“Now, before I was so rudely interrupted, I posed you all a question. It should have been simple enough for any of you to answer, but with the several extra seconds Mr Marshall bought for you all, if you haven’t thought of an answer yet you might as well leave my class before we go any further.”

No one made to move but a few shuffled in their seats uncomfortably. Alix quickly scanned the room, reading the text that lit up above the head of each student showing their names and levels. They all had particularly pretentious sounding names, such as Smythe Allencourt Lv. 24, Percival Quintly Lv. 26 and Genevieve Charmain Lv. 27. Their levels seemed to match their age, or be a little bit higher, which Alix guessed was to be expected from the richer kids in town. Access to better, or more niche, education was bound to raise their level faster and higher than a standard education was.

After a few awkward moments, one of the students raised her hand. Compared to the others, her name was surprisingly normal.

“Beth? Are the rest of you going to let yourselves be outdone by an Eighth Ring?” Gyle said, raking the other students with his disappointment.

When none of the others raised their hands, Gyle sighed and motioned for Beth to speak, but then cut her off as soon as she opened her mouth.

“First, why don’t you repeat the question back. Both for the benefit of our new arrival, and to convince me that you were actually paying attention.”

Beth looked like she was holding back tears as she clenched her fist and took a breath before replying.

“You asked us…what was the primary material that was used to create the sword of Our Lady Selene.”

“Good. And? What are your words of wisdom?” Gyle replied, arms crossed.

“The sword of the Solknight Selene is known to be of an exceptional lustre, almost liquid in appearance, but all attempts to recreate it have failed. The only thing that is known for sure is that the primary material she began working with was Quicksilver, although how she managed to work it into a solid form isn’t known.” Beth said everything in a rush and then looked down at her desk, as if expecting a reprimand.

“Are you sure it was Quicksilver?”

Beth visibly froze in her seat. “That’s what you taught us,” she replied in a small voice.

“True, that is the standard hypothesis, but there are many metals that can be liquid at room temperature, and therefore resemble Quicksilver.”

Beth cleared her throat, suddenly realising where she had gone wrong. Her answer had been correct, but not correct enough for the demands of Sylvan Gyle’s class. Alix found he was sweating himself, his heart beating faster with anxiety, even though he wasn’t even the one being questioned.

“In this instance, Quicksilver is a reference to liquid mercury,” Beth replied in a wavering voice, Gyle’s scrutiny almost more than she was able to handle. “There are many other metals that have a liquid form at, or slightly above, room temperature, such as gallium and aquilium, but mercury is the only one mentioned in the Opulentiam Lunae, most specifically in the chapter on The Seventh Treatise, where she said ‘whosoever understands the method for killing the liquid silver, will become a master of this art’.”

“Correct,” Gyle said begrudgingly before turning back to face the rest of the class. “This point begs another question. Why did Selene, if she knew this method, keep it to herself when the rest of her magnum opus was written in such depth that it created the entire movement for which you all hope to be a part of? Everything we now know of metallurgy in Babyl is based on her writings. Or maybe she didn’t know the method herself and the Selinite sword is created of a different material? I want you all to prove to me that you have enough capacity of thought to come up with a theory on the method for killing liquid silver, or another plausible method for creating Selenite. I will give you all two weeks to craft a reply, after which we will have our first cull. To get you all started, tomorrow we will meet at a different venue. I want you all to meet me at midday at the Church of Babyl Guildhall. It pains me that the sword is interred there, but they allow all to view it.”

The Church of Babyl Guildhall? He couldn’t possibly mean…the Grand Cathedral?

A dread filled Alix as he thought of the danger he had put himself in, all for a stupid new weapon. He already had an excellent sword and a sweet suit of armour, no matter what Javin said. Why had he been so obsessed with crafting the Terron Ossia into something? He could just now show up tomorrow, but Gyle’s attitude was so abrasive that Alix found he wanted to prove himself to the asshole.

Suddenly Gyle turned to address Alix. “I can see from your dumfounded expression and the absence of any literature in front of you that you are unaware of the founding text of alchemical metallurgy, Opulentiam Lunae, a basic knowledge of which is a requirement for this course.”

“I take it, despite the extortionate cost of this course, that a copy of this book isn’t provided?”

“It is not,” Gyle smirked. “I’m sure you can find yourself one for sale somewhere, but I wouldn’t go wasting any more of your money quite yet. Whoever scores the lowest on the test will be cut from this class, and I think we can assume that you will guarantee everyone else here a free pass.”

Alix seethed but kept his mouth shut. With his Bibliophile skills he would be able to absorb the book in no time, if he could find where to buy one. He hadn’t really thought to keep an eye open for any book shops, due to his already extensive library. It was likely the keep library held a copy of the book, if it was written by a previous Solknight, but he didn’t have the time to go back and check.

The rest of the lesson was hell. Gyle treated his students like trash but none of them seemed to mind. Despite his rambling, Alix didn’t unlock any new Skills or Titles, he was just glad when the lesson finally ended, although he wasn’t sure what he had actually learned. When no one was paying him any attention, he quickly crafted a notebook and writing implements to take some notes, although he didn’t really understand any of the notes he had taken.

As the students filed out of the room, shuffling not unlike the skeletons he had raised from the crypt, Alix made his way back down to Sylvan Gyle’s podium.

“I don’t want to know where you got the Terron Ossia, but it is enough to gain you entry on this course. I am surprised you even knew it had enough value, since you seem to know little else.”

“You would be surprised at what I know. I was sent here by Javin. He told me that you might be able to help make me something out of the ossia, but I’m starting to think he’s playing some trick on me.”

“Javin? That snivelling merchant? I do owe the wretch a favour, but I seem to remember you already relinquishing possession of the ossia. Still, I will humour you, for the next two weeks at least.”

“I have plenty more. So can you help me or not?”

“Really? I will make you a deal then, Mr Marshall. I will consider your request, if you pass the task I have set for the class. Until then, I will speak on this no further, and you are to act as nothing other than a conscientious student. Now, you better get going. You are going to need every second of the next two weeks.”

Alix turned to storm out of the classroom, thinking of the words he would have ready for Javin the next time they met, but then remembered the words of the guard that had operated the lift.

“The guard on the way up mentioned I would need an enrolment letter to get up here next time. Where can I get some?”

Gyle rolled his eyes and sighed, then walked over to his desk and pulled a sheaf of paper out of a drawer. He quickly scribbled down a few lines, messily signed it and then gave it a swift jab of a red stamp. He silently handed it over and left out a side door.

Thirstier than ever, Alix made haste back down to the 4th Ring and headed for the Adventurer’s Guild.

The Sixfold Sanctum were gone by the time he arrived but Evory was still standing behind the counter, handling the paperwork of a queue of Adventurer’s returned from a days questing. Alix grabbed a large pint from the bar and took a seat. The first sip of the frothy dark ale helped to wash away the labours of the day. He sat drinking to the sound of Evory stamping various documents, until the line thinned and his drink was finished.

“I’d like to post a job,” Alix said to Evory once her work had quietened down.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

Evory gave him a strained, worried smile. “Of course,” she said, handing him a standard job form and a pen. “I hope it’s nothing too…incriminating,” she said under her breath.

“Nothing of the sort, I’m just looking for a book but I can’t be bothered traipsing about the city looking for a copy myself. Have you ever heard of the Opulentiam Lunae?”

Evory gave him a curious look, as if to say ‘what have you got yourself into this time?’.

“The Opulence of the Moon? Sounds like a children’s book, or a religious text. What do you need it for?”

“It’s for…school.” As he said it, Alix felt a familiar pit open in his stomach, the anxiety of school days returned. He couldn’t believe that in this world of incredible magic and opportunities, he had ended up in the place he hated the most. This time at least he could cheat without consequence.

Evory supressed a laugh, then took the completed job form and stamped it with the official guild seal after checking its contents.

Job: Open

Reward: 10 Gold Coins + cost of the book

Looking for the book known as Opulentiam Lunae.

Time Limit: Job valid today only.

~ Orwin Marshall – Adventurer’s Guild – Rank F, Unaffiliated

“Ten gold pieces as a reward? That seems awfully generous for a book. Someone of your rank wouldn’t really have that sort of money to throw around for something so trivial,” Evory whispered.

Alix handed over the required deposit and took back the job form to post on the job board. “I need it quickly and like I said, I’m in no mood to look for it myself. I’d rather sit here and drink until someone can bring it to me. Ten gold coins might be a lot, but I have a point to prove.” The last he said a bit louder.

At the sound of ‘ten gold coins’ several heads in the room turned to look as he walked over to the job board and pinned up the paper. Before he had even reached the bar to order another drink, a scuffle broke out between a trio of men trying to claim the job first. One was too drunk and fell flat on the floor after taking one step towards the board. The other tried to rely on his speed, but the third huge man simply grabbed him with one arm while he plucked the job from the board with his other.

“That’s not fair,” the small man said once the bigger one had deposited him back down. “I need the money more than you do.”

“Shut up Rinx, I know fine well you have no idea where to find the book. I bet you’ve never even held a book before in your life. You would just end up trying to pay someone else to find it for you. You need the money because you keep messing up your other jobs, and keep getting fined for stealing.”

Rinx scowled but went back to his table and half finished drink. Alix was glad the weaselly looking little man hadn’t claimed the job first, although the other man didn’t look like the type he had expected to claim the job either. He looked like he wrestled bears for fun. He walked up to where Alix was sitting with another beer, his thick leather armour squeaking as he moved. He handed Evory the paper and she stamped it again with the In Progress mark.

“This your job?” the man asked, even though he had just watched Alix pin the paper on the board.

“It is. You know where to find this book?” Alix asked. Text appeared above the man’s head reading Wulf, Gladiator, Lv. 44.

“I do. Had notions of being an Alchemist myself when I was a boy, but it wasn’t for me. Too much sitting around.” With every word and movement, Wulf seemed to flex one muscle or another, his body a constant rippling mass.

“Excellent. Well, I’ll be waiting here.”

“There’s just one thing. This isn’t a cheap book, so I thought I’d make sure you have enough to cover the cost before I go and get it.”

“Really? How much is it?” Alix asked, genuinely surprised. It hadn’t sounded like it was anything special.

“It costs one hundred gold coins.”

Alix choked on his pint. He put the cup down on his table before he spilled any more and wiped down his shirt as the coughing fit passed. Had he heard Wulf right?

“One hundred gold? That can’t be right. Why is it so expensive?” Was Wulf trying to con him? Pocket the difference in the real price?

“It’s a bit of a story, but the short version is that the Archivists Guild holds the copyright for the book, not the Alchemist Guild. They know that the Alchemists need it for their studies, so they jacked the price up. It doesn’t help that they only make it as an illuminated grimoire. It’s nice to look upon at least,” Wulf explained.

Alix sighed, but then remembered he didn’t really need to worry about money. He just didn’t like showing off that fact. He would have to up his rank soon to avoid suspicion.

“I wasn’t expecting to spend that much money, but I have it. I will pay whatever the book costs, providing you bring me a receipt. Here, how about this.” Alix stood and walked over to Evory. “I think I have a reward to claim from Javin’s job.”

“That’s right,” Evory said, staring at Wulf warily. Master, I don’t think its wise to show off the ingot.

It’s alright, I just need him to see it, then you can put it back in the safe.

Evory headed to the vault in one of the secure back rooms and returned a few moments later with a box. She placed it carefully on the counter.

Alix drew the box close so that the contents would be hidden by their bodies and opened the lid for Wulf to see. He gasped slightly at what he saw.

“You know what this is?” Alix asked.

“I do.”

“I don’t have one hundred gold coins on me right now, but I promise I will have it ready by the time you return, and I will have the money kept securely in the Guild vault. If I don’t have it, then this will be your reward, which will also be kept in the vault until then.” Alix closed the lid and passed the box back over to Evory. Wulf turned and ran out the door, likely hoping he could return faster than Alix could make it to a bank.

Before Evory left, Alix pulled one hundred gold coins from his inventory and lifted the heavy bag out of his pocket, after making sure no one was watching. It would have looked strange to draw out so much in front of Wulf. He passed the bag over to Evory and she heaved the bag through to the vault room. Alix returned to his table and ordered another pint as he waited for Wulf to return.

Night had fallen by the time Wulf reappeared, carrying a large box in his arms. After a couple of pints, Alix perused the job board, thought about accepting a few, but decided to check again tomorrow when he was sober. Silently he cursed thinking that remaining Rank F to avoid attention was a good idea. It meant that he had to pretend like he had no money, that he had to pay larger deposits to take on the better jobs. Then he reminded himself that he was still fairly new to everything and it was a good idea to take things slowly. He was just lucky that Evory was working at the Guild, or else he would have been having a much harder time.

Wulf walked over to where Alix was sitting with his fourth or fifth pint and deposited the box on the table, along with a piece of parchment. The parchment was bordered with elaborate designs and filled with artful calligraphy. In more words than necessary, it thanked the bearer for their purchase of a copy of, and confirmed the receipt of one hundred gold coins for:

* One Illuminated Manuscript of Opulentiam Lunae: Alchemical Treatises of Solknight Selene, in Gold Inlaid Ebony Box

The receipt was signed by a Thaxter Hart, 2nd Rank Magna Librarian of the Archivists Guild.

“I apologise for the delay,” Wulf began, although Alix hadn’t expected him to return so quickly anyway. The hope of the ingot must have spurred him to near flight. “The Archivists Guild is on the opposite side of the ring, and then head librarian refused to serve me. Said the box was too heavy to be lifting this late in the day. Luckily I recognised a second rank that I used to go to class with before I left that path. I owe him a favour now though but I got the book.”

“Excellent. Here is your reward, and a little extra for the trouble,” Alix said, pulling a bag with ten gold coins and a few silver coins thrown in from his pocket. ““You can collect the rest of the money from Evory. It is waiting for you in the vault. Why don’t you take this as well, you must be tired after going across the ring and back with this box” he said, feeling in a generous mood after the refreshing pints, pulling a strong tonic from an inner pocket.

The vial looked miniscule in Wulf’s huge hands but he took the rewards gratefully. Alix noticed a slight tinge of disappointment that he hadn’t managed to get the ingot, but after downing the tonic his mood brightened. It looked like his muscles grew even larger and a shine of wonder filled his eyes. He barked out a laugh and struck a pose, flexing his muscles.

“Incredible. I was about to join you for a drink, but I think I’m going to pay the Warrior’s Guild a visit. They are having a Fight Night tonight,” Wulf said, almost purring. Laughing to himself again, he bounded out of the guild, ignoring Evory as she tried to wave him down to complete the job so he could claim the rest of his reward.

Master! You shouldn’t be drugging strangers like that! Evory admonished him.

It was just a tonic, I didn’t realise it would affect him so strongly.

You couldn’t tell he has some Giant blood in him? Despite their size, Galdean potions have a tenfold greater effect on them than other races.

Well, I guess I wouldn’t want to be part of the Warrior’s Guild tonight then.

Suddenly his notification bell went for the first time in a while, and for a second he looked around for the source of the sound before he realised what it was.

Title Unlocked: Malefactor

What the hell did I do wrong? Alix thought to himself. Instead of worrying about it, he ordered another pint and turned to the ebony box that filled most of the table. It was latched shut with a heavy brass clasp. He unlocked it and uncovered the book inside. He had expected the cover to be as elaborate as the rest of the package, but it was simply bound in black leather with a silver embossed title. Silver capped the corners, and also gilded the pages. He opened the cover to the first page. It took him a few moments to adjust to reading the stylised font amongst all the decorative flourishes, but his skills quickly kicked in and he began spreading through the pages.

Every page of the illuminated manuscript was decorated with borders and illustrations. Every couple of pages was filled with whole page illustrations showing the supposed feats of Selene. The book would have been half the size if they had all been removed, but then the Archivists wouldn’t have been able to charge so much. Most of the cost was in the box, materials, and paintings, but even without them, he felt like the book didn’t contain much of value anyway. All that he knew of Alchemy back home was that it had been a pseudo-science in the pursuit of impossible to achieve goals, most commonly the transmutation of base metals into noble metals. The book sounded like it was talking about similar sorts of theories. He would have been completely lost without his new skills but by the time he was finished, unlocking the Title Illuminated Alchemist, he felt like he understood what Selene was trying to talk about, even if much of it was left unexplained. Still, he felt like he would be prepared for the next days class at least, and then he could look into other texts that might make more sense.

Alix placed the heavy book back in its elaborate box, thinking he would probably never have to open it again, and ordered one more drink, trying to ignore how stupid of an idea it was for him to step foot within the Grand Cathedral. It was likely to be crawling with Imperial Guards, maybe even an Imperator. He quickly finished his pint and retreated to his room.