Chapter 89: Doing Better Than Charity

The two groups had already reconvened at Nolan’s restaurant, Monster Meal, which had been closed for the night in advance. For shops owned by adventurers, this wasn’t uncommon. Adventurer-owned shops and establishments often closed for days or weeks at a time, or usually only open to appointments made by recommendation, such as Wisteria’s magical tattoo parlor.

What normal person in their right mind would complain to the adventurer proprietor that their shop wasn’t open when they wanted it to be? Karens of Earth beware.

A spread of hearty meats, flavorful rice dishes, and healthy cooked greens were plated across a large banquet table for the mentally spent teams. It was enough to seat twelve ordinarily, but they squeezed in one more seat for Chrome, who was minding his own business and eating as if someone would make a move to stop him: No one did.

Vallis let out a deep, frustrated sigh. “I sure put my foot in my mouth—no, Arlang, I don’t always do that.”

“You do with me.”

“Shit. Shut up. That can’t be right.”

He gave her a companionable grin that didn’t cross the line into gloating. Encio would gloat, but Sen wasn’t like that, ever the good sportsman. As usual, the two teams started their after fight analysis. It was more or less standard adventurer practice, and paralleled Nara’s own experience in academia, when she wasn’t being lazy. Study for the test, take the test, fix your mistakes. Except in her new life, tests were fights.

It was just a different kind of test, with a cost paid in scarlet blood than a grade in crimson ink.

“Why did you target Nara in the beginning?” Sen started.

“Yeah, it put me out for almost the entire fight,” Nara complained. “I didn’t end up doing that much. I think Encio and John could have pulled of a two versus three at the end too.”

“Sen is well-known for his tactical acumen, within the youth of the great families,” Vallis said. “We hoped to take down his communications. Namely, you.”

“It fucked us over the last time,” someone muttered.

“Even when completely useless, I at least have comms,” Nara said, smug for no real reason than luck of the draw.

Vallis continued: “We don’t have a communication ability, so any plans we make have to be beforehand or verbalized. We have to rely on instinct and team sense otherwise.”

“The goal for any team is to move instinctually, which a firm grasp of each other’s capabilities. But it was true the end may have gone differently,” Sen paused, “Or not.”

“What’s this? C’mon, let me know.” If she could crowd into Sen’s space and force the answer out of him with sheer proximity she would’ve. He subtly leaned away.

Eufemia rolled her eyes and explained, “Sen told me to copy Nolan’s ability and use it on Kiris. The original plan was to just copy Primordial Ocean Manifestation to use simultaneously.”

“Neither side would have an advantage in the water then.”

“That was the original plan. When Sen saw Nolan’s ability the plan changed. Was that one he awakened from the trials?”

“It is,” Vallis sighed, “It’s that’s why I wanted Nara out of there first.”

Sen’s brow furrowed in contemplation, “Removing Nara from the fight would be more advantageous in a long-term battle, but this fight you chose had no opportunity to play out that way. Why did you not narrow the size of the arena? If the arena had been smaller, you would have been able to destroy all of her nodes.”

“I can’t say the last fight didn’t cloud my judgement; she left an impression.” There were agreeing nods around the table. “But I—we wanted a challenge, not a give ourselves such a large handicap that a win was a sure thing.”

Jaina spoke up in her cool and even tone, “It would have been my job to destroy Nara’s nodes.”

“We got lucky with Eufemia’s mass teleportation ability.”

“No luck,” Jaina denied, “I was switched teleported to that position. Eufemia had chosen correctly who to imitate. Impressive decision making.”

“How about you join my team, Eufemia? You’re so cool.” Vallis batted her eyelashes and dropped her voice, speaking huskily to seduce Eufemia to her side.

“Stop that,” Sen snapped. “Find your own specialist.”

Sen had seen Eufemia’s potential first, then was there for almost every ability she awakened. He wouldn’t let another team steal her away without a fight. For a tactician like Sen, Eufemia was his greatest weapon.

“Don’t be such a spoilsport,” Vallis nudged Sen. “How about you let her join us for a contract or two? Just for fun? Sen? Don’t ignore me, Sen!”

Nara leaned over to Encio to whisper in his ear, “Are they flirting? Is there something going on there? I really can’t tell.”

“You think I know?”

“Aren’t you supposed to be a people person? I can read the room about as well as a blind man can read a normal book.”

Encio wondered what a non-normal book would be, implied by the existence of ‘normal’ books. Sometimes he wondered if Nara just said untrue things and no one was the wiser. He also thought that Nara didn’t have the memory capacity to keep track of whether she told truth or lies, and that’s why she also needed skill books. He wondered if that’s how she always was, or a symptom of prolonged disembodiment.

“…they’re like an old married couple,” he finally said.

“Sezan has more flirt with his wife than those two do with each other.”

“Old in spirit.”

“They’re both like, what, eighteen? Yeesh.”

“Nara, I can hear you.”

“I’m comparing you to a diamond ranker. It’s a compliment.”

“No, it is not.”

“Should I be offended for my grandfather?”

“Are you ever offended for your grandfather?”

“Well. No.”

*****

It had been two days since their match in the mirage chamber against Vallis’ team.

Nara was reading one of Sanshi’s local newspapers, The Adventurer’s Record, on the large veranda of her Academy apartment. To call it a newspaper was inadequate. It mostly detailed news regarding adventurers; awakening stones and essence market prices and popularity, new combos (if any. Almost never—new combinations were risky propositions. There were so many discovered combinations, that it was best to stick to a recorded one), ongoing auctions, new discoveries in research and inventions, notable events worldwide and locally, relevant governance, party recruitment ads, and other information. A regular section contained the price of worldwide commodities and essences, where portal users could teleport to increase the profit margins of their loot and trade goods. Nara often abused this section herself, especially with her de facto global teleportation, as would any mercantile gamer.

Because of its content, The Adventurer’s Record was popular with even non-adventurers, despite its subscription fee. The gossip (tabloids) paper, The Familiar’s Tidings, had further reach with the normal population. The gossip paper didn’t write anything too inflammatory (essence users were dangerous folk, after all), but rumors and events within essence user society was a hot topic. Encio regularly read this paper as, “Many rumors have basis in truth.” Nara didn’t know if he was just being prudent, or if he just liked to gossip with the old folk at the board game tables: Probably both. Nara was sure he wrangled all sorts of scandalous history from his genteel friends.

The Adventurer’s Record was in between a financial newspaper and a magazine, compiled every month. It was delivered to her balcony with some sort of small bird familiar, but it may have also been a magic construct. The serial had customers install a small box accessible by air where the product would be delivered. It had a simple tracking magic on it, allowing the familiars to find their way there, no matter the location, as long as it was within applicable city-bounds. The Adventurer’s Record ran in most major cities and was gradually expanding their coverage.

Nara suspected both Adventurer’s Record and The Familiar’s Tidings were businesses of the Fenhu. Although, The Familiar’s Tidings may be a joint venture with the Nisei.

“Awakening stones of Illusion, Reflection, Mirror, Thief, Charlatan, Trap, and Light have seen an increase in price and popularity in Sanshi,” Nara read out to Encio, who sat across from her, reading his own morning material. It was a black and gold bordered magazine, looking appropriately exclusive. Where did he even get that? “The Adventure Society and Academies has arranged for the acquisition of these stones as rewards.”

“Eufemia will be delighted to hear this,” Nara continued. “She’s started a trend.”

“The Academy produces free recording crystal copies to students of all matches in their mirage chambers,” Encio said, “Our matches are very popularly requested.” His tone seemed to imply any match with him in it would be popular, for any of his notable aspects—pedigree, ability set, looks, charisma.

“I got one too,” Nara said. “If I show it to my family, I’ll look pretty weak here.”

“Being focused first is evidence of effectiveness.”

“Nice of you. But my family is made up of non-combatants. They don’t know that. And oh, I can already tell it’s going to be so irritating when that gets pointed out and they just won’t get it.”

Encio grinned. “Then yes, you’ll look pretty pathetic.”

“Thanks for that.”

“Anytime.”

Illusion abilities had been unpopular since they generally inflicted no damage at low ranks. Low-rank monsters would attack illusions indiscriminately, so it was an effective diversion tactic. It was easier, however, to simply smash them in the face. The more intelligent high-rank monsters had some capability to see through illusions, so illusions had to be used with judgement at high rank. The prevailing view was that illusion abilities were high-skill and low-return for monster combat, which to be fair to Erras, was not untrue. Illusion specialists had abilities to lessen this disadvantage and were the exception.

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

Eufemia wasn’t an illusion specialist but dabbled across various abilities and roles, in the same way her own real-life experience dabbled across different expertise—Buffer, illusionist, mimicry, set-up, saboteur. Her abilities required her to analyze the battlefield and determine a best use.

“Hm…” Encio read off the title of one of the articles in his gossip paper, “Gods grant favor to up-and-coming inventor.”

“It’s not about me, is it?”

“It’s not. Do you think everything is about you?” He teased. “This one is about an inventor in the Rowen Kingdom.”

“Do you think it’s protection? If the Gods grant their favor publicly, the inventor becomes far harder to kill secretly?”

“It’s plausible,” said Encio, “It brings attention to the inventor. Would you prefer that?”

“It no one knows I made anything at all, I won’t be abducted, right?”

“Does no one really know?”

Nara thought for a moment, “Amara, Laius, Chelsea, Redell, the team, Knowledge and the other gods obviously, and…”

“And who?”

“Oswald Willard. He noticed when I was getting my aura re-recorded.”

“We’re had minor issues with Oswald, but I don’t think he’s a threat,” Encio reasoned, tilting his head in contemplation. “He’s inclined to let the gods handle things like that. Your invention is out of his depth.”

“Unlikely to work with The Advent then.”

“I think so. He doesn’t seem dissatisfied with society. In fact, he maintained the status quo.”

“You think that’s the kind of person that’d be interested in working with The Advent?”

“Isn’t it always?”

He had a point: why change anything if you were satisfied with the way things were? Seeking alien interference, however, seemed a bit extreme.

The two continued their morning respite, when Nara saw something in the editorial that caught her out.

“What’s this? Outers?”

“Hm,” Encio paused, “How do I explain the Outers?”

Nara gestured: “Take your time.”

Once Encio collected his thoughts, he began: “…There are many foreign factions with interests in Erras,” Encio summarized for the outworlder, “Mostly, their intentions are malevolent. Slavery or integration, it appears, are the current motivations.”

“The messengers and The Advent.”

Encio nodded. “There are also the various cults and orders that follow Great Astral Beings, with varying positive and negative influences. However, there is another group the Adventure Society is not sure what to make of.”

“The Outers?”

“It is what we call them. They often appear in locations where many monsters have died, if they are even detected at all—they’re quite stealthy. Normally, the Adventure Society would be cautious those capable of such a high level of stealth but…they have never harmed a single person or adventurer.”

“Never? Really?”

“I understand your disbelief. As far as we know. In fact, they’ve even revealed themselves to save others on occasion, before disappearing. The Adventure Society is uncomfortable with their unknown intentions, but the Adventure Society also has other clearly harmful threats they need to prioritize.”

“Have any been captured?”

“A few, always by a gold ranker if at all,” Encio noted. “All of them cooperate. They say that their world had been devastated by a weapon of the messengers that warped the dimensional membrane, causing unpredictable mana droughts and floods. They are scavengers that travel to mana rich worlds to collect extra unneeded mana to bring back to their world, which is their purpose at locations where monsters have died.”

“And the Adventure Society believes them?”

He shrugged. “Even with the truth serums, they all say roughly the same thing. They even consent to tracking, if it would allow them to be released. Once discovered, they register as adventurers, and carry on as normal. They’re quite rare, so I doubt you will find them. They’re only slightly more common than outworlders.”

“As far as you know.”

“That’s true.”

“That’s pretty uncommon then. I’ve only seen John and myself here, and neither of us actually appeared in Sanshi. If you had found one of them, I wonder if you would’ve worked your charms to have them team up with you?”

“I didn’t team up with you because you were an outworlder,” Encio pointed out.

“Not just because I was an outworlder,” she teased right back.

“Are you ever going to let that go?”

“Absolutely not. It’s such good ammunition.”

*****

With abundant money on hand as well as double looting powers in the team, Nara paid a visit to the Prep Academy to set herself up as a sponsor for aspiring essence users. She found a familiar face waiting for her at the gates. The Academy had arranged a guide for her.

“Lee Hu? I’m surprised to see you here. I thought you worked for the Adventure Academy.”

“The Prep Academy and Adventure Academy work closely together to ensure smooth operations,” Lee said with a tone that implied it should be obvious. “They decided that a representative you’re familiar with would be best.”

“Oh, well that’s thoughtful. It’s nice to see you again.”

“For me as well, Nara.”

Nara liked to take walks as she talked, so the two set off across the Prep Academy. It had a similar design to the Adventure Academy, but was situated closer to the Competition Arenas where the students competed. The students here were on average a bit younger than the Adventure Academy and the atmosphere of the this Academy was also more serious and studious; It was more similar to a private preparatory academy than the university vibes of the Academy. The students in the Adventure Academy had already made it—they’ve won their competitions or otherwise gained a full set. In comparison, the students here were working the hardest they could to win their essences. As they say on Earth, what do you call a doctor with D’s? A Doctor.

“We have several options for sponsorship. Would you like me to explain each one?”

“Yeah, go ahead.”

“The first is the most popular with high rank essence users that want to do good but not much else. They donate or sell essences and awakening stones to the academy—whichever you wish—with the academy offering a reduced price compared to the market rate—"

“The sponsorship part of a ‘sponsor’.”

“Then, the essences and awakening stones are distributed as the academy sees fit. Priority goes to students close to a full set or those that need a specific essence to fulfill a role, like healers.”

“You want them to move onto the Adventure Academy as soon as possible.”

“Many aspects of an essence user changes once they achieve full iron rank, such as aura training. It’s important they move onto the Adventure Academy which can accommodate those new needs.”

They paused for a group of students that fast walked past their path, quickly hurrying to their next class like packs of sleep-deprived sheepdogs. Unlike adventurers who had the money for it, most students kept their items in physical bags, like backpacks, rousing Nara’s nostalgia of her own student days. They didn’t wear uniforms; clothing ranged from casual robes, pants and shirts, formal dress, to training Gi.

“The second option is more comprehensive. You can choose a particular student to sponsor. For students that opt into this program, their profiles are delivered to you for you to select.”

“Isn’t this too biased?”

He gave her an incredulous look, shook his head, then started to explain.

“It is impossible to sponsor all the students in the academy, Nara. Choose a few that you like. One way or another, those that are skilled, flexible, resourceful, or determined will make their way to iron rank. You speed up this process for a select few—Your select few. For the students you select, you may choose to financially support them, either buying the essences they want or funding their expenses, or you may directly donate the essence if you happen to possess it. In return, the student promises to write you letters of their process, records of the battles, if you so desire it.”

“Like a big sister program.”

“I know not what that is,” Lee said, “But I reckon it is accurate.

This sponsorship can, of course, continue through the Adventure Academy. Expenses do not stop at essences.”

“They need awakening stones, equipment, and consumables.”

“Which you may choose to donate to them as well,” Lee gazed at the students on campus, often sparring or studying. “The Academy does much, but the difference between success and failure may only be capital. With sponsorship of equipment, they are better protected in their early, most vulnerable rank.

In my opinion, Nara, you should strongly consider this second option.”

“I should?”

“Establishing connections between prospective adventurers you find promising and helping them in their hour of need is an effective and personal way to forge lasting relationships. It needn’t be much, but the sincere will remember your aid with gratitude. You may all be iron rank now, but that will change.”

“So, I’d be granting better survival chances to those I want to become my allies.”

“Yes,” Lee said, not unkindly but just as blunt. “If you wish to remain anonymous, that is an option as well. You needn’t send any letters back on your part, even when you aren’t anonymous. Adventurers are known to be busy.”

“I’m actually less busy than I was in my previous world.”

“Really?” Lee Hu said, furrowing his eyebrows.

Some students had been following behind them at a distance, curious. Sponsors weren’t uncommon, but one a young as Nara ones. Buying essences repeatedly was cost prohibitive for most people, and those with their own families to take care of worried about them first.

“You care a lot about this whole process,” Nara said, breaking the lull.

“I believe the best relationship is one that is mutually beneficial,” Lee said, “But, I cannot guarantee that any of these students will genuinely remember you.”

“Adventurers are busy, after all.”

Lee almost had something resembling a smirk. He was too professional to actually smirk.

“They grow up and embark on their own adventures. But I believe in times of crisis and need, and we should always extend a helping help. To give, and to reciprocate. This is the mindset I hope to encourage between not only adventurers but within all of us.”

“You’re surprisingly idealistic for an office worker, Lee.”

“It is individuals that have the most influence on a single person. We should never discount what it means to change a single person’s life.”

“So, you start here, feet on the ground, talking to students and adventurers.”

Lee smiled ever so softly, eyes crinkling and softening his professional demeanor, just a tad.

“It is my honor and my joy.”

*****

Nara did as Lee Hu suggested and committed to the second option. After reviewing what essences and awakening stones she had on hand Lee Hu sent her profiles of both Prep Academy and Academy students.

She looked over them on the couch, profiles organized on the coffee table and beside her, enjoying the temperature regulation magic that kept out the humidity and heat of the 8th month.

“You’re getting involved in some charity?” Encio said, moving over some folders to join her on the couch. He picked a few up; Nara didn’t know if she should’ve stopped him, but it was too late now. The Academies would probably like an Aciano sponsoring them anyway.

“Yeah, I’ve always told myself back on Earth that I’d do some charity. Figured I’d put my money where my mouth is.”

“There’s any number of other charity options you can participate in, not just essences.”

“Cycle of karma, I guess. I want to give back in a similar way to what was given to me. I got free essences from Amara and others, and now I can give back in the same way, my ability allows me to do so. Also…”

Nara handed a Encio a Dimension Essence.

“You’re even giving this away? This is massively valuable.”

“It wasn’t. Originally.”

“…What do you mean.”

“You know that Traveler’s Bounty looting ability of mine? I’ve always sort of thought it was unfair John’s looting ability came with a whole quest system as well.”

“His self-generated contracts? I know of it.”

She took back the Dimension Essence. Encio’s eyes widened as the essence transformed before his eyes from a Dimension Essence to a Star Essence.

“It was originally a Plant Essence,” she said, handing him back the cube that now glittered with swirling stars. “I can only transform essences that I’ve looted though. Same with awakening stones and quintessence. And I can only transform them into essences I’ve seen before. It’s been a lot of them at this point though. I’m only missing some of the higher rarity epic and legendary ones recorded by the Magic Society.”

Encio was silent as he overturned the cube within his hands. All of his essence user inbuilt instincts told him it was a Star Essence. He didn’t need Nara’s Guide to tell him that.

“I’ve read a bit of literature on magical manifestations.”

“You are studying astral magic. I’d almost forgotten.”

She slapped his arm. “No you didn’t, I read all the time.”

He grinned, but it seemed subdued.

“Monsters, of course, but also essences, quintessence, and awakening stones are all types of magical manifestations. For magical manifestations, rarity is just a function of how often something will manifest in the right environment. For an environment that can manifest Dimension Essences, like astral spaces, the common Magic Essence is more likely to manifest. Essentially, there no real qualitative difference between a Dimension and a Magic Essence.”

Nara wiggled her fingers towards the emptiness of the room, her fingers flickering through the dimensional boundary. Encio never knew what to think of it when she did that; it always seem to bother Aliyah.

“Magic itself doesn’t think one essence is ‘better’ than the other. That one is more valuable than the other. And that’s reflected in abilities—Rarer essences don’t make stronger abilities. I’ve been tracking the market rates of essences, and it’s sort of reflected there too. The common Swift, Adept, Might, and Magic Essences fetch a hefty sum, more than some rare and epic essences. Eufemia may have complained about her common Adept Essence, but she got a pretty valuable one for free.”

Encio was silent as he looked up to the ceiling of the suite, and let out a long, slow breath.

“So…” Nara said, sensing his strange mood. “You’re not going to tell me to transform essences and sell them?”

“No.”

“Figured. I didn’t want to either. I don’t mind ‘cheating’ a bit to make someone’s dream come true every so often, but I’m not going to print random essences like I’m some sort of 3D printer either. Essence goes in, difference essence comes out.”

“I don’t know what a 3D printer is.”

“It’s not obvious?”

“No. Yes.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“Any…advice?”

“It seems you have it figured out,” Encio smiled, patting her on the shoulder. Nara didn’t think it was demeaning; it more seemed he needed the reassurance himself. “It’s a kind thing you’re doing. Besides, you don’t need the money, do you?”

“I am actively giving money away.”

“Are you seeking praise for charity?”

“What if I am? Will you give it?”

Encio gestured to the profiles stacked on the table, “Their appreciation isn’t enough? The adoration of your juniors?”

“They’re strangers. Of course they’re going to be polite to the person giving them free money. You know, in my world, there’s a saying that 20 bucks is 20 bucks: I’ll meet you behind the Wendy’s. So?”

“How shameless. You really want praise?”

Nara pouted, “That’s not what I wanted to hear. Is giving praise beneath the high and mighty Enciodes Aciano?”

“Well, when someone is soliciting it from me like I’m some sort of suck up, it does feel a bit beneath me.”

“Ah, your praise isn’t so cheap, is that it, young duke?”

“I’m afraid you’ll have to do better than charity,” Encio said.

“Shall we bet?”

“On what?”

“On my success.”

“You’re on.”