I felt uncomfortable in my new suit. It wasn't the cut, the cut was perfect. It wasn't the fabric, it felt like a mother's embrace. It was all the stares I was drawing For someone whose Class required one to be inconspicuous and stealthy, being the center of attention didn't come naturally.

At least Alice hadn't come herself to make my hair, adjust my necktie, and smooth my clothes. No, she hired and sent a professional Maid. The Maid not only did my hair but also cleaned up and organized my apartment.

And now, I was here, at the market square, waiting for my date. She wasn't fashionably late, I was the one to arrive earlier.

The market was bustling with people. In the early evening, it suffered a massive change. Out went the common necessities of the everyday person and in came the luxurious articles and novelties from "afar". These were maybe crafted by resident foreigners but most were completely local forgeries.

I couldn't image ne the trouble of bringing porcelain saucers and dishes from a place on the other side of the continent, more than a dozen thousand kilometers away, only to sell each set of six for a handful of silver coins. Don't get me wrong. It was an absurd price for earthenware and equivalent to my budget for the evening. Heck, I could eat for a month on a handful of silvers.

A couple of young ladies passed by me, staring up and down at my figure, whispering to one another and giggling. I grew hot around the cheeks. Then, when I thought it was over, one of them glanced at me over her shoulder and giggled some more.

I should've pretended to be one of those living statue performers. It would be less embarrassing.

"Hey, George!" A familiar voice called.

I turned my neck mechanically. The clerk girl from the garrison was there, wearing the female Guard dress uniform. It suited her.

"Hey, Kara!" I waved like an idiot. Ugh.

She glided the distance between us with agile steps. "Did I make you wait?"

Yes.

"No! Absolutely not."

She took the crook of my elbow with her hands. "Well, now I caught you!"

"Am I under arrest, officer?" I joked.

"Yes, you are. I think I'll have to take you to your arraignment."

"I'm starving," I confessed. "Maybe you can lock me up after dinner?"

The grin she made sent shivers up my spine.

"You're not wearing your badge," Kara remarked.

"I'm not on Guild official business. I understand why you have to wear yours."

As a member of the Guard, even in an administrative position, she was always on call when inside the city walls.

"Perish the thought. I already caught my suspect!" She stared at my eyes.

"What crime did I commit?" I asked with a grin.

"Grand theft…"

Silence. Kara blushed and looked away.

"This way," I said to fill the awkward silence. "I made reservations."

*

*

Dinner was lamb chops with a vinegar reduction sauce that really matched the meat.

We split the bill and went for a walk through the market, where she made a point of inspecting every bauble on display.

Kara seemed to have the time of her life, pulling me from stall to stall without ever letting go of my arm. She didn't buy anything, though.

Some merchants flinched when they saw her in a Guard uniform. Every time that happened, Kara would steel her expression for a moment as she stared at the merchant's face.

Contraband dealers, maybe?

Eventually, we reached a theater. Kara pointed at the painted poster. It depicted a guy in simple clothes swinging over a chasm while hanging from a rope. The guy's expression told me he was having the time of his life. Some adventure story?

"Oh, I wanted to watch this one," Kara said. "Would you mind?"

"No, we have the time. Let's buy the tickets."

We were soon seated in comfortable chairs, waiting for the theater to fill and the play to start.

The curtain opened. An old man, a Storyteller, was seated on one side while actors were hidden in the scenario waiting for their cue.

The theater lights dimmed and a spotlight shone on the Storyteller.

"A goofy smile and a heart of gold

He was the hero everyone overlooked

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

But I couldn't leave this tale untold

For this is the story of the Super Grappling Hook!"

Really? A tale of a magic… tool? Not even a weapon?

A goofy-looking actor entered. He was wearing a simple crude linen tunic and trousers. He stared at the stage and at the audience with the happiest and most naive face ever. He resembled the man in the poster.

"I found you, Penny!" He called one of the hidden actresses.

Penny stood up and engaged in banter. It was the classical butler and maid exposition, getting the audience up to speed with the story's setting. I expected the Storyteller to do the exposition but when I checked, the old man was dozing off.

The protagonist was the Village Idiot. Yes, that was his actual Class. At least he was Uncommon. Some kids dared him to go to a cave. There, he fell into a pit. It would be his end if he didn't find the eponymous tool.

The Super Grappling Hook was a relic from the Crafting Hero and bonded with the protagonist. From there, he escaped the cave and went to have a lot of adventures.

But the Villagers despised him. The guy had some sort of mental handicap and did little work around the village.

I heard Kara sniffle at one particularly touching scene of bullying.

It was then that I realized it. The Village Idiot was always going to and from, helping people, cheering them up, and otherwise keeping the village together. He was the glue that kept the people together through the hardships the village went through. But he never received praise for what he did.

It resonated with me. His deeds remained unknown, the benefit his existence brought to the village dismissed as happenstance.

Then, they expelled him from the village during a drought year.

The play ended as the expelled villager contemplated life outside the village. The Systems offered him a Class evolution challenge. Meanwhile, the village suffered because the Village Idiot they expelled had a lot of Perks that improved productivity.

It was obvious the theater troupe wanted to make a sequel to this story. But it was captivating and endearing. Its central message was that everyone had their value, even when one didn't see it.

We left the theater. It was dark and Yolanthe shone ominously in the sky. I talked with Kara and at one point she grabbed my hand.

We passed a Guard patrol. The Guardsmen greeted Kara and gave me a stink eye. I had no idea why. It was all her idea, officer. I said nothing and didn't react, obviously.

I had no idea what I should do. Invite her to my home? Serve tea? Kiss her?

Damn.

When I noticed, we were in front of the Guild Hall. Kara stopped.

"You live nearby, right?" Kara asked.

"Across the street, above Fizzlewhisper's," I pointed.

She would have to invite herself. I was not prepared for this boss fight.

"Okay. Then… it was a pleasure to spend time with you, George. I really appreciated it."

She might as well have punched me. "Yeah, ha, ha, me too!" I said in the most awkward way possible. What was wrong with me?

"Maybe we can do it again, sometime?" Kara suggested.

She was too close. I could feel her body heat. Damn you, Yolanthe. Why did you have to heat up the weather so?

"Sure, anytime."

Kara leaned forward. I froze. She kissed my cheek. "Good night, George. Sleep well and dream of me."

I opened my mouth. No sound came out of it. Then I snapped it shut. My eyes closed. I sucked in a big breath. When I opened them, I looked up. Alice was watching us from the third-floor window.

If I had a natural magic to shoot fire from my eyes, I would. In my blind anger, I moved forward to shield Kara.

She misunderstood and leaned into me, molding her posture to fit next to me. My hand went around her waist to pull her away from the Guild Hall.

Then we kissed. What? Why, how? One moment I was trying to run away from Alice, the next I had those soft lips rubbing against mine.

Who was Alice? I knew nobody by that name. Hell, I couldn't even remember my own name.

Everything after that was a blur. Kara went away after saying something I didn't process, I went home and laid in my bed staring at the ceiling.