I wake well before noon. In fact I wake early enough in the morning at first and make the conscious choice to sleep in at least a little afterwards. Not for too long though. The floor may be better than the stone floor in the tower and I have a blanket of sorts this time around, but I'm still far from actually being comfortable.

[*Ding!* You slept. Not bad, but not terribly well either! Health increased by 0! Mana increased by 5!]

I'll need to find something a little better in the future. Once I can afford luxuries like that. For now I'll need to be a little more stingy with my Mana. I really splurged last night, changing my shape not once but twice.

It's either that or I need to level up more quickly. If anything my pace will slow down even more in the long run though. Unless I manage to get a second class too. Sylwia mentioned something like that, didn't she? And that Kronk had two classes too.

Yes, this option bears some looking into. Just like a thousand other things. Maybe I'll get to ask some questions today, when I meet with my local benefactor. Who knows, I might just receive some answers for once. I groan as I stare up at the ceiling. Nah, no way in hell will I receive any answers for free.

Before I can foul my mood any further I roll to my feet. I do a few stretches, not an easy feat in this cramped room, and get dressed again, making sure my new lucky penny is still there. Then I pack the rest of my meager belongings back up. I even check and double check to make sure that I'm not leaving anything behind, before I slip out of the room.

Another woman is sitting on the stool by the entrance now, but she shows about as much interest as the one from yesterday. She only perks up slightly when I hand her the key to my room.

“I hope you haven't left any mess behind.”

When I only raise an eyebrow at the question she whistles and a boy with a broom hurries over. She hands the key to him before seeing me off with a casual wave.

“Come again.”

I don't reply, except for a curt nod. I might not have much of a choice after all. I doubt I'll find any more affordable accommodations around here after all. Yes, in all likelihood I'll be back tonight.

Now I have a meeting ahead of me. I'm not in too much of a hurry though and I don't want anyone to think otherwise. And while I'm on my way to the tavern at the waterfront I take the opportunity to get to know this part of the town a little better too.

I might not have much money to spend right now, but that doesn't mean that I can't have a look at the various shops and workshops along the way. I especially keep my eyes open for any tailors ,although I have little hope to afford any new clothes, and especially underwear, anytime soon.

The harbor at the waterfront is a lot more busy this time of the day. The fishermen and women must have been out early, as they are already busy unloading their catch. Other than them a number of cargo ships are being loaded and made ready to depart soon. Unlike the local fishermen they apparently don't want to risk traversing the river's treacherous waters and especially its shallows until the sun is much higher in the sky.

For a moment I consider joining the laborers hauling cargo onto these ships. The pay isn't stellar for sure, but every coin would be appreciated right now. In the end I decide against it though. At least for now. This is an option I can always reconsider another day. Now I have an appointment of sorts.

The man I'm supposed to meet finds me well before I can enter the tavern. He slinks up to almost out of nowhere. Curiously enough [Danger Sense] doesn't trigger. Jerzy, or whatever his real name may be, sounds quite cheerful as he greets me.

“Welcome back! I take it you were successful? You know, why don't you join me and tell me over a beer?”

I nod and let him lead the way. Just as we enter the tavern I get the feeling that [Streetwise] just improved a little. The interior of the tavern is a little quieter this time of the day. This change of circumstances suits me just fine though.

The man leads us to a different table this time around. It is another that is a little out of the way though. And the seat he picks allows him to keep an eye on the rest of the room as well as the entrance. Very sensible.

A few glances tell me that there is another patron keeping an eye on the entrance too, just like the other time.

Jerzy waves over one of the serving girls. We don't have to actually place an order though, as she places mugs of beer in front of both of us, the moment she arrives. It seems she is well aware of how this man likes to get things done. Without saying anything else he raises his mug to take a sip.

I mirror him, as a little refreshment is just what I need right now. A mug of beer isn't exactly the breakfast of champions, but it sure is better than nothing. Especially as the beer here is a little more hearty than what I'm used to. And besides, it testes pretty good.

Finally I set the mug back down and fish the scroll from my pack. I place it on the table in front of me, but I don't let go of it yet.

“That was an exciting little trip. About the fellows patrolling the streets inside the walls. They aren't part of the guard, or are they?”

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He shakes his head and smiles.

“No, you are quite right. They aren't. Those are the night watch. They are a smidgen more competent than the regular guards. Better paid, equipped and trained too. You didn't get into a quarrel with them, right?”

[*Ding!* Your skill Gather Information has leveled up to level 3!]

I smile, as the divine whisper brushes my mind. What a nice surprise. Then I shake my head, to answer the man's question.

“No, nothing like that. I stayed well out of their way. I was just a little curious about them. The trip got really interesting on the way back though. I had another run in with your brother's apprentices.”

“Oh!”

“Their leader brought a little extra muscle this time around. Your brother was there too.”

He nods and takes another sip from his mug.

“After your little adventure in the afternoon it is only natural that he took an interest. You look no worse for wear though, so I take it things worked out in your favor? It wasn't too much trouble, right?”

He probably is well aware of how things worked out. I would be very surprised indeed if he for some reason isn't. I decide to indulge him anyway and elaborate on my encounter from last night.

“They were waiting for me, when I returned from the temple. Jumped me just as I got back down from the wall. Gave their wannabe leader, that loudmouth Barandon, a piece of my mind. Shut him nicely.”

I take a sip from my beer in turn and let him stew for a moment. Except, that only really works on people who don't already know all the facts.

“Exchanged some pointers with a tough gal afterwards. I think her name is Sylwia. Considering she is the kind who probably does most of their talking with their fists she is actually pretty pleasant.”

I shrug and drink some more beer, taking my sweet time as I do so.

“Then your brother decided to step in before we could get to the point where we would have had to have some serious words that could have hurt someone's feelings. Overall I'd say, it wasn't all bad. It certainly could have been worse.”

Jerzy in turn nods cheerfully. He seems well entertained by my retelling of the happenings.

“So you got to meet some of the family. Nice. And my brother's left hand woman too. And it seems you got along reasonably well. From what I have heard you certainly left an impression with her. Marvelous! Yes, truly marvelous I'd say!”

He points at the scroll still trapped under my hand.

“That leaves just one question. Now, that you have proven yourself reasonably skilled and have even met some of the family, do you still want to accept an apprenticeship under me? What do you say?”

I nod and move my mug aside a little, so he can unfurl the scroll on the table.

“I do.”

Then I gesture to the scroll.

“What now? Do we sign it?”

He grins and produces a comparatively tiny knife from the folds of his cloak.

“Yes, in a way we do.”

Then he pricks his thumb, drawing just enough blood to form a single drop. Then he presses the bloody thumb onto the parchment, leaving a neat finger print behind as he pulls it away again. Afterwards he offers the knife to me.

I accept it an repeat the procedure, placing an equally neat, bloody finger print next to his. I'm almost a little disappointed.

“This is it? No magic or anything?”

He shakes his head and chuckles, as he accepts the little knife back. He lets it disappear into the folds of his garment again. The scroll follows once the blood has had a little time to dry.

“No magic. No nothing. You know that we signed a deal. I know that we signed a deal. It is give and take. The apprenticeship grants you privileges but it comes with obligations too. And we both know that the score will be settled in the end.”

I chuckle too. I can't help but be amused a little.

“You almost make it sound like we are a real guild, like the bakers or brewers.”

He acts as if my words wound him.

“But my dear, we are a real guild! The archives of the lord contain all the necessary paperwork. Your contract will go there too. Doesn't matter that none of the lord's scribes will ever know about it.”

I almost choke on the last of my beer, then I break into heartfelt laughter. It takes me a moment to calm back down, but Jerzy doesn't seem to mind. Once I regain control of myself I decide to get in a question real quick, before he can take over the conversation.

“Well, master. Could you provide me some guidance? I have been wondering about people with multiple classes. How would go about acquiring a second class myself?”

He nods, as if greatly pleased by my attitude, stroking an imaginary beard in the process.

“Dear pupil, that is both an easy and a hard lesson. It is easy to teach but hard to learn.”

I'm paying close attention by now, which seems to greatly please him.

“Classes are unlocked by achievements. Usually the class will be better if the achievement is harder to reach. Not all achievements unlock classes though. Some will provide upgrades to your skills, which, as I would like to say, is quite desirable too.”

He finishes his own beer before resuming the impromptu lesson.

“Take Sylwia for an example, since you have already met her. She has an achievement called [School of hard knocks]. It unlocked her [Enforcer] class.”

My left eyebrow rises a little at the revelation.

“Let me guess, in the school of hard knocks you learn how to take a beating and live to tell the tale?”

He gets up and motions for me to follow.

“Very astute! Indeed, that pretty much is it. My advice, if you would care for it, is to not take the first best class offered, unless it happens to be a crazy good one. Quality matters after all, even if you could still earn upgrades later on. Now, are you ready for a first little task?”

He just barely waits for me to nod in confirmation.

“Very well. I need a little extra muscle for a job. Nothing fancy. My good man Wiktor will tell you everything you'll need to know. There is a mill a little upstream at the waterfront on the other side of town. You'll meet him there.”