Status window.
Lexi's full level 5 bio [https://i.imgur.com/ihkGEuN.png]
I knew it.
With all the new information she’d learned the past few days, she’d gained enough EXP to level up just before entering the capital.
Now let’s check our hypothesis.
Foresight Grants user ability to see the future. Length and duration at current level: up to 15 minutes in the future for 15 seconds. MP required: 21 [https://i.imgur.com/xQiudxt.png]
Grants user ability to see the past. Length and duration at current level: up to 10 minutes in the past for 15 seconds, can only be activated upon touching the specific object or person whose past the user wishes to see. MP required: 18 [https://i.imgur.com/iuS40xN.png]
As I thought. How far into the future or past I can see, and the amount of time available for viewing, have increased, along with the MP cost. Though I wonder if the MP consumed scales depending on just how far and how much I choose to look at.
Guide Indicates items and people of important to player’s journey. Level 5: Guide leads user towards items and people of importance from up to 100 feet away Level up to unlock additional abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/6vHWTHM.png]
Oh, nice. Now I can follow the trail of sparkles like they’re gingerbread crumbs.
Sight Allows user to see information about others. At current level, user can view levels of people and items that the user already knows the complete names of. [https://i.imgur.com/SbCZISr.png]
No changes here...maybe it scales at a different rate.
Clarity Allows user to see past illusions in accordance with user’s level. Current level: 5 Illusions that are level 5 and below do not work on user. [https://i.imgur.com/p5eAzLc.png]
As expected, this one’s straightforward. Now as for the newest skill...
Flow Allows user to see effect of flow of time on object, person, or surroundings with different variables by level. Current level allows user to see up to 2 variables’ impact on one item or person, up to one day in future MP required: 12 Note: types of variables that may be incorporated differ according to Intelligence points. [https://i.imgur.com/IQWY0y8.png]
So Intelligence points affect this. Interesting. Wonder if M-ATK has any impact too.
Flow is a skill suited to an alchemist, someone who needs to test hypotheses often, whether in the atelier (Ray had told her that’s what an alchemist’s workspace is called) or out in the field. It’d definitely be more useful than running numerous experiments only to come to a conclusion that can be reached faster with such an ability.
Still no skill I can actually use as a weapon.
Sighing, she looks around. They’re only a few minutes away from entering through the southeastern gate, and everyone on this road had scrambled to clear their path when they’d seen the uniformed knights.
She’s still kept her hood up though, because of the hushed conversation she’d overheard last night.
The prince had wanted to take her to the palace, but Eric had been vehemently against it. Eventually, it had taken a furious whisper of “are you trying to get her killed” for the matter to be resolved.
I guess it’s officially confirmed - the palace is dangerous. I’ll have to avoid it as much as possible.
Nice to know the crown prince isn’t out to get me, and it seems like Eric falls in that bucket.
Though it’s too early to draw such conclusions, Lexi can’t deny that it’d helped her sleep better.
Now, looking around through the annoying screen that follows her gaze, she can honestly say she does feel a little safe, seeing the prince bantering with Eric just in front of her while Ray speaks to the other Hawk Legion knights behind her.
I’m never gonna get used to Eric being so easygoing when he’s usually such a hardass.
Smiling slightly, Lexi decides to pay attention the floating rectangle in front of her.
Which stats to invest in this time?
Strength: 5 + 2 Speed: 9 + 2 Dexterity: 6 + 2 Agility: 7 + 3 Intelligence: 10 + 3 Vitality: 10 + 3 Charisma: 7 + 3 Luck: 8 + 2 [https://i.imgur.com/gAoYwcY.png]
System message: Confirm distribution of stat points? [https://i.imgur.com/hrduKEN.png]
Yes.
System message: stat point distribution confirmed [https://i.imgur.com/7hNILUn.png]
I see, so both agility and vitality impact P-DEF, while intelligence and charisma affect M-ATK. Interesting that luck affects M-DEF though...shouldn’t it be vitality or something else?
P-ATK: 3 M-ATK: 13 P-DEF: 13 M-DEF: 8 [https://i.imgur.com/9gcBqvf.png]
Looks like whenever a stat reaches 10 points, any related attack or defense parameter goes up by 5.
“So?”
Right on cue.
Rolling her eyes and turning off the display, she answers as quietly as possible given the number of people around.
“Why?”
Why do you keep asking me that? What’s your objective?
Lexi can’t help but huff a little, but she answers anyway, though she keeps it short with a simple “same as last time” response.
Somehow, that garners her the tiniest smile from Eric, and she wonders if it’s because he’s in a good mood (unlikely, he’d been as cold as usual with her but friendly with everyone else) or if he approves of the fact that she’d not explained herself entirely and instead opted to reference a prior conversation only him and Ray had been privy to.
“My lady, welcome to the center of the Empire of the Sun.”
Wow.
It’s exactly like what she’s always thought a capital city in a fantasy world would look like, and more. Spires and towers rise in every direction, stores line paved streets, laundry flutters in the wind slightly out of sight through alleyways, and people dressed in medieval garb go about their business - a young lady carries a covered basket with a baguette sticking out, a little boy runs to join his friends while holding a makeshift kite, a florist stands outside her shop calling out the fresh flowers she has today, a street peddler hawks his wares.
This is amazing.
Ray had taken hold of Long’s reins earlier, and a part of Lexi is grateful because she’s too busy looking around to watch where she’s going.
All those years spent traveling the world with her father, visiting historical cities and towns, trying her best to immerse herself in hundreds or thousands of years of heritage, and she’s here right now - seeing, breathing, and hearing it all.
I wish you could see this, dad.
He’d probably be running around talking to everyone and trying all the food if he was.
It takes them awhile, because the streets are crowded - Ray tells her this is off-peak season and she gawks at him because she can’t imagine what it’d be like at peak, not when it’s already so bustling and lively - but eventually the large knight points out the Guild to her.
I guess someone’s compensating for something.
It’s beautiful, no doubt. All brilliant white marble walls and gilded spires, elegant arches of windows, and roof tiles that glint and gleam in the sunlight.
But it’s far too large and fancy a building for a place that manages only 600 players at any one time.
Ray helps her down, patient despite her slow movements caused by sore muscles from all the walking and riding, and then the crown prince is walking ahead of her as knights hold the doors open for their liege.
“We greet His Imperial Highness, the star of the empire, Crown Prince Jordan Solusol.”
Does everyone just go around practicing stuff like this?
It’s perfectly synchronized, down to the last bow and curtsy, and Lexi wonders if it’s all part of their coding.
For his part, the prince simply waves a hand and smiles - she recognizes that kind of expression, since she’d worn it many times in professional situations when she’d had to pretend to be interested in those around her - before beckoning Lexi over while querying everyone and no one in particular.
“Where is the Guild Master?”
“Your highness.” A man appears seemingly out of nowhere, dressed in a perfectly tailored dark green suit with too many gold frills for Lexi’s liking. “I apologize for the late greetings, and welcome you to the Guild.”
Something in the prince’s expression tells her that he doesn’t like this man, and she wonders why.
“This is Alexandra Hargreaves.”
At those words, all activity halts before whispers start to buzz.
“A Hargreaves? After seven years?”
“Why is his highness escorting her?”
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“Did his highness bring her all the way here?”
“How does the crown prince know her?”
“How very fortunate we are.” Lexi understands now why the prince dislikes the guild master. Those eyes are reminiscent of a snake’s, and that smile is like the baring of fangs. “Welcome, my lady.”
While she’d love to ignore him because she really doesn’t like him, she forces herself to be polite since she’s still new to this world.
“Hello, guild master.” That slimy expression is getting on her nerves. “I’m here for my Initiation.”
Hard amber eyes glint at that, and then they’re being ushered into a large room in the back.
This is...kind of normal?
She’d been expecting some arcane circles on the ground, maybe magic items and scrolls and demon heads hung around the room, but it’s surprisingly plain - just a big space with a single levitating crystal in the middle.
Looks like a save point.
“This way, my lady.” For some reason, every time the man speaks she wants to slap him. “Please place your hands on the crystal at your convenience.”
Turning briefly to look at Eric and Ray seems to surprise the two knights, before the smallest of smiles flits on Ray’s lips.
Eric tilts hit head only the barest bit, but she gets the signal.
Alright then.
As soon as her hands make contact with the crystal, a brilliant light fills the room. Lexi had been expecting some sort of disembodied voice - maybe sparkles whooshing around, tremors that shake the room, or a strong gust of wind - but it’s all over in seconds and is firmly cemented as the most anticlimactic experience of her life.
“Welcome, player.”
What?
Those were the exact same words she’d seen on the screen back when she’d first arrived, after trying to run away from that homicidal bunny on steroids and face planting on the ground.
The slimy git just twists his lips even further at her stare.
“You now possess the ability to accept quests, as well as see and enter dungeons, Lady Alexandra Hargreaves.” His eyes are full of greed. “For your safety, the Guild manages all such requests on your behalf in order to ensure their legitimacy.”
You mean you make everyone go through you instead of letting them deal directly in order to get a cut.
“If you would like to register a party, please be informed that it costs 100 gold coins per registration, and that fee also applies to whenever there are changes in party members.”
What a money-grubbing lot.
“To commemorate such a momentous occasion, we have prepared a small gift for you, my lady.” ’Gift’ my ass.
She doesn’t even bother thanking this snake on two feet, just nodding at him and enjoying the affronted look that flits across his face briefly, before turning and collecting a large velvet pouch from an underling.
Bad idea when I’m aching all over...who’d have thought 1,000 gold coins would be so heavy?
“My lady.” It’s the prince, and she wonders if he really has decided to get her killed after all. “Since you’re new to the capital, may I suggest staying at the Tridentia manor for the time being?”
His highness clearly hadn’t discussed this with Eric beforehand, if the shocked expression on the commander’s face is any indication.
The redhead covers it up quickly, scowling slightly but unable to openly defy the heir to the throne.
All the way to the noble’s quarter, the whispers plague her. Lexi knows it’ll probably be just as bad at Eric’s home, given the way the servants had gossiped so spitefully at the viscounty, but she also knows she doesn’t have a choice. It’s better than trying to find her own lodging, when she’s only just arrived in the capital and not sure where is safe - especially for a foreigner with 1,000 gold coins.
Damn...
The mansions are large, some ostentatious and others tasteful, each with manicured gardens and smartly dressed knights standing guard.
While Lexi comes from a comfortable family, and has networked with old money and new money, this kind of splendor is something else entirely.
And these are just nobles’ homes.
She shouldn’t be surprised, seeing as she’s visited many such locations on culture and heritage trails, but it’s something else to see these buildings fully functioning and not standing as mere memoirs of a different age.
When they reach a gate emblazoned with an emblem of a trident and wings, she pinches herself slightly.
Maybe Eric bought that magic sword himself to swing around for fun.
It’s a palatial estate, right in the capital city where Lexi is sure the cost per square foot is astronomical compared to the outskirts, and so exquisitely designed and perfectly maintained that it could easily be mistaken for the home of the royal family by a passing tourist in her world.
“We welcome His Imperial Highness, the star of the empire, Crown Prince Jordan Solusol, to the manor of His Grace, the Duke of Tridentia.”
Eric is the son of a DUKE?!
Lexi isn’t sure if she wants to smack him or herself.
They earn at least three million gold coins a year, right? He DEFINITELY bought that magic sword himself to flex on everyone.
“It’s good to see you again, Vince.” The crown prince’s familiarity with the butler underscores his longstanding friendship with the Hawk Legion’s commander. It’s especially evident when the old man beams affectionately at the golden male. “Apologies for coming unannounced, but Ric’s decided to host Her Excellency, Lady Alexandra Hargreaves, at his home. I trust the duke won’t mind?”
’Decided’ is a nice way of putting it.
Lexi desperately wants to laugh at the expression on Eric’s face, but bites her lip instead.
Huh? Odd. I can’t see the sparkles.
...I guess this place has some sort of magic device.
The butler and servants gathered in front of the manor immediately stare at her when the prince reveals the family name she’d been bestowed by the system. It’s the most senior among them who recovers his composure first.
“His grace would be honored to care for such an esteemed player, your highness.” Now THIS is what a butler should be like. “We are infinitely grateful for the consideration, and express our sincerest apologies that his grace is unable to meet you as he is currently attending a meeting with His Majesty”
Oh.
Eric’s and the prince’s expressions seem to darken at the mention of the emperor, which tells Lexi a lot.
She’s shown to a stately room, elegantly decorated and well maintained, and then maids are helping her change and bathe. They’re clearly of a different caliber from the servants in the northeast, given their efficiency, coordination, professional demeanor, and way with words. Though their eyes widen at her tattoos, they quickly praise their aesthetic value and marvel at the level of detail and quality of coloring.
Even the clothes they help her change into are nothing like what the viscount had loaned her, though Lexi wonders how they knew to stock garments in her size.
Did someone just run out to buy these?
“All done, my lady! You look positively radiant!” It’s the freckled maid - Lexi thinks her name is Mia, Mya, or Mina - who’d seemed fascinated with Lexi’s crystal eyes from the get-go.
“Thank you.”
Those two little words are enough to make Myra beam, while other maids look anywhere from satisfied to pleased.
“My lady.” This maid seems to be of higher standing than the others, given how they deferred to her throughout. “May I escort you to the lily pavilion? His highness is currently having tea there with young master Eric and senior officers of the Hawk Legion.”
I guess the prince prefers this home to his own.
“Yes, please. Thank you.”
For some odd reason, her response makes the maids freeze for a split second.
Was I supposed to say no? Or did other players give the rest of us a bad rep?
“Please follow me, my lady.” The blonde servant leads her down carpeted hallways watched over by works of art, grand staircases that seem carved from a single block of marble, and through large wooden doors ornamented with gold into the kind of garden Lexi’s only ever seen in palace grounds she’d visited on vacations.
Her ears pick up the sounds of laughter and chatter soon enough, and her suspicions about the crown prince are confirmed when she sees him with an arm draped across Eric’s shoulders while the blond grins at Ray.
Though their circumstances are different, she can empathize a little, since she’s learned what it’s like for one’s house to no longer feel like home.
“My lady.”
The men rise and bow - even the prince does, albeit to a lesser degree - which makes Lexi feel a little uncomfortable but she just brushes off the feeling and bows in return, mimicking the way she’d seen them place their right palm over their heart before clenching it into a fist.
When she looks up, it seems they’re surprised by her actions, which further cements her suspicion that some other players had behaved poorly.
“Have a seat, my lady.” It’s been on her mind ever since Ray introduced her with the ‘Excellency’ honorific, because usually they would address her directly as ‘your excellency’, but Lexi supposes it just goes to show that players have a unique standing in Terra.
She takes a seat on the prince’s right as he indicates for her to do, and then the blonde maid is pouring her tea while Ray places finger sandwiches on the delicate porcelain plate in front of her.
When the maid leaves, twenty pairs of eyes pin Lexi to her seat.
“Forgive my insolence, my lady.” Clearly the prince wants something. “I understand your desire to hide your rank, and have no quarrel with that.” So why are you bringing it up? “But I must ask - which skills have you been granted?”
Shit. Alchemists and sages would have different skills, wouldn’t they? Sages are an upgraded version of alchemists. But I don’t know which skills are reserved for sages, so how the hell do I make them think I’m just an alchemist? Or could it be that some skills overlap just to a different degree of strength? ‘Flow’ is a skill suited for an alchemist after all.
She wants to smack Ray for not telling her about any of this beforehand, but she knows she needs to behave herself for now.
“Is there a reason you’re asking me this, your highness?”
> ”When in doubt, deflect. Answer a question with a question if you have to, but never answer a question directly when you don’t know its intent.”
Her very first boss had taught her that, years ago. She’s used that tactic to varying degrees of success ever since.
Prince Jordan looks a little surprised, then wistful and sorrowful, before he gathers himself.
“My lady, I meant what I said.” What you said when? “My men and I mean you no harm.” Ah, that time. “I merely wish to grasp the true nature of your abilities, that I may provide the necessary in order to be of assistance.”
Smooth, but I wasn’t born yesterday.
She’s dealt with her fair share of charmers - dated enough of them - so it’s easy to keep her guard up around such pretty words. No matter how ridiculously good looking the man smiling at her is, Lexi knows very well how words can be twisted to suit an agenda.
“I’d be grateful for assistance, your highness.” Why do you look so sad? “As I’m afraid my skills are nothing worth mentioning.”
Instantly golden eyes sharpen, before the corners of full lips lift in amusement.
“From what Ray shared, you showed signs of the Foresight skill.”
How did Ray know I used a skill, and THAT skill in particular? All I did was stare into space and throw up. Unless there’s some sort of indicator I don’t know about.
It’s frustrating, because she’d hoped to keep it hidden since the ability to see the future is always prized, and especially because she doesn’t know if it’s a skill unique to sages, but there’s nothing she can do about it now. Dodging any further would make her seem dishonest, as though she’s scheming something, so Lexi knows she doesn’t have a choice but to admit to that if she wants to avoid making enemies of these men.
“Yes, I’ve used it once.”
The murmurs that start further down the table tell her that it’s a very valuable skill.
Someone let it slip, quickly. Is this a sage-specific skill or not?
“If I may, my lady,” those golden eyes are sharp. “Do you also possess the Hindsight skill?”
How the hell does this guy know so much?
She shouldn’t be surprised, really, since he’s the crown prince and the imperial family has probably been documenting everything about players as soon as they showed up in the empire, but it’s a minefield when she’s trying to hide what she can do without knowing just how much information the prince already has.
“I thought so.” Not the for the first time, Lexi curses her expressive face. “My lady.” The somber tone surprises her. “It would be best if you accepted Ric and Ray as your party members.”
HUH?
Wait, WHAT?
Eric’s eyes widen momentarily before realization sets in and he’s looking assessingly at the blond on his right, while on Lexi’s right the tanned giant tenses for a split second before relaxing.
You want me to take the commander and vice-commander of an elite fighting force as my party members? When they’re already ridiculously overpowered and I’m just some weak little level 5 with zero offensive or defensive capabilities?
Though, her situation is probably why the prince wants to assign her men of such caliber.
“I’d appreciate it, your highness.” It’s not like she has any reason to refuse, especially when she knows how expensive magical equipment is, and lacks actual combat experience beyond swatting monsters with branches.
Oh God, I’m really that useless chick who can only hide behind others, aren’t I?
Those types of characters had always gotten on her nerves the most.
Karma, you bitch.
Even though she’d enjoyed playing a hard carry character in a MOBA long ago when she believed she could count on teammates, that doesn’t mean she wants to be one now in real life.
I knew I'd have to be carried, and it's obvious I'll be completely dependent on allies and items till I level up. Failure here means actually dying and then lingering on, so I shouldn't complain about being assigned two high ranking knights.
The fact that she has to be babysat still rankles.
Let it go. At least this way I won't have to fight, since I suck at it. I can just stay back and gain EXP without lifting a finger, which is a pretty sweet deal, right?
“Excellent.” When the prince smiles like that, it’s almost as though Guide has reactivated. “Then I’ll take charge of the Hawk Legion for the time being.” Was this your goal? Or are you just protecting your best friend’s men?
“Jord. What the hell are you up to now?”
About damn time you asked.
The prince just smiles sadly, and that seems to be all the answer Eric needs.
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Duke Tridentia is what Eric would look like if one were to copy and paste his image into an aging algorithm, and that makes Lexi stare for longer than she should.
His grace is quick on the uptake, and figures out what’s going on when the crown prince greets him cheerily. Brown eyes are assessing and sharp, in the same way Eric’s are sometimes, before the dignified man nods and welcomes Lexi to his home.
The next day, while Eric and Ray are dealing with paperwork somewhere in the manor, the freckled maid asks if Lexi would like to visit the library.
Again?
She doesn’t have fond memories of following a maid to a library here, but it’s not like she has anything else to do.
And the more information I acquire, the more EXP I get.
This time, the library is on the ground floor, accessible by two different corridors.
It’s also exponentially larger than the viscount’s, and much brighter due to the sunlight streaming in through floor to ceiling windows.
Now THIS is what a library should look like.
Lexi has always loved reading, so it doesn’t take her long to become completely engrossed in a tome about players as written by a Sage Icarian Forsberg.
There’s a lot of theories and hypotheses - especially around the fact that players come from various worlds and timelines - but there’s also plenty of documentation around the abilities of different classes by rank, which is helpful because at least Lexi is now beginning to understand a little more of everyone she’s up against.
> “Players are extraordinarily valuable individuals, my lady. They attract danger simply by existing.”
Ray had warned her before, had told her about the fact that lower ranks sought promotions through murdering higher ranks on the off chance the system would select them for upgrades.
While Lexi is terrible with names, she’s always had an excellent memory for everything else if she cares enough. She’s never tried to memorize something with her life on the line before, but now that she’s doing so she speeds through the thick book quickly, and when at last she lifts her head she blinks a few times at Myna who’s wheeled in lunch.
After a simple but satisfying meal of soup and sandwiches, reminiscent of wanderings through small towns with her father, Lexi hits the books once more.
Knowledge is power, especially for me.
She needs to level up as quickly as possible, and hopefully the final active skill she’s yet to acquire is something she can use to defend herself.
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CHAPTER 8 END