I came home to an empty house, unsurprisingly. He hadn't been home during the day for as long as I could remember in either life.

Running jobs for his boss. I had never figured out his identity in the past. I didn't have the skills to track my father yet. Such magic would probably be always out of reach due to my affinity. My mana sense wasn't nearly sensitive enough to discern him from anyone else of the masses.

It would be just a waiting game until he got home.

Meditating, in the meantime, would be the most fruitful action. I could feel the barrier to becoming a JourneyMage creep closer and closer. A level that had been forever out of reach. Even after fifty years of trying, I had now reached within days. My control over mana could be thanked for that. I knew that I didn't have the innate talent to get far. If I had been tested at the entrance exam. I would have accepted my results and studied happily in the scholar's academy, maybe work for the city's archives or library after graduation. Eventually, I would be put to death alongside the city I loved. That would have been a good life, yet it was stolen from me by the same family that kept my mother safe. This time the young foes wouldn't have the strength to cripple me.

Now I would be able to return the favor. Of course, I wouldn't cripple them. That would be far too kind. I knew just how talented they would become. Their abilities never lived up to their family's name. They would be completely overshadowed by their cousin.

Morganlon had been one of the few shining lights in that family. Born to be heir, he had everything I didn't, yet he still helped me in my darkest moments.

Now he wouldn't have to shoulder the weight of clan alone. He wouldn't have to fall with the walls like so many others, protecting the home he loved. I had many feelings towards the Harkrose family. However, if I proved myself worthy, they would still accept me into the clan and all the resources and connections that would bring.

With a major clan on my side, it would be easier to begin creating defenses for the capital. I could also mobilize forces to take advantage of the tombs and relics that would appear in the coming years.

Along with cultivating my own force of future heavyweights, it was the best option I could see moving forward.

Saving my mother from her ass of a new husband and my little sister would be benefit enough in becoming an influential figure in the Harkrose clan.

Feeling the strength of my body as my mana circulated was as always intoxicating. Falling into the rhythm after my brief period of recollective depression, my meditation continued for far longer than I realized.

Night had long since come by the time I had brought myself out of the swirling nodes of mana.

My father had let me down once again, I wouldn't stop trying. I didn't know the full story of what happened. The anger I had felt after seeing him for the first time had faded away, replaced with the pity that had existed in the past life.

Luckily there was no street battle today, so I hadn't caused Sammy issues with my extended meditative effort.

I hadn't made a push for JourneyMage, even though I knew I was on the brink. I wanted to shore up my foundation, making sure I wouldn't be leaving any long term issues for my future self to resolve.

Sleep took me quickly enough. The fatigue from the fight earlier in the day hadn't totally left.

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I awoke only a few hours later after a dreamless sleep.

The sun had yet to crest over the city walls, I still had plenty of time to make my way towards the dungeon. Still I wanted to be sure I found a somewhat respectable team. I didn't want to deal with the dregs or the cutthroats. I wouldn't be able to carry a team just yet. Once I broke through to JourneyMage id manage, I was sure, but I needed some more experienced groups to rely on for now. Most of which would never say no to an extra mage. Most wouldn't even deign to belong to such a low-level group no matter their relative strength.

They were only willing to run in their own circles until the warriors reached a certain level with their own progression to aid them.

That left a large hole in the backline of most low dungeoneering groups that they were eager to fill with something other than another Archer. Who was a little more than an annoyance for most of the beasts without making use of an enchanted bow, which would be a rarity.

The early morning crowd was even busier than it was yesterday, considering I had gotten there a little too late, that made sense. Many more teams had set up. Advertising themselves to any solo divers, looking for some fresh meat to shore up their parties before their first run of the day.

Reading through their signs, I tried to rack my brains for any names that would become famous in the future. Of course, it was a long shot. The number of dungeon groups that were built and disbanded within days was exceedingly high. Most future powerhouses would have already attracted a powerful core around them. The chances of any one of them starting out today looking for members was laughable.

I did manage to recognize a name after a few minutes of searching through terrible names of all manner. There was no shortage of teams attempting the run down to the fifth floor, but most quality teams were going far beyond that. The Silver Bees had been a middle-level team that became a household name around the capital. The only reason for that was they discovered a secret area on the 27th floor that significantly increased the wealth that was able to be taken from the dungeon. Of course, that wouldn't be for another six years, but I was surprised they were only starting up around this time.

They must have grown quite quickly.

Sure there was only one way to find out.

Approaching the area where they were based immediately spoke to how new their team was, the very outskirts of the waiting area, one of the furthest groups from the dungeon. It wasn't surprising since they were only attempting to take on the fifth floor today, meaning they were the lowest folk on the totem pole. That would do me just fine.

The group of six perked up as I approached. Two women who looked remarkably alike, both of whom were wearing silver armor. Were the only ones in the group that I felt any sense of danger from. I could see where they got their name from. The two wielded spears, so it was quite an amusing pun.

Looking at the rest of the team, I had to have a double-take. There were actually seven members in the group. I had missed out on a young man who had been standing behind the two girls. Their presence had overshadowed his, making him briefly invisible. He also seemed to naturally turn to avoid my line of sight. The rest looked no different from the rest of the adventurers surrounding us. Their distance from the leaders spoke to the transient nature of their team.

"You here to join us?"

The sister on the right, took the initiative. Her voice was flat, obviously used to asking many people the same question.

"Yea, I want to take on the Chief."

"Good, what are your skills, and what's the furthest you have gone down so far?"

"Fourth floor."

They both nodded at that. They obviously weren't expecting anyone who had gone further than the Satyr chief.

I was about as good as they could expect from any of their recruits.

She didn't seem pleased about my lack of answer to my skills. She was obviously used to being obeyed. The glares of both sisters intensified.

I decided to respond by flushing mana through my body, which didn't have very many effects. Other than slightly rejuvenating the body and making your eyes flash with mana, usually a particular color depending on what affinity you had practiced the most. Since I had all but stripped myself of my elemental ties, my eyes simply appeared the purple shade of pure mana.

Their glares immediately faltered as they took me in for the second time, obviously placing me in a far higher threat level.

"Why do you want to join us? You could have had your pick of teams."

"I liked your armor."

Their only response was a scowl as they nodded towards the rest of the team.

"These are Roy, Kirl, Herk, and Yiren. You may call me Leader, my sister by Striker, and my brother by Scout. What's your name?"

"If you are going to be all fancy with your code names, then you may as well call me Mage."