A few hours went by and Jane was already walking back up the quaint hill to her home without anything in hand. She had visited most of town square but she hadn’t had the urge to purchase anything because she already had everything she needed. The one thing she did buy— maybe a little too much of— was food.

Baked goods, skewers of meat, fresh bread; there was so much nostalgia she had to eat to see if it tasted as good as she remembered— and it did. Beside food she spent most of her time in one of the town's gaming lounges, which she wasn't able to enter before as it was meant for adults.

There were many table games played, most of them involving cards and some form of gambling, but there were also more relaxed games played all around. Gambling with strangers wasn't her thing so she didn't join in but she did play a round of pool or two against some old folk and got her ass whooped.

‘I’ll be back for a rematch!’ Was what she thought as she left the game lounge.

She was pleasantly surprised that no one had really recognized her yet, maybe they didn't care or maybe not many people remembered what she looked like, but nonetheless she was happy to be treated like a normal person.

At the back of her mind it did sting a little that no one recognized her, I mean they had sent her off four years ago with a celebration. She wasn't trying to be recognized, if she was she would have worn her class badge, but nonetheless, she felt a tiny-incy bit salty. Back at the academy no one was special because they were all classholders, she thought maybe she would have a little bit of fame coming back.

‘Can't get too egotistical.’ She pulled herself out of the negative and arrogant thoughts swirling in her head. It was more of a childish dream she had envisioned when she first arrived at the academy, imagining that everyone in town would look at her like she was an idol when she got back, but now that she was a grown woman she wanted the opposite in fact.

It was just the last remnants of her childish dreams infecting her mind but now that she had cleared them away, she was back to her normal self.

For better or worse, that would all change when the mayor held the celebration for her, she assumed she would have to address the town and that there was no doubt she would be seen by everyone there. She knew people would start treating her differently even if they tried not to, that's just how special classholders were seen.

They were powerful beings and wielded abilities normal folk could only dream of while their services were valued beneath nothing. It's only folk that have known her since childhood that wouldnt change much like Eric or Danielle.

She could only wait and see how things played out considering she was here for a while and had plans to start her own business in town. Using her powers, she would do her best to help her community and hopefully make Redwood prosper like never before.

Most classholders that were raised in small towns like Redwood would move away pretty soon after having seen the magnificence of any major city, especially the capitol. In major cities classholder were seen more often, and lots of their services and shops were based around classholders' powers.

Redwood had no classholders in town– except for Jane of course. Bigger cities didn't just have classholders staying there, they were living there. That meant they would contribute their abilities to the people of the city for money.

Alchemists and heartsmiths would sell their goods. Porters, diviners, soothsayers, priests, elementalists, and shifters would sell their services. While classes like beastmasters, plantmasters and brawlers either become mercenaries or also would sell their services. Lastly there were enigma’s who would do whatever best fit their powers and hopefully it turned out well.

Enigmas did have a fall back in case their power wasn't useful in a monetary way, but that would be for a later time to talk about.

Even a small town like Redwood needed the services of classholders but since none lived here, they either had to commission one from the kingdom or wait until traveling classholders visited town. The Priest that came to town was a traveler and his service was quickly used like how her mother bought a pregnancy amulet from him.

They were just that useful and important for all of civilization to function.

It was never cheap to hire or purchase something from one. but it was almost always worth it. The kingdom had its own rules in place to prevent classholders from exploiting others by overcharging and if they were caught they would be punished and imprisoned. That didn't stop them all from scamming others but it worked as well as possible.

All in all, having any one classholder live in your city would bring some sort of major benefit, that's why Peter Petal was almost certainly going to try and convince her to stay here during the celebration. Thankfully she wouldn't have to deal with it because her mother had convinced her enough already.

Patting her full below, Jane trekked up the hill almost home by now, the evening sun's glow covered the landscape as it was beginning to close the distance to the horizon.

She walked into her home and saw her parents cooking dinner— she had forgotten it was close to dinner time. Rubbing her abs that jutted out just a little more than normal from the amount of food she stuffed herself with, she made an executive decision then and there.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

She would also eat her parents dinner. There was no room to say no, if she couldn't do it she would have to force it down one way or another.

“I'm home!” She shouted into the house and her parents muffled voices greeted her back. Tiny pitter pattering footsteps sounded off the wooden floor, getting closer to Jane until Abigail turned the corner of the living room and ran at her.

Her leg was grappled by a smiling Abigail who didn't want to let go until Jane compromised and picked her up instead. What bliss! To have a cute little sister to come home to was the best!

Jane grinned with glee and sauntered into the kitchen where she plopped Abigail down onto her chair then sat in her own chair.

“Hands hands!” Abigail raised her hands while looking at Jane.

“You want to see the flying hands?” Jane asked and Abigail nodded fiercely. Activating her power, two golden hands came out of her own hands and floated in the air getting an immediate reaction of excitement out of Abigail.

The hands swirled through the air, dancing above Abigail's face causing her to giggle even more before they swooped down and grabbed her armpits. They lifted her up slowly at first before they calmly floated across the room in circles, Jane carefully watching the whole time.

She had complete control over her phantom hands but she couldn't afford to be reckless around her sister. Her parents had stopped cooking as they watched their youngest daughter fly around the room laughing with pure joy, and couldn't help but feel happiness as well.

It was nice to watch siblings get along so well, even if it involved strange powers they didn't quite understand. Rosalie didn't know why Abigail was so close to Jane all of sudden but why would she complain? There could be no better outcome than that.

Eventually dinner was about to be served so Jane put Abigail down, much to her disappointment, but her focus was then redirected towards the delicious smell coming closer to her face.

Knock Knock Knock.

‘Ah, that must be Eric.’ Jane stood up while saying, “I'll get the door.” She walked up to the door and opened it revealing Eric Frier.

His big toothy smile greeted her first before he looked around and said, “Hey, it's been awhile since i've visited, it looks a little different here.”

“You're telling me, I haven't seen this place in four years.” Jane stepped aside as Eric came in and took off his shoes at the doormat. She led him down to the kitchen where dinner was already splayed out on the table.

“Oh Eric! It's so nice to see the two of you together again.” Rosalie got up and gave Eric a big ol hug before she pulled up an extra chair and sat him down. “Come now join us for dinner!”

“I couldn't ever argue against that— Thank you.” He shook Jeff’s hand, the both giving each other stern manly nods, then he proceeded to fill his plate with food.

“You haven't visited in quite a while Eric, how's the food, still as good as you remember?” Rosalie said.

“Sorry about that, it's been a busy couple of years with work, the farm, and having a girlfriend.” Eric explained. “And of course, your food is just as great as I remember.”

“It's good to be busy, just come by to visit more often, it's great having you around.”

“I'll try my best!” He flashed her a smile.

“It might work on your girlfriend but that smile won’t work on me.” Rosalie said, getting a chuckle from the rest of the table. “Speaking of, how's Danielle doing?

Eric finished chewing a mouthful of food before responding. “She’s doing great as always— right now she's a little busy because of the celebration they're holding for Jane sometime from now.”

“Ohhh that's right, I remember going to one when I was child! I almost forgot about it!” Rosalie's eyes gleamed. “My darling girl is gonna be the star of the town.”

“Okay no need to get too excited— please?” Jane pleaded. “The celebration will be… fine. I'm more excited about being back home.”

“I'll try not to get too riled up for you— but no promises I can't help it!” Rosalie passed some more food to Abigail who was in a world of her own. “Speaking of girlfriends, have you told him Jane?”

“Ah, not yet. We're gonna take the rest of the evening to catch up.” Jane replied.

“Wait wait did I hear that right? Jane has a girlfriend?” Eric perked up and wide eyed Jane waiting for answers.

“I guess I'll tell him now then. Her name is Mira Frosthorn, she's our age and we've been together for three years.” Jane explained. “She— alongside my friends— are coming to visit Redwood in a little over a month from now.”

“Ohhh, I can't wait to meet her!… Three whole years, that's a long time though.” Eric said, “I've only been with Danielle for a year but it feels like we’ve been together forever at this point, can't imagine three years.”

“Can you imagine being married for over 20 years?” Rosalie said, getting another laugh from everyone.

Eric finished laughing and asked Jane sarcastically, “Is that why you never fell for me before?”

Jane snorted, almost spewing out her drink. “If that's what you wanna think.”

“What's that supposed to mean?” Eric crossed his arms and stared her down.

Dinner continued as banter flew left and right in a friendly atmosphere. Eventually everyone finished their food and Rosalie and Jeff started to clear off the table. Now with some time to themselves, Jane took Eric outside to talk and catch up with each other.

They walked along the gravel path towards the barn, heading towards a location they used to spend hours on. On the side of the barn was a ladder going to the roof which Jane grabbed hold of and started climbing, followed by Eric right behind her.

Once they were on the roof, Jane and Eric sat down side by side on the edge letting their feet dangle in the air. The evening sun was lessening and the cold of night was approaching but that wouldn't stop them spending time up here.

Jane leaned her head on Eric’s shoulder and closed her eyes, not from tiredness, but from calmness. She thought it might have been awkward seeing her childhood friend after having not seen each other in four years, but luckily they were both happy to continue their delayed relationship right where they left off.