Not long after we finished talking, Laxreal left the manor and started informing everyone to rally some interest. Considering there wasn't much time left for the day, I stayed home and focused on my new skill, Lesser Mana Manipulation. The feeling of being able to manipulate my mana so quickly through my body was intoxicating, but being able to pull and manipulate the mana of the world even just a little bit more was also interesting. I would have thought that with the skill tiering up, I would have more refined control over the mana, but that doesn't seem to be the case. The only way I can think of to increase the fine of control over mana is to start by tracing the sigils and progressively getting smaller.

Taking out my sigil for weapon enchanting, I trace the pattern in the air. Once I had done that, I released the pattern after holding it for a minute before trying again. Over and over, I continue with this until I can't control the sigils anymore and force myself to take a break.

There's a tapping on the doorframe, and my sister enters the room. "Are you Working on your enchanting?" she asks tentatively.

"Yeah, but I am also working on my mana control. I don't feel much of a challenge from holding the sigil together no matter how small I create it."

"What is the purpose of you trying this, and what is the end goal?" She asked.

"The primary purpose is to have finer control over mana, and I don't know the end goal right now. I think that it would be to form sigils out of thin air without me needing to trace over something. From what I can tell, I don't know if I am failing at what I want to do or if there is a better method to practice my mana control.”

"I wish I could help you, but sadly, I don't have access to mana," she tries to comfort me.

Not used to her looking so feminine, I can only sigh and let the mana I held onto dissipate. "I was curious if there was a way to activate someone's mana systems. It would be great for everyone in the settlement." I acknowledge this fact.

"Have you tried working with Laxreal on it?"

"No, I haven't yet. He just left not long ago to start informing everyone that I am looking to create a party and looking for those that are interested."

"When do we have to meet? Because I would like to be a part of your party. You are looking to do an interview process for those interested?"

Nodding, I don't deny that there is an interview process while telling her it is tomorrow.

"Good, that gives me some time to talk with Mom and Dad, hopefully before Laxreal gets to them."

Confused why she would want to talk with Mom and Dad, it takes only a second before it hits me. "If they know that I am going out and adventuring, they would be concerned, but if you were to go with me in the group, it could go one of two ways: either they will be less concerned, or they will be more. I don't know if that is a good idea right now."

"Of course, it is a good idea; who wouldn't want their sister to come with them and have a helping hand with some more mundane healing so you don't have to use your mana."

She brought up a good point, and there is nothing I can do to deny it. "Then wait for tomorrow. We will have the interviews then, and then you can tell everyone why it would be a good idea for you to join the party."

"Good." She says while there is a pep in her step.

Looking at the time, I see it is just after 9 p.m. With everything that has happened today, I feel exhausted and ready to get some sleep.

Waking up to the sound of the alarm I had set, I roll out of bed and start with my typical morning routine. Several more people are at the different training grounds than I am used to. Thinking nothing of it, I finish my instruction from all three buildings. Laxreal follows right behind me.

"Hopefully, some more veteran settlers want to join your party."

"That would be great. It would lead to more experience without going through the lower levels. Maybe we can find the person who has been leading the levels. Do we have any clue as to who it is?" I asked.

"No, we haven't figured it out, but it's not like we can go and ask everyone about their levels. We did want them to have some form of autonomy. Their oath to you wasn't the most strict regarding what they had to do."

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

"True, but I didn't want to forcefully put someone in the position that they had to obey orders from a tyrant."

"Truly admirable considering the circumstances we were placed in. I am more shocked people haven't been coming to you to alleviate them of their oaths."

"Honestly, I think they might have forgotten. Or at least I hope they have. I don't know. It would suck to de-level in my noble class if they were to rescind their oaths."

There is a small gathering of people in front of the manor. Taking a brief look, I can see my mother and father at the front of the house, watching as the different groups of people split into various groups based on the worlds they were summoned from. Seeing the situation, I can only sigh. These people will eventually have to leave their comfort zones and intermingle. I can see some people crossing those boundaries, but there could be more. Not wanting to delay things further, I get to the front of the manor and proceed to enter, with Laxreal still following behind.

Feeling like this will be a long day, I can only sigh while waiting for it to start. "Shall we get the ball rolling, Laxreal?" I asked him.

I hear his finger tapping on his chin. "We are still waiting for a couple of people to get here. I decided that the commanders should be involved since they have a vested interest in the party."

"How much of an interest could they possibly have?"

"More than you think. You have to consider you are the lord of the settlement. We don't know what will happen if you perish, and currently, the best bet for us to advance is to make sure you have the best team available."

Not two seconds after he finishes that sentence, Draemish, Shadow, and Vranjaya enter the room. Standing to greet them, I gesture to the seats beside me. For this particular meeting, I made it feel like a typical interview process, with one long side of the table used for the five of us and the other for those being interviewed. Initially, I didn't think it was worth interviewing people, but who am I to stop those from ensuring it is the appropriate team?

Once everyone has gathered and is as comfortable as possible, Laxreal heads out of the room and brings the first person in, and to no one's shock, it is Xelyphe.

Smiling at all of us, I can only sigh as I get ready to hear what they have to ask her during the interview since I don't have many requirements.

With a slight flicker of amusement in his eyes, Laxreal starts the process off. "Hello, Xelyphe. We want to ask you some things to determine if you are an appropriate fit for the party we are making for Drake. First, what is your initial class, its level, and what profession are you working in?"

Sighing at the question, I can only think that we are trying not to show any favoritism to anyone who is going through the interview process. I can almost answer the first question asked by Laxreal without him having to ask. In a good-natured response, she answers, "I am a warrior at level 6, and my profession is a healer who has reached level 7. There haven't been many opportunities to use mundane healing since Drake has taken every possibility to heal since his return."

Nodding along, everyone looks at her before Shadow asks the next question, though a bit awkward initially, "What are some of the skills you have that might be able to keep yourself and your party members alive?"

Turning my gaze to him, I can see the hesitation in his question, thinking that it must be because he hasn't ever had to interview someone like this before. I look at the other commanders and see the same thing from Vranjaya while Draemish is calm.

"With my healing skills, it could be helpful in the manner of keeping Drake from having to use healing spells after a fight has finished, and with my abilities as a warrior, I would say that I have been working hard in the training ground to improve my swordplay while also improving my ability to defend overall."

"What would your priority be in combat with a large group of enemies?" Draemish asks.

"I would focus on keeping Drake safe as with any large group. Having a healer can increase the staying power of any group. I would also focus on getting us to a more advantageous location to either weather out the group or to find a location to hide in case there is the opportunity to avoid being in a long protracted battle."

"How would you handle rest periods for the group?" Vranjaya asked.

"It would depend on the type of rest required. We would continue if we could clear out the enemies quickly and efficiently with minimal energy usage. If it were a taxing battle or scenario, we would take a longer break if available."

There was a small break in the flow of questions and responses, and finally, I asked my question: "Why do you want to be a part of this party?"

"That's a silly question. As part of your family, I want to ensure that you are protected, and if it is by someone you know, you are more likely to trust them to hold a position that I am willing to take. Also, one thing to consider is that I have a better general idea of what you can do. This doesn't matter fully, but it does help get the group to a more cohesive unit."

After hearing her responses, I can only nod; she would make a good party member, and maybe I wouldn't have to worry too much about the others with her around. Before I can make any decisions, Laxreal announces, "Thank you, Xelyphe. We will let you know what we think after interviewing everyone."

Seeing her nod, she leaves the room with him, and another person takes her place. This continues for about another hour before we have finished with everyone. I knew a couple of other people who were participating in the interview process: Strauvana, Gibnic Mikmack, Oria the Earth Elemental, and Muiress. Other than those four, the rest were from the people summoned during the settlement's defense.