I was late to work the next morning. Eve yelled at me. I was sore. All my muscles were stiff and sore. I need to do more training so I can be fitter. Not today. Probably not tomorrow either.

I dragged myself through the day. I really need that Recovery attribute to become iron-rank. After work, I dragged myself to the market. I still needed all the coins I could get.

I asked around for the best price for Plant Quintessence. The person who gave me the best price was actually the alchemist who sold me the weed killer. She also makes various types of fertiliser and uses them in that.

Iron-rank monster cores were a fairly standard price everywhere. I added up what I had and still came up short. I was moving ahead in leaps and bounds, but I was still coming up short. I figured with my average weekly income, it would be three or four weeks before I had the coin. That is way faster than I could have before, but I was so close.

I started a morning exercise routine. I would run around the city and do some bodyweight exercises. That was enough until I could get an essence bonded to my Power Attribute. Then, I would need some weights or other equipment. There were gyms around I could join, but that cost coin.

Kitten came to drop off some knives and other equipment to sharpen. I didn’t ask what the equipment was for, but I assume it was for getting through Iron-rank material, like locks or safes. I felt it best not to ask beyond checking which parts needed sharpening.

She also picked up some weapons I had finished and paid for them.

“Hey, I have been practising my speed, see.” I showed her what I could do.

“That's getting better. Let's test you on the speed game.”

She still beat me, but I did win the occasional round.

“So, do you think I am good enough to try my hand, as it were?” I was thinking of getting the last bit of coin quickly.

Kitten just laughed at me.

“What?” I complained.

“Theo. You can’t go around stealing until you have an Aura Skill and some basic aura control. Everybody with an aura can just see right through you at the moment.”

Shit, I had forgotten about auras. “There is always something,” I said, disappointed. “You have an Aura Skill?”

“My essence provided it first up. I was lucky, although I didn’t feel lucky at the time. I had someone to train me a bit and found out how useful it could be.”

Shit, I had forgotten. She could be using her aura to manipulate me. She is certainly reading my emotions. I clamped down on my suspicions so she would not pick up on them, hopefully.

“Why are you so keen?” Kitten asked, “You seem to have a good gig going here.”

“I am very close to affording a second essence. I just need a bit more.”

“If you need some coin, I know someone who will lend you some. You can pay it back with some small interest or work it off,” she said, waving her hand at my stall.

It sounded reasonable until I remembered she could manipulate auras. I tried to hold back on my emotions so she didn’t read me, but this was a trap. If I get into debt with these people, I will never get free of it.

I said and convinced myself to believe it, “Thanks for the offer, but it is only a few weeks, and I will have it.”

Kitten smiled, “Well, the offer is there if you need it.”

The rest of the evening went smoothly. My next day off work was coming up. Should I head back to the forest? I was probably better off with my stall in the market. That is a reliable income.

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The following day, I was up early and exercising, then off to work. On my day off, I decided I would spend the morning at the market and then go for a run to the forest and back. Just for fitness. I tried to see how fast I could go. It was a two-hour jog, but I got there in an hour and a half by pushing it. It took me two hours to get back, though.

The following week started as usual. Kitten picked up and paid for her sharpening. Work was going well. I am sure my Sharpening skill went to level three.

My routine was morning exercise, work, evening at the market, meditation, and then sleep. It was full days, but I needed the coin, and I was doing quite well for myself. I hoped Mum and Dad would be proud. Dad should be coming to Ironwood soon. I hope he brings Olivia.

Midweek, I came home, and my room was ransacked. Others in the house had also been stolen. I lost both my machetes and my spare hand axe. They had taken my backpack, but that was all I lost. I checked my coin stash, and they didn’t find it. My housemates had lost coins, some tools, and personal items. None of us were rich.

Two days later, Kitten showed up with more knives to sharpen.

“I am going to have to replace my backpack, but that is all I need for now,” I told her after break-in.

“I have some contacts,” she said, “Would you like me to see if I can find out who did it? I might be able to get some of the stuff back.”

That's right. I need to keep in mind that she had contact with thieves.

Then she said, “If you need that loan, it is still available.”

Shit. Alarm bells were ringing. I clamped down on my emotions. She might have burgled me herself. They are trying to get me into debt. She comes across as nice and easygoing. I bet it is an aura thing.

“Thanks,” I said, trying to be thankful. “It will just add a few weeks or maybe a month to the time.”

“OK, but it is there if you need it.”

I need to find somewhere better to hide my coin. She may not miss it next time. I kept my emotions calm as that is what auras read. They can’t read minds, but emotions are an open book. I will definitely be practising controlling my emotions. She was definitely using her aura to try and make me like her.

I racked my brains for somewhere to keep my coins. There were Merchant Treasuries that specialised in keeping and loaning coins, but they charged for it and my few coins would not interest them.

I could spend it. I could get enough awakening stones to fill out my skills and probably an uncommon one as well, but I was so close to affording the essence.

I could afford an essence, but I was not going to stoop that low. I would not be seen with a wolf essence that was too low. I have some pride.

In the end, I made a decision.

“Hey, Boss, I was wondering if I could ask a favour.”

“What is it?” Eve said.

“You know how my place was burgled last week, well, I have some coin saved and I am close to affording an essence. Can I keep it in the company safe for a couple of weeks, until I get enough?”

“Senior management has a policy of not putting personal items in the safe. Sorry. A few years ago, we did a favour for an employee, and what they store allowed someone to break into it. How much are you short?”

I told her.

“How about we advance you two weeks' wages? You pay it back over four weeks, and we will just dock your pay that amount. How does that sound?”

“That sounds amazing,” I said.

“You will have to sign an agreement to that effect, and if you leave before it is paid, you will be liable for it and additional fees.”

I nodded, “That sounds fair.”

“Come to my office after work, and I will have it ready.”

“Awesome, thanks!”

After work, I went to her office, and the paperwork was as she said. I signed, and she handed me a bag of coins. I went straight home, got the rest of the coins, and headed to the market. I went straight to the merchant who had the essence I wanted.

“I want to buy an essence,” I said.

“Do you need the essence ritual as well?” she asked.

I nodded “Yes, please.”

“Ok. Our ritualist is away, but we have an agreement for the Magic Society to do them in the interim. Is that fine with you?” I nodded. “We need to schedule the ritual. When would you like it?”

“The day after tomorrow is my day off.”

“That works fine. Turn up in the morning at the society building, and I will give you a receipt to say you have paid. Do you want to take the essence with you, or shall I deliver it to the magic Society so it is there waiting for you?”

“Just deliver it there.”

“OK, I will add it to the receipt. Now, which essence would you like?”

“That one, please.”

“Ok,” she said, a little surprised.