A wide grin was plastered across Greg's face as he stepped through a portal and into a small conference room where Andrew was waiting along with the spider woman, whose name he'd learned was Mariel. The moment Greg was all the way through he fully materialized, his grin widening as a status screen flickered into existence before him.

[Race: Human

Class: N/A [+]

Strength: 10

Agility: 10

Will: 10

Intellect: 10

Energy: 10

Sensitivity: 10]

A sinister chuckle escaped his lips as he reviewed the screen. “A bit basic, but damn am I gonna love watching it grow!”

Tori rolled her eyes as she walked in after him, briefly glancing at her own status as it popped up. “I don't get why you're so excited by this, but you barely even commented on my system. You can do so much more with mine than this!”

Greg shook his head. “It isn't the same. Your system is like one of those motivation apps that gives you rewards for doing the shit you probably should have been doing in the first place. Not that the points aren't nice, but most of what they do is speed things up. There isn't much they offer that's actually new. But this system gives you entirely new abilities to play with!”

Tori glared at him. “You can do that on your own! Why do you need a system to do it for you?!?”

Greg waved dismissively. “There's a difference between copying what someone else has and building something for yourself. Where's the fun in doing what someone else has already done? It's all about exploring and developing something new! And your system doesn't let me do that. This one does.”

Tori paused for a moment, before grunting noncommittally. He did have a point. Her system didn't allow others much room for creativity. Yet. “Maybe this place will give me some ideas.”

Greg paused. “Okay, now that is exciting.”

“Would the two of you stop arguing and sit down already?” Andrew sighed, gesturing to the seats next to him where Chris was already situated, having walked past the other two while they talked.

“No, no, please continue.” Mariel retorted with a slight grin. “Your perspectives are quite fascinating, though I'm not sure many others would have the luxury of sharing them. When your future depends on how well you develop your skills, there isn't much room for exploration.”

“I think she just told us to check our privilege.” Greg chuckled as he sat down. “But Andrew's right, we should probably get to the point of all this. I'd prefer to actually do than to just talk about it.”

Mariel sighed. “Of course. Then in that case, Andrew has informed us that your main request of us would be the facilitation of your education. Is that true for all of you?”

“I can't see anything else we'd do here.” Chris nodded. “At least not that you could help with, or that would be reasonable to request in regards to a cooperative relationship regarding the expansion of the territory. We have some questions regarding potential immigrants, but that has no bearing on whether or not we're going to cooperate with you.”

“I don't know… I feel like we should at least get ourselves a mansion with a few dozen servants.” Greg snickered. “You guys wouldn't happen to have cat girls around here, would you? And some little maid outfits to go with them?

Andrew rolled his eyes. “Greg, please. I get you're excited but we're trying to be serious here.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Greg waved dismissively. “Look, all I want is to be free to explore and mess around. Tori might want to spread her system a little, and Chris might want a few minions, but other than that we really aren't that picky. Even the education would just be useful, not necessarily a requirement. But I'm pretty sure Andrew already told you all this, so I'm not sure why we're still talking about it.”

“Because we need to figure out what kind of education we'll be getting.” Andrew replied, giving him a look. “Personally I think we should shoot for something civil, maybe to do with the law or politics, or possibly psychology or sociology? There isn't much point in learning about things that are only applicable in this reality.”

“True, but I'd prefer to learn something practical, like programming or engineering.” Tori agreed.

“I could use some help designing structures.” Greg muttered. “It'd be nice to be able to make something more complicated than a box with a few supporting pillars.”

“Why not do both?” Chris offered. “Though I would prefer to start with the practical, it isn't like we're limited in what we can pursue. Considering our position, education should probably be something of a never ending pursuit. When you have the luxury of doing anything, then it isn't unreasonable to do everything.”

Andrew frowned. “I'm not sure that exactly follows… Having options doesn't mean all those options are beneficial. We should still try to do things that will actually be helpful.”

“Which is why I said we should focus on the practical first, but once you've eliminated the practical, there's no reason not to enjoy the impractical.” Chris countered. “There's only so much we can learn that will actually be relevant to us. Once we've covered that, why not pursue other interests?”

“I guess…” Andrew agreed tentatively. “In any case, what should we focus on first?”

“Programming for me.” Tori immediately replied. “It should help me figure out ways to expand my system’s capabilities.”

“I think I'm leaning towards civil engineering, but I'm also considering mechanical.” Greg added. “Debating whether I should start big or small, you know?”

“Are you planning on making a lot of structures?” Andrew asked, giving him a weird look.

“Kinda?” Greg shrugged. “I mean, if we ever get in a fight and I want to set up some walls to keep us from getting surrounded, you'd want them to be as stable as possible, right?”

Andrew paused. “Well… can't argue against that. Personally, I think I want to learn something that will help me deal with people. Or biology, which might help me figure out what's going on with cores… I'm not sure which is more important.”

“Cores, obviously.” Greg replied. “We handle people just fine.”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Andrew glanced at him, frowning slightly. “I- don't think I trust your judgment on that. You practically manhandled Travis into doing what you wanted.”

Greg paused. “Well it worked, didn't it?”

Andrew sighed. “Just because it's effective doesn't mean it's good. I just think things might go more smoothly if we learned some…” He trailed off, searching for the right words.

“Manipulation tactics?” Chris offered. “I'd prefer we didn't if that's the case. I'd rather just be upfront, even if that means manhandling someone to make the situation clear every now and then.”

Andrew frowned. “Not manipulation, no, but- there are ways to make people more receptive to your arguments, to make sure they're actually listening instead of focusing on how it makes them feel or holding on to a previous bias. And since there are aspects to our existence that would naturally create emotional and biased reactions, it just seems like a good idea to learn how to defuse those reactions, you know?”

Chris nodded slowly. “That makes sense… hm, I guess that's what I'll do then. You can focus on biology.”

Andrew blinked. “Uh, what?”

“You study biology, I'll study… debate? Psychology? Whatever we're talking about.” Chris waved dismissively. “The point is my abilities are much more focused on dealing with people, so it makes sense that I learn how to do that, while your abilities have a focus on life, so it makes sense that you study life.”

“You're not wrong, particularly when you include your minions.” Tori added. “In fact, given the… influence you have, learning how to better manage them will help prevent potential abuses you might not have been aware of.”

“Good point.” Chris agreed.

Andrew grimaced. “I can see how it'd be good for Chris to study it, but I don't see why I shouldn't study it too. Learning how to be better with people would be… good for me.”

Chris raised an eyebrow at him. “Did you forget how the connection works? Anything I know you can know too.”

Andrew paused. “Oh. Right… So I'll study biology then.”

Mariel smiled. “Excellent. It should be a simple matter to acquire instructors in those areas for you all. The question at this point is how you wish to access these instructors. We are more than happy to arrange private lessons if that's what you wish, but maybe you would be better served by a more… communal environment?”

Greg cocked his head. “Like a college?” He paused for a moment. “I dunno… slowing down my education for people who just can't seem to get it is excruciating. If I'm going to be in a class with someone, they better be able to keep up.”

Tori nodded. “Yeah, in my experience classes end up being used as a place to take a less than comfortable nap more often than not.”

Chris grunted. “My issue is the excessive amount of repetition. It's as if teachers think they need to cover a subject at least three times to be effective.”

“That's the problem. They do.” Andrew replied. “In a classroom environment, a teacher has to tailor their lesson so that the majority of the class can understand it, which means repetition, often in different ways so that if one way doesn't catch someone another one will. Because if only the students who could get things the first time could pass their class, they wouldn't be a very good teacher.”

Mariel coughed. “Very well, no colleges then.”

“Wait.” Andrew interjected. “As much as classes can be… annoying for certain people, I do think we would benefit from being a part of a community. At least I would… I have a tendency to isolate if I'm not basically forced to interact with people.”

“Dude, that's what bars are for.” Greg commented with a slight grin. “But yeah, I do have to say that if there's one thing college is good for, it's making friends. And I like having friends.”

Tori sighed. “Yeah, so do I… can't ever seem to find them though.”

Chris raised an eyebrow at her, before turning back to Mariel. “Friends are nice. I'm not sure if they're worth dealing with classes though.”

Mariel studied them thoughtfully. “What if we arranged for all of you to join a Company?”

Greg cocked his head. “Like an adventuring company? Dungeons, monster hunting, quests, stuff like that?”

Andrew grimaced. “Animal hunting. Monster hunting has a different meaning in this reality, and we do not want to be a part of it.” He leveled a look at Mariel. “We will not be getting involved in your conflicts with the monstrous races.”

Mariel paused for a moment, before nodding firmly. “Understandable. We can't expect you to fight our wars for us.”

“So… this company thing?” Greg prodded after a moment's pause.

“Yes, a Company is just as you said, a group of individuals who work together to raid dungeons, hunt high-level beasts, explore danger zones, and so on. Basically any task that endangers one's life for profit.” Mariel explained.

“Aw, man, I don't want to be a coal miner.” Greg groaned, breaking out in a snicker a moment later, before pausing. “Actually, scratch that. I'd be an amazing coal miner, like holy shit.”

Tori let out an exasperated sigh, covering her eyes with one hand. “Greg, you can just make coal.”

“That's what I'm saying!” Greg exclaimed. “Imagine the profits!”

Mariel blinked. “I- would greatly appreciate it if you would not flood the market with an excessive amount of… alternatively produced coal.”

“So gold then?” Greg grinned, yelping as Tori flicked his ear.

“Stop being obtuse!” Tori growled.

Greg chuckled, rubbing his ear. “Fine, fine, no fucking with the market. This Company thing sounds fun though, right?”

Tori rolled her eyes as she nodded in agreement. “It would definitely cover a few bases. Money, community, experience, exploration, resources… it could definitely work.”

“Would we need to hide who we are?” Chris asked. “That's the only thing I could see becoming an issue, particularly if we're going places where we might die. There's only so many times we can revert to level one before people start to get suspicious.”

Mariel raised an eyebrow. “I suppose that would be up to you. We will not force you to hide your nature, but I don't believe it's our place to announce it for you either. Who you tell is your business.”

“And the territory?” Chris asked.

“That we would prefer you keep secret.” Mariel confirmed. “But I don't see how that would come up in regards to your activities with the Company.”

Chris nodded. “Fair. How would it work with the tutors? We can portal back and forth if I can place a few minions around, but I hear you have rules about that sort of thing.”

Mariel hesitated. “We do… however your portals seem to get around that in some way. Our sensors don't detect them at all, which is a different concern, but it does mean that moving back and forth wouldn't be a disturbance for you. In fact, it would be preferable if you would be willing to maintain regular contact.”

“Hm.” Chris grunted slightly, turning to the others. “This all works for me. You guys?”

Andrew shrugged. “I can't see any issues.”

“Me either.” Tori agreed.

“Let's join a Company!” Greg cheered.

Mariel coughed slightly. “There is one issue before we can get to that… you're going to have to learn the language. I have a communication trait, but the majority of the populace doesn't have this luxury.”

“Oh, right, we can just get it from Andrew.” Chris commented.

“Uh… I- don't actually know the language.” Andrew replied hesitantly. “I mean, I can write it, but- I can only speak it using my trait.”

Chris paused. “Oh…” He turned to Mariel. “You wouldn't happen to anyone relatively low level who'd be willing to become my minion, would you?”

Mariel hesitated. “I- may be able to secure such an individual… but we also have instructors capable of enhancing your learning abilities, shortening the amount of time it takes to learn the language to a matter of weeks.”

“The system can help too.” Tori pointed out. “I learned Callowan in like a month using it, so that, plus the instructors should take it down to basically a week, right?”

“If that's actually how it works.” Andrew muttered. “If they both operate the same way, it may not affect it at all.”

“Welp.” Greg announced, standing to his feet. “I guess we'll just have to find out, huh?”