasm for liaising on my behalf in retail matters. I don’t know if paying nearly five silvers was a fair price, but considering I’m barely making a few coppers a day hopefully these clothes are worth it.

“Thank you for your patronage and be sure to come back any time. I also work with monster leathers in case you need something even tougher in the future.”

“We’ll be sure to come back,” Laela remarks. Then she grabs my new cloak and Jaed’s hand and promptly drags us towards the door.

She stops outside and turns dispiritedly to Graem. “You still have the directions to Thompson’s, right?”

“You realize you took them from me?” Graem raises an eyebrow in ridicule, then he laughs and smiles. “Don’t worry sis. It’s a short walk, I remember the way.”

“After you then.” Laela replies waving her arm for Graem to take the lead. He smiles at her and begins leading us to Thompson’s.

“What are monster leathers?” I ask Laela as we walk side-by-side.

“Leathers made of monster skin obviously.”

“But why would people want to wear that?”

“Because they are sturdier, and some rare monster leather is even resistant to extreme damage.”

“Like what?”

“Like salamander leather being nonflammable even under dragon fire. Or ogre skin being extremely difficult to pierce,” Graem, who must have overheard our conversation, calls out.

“I assume something like that must cost a lot?” I address Laela again as Graem has returned to focusing on leading us to Thompson’s.

“You got it rookie.” Laela replies. “You’ve got to spend coin to make coin.”

Graem stops suddenly. “We’re here.”

Graem steps in first followed immediately after by Jaed and then Laela. Gorm and I wait for each other patiently, until finally he gruffly enters before me. As I step inside, I am again overcome by the strong chemical odor of leather wafting from within. I doubt I’ll ever get used to it; then again I’m getting used to the smell of goblin. I take a fleeting look around and find Graem already speaking to Thompson.

“Looking for a belt fit for an adventurer, are you?” Thompson asks.

“Yes. Something sturdy and tough that can also be modified to hold a weapon sheath or two.”

“Whose it for?”

Graem turns to me and Thompsons follows his gaze.

“Ahh the lad from yesterday.” Thompson rubs his chin contemplatively “I can see you’re working to kit him out nicely. Looks like my cousins work?”

“Yes, we are,” Graem replies.

Thompson flies up into my face. “It suits you lad. Come on let’s check out some belts.”

I follow Thompson as he flies through the store. Interestingly unlike Elizabeth whose flight pattern was completely chaotic and erratic, Thompson flies straight along the same rows between tables those of us who need to walk would take.

“So, what type of weapons are you looking to keep on your person,” Thompson loudly asks.

“Err. I haven’t really thought about it.”

“Well, what’s your subclass?”

“Spellsword.”

Thompson stares at me awkwardly. “So, you’d want a sword then?”

“I guess so? Is that how it works?” I respond equally awkwardly.

“Don’t ask me I’m not the adventurer.” Thompson chuckles. “Anyway, this is the assortment of belts.” Thompson waves towards a wall across which dozens of belts hang on hooks. “We can always get you a belt today and you can get it”

I scan the row of belts slowly. Nothing sticks out to me initially, but as I make my way to the end, I come across a belt with a particularly interesting buckle. Two intersecting metal bands like crossed swords sheathed in black leather and cloth. Beautiful and functional. I’ve never seen anything like it.

I unhook the buckle from the hook and push it through the loops in my pants around my waist. Closing it is tricky, but after a few confused attempts manage to lock the belt buckle in place.

“That looks good. What do you feel about this belt Reed?” Laela asks me offhand.

“It’s the coolest one in the store.”

Graem groans.

“We’ll take it Thompson.” Laela calls.

Thompson appears in a flash of movement. “Right you are miss. That belt is a beauty. It’ll be four silver.”

Laela gasps. “Four silver?”

Thompson puffs his cheeks in a forced frown and huffs. “Sorry miss, the metal working doesn’t come cheap.”

“Who knew you’d have such expensive tastes Reed.” Laela smiles at me reaching into her purse.

“Wait! If it’s too expensive you don’t have to buy it.”

Laela pauses and turns to me questioningly.

“Lad.” Thompson flies before me. “You’ve got good eyes. This is one of my finest pieces in the store. A thrice tempered steel buckle and leather made from real warg pelt. Worth every copper. Well worth the price, particularly for an adventurer. Better than buying something cheaper and then coming back here with your pants around your ankles after hobgoblins tear it to shreds.”

Graem leans over and whispers to me. “Don’t worry about the price. Better to buy the good stuff when it comes to delving, better equipment means better odds of survival. Besides, you’ll earn more coin as we delve deeper anyway.”

My eyebrows crease with worry. “I don’t want to burden you.”

Graem shakes his head. “I’m glad you don’t. But having to save you in the dungeon because your belt breaks would be a far bigger burden than this.”

Laela laughs. “We can afford it rookie. If it’s the one you like you should buy it.”

I shuffle my gaze repeatedly between Graem and Laela. They wait patiently for me to make up my mind, neither pressing me to choose. Finally, I look down at the artful shape of intersecting swords wrapped around my waste. The metal glimmers brilliantly in the candle light. Too damn cool.

“Alright.” I nod. “Buy it.”