Pretty fast compared to pre-integration Humans but nothing compared to mentally moving Blink's exit to a spot ahead of her and stepping through. "Long time no see." I say with a casual smile.

"Hi Zen." She greets back awkwardly, I had started to consider her as a part of our innercircle… Now, it kinda feels like I pulled over a stranger who is just restlessly standing there.

"Where have you been?" Not one for small or long-winded talks, I shot straight to the point. Besides, I've got an appointment in about 18 minutes—lucky I came early!

"Uh, various places. Have you been to this Area's café down at Section W? Their waffles are bloody delicious!" She answered.

"As in, they got blood sauces or just a figure of speech?"

"Both!" she clarifies, slowly but visibly relaxing.

"Wanna go now?" We had established a while ago that there will be no romantic stuff between us, so this is all between friends. After a little bit of hesitation, she agreed.

"So, mind telling me why you're all missing? I mean, do you expect all of us to not notice the fact?" I asked her again, more specifically this time, after we both placed our orders and the server left our table.

"We're moving out." She said with barely a whisper which was, in turn, barely audible to my sensitive ears.

"May I know why and where to?" I have a hunch this may take a while. One of my Parallel Thoughts opened up my VICOS to reschedule today's meeting with the casters group.

"You heard that?" Rather than answer me, she startled and instead inquired back. To which I answer with a shrug… I quietly stared at her until she decided to answer my question. "Because of you, the majority of us feels oppressed by your presence and no, you have no need to know where!"

"... Oppressed how?" I ask confused, I did not do that! They were free to do whatever they wanted to do, I did not get in the way of their leveling, I did not stop them from recruiting new willing converts or willing employees, I did not even check on what exactly they're doing. The only thing I was strongly against is them feeding on unwilling Human subjects… To death.

"You greatly limited our feeding and that made us weak." She said, much more firmly this time. "Which in turn limits our growth."

"Oh."

"I had accepted our fate! Thinking that was it, we'll forever be limited under your rule. You alone were much stronger than all of us combined and the gap only widens with time." I might have misheard something that sounded a lot like stupid devourer mentioned somewhere at the end there. "I was resigned and ready to just follow along. At least you didn't abuse us."

"And you're happy now?" I did not think it was that bad… I did not want to make them feel that bad. But if I imagined being in their position; where a much stronger guy is telling me what I can or cannot do. Yeah, not fun. I subconsciously tried a hands off approach most of the time, minding my own business for exactly this reason. You know what, I decided I don't wanna know—luckily multiple lines of thoughts allowed me to speak, think, imagine the situation, make a decision, and move all at the same time, so by the time the questions leave my mouth, I was on my feet and ending our conversation with, "either way, good luck!"

Eh, why walk when you can, Blink! At least I found the reason why one of our allies is gone. I only hope that it is not the same reason with our other allies... Wait! I should pay… Let us not discuss how embarrassing it was when her eyes—still sitting exactly where I Blinked out on her—followed me as I re-enter the café, paid 183 Creds and once again Blinked out. At least I paid for her, right? She even got the chance to eat both her food, and, my untouched one.

So, I am currently attending lunch with a group that calls themselves Tubercasbocis, their members consist of humanoid mosquito-like creatures whose Proboscis, rather than being used to suck blood, functions as a natural blowgun of sorts that acts similar to an elephant's trunk—albeit much smaller, about as long as an average arm, much more fragile, and very narrow. Which they may use to shoot out compressed Spells. In case you were wondering, they are of a race called Probos; omnivorous with an almost normal mouth, but have preference for the more bloody variants of meat. Actual blood not the red juice we can find in raw steak as these are actually myoglobin; some kinda protein.

"So, you are inviting me to join you as an honored external spellcasting instructor? And I'm responsible for teaching your juniors Spells?" I ask their spokesperson.

"Yes, along with any willing members. These lessons are not free, I assure you!" He explains.

"Naturally," of course they should pay me for that. "But what else is in it for me? Can your faction help me protect my home?"

Of course such a tiny faction cannot! They made various empty promises, even going so far as to resort to threatening me instead. Join us or we will be there when your protection ends. At that point, I stood up, ignored whatever they said, and left after informing them that they may instead buy my Spells from The System Store, just like everyone else. There is no end to speaking with self-entitled idiots.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I had previously discussed with both Rascarna and Castor, separately; both of whom are similarly divinities of magic, along with another domain which I have puzzled out to be polar opposites. This in turn affected their outlook on life. Not that they mentioned what their other domains were exactly. Regardless, their healthy rivalry is bolstered by their respect for each other. The gist of it was, Latent mana is very potent and spells that utilized them cannot follow the norm and be made available willy-nilly, of course that is already too late with some of my Spells; more specifically Magico Disk, Conjure Trilattic Swarm and Beam Torrent.

But in regards to my newer ones, they suggest mimicking the methods used by higher tiered Spells. Which is to set both a purchase price and a cast price where an individual will be required to first purchase and own the spell, and pay another percentage of said price for every cast. It won't stop everyone, but it would help limit the damage while still allowing these Spell creators to gain something out of it. As for doing what C²OPS did in regards to limiting the distribution of Core related stuff; the way they do that is by delegating the task to a logistics division of sorts that manages local shops and rewards; usually in faction currency—though they might put it up in The System Store on special occasions, or after slapping on some over-inflated price-tag. I do not have the manpower nor the drive to go that far… Not now at the very least.

So here I am sitting in a random Steakhouse and Bar, eating for free, after demolishing their 10-in-10 challenge; where challengers had to finish 10 times their weight in assorted meat within 10 minutes. My System Store interface is currently hovering in the air before my face. I ignore the various earnings and proceed to set a price tag on both new Spells. 'One million to purchase Latent Eruption and 1% of that for every cast. And please set Temporal Recess's purchase price at 875 million. Thank you."

Eruption, depending on how its user utilizes Latent mana, can punch way beyond its Journeyman rank. Thus the over-inflated price tag. Temporal Recess, as a Master rank Spell should instead

L be in the 10 digits, Spells of these ranks utilizes more complex concepts and are therefore more expensive—mine even utilizes both Time and Space. Less Spells of this caliber are sold and even less are purchased as individuals who have come this far tend to have their own repertoire of powerful original Spells, though transactions still happen every once in a while. Unfortunately, its support role, numerous available alternatives, and my shallow understanding of the concepts greatly lowers its value. Turns out, even in the Multiverse, favoring DPS is the mainstream.

I open my VICOS to the chime of an incoming message.

Arya Wildebelle: Hello, Zen. Apologies for the sudden mail. Do you happen to know this Zane person who won Castor's challenge? I believe he or she is a native of your home Planet.

Zen: Hi Arya

Zen: I do, why now?

Zen: That happened about four event days ago.

Arya Wildebelle: That is correct. I have been occupied with personal matters and therefore have only been informed

Arya Wildebelle: May you perchance introduce us?

Zen: It possible

Zen: Can I know why you want to be introduced?

Arya Wildebelle: Perchance we shall meet so I may better explain the situation

Zen: Okay

Because I don't see why not. And I may or may not be curious about her too… Standing up to leave; the food was free, but I still need to pay for my three cups of drinks, which came up to a total of 68 Creds. I proceed to approach the nearest teleportation pad. Next stop area 5000, section V. I am soon approaching a vegetarian restaurant and cakery. I'm not sure how that works, don't cakes need milk, butter and eggs?

Sitting alone in the outdoors area of said restaurant is the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. Her hair gently shifts between grays of nothingness and the various shades of purple in a mesmerizing pattern. The proportions of her face is the epitome of perfection; almond eyes, perfectly proportional nose, her lips the shape of a cupid's bow, tipped ears. I cannot truly describe how, but if there really is a golden ratio for the most beautiful face. This is it! Her skin is light gray, like smoke. Needless to say, she sports the perfect figure under that elegant summer dress.

I admit to being slightly intimidated, not half a year ago, I am just the average joe after all; there have not been a lot of women in my 20 something years of life, let alone one of this caliber. I even stalled for time by going inside to check, maybe an Arya Wildebelle is someone else other than that Elf…

No such luck.

Arya Wildebelle: Why did you enter?

Arya Wildebelle: I specifically sat right here within plain view so you may easily find me

Arya Wildebelle: Do not worry, they receive your orders from the table

Darnit!

I make my way outside and take a seat opposite her, "hey! So glad they do."

"Yes, I am sure you do." Her face remains expressionless. But I have a hunch somehow that she's teasing me for my actions.

"Yeah~, so have you ordered?" She has not, so we do. "Mind telling me why you want to meet Zane?"

"Stop with your amateur act, I know he's you." She said with a frown, before her hand moves towards her mouth to cover a soft giggle. "You are worse than any awful actor I know."

"I don't have the Skill if you're wondering." I jest further, yet failing to trigger another bout of her cute giggles.

"Have you agreed to join any factions or organizations?"

"No, none have felt right so far." Mostly just minor Spell focused factions who wanted me for my temporary fame, while the larger factions demanded too much of my freedom I thought internally.

"Good. Unless you find one that you're absolutely sure about, do not." She says seriously. "To more casual matters, my family will be hosting a private party for the more talented individuals of the current generation."

"For what?" I inquire.

"To provide the chance for future leaders of this generation to meet and get to know each other, for them to showcase their expertise and build connections early, to show our rivals we are the best at discovering hidden talents…" She explains, speaking more than I have ever heard her speak. "The reasons are numerous."

Getting to see, with my own two eyes, the most outstanding individuals of this generation would be very interesting indeed. She continues to speak after a brief moment of silence, "would you be willing to attend with me?"

"... As a guest?" I question, knowing that is very unlikely.

"Of course not! As a new talent representing myself." She straightly admitted. I cannot say no to a face like that, and can only hope it will be the more friendly kind of showing off.