My brave, bold steps toward the academy are fraught with a small problem. I'm still soaking wet and nearly nude. I conjure death mana and weave magic cord into a towel to dry my body off. Then I summon casual clothes, a light fur and magic cord blend. The combination of the two materials allows my clothing creation to be more complex, and by complex, I mean more form-fitting and comfortable. My dark pants are almost as comfortable as my superior briefs. My shirt is light, and the sleeves end mid-bicep. Instead of going for a black color, my shirt is off-white. Comfortable stockings and plain shoes complete the look. This style seems to be the common fashion among the new people.

I pack Gloom into my quiver pack and put the pack on my back. I feel a little odd carrying the bag into the meet-and-greet, but I don't feel like wearing the cloak right now. I could sling the robe over my shoulder and try to pull off some suave look. I know my limitations. That will never work. So, a weird guy with a backpack is my only option. Maybe I can hide the pack in a corner when I get inside… It is a new group of people, though, and it probably isn't wise to be trusting with my goods from the get-go.

No, I let out a sigh. I'll just be the guy always wearing a backpack… quiver. At least it's a cool backpack quiver. That should grant me some leniency when it comes to judgment.

Enough stalling. I let out another sigh. I don't know why I'm so nervous. I already botched my first impression. It can't get any worse. Hell, it can only get better from my first introduction.

My steps are slow and heavy as I head to the academy. The day of fighting has faded into an evening of peace. Bones has several of his dead warriors on guard, who are being supported by the much livelier spiders provided by Cru. The two sets of guards sets my mind at ease in terms of security, which leaves me more or less susceptible to my own worries of social anxiety.

Maybe not completely social anxiety. I'm just feeling a little bit nervous, and that's all. Which is perfectly normal, I think. What isn't normal is being at ease in a room full of people, most of whom are more powerful and cooler than you. You can try to fake as much confidence as possible. The cool crowd will always be able to sniff you out. It's their job to find imposters amongst themselves. It's not cool to hang out with the uncool…

For the love… I'm a mess. Maybe I can sneak in with shadow and pop in when no one will notice. Then I can hang low and avoid any attention… What is going on? I can do this. I don't need to worry. My pace quickens, and I'm through the door before I can back out.

It feels like everyone's attention focuses on me as soon as I burst through the door. I definitely could have been more subtle with my entrance. Why I felt the need to push both doors open at once is beyond me. Maybe I thought it would be cool, or perhaps I wasn't thinking, and my quick walking got the better of me. Either way, I screwed up.

Both doors swing open, and I walk through with my quiver backpack still on my back like I have something important to say and I'm going on an adventure at the same time. I give the large crowd a head nod and do my best to blend in with everyone, finding an open seat at a table next to Goldi, Cru, and the two arachnoids accompanying him, Cher and Apper.

If I am subconsciously counting on Cru to be more socially inept than me, that illusion shatters immediately. The goblin and Goldi are deeply conversing about life and stuff. The two laugh and joke with each other like they are life long friends. I swallow my nerves and take a breath. No one rejects when I ask to sit. I pull back a chair from the table, much less dramatically than my entrance, and ease into my spot. The hushed silence of the hall slowly washes over by multiple conversations starting back up. I take another breath and try to relax.

The entire main floor of the academy is lined with tables of different sizes. The newly arrived youth mingles well with the lycan kids. They all seem involved in lively conversations, retelling stories about the past few days and playing games with their food. The adults of the newcomers vastly outnumber my crowd, so most tables have multiple people mixed in with one or two of my own. Cru's table is the exception.

It turns out most of the people here are still wearing some form of armor or weapon. Gavin is still in his full suit of armor, his sword sheathed and attached to his hip. Scotty, though mostly in casual apparel, has a quiver of arrows on his back and his bow rests on the table between him and Glimmer. Even Gene’s shadow robe looks to be a battle robe and not the casual form she usually wears. The discovery let’s me relax more, no longer feeling so out of place.

Bones mingles with Gavin and a few of the defenders I never met. The skeleton seems to be enjoying his company, which can't be said of Gene, who’s sitting next to Bones. It isn't so much that she isn't enjoying her company. It's more that she seems stressed with the kids growing rowdy. The Synth sisters are competing with the kids in rowdiness, who are sitting at the table with the ranger I recognize from the fight.

The two sisters laugh loudly and flirt ferociously with all the men around their table. There seem to be more men than chairs at this point. Next to Bloom is Panther, the dead shadow cat I reanimated and invested with so much death and mind mana it now seems like it has a new life, which it quickly bound to Bloom. I didn't object on account of me owing her a pet. The dead cat doesn't seem to care that it's dead and wolfs down scraps of food that escape the table.

There are over one hundred adults and an additional sixty children. The fact that we have enough food is a testament to Gene and mine's looting prowess and Glimmer's incredible runes, which amplify food quantity.

My attention is brought back to my table when Stormi… no, her name is Becky, returns with a heaping plate of mashed potatoes and roasted beef. Goldi gives her a little nod and resumes her friendly debate with Cru on the differences between life and life. To say I'm not following is an understatement. Becky easily slides into the ongoing conversation, and the topic takes a new turn with her addition.

Occasionally, I catch Becky and Goldi giving me looks because I'm also giving them looks, not just because they are pretty and human. They also have that going for them, but it is mostly Goldi. There’s something about her that I just can't place. She's hiding something, for sure. But who isn't? Confidence stems from knowing what others don't. Maybe that's my problem. I don't have enough secrets.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

"I don't think I ever introduced myself to you," says Goldi, soft enough not to disturb the conversation between Cru and Becky. "My name is Lana. And you said yours is Jim, right?" Her voice is perfect, which I will never say out loud because that's creepy.

"You've got a lovely voice, Lana." Damn it! What the hell, mouth? Where is the mind mana when I need it to shut my talking hole? The back of my neck tingles as I feel the energy racing to my mouth. I quickly shut that down before I pass out and find myself at the feet of goblins… or a goblin once more. "I mean nice… lovely to meet you."

I notice I'm still wearing my pack while sitting down, so I try to put it at my feet without making more of a scene. "You all have a lovely place here. This island is more than I ever imagined, and the mana here is thick enough to drink!" My nerves slowly ease the more she talks. "This glass house… sorry, academy, is an architectural phenomenon."

"Yeah, this is quite the place. The lake, mountains, and trees… even the demons aren't so bad once you get on friendly terms with them."

"Oh, and have you gotten on friendly terms with them?"

"A couple, yes. The rest are a work in progress. Sorry about our initial meeting, by the way. I promise we did not lead the demons to your base."

"The thought never crossed our minds. Rather, we were fortunate you all showed up when you did. How did you know we were here… or the demons were attacking us?"

"Spiders mostly. They seem to know everything."

"Cru's spiders?"

"No, it was Nette, the spiders' queen, before she lost the leadership to a god." That probably doesn't make sense, but Lana nods along like it's an ordinary explanation. I guess the strong overruling the weak isn't a unique idea. That, after all, has been most of my experience so far.

Lana is finished with her meal and is now giving our conversation… me more attention than I'm prepared for. There's no way I come out of this not looking like a fool. I casually glance to the side, looking for my support. Cru and Stormi are still conversing, and my two loyal spiders have fled the scene. Where they went or when has slipped my mind. I'm unsure if I need to speak more or if it is her turn to say something. I really don't want to blow this. It'd be nice if I could come across as semi-impressive.

"So, how did you all end up here?" Questions are the key to a conversation, right? As long as I can keep her talking, I talk less, which gives me a smaller chance of making a fool of myself. Now, if she takes the bait, I only need to ask questions about details. It's a perfect plan.

"On Gavin's finest boat. I told him it wasn't wise to bring his best boat, but he persisted in saying that we would not take anything less than the best when trying to reach the Lost Coast. I couldn't argue that, so we traveled on the fastest boat in the Agora continent and possibly in the world. He's probably going to miss the great race this year…" Lana gives a devious grin. "How about yourself?"

Damn, where are my spiders when I need them? I'm supposed to be asking the questions. Calm down. I've been here before. I just need to answer her questions. "I don't know. Just kind of woke up in the desert and started walking. Got in a few fights along the way and nearly died a few times, or maybe I did die, and this is just a ghost of myself. Anyway, did some hiking across the mountain range, and now I'm here."

And just like that, I reveal the source of my confidence. All my silly secrets spill out of my mouth because questions demand answers, and I'm too weak to sidestep them.

"You just woke up?" Lana asks with a veiled expression. I'm outclassed here. I was supposed to ask the question. It was my turn, and she beat me to it. She turns the table on me so quickly I don't even see it coming.

"Yeah, one moment I was asleep having the worst nightmare about a painful death, and the next I was lying in the desert. Everything beyond that is a mystery." I will be so deep in a hole by the time dinner is over. Maybe it's Lana's attentiveness. Perhaps I'm under a spell. Things I probably shouldn't say are just spewing out.

Lana's golden brows raise, creating the slightest crease on her forehead. "You don't remember any more than that?" There's concern in her voice that I find endearing. Damn. I'm under a spell, for sure. Where's Gene? Someone needs to hide all the shiny things.

Relax. Nette's voice is soft and comforting. She has no spell on you besides her charm and natural good looks. I can find no ill intent in her mind — only curiosity — a hungry curiosity but an innocent one. Before I can respond, I feel Nette's connection with me dissolving. I'm a little less nervous now, if only a little.

"Not really." Lana seems to want to press my answer for more but refrains. Her reluctance is the opening I need to regain control and strike immediately. "So why were you looking for this island in the first place? Seems only the desperate or greedy are attracted to this place."

"Oh, and what are you?" Yep, definitely outclassed. She answered my question with a question, and it was so smooth. How is the focus back on me?

"Both, but more so one than the other."

"And which one is that?" She smiles playfully. She's calm, relaxed, and in complete control. I, on the other hand, feel like I'm sitting in a pool of sweat. I will probably need to cool off in the lake once more as soon as I can escape. How do people have such casual conversations? Why am I stressing so much? I've talked to people before. Cru, Sil, Gene, Bones, and I have all had casual conversations.

Bones says he has never experienced a casual conversation with you. He says it's always been prickly, much like the desert. He also says he feels parched after talking with you. And this has gotten so much worse. Why is Bones included in this conversation? Gene is listening in on this, too. She says this conversation is far too meaningful not to listen in on. Also, she disagrees with Bones, but she doesn't think you should include Sil in your list of successful conversation partners.

Thanks, Nette, I reply with no sincerity.

Glad to help. Keep up the good work. Once again, our communication seems to be cut off. As if focussing on one conversation isn't hard enough, now I have to battle with my thoughts and the thoughts of three others. Four. Cru is also listening. He's just keeping his thoughts to himself. You might want to answer her question now. The silence has been far too long.

"Yes," Is my response. I'm not sure if it is correct. Judging by the raised brow Lana is giving, it probably isn't. I stick with it, though. "And was it desperation or greed that brings you here?"

"Both." She gives me another playful smile. I feel like I'm once again trapped in a spider's web. Except, I'm not scared, which terrifies me. Thankfully, Lana gives some ground, "We were one of the last free cities in Agora. The empires of the continent broke out into war, and everything became a power grab for them. Those with us are remnants of people not wanting to be claimed by another."