Chapter 1.3: Talk Much?
She spent the whole weekend reading in Royal Road. From a user’s perspective, she wasn't really doing much with her time… investing it all into books. That wasn't concerning her at all though. For her it was just a game, she didn't have any goals in it – she was actually ignorant of the monetary benefits attached to the Emperor role. For her it was just way to increase the amount of time she could spend reading and a way to avoid reality: with the added bonus of a non-fat bod.
‘Being fat can be physically uncomfortable… and moist. God, that is such a horrible word – and state. I curse the person/thing/being that came up with moist/moistness. It all sounds so icky… moisten. Ughh… then again… Moisturizer… somehow that's not so bad…’
Monday came around and she logged a couple more hours before school. She was sleeping less so she could spend more time in the game.
(A/N: Obviously… This seems to be a common result for those who join this game. Sleep less, play more. I wonder. Why don’t these people sleep less with just their normal lives. When you think about it, they had more to gain because real life is ‘shorter’ than game life.Moving on!!! Sorry about this little interlude.)
Unfortunately this also meant that she ended up doing her homework for her first class on the way to school and during homeroom. The homework for the second class she completed in her first class. The homework for the third class she finished in her second class… etc.
She was good at schoolwork though so it was fine in the end. But if she was going to be spending all her free time in the game she had to come up with a system to get all her school stuff out of the way while she was in school.
She was not giving up her first slot in academic rankings. She might be fat and disgusting – but this, this she had going for her. The only thing going for her actually – throwing it away would just be stupid. And stupid was one thing Aphrodite was not.
As a result, she now vigorously invested her class time into studying and doing her homework. Listening to the teachers was redundant anyways. By the time the teacher had repeated the lesson so all the nincompoops in her class had gotten it - she was usually ready to strangle someone, either the teacher or the idiot, anyways.
Seeing as she had no friends and her parents, while loving, were usually absent, her life now boiled down to three things. Reduced sleep, constructive school attendance and Royal Road bliss.
If anyone noticed fat Aphrodite, who usually read fantasy novels in class, was busy doing homework and studying instead – they didn't comment. She wasn't someone people took notice of. She might be rich. She might be smart. But coupled with disgusting obesity and lacking social skills – she wasn't even on the high school radar – much less the social hierarchy.
Aphrodite was safe from most of the bullying that comes with the fat territory because her family was rich and had strong ties to the school. She was not however safe from derision and snide comments that came her way. Seeing as she was usually in fantasyland in school though, most people just tended to ignore her and then forget about her – to the extent that it is possible to forget someone who is very largely present. And so… Aphrodite went unnoticed during the probably biggest change in her 16-years of existence.
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Mist’s satisfaction factor was almost empty and she only had one piece of bread left. She could fill her canteen for free in the market – but the barley bread was not free. She ate her last barley bread and grudgingly left the possible office in what she called the ‘capital tree’. She had blasted through most of the books in the last two weeks (there weren’t that many – maybe 50 or so), she only had a couple left to read. They mainly dealt with historic events of Siradin. She was getting very familiar with the history of the elves.
Moark had said something about jobs that could be done in the village in exchange for money. Mist decided to check out the village and see if she could find something. She had no idea about where to go since she had been cramped up with those books for the last two weeks.
So she ventured out – she needed food.
‘Hopefully something other than barley bread! That stuff is disgusting. It might be enough for satisfaction but it really wasn't satisfying.’
Her eating habits had not carried over from real life. She didn't have the stomach to support it, barley bread was really tiring, but mostly – she didn't have the money to be gluttonous.
Walking on the branches took some getting used to, especially the height adjustment. Making ‘ground’ 120 feet up in the canopies is not an easy mental task. But, she prevailed. Amirav was just stunning, and green. She spent some time sightseeing as she walked around and familiarized herself with the surroundings.
After talking to some elves she found out the uses of most trees. Warrior’s guild, archer’s guild, hunter’s guild, alchemist’s guild, mage’s guild, painter’s guild, tavern, what they called the good’s store, most of them doubled as people’s homes. The tavern and the good’s store were run by a grumpy couple, they got grumpier the longer Mist stayed so she soon left.
‘All I wanted was some food! Jeesh.’
She had wanted free food. They were not willing to oblige. She was not used to dealing with money – or the lack thereof. They thought she was trying to swindle them. Suffice it to say, all parties involved were not happy with the outcome and very disgruntled by the process.
Most of Mist’s encounters with Amirav’s elves were similar, though not as extreme. They would usually offer her a small chore for some small compensation, but she declined them all. She didn't want to engage in menial labor and she was still looking for a building.
‘They have to have a library here right? I mean, those can’t be the only books here… Please let there be a library.’
She saw a young woman-elf with a basket that seemed to be mostly filled with plants and fruits. Unlike all other elves, she looked to be haggard. Here gown was threadbare and her hair was braided with flowers, vines and other plants.
‘I think she even has some berries in there, well… she might look worse than me, but at least she isn’t hungry… I can’t ask for a free handout from her though, she looks too nice to say no.’
The woman saw that Mist was watching her and said, “Mother earth blesses you, if you want it or not. She is all around you – do you not feel it? Speak woman-child what is it that keeps you silent?”
‘Village nut case: check…’
“Well, I was wondering if you could show me the way to the library, if there is one. There is isn’t there?”
-“Yes, indeed. Knowledge is a gift, but it is a costly gift and requires constant sacrifice. Hmm, maybe it is not a gift after all – perhaps it is a burden? It does not come easy. Know your enemy as well as if not better than you know yourself! Do you know yourself? Well, that is not here - nor there. You asked for the library yes? It is the last tree that the branches lead to in this direction.”
She vaguely pointed in one direction and turned around and left. Mist barely had time to shout her thanks as the woman’s dreads disappeared around a tree.
Mist walked in the direction that the woman had pointed. She walked for some time and finally saw a diminishing network of path branches. As she came to the end of the branch walkway she was barely able to make out the entrance of what she hoped was the library.
She walked into an elf sitting on a sofa. He had graying hair and tiny spectacles that were perched on top of his nose. ‘I doubt he can see through those lenses… they are just sitting there. How does he keep them on when they don't have the side… thingies.’
He was the only one present. As she went in he got up and greeted her.
“Well, hello there! How may I help you? Would you like a reading alcove perhaps? Could I get a book for you? What kind of book would you like?”
He barely gave her time to answer and kept shooting questions at her.
“Well, actually I would love to read. I’m starving though, do you have any food?”
He sighed. Saddened by the fact that she did not seem to want his books – oh well. No matter. He shrugged it off and continued. He was a very friendly guy.
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“Of course! Of course! It’s a shame you are not a bookie like me, but that cannot be helped.”
He did not give her a chance to contradict him as he pressed on.
“Let me see, let me see! Food I have not, books I have plenty, money I have some. I guess this place could use some proper cleaning! Will that work for you? I can give you 10 coppers for your time! With that you can purchase some food! Look at that! Agreement! Harmony or accordance in opinion or feeling; a position or result of agreeing. What do you say? ”
‘Wow… ok. I think he even cited the dictionary just now… But he has a point – I could use some money…’
“Sure. What do you need me to do?”
He pointed out what he wanted done and she got right down to it. She had just eaten her last barley bread and really needed the money. She wasn’t very good at it but she eventually got the hang of it and after three hours of cleaning she had finished.
- Fame rose by 1 for cleaning library so thoroughly.
- You are now known in the village as an industrious individual of small tasks.
“That was very well done! Very well indeed! Here are your well-earned 10 coppers. Thank you for your hard work!”
‘This guy is way too happy. Does he have to be so optimistic about everything?’
She took the money and went in search of some food. She had already received the warning for satisfaction. She was running dangerously low on it.
She entered the market she had found earlier and went up to the salesman behind the desk. He looked at her skeptically remembering their earlier encounter. She was a bit surprised, thinking it was just a game.
‘I guess they remember you for what you do. Just like the fame thing. Alright then!’
“Hello kind sir, would you per chance have any chocolate cake on hand? I am starving you see?”
The salesman looked like he still had reservations about her character but responded amiably.
-“Yes, yes. Of course. My wife made some yesterday – did you know it is her specialty? She is a fine baker! That would be 50 copper please.”
‘50 copper – what a rip off!’ Instead of voicing her thoughts immediately she thought of a better approach. Bargaining. It could be done. It seemed that these people actually responded to the way they were approached. 'I better behave myself.'
“Could you give me that for 10 copper? That is all I have and I really am starving!” she replied.
His face darkened.
-“If you are starving so much, you can buy barley bread. That only costs you 1 copper. The only other thing I can offer are apples, 10 coppers each. Other than that you cannot afford anything in my store. If you are going to buy something do so now, if not, please leave! You are wasting my time!”
‘Touchy much? I guess his leniency where I am concerned was limited.’
“I will take ten barley bread then, I am sorry for having appeared so rude. Is it not strange what hunger does to a person’s personality?” Mist asked and added a self-deprecating laugh.
He grunted and put the bread on the counter between them, he didn't pass them to her until he had received payment though. She pretended she hadn’t noticed and smiled at him as she left.
With the next meals on hand Mist returned to the library.
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-“Back again I see. No guests for ten years an now you! Twice in one day! What a gift! Are you hungry again? Do you need some work? After you cleaned off all the dust, I was so happy! I guess we can move on, do you want to polish the floor? It needs some polishing. It’s been at least ten years since someone cleaned in here – much less polished…”
The librarian said when Mist entered the library.
‘Wow this guy has some steam. He really doesn't shut up!’
“Actually… what is your name mister librarian? I never got around to it last time…”
-“My name!? Oh my?! Did I forget to introduce myself! How atrocious. Absolutely preposterous. Here I was taking advantage of your labor. And I never even gave you my name. I mean, now that I think about it… I don't know yours either, but… this makes me like a slave driver. I am going to be known for my malicious self, this is so degrading. I am humiliated and disgusted by myself. When I walk the streets I shan’t be surprised if they call me Alfin the slave driver. My wife! How will she ever look at me the same again? How will anyone? My good name is in shamble…”
‘What the… Time to end this pity party mister. You are getting on my nerves.’
“No Master Alfin! On the contrary! You were the most gracious! When I was most in need you came to my aid and so I am indebted to you! I give you thanks!”
-“Master? You are calling me Master? Oh my! I really am a slave driver, to make you – someone I have just recently met – call me Master. How cruel and unforgiving I must seem on the outside. And all the while I was only looking for someone to share the joys of reading with…”
‘This guy needs some therapy. Seriously.’
“My name is Mist. And I call you Master because I would like to work for you and learn as much as I can. I love books and that is why I am here, not because you are cruel. I love reading and would love to spend some time here if possible.”
-“Thank Goodness! Mist my dear, I would love to share the wonders of reading with you! As a matter of fact, I have been looking for an apprentice! Will you be my apprentice? Please say yes, these last 10 years have been so lonely, and I am not getting any younger. In fact sometimes I can hear the end approaching…”
‘Why not? Being a librarian would let me be in the library as much as I want. And that is all I want to do anyways. Read, and read and read.’
“Yes, please. I would be honored to be your apprentice.”
Change profession to Fabled Midnight Scribe.
‘What?! A scribe? I thought I was supposed to be a librarian!’
Class Change! You have converted to the hidden Fabled Midnight Scribe class. You can now learn exclusive skills for the class that are withheld from the primary classes. There are race and achievement restrictions to this class.
Skill: You learned Item Identification.
Skill: You learned Calligraphy. Allows you to write in any language with any type of font after having seen it once.
Skill: You learned Composition. Allows you to write stories that may or may not have a grain of truth in them.
Passive Skill: Handcraft is generated.
“Scribe? I thought you were a librarian? Why am I a scribe all of a sudden? I am not very good at writing you know?”
-“Ha! Well my dear, are you not the one that read all of Moark’s books? He and I are quite close you see. It seems you have depleted his stock. And now come to mine. Why do you read books?”
“Because they are an escape. A fantastic escape. A world with no boundaries.”
-“Exactly my dear – no boundaries – other than the imagination that is. And it seems you have one. It takes a fantastic mind to appreciate fantasy. And so it is time for you to create your own world – stop relying on those of the others and rise to the top.”
‘Well… I guess this is fine. I can still read books. And this profession even gave me ways to read faster – meaning I can read more. I guess I can’t really complain. I can always switch up later.’
“Of course.” Mist smiled benignantly as Alfin went off onto another tangent. ‘This guy really doesn't shut up … ever…
Chapter 2.1