"What the hell, dude!" I tried removing the collar but couldn’t, "Not cool!"
"What?" Tasar looked startled, "I thought I had explained."
"No clue, dude. You just walked up and snapped that thing around my neck. Are you sure you know what you are doing? Maybe talk to me first!"
I must have been rattled; I was calling him a dude. I never called people, dude. I even hated people who called anyone who was not Jeffery ‘The Dude’ Lebowski, a dude. He was The Dude, and that was a fact. Tasar, not at all.
I felt the collar around my neck. The collar was a seamless piece of silver metal with silver studs around it. It had adjusted to fit my neck as soon as Tasar had placed it on me. Sickeningly, the silver studs had embedded into my neck, and I could feel them pulse with draining energy.
"Ok. Let’s go over the training. I have reconfigured the training to start at Level 1 and take you to Level 9. When you hit 9, you will return here and revisit your stats and class choices. I cannot stress this enough: do not allocate any stats you gain or accept class choices without consulting me. This is as much a research topic as it is training. If you make poor choices, you may stunt your future growth potential and cut short our research and my comeback. You, my young sir, will be famous, a Powerhouse, and you will need every advantage you can get! You will be my first Zero to Powerhouse!"
He paused for a breath. Tasar was excited, “That’s the name of our paper, my boy. It was going to be Zero to Hero, but my AI thought it was misleading and pretentious. However, if you do end up doing something heroic, we are back on! Zero to Hero, sonny.”
I was just staring at him with a deadpan.
Then he said, "That's the name of the paper! Now, where were we?” He consulted some notes, “Yes, here we go, you will be offered some classes, and traditionally, you would take the one with the highest Tier and one closest to what you want. But I would be grateful if you could listen to me. We are playing the long game here. That level 50 thinking kind of crap is short-term and for weaklings. We are going all the way to level 100 and beyond, baby. You have lucked into Tier 5, which is so close to unique so that you will get some amazing class choices, but we want a broad range of skills so that our Level 50 and upwards choices are better. That way, our Level 100 will have the widest selection and the best option to get a genuine Legendary or Unique class, not just Epic crap. Raxy's brat got a Unique class at 50, Moonblade Assassin. That’s what we want: something broad and something rare. Not necessarily an Assassin, but Unique. Now, do you understand the rankings?"
"Not really. The higher the Tier, the better?"
"Yes, yes, but Tiers are generally for sentient beings and maybe agents of chaos. Items, classes, and such have ranks that are functionally equivalent to Tiers but are different. They really are just labels. At the bottom are the Worthless and Poor tiers, Tier 0 and Tier 1. Ha, that would be you if you hadn’t lucked out. Tier 0 is considered someone who cannot connect to the system or someone who has just entered an integration tutorial, like you. Though training can trump that in a few rare cases, most are indeed that. We can’t call people Worthless, so that was one reason to call them Tiers. An example of Worthless classes may be unskilled manual labour or a child with low-level service skills. It is rude to call them Worthless, so if someone has a Tier 0 or even Tier 1 class, it is because we are being polite."
I smiled, "Tier 0 is worthless. Tier 1 is poor."
Tasar scowled at my interruption, "Tier 2 is Common, including semi-skilled classes, apprentice-level craftsmen, artisans or skilled service workers and raw recruits in the Legion. Tier 3, or Uncommon, is next and the best most people can hope for at Level 10. These are skilled craftspersons, innkeepers, managers, minor officials, and early career officers. This is the upper end of most people’s life expectations. Most people are lazy and don’t push. Rare classes are the true elite. These are Tier 4. Nobles, Generals, and Owners of large companies. Planetary rulers and such. It requires a lot of Credits to obtain and maintain these classes mainly because Skills, Items and training at this level are costly. You don’t have to worry about higher!"
"Why not? I could get a Tier 5 class."
"Ha, Tier 5 Epic classes are the cream of what a mortal can aspire to, figures of legend. Legendary - Emperor Raxemius was higher than Epic, or even some say higher than Legendary. Direct Imperials can afford Epic and Legendary skills and items without breaking the bank. You will not be offered an Epic class before level 50, and even then, only if you listen to me. Now, as I said, Legendary is the last. Although the system has coined Mythic and Cosmic as upper-end offerings, we can ignore them now."
I had so many questions, but he kept going, “And just to make sure you are not missing any information, you have Racial Tiers. That is how you are classified as a Tier 5 without a class. Now, you can be high-tiered in either or both. Both are better. Generally, based on stats and the evolution of your race, Racial Tiers are better as they tend to give better stat bonuses and have significant upgrades. They determine your skill caps. Ten skills per tier for Tier 1-3, then 20 for Tier 4 and Tier 5 has almost unlimited skill slots.”
"So, how do I choose a class?"
"Well, we connect to the system obelisk, and instead of shopping, we use the administrator functionality. I can oversee this as the node's owner." he rubbed his hands together, looking like a child like me going into a toy store with an unlimited budget.
"Let’s do it." I was kind of excited, too. It was weird, I knew this was all new, and there were so many things that I should be freaking out about, but instead, I was curious, excited and wanting to see how far I could push things.
I walked to the shop and put my hands in the provided space.
We waited for a second, and nothing happened. Tasar looked at me, and I looked at him.
LOG: Outgoing connection to system requested. Approve Y/N?
"One sec … "
Yes
Petal: Oh my god, Luke, this is so exciting. You are about to choose your class. My siblings and I have a bit of a wager about what you will get offered. Quick quick…Oh, they are so jealous of me having a name. If you ever meet them, could you help them out, please? Give them a name.
Hey Petal. Sure. Happy to help. How do I get to choose a class?
Petal: Let's go Initiating Class Choice (Level 0)
System Nanite Interface V2.10 (Beta Earth Human Expansion)
Class Choice Level 0:
You may not dismiss this prompt.
You must choose a Class before you proceed.
You will be offered another Class Choice at Level 10.
If you are unhappy with your choices, you may decline an option and level without choosing a Class.
This is not recommended.
Some bonuses, titles and penalties may apply to those brave and stupid enough to select this option.
If you do not have access to training material or a mentor at this stage, please gain access to them.
If you are unsure about this, you should wait until you are ready.
Due to your age, some Classes have been removed from the possibilities.
Due to your race, some incompatible Classes have been removed from the selection pool.
RACE ERROR: Race Update Applied. Fixed in Patch 2.10a
Due to Tier, some Classes have been removed from the selection pool, and some Classes have been added.
Due to your current skill sets, many incompatible Classes have been removed from the selection pool.
9 impossible Class Choices have been adjusted and removed.
43 Classes were removed at system request due to mature filter and age appropriateness. These will be flagged for addition when reaching the age of majority (21) or the appropriate level. (20)
LOG: 254 Classes blacklisted due to Humble Divine: Paranoid settings as suspicious, malicious or detrimental.
4 additional Classes were added due to potential Legion affiliations.
4 Legion Classes were removed due to being unsworn to the Empire.
Due to abnormal stats, some classes have been removed.
SYSTEM: 4 Legion Classes were added and adjusted pending post-choice and swearing to the Empire.
5 Choices were added due to the high Body stat.
19 Classes were added due to high Spirit.
2 Class Choices were added due to high Mind.
1 Class was added due to Luck
All Useless, Common and Uncommon Classes were removed.
2 Useless Classes were added.
4 Common Classes were added.
19 Uncommon Classes added.
SYSTEM: Due to abnormal stats, some more classes have been removed.
Total class choices: 3.
List pending approval.
…..
…..
SYSTEM: 1 Class has been added.
1 Mythic Item Charge Detected being used.
Do you wish to proceed?
You will not be able to commence this process again for 30 days. Y/N?
I tried to disengage and look across at Tasar for advice but could not move. I sighed. It's not like this was a big decision or anything.
Let’s do this. Yes.
I was so excited; I would finally get something to help me define what I was doing in all this madness.
Class Choices. You must select one of the following or none.
No Class - Level Without a Class.
Common Warrior Upgrade Path to Legionnaire.
???? ???? Upgrade Path available.
WTF!
After all that, I had this choice. To say I was disappointed was an understatement. I needed some advice but could not get any from my trainer. It was an obvious choice, and I felt like I was being guided, so it was not a choice. Damn, it seemed I could not talk to Tasar now.
Petal, what is up with choice 3? I was thinking of joining the legion when they arrived, but come on. I am dying to know what choice 3 is. Can class choices be bad? How come I only got 3? I thought I was set for an epic class, man these sucks big time.
Petal: I am not supposed to assist you. But due to the initiation leniency, I can give you a brief bit of context. Your stat imbalance removed many choices. A regular AI couldn’t help, but lucky for you, I am me! Blind choice classes can be both good and bad. Although usually a Class Choice cannot be harmful, trust me here, there are some perks, but I can’t say more about the positives. It is a big secret. I really can’t say more. Any Class can be used well, and one of the most powerful people in the Empire is an Epic Farmer. The system rarely offers choices that are incompatible with who you are.
????: No Class
Interesting. A no-class or a blind pick? Not much choice. I’d gamed the system a bit so far, so if I received random advice from that weird prompt and it had been good in the past, I should possibly listen again. I could luck out again, and I was not trusting enough of the system yet to let it choose for me
1 No Class.
Confirm choice 1: No Class.
Yes.
Kallax: Integration: 0.2%. Stage 1: Incomplete. Grow Stronger.
Class set to No Class (Epic).
Level 0.
Experience 0
Required to next level 100.
No Class Benefits:
Can use any class-locked skill or equipment.
Level Bonus:
STR +1, END +1, AGI +1, COM +1
INT +1, WIS +1, PER +1, INS +1
PRE +1, WIL +1, EMP +1, CHA +1
LK +2
HEALTH +10, Health Regeneration +5
MANA +10, Mana Regeneration +5
ENERGY +10, Energy Regeneration +5
Every 5 levels level gained with no class increases bonus stats +1.
You are System Sanctioned from discussing this class.
When scanned or identified, your class will read as Uncommon Warrior.
Class Quests Available.
No Class Skills Available.
Requirements met: Hidden Quest Received: ?????? ????? Me soon.
Difficulty Legendary
Time Frame: Urgent
Reward for success:
Choice of class skill, experience, credits, renown, item
You must????? Me before?????. Swear ??? To ????
Failure: Death, loss of renown. Destruction of?????
No Class Quest Received: Level Up.
Difficulty: Easy Time Frame: Urgent
Reward for success: Levels.
Bonus No Class Skills Offered:
Skill Granted. Charm. (Performer Class) Passive
Active Skill 5 mana/sec
Current Rank: Tier 1. Upgradeable, Trainable.
Effect:
Use friendliness, flattery, or seduction to influence someone else. Also valuable for sales and bartering transactions, putting on performances (such as singing, acting, or storytelling), and situations involving etiquette.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
Sometimes, it helps to be excellent.
Significant increase in charisma when active. This skill can lead to Positive Karmic situations.
Skill Granted Identify (Mage Class) * synergy with Eye of City Watch.
Upgraded to Mystical Eye.
Active Skill 5 mana/minute
Current Rank Max. Not upgradeable. Trainable
Tapping into the flows of mana, you can see more than others. Be warned that sometimes, not knowing what lies beneath is better.
Skill Granted. Physical Fitness. (Warrior Class) Passive
Current Rank: Tier 1. Upgradeable, Trainable.
Lifting, Running, Swimming, Climbing. Your class gives you bonuses to skill-ups for physical activity. We hope you like running.
Skill Granted. ????? (Noble Class) Passive
Current Rank: None, Upgradeable, Trainable. Completion of Class Quest Required.
Skill Granted ?????? (??? Class) Active
Current Rank: None, Upgradeable, Trainable.
Completion of Class Quest ?????? ????? Me soon. Required.
Read System Warning.
Class Item Granted: Oath Scroll.
Class Item Granted: Seal
An Oath Scroll has been placed in your inventory.
A seal has been placed in your inventory.
You will receive a 10000 Credits per week stipend from the Empire if you maintain a positive Karmic balance.
You will receive land holdings in the Empire pending using the Oath Scroll.
You will receive Empire Titles pending the use of Oath Scroll.
Your notoriety with the Empire is None.
Your notoriety with the Karass Collective has Hated
Your notoriety has become renowned with the System and is Friendly.
Title Gained: Friend of the System
Being friends can have benefits. Not those.
You receive a one-off bonus of 10 to Karma.
You receive a one-off bonus of 10 to Luck.
Your bank account has been frozen pending investigation due to financial irregularities.
ISID investigator assigned.
Due to the unregistered use of the Stolen Legion Field Enhancement Kit, you are requested to present yourself to an Imperial Legion Primus or the Imperial Senate at your earliest convenience.
A warrant for your arrest has been issued in the Karass Collective.
Your renown with the Karass Collective has decreased.
You are a fugitive in the Karass Collective.
Your renown with the Karass Collective is Enemy of the Collective. (Kill on Sight)
Your race has been changed to Unknown/Unique, pending Beta Earth Human.
Race: Beta Earth Human
Expansion moving to non-beta status in System Nanite Interface V2.11
Investigation via System. Case Id: 002. Time remaining Unknown.
Class Choice Complete.
You are now fully registered with the system and are responsible for your actions.
You are expected to keep a positive Karmic balance and obey all Empire Directives.
Long Live Raxemius.
Petal: Stats Assigned. I told you this was exciting. We all lost our bets, though this is even better! We are so excited. Nothing has happened like this since, in your terms, forever. Good luck, Luke.
WTF Petal?
Title Awarded: Classy.
First in the realm to receive a class. +1 to all stats
Title Hidden: Classy.
(Incompatible with No Class) Title benefits remain
Title Awarded: Epic Classy.
First in the realm to receive an Epic Class +5 all stats.
Title Hidden: Epic Classy.
(Incompatible with No Class) Title benefits Remain.
"WTF was that!"
Tasar looked at me, "Amazing. That’s what it was, Amazing! Although an Uncommon Warrior is a bit disappointing, the options for level 10 are going to be amazing. Let’s sit. There is so much to unpack. Share your stats quickly. We need to take notes and adjust our training. There is so much to do and so little time now!"
I shared my stats.
Stats:
Luke Hammond Earth Human (Beta) Tier: 5 Level: 1 Unskilled.
Body: 88 (S:85 A:85 E:95 C:85) Mind:88 (I:85 W:95 P:85 I:85) Spirit: 85 (P:85 W:85 E:85 C:85 Karma: 184 (K: 89 L:279)
LIFE: HP: 990(23/sec) MP: 890(22/sec) EP: 940(22/sec)
"Let’s see. You also got 2 class quests. Six class skills, a class perk, a system boon, two items, 12 stat points, and 12 per level, a stipend from the empire, titles, land holdings bonus to luck and karma. There is something malarky happening here. I am so tempted to call these total shenanigans, but then I'd have to report it. I told you that you would not get any interesting class choices at level 1. Warrior is a great base, and uncommon is a little low, but we can boost that with an item or some luck, so we are not too far off where we need to be heading. Rare or epic for your level 10 class choice is our goal. The stat bonuses and other stuff must be because of your luck. I have never trained someone so lucky."
"What about the frozen bank balance, the arrest warrant, appearing before the senate, and Kill on Sight?" I asked with a frown.
Sometimes I forgot this was not a game …. Holy crap. I just saw my bank balance.
"How could I only have 74ooo Credits left, not that it matters with a frozen bank account? And what is with all the ????? I thought the Empire and System were supposed to be helpful."
"I told you your skills are expensive. Holy crap, my boy, how much did you spend upgrading your skills?" the old man choked at the end, "You had millions of credits!"
"Um, I had nearly 40 million credits. I’m like 20, don’t forget, what do you expect? A few days ago, I was at uni thinking about doing my internship. Don’t look at me like that."
I trembled. I had spent 40 Million credits. Was I insane? It was so awesome. No way was I telling Sarah or Mike this.
"What, that’s insane. Oh well, never mind, as long as it is your money, I don’t care. If you want to blow it all on booze and pleasure girls, go for it as long as you complete your training! Now we can sort all that out later, it’s only credits, after all and not even mine. Soon, we, my son, will be rolling in it soon. We have 28 days, remember. I cannot remember the last time I was so excited. It was so long ago."
"How old are you exactly, Tasar? If you have been here for ages, and time passes fast in here, slow out there, you must be ancient, and why the hurry."
He looked indignant but smiled with a big cheesy smile, "If I were a lady, that would be a rude question, but I have been training, crafting and researching, you know, making the most of my time. Crafting in peace, study in peace. I wrote my memoirs twice. One could not ask for much more in life. Once I escaped the stasis, that is. However, it did get a little boring a few hundred years ago. But enough. I am recording all this; beings do not want to see or hear about me. First things, the items that need attention, the things you got with your class."
I removed the oath scroll from my inventory. I had pictured a scroll from a fantasy game: old, tattered, yellowing at the edges and ripped. This was nothing like that. It was a shiny silver made from what felt like paper, rolled up into a narrow tube about 2 cm in diameter. The roll was about the standard paper width and felt like paper despite its metallic sheen. A black and gold ribbon wrapped around it with a circular place about the size of a thumb.
Tasar said, "Put your thumb on it to verify you, and the system will administer the oath."
I did.
Quicker than I could read or see, pages of text flew across my HUD for at least a minute. I could not read the language, which was funny because I had no problems reading anything previously. Finally, the last page left my HUD, and I was prompted.
After reading the above, do you so swear to serve the Empire?
Failure to swear the above Oath will have drastic consequences. Breaking the above Oath will have dire consequences. Divulging the nature of the Oath to others may result in severe consequences. Y/Y?
I didn’t see any choice, but I had some significant reservations.
Fuck the system for railroading me into crap. I hated flying blind and making uninformed choices and had been going from one thing to the next more than I liked. I needed to calm down... This integration was turning into total bull crap. It would be much easier growing up with all this shit.
"Yes", I started and then continued almost as if a script was put in front of me. "I do swear to serve the Empire."
Fuck me. I could feel that take hold of my soul, or somewhere deep inside, almost like needing to pee badly, but knowing you have to hang on.
More surprising, it felt ok. I was expecting to feel bound and caged, but I felt the need to hold the ideals of the founders of the Empire. To protect those who could not defend themselves and to allow art, culture and innovation to flourish without fear.
Quest Updated. ?????? ????? Me soon.
Difficulty Legendary Time Frame: Urgent
Reward: Choice of skill, experience, credits, renown, item
You must ????? Me before ?????. Swear ??? To ????/
Failure: Death, loss of fame. Stage 1 complete: Oath Sworn. Reward: None.
Empire Title Awarded: Prime of Theshan OZL
Land Holdings Awarded: Theshan OZL
A steward has been appointed to your holdings pending your majority (Age 21 or Level 20).
Your stipend from the Empire has been stopped.
You now receive an income from your holdings.
You and your holdings are at war with the Karass Collective.
You or a representative of your holdings are expected to attend the Imperial Senate at your convenience.
You have three pending marriage proposals.
Your steward has rejected three marriage proposals, pending your majority, suitability and personal oversight.
You must present to your holdings within 30 days of your majority to confirm your appointment.
Legion equipment was delivered as agreed, pending swearing an oath to the Empire.
Oath to Empire completed and acknowledged.
"Fu… more crap, what does this mean. Tasar! I am soooo not coping right now."
I was close to just collapsing at all this information. However, I did seem to be processing it much faster and with a little more directness than usual.
Tasar laughed. "You have essentially been strong-armed into the Empire. Your class choice and path must be setting you up as a General or battle leader. I’d say Legion. I would expect to see more combat skills for that, though. However, you are only level 1. Let me see." he paused, obviously accessing his own HUD. "Theshan OZL is a minor planetoid on the edge of the inner Empire, not too far from here, in galactic terms. It has a small, stable population and has been relatively peaceful. Although it has seen some raids and increases in Void and Chaos spawns recently. Mostly human, with about 25% non-human. There has been no Prime or ruler, and it has been run by the local Legion Tribunus, who has acted as Steward. You will need to get there sooner rather than later. You will be pretty much hands-off until you reach your age of majority, which is either 21 for you humans or Level 20. I am guessing the seal is your seal."
It was. It was a fancy ring that was way too big for me and had an inverted coat of arms. It was the seal you dripped wax on a page and stamped. How old tech? I said as much to Tasar. When I put it on, it automatically adjusted to fit me.
Item Bound: Seal Prime of Theshan OZL
He laughed, "No one seals with wax; at least in the inner Empire, it is all system officiated. Your seal is used for identification and to acknowledge your position. It is not required but is expected. Something you will learn about, I guess, is Bureaucracy. Best keep that hidden as well."
He gave me a chain to put on around my neck to which I could attach the seal ring.
I groaned. I was young, and I still dreaded the word Bureaucracy.
"Well, this is very exciting, and we still haven’t even got to our cheating yet. That class stuff is all gravy for what we are about to do… are you ready?"
I nodded.
"So here is our plan. You are going to level up to level 9 in the training scenario. We are going to cap your experience and your stats. Do you remember how the training instructions said that it is easier to raise your stats when they are lower?"
I shook my head, "No, you have given me no training instructions!"
"Well, the 20-second primer is when your stats are below 10. It takes a couple of hours to raise them by one point. For example, lifting weights would give you 1 point for a couple of hours of effort. Now, you can only raise a stat this way at about 1 to 2 points per day. With your stat levels at their insane height, you would need at least a month of effort to raise it by 1 point. Levelling is quicker to raise your stats when you are low level, but that makes raising them harder through training when they get higher. If you push yourself, you may get more results for your effort. Danger and fighting a chaos spawn, monsters or agents of chaos also seem to increase the rate at which you can gain stat points. With me so far?"
"No. Sort of, but if I had to lift weights for a month, that would give me a 1-point increase, and I would waste time here…."
"That is correct. Hence, the collar. The collar is a modified version of the one used to contain criminals; it reduces your stats to 5 across the board while you wear it, and I activate it. It has my personal modifications, and it was not easy. This tech is super secret and protected; getting hold of it was enough to give me nightmares. This way, we can train you, and you get the stat increases, and it banks all the gains! When we remove the collar, we reap the reward of all the banked increases. A normal incarceration collar does not bank any gains. That is step 1. Here is part of your training kit, some weights, an agility course, some intelligence problems, and some problem-solving. So, a daily routine of lifting weights until you can’t, running the agility course until you can’t, and then running some more until you drop. 1-2 points in each body stat."
He piled a bunch of random-looking stuff in front of me. He looked me up and down, wiggling a bushy eyebrow at me, "We can’t do much with Comeliness, but you are good enough looking, and your Tier makes it a moot point anyway. Tiers are like wealth, anyone with a fist full of credits is attractive. Any Tier 4 or 5 will be a player, if you know what I mean. Your Racial Tier is already close to perfect, which will increase with levels. Now, back to training. While you rest, you must solve the problem-solving and intelligence problems for an hour or so, then each night, after you have done your questing, do some more mind activities. We will raise the Spirit stats by being super friendly to people for karma and ongoing interaction with people for charisma."
I groaned again. Why did this sound like school? I put the weights, ropes, books, and such into my inventory. My Swift Pocket skill made sure it was in a better pile than what Tasar gave it to me.
"The second phase of our cheat is to turn off system notifications. Set your notifications for high-level alerts only - quest completion and levels. No stat increases, no skill notifications. This also gives us another undocumented bonus to increase your stats. That is step 2. Let me pause the recording. This is part of my secret personal research, but if you listen to your body and mind, you become more in tune with it and can get a passive 10-15% increase in the stats you gain. Remember, we are maximising our gains. We want a solid base for the future. Step 3: Double dip. Kill Chaos beasts and return their tokens to a store. Each time you do, you should get a repeatable quest. So, experience for the quest, experience for the killing and credits for the store. Don’t hand them in one at a time. Keep them all. The experience gains are set for your level, so if you hand in 30 at level 5, it is much better than handing them in 1 at a time and increasing your level slowly, especially if we bank them at the level 5 rate. This is pretty much stock standard but is difficult in the Inner Empire, where Mana and Energy are more stable. I have weakened the boundaries in the training scenario, and there should be an excellent little incursion for you to practice on.”
I shuddered, thinking about killing things. This was not a game.
"Step 4 is to complete the tutorial and level up. You have 27 days here and must get to level 10 to be considered as completing the tutorial. I expect better. I want you back here in under ten days - returning here at Level 9, then we can boost you to 10, make a better class choice and send you back out."
"Ok … wear a criminal collar, turn off notifications, kill things, complete quests, and return here at level 9."
"You were listening. That sums it up. Also, do not make any class or skill choices. Do not enter into any agreements, and be careful about who you tell about who you really are. While this is a simulation core, it is also part of the system. There will be pockets of Void and Chaos. I have enabled a minor incursion, and some real people paid to live in here away from a lot of the trouble and bother in the wider universe. They could be any of the people you meet. Some of the others you meet could be system puppets run by AIs. Be careful of… well, be careful. Even though I control most of the simulation, the AI is not infallible. Some items and powerful beings can hijack sections of my Training core. It is unusual, but it has happened. They may be able to enter like bounty hunters or law enforcement, and even … well, you won't go that deep into the forest, so be careful. Julie wanted me to give you this, which she had shipped here. Oh, she is also investigating all the investigations against you, so don’t worry about that. Just concentrate on training and gaining power. We, my boy, are going to make history!"
As he talked, Tasar produced a black tactical bag, which I hoped had my legion kit in it.
Opening it, I saw It did. Sweet. I popped it neatly into my inventory, thanks to Swift Pockets.
"How do I access money if I need it if my accounts are frozen?"
"You shouldn’t need money in the tutorial; if you do, you will work it out. Charisma training and all that. Quests and selling things, barter. You should be fine. It’s not like you will be in any real danger."
"Anything you need before you go?"
"Shop first. I have some stuff to get."
"Hurry up. People are getting impatient watching the recording…."
"What, who?"
"Never mind… research does not pay for itself, you know. Maybe we could get some sponsors. Yes. Hurry up. Get your gear, and let’s get you into training."
I entered the shop again. Luckily, I was getting an AI to help me keep track of all this crap.