After a late breakfast, we sat down together to discuss our plans. Isabel was still going through the lists I had given her, searching for information on interesting individuals. So far, she had only found a few interesting names, and most of them were adventurers who were accounted for. Lyra was eager to go on an adventure, but we decided it was best to wait a while for me to rest up before setting out.

During those days, I spent my time around the house, going on walks in the neighborhood, and carving little figures with my knife. I had decided to create a chessboard, but it was proving to be more challenging than I had anticipated. As someone who had never worked with wood before, I found myself slowly working at it in my free time. Lyra would often come and sit with me as I worked, and we would chat and laugh together in comfortable companionship.

I had worried that our interactions would change our dynamic, but to my relief, things felt much the same between us. Although there were more gentle touches and teasing looks, we remained casual with each other. I wasn't quite sure what we were to each other, as we shared a bed at night and it was great, but it felt somewhat casual. When I asked Lyra about it, she shrugged and said, "I don't know, David. I don't want us to get all serious, but any other woman you touched like you do me... well, she would likely end up with a few burns, you know... light ones." I couldn't help but grin at her comment, but I wasn't entirely certain whether she was joking or not.

Despite the uncertainty, those days were comfortable and relaxing, and the first time I had felt at ease since arriving in this strange place. On the first day after the trial, I had pulled up the notifications and made considerable progress.

You have defeated 3 Guild fighters - You have earned Experience

Your level have increased to 17

For each level your base stats in physical and mental attributes have increased by 2 for a total of 2

For each level your base stats in spiritual attributes have increased by 3 for a total of 3

Congratulations

Illusion Magic have reached level 12

The ether consumption of spell has decreased moderately

Congratulations

Slippery footing have reached level 5

The ether consumption of spell has decreased slightly

Congratulations

Mirror mirage have reached level 5

The ether consumption of spell has decreased slightly

You have gained the title:

Power is relative

You have made a habit of fighting those you arguably should try to avoid.

More importantly, you have come out on top more often than not.

Attributes gained:

Strength: 3

Agility: 2

Endurance: 3

Status screen

Name:

David Wendell

Class:

Trickster

Titles:

Deceiver’s Resilience

Master your fear

Against the odds

Connoisseur of pain

Vanquisher of the Goliath

Level:

17

Bonded Spirit possessed Items:

Harlequin’s mask

Level of Bond: Familar

Physical Attributes:

Strength: 43

Agility: 51

Endurance: 52

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Mental Attributes:

Intelligence: 42

Wisdom: 39

Spiritual Attributes:

Ether Affinity: 60

Ether capacity 65

Inner Core:

Awakening stage

Abilities:

Flowing Mirage (fighting style)

Illusions (Level 12)

Slippery footing (Level 5)

Mirror Mirage (Level 5)

Phantom Images

There was no groundbreaking changes, but I always welcomed decent progress. It seemed that jumps in power came in bursts. Like my illusions getting an upgrade at level 10, and titles seemed to be a really good way to grow stronger. I wondered whether there were ways to target specific titles and whether lists of them existed. I did have one specific thing that I wondered about, the whole inner core thing. I hadn't gotten any progress so far, not that I would know what progress looked like. I really had to ask Isabel about it, but it had somehow slipped my mind.

A few days into my recovery, Malik came by the house. He had mentioned before that he wanted to have a chat and dropped by to do so. Isabel and Lyra excused themselves and went out, mentioning something about some order made stuff and left. Malik and I sat in the soft cushioned couches in the lounge, and Liza brought some light snacks and drinks for us. Malik gave Liza a wide smile in thanks, and she blushed crimson at his attention. That was the first time I had ever seen her out of character!

Malik began eagerly picking out a few pieces of cheese and some salty crackers. While chewing slowly, he looked at me and said, "So, David, I have a few questions for you." I nodded and said, "I gathered as much. So what do you want to know?" Malik chewed for a bit longer while ordering his thoughts, then said, "Where are you from?" I raised an eyebrow and asked, "Is that somehow relevant?" Malik smiled and replied, "Perhaps. I am mostly just curious. Lyra's explanation of how she found you... It seems a bit off." I grinned and said, "I suppose that is not too surprising, but my origin is a bit sensitive. Would the content of our conversation leave this room?"

Malik shrugged and said, "I could give you a blood oath if that would make you feel better." I stared at him blankly and said, "You don't know what that is, do you?" I shook my head and added, "Not a clue. Sounds sinister, though." Malik chuckled and said, "It can be, for sure, but usually it is not. A blood oath simply means that should I break it, there will be consequences." I sat up in interest and asked, "What kind of consequences?" Malik shrugged again and said, "That is decided within the oath itself. For example, I could swear to you that the content of our conversation will stay between the two of us, and should I break that oath, I will lose my ability to channel my ether." I recoiled at that and said, "Seems a bit harsh." Malik shrugged and replied, "That depends, David, on whether the information is worth that."

I considered the big man for a full minute before deciding to confide in him, "I will tell you, no oath, just a promise. Please keep my secret Malik, I would not want it to become public knowledge." Malik's smile widened as he replied, "I can make that promise, although if you are about to tell me some sinister backstory, that you are actually a mass murdering clown, then I don’t want to know." I couldn't help but chuckle at his comment, "Oh, nothing like that.. Although the truth is probably even more unlikely." Malik raised an eyebrow curiously, "So?"

I took a deep breath before revealing, "I am not from here... Aethoria, I mean." Malik's expression didn't change much, but I could tell he had suspected it, "I thought as much. Were you some kind of warrior in your old world then?" I shook my head, "You are not surprised then? Is interworld traveling a common thing? And no, I wasn't a warrior, I was a homeless guy who sometimes dabbled in small-time crime to survive." Malik smiled, "You don’t seek to hide a criminal past then, interesting. To answer your questions, no, it is not common, but not unheard of either. Although I believe many would wish to hide it if they were, so who knows, it might be more common than we know."

I tilted my head in agreement, and Malik continued snacking before asking another question, "So, how long before meeting Lyra did you come here?" I grinned, "I’m not sure.. I don’t remember how I got here, but I woke up in that cell next to Lyra. That is my first memory of this world." Malik looked surprised, "That was perhaps one and a half months ago.. Impressive. Your grasp of your abilities is quite advanced, and given your short time here, that is true to a shocking extent." I smiled but shook my head, "I don’t know about that Malik, I muddle through, I suppose, but it is mostly just trickery and mind games."

Malik grinned, "But that is what your class is, David. Lean into that aspect, lad. I can tell you that more than a few members are a little scared of you." I was surprised, "Scared? Why?" Malik shook his head, "Lad.. You beat three experienced adventurers. But you didn’t just beat them, you did so while wearing a creepy mask, laughing like a maniac and with what looked like ease. I am sure it didn’t feel easy for you, but from a spectator's perspective, it looked like you were playing with them. Every single person there could imagine meeting you somewhere dark and secluded, and the thought is honestly quite chilling."

I opened my mouth to speak, but then closed it again. Malik had a point, Harlequin had gone a bit off the rails in that fight, and he was creepy at the best of times. "I guess I can see what you are saying. But shouldn’t I try to change that image of myself then? Not sure I want people afraid of me.." Malik laughed, "A little late for that, but don’t worry. Being scary is not the same as being hated. People like having the scary guy on their side. If you show them you are, then they will appreciate you in either case." I nodded slowly, "I suppose I can adopt a lunatic clown persona when I am working. My bonded spirit would love that."

Malik nodded satisfied and continued, ‘’next question is in regards to your future, are you planning on staying in Creston?’’ I leaned back shrugged, ‘’I go where my team goes. I have no home here Malik, but with Lyra and Isabel.. I don’t think I need one.’’ Malik grinned, ‘’good. They have about a year left of their contracts, I am beginning to think they might be moving on after that.’’ I shrugged, ‘’I would like to see more of this world, so that would suit me fine.’’ Malik picked of a few more snacks, the plate was mostly gone I realized, ‘’you have the beginnings of a strong team, but you need more members. Usually a team is at least five people, this is to cover each others weaknesses and to be able to take on stronger foes.

Creston is a peaceful corner of the empire all things considered, and you will need to find strong members if you want to be taken serious for jobs in the larger provinces.’’ I nodded, ‘’makes sense, got anyone in mind?’’ Malik thought about it for a few moments but shook his head, ‘’not right now, no. There a few good candidates, but I don’t think they would be willing currently. Make a good impression over the next year though, and that might change.’’

We sat in silence for a bit before I asked carefully, ‘’why was the guildmaster so set on me failing?’’ Malik didn’t flinch but certainly looked a little regretful, ‘’I am not sure David.. I think perhaps he wanted to punish the girls, and you were a convenient way to do so. Instead he is the one that got humiliated, and everyone knows it. He lost face David, he is not happy. He went too far and he knows it, and there will be consequences for that. Strong adventurers are always needed, and purposefully setting one up to fail.. It will not go down well with the higher ups.’’

I smiled, ‘’serves him right then’’ Malik sighed, ‘’I suppose it does. He wasn’t always like this David, but he is under a lot of pressure. The guild is losing support in Creston, many in the government thinks we are redundant in the region, and the master wants to prove that we are not.’’ I frowned, ‘’redundant? How so?’’ Malik shrugged, ‘’Creston is peaceful as I said, and the garrison here are confident they can handle it themselves. The guild presence here is costing them money, and so some are trying to close down the branch.’’

I was beginning to understand that things weren’t as simple as I had thought in Creston, ‘’I see.. Not an excuse to be prick though. Besides couldn’t the members here not just move on?’’ Malik smiled, ‘’he would not have the same position elsewhere David. He has gotten used to the authority and do not want to lose it.’’ I grinned, ‘’people in authority are the same in any world it would seem.’’ Malik smiled, ‘’that is the sad truth of it I suppose. Well, enough of the heavy subjects. Come visit the guild soon, you need to start picking up contracts. Say hello to the girls for me!’’ I thanked him for his visit and led him to the door. Liza came to see him off, and he gave her that huge brilliant smile of his, and Liza blushed a crimson red. Then he waved and hopped into his carriage.

As I sipped my drink and munched on some snacks, I couldn't help but reflect on my conversation with Malik. He had given me a lot of information about the troubles plaguing the Creston branch of the guild, but I couldn't bring myself to care too much about it. After all, it wasn't my problem, and I knew we would be moving on from this place soon enough.

"You look deep in thought," Liza said, setting another plate of snacks down in front of me.

"Just thinking about what Malik said," I replied, taking a sip of my drink.

"What did he say?"

"He was talking about the guild master and the troubles in Creston. It sounds like they're having a pretty rough time over there."

Liza shook her head. "It's a shame.’’

I shrugged. "It is what it is."

Liza went back to the kitchen, as I settled in to wait for my friends, my thoughts drifted to our future. I was eager to move on and see what other adventures awaited us. The guild master of Creston could sink or swim for all I cared.