Tinkerson carried on walking around from the team. His duties discharged, He went and stood in front of the closed doors of the Guildhall. Closed to him that is. He had stood here and watched some gods try to dash in when they were open, only to be rebuffed out. He had the materials to make a full set of equipment for himself. He would have done so and then tried to see if he could get within the doors himself except he had noticed something. The last few months of watching those doors, everyone that he had seen who had walked through for the first time had done so in a group.

This did not mean as a group of all new demigods either. Some had joined established teams missing a member. Some had gone in a slightly larger group and clearly not been a combat person. But one thing had been clear about every group that had gone in. It had a clear combat team core. So he had a choice. Either change his fit and skills or build up the ones he had to provide value to a combat group, or start his own group to be able to lead them through. He thought about the first option. With his craftsman skills and merchant skills plus the god's eye skill, it probably wouldn't even that long. Only, he had seen how most of the demigods had treated the other demigods that they considered weak or lacking skills. He had experienced some of it himself recently. Not too much as he was still new on the scene. The ones that had not managed to access it in 10 years were being treated shabbily. The ones who had been here 20 years, derisively. He would probably be still be derided for not taking a combat path.

A group of his own as leader though. Sure, he would still have to be able to prove himself. He would never be a combat leader. But so far, he had managed to come up trump on the merchant path along with his crafting. Along with the skills he had learned for setting up for a faction, maybe he would be able to parley the group into being part of his faction if he chose the right people. After all, hadn't he just made what he thought would be a worthwhile contact among the teams of the epics he had seen over the past few months? It would take time to assemble the right group together. To equip them. To figure out what he needed. While he was doing this, he could further the conacts he had made already among the demigods who resided here and maybe find more epics willing to work with him.

To start this all off however, he would have to start off his own faction. This would tell everyone around him that he was not for recruiting. It probably would get him some derision. But he could deal with that. It was time to show that he was going to be his own man and that he was going to do it the way he wanted to. To start a faction however, he needed someone willing to follow him.

He looked at the demigods that were near the doors. It was possible to see which ones did have not much time left to access those doors. Their faces lined with worry and hope every time a team looking for a member came along. Some of the newer demigods, who were confident of proving their worth or convinced of their own worth, waiting for a team to pick them. He did not want somebody from those groups. He needed someone with some skill. Someone he could reason and work with. Even if that person would eventually move on. He needed them more for getting through the academy years. If they wanted to go seperate ways after that, then they could with his blessing so long they passed. He thought about the epic teams he had interacted with. Thought of Sario who was obviously competent in leading her team. He needed a partner like that.

However, he had found out a truth about the academy that he wondered how many had found out. The academy comprised of two parts. One part was for people like him. Demigods who had little experience of struggling up the mortal ladder, who had come straight to the academy as they were. Normally born to parents of other demigods or higher, they normally had little experience. The second part of the academy were for people who had climbed the ladder or had gained a lot of experience. The academy was more of a finishing school for them. As a result, the 50 years that Tinkerson was doing now? They didn't have to. Their starting position was from the end of the period of 50 years that he had to do.

Tinkerson did not mind this however. He did have a lot to learn. Even with his newfound powers and knowledge, he still needed the time to absorb them and become used to it all. Looking around at the people there, Tinkerson decided he would go and seek advice from his guide.

Kekemozz listened to Tinkerson intently. They had met in Tinkerson library, sitting in a couple of comfy chairs, sitting and conversing like friends enjoying a pleasant evening together. Once Tinkerson finished saying what he had to say, Kekemozz smiled at him and began to speak.

"I am glad to hear you have decided to do this. I have hear positive things about you from different sources. They are all quite eager to see what you will do next. Tell me, have you wandered the under halls of the arena yet?"

Tinkerson blinked. Truth be told, he hadn't. Not being a fan of combat related activities he had diecded to leave it for now. He said as much to Kekemozz who nodded agreeably. "I don't disagree with you about the top half of the arena. However, there are some interesting things to learn in the under halls of the arena. I would suggest you pay a visit." So saying he rose up and left the room. Tinkerson remained where he was, thinking. He had been given a rulebook to the arena. It had mentioned nothing about the under halls. He cursed.

This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author's work.

None of the rules books and guides he been given had told him half of what he had found out. In fact he had only gotten some of those books when he had properly explored the areas concerned. He had made a critical mistake. It was time to recitify it. So he rose up, went through the portal and headed in the direction of the arena. Once there, he started to look around. He then came across a familiar face.

"Oh bloody hell. I knew this would come back to bite me in the arse. That the last time I do a favour for a friend." Said Jesary wearily. Tinkerson had spoken with him several times and he had become a good acquaintance. Looking at him, Tinkerson decided the time had come to see if he could make a new deal.

"Hello Jesary, I wonder if we could possibly have a frank discussion? Jesary mulled this over and then said.

"Tell me what you are doing around here first." So Tinkerson told him he had come to find out what exactly were the under halls of the Arena were. To which Jesary face brightened up.

"Ok, there a bet or two to be won here. However, I can't be frank about them for two reasons. 1, Im not allowed to talk about them. What guards bet on, stays secret. 2. You don't even have a blooming clue what down there yet. Yet, there hope. My money not lost yet. So let have this discussion." He patted a spot on the bench beside him. Tinkerson lowered himself down and looked around. It was a relatively quiet area of the arena, away from the main sands of the combat area.

"You told me once that one of the duties of the guards was to keep an eye on the students. You also gave me some advice in looking around and seeing where people fitted in. I believe I failed that advice by not following it in depth. So I was wondering if I could strike a deal on some more advice, keeping within the rules of the city?" Once Tinkerson said the part about keeping within the rules of the city, Jesary relaxed.

"Thought I might have to give you a little beating there for breaking the rules but you managed to frame that beautifully. Striking a deal. I am not adverse. What are you willing to offer and what do you want to know?" So saying, Jesary adpoted a relaxed pose. Tinkerson took a few minutes to craft his response.

"While I am guessing you are not allowed to take me to the under halls, I wonder if you are allowed to describe the process of accessing them? Also any relevant advice you feel you can volunteer. For this service I can offer this." Tinkerson reached into his bag and brought out an object that he had crafted. It had been a ring that he had created while practising to build Franky's loadout. He had not offered it to Franky as he had intended to keep it for himself. He felt it might be useful to Jesary however and would improve the relationship between them, which Tinkerson felt much more important.

Ring of Veritas

Made by Tinkerson

This ring was made from a metal that was once part of a god's equipment. Due to the nature of that god and the length of time he had the equpment it had some of the god's magic imbued upon it, and retained it when made into a ring.

Divine quality

Effects

Let whoever is wearing it know when someone is lying to them.

If illusions are being used upon whoever is wearing it, it lets them know and helps them to overcome the effects if they have the skills to.

If fed mana from the person wearing it, will create a local effect useful to the wearer.

Jesary looked at it, and examined it with an open mouth. He then closed it and said, "Well you know how to entice people that for sure. I am willing to accept the deal." So saying he took the ring and put it on his finger. "Now as to how to access the under halls, there are two ways. One is the way of combat in the arena, achieving particular goals. I think I would be right in assuming that you are not going that way. The second way is more interesting. It to test other skills. I think this would be the best way for you." Jesary looked at him with a serious look. "For advice. I am not sure I can pay the full value in this so I would say this. Once you have gained access and explored it, come find me. DO NOT attempt anything. Just do that freaky thing you do where you extrapolate from what information you learned, and come talk to me. I believe I will be able to give you full value then. If you go over to that desk over there, and tell them you wish to gain access to the under halls by ways other than combat, and they will guide you." So saying he nodded and walked off. As he did so, he muttered to himself and Tinkerson managed to catch his words. "Better warn the boys back at the barracks. I reckon things might be getting interesting again in the next couple of years."

Tinkerson walked towards the desk and repeated the part about gaining access to the halls via ways other than combat. The person nodded and asked him to follow him. Tinkerson did and was led to a room that held a couch, a chair and somebody sitting in the chair. He guestured for Tinkerson to lay on the couch. Tinkerson started getting therapy vibes and was finding it strange. The person in the chair then spoke.

"My name is Johns. I am the invigilator for this exam."