Chapter 37: All It Takes
“This Monster Meal... is the restaurant of one of your new friends you met during your exam? I can’t say I approve of the name.”
“What? Do monsters taste bad? Really tough meat since they move around or they’re made of whack job things, like stone flesh?”
“No, they’re usually delicious. For those based on normal animals, magic enhances flavor. It just the name that’s tasteless. Hold your hand out, palms up.”
“What’s up?” She’d long been conditioned to obediently receiving gifts from Amara and Chelsea, and reflexively held her hands out.
Encio pulled a stone from the dimensional storage space that came from his evolved racial ability, Dimensional Rift. Humans started with two racial abilities, Human Ambition and Special Attack Affinity, and four Essence Gifts. These Essence Gifts had no effect until a human absorbed an essence, then evolved to complement the essence and tailor the build. This was the reason humans were the weakest race without essences but became very good at their specialty and excellent attackers once they got their essences. Dimensional Rift was the Essence Gift that had evolved from Encio’s Dimension Essence.
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Racial Ability: [Dimensional Rift]
Gain a dimensional inventory. Increased resistance to the dimension effects and astral forces. Dimension abilities have increased effect and transcendent damage is increased.
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The stone was familiar; it was the Awakening Stone of Dimension Sezan offered in their bet.
“What’s this?”
“A dimension stone.”
Nara rolled her eyes.
“It’s a congratulations gift for passing. I’ve had my whole life to train, but you’ve had six weeks. You achieved success in that time, through your own efforts. I think that deserves reward.”
“A lot of people helped me out.”
“A lot of people helped me out too, some of the best money cannot even buy. It doesn’t make either of our efforts less praiseworthy.”
It kind of does, Nara thought. The rich and resourced have higher, even guaranteed chances to succeed in life. Someone juggling their job at their family restaurant and Academy training was going to struggle compared to her who had private tutors every step of the way and all expenses paid.
But she wasn’t going to say that to her friend, who was earnestly praising her efforts. And she may have lived a well-balanced and healthy lifestyle so far, but that didn’t mean she didn’t put in the effort just because she wasn’t grinding 24/7.
There was a reason the low-income immigrant to Harvard student on full ride were standout success stories, and not ‘another rich son with good grades makes it into Harvard’. The latter is barely a news story, just routine reporting.
“Thank you for the gift. I really appreciate it, and your words.”
If he was offering her the legendary stone, free of charge, who was she, a penniless outworlder, to say no?
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-Do you want to use [Awakening Stone of Dimension]?
-[Use? Y/N]
-You have used [Awakening Stone of Dimension].
-You have awakened Dimension Essence Ability, [Infinity Domain]. You have awakened 4 of 5 Dimension Essence Abilities.
Ability: [Infinity Domain]
Conjuration (dimension)
Cost: Moderate mana, very low mana-per-second
Cooldown: None
Effect (Iron): Conjures a spatial manipulation domain around self. Within the domain, physical space is passively manipulated, slightly shifting the trajectory of incoming attacks. Manipulation can be actively managed for more direct effect or disabled and re-enabled as a whole or locally.
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“What did you awaken?” Encio asked.
“Infinity Domain, in the Dimension Essence. Just where I wanted it. Lucky me!” She showed him the ability with her Guide.
He arched an eyebrow, “That’s why you wanted the Dimension Stone?”
“Yup.”
He closed his eyes, brows furrowed.
“What’s the matter with you?”
“I can’t decide if I think that’s dumb or fun.”
“Choose fun. Always choose fun.”
*****
Vallis had roped in Sen, Gento, Kiris, and Nara to meet at Nolan’s restaurant, if they all passed. They all had: a testament to Vallis’ own eye for people.
Malik was offered an invitation, but he rejected it. His family had plans with him, and he had some sort of thing going on with Sen. If he had a crush on Sen, surely, he’d take every chance to see him? Maybe he genuinely had plans.
“Speaking of which, this is the first time you’ll meet Sen.”
“Sen Arlang, the iron rank essence user that has been inviting you to his team?”
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“Before you even.”
“So I cut in line. What made you join me?”
“You’re holding me hostage with a bet, remember? That aside, I knew you better than I knew him. I just met him two times before the exam. I didn’t know him that well at the time, and I wasn’t going to join a team with someone I hardly knew.”
“And that’s changed?”
“I got to know him a bit more during the exam. I’m at least willing to consider it, if you are, partner.”
“Practically speaking, the reputation of the Arlang is a great benefit,” Encio said, “The Aciano is a small family compared to his. Our ‘rise’ is relatively recent.”
“But all it takes is a single diamond ranker to become world famous?”
“All it takes?” Encio arched an eyebrow playfully, “That’s hardly an easy requirement for worldwide fame.”
“You know what I mean.”
“I do,” he nodded. “Before my grandfather achieved diamond rank, he was an ordinary gold ranker, as far as gold rankers can be ordinary. His name was not spoken in high society, printed in The Adventurer’s Record, or rumor bound with the normal people.”
“Achieving diamond rank was his only achievement.”
“Yes. That’s all it takes,” he said, echoing Nara’s word but with more reverence.
*****
Nolan’s restaurant, Monster Meal, was in a surprisingly decent location. Encio had expected far worse of a proprietor of such poor naming sense, in his opinion. It was on one of the many leisure streets of Sanshi, lined with shops catering to hobbies, restaurants with interesting dishes, and other ordinary commercial shops such as clothing, bags, and shoes for the normal citizens. Adventurers went to specialty crafters for their supplies; those shops were not found here.
Monster Meal was one of the most popular restaurants on the street despite its uncreative name. For today it was closed for a private event—the event Nara and Encio were invited to.
She knocked, welcomed in by Nolan with a beaming smile.
“Welcome on in to my pride and joy! Monster Meal proprietor Nolan Orion and freshly minted adventurer. I shall no longer fail to live up to my namesake!”
“And maybe your sister will stop bothering you.”
“Oh no, she’ll keep bothering me. I can already hear her next words.” He peered outside the door of the restaurant. “She didn’t follow you, did she?”
“I don’t even know what she looks like.”
Nara had arrived early. The only other person in the restaurant was Sen.
“Sanshi’s greetings, Nara. You must be Enciodes Aciano.”
“I go by Encio.”
“Sen Arlang. I go by Sen.”
Sen was straight-faced again. Was this his sense of humor?
The two sat down at the small circular banquet table across from Sen.
The three were still waiting for the rest to arrive and Nolan was busy in the kitchen, preparing a feast.
It was an appreciated function that essence users couldn’t gain weight (aside from muscle mass). Even if she could, the amount of calories she burned now was incomparable. She didn’t even know if you could put a caloric consumption on using magic.
Iron rank was a strange rank where essence users were still mostly ‘human’. A bodybuilder with natural strength of Iron 8 but who had only achieved Iron 2 in their power attribute did not have their power downgraded. Rather, their rank had to catch up to their natural strength.
Nara was experiencing a similar effect: she was gaining power and speed beyond her base rank of Iron 0, which is where she’d stay until she awakened all her abilities.
“You never answered my question how the two of you met,” Sen said, jumping off the conversation.
“How about you explain, Encio? I sort of wonder what it was like from your side. With the whole hidden alcove thing.”
“Ah, the alcove. Then, I will explain as I saw it.” He paused for a moment to consolidate his thoughts. “I had been convalescing in Aviensa for some time. Not just Aviensa, but many other cities around the world. At the time, however, it was Aviensa,” he began.
“Convalescing?”
“I hadn’t explained that to you yet, but a few years ago my older sister died, then, my childhood friend died. For years, I did not want to be an adventurer anymore.”
“I’m sorry about that. I hope I didn’t interrupt your recovery.”
“No, at the time I was ready to resume adventuring, but needed something to reignite my motivation. I had spent the years trying out other professions, but I could never commit to using cores. My grandfather knew me better than I knew myself; He knew I still wanted to be an adventure, and he was searching for an opportunity.”
“And I stumbled upon the hidden games grove.”
“That grove is reserved for famous faces, those that want to enjoy some quiet with private locals.”
“High rankers, mainly then.”
“Silver rank and above,” Encio said. “My grandfather was the only diamond ranker there.”
“Diamond rankers don’t grow on trees after all. I’d be surprised to see more than one in the same place.”
It didn’t show on his expression as student tempered by Wisteria’s methods, but Encio’s internal expression contorted as if in pain.
“Yes...they tend to live separately. What made you investigate the grove?”
“I felt this…sensation. More instinctual than conscious thought. Something was different than the way it should have been. If my description sounds vague, it’s because it was that vague. I was just wandering randomly than with real purpose.”
“My grandfather was using aura manipulation to redirect those uninvited away from the grove. But then you went and invited yourself in.”
“Sorry about that.”
He shook his head, “My grandfather could have scared you away with his aura, but he did not. He noticed something and thought he found what he was looking for.”
“He saw that I was an outworlder.”
“An outworlder with no bad intentions, no knowledge of our background, just curiosity, taking their first steps on their journey both as an essence user and an unintentional resident of this world.”
“He thought she was a suitable kindling,” Sen said. “You would not have wanted to team up with someone who sought your fame or connections.”
“I don’t mind utilizing them, when it’s necessary. But relationships that start with such intentions are hard to transform. When life hangs precariously in balance, will one who sought easy fame hold the line? These are the trials in which teams are forged.”
She thought of Kenny, Raja’s temporary team member, that abandoned them in the woods that night. In a real life or death situation, a single team member abandoning the rest could tip the scales to disaster. The team formation falls apart.
“I don’t know if I would hold the line,” Nara pointed out.
“There is little meaning to intentionally introducing a crack to a foundation,” Sen said. “You may not be tested, but neither are you untrustworthy.”
“Innocent until proven guilty,” she muttered thoughtfully. She still didn’t really buy their logic, until Sen’s next words.
“At iron rank, few have been tested like that. Standing at neutral is better than standing behind.”
That made sense. Those who had already shown their ugly colors, and those that have not, which was better? To them, it was clear.
“It is an unfortunate trial of iron rank,” Sen said, tinged with reminiscence. “Teams break apart at the seams. Those that stepped forward eject those that ran behind, and join with those of same mind, should they survive.”
There were nods from the few people there.
“Continuing with my story, my grandfather just had the kindling. All he needed was the spark. You provided that as well.”
“I did?”
“Have you forgotten your own strange ability to teleport irrespective of distance, rank, or time? It was curious that an iron ranker from Sanshi was in Aviensa, so we followed you.”
“You followed me?” Nara said, but she had long learned not to be particularly outraged by the actions of higher rankers (or gods).
“It was unnecessary. Grandfather could have sat in place at the grove and watched you leave. It was for my benefit. So, speaking of, how do you do that?”
“Oh, that. I never explained it?”
“I think it’s your turn now.”
Before she could begin, someone else entered the restaurant. It was Sen’s partner, Aliyah.
“I’m early? I could’ve spent longer at my lab.”
“No, you’re just in time, Aliyah,” Sen said, “I think you will want to hear this.” He looked back at Nara, apologetically. “If that’s alright with you.”
“It’s fine. I mainly don’t want the organizations to hear.”
“I can help with that.” Encio said. “I’ll set up a privacy screen, although this restaurant should have a few of its own.”
Aliyah sat down and organized her stuff, awaiting whatever interesting story Sen had promised was coming.