(Stella)

Name: Stella Moore

Race: Dawn Elf (Citizen)

Mana: 1000 / 1000 (MP)

Health: 300 / 300 (HP)

Class: Sorceress

Sub Class: Arcane Artificer

Level: 90

Primary Skill:

Staves, Rank: Master

Wind Casting, Rank: Master

Summoning, Rank Master

Fire Casting, Rank Master

Secondary Skill:

Alchemy, Rank: Journeyman

Scrying, Rank: Master

Barter, Rank: Master

I can honestly say that meeting the king of the elves was not something I was expecting to do. After all, you generally had to do some important quests to get a royal audience or screw up royally. See what I did there?

I’d saved the princesses, but that was about it. Purely by coincidence, too. I expected a reward and a polite thank you from some ranking official, not an audience with the Elven Royalty.

The portal deposited me in the palace's courtyard. Aroura had a return home spell that would return her and others to the palace. The palace; literally grew from the center of the largest tree I’d ever seen, with several other trees nearby serving as towers connected to it. I could see bridges and stairways and balconies popping out or running along the trunk in several places. “No matter what, I never tire of Elven architecture.” The Princesses chuckled as they walked in front of me. Aroura turned to glance at me as we walked. “Been in many Elven palaces, have you?” I smiled at her, and said, “I wish.”

Talk faded away as we began walking up a set of stairs spiraling up the central tree. Of course, the Elven king would have his throne way up the tree. I wasn’t an athletic woman. I was the stay-at-home curl up with a glass of wine and a good book. And walking up fifty flights-worth of steps is not very fun, really.

Even with my virtual stamina, we had to pause twice using convenient platforms to rest on our way up the tree. I was certain that there was an easier way up.

Finally, we made it to the top! I found myself in a reception chamber. I noticed what looked for all the world like a fantasy-themed transporter pad. I was right, and there was a faster way up! All that useless walking! Aroura must have noticed where I was looking, because she said, “That’s a transport pad, which is linked to others throughout the palace, as well as at the foot of the tree. But you must be linked to this one first before you can use any of them. It is a safety feature.”

It made perfect sense. But still all the Stairs! The average person wouldn’t get to use it, but it would provide a quick means of getting around the palace for those linked to the system. It was smart, but my poor puppies were barking with indignation. I soon forgot about my discomfort, though.

The King and Queen sat on their thrones, and both were stunningly beautiful, as only elves can be. Dressed in white robes with silver crowns upon their heads, the king’s blond hair contrasting nicely with his Queen’s black hair.

“My daughter, Aroura, told me what you have done for her. That you saved her from brigands on her way home. There is nothing greater than family. This is one debt I fear I can never fully repay.”

I stepped forward and bowed, placing a hand over my heart. “My king, may you reign forever. I am an Arcane Artificer. The only reward I would ask of you is to be allowed some of your great wisdom.”

“That is hardly a fitting reward.” The King said. “I could gift you with lands, titles, gold. Yet all you want is my wisdom?”

“Highest of all kings, knowledge is power. I don’t need lands or titles and I have plenty of gold. But to know the treasured Arcane Arts of the elves would be a great boon.”

The kind stroked his chin and nodded his head. “You are young but wise. Very well, I shall grant you this boon. Onyx, bring her the Elvari Incantum.”

I felt my heartbeat madly in my chest. The Elvari Incantum was the definitive works of Elven magic and metal works. I was all but salivating, imagining what I would find inside.

An elf with grey hair and black eyes handed me a book bond tomb wrapped in thorn vines. The vines connected to a dead rose in the center of the cover.

“Prick your finger on the thorns and feed the rose with your blood and the book will open for you.” The elf informed me.

A second elf I hadn’t noticed before placed a pendant around my neck. It was a jade rose encircled by gold and silver rings. The Elven royal crest.

“All within our domain will give aid to you should you bare our crest.” The King informed me. “If ever you should be in need, come to the palace.”

I bowed low again. “Thank you, your majesty. May the sun shine forever upon your garden.”

The princess escorted me to one of the transport pads herself. “Do come and see me some time.” She darted forward and planted a soft kiss on my lips, then darted back. I had a moment to take in her flushed cheeks and shy smile before she was gone, and I stood alone at the foot of the palace. Dazed I walked off the platform and stared up at the tree.

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“Holy shit.” I breathed. I went out with men, but I’d go out with a woman if it was the right woman. Princess Aroura was the right woman. But she was a princess. As beautiful as she was, I didn’t stand a chance.

That was neither here nor there. I had something more important to think about. Like getting home and reading this book. I flicked my hand to the right, opening my insta-cast menu, and touched my return home spell. In the next moment, I was standing before my home.

It had a perfectly round door, painted navy blue, with a shiny yellow brass knob in the middle. The door opened onto a long hall like a tunnel, with paneled walls, and floors tiled and carpeted, with polished chairs.

Bedrooms, bathroom, cellars, pantry, kitchen, dining-room, all were on the same passage. The best rooms were all on the right-hand side going in, they were the only ones to have windows. I took off my shoes, setting them to the side of the door before closing and bolting it. I walked into my study. I set the book down on my workbench before throwing off my dress. I stretched in my blue lace panties, curling my toes as I prepared to get comfy.

I hated the fashion of Balor online. Everything was so restrictive. It felt so suffocating. Fortunately, some other Citizens like me were making progress in making more modern clothes. Balor online was an MMO RPG with three kinds of people in it. Players, Citizens, and NPCs. Players were gamers who still had their bodies IRL. Citizens like me had our consciousness uploaded and were now permanent residents. NPCs were advanced AI that were indistinguishable from people. If not for the ID tags above all our heads, you’d never be able to tell the difference.

I loved RPGs as a kid and when I grew up, I had no time to play them anymore. Now I got to live in one forever. Or close enough.

Walking over to the Elvari Incantum, I pricked my finger and let the drops of blood fall onto the rose. The withered flower soaked up the liquid. I watched as the petals turned red and bloomed with life. The vines retracted from the corners of the book to wrap around the base of the rose. It was an impressive display.

I picked up the tomb and settled down on my favorite sofa, tucking my legs under me. The first three chapters were all spells and incantations unique to the elves. The fourth chapter was on the uncommon Arcane Art of Sexcraft. I’d had a feeling I’d enjoy learning that Art. The fifth chapter was on forging Elvari weapons. Now that’s what I was really looking for. Among the weapons listed were Staves, and that was the weapon I reached Master rank with.

According to the book, I’d need a Weaponsmith and some rare materials. I knew where to find just the right Weaponsmith, but one more in the party would be prudent. Maybe an adventurer? I heard about some guy named Jaxson who was supposed to be the best. I’d ask around and maybe see if I could hire him.

I made a quick list of the materials I’d need. I was reluctant to put my clothes back on but even in this world, I’d get in trouble for going out in nothing but my underwear. But I did hear in the French server it was allowed. But switching servers was a dangerous gamble for citizens. There was no knowing if all of you would arrive at the other end. You could lose memories. At worst, you’d become a vegetable, and they euthanized you.

After dressing and locking up, I walked down the dirt road to the Local Fairy Gate. Fairy Gates was this world's version of fast travel. The only catch you never knew where you’d end up. To be clear, if I wanted to go to a specific city would be sent to a random location within the city. Sometimes you got lucky, and it dropped you off where you wanted to go.

I dropped some gold into a silver bowl on a pedestal, then stepped through a portal generated by spinning silver rings etched with glowing runes.

When I exited the portal, I did a double-take. Before me was a wheat field with a weapon shop in front of me. The sign above the shop read Harlow’s Forge. It was exactly where I wanted to be. I let out a surprised laugh. I was expecting to have to walk a mile, maybe two, before getting her. The forge was at the edge of town. Harlow, the owner-operator of this place, liked to keep to himself. I could respect that, but it also meant that he might not want to work with me.

Like my mother always said, nothing ventured, nothing gained. Seriously, she said that shit all the time. I walked through the door, the bells above it announcing my presence.

“Welcome sir, how may I assist you?” Harlow said from behind the counter.

“Sir? If your looking got me to stick my boot up your ass, you better retract that word.” To be fair, he had been facing away from me even so. A woman had her pride.

He let out a startled laugh when he focused on me. “Sorry, Stella wasn’t paying attention.”

“I will graciously accept your apology,” I said, walking up to the counter. “Providing you can help me with something.”

His smile was amused. “How can I help you? Need a knew Stave?”

“I recently came into possession of a book, one that has instructions on how to forge Elvari weapons.”

Harlow’s eyebrows shot up. “Elvari? I only have one in this shop and its base price is a Million gold. You’re telling me you have the secret to forging them? Elves don’t share that with outsiders.”

“I am aware of this. It just so happened I saved the life of the princess and was handsomely rewarded. I’m no longer an outsider. But I can’t forge weapons.” I looked at him pointedly. “If you were to help me, I’ll let you have two Elvari recipes.”

“Three and we have a deal.” He countered.

I nodded and shook his hand, sealing the contract. The book had dozens of recipes, three would be no big loss. “Have you heard of an adventurer named Jaxson Pierce? The materials we need are rare and we’ll need a skilled fighter to get them.”

He made a face but nodded his head. “Yeah, I know where he is. You’ll find him at the Boars Tusk. If not, there, try the Adventurer's Guild.”

“Excellent. Meet me there in an hour.” I blew him a kiss and hurried out the door. Yes! Everything was coming together. I gave a little maniacal laugh and rubbed my hands together. Alright, cool your jet's sister. He might not even agree to help you. But I was so close. I didn’t want to consider that possibility. I could hear my mom’s voice in my head. ‘Stella Moore, don’t you ever put all your eggs in one basket.’ Mom, I’ll always love you, but not right now. Since there was an Adventurer's Guild in town, that meant if he said no, I could try hiring someone directly from the Guild.

Using my mini-map, I found the Boars Tusk. It was a quaint little hole in the wall bar. I might have gone to someplace like this in my past life if the food was good. I pushed the creaky wooden door opened. The interior was dingy. The furniture was cheap; the walls were plain and unadorned. The only thing that gave the bar any character was the mounted head of a boar above the counter. It didn’t reek at least.

I scanned the ID Tags till I found who I was looking for. He sat on a stool at the counter. Jaxson Pierce. I took a seat next to him and took a moment to appraise him. Looking at his stats and okay, I’ll admit it checking out his form as well. He had a nice ass. ‘Down girl you need to work with this guy. I reigned in those thoughts quickly. He had noticed my appraisal of him and was now doing the same to me.

“You’re Jaxson Pierce,” I asked him.

“That’s me.”

“I’m Stella Moor. I have a proposition for you.”

He raised an eyebrow at me, “I’m listening.”

Good I had his attention. “I am forming a party to collect rare Items for a personal quest, and I would like to hire you.”

“Huh.” Was all he said. He took a long drink of what ever was in his mug before he spoke again. “Just so happens I’m available. What does it pay?”

I had plenty of money. That would be no object. “How much do you want?”

He seemed to be thinking then a glint entered his eyes. It made me squirm in on my stool.

“Sex. You have sex with me. That’s my price.” He said then downed the rest of the mugs contents.

I blinked a few times before I answered. “Are you serious?”

He nodded his head. “Yup take it or leave it.”

A laugh escaped me before I could stop it. I’d take it. This was going to be the cheapest hire ever. I wasn’t a prude, and I didn’t believe in slut shaming either. I had plenty of sex on a regular basis. If all he wanted for his efforts was a roll in the hay, then to each his own. I held out a hand to him.

“Deal.”

He raised an eyebrow at me but took shook my hand. “That easy?”

I smirked. “You do a good job and I’ll make your head spin.”

His eyes took on a glassy quality. He said in a daze. “Yes mam.”

My smirk widened. I loved it when everything fell into place. The door opened behind me. I turned my head to see Harlow stride in. He spotted me and sat on my other side and ordered a drink. I introduced the two of them and took out the list of materials we’d need.

Magnite x 5

Ironwood x 1

Managem x 1

Heart of Basilisk x 1

“These are the materials we need, gentlemen. Ironwood and Managems are simple enough to come by, but Magnite is in Troll territory and a Basilisk heart won’t be easy to get.”

“I can handle a Basilisk.” Jaxson said.

“I know where we can find a deposit for Magnite.” Harlow said tapping the list.

“Great, then we set out tomorrow. We’ll rendezvous at the Local Fairy gate and decide what which we’ll go for first.” With that said, I pocketed the list, and we exited the bar each of us going our separate ways.