As I collapsed from exhaustion, my body drained from the extensive use of mana, Jillian rushed to my side, concern etched on her face. Realizing they couldn’t safely stay in the forest with night approaching and me in such a weakened state, I made a difficult decision.

Struggling to speak, I said to Jillian. “I can’t go on like this, but we can’t stay here either. It’s not safe after dark, especially with me like this. I over did it.”

Jillian kneeled at my side, her worry evident on her face, “What can we do, Gavrin? How can we get to safety?”

I managed with difficulty, “I have a solution, it’s safe, but you must promise me something.”

Jillian nodded. Her curiosity piqued despite her concern, she responded, “Anything, Gavrin. Just tell me.”

“You must swear not to tell anyone about what I’m about to show you. This place is secret, a place I discovered. Can you swear to keep this to yourself and not reveal this location or what you see inside?” I asked.

Jillian hesitated for a moment but understanding the gravity of the situation, she agreed. “I swear, Gavrin. I won’t tell a soul.”

With Jillian’s promise made, I reached out and grabbed her hand and transported us into the dimensional shard. I didn’t need to be touching Thor or Loki to have them transition. I thought that was a nice touch.

As we entered, Jillian’s eyes widened in amazement. “What is this place?”

I winced. “Can we wait for explanations later? I am tired and need to rest. For now, all you need to know is this place is safe. Please, help reach that building.” I pointed towards the only structure in the place.

Jillian nodded in agreement and helped me walk. Whatever I did out there, really wiped me out. As soon as I got inside, I feel asleep. Thor and Loki curled up beside me to keep me warm.

==

Jillian was left all alone in this strange new area. She hadn’t really done all that much so she wasn’t really that tired. She could understand Gavrin not wanting to explain anything before he fell asleep. He looked exhausted.

That sight that greeted her outside in the shard was nothing short of magical. Lush vegetation surrounded them, and the air was filled with the scents of various plants and flowers. The area was a vibrant ecosystem, a stark contrast to the forest they had just left.

Jillian noticed the soft, glowing light from the Luminar core. It bathed the area in a gentle radiance, mimicking the natural light of the outside world.

She saw two strange looking trees. She marveled at the unique and strange appearances. She didn’t know what they were or did but she was eager for Gavrin to wake up and tell her about the world.

Jillian decided to wait until Gavrin woke up to ask him questions. Until then she wandered the plots of land and sketched pictures of what she saw.

==

There was no variation in the light inside the dimension shard. I had no idea what time it was when I woke up. I felt refreshed. I was surprised because Jillian was waiting just outside my house. She was sitting quietly sketching.

“Sorry about that.” I said. My presence was a surprise and she jumped a little.

“Oh, don’t worry about it.” She said. “This place is wonderful. What is it? How did you get it?”

I rubbed my head. “My system prompts call it a dimensional shard. As to how I got it? I stole it from some goblins. It was in the shape of caves when I first found it, but I discovered I can change it.”

“That sounds amazing.” Jillian responded.

“Yes, it is.” I answered. “The more I learn of its capabilities, the more I appreciate how fortunate I am to have found it. It’s so valuable it makes me leery of revealing its presence to anyone else. I once heard a saying that it is a sin to have wealth without the ability to protect it. I’m worried about how people will react to it.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“Gavrin, this is incredible! It’s like stepping into another world. This might be the answer we are looking for.” Jillian exclaimed.

I winced. “That is one of the responses I am dreading. I have no idea if this place is safe for the long term. When I first got this place, I received a message warning me that this place will change me. I fought a monster, this really big thing and used its core to make this place operational. It changed the nature of this place and gave me new abilities. I have no idea what the effects will be on visitors or the carrying capacity on this place. It is called a shard, it could be huge or it could be tiny. How do I decide who to let in? Who to keep out? Once I let someone in, can I kick them out? If they die after I kick them out, will I be responsible?”

My worries came gushing out. Apparently, I needed someone to talk too rather badly.

Jillian smiled in understanding. “I think I see what you are saying. If others knew of this place, they would be clamoring to be let in.”

“Exactly, then everyone will be all up in business and I’ll be running a small town. One in which I would be an absolute ruler. That sort of frightens me. I don’t want that sort of power.”

“You may not want it, but you have it.” Jillian pointed out.

“I know.” I said. I sat down on the ground and leaned back against the tree. “I know.” I sighed heavily. “I have a responsibility simply because I have the capability to do something. Doesn’t mean I have to like it. And since it is me, I get to set the limits on the calls on my powers. I don’t intend to abandon anyone. I can still use the resources of this place without letting people in. I can grow food, help feed people. I have a fairly safe area to grow and store food.”

“But that is entirely dependent on you.” Jillian said. “You know, the more you describe the more this sounds like you are right. If you are the sole source of food, that will give you power as well. You can decide who to give the food too. You can set the prices. You have almost unlimited power just possessing this place.”

“I know.” I responded simply.

We sat in silence for a few minutes.

Jillian finally broke the silence. “I have a lot of questions. I wanted to wait until you woke up. I recognize some of the plants in here but there are plenty of things in here I don’t recognize.”

“Oh.” I said. “Well, after I hit up the grocery store, I tried to collect a sample of all the different plants I found inside. But some of the others, I found them while I was exploring.”

“What are those big weird trees and what is that sun stone you have?” Jillian asked me. “It’s weird the light doesn’t change in here. That made it difficult to fall asleep out here. I didn’t want to intrude in your house.”

“I wouldn’t have minded.” I answered.

“I would have.” Jillian primly answered. “I have a boyfriend. Carlos is probably beside himself with panic. We’ve been gone for what? Two or three days? I only meant to follow you and find out where you were on that first day. I didn’t expect to go on an adventure.”

“That’s why they are called adventures.” I smiled. “If everything goes to plan, you just have a well executed excursion. Adventures are for amatuers.”

“That is certainly one way to look at it.” Jillian said after a moment of thought.

I walked over to the trees she indicated. “These trees are the Industree and the Recycletree.”

I saw Jillian wince at the names. “I know, I know. But I didn’t name them, the system came up with those names.”

“What would you called them?” Jillian asked out of curiosity.

“That one looks like a Dave and the other one is possibly a Frank or maybe Francis.” I answered with a smile.

Jillian smiled at my weak attempt at humor.

“What do they do?” Jillian wanted to know.

“From what I can tell, the industree makes stuff and the recycletree breaks stuff down into component parts to be used by the industree or anyone else really.” I told her.

“Is that what you have been doing with the animals?” Jillian asked. Her eyes widened in realization. “You are walking around with an almost unlimited inventory.”

“Yeah.” I said. “And if people realize how big my inventory is, how soon do you think it will be before someone tries to steal it or kill me for it?”

Jillian made a little oh of surprise.

“Yeah.” I said. “I am not a big believer in the innate goodness of the human animal. I have seen a lot of shit in my time.”

“There are plenty of good people, too you know.” Jillian said.

“Yes.” I said. “And it is for those good ones that I carry on. Let’s talk of happier stuff. Also we should probably get going and get back to the school.”

“How long have we been gone?” Jillian asked.

“I don’t know.” I said. “Time seems to move differently in here. Goes faster. I rest and recover mana faster when I am in here. I only planted the garden a couple of days ago.”

“But there is months of growth?” Jillian asked. “How is that possible?”

“I don’t know.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I am not an expert, but I think it might have something to do with the magic.”

Jillian looked back at me with a deadpan expression. “That doesn’t explain anything.”

I just threw up my hands in a ‘what can you do’ gesture. “So far, I find it easier to just go with the flow rather than ask a bunch of questions I have no idea how to answer or research.”

“You need to spend more time reading the system prompts.” Jillian told me.

“I keep telling myself that, but I never seem to have the time.” I told Jillian.

“You need to make the time.” Jillian admonished me.

“Yeah.” I said as I got ready to leave. “Welp, let’s get going. Let’s see what is waiting out there for us.”

“If its night, won’t it be dangerous?” Jillian asked.

“Probably. But it isn’t an issue when I have full mana. I’ll try not to let my greed overcome me again. There was just so much stuff in that stream. I am going to have to come back later.”