Levi ran to the front of the boat, where he felt the mana surge. He saw Piper, Anna, and Tycen all readied for battle. They all watched him as he returned from the side of the boat. Before them poking its head out of the water, was a titanic jellyfish. It was about 15 meters tall, with long arms. The jellyfish slowly bobbed up and down in the air as if it were still in the water. Levi felt the aura of the beast and knew that it was a 4-star monster; this would not be an easy fight.

"Anza send some drones to protect people," Levi said. "Serenity, let's fly. Crystal and Willow, can you set up a field to try to shock this beast?" The two crystal wisps appeared out of his eyes and switched to battle mode. In battle mode, they began splitting into their many smaller bodies. Once they formed a small swarm of wisps, they attacked. Lighting sparked from some of the bodies. The lightning began jumping from body to body.

Levi pulled out his sword, holding it high. He could feel the power calling to his chaos mana. He let the feeling go, summoning orbs of chaos. The tiny orbs of chaotic energy went flying toward the massive jellyfish, which was entirely too slow to dodge any attacks. It took the brunt of the attack as the orbs exploded over its body. The jellyfish hissed in pain as the orbs exploded; it made a move right toward Levi. It was swinging one of its massive tentacles at Levi and Serenity. Serenity narrowly dodged the attack.

Tycen took to the air, wielding his new spear. Purple power flowed out of the spear; he swung at another tentacle, completely severing the limb. Blue goo burst out of the severed limb all over the boat. The boat sizzled as the goo was eating away the wood-like material.

"The goo is acidic," Tycen said. "Don't let that stuff touch you." Tycen and Levi worked in tandem, fighting the monster. When Tycen stabbed one side of the giant beast, Levi would blast it with various orbs. He cycled between chaos, fire, and water. With the jellyfish's full attention on the pair of them, Anna and Piper spent the rest of the time making sure the other attendants on the ship were safe.

Piper, with her insane speed, gathered everyone around into a single area. She cursed internally; Levi was right; she had jinxed their trip. She saw the mannerisms of the three separate groups. The first group was a group of teenagers who were clearly acting stronger than they thought. The way they stood around each other, she could tell who was the most important person in the group. He was decently tall, with pale skin and dark black hair. He had dark brown eyes and wore a clearly expensive robe.

The next group included an elderly lady with two children. Piper wasn’t sure if the woman was a grandmother or a nanny, and it was hard to tell the difference. The two young kids were preteens, by her estimation. They were well dressed in the Qu’ant style, which was fancy tunics with golden buttons for the men. The woman would wear dresses with different designs, or they would wear a fancy tunic that was shorter and had some darker fitted pants. They all ranged in various pastel colors.

It was a different style than the Onyx kingdom, where they wore more medieval regal clothing. The tunics were more form-fitting but fancier with darker tones, mostly black, gray, or white; a dark onyx gemstone was always present. If Piper was being honest, she preferred the colorful tunics over the dark ones of her home. The last group was two women her age. They were non-magic users, so she assumed that they were just ordinary people. Piper focused on them the most because they would be the most vulnerable to any attacks from the monster.

"What is the meaning of this?" the same older woman asked.

"There is a four-star monster out there," Piper said. She noticed a group of teenagers stand up, conjuring various weapons. "Sit down," she said. "It is being handled. You would only get in the way."

"By that skinny guy?" one of them scoffed, the one Piper deemed the leader.

"He could barely hold that sword," another one mocked.

"If you wish to challenge him in a dual, we can arrange such a thing after," Piper said. "Until then, stay put until they have finished killing the monster."

"You mean until the avian killed the monster," they laughed.

“Are we supposed to sit here and let an avian do our own biddings?” the leader spoke. “We are humans, the best race in the world, and we let that feather wannabe angel fight our fights?”

Piper’s eyebrow twitched, “you’re a 2-star team? And you expect to beat this four-star monster? Have you ever fought a 3-star monster?”

The leader sneered, “Of course I have; who hasn’t as a 2-star.” Piper narrowed her eyes at him, not believing a word he said. Suddenly, she felt her head go fuzzy. There was a voice in her head that told her to attack the others. She took a deep breath and pushed her aura out to protect her mind. As she finally regained control of her faculties, there was a loud slap, followed by the scream of a child.

Anna was with the ship's captain. She had made her way over the instant she felt the aura. She wanted to see if the captain had any plans if they were attacked on the way.

"Nothing," the captain shrugged. "The monster is being dealt with right?"

"Yes, but," Anna started.

"But nothing. Do you have little faith in your companions?"

"No I know that they will succeed," Anna said.

"Then we change nothing," the captain said. "Look, missy. I've been making this trip back and forth for nearly a decade. The capital city is great, but these waters are teaming with monsters who want a quick and easy snack. They usually leave after failing to do any lasting damage or engage in a fight. Don't get me wrong; I appreciate you all handling it; it saves me some money in the end."

"Very well," Anna said. "I will have the two report back after they have slain the beast."

"Aye," the captain said. Anna left the captain, making her way to Piper. As she was walking along the deck, she felt a massive aura attack pulse from the monster. Her head started to feel fuzzy, and a foreign voice entered her head.

"Kill the summoner," it spat. Her body started to lose control as she unwillingly drew her wand and book. Anna's wand was firmly pointed at Levi when another blast of aura was sent out. She felt relief cover enter her head. She looked up into the air to see Serenity looking directly at her. Serenity had used her aura to shield Anna. Anna shook her head, getting the weird voice out of it. She shivered at how easily the monster got in her head.

She found Piper still feeling the brain fog from the attack. There was the aftermath of what looked like a fight that had broken out. One of the young men, a teenager by Anna's estimation, was holding a broken arm. A little girl was sitting in an older woman's arms; she was balling her eyes out.

"What the hell was that voice?" Piper asked.

"I think it was the monster," Anna said. "What the hell happened here?"

"The voice told us to start fighting," Piper explained. "I had to push back the group by the time I turned, that idiot there, had slapped the little girl."

"We were under a spell," he complained.

"As if that is an excuse," Piper said. "You're a magic user. You're supposed to have defense against auras. That is magic user 101! The fact that you don't have any aura abilities, shows me the caliber of magic user you are." Her words were laced with venom. She was not happy with the response at the current moment. One of the teens opened their mouth. "Oh a coward going to speak next?" she said. The teenager closed his mouth promptly. "Thought so. How do you think they are doing out there?"

Monster Defeated: Titan Aura Jellyfish

4-star

"Good," Anna said. Ever since joining a team, they would get kill notifications from monsters, even if they didn't take part. Only Levi was the one who got loot or rewards. Thankfully for the team, they had a person who got loot as a kind and sharing person.

"The monster has been dealt with," Piper said pointedly. Anna raised an eyebrow at Piper's tone. Do you still wish to challenge the skinny summoner?" Anna hid a smile behind one of her hands. Piper had her arms crossed and was impatiently tapping a finger. When no response came, she scoffed, "I thought so."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

They heard footsteps and conversation just outside the door. Levi and Tycen were having some kind of debate as they found everyone else.

"See, here they are," Levi said. "Everything okay?" He put his hand on Piper's lower back. She leaned into the touch. She smiled and nodded.

"Yeah," Piper said. "How was the monster?"

"Squishy," Levi said.

"He keeps saying that," Tycen said. "He tried to explain to me what it meant and I feel like the way he described it is incorrect."

"Okay," Anna said. "What is your definition?" She asked Levi.

"Low defense, easy to attack, not a big threat," Levi explained.

"And you feel the monster was not that?" Anna asked.

"No, I definitely agree with that. It was a pathetic excuse for a 4-star. It's really only decent attack was the aura attack but that was pitiful. I don't agree with the word choice. Why squishy? Why not burstable or simple?"

"Hey man," Levi said. "I didn't make the term, I just was saying that monster sucked." Anna and Piper giggled at the two arguing semantics after just fighting and killing a 4-star monster. The two of them walked out of the room, still debating the word choice.

"Still thinking about dualing someone who casually converses about a 4-star monster?" Piper asked. The teenage boys shook their heads, staring at the ground. "So maybe next time, don't judge someone by their class or looks, yeah?" they sheepishly nodded their heads. Anna tapped Piper on the shoulder, which led her out of the room. The moment they left, the other passengers all breathed a sigh of relief.

"Who were those monsters?" one of the teenagers asked.

"Wait till I tell my older brother and sister. They slap some sense into her," the one with the broken arm said.

"Simon, are you sure you want to mess with them?" one of them asked.

"Of course I do," Simon spat. "They were disrespectful to the Calder house, an act that shall not go unpunished!"

Monster Defeated: Titan Aura Jellyfish

4-star

Loot: Jellyfish slime 150mg

Loot: 1 gold piece, 10 silver pieces, 100 copper pieces

Progress Made

Plus 10 Strength

Plus 6 Stamina

Plus 2 Vitality

Plus 15 Wisdom

New Attribute Total: 1504

"Anything good?" Tycen asked.

"Besides general progression? No, sadly," Levi said. "I've gotten a lot of ritual materials, I should try to see what they do."

"There should be a good library somewhere in the city," Anna said. "It could be worth the time to look into what certain materials do what with rituals."

"That's not a bad idea," Levi said. "I don't want to take more time there then we have to."

"Fair enough," Anna said. "If we stumble across one, then check it out."

"Sounds good to me," Levi said. The rest of the trip was relatively uneventful. Levi and Piper spent some alone time together at the back of the boat. Anna and Tycen both found a quiet place to read one of the many books they had received in the Brawler's Dungeon. Anna was reading about the goddess Artix, and she didn't find it a coincidence that she had picked out a book, and then Levi got it as a reward. It had done nothing but confirm her suspicions about his power or ability to get loot and rewards.

A quest system, he had called it. She had never heard anybody report having such a system before. Reading this history book and then receiving the spellbook was all too suspicious for Anna.

"Hey," she said. Tycen looked up from the book he was reading.

"Yes?" he asked.

"What do you think about Levi's quest system power?"

"It's overpowered," Tycen said with little hesitation.

"That was a quick answer," Anna said with her eyebrows raised.

He shrugged, "hardly the only overpowered thing he has going for him. All of his familiars are overpowered. You have one disguising your looks and another one disguising your aura."

"Sure," Anna said. "But that does not explain the quest system. Having familiars seems to be a massive loophole that people overlook. Where did he get it?"

"According to him," Tycen said. "He's had it since he got brought to this world, so forever? What are you getting at Anna?"

"Nothing, I am simply expressing my curiosity."

"Perhaps I can help alleviate some confusion," Vapor said, appearing in front of the two of them. "Lady Anna, if you had possessed such an ability, with whom would you share that information with?"

"Hardly anyone," Anna replied.

"Just so," Vapor nodded. "The ability is linked with the ability that he had received as an otherworlder. I have heard that otherworlders get strange abilities that help them understand the world better, particularly if they are older, like my summoner."

"It is basically a way to even the lack of resources?" Tycen asked.

"Correct. I am sure the ability to do so is not new to this world. However, I have a difficult time believing that anyone would willingly divulge such an… overpowered ability."

Anna paused to consider Vapor's words. She did make a good point. Why would anyone just blatantly expose such a powerful secret? With how greedy the world was, there was no telling what any kingdom, house, or small-time ruler would do for their own personal money bag. Shoot, people tried to take advantage of dungeons for the rewards; why would they treat someone any differently? The answer was they wouldn't.

"I guess I should be grateful that he shares with us then?" Anna finally said.

"Should or should not, mean nothing," Vapor said. "Levi does not share because of your gratitude. Does it make him feel better? Marginally. Levi shares because you are his team, more importantly you are his friends. Lady Anna if I may speak with candor?"

"Have you not been doing so already?" Anna asked. Tycen stifled a laugh.

"I have not," Vapor said coldly. "For as intelligent as you are. As observant and critical as you are. You have failed to recognize your importance in Levi Winter's life. Sir Tycen here has recognized it; that is why the two of them have been bickering more and more. It is obvious that Lady Piper understands her importance. Out of all of you, you are the one who fails to see. Why is that? That is a rhetorical question, once again, it matters not to me, only to you. If I may be so bold to suggest something to the princess, I would suggest you figure that out as soon as possible."

***

Qu'ant was a massive nation run by four human houses. Not one house wanted control over the other. They all existed in harmony, and it was easy to do so as they had one rule. No other race could become a prominent house in the nation. Each house occupied a different part of the nation, while the prominent leaders of the house were located in the capital city. The capital city was the southeastern portion of the continent, purposefully placed for its ease of trade routes.

The four houses were Calder, Avington, Godfrey, and Qu'ant. Each was one of the original families that had founded the nation. Under normal circumstances, one would assume that the house named Qu'ant, the namesake of the nation, would be in charge. In most cases, one would be correct, but this was not the case. Qu'ants were the first to settle on the land; therefore, they were the ones to name the nation. Also, at the time of settling, they had a 4-star rank and were the strongest of all the other houses.

This settled the debate in an instant because power always won. The nation was at first run by the Qu'ants, but over time, the leader, Ernest Qu'ant, wanted to pursue a 5-star rank. He didn't want to leave the nation unguarded and unprotected, so he enlisted those who held found the nation. The three others agreed under one condition: they would have a say in the state of the nation. He agreed. Ernest Qu'ant never returned; no one knew if he had made it to 5-star or if he died; most assumed he perished because why hide the fact he rose to the top?

The state of Qu'ant has not been as peaceful since Ernest's mysterious disappearance. Each of the other houses attempted to completely overtake the Qu'ant house and place their house firmly on top. This wasn't done in a way that would harm any citizens; it was simply politicians harming influence and clout. Suppose the history of the nation has proved anything. In that case, it is that too many politicians in the seat of power can lead to corruption.

Each house initially had specific jobs around the nation, which is why they had risen to power. The Qu'ants, for obvious reasons, were the head. They were the house that raised the young leaders. They had the techniques and the money to guide their young to the best class evolution for whatever class they pursued. Typically, a Qu'ant would be a fantastic leader with a good set of skills and traditions. The house of Avington was the least concerned about ruling the nation, which, of course, made them the most qualified. This family were the advisors and researchers. They sought ways to create magical items, formations, runes, and more that would increase the quality of life for people in the world, especially those who were unable to use magic. Their mission was to promote a gentle integration of magic to the non-magic-using world. They were the most respected house in all of Qu'ant.

The house Godfrey was marginally interested in ruling the nation. This stemmed from one branch of the family who has become quite ambitious. This branch had settled in the western part of the continent. The Godfreys were master traders. They were the ones who would help set prices for magical items, host and conduct auctions, own and run the currency of the nation, and things of that nature. The branch that was on the western side was run by a man who was tired of seeing his family name be pushed to the side like they were nothing. However, the rest of the family was not eager to indulge in the rantings of one man.

Then there was the house that wanted all the power; this, of course, would be the Calders. Greed is their vice. Initially, the house Calder was created for their defensive tactics. They had the best adventuring guild in the world. In fact, they still did. Attending a Calder Adventuring Guild and passing meant that this young adventurer was amongst the elites. This created an air of elitism with each passing generation. To the point where they have been subtly using their clout and influence to scare, harass, and bully their way into the seat at the national table.

Unknowingly, Levi had just made an enemy with the brightest talent of the Calder's up-and-coming adventurers, Simon Calder. He is the youngest son and the head of the Calder house. His parents, Bethany and Princeton, had three children: Bradley, Monika, and Simon. Each of them was a great talent in their own right. Bradley was a talented Ranger, Monika was a talented Rogue, and Simon was a talented Sorcerer. Simon was at the top of his guild class when he completed his guild in the capital city; he had left to celebrate his graduation and victory in the Battle of the Guilds.

He was on his way back, riding the high of victory and celebration, when he had the misfortune of running into a 4-star monster. Simon was eager to show the peasants on the boat what a top 2-star, almost 3-star Calder could do. Only to be upstaged by some scrawny stranger and his punk girlfriend. He would not stand for such disrespect; he would have to handle it like a man. The second they made landfall, Simon was going to tell his siblings.