Nozumu was annoyed. He was less than impressed. He was a touch underwhelmed—most of all, however: he was disappointed.

Owing to his standardised Drathian education, he had a pretty baseline understanding of the many different cultures of the world. Owing further to the Dejimaen specific courses, he knew about foreign etiquette—and the lack thereof, specifically when they are faced with an exotic culture. Something truly different.

Drakes, for example, were the worst offenders. They are a very proud people; they are staunch believers in Drake superiority. They may gawk, but mostly decried what wasn't Drake as inferior. Humans tended to be gawkers. They populated everywhere in significant numbers on the major continents, save for Baleros, and Human architecture tended not to vary too much. Lizardfolk would react the same to a new pair of footwear as they would to a Naga riding an Earth Dragon.

There are many truly unique cities in the world. The Kingdom of Keys would confuse and inspire awe in anyone, but it was still distinctly Human. Even Khelt, with its undead labourers and quasi-immortal revenant [Kings] and [Queens]. All cultures—Drathians included—tended to be wowed by, well, the entirety of Minos. But people knew of Minotaurs. They were lauded for being true paradises.

Drath was no paradise—it was far from it! Ask an [Abyssal Slayer], or anyone who survived long enough to become a [Horrorbane]. The average Drathian child would be in no less everyday danger than a child of the Blighted Kingdom, and could live a standard life free of any major misfortune, yes! But if the Blighted Kingdom’s great foe won, it would—depending on your point of view—be a catastrophic disaster, or justice. If Drath’s great foe emerged victorious…

There would be no one left.

So—Nozumu was disappointed, among other things. Disappointed because he knew that the reaction of even the most seasoned adventurer, [Princess]... or anyone really who found themselves in one of the hearts of Drathian culture was was awe. Varying levels of awe, yes, but the faces of those who look upon a Drathian city for the first time had a distinct characteristic.

Ivory, meanwhile, had already seen everything that was here before. YouTube binges into rural Japanese villages, pre World War 2 historical streets… and not to mention, like most middle class Australian families, he had been to South East Asia a few times—Bali, specifically.

This isn't to say that he was uninterested or bored. No, quite the opposite: it was just not what Nozumu had expected him to feel.

"What do you think of Dejima, Ivory?"

Nozumu wasn't going to ask, and he didn't want to. It was in truly awful taste to ask such a question—not because there was some cultural etiquette that was being broken, but because it was tacky. Especially since Nozumu asked for the wrong reasons. He wanted a response!

They had, at this point, seen a sizeable amount of the city. Ivory didn't think in these terms, nor would he say something along these lines, but it was just… a city. Nozumu could easily narrate his unrehearsed guided tour due to his new Skills.

"Pretty awesome! I might have to buy a few [Translation] scrolls so I can wander around and do some shopping… I'll avoid that [Leatherworker], though. He was giving me a dirty look. He's just jealous, isn't he, Missy?"

"No, he was looking at his retirement walk away."

"Bloody hell!" Ivory exclaimed, startled at the sudden appearance of Xei Shi. Nozumu was equally spooked; the feathers on his arms stood slightly on end, as if mimicking goosebumps.

"I see there's no going back now. You are bonded by a class," she said matter-of-factly.

"How do you know that?"

In response, she swept a hand to the man standing beside her.

"He told me."

Xei Shi turned to Nozumu. "(Your tour can wait. You will remember Heito—) Heito nodded at Nozumu, who returned a decently low bow (—and you will remember Nozumu. That is Ivory Henderson, the one casting all those spells on the beach.")

Heito turned to Ivory and extended his arm. It took Ivory a second before he jerked forward and shook his hand.

"(Are you going to tell him that I can't speak his language? I'd rather wait to cast [Translation Field]). Ivory's ears perked up as his Skill gave him a clue as to what they were talking about.

"(He caused me some trouble—he'll survive. Did you see him just now? That Skill of his likely told him the spell you said.) Xei Shi replied, with a hint of humour. She wasn't actually that annoyed—anymore—but she saw an opportunity for some fun and took it.

("How considerate of you. That Skill is incredible, though. On that note, he has many curious Skills and spells…")

Heito began the thinking man's Intellectual Beard Stroke™, but remembered as skin touched akin that he no longer had one.

("Self-taught [Sorcerers] with little to no guidance—comparatively to what a [Mage] of a circumstance would have—tend to have fewer Skills and spells than what our friend here has. Yet he has the Skills that many would beg for. He doesn't exactly fit the stereotype for one that would practise blood magic, either: look at him. He has some entry level Skills, but also a Skill a lucky level 40 spellcaster wouldn't be disappointed to receive. He also, apparently, was illiterate.")

"I'm trusting in the process here. I really am. But what are they talking about?!" Ivory asked Nozumu.

"He cannot speak the language. When we get to his workshop he will cast [Translation Field]—it does not work if we are moving. They are talking about your Skills, and that you have some really good ones." He chose to omit Xei Shi's participation.

("I disagree. Let him experience what magic can do—is that not what you said his goal was? Now, let's see what happened.") Nozumu nervously eyed Ivory.

("[Appraisal: Levelling History].”) A wall of text appeared before Heito, moving as he did.

Ivory Henderson. [Sorcerer level 11]. [Beast Tamer level 1].

[Sorcerer Class obtained!]

[Sorcerer Level 1!]

[Skill - Basic Mana Control Obtained!]

[Skill - Basic Literacy Obtained!]

[Sorcerer level 3!]

[Spell - Light obtained!]

[Spell - Lightshow obtained!]

[Skill - Elemental Control (Lesser)] obtained!

[Sorcerer level 5!]

[Sorcerer level 11!]

[Skill - Magical Inspiration obtained!]

[Skill - Conceptualise Magic (Lesser) obtained!]

[Skill - Efficient Spellcasting obtained!]

[Skill - Dangersense obtained!]

[Skill - Blood Manipulation (Lesser) obtained!]

[Spell - Purify Blood obtained!]

[Skill - Mana Stream obtained!]

[Spell - Detect Magic obtained!]

[Pact sealed: The Charm of Zont.]

[Skill - The Charm of Zont learned!]

[Skill - Zont’s Beginner’s Wand learned!]

[Skill - Lesser Resistance: Electricity learned!]

[Skill - Imbue Object: Electricity learned!]

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[Sorcerer Level 12!]

[Spell - Eerie Cinders obtained!]

[Spell - Electric Jolt obtained!]

[Spell - Gust obtained!]

[Skill - Translation: Drathian Proper Nouns obtained!]

[Beast Tamer Class obtained!]

[Beast Tamer Level 1!]

[Skill - Lesser Strength obtained!]

Ivory couldn’t read any of it, of course, but the other three could—and did. He was shocked that you could just… do that!

“Hey, what the hell? Tell him that he could have at least asked permission!”

(“What’s he saying? Right, he understood the spell,”) Heito said, without a trace of guilt. (“Whatever happened to make him jump six levels must have been quite the event, seeing as that is what gave him so many phenomenal Skills.”) Xei Shi looked over her shoulder.

“Ivory, what caused you to level from 5 to 11?” Xei Shi asked conversationally.

“None of your business!”

(“We can find out later.”)

(“Career defining Skills, with some blood Skills thrown in. He may have been involved in the killing—or saving—of someone important. That'd be my guess. [For Your Ears Only].)”

Ivory rolled his eyes as he threw his arms up dramatically. Nozumu, however, was confused.

“Join the club. What did he say before he cast of what I can only assume was a privacy spell?”

“About… what made you level so much.”

“Well, I’ll tell you later when these two are gone!” Ivory made a face at the two Drathians that, of course, they didn’t see. He just hoped Xei Shi heard.

"Again, trusting in the process, but this is kinda rude."

Heito and Xei Shi were silently leading the way, when Ivory asked the million dollar question.

"So, we are going to his 'workshop'. Who is he, anyway? Xei Shi didn't bother introducing him, and all he has done is poke around in my, err, character?"

"Heito is an [Onmyouji]. He teaches introductory classes on magic. He also approved my leave of studies to be your guide."

"Oh." It didn't take a [Genius] to figure out that he was some kind of [Mage], but the rest of it? Excellent. He almost excused the prying into his head.

"Honestly, I don't really care that he kept [Appraising] me; it just feels like I should care about an invasion of privacy, y'know? Especially since I can't even understand what he's saying." Nozumu nodded absentmindedly.

The two of them walked on in silence. Another conversation was winding down.

("Of course I will. Was this your plan all along, you hag?)

Xei Shi smiled innocuously.

("I wouldn't know the first thing about what you mean. I was merely showing you the fruit of your generosity.")

("That Hidenori is a cunning one. You know, he spoke nothing to me of this, save for his request. Few come to Drath, and even fewer receive a guide. That he would even make the request—")

("Yes, because you're bored. You've not had the need for a sharp mind for some time. Granted, I knew not of your part to play in this until the Beastkin appeared. Nor that.")

Heito grunted a reluctant acceptance of that fact and held up a hand.

"'Bout time…" Ivory thought. They stood at the corner of two streets; it looked as if they were at the 'split' between the residential and commercial areas. Ivory looked to his right, down the residential street: it was steep! You'd get the workout of a lifetime walking up that—even with his [Lesser Strength], carrying Misoe while slogging it would be a trial. He assured this was his 'workshop'—a downstairs for work, upstairs for living kind of situation.

Heito reached into his bag of holding and retrieved a tied piece of parchment. He placed it on the ground in front of home. Despite being a few metres away from him, he instinctively retreated a few more. Xei Shi let out a suitably loud ha.

"Perhaps there is some wisdom after all."

For some reason that actually put Ivory at ease—if he was actually in danger, she definitely wouldn't have said anything.

Heito knelt down and held his left palm over the still unfurled piece of parchment. The index finger on his other hand sharpened into some kind of nail blade—and gave the outstretched palm a poke.

A few drops of blood dropped landed in the parchment, as intended. The pretty knot of the string was seemingly just for show—the string fizzled away neatly, allowing the parchment to unceremoniously flop over. There was some kind of… summoning circle drawn on it; Heito's blood was calling something forth.

Poof!

Through the smoke, Ivory could make out that it was some kind of plant. A potted plant, actually. Nozumu got in first to react.

"Dead gods, what?"

It was more a reasonable reaction—it was a pretty ordinary looking fern. Except that on the end of a few of fronds were… parrot heads. Bright red parrots heads.

There was still a bit of blood on his palm—Heito gave one of the parrots a scratch on the head and offered it his palm. The bird's weird, stumpy grey tongue darted in and out, almost cleaning the wound. Its deep blue eyes turned cloudy for a moment.

"Caaaw!"

Poof. No smoke this time—one moment it was there, one moment it was not. The scroll neatly furled itself back into shape; its string appearing on it moments later. Heito picked it up and pocketed it.

"The [Sapling of Omujinabi]. Great Skill. Sorry about the language; [Translation Field] is a pain to maintain while on the move," Heito beckoned everyone as he walked towards his front door. "It's a pleasure to meet you properly, Ivory. I've heard much. Come in, come in."

"Hello," Ivory replied. He and the other two followed Heito to his front door—he put his hand on what was a rather black slab of a thing. After a second it started to ripple, and he walked right through. Xei Shi followed right on; Nozumu and Ivory after her.

It was clear to Ivory that this was a workshop. The first thing Ivory was greeted to was a staircase leading downwards—likely his living quarters, since Heito lead them straight on. Through the short corridor was a series of, well, typically Japanese styled works of art. The first—and most striking—was a youngish looking man sitting by a lovely pond. Most striking, however, were the multitude of blue tendrils (tails?) at his back. As he walked past it, its face turned to look at Ivory.

"Wah!" Misoe chimed in, woken up by the brief, but sudden, surge of magic. Ivory sensed nothing.

"Forgot you were there for a while. No, don't touch those, goddamnit. Really can't take you anywhere!" Ivory finished in some semblance to babyspeak.

There were many other artworks, but Ivory was just following Nozumu while playing with the loaf in his arms.

"Through here," Heito beckoned. They walked underneath a lovely red archway into his office. Ivory read 'Heito, [Onmyouji]' thanks to his Skill. Heito motioned for the two of them to sit—Xei Shi was nowhere to be seen.

"My apologies, once again," Heito said to Ivory as he poured the three of them some tea. Ivory felt as though he and Nozumu were competing against each other in a job interview.

"Something for her as well, of course. [Globe of Mana]." A distinctly blue sphere materialised on the table. "I'm sure she's still quite heavily; she'll be okay ok on the table."

"Th—"

"So," Heito said, his head resting on his hands. "Why aren't you a [Mage]?"

Nozumu almost spat out his tea. Ivory paused, squinting his eyes.

"Because… I am a [Sorcerer]?"

"No. I'm asking why you opted for [Sorcerer] over [Mage]. You have some money in your Bag of Holding, and you wouldn't be travelling with all your gold. You could afford to rent a spellbook, or outright buy a basic one. So, why?" Nozumu's eyes almost popped out their sockets.

"Excuse me? Why is that any of your business, and why are you looking through my stuff?!"

Heito, realising that his method of coaxing out the philosophical reasoning for choosing the more difficult class had failed, changed tactics.

"Calm down, child—"

"Child?" Ivory exclaimed, standing up. "Who do you think you are that you can talk to someone like that? I've been nothing but respectful, all things considered. I'm not going to be treated like this. See ya."

Ivory picked up Misoe—who had only just then given the [Mana Globe] a few licks—and walked off.

Nozumu’s head rapidly darted between Heito and the rapidly shrinking Ivory. Heito sighed deeply.

“Go to him and continue carrying out your duty. I will speak to him tomorrow,” he said, rubbing his eyes. He gave a wave of his hand, cancelling the [Translation Field].

Nozumu got up, bowed quickly, and rushed after Ivory. He was sitting on a ledge just outside the house.

“What a cunt. Sorry, but that was beyond. I can live without having spoken to him. I’m over it. Can you take me back to the inn?”

“Yes—just wait. Let me talk to him. Please wait here.”

“For all the good that will do, yes,” Ivory spoke aloud to himself. He knew he was way more mad that he should be, but, like, what the hell? He knew that this performance was a bit much, but future Ivory could deal with that.

“Blaah.”

“That’s the way.”

Ivory exhaled wearily. What a day. He was looking forward to just doing nothing, and soon. Ivory stood up to stretch his back, and noticed that a passerby had dropped something as they passed by. Perhaps a bit of Good Samaritanism would cheer him up.

“Excuse me!” Ivory called out, hoping either they understood him, or the [Translation Field] was still working.

The passerby—an unnoteworthy, middle aged Human man—turned around and aaah’d. He began speaking in Drathian which, as luck would have it, was not being translated to him. He then patted his back, made a pained face and pointed down at the wooden turtle shell.

“Oh, sure!” Ivory bent down to pick it up—

Hhwhip.

“Ivory?” Nozumu called, as he came back out. All he saw was a young Human female walking down the residential hill. He looked around before calling out again. After a minute, he rushed back inside, shouting in panicked Drathian.