Vittorio felt bad about what his skill had done to Celeste. Suddenly losing all regard for your child cannot have been easy, at least for her. He knew very well how close they were. If it had been his Mother it would no doubt have been a different story.

Leaving them to sort out their emotions he went to visit the town temple. Surrounded by tall grass and with colourful turtles painted on the walls visible behind vines it was easy to tell it was dedicated to Myton, even if you somehow missed the huge tree sticking out of the roof. Vittorio hadn't ever really been in a temple but it seemed fitting to show respect to the God of Growth on the day he gained his class.

The door was open and he stepped into a large vestibule with alcoves dedicated to the other gods - the Lesser taking up most of the room and the Primal given the right-hand wall. Some contained busts or small statues of their traditional depiction, others their favoured animals or symbols, and some were just painted. He couldn't identify them all at a glance but some stood out, the fist and sword of Casyn chief amongst them. Elsewhere a heavily pregnant woman sat before the coiled winged serpent of the God of Creation, and there were a number of offerings by the eye of Lidas. The alcoves of the Primal gods were simple and bare, unsurprisingly. He knew that not many pay them more than cordial respect.

He continued on into the main hall and was struck by how hot and humid it was. Outside was early spring, but this felt like the height of summer! Worse, summer in the forest. Looking around he got the impression that was exactly what he was supposed to think: Planters stood throughout the room, housing shoots and budding flowers, their vivid greens, yellows, and reds contrasting with the mostly dull walls. Vittorio strongly suspected that was intentional. Here and there were larger collections of plants with seats facing them, and in the very centre was an enormous, broad-leafed tree in a small patch of grass. Low benches and seats surrounded it, many under the cover of the carefully pruned lower branches.

Vittorio was hardly surprised that the temple focused on Mytons connection to plants, but also a bit disappointed. They were the god of all growth after all, not just plants but personal and spiritual as well. Maybe some such growth could come from looking at plants but they were also a favoured god of [Scholars] and learning, and he doubted looking at potted plants would help them very much.

There weren't many people in the hall at this time of day but there were some. He spotted what must have been a [Priest] tending to some of the plants.Vittorio walked in, adjusting to the late summer-like heat and humidity. He wasn't really sure what to do so he just looked around, trying to practise his Adaptability by accepting his surroundings. He had no idea if he was doing it right.

Arriving at the base of the tree he spotted a number of bowls of water sunk into the grass. He wondered what they were for. Did they keep the air moist? Were they for looking in? He'd heard that there was magic using bowls of water. That might be it.

The person he'd taken for a [Priest], a rather brawny man dressed in what looked like a knee-length, armless pale green dress came over to him. He looked mildly concerned.

"Welcome", he said in a soft, pleasant voice. "Are you in need of help?"

For a moment Vittorio wondered if he'd really looked that lost, then he remembered. He looked down at his hands with their pale skin and sunken flesh.

"Oh no, I am quite well", he said, trying to match the [Priests] volume. "I was just... I'm from one of the villages and I haven't been in a temple before, but I gained my class today and I thought... well, that's-that's growth."

The priest smiled despite his halting words. "It certainly is. I have often thought The Nurturer must be the creator of the System with how it encourages us to grow. Are you pleased with your class? Have you come to give thanks?"

"Yes, that's what I was thinking, but I don't really know how."

"There are many ways. Some give offerings, some pray, some simply stay here for a time. To give thanks for gaining a class, I would say the path is simple: Make the most of it. Grow. Become more. To do so is to both venerate and be blessed by Myton."

That didn't make much sense to Vittorio but he assumed a [Priest] would know better than him. "I'm curious: These bowls under the tree, what are they for?"

"Holy water", the [Priest] said. "They collect rain and dew from the tree, and is then slowly infused with the radiance of Myton. When a [Blessed Nurturer] visits they will bring the water to the fields and use it to imbue the soil and seeds with their blessings."

Vittorio had heard of the [Blessed Nurturers]. It was said an orchard in the village had been blessed once. He could believe it: The mangos grown there were incredible!

"I saw there were offerings to Lidas in the vestibule. Has someone gone missing?"

The [Priest] nodded sadly. "Pietro, one of the [Hunters] in town, has been missing for three days. The other [Hunters], [Trappers], and [Woodspeople] have been out looking but haven't found a sign of him. I sent a message to Pogna asking if there's a [Blessed Seeker] in the city who can help. I hope they will not be needed."

"Was it a monster?"

"It isn't impossible, but he probably just got hurt or lost. There haven't been any monster sightings here in a good long while."

Vittorio found he didn't know what to say to that and soon left. Going outside was like going from late summer to early spring in a single step and he breathed deep of the lighter air before returning to Gloria and Celeste. They were sitting at the back of the cart, chatting.

"There you are!", Celeste said. "It's time for me to go back but I didn't want to leave without saying goodbye."

"I hadn't thought of the time at all, I'm sorry if I kept you waiting."

"Not at all. I don't really want to go so I'll take any excuse. There is one thing though", she continued in a serious voice, "what do you want me to tell your parents?"

Vittorio thought for a bit. His first instinct was to apologise, like usual when he did something they did not like. They wouldn't care though. Had they ever?

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

"Just tell them the truth: I didn't do what they wanted and I'm not coming back." He saw Gloria give him a big smile, sad and proud.

"I will", Celeste said. "And I will tell the village what they've done to you. I still can't believe they managed to keep it secret for so long."

"I did help them. I didn't want anyone to know. I still kind of don't."

"If you don't want me to say anything I won't. I really do think I should though."

Vittorio tried to feel, really feel, what his issue with people knowing was. "You can tell them. I think... I think I don't want people to know because - well, it means I did something wrong, doesn't it? But I'm okay with people I might never see again knowing I did something wrong sometimes."

Once again his view of his upbringing brought the discussion to a halt. He could see in Glorias eyes that she wanted to argue but Celeste spoke first. "That's not how I will phrase it, but even if I did I don't think it's your actions people will be upset by."

He nodded. They all fell silent for a few moments before Celeste got off the cart.

"Well, I'd best be off. Good luck you two, and if you ever need me you know where to find me. And be careful!" She gave first Vittorio and then Gloria a hug. "Bye, my little glowstone. You write or something and let me know you're doing okay, you hear me?"

"Yes mom."

Celeste climbed onto the drivers seat as Gloria and Vittoria grabbed their bags. "I am happy that you'll have each other at least. I was worried that Gloria would have to go off all on her own. I expect you to keep an eye on each other, you hear?"

"Yes mom."

"Of course, Celeste."

"Alright. And just so you know I have full confidence in you. I think you'll both do great, whatever you set your minds to. Love you Gloria. Bye!"

As the mule pulling the cart set off, Vittorio and Gloria said bye as well and then were left on the square.

"We should probably ask if there are rooms at the inn", Gloria said.

"And then you need to tell me about your class!", Vittorio answered. "You still haven't told me more than the name!"

"Oh yeah! So much just started happening. Come on!" She walked off to the inn quickly, Vittorio trailing behind.

The inn was two stories, a bottom floor of stone and an upper floor of dark wood. A sign above the open door named it the "Lush Blossom". The main room was fairly large with several carved pillars breaking up the space and large, communal tables. It was, objectively, better than Celestes "Cornstalk", but Vittorio still preferred the Cornstalk - not least because the innkeeper here was quite rude. Still, they got beds in a sleeping hall and some apple cider before sitting down.

Before Gloria could launch into an explanation of her class, she let Vittorio transfer Harmlessness to her again. The first time had not paid for the pact. After that she launched into a far more thorough, if no better structured, description of her class than Vittorio had. She was a [Fervent Warrior], one of a number of Fervent classes who drew strength from their own emotions. Depending on her current mood she gained different buffs, which she found very confusing - especially when it changed to or from Happy, as it increased all movement speeds. Reaching to grab something and your arm suddenly moving faster than you thought was awkward.

For now she was at whims of... her whims, really, but later on the class would grant skills for being more in control of her emotions, and the [Class Guide] Master Kahe had said that there were many different ways to go with it - such as having a second buff based on her second most intense emotion, turning it into an aura, or getting buffs based on more complex emotions. Right now she had Happy, Sad, Angry, Scared, Disgusted, and Peaceful.

That was the Fervent part. The Warrior part gave her lots of armour and weapon skills, mainly geared towards using a shield and one-handed weapon. Just like she'd wanted. She was very happy with it.

Every now and then while they talked someone would come in to the inn. Almost every time Gloria would look over and give a little wave. Every single person ignored her, though more than one gave Vittorio a nod. He was certain that was Harmlessness' work, but Gloria didn't seem to mind.

Eventually they ordered some food - stew and bread, with more apple cider - and sat down to eat. Before they'd had time to start Master Kahe and his assistant walked in, their vibrant blue (and yellow for the assistant) once again standing out. The dwarf walked up near the bar and looked up at the [Innkeeper].

"Another fine day, Master Ivano! Would you mind preparing food for the two of us while we go change? And an extra bread roll please, they are absolutely wonderful."

The [Innkeeper] gave a big smile and promised it would be ready when they came down. They soon returned, now in more muted colours but still of a fine cut. They gathered their food and came over to Vittorio and Glorias table.

"May we join you? I always find company makes an evening pass much quicker."

"Yeah, join us!", Gloria said. The two [Class Guides] looked at her - the student a mere glance, Master Kahe more considering. Both soon looked to Vittorio, who nodded.

Master Kahe introduced his student as Zenovia, and she was originally from the Sacred States. She was both shocked and amused when Vittorio told her he'd visited a temple for the first time that very day. In the Sacred States it wasn't uncommon to visit a temple several times in a day, she said. The four sat, ate, and chatted, and Vittorio found Master Kahe to be wonderful company. He was witty, an excellent listener, and happily shared anecdotes. Zenovia was nice but seemed more uncertain. Meanwhile, Gloria was constantly on the periphery of the group. Master Kahe and Zenovia barely responded to her, only doing so briefly whenever Vittorio included her. It was clearly getting to her. When they first sat down she was animated, interested, and asked plenty of questions. By the time they'd all finished their food she was looking down at her plate and idly tearing pieces off of the heel of her bread.

"I apologise for this", Master Kahe said, "but I feel I must be a teacher for a moment. Zenovia, have you noticed anything strange tonight?"

The woman looked anxious. "Well... Vittorio looks a lot paler and thinner than earlier today? Since you didn't say anything I assumed you knew why."

"I have my suspicions, and he is no worse off than he was when I met with him. There is something else, however."

Zenovia looked lost.

"Tell me", Master Kahe continued, "what do you think of Gloria?"

She glanced over at Gloria who was now paying full attention again. "That's a very... direct question, Master."

"True, that was a poor choice of words. What I want you to do is compare your opinion of her now and earlier today."

Zenovia looked ahead, deep in thought. A moment later her brows furrowed and her head tilted.

"Good, you see it. Our minds, you see, are being affected by something. I believe it to be some peculiar effect on Gloria." With this he looked at Vittorio.

"Yes", he said. "It's from my class. It makes people think less of the person with it. It's supposed to help in combat and with stealth. Sort of."

"I noticed it when we first joined you, but I find I cannot fully ignore it - which is saying something for a Tier 0 effect. Very interesting." Turning towards Zenovia he continued: "This is one of the reasons training your Resistance: Mental is so important. We cannot offer good advice if a class causes us to misjudge people. This is not the only such effect I've encountered."

Zenovia nodded. Vittorio, meanwhile, sensed that the price of the pact had been paid. He recalled Harmlessness. As he did so, Master Kahe looked over at him and gave him a wink. The four continued talking for a little while, except now with Vittorio being excluded. When Master Kahe questioned Zenovia again she revealed that she had not even noticed the shift, and agreed she needed more Resistance: Mental training.

Just before it was time to retire, Master Kahe asked Vittoria and Gloria what their plans were. When they told him they intended to walk to Pogna he offered them a lift if they would wait for the day after tomorrow - they had space in their carriage. They said they'd think about it. After that they all went to bed, Master Kahe and Zenovia in their private rooms and Vittorio and Gloria in a larger room with half a dozen beds close together. With all the excitement of the day - not to mention people coming and going - it took them both time to fall asleep.