I didn't know what to expect from Luke's description. He described it as a dim room with several doors and the weird water alien behind the counter.

I was shocked when I was greeted by several weird water creatures bowing to me. I was in a well-lit room, with a large comfortable divan along one wall and a large screen on the other. There were a couple of tables to the side and three water beings.

They were spectacular, humanoid, and human in shape, perfect form. Beautiful as the light refracted through their shapes. I gaped at them as one spoke.

"Greetings, Noble Administrator, Edwards welcome to the Karmahouse Emporium. Sit, and we will meet your shopping needs and refreshments!" It was not a question.

I bowed back as etiquette dictated," Sure, um, I was expecting Hydrox. Is she not well?" as I walked over to the divan.

"Thank you for asking after that one. We will pass on your greetings to the one known as Hydrox. This is the VIP section of the Karmahouse Emporium. Your class allows you to access it. Hydrox is not yet qualified enough to deal with you without being taken advantage of. I hope you understand some of your skills would be too powerful and allow you to dominate, no offence."

"Um, no problems, but honestly, could you at least include her here next time? It would be nice to have something familiar. I don't need all this." I said, pointing to it all.

"Yes, yes. Next time, we can accommodate you, but today, please let us guide you through your first shopping experience, Nobe Administrator Edwards."

One bowed lower, "Let me take your shoes, Noble Administrator."

"Um, OK. Mike is fine." I said awkwardly, removing my shoes and handing them to the creature, who passed them to the smaller being.

The carpet felt soft under my feet, and I got a good look at my hosts. I was doing a much better job than how Luke described his first awkward encounter. The three beings were water-type elementals, from what my gaming and pop culture references would call them. Humanoid and made of water. There were minor differences in the water's height, thickness and clarity, just enough to make identification between them easy.

They gestured to me to sit on a comfortable-looking couch. Soon, some Uber Eats were brought to me, and I ate some genuine Earth burgers and fries.

While I was eating, the larger of them, more prominent by a few centimetres, came forward.

"Noble Administrator, while your biological needs are sated, allow me to humbly introduce your shopping stylists. I am Azuris, this is Incantus, and the little one there, part of my pool, is Rane. She took that name to suit your culture, and I hope she has not offended you. She can be rather impulsive."

"It's great. Rane is a funny play on words, a nice name too, and Mike is fine.", I said, using the etiquette skill to appease the concerns.

"Most kind of you to say kind so, Noble Administrator Edwards. Now, to business. If you want to peruse the store via your complimentary tablet and make selections, they will appear on the larger screen. We have a full personal simulation ready if required for item and clothing selection, as well as virtual examples of most of our wares. Today, we will offer our advice and guidance on the house as part of our welcome package. Please ask, and we will deliver." He handed me the tablet while Incantus and Rane stood back. It was a little unnerving and creepy.

"I don't know what I need, and at the moment, I have limited funding, so I do need that advice", I said as I began to flick through the tablet options.

"It is important to talk about funding; here, we may be discreet. Let's start with the Token you received, holding off on the Settlement ones until you control a settlement. We hope that this will occur very soon. You seem to have a token for a Noble AI pending availability. That is a little outside our normal operations. Noble AIs are picky about who they form a symbiosis with, so we must forward your application to see if you get any takers. Would you like Rane to organise that, as she seems to be the most culturally aware of us now?"

"Sure, that sounds fine. Go ahead, Rane" I nodded towards her.

"Next, I would suggest you look at your employment contracts; I have taken the liberty of screening the contracts available and removed those that are unsuitable. Either due to species, biological compatibility with your environment, temperament, or class, you are looking for low-ish-level support classes. They are available on your tablet for your perusal. I will direct you to our premium catalogue for the core, which is normally locked until you are in a much higher Tier. We will discuss the skills and spells and items first, though."

"What do you suggest?"

"You are lucky today. I will tap into our advice database and tailor it to suit you for no extra charge."

"Thank you, Azuris" I nodded for him to continue. He was such a merchant, lucky today, indeed.

"So broadly speaking, there are skills and spells for personal, utility, and combat use. Then, there are specialty items for classes, settlements, and artisans. I would suggest you skip spells. While being capable of casting spells, being a Noble Administrator is not considered a casting class, and if I may add, it could be seen as somewhat tacky in upper circles. Today, focus on personal and utility skills, with maybe a backup combat skill. A Noble Administrator should not aim to get into combat situations; however, they should be able to defend themselves. Items are more personal and can be used to fill gaps in skills. They can be both expensive and limited. I would recommend some form of shield and healing, both skills and items. Your limited funding at the moment may make this come down to some choices that are deferred for later. Also, you must invest some money into clothing suitable for your role."

"OK, personal or utility skills, at least healing, one combat skill or item, and three contracts?"

"That would be a good start. Now, remember that your staff contracts are binding and that costs are deferred as payment is made per each contract's terms and should be measured in your monthly cycle or less. You should budget 100 Cr minimum each month unless they have a particular rare skill that you will find useful. Some contracts are more flexible than others."

Great, I was nearly 21 years old, and about to employ some of what I assumed were aliens for jobs I had no idea about. Well, maybe a little, thanks to my class, but I had no experience!

"Thanks, Azuris. If I need anything, I will let you know."

I started with the skills list.

How did Luke make any choices? There were some cracker skills and some absolute bust skills. Why would someone need "Intent Scent"?

Intent Scent: (Tier 1, Upgradeable )

Passive skill that creates an odour around someone near you with ill intent towards you.

Requires high perception and wisdom, part of the Remki Perception Suit. 100 Cr

It was a bit beyond me, but it sounded cool. The reviews, comments, and help forums were a hoot. I never got into the trolling aspect of forums and games, but these guys took it to the next level. For every positive review on most products, there were blistering condemnations. Most reviews and ratings were apparent fakes, so it wasn't easy to trust them. I am sure some of my skills synergised with shopping to help me identify authentic reviews from fake ones.

Some things, it seems, transcended species. I couldn't avoid the fake news, fake reviews and trolls.

After hours and a couple of icy beers, I finally found the skills that suited me.

Skill: Reputation (Tier 1)

Passive: + 15 Charisma, +10% Karma.

Your reputation can proceed you. While maintaining a positive Karmic Balance, you may leverage this to gain positive Renown.

Use this to improve impressions, reduce hostility, or use your reputation in other situationally appropriate ways.

Improves with personal Tier and Organisational Tier.

It can be used for negative results with a double Karmic Penalty. (100 Cr)

Skill: Organisational Shield (Tier 1)(Upgradable)

Passive: Reactive

Active: See below.

Suppose you are in an administrative position at an organisation or settlement. In that case, you may use the members of your organisation as a last-ditch shield.

Any damage you take can be taken off members of your organisation at a rate of 1 health for each of their Tier per person.

You may contractually alter this. It can only be taken off members in total health, good standing, and positive karmic balances.

Reactive for incapacitating damage can double the amount soaked.

Does not affect ongoing damage or consider momentum or other situational factors.

1-month cooldown.

You may pre-emptively apply this, permanently reducing the health pool of community members by 1.

Recharges at the average recharge rate of your organisation. (1000 Cr)

While using this skill, you may not wear armour of any sort.

I asked about that skill. It seemed overpowered if I read it right. I could take 1 Health off every member of the settlement or organisation as a personal shield. Imagine an organisation of 30000 people. That could scale nicely. I was correct; some downsides made it slightly less appealing, but it would make me feel more secure. People could donate health to the shield instead of taxes, and if it were used, it had a one-month cooldown. Azuris said most people didn't go for it due to the long cooldown and the complexity of setting it up in a large, established organisation. It seemed perfect for me, though.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

Skill: Silver Tongue of Zinhle Ndabezitha (Tier 2)

Passive: + 15 Charisma

Active: You speak directly to the heart. While active, you may not lie, twist meaning, or be lied to.

Your words convey intent, and others can see your purpose. You understand the intent and importance of others' words.

Does not compel communication. It can be seen as a hostile act.

This skill mimics the ability of Zinhle Ndabexitha, who was famous for her ability to bring peace and end wars.

This skill has no affiliation with the Knights of Redemption Peacekeepers Silver Tongue skill. (4300 Cr)

Skill: Empire Logistics (Tier 1 Upgradeable)

Passive This skill gives you an innate understanding of Empire Logistics and how to maximise them for your benefit.

Gives you and your organisation a 15% improvement in the movement of goods and people through efficient organisation.

Artisans and producers gain a 10% improvement in the quality of goods produced or grown. 2% experience bonus, 5% credit bonus.

Skill: Tight Deadline (Tier 1, Upgradeable)

Passive

Energy Pool: 10000 per Tier

Resource Pool: 10000 Cr Value per Tier

This skill allows you to meet deadlines through the automatic allocation of resources.

Additional energy and resources can be pooled to improve this result.

They were a mish-mash of System and custom-produced skills that seemed helpful. I was hoping I could use some in an organisation soon. Luke had told me about the crappy named "Earth Inc" company he and Julie were running. Julie was running, as the thought of Luke running a company made me smile. If he were the boss, I am sure he would say yes and run for the hills if I asked to run it. Heck, the thought of me running anything made me laugh too. I am sure that Luke was counting on me to help him out. I'd bet money on it. I was surprised that he had not dumped it on me yet.

There were quite a few skills I'd passed over due to cost or their situational-specific needs or costs. Still, I figured I could purchase them later if needed.

The contracts were another thing that took me some time to review. I had to ask for clarification on some Empire-related stuff and some of the 'rules' that governed the contracts before I decided on them. Some acronyms were hard to figure out, but I finally got there. I needed three for my quest, even though I could have gotten away with one or two. Or even none. There were no Earth Humans, a few Empire Humans, and many other species. I was at the stage where things like race or species were becoming less of a concern, and I'd even like to see how Luke and Sarah reacted when they saw my new hires. It was a slow process, but some of my class skills and abilities were able to help me meander through the mess of what I needed. Each contract was half biography and half sales pitch. There were colour 3D pictures of each, and there were also some areas that were indicated as negotiable. The three I selected were:

Danae Bersyr, Tier 1 Dryad, Level 3 Logistics Officer.

Danae is a young Dryad looking to expand her opportunities away from her family grove.

She has extensive experience in import-export and scheduling in complex situations.

Empire Fringe Considered, Leveling Opportunities welcome.

Looking for: Ongoing Contract. A*MS. NC. 75 Cr Neg.

Azuris explained AMS was Accommodation, Meals, Security, with the A* indicating specific accommodation needs, and NC was Non-Combat. The security stated that they would not work in active war or combat zones or would pay for a higher rate of compensation. An integration planet was not considered a combat zone. Just not safe.

Templeton' Hawk' Holmes, Tier 3, Orc, Level 10 Smuggler

Class Choice Pending.

Hawk is a retired smuggler in good standing with the Smuggler's Guild and the Empire.

He wants to move to a quiet, the way area of the Empire to establish himself as a Military Liaison for his next class choice.

His extensive experience in dealing with Law Enforcement gives him a unique perspective.

His fugitive status is clean, and he has no active bounties.

180 Cr Own Equipment.

500 Cr Bonus for the use of contacts. AMS

Azuris assured me that Orcs, Orcan or Orcuru as they were known, were no more bloodthirsty and battle-hardened than any other galactic species.

Forvitni, Tier 1, Ravenkin, Level 2 Researcher.

Forvitni has curiosity in spades and was born to find hidden and obscure things.

He is a talented, tenacious, hands-on researcher who is not afraid to get into the field or spend time hitting the books.

Gold Imperial Library Membership.

Graduate of the Dovian Institute (Scholarship).

Eldest of the Cececoatl Conspiracy. NC. A*MS. 50 Cr.

Luke was going to freak out when he met them. He could be a little stiff with outsiders, and this was pushing the definition immensely.

Templeton and Forvitni were on the rare contract notes. They were sent off once I indicated that these were the contracts I was interested in. The beings would be in contact to arrange a meeting or to finalise the agreement.

I didn't understand what a core was when I received the system core. I had read some books and played games where dungeon cores were a thing. I was hoping that this may be an option. I was not entirely disappointed. They were close to what I understood a dungeon core to be. According to my quick research, a core is an energy blueprint for manifesting structures and creatures.

That was really helpful to me, so I asked my advisors. Depending on the Tier and energy available, a core could tap into interdimensional and transdimensional spaces. It was the basis for how the system shops worked or the tutorials. Not that I knew the difference between interdimensional and transdimensional. Cores were controlled by an AI and available in various creative configurations.

The result, Dungeons could be a thing. They were similar to these tutorials but more geared explicitly towards combat and training. That would have been my thing if I had been in a combat class. You could apply blueprints to configure them or have the AI design and run them based on the available energy and resources. As an Administrator, I had to think longer term, so I selected:

Pocket Mine Core (Tier 1, Upgradeable).

This core facilitates the production of minerals and ores within its confines.

It is capable of producing materials 1 level higher than its Tier.

The quality of materials depends on ambient energy and can be boosted externally.

Capacity for up to 20 miners. Raw materials are produced in Empire standard configurations.

With my tokens sorted, I talked to Azuris and had a pleasant break from shopping. I was finally ready to look at buying items. Soon, I could return to the rest of the Tutorial and Alakaʻi.

With a smile, I started scrolling and scrolling and scrolling. I was on a reasonably tight budget, so I worked my way from worst to most interesting. The items I wanted were healing, a shield – although my skill had that covered once I was in an organisation, and some clothing. I wanted a few other bits and pieces, but I'd wait to see what happened after finishing the Tutorial. Clothing was first.

I wished Sarah was with me as she had a fantastic fashion sense, and I was well over my head with the choices on offer. I was a jeans and a T-shirt person, two of each. I got a few sets of the nano-weave under-armour that Luke raved about to cover my underwear, sleepwear, and even hanging around alone-wear. It was tight, and I thought about how Alaka'i had said I had changed. I was a bit fitter, lost fat, and gained muscle definition. Jeans were a thing, so some self-cleaning, self-repairing jeans in blue and a faded black pair were an easy purchase. I loved how I didn't have to try anything on. I found the Empire equivalent of T-shirts. They were training shirts, so I got various styles. Shoes, I'd keep my boots. I didn't like clothes shopping at the best of times, and I loathed shoe shopping, so I didn't even look.

Azuris was appalled at my clothing choice and added in a couple of classic suits, single and double-breasted, for formal attire. These guys had done their homework on earth styles. I did not recognise myself when I looked at myself in the mirror provided. I splurged and got several more sets of jeans and T-shirts. Comfort is important.

Azuris had my measurements on file, and the clothing would be available when I was ready to leave. The scanning and manufacturing technology that I thought was magical actually was magical, which made me laugh.

Next, I looked at personal shield items. They were costly, so I settled for a manually activated energy barrier; it could integrate with an AI to be more reactive. A complete scanning and reactive shield started at about ten times the cost of a manual one. The healing was easy; Luke told me about the healing potions, as he called them, so I got them in the injectables. They came in a neat-looking case and had optional accessories like a bandolier that they could be worn in for use quickly. I placed a monthly subscription for them, one crate of 24 per month, at a 25% discount. I wasn't planning on using them, but if we were creating a settlement, then supplies like that would be needed.

I blew most of my credits on upgrading the starter kit. Its resources were stored in pallet-sized containers. Each pallet was a mix of food, energy packs, and portable crafting stations. As a bonus, I got blueprints for five random buildings that were not unlocked by default: an upgraded farm, a hunting reserve, energy storage facilities, a security block and an airport and terminal. When we had the settlement, they could not be used immediately as some required prior upgrades and resources. With that done, I looked at a more personal purchase, including an expensive bottle of alien champagne equivalent, a couple of crates of icy cold foreign beer equivalent and some exotic fruit wine. I went off the reviews for the alcohol, so I hoped it was excellent. I added some other personal items to my shopping list and was done. I bought a present for Alakaʻi, which I hoped she would like, and I wished I dared to give it to her.

Once I was done, I had just under 1000 credits left. From what I understood, that was quite the sum, and from the contract prices, that would be six months to 1 year of wages. I had an income of 10000 Cr, so I think I would be considered wealthy, which was nice for a change.

I finished transactions and collected the gear and skill crystals while talking with Azuris and Rane, who were talkative and curious. It all took a short time, and I was happy to return to the main Tutorial.

Quest Updated.

Class Quest Complete Oversee staff (1).

Difficulty: Easy

Time Frame: None

The reward for success: IncrRenownenown with staff experience.

Visit the shop and purchase staff contracts.

You have completed the initial contract negotiations.

You have received 50 experience.

As I blinked and returned my awareness to, well, I guess it was my other fake Body since I was still in the house with Julie, I was surprised to see that Alakaʻi was not here. In her place was a rather handsome man standing beside the fire. He was wearing board shorts and a floral shirt.

He smiled. "Welcome Back. Alakaʻi had some personal business and asked me to cover for her. From now on, I will be your guide; you may call me Guide. I am an avatar of the Tutorial AI."

He smiled.