《VOID EMPIRE: IMPERIAL MAGE》 Chapter One. Chapter one. I finally closed my truck door and started the engine. The construction job site parking lot was in front of the five-story building that was in the process of being built. I sat in my truck collecting my thoughts. I looked at the bare bones of the building, the iron columns, and the beams that were being erected, The intersections that my welding team joined with fire and molten power. ¡°So nice to finally have a three-day weekend,¡± I said to myself. The building I was currently working on was in the mountains just outside of a small city. I was lucky that one of my favorite camping spots was just fifty or so miles up the road from my current job. As I rolled out of the job site at noon on Friday for a long-deserved three-day weekend of campfires, swimming, fishing, and a few good old fashion gamelit novels, I smiled. I drove down the two-lane highway and pulled off onto the back roads that would take me farther back into the woods. A smile crossed my face as I heard and felt the soft hum of pavement switch to the crunching grind of a gravel road. In all my years of coming up this side of the mountain, I had only ever seen one other soul, and that was a forest service truck. I was about three-quarters of the way to my destination when it happened. More like things shifted. Almost imperceptible to the human sense, but as anyone who has traveled the wild, lonely roads can attest, sometimes reality becomes far more fluid than one had ever thought possible. I was driving, the crunch of the dirt road creating a meditative fugue as I relaxed. The trees and road began to elongate as if I were moving at thousands upon thousands of miles per hour. Then with a sudden snap and a wash of vertigo, I was plunged into a tremulous gray void of chaos. I felt myself being pulled apart. The essence of who I was floating away back into the source of all things. I did not panic, but I was not ready to be dissolved back into the primal chaos. I wrenched at the essence of myself with all of my will. Holding fast to the form that was me. I groped at the edges of the rolling sea, looking for anything that would give me a solid holding in this unreality. I cannot say how long I searched; maybe seconds, maybe eons. All I know is that I finally, with my hands, for lack of a better word, grasped the edge of a platform. Pulling with all of my will; as strength had little to nothing to do with one¡¯s existence in this place. I hoisted myself up and out of the foaming mess of chaos. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. ¡°Holy fuck¡­ What the fuck. What the hell was that.¡± I groaned out loud, more to hear my voice than anything else. I laid on my side panting. When the shaking subsided, and I felt I had enough presence of mind to stand, I did. What greeted me was terrifying; I would have pissed myself if I could have. The platform was small, maybe ten feet by ten feet, and in the center was a short pillar. The terrifying part was what was all around me or not around me. As far as I could see was what looked to be a frothing, undulating gray sea and above; blackness, Nothingness, a true void. I was on a small platform in between the void of nothing and the chaos foam of reality. It was scary, not the horror movie, jump out and scare you, kind of scary; no, it was a deep existential terror. One that gripped at the edges of what I could define as my sanity in this place. Now I saw something that, by all rights, nothing but the most powerful of beings should be seeing. I had no idea how I was holding myself together, but I was. I took a few hesitant steps toward the pillar. Sitting on top of the pillar was an envelope with the words, PLEASE READ TRAVELER, in big, bold letters written on it. I slowly reached out my hand and took the letter, then I began to read. Dear Traveler, World Walker, Wanderers, and all the rest. If you are reading this, then you are lucky enough to have forewarning for what is happening to you. You find yourself now in a quantum nexus of chaos. This is a waiting place of sorts; that I made, for all those who find themselves magically Shanghaied from Earth, then cast aside. Either by a God, Goddess, or other such beings. For those of you who found themselves turning a corner in the woods and falling through a crack in the world, this place is for you as well. It is a place connected to the quantum foam of improbability and knowledge. This roiling sea is connected to Earth¡¯s universe and many, many others. Is it connected to all universes? That I do not know. Neither do I know on to which planet or place you shall be deposited. You could find yourself on a world full of many possible magic¡¯s and wonders. I do know this; if you have come from one of the Earth primes like me; you will never find yourself on such a low magic world again. Having come to this place through the worlds a few times now. I have found myself here with enough power on hand to create this brief respite for you. I am leaving this note to hopefully give you a better chance of success as you reenter the quantum flux. As you are traveling through the flux of chaos; whatever you focus on is granted. Want to learn how to wield a sword, learn engineering, fly a spaceship, tame dragons, or wield magic; then focus on that. Things you focus on will be learned on an instinctual level, along with other skills and knowledge. This will then influence to a slight degree into which multiverse; then universe, and then world you will be deposited. The travel time is different for each person. Thus, the amount of power each person can claim is different for each. Think wisely and know this. The more power you are able to claim, the longer you have travelled and thus the more dangerous the world you will find yourself on. The danger comes from the proximity to hostile realms. Such as the demon realm. Worlds close to their realm suffer from constant demon invasions. The demons are nowhere near as bad as the abyssal nightmares and the horrors of the void. Good luck, traveler. Sincerely, Another earth human. P.S: Please put the note back for the next person. Don¡¯t be an ass; I will know. Chapter Two CHAPTER TWO. I set the note back down onto the pillar where I had found it. I hollered loudly in glee and joy, raising my hands high in the air a yelled, ¡°Fuck yeah!¡± I was going to a magic world. ¡°Holy shit,¡± I thought. I needed to collect myself and think. The platform I found myself on was resting just above a rolling sea of chaos, and the black, blank expanse of the void stretched above me. It was terrifying, but who cares. ¡°Magic, right.¡± I thought. My life back on earth was not especially good or bad. I was a welder and worked in the construction field. I was partially educated and, as such, was an oddity in the field. I found myself working more closely with the engineers on any project than I did with my fellows of the blue-collar. I had just turned thirty years old when I had driven through what I assumed to be a crack in reality. I had fallen in love with RPGs of all sorts from a young age and spent a lot of my adult life playing computer and tabletop games. So, I had a tentative grasp on what was happening. Everyone daydreamed at one point or another about going into a story they love. Earth is filled with stories from history of peoples disappearing to magical worlds. The fact it happened to me, well, that was just a plus. The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings. ¡°Right enough about that.¡± I said. ¡®Magic,¡¯ I thought, forming my plan of action. It sounded to me like the more I could not freak out during my time in the sea of chaos, the more power I would be able to claim. I was going to grab as much of the power the note talked about as I could. I thought about the vague outlines of a world I wanted to end up on. I wanted magic and, more to the point, sorcery. Sorcery was a wonderfully intuitive way of controlling magic and mana. Allowing for the wielder of such powers to become wonderfully overpowered, and I was going to gank the hell out of this opportunity if I could. ¡°Ok, first what magics do I want to try and claim?¡± I thought. ¡°First, I am going to need to understand the core principles of magic, or mana. So, something like arcane mana sorcery.¡± I thought. Then I began listing the elements I would focus on, listing them on my fingers as I went. Earth and the subsequent metals and crystalline structures. Fire or, to be more exact, energy. The addition or subtraction of that energy. A little bit of water and air magic for good measure. Can¡¯t forget healing and last force or kinetic energy. If I had time, then I would go for life, death, and summoning. I needed to keep in mind languages and mental resistances as well. With my hopeful list assembled and sorted in my mind, I looked out off of the platform. It was terrifying, but jumping back into the sea of chaos was my only choice. I sorted my mind filling it with the forms of sorcery I wanted. I was thankful now that I had spent a great deal of time meditating on earth. Using some old tricks I knew for clearing my mind; I did the inverse instead. Stuffing my mind to the brim with nothing else but the ideas of where I wanted to go and the magics I wanted to claim. When my mind was set like the roots of the mountains, I did not hesitate. I ran with all my power to the edge of the platform and threw myself off. As I sailed out into the void and down into the sea of chaos. I tucked my knees to my chest and wrapped my hands around them, then I screamed, ¡°CANNONBAAAAAALL!!!¡± Chapter Three A. Chapter three A. As I plunged into the frothing sea of chaos, I felt like I was falling. I was buffeted by waves of vertigo. My mind was set like stone, and as soon as I entered the churning chaos, I began to feel my mind pull at the forms of magic that I had decided upon. Deep arcane understanding of the elements blossomed in my mind. The earth and all of its composite forms. The intricate crystalline matrices of metal. The understanding of fire and reducing it to its base elemental component of energy. The transfer of energy propelling atomic states to higher and lower energy states. The tender caresses of water and the buffeting gales of wind merged into my being. The deep intricacies of DNA, RNA, and cellular structures. The membranes that made up plants and animals blossomed into a kind of biological sorcery. If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. Kinetic force, almost in and of itself a fundamental energy of the universe. The potential energy and the transference thereof. Finally, the profound and deep understanding of arcane manna sorcery. The knowledge intricately wove itself in between all of the other understandings I had gathered. Arcane mana sorcery allowed for unseen linkages between each element to form. The possible spells and enchantments that could be created from these connections increased significantly. The knowledge cemented itself in my mind. I could feel that my time was coming to an end. Within the chaos, I quickly pulled deeply on the last two things I knew that I would need if I was going to arrive on any new planet. Language and writing in all of its wonderful contortions. The knowledge gently caressed every single one of my understandings, expanding my vocabulary and the language processing center of my incorporeal brain. As I felt the deep mysteries and understandings root themselves in my mind, I felt myself fading. Sleeping. My sense of self darkened, and I felt myself fade into the deep black oblivion of sleep. At the last moment, a strong and powerful force racketed me like a tennis ball. It sent me careening off in a new direction. I heard a soft feminine voice say, ¡°Please help them! They are my daughters of love! Find them, find them. Please help them! I will speak to you soon.¡± I blacked out. Chapter three B. Chapter three B. As my consciousness reformed and I could feel myself tethered once again to a body. I let out a long and whimpered groan. The agony and splitting headache that permeated my mind and body sent racking waves of nausea through me. I rolled onto my left side and tried to vomit. But to my profound horror, I had nothing in my stomach to empty. I lay whimpering on the ground as the blinding pain that filled my body slowly began to subside. Like a dimmer switch on a light being turned down, until finally, I had some semblance of coherence. ¡°Oh boy, that hurt. I guess all those books when they talked about the groaning and pain of interdimensional travel weren¡¯t too exaggerated. Maybe they were onto something.¡± I said out loud as I sat up. ¡°Now, where am I? What was that voice at the end? Must have been a feminine god or a goddess. Best not make assumptions if a divine is involved.¡± My eyes finally came fully into focus, and I was staring out of a small bluff? Cave? Overhang, yes, an overhang. The overhang was maybe ten feet deep and seven feet tall and gave some semblance of protection from the elements. Though the front was nearly thirty feet long. The opening was set on the part of a small hill and looked down onto a small forest. The trees were pine, or what I assumed to be pine. They looked near enough to the tall, needily trees. As I sat cross-legged on the ground, moving a few stones from underneath my ass to get more comfortable, I said, ¡°First things first, check to see if I¡¯m in a game-like world. Status.¡± I said the last while focusing inward on who I was and trying to sort of vomit it up into the world. And wouldn¡¯t you know it; as soon as I finished uttering the phrase, a semitransparent window popped up about the size of a tablet from back on earth. I could not describe its color, as it had none, yet it was all of the colors at the same time. It was like it was real, yet was not; a projection onto the world, from the world. The knowledge it gave off had the intrinsic feeling of being right and true. Individual Statistical Analyses. Name: Eric Grayson. Race: Human. Level: 0. Experience to next level; zero out of 10. Health: 100 percent. Mana capacity: 100. Mana regeneration: Error¡­Max [11.5 mana per second.] Attributes: 4 per level. Strength: 10. Body: 10. Speed: 10. Dexterity: 10. Mana capacity: 10. Mana regeneration: 10. Charisma: 10. Affinities: Arcane mana manipulation: 100 percent. Earth: 100 percent. Fire: 100 percent. Air: 50 percent. Water: 50 percent. Life: 85 percent. Death: 15 percent. Light: 85 percent. Shadow: 75 percent. Space-time: 25 percent. Summoning: 25 percent. Abilities: 1 per level. Skills: 1 per level. Spells: 1 per level. ¡°Ok, looks like I¡¯m in a world with a quantized system, and the magics I was able to gather from that place translated over as affinities.¡± I said to myself. ¡°Now instead of just getting up and running off, Eric, let¡¯s see if I can figure out this mana. Odd that I have an error in my mana regeneration, probably means it¡¯s really high or something. I hope its high.¡± I held out my right hand and focused on my body. I felt the mana coursing through me and understood it intuitively. The knowledge was simply there, like a long-forgotten memory. This was the high level of my mana manipulation at work; it made using the mana in my body second nature to me. The formation of my mana core and mana channels had been the source of my previous pain. Holding my right hand out, I focused on what I thought I wanted in a simple spell. ¡®Create a small candle flame,¡¯ I thought over and over as I pushed on my mana internally. Finally, I was rewarded with a small candle flame appearing just above my palm, along with a soft chime in the back of my head and a notification. [You have learned the spell: Candle flame; base cost: error¡­ 0.1 mana per minute. Level 1.] ¡°Great,¡± I said as I checked my stats screen to see if the spell showed up. ¡°Well, with that confirmed this won¡¯t be too bad, at least I can teach myself spells.¡± This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there. The candle flame was barely hot, and by adjusting my focus, I could control the temperature. The flame could go from a barely hot, dull orange to a scorching white-hot flame. The flame from as far as I could tell still only took .1 mana to produce, even at its hottest. ¡°Fuck yeah, magic. Ok now for the other elements and some more useful spells.¡± I said as I extinguished the flame and pumped my fist. Focusing on the earth around my I pulled on the surrounding granite-like stone. Projecting my mana out, I felt the rock liquify then reform on the shape I wanted. At the same time, another notification appeared along with the voice. [You have learned the spell: Stone spike: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per inch of spike. Level 1.] Next, I examined my body and focused on seeing all of its internal workings. Then a three-dimensional, fully graphic mental image formed in my mind¡¯s eye. I received the same soft whispering voice and notification. [You have learned the spell: Analyze body: base cost: 3 mana a second. Level 1.] This spell did not have an error-tag to it. I looked over my states again. The spell was associated with the life magic affinity. That was an Affinity I did not have a one hundred percent in. ¡°I¡¯ll have to try a few more spell types, but I think the errors are focused on the Affinities with one hundred percent.¡± I said, moving on to my next spell. Looking over my body, I could tell traveling through the dimensions had left me in remarkably good shape; wanting to keep it that way, it was definitely time for a healing spell. I found a sharp stone on the floor and cut my forearm. Not deeply but enough to draw blood. I focused on the area with my new internal view and could see where the cellular structures had been damaged; and how the little pieces of me were trying frantically to fix the small wound. I pushed my mana to the area and told it to heal. Healing washed through the area as a warm, tingling sensation. The soft voice in my mind said along with the notification. [You have learned the spell: Focused healing: Base cost: 7.5 mana per second. Level 1.] ¡°Ok, now for some true attack spells. Let¡¯s see here¡­¡± I said as I stood trailing off. I don¡¯t want to draw too much attention to myself right now, but I need to do this. I walked to the edge of the overhang and stepped out into the sunlight. The edge of the woods was about fifty or so yards down a gentle slope. I focused on a tree, and with a push of mana through the earth, I poured 7.2 mana into the spell stone spike. A stone spike the size of a person lanced out from the ground like a darting spear. It gouged out a quarter of the trunk. CRACK! ¡°Oops. Well shit.¡± I said. ¡°Suppose there¡¯s no use for stealth now.¡± The stone spike had only cost 8 mana, slightly more than I initially invested, but the extra had been put towards speeding the spell up and the distance it manifested away from me. ¡®looks like fire and earth are going to be my best elements, though life, shadow, light, air and water aren¡¯t far behind.¡¯ Next, I wanted to try one of my lower affinity¡¯s. So, I chose wind which was at fifty percent. I focused the mana on the palm of my hand-building a construct of sorts. It was three blades that rotated around a center point. The time and focus were much greater than it had been for fire and earth. Those elements had almost seemed to happen instantly compared to the battle of wills I was having with the wind element. Finally, the spell clicked into place. As the whirling blades leapt from my hands towards the trees, I received a notification announced in the same voice. [You have learned the spell: Shuriken wrath: Base cost: 42.5 mana. Level 1.] The spell was underwhelming. It barely made it to the trees, and when it did hit, it left a small scratch. I was not impressed. I thought the spell had revealed a great deal about the affinities. It looked like affinities played a major role in the mana cost for spells and how hard it was to learn new spells. I raised my hand again and began casting the spell every four seconds. I did this for ten minutes. Unleashing one hundred and fifty of the weak whirley blades of death. Until I got the notification, I was hoping for. [Shuriken wrath has reached level two.] There was no way to see the progress of the spell. The next level notification was the only marker. I had a feeling that the affinity played a part in leveling as well. First to test the changes in the spell, though. I cast the shuriken¡¯s wrath spell. This time I noticed that I could invest the same base cost over, for a total of eighty-five mana. It took a hair¡¯s breadth longer but not much. When I let the spell go, two of the large, three-bladed, whirley death spinners were released. Their effect was far more devastating. They were more solid-looking and proved it when they tore into the tree; they had barely scratched before. I had one last experiment to try. I called up the same spell, but this time as I infused my mana, I focused on making as many small spinning blades as possible. Within a few seconds, I had reached eighty-five mana; holding my hand out, I released the spell. Hundreds of small shurikens were released in a moment from my hand in a wide cone. They blasted into the forest, ripping limbs from trees and carving small but deep rents in the trees. The front of the forest looked like it had gone through a shredder. ¡°Holy¡­Fuuuuck. Well, that¡¯s something.¡± I said lamely, looking at the devastation. ¡°I can¡¯t leave a perfectly wonderful area of forest destroyed.¡± I had not intended the spell to work so efficiently; I thought with the size would come a power reduction. Apparently not. It did confirm, though, that my will and thoughts had a significant impact on the spell. I was tempted to try a fireball. I really, really wanted to. But as Smoky the Bear said, ¡°Only you can prevent forest fires.¡± And an accidental magical inferno would kill me just as easily, as well, anything. ¡®Now how to fix the forest.¡¯ I thought as I walked closer to the devastation. I really needed some shoes and clothes for that matter. Why were extra-dimensional travelers always arriving everywhere naked? In order to heal the damage that I had done to the forest, I had to come up with a whole new bevy of very utility-based spells. As each spell formed and a new one was needed, I let my affinities guide me in bringing the forest back to its pre-shuriken disaster state. I sent out waves of healing and growth magic into the trees, repairing the damage. [you have learned the spell, mass healing, manipulate plant, rapid growth, heal plant, fertilize soil, invigorate, nutritious water and fuse.] It was a dizzying array of spells that I was notified with as I healed the forest back to new. Each spell came with a little bit of knowledge of what the spell could do and how it connected to the others. ¡°There, good as new.¡± I said, looking over my magical handiwork. The other problem I had was I was still all fleshy, and a claw or tooth would more than likely be enough to end my life. I did not think I was going to be able to stand up to any form of attack. And the fact health was listed as a percent in my status page could only mean death followed a more natural course on this planet. ¡®How to fix the problem?¡¯ I mused to myself. I would need some form of automatic healing. Through my arcane mana manipulation, I knew it was possible to form such an enchantment. The trick was going to be in how to power it and what to make it from. using my earth affinity, I could create stone or, more aptly, move the stone. ¡°I wonder if I could do the same with metal.¡± I said out loud as I moved over to a stone that was the perfect height for sitting. ¡°Why not might as well give it a try.¡± I focused on one of the most abundant elements that could be found on most planets. Iron. The effect was almost instant. Mana flowed from me, and the iron in the soil turned almost liquid. Not molten but like a superfluid. It moved quickly into a small cube. I received a notification. [You have learned the spell: Collect element: Base cost: N/A. Collect desired element from surrounding area. Level 1.] ¡°Excellent, now what to do about my squishiness. I¡¯m going to need armor, and clothes. Can¡¯t walk around naked forever. Well, I suppose I could. No, definitely armor or clothes.¡± I began creating cubes of different materials to better understand the mana cost of the various metals. Mild steel or iron cost the same as stone; absurdly low at .1 mana per cubic inch. Basically, I could make a cube one hundred feet long, wide, and high with the mana I had. As I created high carbon steel and other mixed alloys with iron though cost drastically increased. I made different shapes and found that when I collected the metal, it would flow into any shape I had in my mind. As soon as it was collected and, in that shape, I would need a different spell to reshape the metal. [You have learned the spell: Metal shaping: Base cost: Error¡­ 10 mana per second.] The cost for the different materials came out too; high carbon spring steel with a molybdenum substrate cost 25 mana per (2.5cm) cubic inch to create. Stainless steel cost 10 mana per (2.5cm) cubic inch. Titanium costs 35 mana per (2.5cm) cubic inch. Silver cost 45 mana per (2.5cm) cubic inch. Gold¡¯s cost was at 85 mana per (.32cm) one-eighth cubic inch. If the assumed mana cost stayed relatively the same then Platinum would cost somewhere between 130 mana per (1.6 millimeter) one-sixteenth inches cubed to 160 mana. After I had a better idea of what the cost would be. I needed to make armor or something resembling it. ¡°My best chance at comfort is going to be a woven and braided metal.¡± What I came up with will forever haunt my nightmares. The chafing. The suit was what could only be described as a little kid¡¯s one-piece pajamas onesie; with a hood. The hood did not make it any cooler. It had clasps in the front to assist with donning the ridiculous thing. It even had the feet attached. It was made from fine threads of stainless steel braided and woven together. I had tempered the threads to give it a metallic greenish-blue hue; instead of the polished reflection of normal stainless steel. It would serve to protect me, if only momentarily. It was still a onesie though. Chapter four A. Chapter four A. With the abomination I had created on me, I felt more secure, if not more comfortable. But comfort is not a prerequisite to adventuring or falling through a crack; in reality, to swim in a sea of chaos and to wind up in the desolate wilds of an alien planet. I decided I needed to get a better vantage to try and find which way I needed to travel. The overhang that I had awoken in; turned out to be on a rocky hill; that I subsequently climbed to the top of. The view was impressive as far as hilltop views went. I got my bearings in this new world. Using the sun as a guide, rise in the east, set in the west. To the north were mountains and as the general direction of my shadow indicated. More substantial forests were in that direction as well. The overhang was on the south side of the hill. It appeared that the river that now ran into the forest to the south had once run along the hill. Now the river came from the northeast and curved southwest into the woods. The direction I thought was north looked like it would rise in elevation and thus get colder. There might be people or civilization in that direction, but the strong bet was south following the river. The woods and hill that I had appeared on seemed to be in the beginnings of the larger forest that stretched into the north; sprawling in every direction. "Well good idea of the area but no clear sign of people. Not that I particularly want to find people but¡­ should I try flying, no too risky right now. Don''t want a giant bird, dragon or something else to snatch me from the sky. Not to mention falling." I said out loud, pondering my options. "Well, the river it is then." I said as I adjusted the top part of my onesie. I made my way down the hill and toward the river I was going to try and follow. The walk was uneventful. The suit of woven metal, however, was providing small torture continually in my new existence. The hairs on my arms, legs, and everywhere else slipped between the weave and would pull every few seconds. The small twinging pains every few seconds soon had my mood falling. I had to find a way soon to line the inside of this abomination of armor. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. One hour of small disgruntling torture later, I finally found the answer to my chafing and hair-pulling nightmare. I had moved a small distance away from the river following a game trail. The trial ended in a clearing that was lush with grass and flowers. In that beautiful meadow was fifty or so fluffy white deer. Instead of the coarse brown hair of earth deer, these deer had what looked to be fluffy wool. I call them deer due to the males having majestic silver antlers and the females having small multi-colored ones. They were beautiful, and the meadow had an extra air of peace and serenity about it. It was a shame I was going to have to kill some of these. I was hungry and needed something to help with my suit, but did I have to kill them. No, no, I didn''t. Moving to the edge of the clearing, I prepared a new spell. I focused on blocking the major muscular nerves in the animal''s bodies while leaving the rest of the autonomic nerves functioning. I cast the spell on the entire herd. I received two notifications. [You have learned the spell: Paralysis: Base cost: 3.75 mana per 10 seconds. Level 1.] [You have learned the spell: Mass Paralysis: Base cost: 7.5 mana per 10 seconds; area a 10-yard radius. Level 1. The amount of mana regeneration I had was overkill for the area. With my mana regenerating at 11.5 per second, I could hold the fuzzy deer easily. I walked into the open and moved closer to the herd of frozen deer, a few had been outside the area of effect, and they bounded off into the woods. I could sense the fear building in the animals, and I felt sorry for them. I would have to be quick. I linked a small thread of mana to each of the adult deer. I formed a new spell that would use a razor-sharp blade of air to cut away all of the wool along their body, without so much as nicking the skin. As I cast the spell, the voice notified me. [you have learned the spell: Shearing: Base cost: .1 mana per second, per target. Level 1.] The wool from the 35 deer gently floated down to the ground. With a wave of air mana, I gathered all the wool around me. My prize all secured. I cast a [mass healing] on the animals and watched as the wool quickly regrew as if nothing had happened. That done, I released the deer from the paralyses. They all bolted in different directions into the woods. I Reviewed my prize; I realized though it was a soft fluffy white, but it was slightly dirty though, time for a new spell. I focused my mana, pushing it out and told it, guided it to remove all of the dirt and debris from the wool. [You have learned the spell: Clean: Base cost: 10 mana per square foot. Level 1.] Then I focused on purging any small microbes or other things from the wool. [You have learned the spell: Purify: Base cost: 5.1 mana per square inch. Level 1.] The voice said. "I wish I had a way to analyze the items I had." I said. It turned out after trying to create a spell that would analyze an object and having it fail multiple times; that I figured anything like analyze would be an ability and not a spell. The most I could get was a general sense of the objects and materials but not its true value or how it interacted with the world Chapter four B. Chapter four B. "Now what to do with this wool? Sheered, cleaned and purified. Now it needs to be spun into yarn, then woven." Spinning yarn is easy, just time-consuming. But with the industrial power of magic, I had high hopes for the lining of my onesie. New spell time, I suppose. I gathered the wool with a bit of focused air mana. Then I gently smushed and clumped the wool together. Then with a tug and spin at a corner of the wool, the spell formed. [You have learned the spell: Yarn spinning: Base cost: .1 mana per second of spinning, level 1.] I created a hundred large spools of the yarn that threw the magic of the spell found itself spun down into thread. One pound of wool can make ten miles of yarn. Once that process was done, I reviewed what I knew about making cloth. A bunch of threads all in a row, four sets that alternate up and down. Then a shuttle with a spool of thread that moved back and forth. [You have created the spell: Weave: Base cost: 5 mana per 10 seconds of weaving. Level 1.] The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. As my mana left my body as the new spell form and the notification whispered in my ear, a breath-taking process began. The spools of thread all organized themselves and began to weave a huge piece of cloth ten feet by hundreds of feet long. When the process was done, the cloth neatly folded itself and rolled up in front of me. A large bolt of the fuzzy deer cloth ready for use. I felt the material as I picked it up. The whole bundle was much lighter than I expected. It was soft, not silky, more like a fuzzy cashmere. Without a thought, I stripped, cleaned, and purified my onesie armor. Then I cut the cloth into appropriate shapes and fused them in spots to the inside of the armor. This only took about ten feet by ten feet of the new cloth. "I''m going to need a bag, hum a bag of holding would be nice." I thought out loud. I quickly cut out a bag pattern and stitched it together with silver thread that I collected from the earth. The cost was minimal as the spool of silver thread one hundred feet long cost 45 mana to produce. It looked like a messenger bag and had a braided silver cord strap that I made with an additional one thousand eighty mana. A new notification appeared at least a new type, same soft female voice in my head, though. Kind of creepy when you''re all alone. [You have learned the skill: Tailoring: Novice. Create basic clothing and other items made from cloth.] "What that''s it for a cool new skill. Well tailoring might not be cool, but its useful at least. Well at least my crotch thanks my tailoring efforts. I really need to find some people to talk to. Maybe I need a Wilson." I said. I focused my mana on the inside of the bag, searching for a way to make it bigger on the inside than the out. Soon I found it, or at least I thought I did. [You have learned the spell: Internal Dimensional Expansion: Base cost: 300 mana per cubic inch of extradimensional storage.] [You have failed to cast The Spell: Internal Dimensional Expansion.] "Shit, I guess no magic bag for me yet. What am I going to do with this cloth?" I said. Chapter four C. Chapter four C. I put back on my onesie fully and basked in the warm, soft fuzziness. The cloth felt amazing and had the added benefit of making the armor almost weightless. I leapt lightly through the fields with a bolt of cloth over my shoulder and a smile on my face. The soft fuzziness caressing my body. "This is awesome." I said, a wondrous joy filling me. "Magical world. No work. No welding, well I''m sure I''ll blacksmith at some point but that''s fun not work. No more chafing and pinching, and this cloth is almost erotic on my naked skin. Ahhhh." I made my way quickly back to the river and began following it once more. Lightly leaping from rock to rock and around obstacles. I was moving at a swift jog, the bolt of cloth over my shoulders like a yoke, lifting me instead of weighing me down. The forest and peaceful meadows passed as I glided from the trees to rocks and through the air. I was free, almost floating as I moved. Without a care in the world, I enjoyed the ease of movement. The child-like wonder of floating almost like a balloon left a stupid grin plastered to my face. I was being far too heedless in my movements. That''s why as I leapt from a rock along the bank, around a tree, and onto a sand bar, I came face to face with a bear. Well, not face to face, but close enough; what''s the real difference between twenty feet (6m) and a bear. Well, bear thing. The bear was a loose general descriptor of a terrifying, large tooth, death chomping machine that was in front of me. The dappled light dully reflected from the bear thing. The fur on its body was an ancient gray with an ashen glow that almost looked of steel. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. Its head whipped out of the stream and soft glowing red eyes locked on to me in a flash of shocked rage. With a low rumbling growl, it turned and charged at me within a second. I was caught completely off guard. Surprised by the size of the beast, its spiked tail. Why did a bear need a spiked tail? The beast moved with a fluid grace belied by its size. The space between us was far too small to give me but a few bare seconds to react. On earth, I''d be dead or mauled close to it. As adrenalin poured into my body, the new knowledge of magic I had gained screamed at me to fight. There was no running; there was no time. Panicking, I poured 50 points of mana into the first spell I could think of [stone spike]. The mana rushed from my body, and with a crack like lightning-splitting stone, what I had instinctually envisioned tore from the ground. A field of glass spikes erupted from the sand in between the large beast and me. I don''t know what I expected to have happen. Maybe give me a few more moments to make my escape, or, or something. The glittering field of glass spikes that now covered most of the sand bar was not what I thought would happen. I had thought about producing the fastest, most powerful blast of stone spike I could. The creature twitched and convulsed as the dozens of glass spikes piercing its body were colored a deep violet from its blood. One of the clear crystallin-looking spikes even protruded from the top of its head, having been thrust up under its muzzle. Then I received a flood of notifications. [Congratulations you have killed a: level 23 Dofrian. Experience earned 5290] [ You have dealt damage to Dofrian. Critical damage dealt to brain. Critical damage dealt to heart. Critical damage dealt to liver, kidneys.] [You have leveled.] With what sounded like a short sigh and an intake of breath, the soft whisper continued [You have leveled, you have leveled, you have leveled¡­] The whisper went on and on. Nineteen times. By the end, the soft, nice female voice had a clear tone of annoyance on the last, "you have leveled." I needed to know what that thing was. I made my way around the spikes and got barely close enough to reach a hand and touch it. I used [analyze body] on the creature. My mana soon peeled away the layers of flesh in my mind''s eye, and a general sense of the creature''s internal makeup was revealed. It was made of some weird combination of steel and other elements. Its bones, claws, teeth, tendons, and fur were all made from the stuff. Its flesh, however, skin, organs, and blood were made of something else. The area around the places the glass had impaled was odd, as if the wounds had begun healing momentarily then stopped. I realized as well I had probably picked the one form of attack that could have hurt this thing by Piercing it and in such great quantities. Chapter four D. Chapter four D. "Well shit." I said out loud. "That''s cool. Not too bad if I do say so myself." I said as if this was what I had intended from the start. I pulled up my stats and looked at how many points I had just accumulated from leveling. 76 attribute points, 19 ability points, 19 skill points, and 19 spell points. "How to grow. I hated in books when a character did not use their points. Who waits to use level upgrades? Though I can see part of the reason now. I don''t really know what would be good, though I know I''m overpowered in one way so might as well capitalize on that. Min max maybe. No..." As I reviewed my options, I was hoping for a list I could choose from, but it looked like I was going to have no luck on that front. I had a few options, but I had not done enough yet to create good options. I was going to have to find abilities and figure out some more skills before I could use those points. I was not going to use my points to level tailoring, no matter how useful it was. I could use the spell points I had, but as I reviewed the spells, I had created and learned a problem presented itself. Well, not so much a problem but more a general lack of need to really use the points yet. I was not bottlenecked anywhere. Most of the spells I had only cast a few times, and if the shuriken spell was an indication of leveling speed, it would be better to hold those points for later. Lastly, there were books and games that I played that required the person leveling to have the energy on hand to level. Like calories, and if you did not have enough, you could starve to death during the leveling process. Better to take things slow, as it is my first day in this world. I pulled up my status. Individual Statistical Analyses. Name: Eric Grayson. Race: Human. Level: 19. Experience to next level; three hundred out of one thousand. Health: 100 percent. Mana capacity: 100. Mana regeneration: Error¡­Max [11.5 mana per second.] Attributes: 4 per level. 76/76 Strength: 10. The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. Body: 10. Speed: 10. Dexterity: 10. Mana capacity: 10. Mana regeneration: 10. Charisma: 10. Affinities: Arcane mana manipulation: 100 percent. Earth: 100 percent. Fire: 100 percent. Air: 50 percent. Water: 50 percent. Life: 85 percent. Death: 15 percent. Light: 85 percent. Shadow: 75 percent. Space-time: 25 percent. Summoning: 25 percent. Abilities: 1 per level. 19/19. Skills: 1 per level. 19/19. Junk skills: [Breathing, walking, blinking, hand waving] Spells: 1 per level. 19/19. Arcane mana manipulation:
  1. Fuse: Base cost: .1 mana per square inch of material to be atomically bonded.
Fire:
  1. Candle flame: base cost: Error¡­ 0.1 mana per minute.
  2. Metal shaping: Base cost: Error¡­ 10 mana per second.
Earth:
  1. Stone spike: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per inch of spike. Level 1.
  2. Collect element: Base cost: N/A. Collect desired element from surrounding area. Level 1.
  3. Fertilize soil: Base cost: .1 mana per cubic foot of fertilized soil.
Air:
  1. Shuriken wrath: Base cost: 42.5 mana. Level 1,2
  2. Yarn spinning: Base cost: .1 mana per second of spinning, level one.
  3. Weave: Base cost: 5 mana per 10 seconds of weaving. Level one.
Water:
  1. Nutritious water: Base cost: 5 mana per oz of species-specific nutritious water.
Life:
  1. Analyze body: base cost: 3 mana a second. Level 1.
  2. Focused healing: Base cost: 7.5 mana per second. Level 1.
  3. Mass healing: Base cost: 12 mana per second, area a ten-yard radius.
  4. Manipulate plant: Base cost: 4.5 mana per second of movement.
  5. Rapid growth: Base cost: .1> <100 mana per second of growth depending on plant or animal complexity.
  6. Invigorate: Base cost: 15 mana to boost usable cellular energy in target.
Space-time: Internal Dimensional Expansion: Base cost: 300 mana per cubic inch of extradimensional storage. I decided to try adding just one point to see what would happen. I placed one point into the body stat and waited. A few seconds passed with nothing. Then a warm tingle started at my toes and washed up through my body. It was itchy and hot, and I could feel my cells sort of shudder. It lasted maybe five minutes, then subsided. I was noticeably hungrier afterwards. I was going to have to find something to eat soon. Then I thought about it, nutritious water. It made a liquid that was nutritious for multiple species of both plants and animals. I reached out with my mana and cast the spell into my cupped hands. The spell only cost five mana per oz, so a full eight oz glass size cost forty mana. When I cast the spell, I thought about making a sweet nutritious apple juice that could sustain me. What I got was a runny sort of apple-flavored gelatin. It was sweet and drinkable. Well, slurpable. I cast the spell four more times until I felt full. It wasn''t a great feeling, but it did give me that just ate something healthy, energy buzz. I decided to allocate some more points. Now I was feeling pretty good just having drunk my fill. The one-point didn''t seem like much. So, I would put five points into each of the physical stats. Strength, body, speed, and dexterity. I added the points and felt fine. Then the warm tingling came, followed by a wave of cramping. I blacked out. The Imperial Eye. one. The Imperial Eye. One. Grand Master of the Occulta Oculus; Exalted Earl Yveno Catacus. Exalted Lord Damian Hunter lounged in the day bed on one side of the Imperial void anomaly monitoring room. Robes clumping and clinging to the languid bored form of Damian was only mollified by the sweet grapes fed to him by his personal slave. She diligently placed the cool grapes in his mouth while pressing herself up against his back. Fine scrollwork and inlaid silver, gold with many other precious gems and metals adorned the table that took up the center of the room. Attendants, some human, others with only hints of their beast kin ancestry, had collars of gold and silver ringing their necks as they walked around the table. Ever vigilant, from the fear of punishment or even worse, missing a void creature incursion and dooming all within its path. Barthos eyed Damian surreptitiously. ¡®By Roxclou serving arms, he¡¯s one of the laziest ass holes. At least he is only allowed to bother us if we miss a mana flare.¡¯ He thought while he surveyed the northeast of the Empire. His designated zone; a section along the mountains that bordered the scattered kingdoms farther to the north, between the great city of Eastern Dawn and the winter coast fortress at the Sanguis pass. ¡®Poor girl, I hope he doesn¡¯t bind her mana pool to him¡­their, was that. It couldn¡¯t be¡­yes.¡¯ Barthos thought as a swirl of black, blue, white, and gold spun for a moment on the map. The small tornado-like flare denoted much and nothing. The mana flare and disruption indicative of void creatures was always a mass of black with hints of the other colors; sometimes, they spun for a full minute before dying down. These multiple color flares were the worst for the higher-ups; they could mean anything from a small void creature to some other powerful monster forming. ¡®That however is not my problem¡­.¡¯ Barthos thought while he raised his hand in the air, signaling for a replacement to take his spot while he filled out the report. Noting the precise location of the flare, or as precise as the map would tell, he left to fill the report. Being replaced by Nora, Bathos walked to the far wall to fill out his report. Head bowed nearly horizontally, Barthos held the report outstretched to Damion, ¡°Exalted Lord Damion, I have made a report.¡± ¡°And¡­¡± Damion drawled out, reaching out and taking the report and setting it with a few others. ¡®Goddess is he drunk¡­ he¡¯s not supposed to be drunk, even a little.¡¯ Barthos thought as he said, ¡°The size and duration of the anomaly was a one-star flare up, but it did have all denoted colors, so it is marked as two stars with a possible follow up needed.¡± ¡°Right¡­Right¡­standard¡­standard¡­Back to work.¡± Damion drawled once more at Barthos. His opening maw taking another grape, paying no more mind to the demi-human. Walking back to his position, Barthos paid no more mind to his report, his job done; now, he needed to avoid being punished. There the report lay atop his brethren. Doing his best to avoid the spatters of juices being flung by the chomping maw of the creature. Time passed uncounted by the report, as other brothers were added to their growing number. Soon soft hands picked up the report carrying it through the air. Lights changed, and the closing and opening of many doors did little to relieve the confusion of the report. He was lain on a table where the jovial face of another creature copied his information, giving form to two other brothers. Under the glow of candlelight, the original report found himself tucked into a folder, hidden from the world. A dark home for him to rest. The two copies of the report continued their mission, whatever that was; Carried by two separate hands. Through more doors, more changing lights, until they rested atop the desks of more owners of the faces. On top of more of their kind, they waited, ready at a moment¡¯s notice to fulfill their mission. Yveno Catacus walked into his office. The room set aside for the head of the Occulta Oculus glowed with polished age. His desk, carved from fine Dalbergia wood, inlaid with golden sun wood, bore the Imperial flag on the front and sides. The eye of the order hiding on the corners. ¡°I am going over reports, do not disturb me unless the emperor needs something himself.¡± He said coldly to his slave secretary. The elf from the star clan was passible to him. He enjoyed her body, and she did an adequate job for him as well. Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit. ¡°Yes, Exalted Master.¡± Aryanna said head bowed as she sat behind her desk. She was so thankful for her job and being owned by such a powerful Lord. She had experienced the hand of a cruel master once, at least more crewel than her current one, and she never wanted to be owned by someone like that again. Door closing behind him, Yveno sat in his chair and kicked up his feet onto the desk that cost more than some Baronies. Reaching over, he grabbed the smaller than usual stack of reports. ¡°Hum¡­ Let¡¯s see here¡­Three-star threat from a monster formation in the central regen. King Ashmont son is to marry king Alada¡¯s daughter. I hope those fools of the scattered kingdoms can stay peaceful for a few more years.¡± Yveno said, setting the papers in their respective places on his desk. ¡°One star mana flare along the fang sea. Beast kin armies mobilizing on the western plains again. A two-star flare of¡­Every type¡­This can¡¯t be right¡­The northeast of the Empire? Nothing ever happens there¡­ I¡¯ll need to send an agent to investigate. What city is near there, Laga¡¯vast¡­That would be Exalted Barron Isaac Placidus.¡± Yveno said out loud to himself, sitting up and making a note in his logbook. On the far end of the Imperial palace, the Exalted Marquess Anducor Tascius, Grandmaster of the Imperial Arcana Elevatum, head magical advisor to Emperor Amuilius Tagin, sank his massive form into the sofa that acted as his desk chair. Long ago, he had grown far too large for normal chairs. Sinking back on the oversized cushions and pillows, he watched his new slave girl lasciviously. ¡°Bring my reports!¡± Anducor commanded at the other slaves in the room. Adjusting his robe, so it fell open, allowing for the cool air of the room to chill the perspiration that collected along his folds. Two of his bonded mana pools came over with reports in their hands. ¡°Read them to me!¡± Anducor commanded before the fool girls got the idea to hand them to him. As they read, he watched the bent-over form of his new slave arranging food on the table in front of him. The Leo¡¯ness was almost too much beast kin for his tastes. But the firm tone flesh of her backside had convinced him to try her, at least for a time. ¡°A three-star monster formation in the central regen, my most loved of masters.¡± The first of his bonds said, her sheer wrap unable to draw his eye from his new toy. ¡°Send a warning to who ever is up that way, I¡¯m sure they will care.¡± Anducor said, groping at his bond elf slave. After his wanderings, she got to her feet, and her bond sister took her place and read, ¡°There are several one-star flares of no note, there is a two-star flare of every color though.¡± She said, draping herself across Anducor¡¯s bulk and holding the report in front of him. ¡°Odd, it could be anything. I¡¯m sure that fool Yveno will send someone. I will offer to advise him at our council lunch.¡± Anducor said, his eyes still fixed on the submissively presented Demi human Leo¡¯ness. ¡°One last thing my truest love master, the Arch mage of the college still wants your thoughts on his most recent project.¡± The second elf bond whispered in his ear. ¡°Yes¡­Yes¡­Remind me tomorrow, I will write him. Now¡­You worthless cat come and show me what you can do!¡± He said, his voice turning commanding and cruel. Hours later, after the sounds of mewling and whimpers faded amongst the wet slaps, Anducor pulled himself from his engagement. Heading through his apartment in the imperial palace, he made his way to his lunch with the Emperor. Even headed in the same direction, all be it from the opposite side of the palace. He had, like his counterpart on the council, had taken his relief in the body of Aryanna. Though, as with all things done by him, it was born of efficacy and lacked the cruel hand Anducor loved so much. Leaving Aryanna bent over his desk, he left the star elf to her own devices for his time with the Emperor. Glass doors gave way to the splendid garden overlook where the three most powerful men of the Empire met regularly. Yveno seeing the Emperor already seated, said, ¡°Exalted Imperial majesty, wonderful to see you again.¡± ¡°Yveno good as always to see you.¡± Amuilius said to the short-cut brown hair and trim figure of his spymaster. Sitting at the table, the doors once more opened, Allowing for the bulk of Anducor to waddle in. ¡°Exalted Emperor, truly a pleasure.¡± ¡°Come and sit Anducor, how are the Exalted mages this day?¡± The ringed hand of Amuilius gestured to Anducor¡¯s oversized chair. The table was set in fine mithril plates, and the clear windows overlooked the royal gardens. The slave attendants moved like ghosts, making no sound. Their invisibility was only heightened by their translucent attire. Soft pink and creamy skin moved plates of food and poured wine. The Delicate gestures of the elf and Demi human slave¡¯s serving to provide another perfect lunch for their overlords and masters. ¡°The Exalted ones are most well, content and happy as always in the bosom of the Empire.¡± Anducor said, food finding its way to his engorged lips. ¡°As expected, Tell me Yveno any news?¡± ¡°No, my lord northing concerning. An odd report was given of a two-star full spectrum anomaly, but I have dispatched instructions. It will start being investigated in the morning.¡± ¡°Full spectrum you say, keep me updated.¡± ¡°As you command my Exalted Emperor.¡± ¡°What of the beast kin savage?¡± Amuilius said, drinking from the mithril laced champagne flute that kept the wonderful drink always tickling with bubbles. ¡°It appears their army is on the move again or getting ready to move.¡± Yveno said while signaling one of the Demi human orc women to massage his shoulders while he ate. ¡°Does Duke Albillac¡¯s twelfth legion have everything it needs?¡± Amuilius said, gesturing to a small gnome girl to crawl under the table and rub his feet. ¡°The twelfth is quite well provisioned, and well guided by Exalted Duke Albillac. He is aware that you want more captured for enslavement. He advised that he would even raid into their lands farther than before to make acquisitions.¡± The weary-lined face Yveno said, chewing on a nighen cucumber, letting the relaxing effect of the cool plant and the massage wash some of his worries away. ¡°Good¡­Good¡­Anducor your daughter is serving quiet well. The Goddess Alleystra and Sippsie would be most proud.¡± The Emperor said, a twisted happy smile on his face. The same twisted smile greeted him from Anducor as he spoke, ¡°I am so pleased that Addison could serve your Majesty, there is no one I would share her more gladly with than you.¡± ¡°Your daughter Cassandra is proving to be a delightful addition as well Yveno.¡± ¡°I am pleased my fourth daughter can serve his Excellency.¡± ¡°Are you still partaking of your slaughter, your majesty?¡± Anducor asked after a few moments of his pleasurable remembering¡¯s. ¡°Yes, it is the only way to get stronger. I do hope they brought me more than level 30 monsters this time.¡± ¡°I do wish we could go back into the dungeon like the old days.¡± Anducor reminisced. ¡°Those were the days, nothing but magic and blade and all the levels in the world waiting for the taking.¡± Yveno agreed. ¡°I almost think it would be faster, though slaying the subdued monsters is far easier. And leaves me more time for more pleasurable pursuits.¡± Amuilius said, chuckling. The three continued to eat and drink, letting the slaves tend to their ever-growing needs. The sun had moved well past their usual meeting time, as they talked of dungeon levels conquered and conquests of every other kind. Chapter 22 A Chapter 22 A. My left leg plunged into an ice pool, the freezing water threatening to remove the limb. Snow and ice swirled in my vision. I jerked awake, a shiver running up my leg. It was draped over the side of the bed, exposed to the slight chill in the room. The rest of my body was warm under the blankets. I had rolled over Sasha in the middle of the night and was on the edge of the bed. I fell out of bed, smoothly getting to my feet. Bare chest and legs quickly adjusting to the cool of my room. It was Harness, Thursday by this world¡¯s calendar. Sasha was wrapped around Milly, the lump of their bodies gently rising and falling within the confines of their sleep. I went and showered, getting partially dressed afterward. 5:00 Strafa¡¯s bunny ears perked up as I walked out of my room, ¡°good morning, master.¡± ¡°Good morning Strafa, you look well-rested. Any Cossa?¡± Pouring a mug, she handed it to me. Her midriff was bare under her halter top. Her off brown bushy tail resting on the top of her short shorts. She went back to prepping for breakfast as I turned and headed out onto the balcony. I had points to distribute, ¡®level before sex,¡¯ I told myself as I took a seat. I had gained nine levels in the dungeon. That left me with 36 points to place into my attributes and 9 points for each ability, skill, and spell. I was level 40 now and had 100XP toward the 100,000 that I needed for level 41. If I placed all 36 points in my mana capacity, I would have 940 mana to work with. With 23 mana a second being restored, it would only take 4 seconds to completely refill. My other stats were high enough with the boosts from my armor. It was time to play to my strengths. I placed all 36 points into my mana capacity, waiting a few seconds to feel the full magnitude of my power course through me. I saved the ability points; I would have to buy some new ones to invest in. I placed the nine skill points in enchanting, but it did not move from the rank of journeyman. Of the spell points, of which I had 14, I saved; in case I needed one of my lower affinity spells to get a boost in power. -Individual statistic sheet- Individual Statistical Analyses. Name: Exalted Lord Eric Grayson. Race: Human. Level: level 40 100xp/100000. Health: 100 percent. Mana capacity: 940. Mana regeneration: Error¡­Max [23 mana per second.] Attributes: 4 points per level. 0/36 Strength: 20. (40) Body: 21. (84) Speed: 25. (50) Dexterity: 20. (40) Mana capacity: 94. Mana regeneration: 20. Charisma: 30. Affinities: Arcane mana manipulation: 100 percent. Earth: 100 percent. Fire: 100 percent. Air: 50 percent. Water: 50 percent. Life: 85 percent. Death: 15 percent. Light: 85 percent. Shadow: 75 percent. Space-time: 25 percent. Summoning: 25 percent. Abilities: 1 per level. 9/9
  1. Graceful doge: 10 out of 10. Passive. Increase balance, doge chance, area awareness and all movement actions.
  2. Saving heal: 5 out of 10. Passive. If health drops to zero and death is activated instantly heal for 50 percent. Once per day.
  3. Resurrection: 8 out of 10. Passive and active. If ability holder dies automatically resurrect to 60 percent health(secondary), limbs are not regrown. Activate on a corps that had been dead for less than three hours to revive. Revived party has skills returned to journeyman, spells set to level 10 and Base level set to 10.
  4. Inspect: 10 out of 10. Active. Used to identify objects, people, animals, monsters, beasts, and void horrors that have crossed over into the system. Ability level superior.
  5. Linguist: Level 10 out of 10. Grants the capability of speaking any langwidge that is heard; langwidge must be within human vocal cord range. Allows for the complete automatic translation of heard languages into one¡¯s native understanding. Allows for reading and wright of foreign languages as long as the wielder of the ability could read and wright beforehand.
  6. Increased cum load: Level 3 out of 10. Increased maximum volume of cum. your balls and prostate glands have increased in density providing three times the amount of normal cum.
Skills: 1 per level. 9/9 Enchanting: journeyman, create normal enchantments, initial cost and sustaining cost average. Tailoring: Novice. Create basic clothing and other items made from cloth. Mapping: novice. Can draw and read maps. Longsword: Journeymen: The fundamentals of long blades are understood. Fighting styles of different types of blades are condensed. A small amount of mana is infused in ones sword to improve edge quality and durability. Gardening: Journeymen: Proper gardening techniques are understood. Soil nurturance, acidity, moister level, mana density and plant dispositions are known. Can create gardening tools from mana. Herbalism: Journeymen: Wild and cultivated herbs can be gathered and grown. Pastes, poultices, teas, brews, tinctures and essence oils are known. Mana can be used to stabilize the effects of herbs. Alchemy: Journeymen: Basics of powders, potions, elixirs and pills are known. Drying, distilling, sublimation, concentrating, condensation, refining, balancing, aging, antimonnation and fulminating are understood. Can use mana to create even heating and cooling, as well standard weights and measures. Junk skills: A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation. Spells: 1 per level. 14/14 Arcane mana manipulation:
  1. Fuse: Base cost: .1 mana per square inch of material to be atomically bodied. Level 1.
  2. Butcher: Base cost: initial cast 10 mana 1 mana per pound per second. Level 11.
  3. Cut: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per inch cut (2.5cm), area twenty feet, (6m). Level 1.
  4. Arcane shield: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 initial mana, .1 mana per second. Level 10.
Fire:
  1. Candle flame: Base cost: Error¡­ 0.1 mana per, minuet.
  2. Metal shaping: Base cost: Error¡­ 10 mana per second.
  3. Purify: Base cost: 5.1 mana per square inch. Level 1.
  4. Campfire: base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per minute, fire must be in a hearth or pit. Level 1.
  5. Fireball: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per casting. Level 1 +8.
  6. Flame whip: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per foot of flame whip, .1 mana per second per foot. Level 1.
  7. Plasma beam: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 initial mana, 15 mana per second channeled. Level 1
Earth:
  1. Stone spike: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per inch of spike. Level 1.
  2. Collect element: Base cost: N/A. collect desired element from surrounding area one quarter mile spherical, one-half mile spherical. Level 1, 2.
  3. Fertilize soil: Base cost: .1 mana per cubic foot of fertilized soil.
  4. Clean: Base cost: Error¡­ .1 mana per square inch (2.5cm). Level 1.
Air:
  1. Shuriken wrath: Base cost: 42.5 mana. Level 2.
  2. Yarn spinning: Base cost: .1 mana per second of spinning, level 1, 2.
  3. Weave: Base cost: 5 mana per 10 seconds of weaving. Level 2.
  4. Lightning bolt: Base cost: 75 mana, error¡­ 1 mana per second channeled lightning. Level 1.
Water:
  1. Nutritious water: Base cost: 5 mana per oz of species-specific nutritious water.
  2. Ice spear: Base cost: 35 initial mana, error¡­ .1 mana per 1mile per hour (1.6Km an hour). Level 1.
Life:
  1. Analyze body: base cost: 3 mana a second. Level 1.
  2. Focused healing: Base cost: 7.5 mana per second. Level 10.
  3. Mass healing: Base cost: 12 mana per second, area a ten-yard radius. Level 1.
  4. Manipulate plant: Base cost: 4.5 mana per second of movement. Level 2.
  5. Rapid growth: Base cost: .1> <100 mana per second of growth depending on plant or animal complexity. Level 1, 2.
  6. Invigorate: Base cost: 15 mana to boost usable cellular energy in target.
  7. Sleep: Base cost: 12.75 mana on willing target, mana amount varies. Level 1.
  8. Paralysis: Base cost: 3.75 mana per 10 seconds. Level 1.
  9. Mass Paralysis: Base cost: 7.5 mana per 10 seconds; area a 10-yard radius. Level 1
Light:
  1. Mana eye: Base cost: 5 initial mana, .5 mana per ten seconds. Level 9.
Space-time:
  1. Internal Dimensional Expansion: Base cost: 300 mana per cubic inch of extradimensional storage. Level 1.
Soul bound items: Imperial Royal Bank identification card: Grants access to your account at any Bank certified shop. May only be used by the soul bonded individual. Enchanted Storage Ring: Finally crafted. 1 mana to store or retrieve item. Auto object tracking. 100 feet (30.5m) cubed. Bonded. Inlaid mithril master slave band: Exceptionally crafted. Bonded. May hold the contracts of 125 slaves. Slaves cannot be stolen or cross subjugated. Enhances slave bond. Price: 96 platinum coins Dungeon instants tracker: This chain allows for the individual entry into the Dungeon of the Legion within their own instants. Levels can only be reached with appropriate tag. Party tags allows for individuals to enter the same instants. Soul bound item Bound slaves: Sasha Whitetail: Kitsune, female. Age 23; revives 7. Level 21. Milly: Boviness, female. Age 19; revives 4. Level 8. Zora: Minobous, female. Age 26; revives 16. Level 6. Holly: Minobous, female. Age 22; revives 12. Level 7. Timmothy: elf, male. Age 172, revives 212. Level 16. May: elf, female. Age 43, revives 6. Level 13. Tamara: elf, female. Age 35. Revives 16. Level 8.
  1. Child: Maestra: elf, female. Age 2. Revives 0. Level 1. ?.
Ray¡¯me¡¯a: elf, female. Age 20. Revives 2. Level 6. Amber: elf, female. Age 28. Revives 3. Level 15.
  1. Child: Tera: elf, female. Age 4. Revives 0. Level 1.
  2. Child: Trix: elf, female. Age 2. Revives 0. Level 1. ?.
Candace: elf, female. Age 23. Revives 8. Level 12. 1.Child: Brin: elf, female. Age 2. Revives 0. Level 1. ?. Dryads 8. Anya: dryad, female. Age 289. Revives 228. Level 14. Nymphs 6. Brith: Nymph, female. Age, 47, Revives 5. Level 6. Ferries 14. Thera: Friary Queen, Female. Age 87. Revives 77. Level 7. Kitsune.23 + 6 kits Mizzy: kitsune, female. Age 24. Revives 87. Level 1. Alma: Kitsune, female. Age 19. Revives 212. Level 1. Iolanthe: Kitsune, female. Age 20. Revives 326. Level 1. feather steel Chainmail leather armor set: Quality: finely crafted. Scarcity level: common. Well-made medium armor. Leather with chainmail, this armor provides excellent protection from slashing. feather steel long sword. Quality: finely crafted. Scarcity level: uncommon. An enchanted long sword made from feather steel. This sword possesses the three most common enchantments durability, clean and sharpen. Pocket watch: Quality: Superb. Scarcity level: Unique. this pocket watch is set to Imperial standard time. The fine mithril parts allow for an acceleration enchantment. Acceleration: movement speed is increased by three times for five minutes once a day. Small mana crystal: Mana Capacity 200. Mana recharge rate: .14 per minute. Quantity: 4. Medium mana crystal: Mana Capacity 800. Mana recharge rate: .55 per minute. Quantity 2. Large mana Crystal: Mana Capacity 2000. Mana recharge rate: 1.39 per minute. Quantity 1. Potion: Sobber up: Quality: good. This potion is used to sobber up after a night of drinking. This potion has had the sobering effects lengthened to purify intoxicants form the body for longer periods of time. Duration: 30 minutes.] Opium powder: Quality: Pure. A pure opium powder that can be ingested to relive symptoms of pain. 225 grams. Cossa pill: Quality: Pure. Cossa extract compressed into pill form. Increases alertness and fights of sleep. Times 30. Distilled dungeon spirits: Quality: 60%. A rich oak flavored spirit to be enjoyed. Bottles 1. Dungeon letter: A letter addressed to Exalted Lord Eric Grayson. Potion: Warm-blooded reptile: Quality: Refined. This potion is made from refined blood. Effect: keeps the body at optimum temperature in hot and cold climates. Does not prevent burning from fire or cold. Duration: 30 minutes. Times 6. Engraved snake rib: Quality: Finely crafted. Scarcity: Rare. This rib is enchanted with a magical shield projection. Activation: 35 mana, up to 3 mana per second. Sha¡¯vala armor: Quality: exquisite. Scarcity: Rare. This armor is worn by the Sha¡¯vala knights on the fourteenth level of the dungeon of the legion. Renowned for their speed and power, the armor is crafted to enhance the nocturnal powers of the Bloodounara and not hinder their speed of movement. Breastplate: Body enhanced times four. Helm: Impact dampening. Greaves: Speed enhanced times two. Cuisse: dexterity enhanced times two. Vambrace: strength enhanced times two. Pauldron: Impact dampening. When the set is worn together, impact forces are reduced by half. Price: 1 mithril and 85 gold coins. Mobius gel belt: Quality: Exquisite. Scarcity: Rare. The Mobius belt automatically attaches weapons and items placed to it. It can be shaped into any kind of body attachment point. Price: 12 platinum coins. Isan¡¯s Kite Sheild: Quality: Exquisite. Scarcity: Rare. The shield will follow the wear of the parent ring and automatically guard the wearer. Distance 3 meters. If the shield is deformed or broken will repair itself with ambient mana. Price: 14 platinum coins. Throwing knives: Quality: finely crafted. Scarcity: common. Steel throwing knives. Times 6. Price 60 silver. Steal throwing spear: Quality: finely crafted. Scarcity: uncommon. Steel throwing spear. Times 4. Price 1 gold coin. Dieanus¡¯s spear: Quality: Exquisite. Scarcity: Uncommon. The spear is laced with mithril and allows for spells to be channeled through it to the tip. Price 23 platinum coins. Obsidian troll cloak: Quality: Finely crafted. Scarcity: Unique. This cloak is made from the self-healing skin of the obsidian troll. Auto repairs self. Mana distortion ring. Quality: Exquisite. Scarcity: personalized. Customized for Eric Grayson, this ring distorts the mana flow from mana use. Making it nearly impossible to decern the mana use or type. Divine Quest: From: The Goddess Sippsie. Complete my tasks to know the pleasure of the flesh and how to best serve your master or husband. Female:
  1. Discover your pearl above the lips of your flower and find the way to your own bliss.
  2. Taste the petals of another flower and drink of the nectar.
  3. Taste of the stem of power and drink the sap; collect the sap in under five turnings of a minute glass.
  4. Take into your flower the form of the stem and coat it in your nectar.
  5. Take into your flower the stem of someone close and receive its sap.
  6. Ride a lover in the hay and in the open fields, while the summer sun warms the sky, know the tender kiss and the pains of goodbye.
  7. Unknown to you and unknown to them the secret nectars mix.
  8. Quickly plowed is poorly sown but the seasons time can be demanding.
  9. Done one way then another yet there¡¯s more, twice you must think to bend the stem toward the sun again for nectar and sap to mix.
Many blessings these shall bring. Some know now, some in time, others hidden as if blind. Sitting back, I watched the sunrise, going over what I needed to do for the day. There was a class I had to attend, the breeding halls, my new home to check on, enchanting to be done, and so much more. It was going to be a long day. Chapter 22 B Chapter 22 B. The glass doors to the living room opened, and the warm smell of Strafa¡¯s cooking filled the room. The table had been set with the Imperial Tribune sitting next to my plate. Ashly was already deep into the gossip section of the paper and half-finished with her food. Rachel scanned her newspaper more thoroughly while taking smaller bites. The other members of our household ate at the counter or on the sofa and chairs. Rachel spoke first, ¡°Good morning, husband Eric, how was your rest?¡± ¡°I slept well.¡± ¡°Sleeping in a bed is wonderful, much better than the furs of the dungeon,¡± Ashley added with a smile and a gulp of Cossa. She looked far more refreshed after a night in a real bed. ¡°I don¡¯t mind the dungeon, but a soft bed is a thousand times better.¡± ¡°Will you be joining me in enchanting today?¡± Rachel asked. ¡°Yes, but I have to go to the halls of Roxclue¡¯s hall today, so I don¡¯t know if I can go to the workshop after.¡± Rachel frowned slightly, ¡°that¡¯s all right, this weekend; we should really see about setting up your workshop at our house.¡± ¡°That sounds like a wonderful idea; it will be a date then.¡± Ashley sighed, ¡°Of course you two would think setting up a workshop is a date.¡± ¡°Well, I think that sounds like a wonderful idea for a date. So, I don¡¯t see the problem with it.¡± Rachel said, ending with her nose in the air. I shook my head and began to review the Imperial Tribune. Imperial Tribune: September 16, 3212 T.E. Harness (Thursday). Battle Begins! The beginning skirmishes of what is shaping up to be a long war have started. Small battles between scouting forces have given way to a significant engagement that will happen in the next few days. The Kingdom of Alada and the kingdom of Ashmont have joined forces to attack the Kingdom of Setten. Setten has enlisted its wester neighbor of Hammond in the fight against their southern neighbors. Princess Tanya Alada and Prince Quinten Ashmont have consummated their marriage, securing the southern alliance for the first time in nearly 200 years. -Join the imperial legion, become a hero to all citizens- six gold signing bonus. One gold a month.- Joyous news!!! The seventh wife consort of his imperial majesty emperor Amuilius Tagin has given birth to his twenty-fourth daughter. The baby imperial princess is healthy and a bundle of joy for all those attending to the imperial family. Her name day will be held in two months at the temple of Alleystra, and all are welcome to come and see this new addition to our beloved imperial family. In time-honored tradition, Royal gifts from the four kings and eight Dukes will be presented at the ceremony. All other donations will be held by the household for viewing at a later time. Long live the Emperor and May the God¡¯s Ack and the Goddess¡¯s Alleystra and Sippsie forever bless the Imperial Family. If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation. -The Tired Child. Clothing, toys, accessories, and Layette for all newborn-free citizens. 10 percent discount until September 19.- Assassination foiled! It is with a direr heart we must report that the promised union of our beloved Exalted Viscount Harden of Eastern dawn to the treacherous whore Sahara Amelia did not end in happiness. Of all the unholy things upon their wedding night, Sahara attempted to assassinate the Exalted Viscount. Luckily a member of his shadow guard stood resolute in his duty during the consummation and stopped the bitch before she could so much as draw a single drop of blood. After intensive interrogation, it was learned that she was acting of her own accord and not under the direction of her father, King Amelia. She has been branded a slave and sent to the halls of Roxclue to be used by the male beast kin. The Exalted Viscount Harden is doing well, an estate representative told us, and is under the tinder care of his seven wives and loyal slaves. It is unknown at this time if reprisals shall be dealt out, but this act of stupidity by the willful foolish girl may just have spelled the doom for her entire family. -New slaves added every day, Hillbright¡¯s slaves- -Tired of the chaff? Best trained slaves in the capital! Cooks, maids, Artisans, and more! The Golden Collar is here to serve. ¨C -A Parade of Roxclou has been declared for the 17th of September. Come and see the honor-less vanquished of the fallen house Allenoic as she is led through the streets to be sold to pay for the crimes of Viscount Allenoic- ¡®I was going to have to attend at least a part of the parade so I could get a look at the high priestess of Amara.¡¯ I thought to myself as I scanned the notice posted in the newspaper. -Evreux Estate sold- The esteemed estate of Lord Crussol Evreux, the noted art dealer and famed designer, has finally been sold. At a marvelous public noble auction, over the course of a week, a price of 22 mithril for the art deco house has been reached. Sold to the Exalted Count Ludwick Hammerfeild, holder of his family heirloom, the hammer, mountains rumble was the winning bidder. With his four wives, two of which are well into their second pregnancy, the Esteemed family will be moving in during the following weeks. A gala has not been announced yet, but it is expected to be a grand affair hosted by the entire Hammerfeild household when the estate makes its public unveiling. Many blessings on the Hammerfield¡¯s and their new home. -Fallen nobility auction! The Platinum Shackle auction house is happy to announce that this month¡¯s nobility auction will be held in four days on Dawning at our esteemed auction house.- - Useless slaves? Train them at Maximum¡¯s slave school. ¨C -Stone and Timber. The best in high-quality construction. Our free citizens and slaves will diligently build or remodel any building.- I had eaten everything on my plate while I read, moving to sip my cossa as I fished reading. It was funny how blatantly biased the paper was, but I guess that is what you get in an imperial society as tightly controlled as this one. I checked my watch and got up to gather my things for the enchanting class I was going to attend with Rachel. ¡°Don¡¯t leave without me. I am going to go and grab my bag.¡± Rachel yelled at me as I walked into my room, Sasha and Milly following behind me. ¡°Wouldn¡¯t dream of it,¡± I yelled back. I walked over to the jiggly wiggly that was on the windowsill. I watched it ungulate gently; it was in an ornate and larger pot than when I had bought it, and fresh black soil sat underneath its neon green protuberance. A few half-digested bugs lingered on the inside of its body. Looks like someone had been taking care of it for me. I mentally check the enchanting gear I had, 4 small crystals, 2 medium ones, and a large, enchanting mana crystal. I had the standard enchanter¡¯s tool kit I had purchased from Radisson enchanting. With my supplies sorted, I watched as the form of Thera zipped up from far below to the balcony. Walking over to the door, I opened it as she fluttered inside, ¡°Good morning, Master Eric, Mistress Ashley, and Mistress Rachel.¡± She ended with a polite curtsy in midair. Her blue hair was bright against the black of her pleated skirt and tight-fitting black jacket. ¡°How goes the move to the house?¡± ¡°Excellent Master, your servants are most happy. Everything should be finished being moved by the end of today. Timmothy wanted me to ask if you will be visiting today?¡± ¡°Yes, I will come by and see what needs doing. But tell him it will be late so not to worry about transportation. I will arrange it myself.¡± ¡°Very well master, is there anything else I can do for you?¡± Thera said with a warm smile. ¡°No, just see that everything is going smoothly and help Timmothy.¡± ¡°Always master, have a wonderful day!¡± she said excitedly, fluttering backward and diving over the railing of the balcony. ¡°She seemed unusually happy today?¡± Ashley asked, placing an arm around me. ¡°Probably the new house, I would think. They have all been cooped up on that ship for a long time.¡± ¡°More than likely. I am going to head to my class now since you are going with Rachel today.¡± I turned and kissed Ashley, brushing her auburn hair from her face. ¡°See you soon?¡± Spinning gently while walking backward, our fingertips still held lightly, brushing each other¡¯s hand as we parted, she added, ¡°I can go with you; I need to give Timmothy a list of furniture to purchase anyway.¡± She sped from the room at the last word, disappearing out the door. I had the feeling I might not be as rich as I once thought I was. Chapter 22 C Chapter 22 C. Rachel came out from her back room looking as beautiful as ever. Her long black hair was pulled back in a tight braid and fell down the back of her school coat. She had the same long skirt with folded pleats allowing for ease of movement, and sensible black boots poked out from the underside of her skirt. Her school satchel crossed over one shoulder. It held all her enchanting supplies and was clearly a bag of holding. ¡°Ready for your first enchanting class?¡± She said brightly, the blue of her eyes dancing. ¡°Yeap, and lucky I have my own private expert.¡± ¡°I wouldn¡¯t call me an expert by any means. Professor Trianna, now she is an expert.¡± We walked out the door and made our way to the elevator arm in arm. ¡°If she is such an expert, why is she teaching? We have a saying on my world, those who can¡¯t do, teach.¡± ¡°That¡¯s a funny saying. Well, I know she gets paid a lot; most of the teachers are extremely well compensated. She also gets to work on whatever projects she wants and can sell them freely. The school also pays for most of her supplies as well.¡± ¡°I guess with those benefits, it¡¯s no wonder she¡¯s a teacher,¡± I said while the gold cage door of the elevator opened onto the enchanting floor of the tower. The elevator let us off in the center of a long hallway. Large arched stone doors we¡¯re spaced evenly down the full length of the hallway. At the end of the righthand corridor was another much larger archway with double stone doors that were currently open. Both Rachel and I, still arm in arm, walked through the double doors. The amphitheater was large, at least double the size of the other classrooms. Near the lectern, there was a small blackboard, and on the center of the wall behind it was a giant blackboard. The imperial flag hung above it, a golden eagle clutching the chains. The tiered seating held large tables with padded stools instead of the more comfortable couches and chairs of the other classrooms. Rachel led me down a few rows to a table in the middle section of the seating. There were far more students in attendance in this class than had been in the alchemy class. The low thrum of noise echoed faintly, drowning out any coherent conversations. We took our seats next to one another, Rachel pulling out a well-used notebook. We did not have to wait long for the professor to take the stage. ¡°Right, settle down class and stand for the imperial devotion.¡± She said, her long red hair pulled in a bun atop her head. She was gorgeous and much more beautiful than any of the other teachers I had seen so far. She wore the same black throw-over as the rest of them, but instead of closing it, the garment was open, revealing the large swell of her chest and the curve of her body. She wore a tight black dress with splits of gold up the sides accentuating her hips. Her stomach was tone and flat. An elegant grace exuded from her like she was meant to be the centerpiece in a ballroom rather than teaching. The class quieted, and we all stood reciting the devotion. ¡°Eternally devoted, we stand with the Emperor, forever the Exalted, noble mages defend. Under Ack we obey, by Alleystra we thrive, by Sippsie we are pleased, and by Roxclou we are served.¡± ¡°Very good, you may take your seats,¡± Trianna said, the cadence of her voice having a tempting sultry air to it. ¡°Today, we will be going over mana variance in line diameter variation of enchantments.¡± With that statement, there was an audible groan from some of the classmates around me. ¡°I know, I know, I will remind some of you to keep your practices of Sippsie quiet for those who want to learn the information.¡± A slight chuckle went through the room as some of the female members of the class ducked under their tables. ¡°Enchanting can be done in three main ways. One; spectral inlay, two; engraving, and three; bonded etching. Each is fundamentally governed by the diameter variation inherent in the Logographic or ideographic morphology of the enchanting system used. There are many such systems, but using imperial standard is by far the easiest and uses the best application of many of these systems.¡± She paused for a moment and began to draw out a few basic parts of an enchantment that I could easily recognize. As she wrote on the small blackboard, the writing was amplified on the large blackboard behind her. Rachel had turned to a section in her notebook and was reviewing the information as the professor spoke, ¡°when dealing with the size of the stylizing, it is important to remember that the line size is governed by the whole size of the enchantment, and the ratios inherent to proper mana flow within a line segment. So, while bigger can be better, that is not always the case, as size used in the wrong spot or in the wrong way can have detrimental effects on the enchantment as a whole. As some of you in class may be finding out right now.¡± There were a few snickers from those paying attention. ¡°Now, if we take any enchantment either by ethereal projection or carved pathways and make the mana flow lines the same size, a middling effect is the best we can hope for. As the mana manipulated by the segmented torsion will be even throughout the whole of the enchantment. This is not optimal but can be preferred if an enchantment needs to be done with speed, such as during combat; the even line diameter will not produce the most powerful effect the enchantment might be able to under more precise settings; however, it is the most stable form of enchantment. Thus providing for the safest application of the mana flow variance. It is recommended that when trying out a new enchantment for the first time, the same line diameter is used throughout the whole of the enchantment to minimize the risks of overload, blowback, and other unintended side effects.¡± She drew out a simple enchantment that would stabilize the internal structure of an object, making it more durable. She deliberately made all of the lines the same size and put the same number, 1, next to each part of the enchantment. If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. From a special ring on her hand, she produced a few basic-looking daggers and a block of copper, setting them on the worktable in front of her. ¡°For this example, I will be using bonded etching to place the enchantments on the blades, so an ethereal projection can be seen and the physical engraving.¡± She focused for a few seconds, and I turned on my mana sight. The same pattern she had drawn on the blackboard wove its way through the air; strings of light blue energy precisely danced in the air. When the pattern was finished, she lowered it into one of the blades that had been stuck point first into the table. The lines contorted of their own accord for a moment finding the proper place naturally within the dagger, then in a flash of blue, a small amount of smoke drifted up from the dagger, and the pattern had been etched onto the blade. I was surprised to realize that this form of enchanting was what I had been doing naturally with my knowledge from the sea of chaos. Trianna continued, ¡°now, taking all things into consideration, how do we decide what parts of enchantment to adjust to change the desired effect. If I were to maximize, let us say the mana inlet segment but did not change anything else, what might happen?¡± she held her hands together then slowly stretched them out before uttering one word, ¡°BOOM.¡± ¡°This is a basic principle, tons of mana going in and nowhere for it to go creates an unstable build-up. A VERY IMPORTANT SAFETY TIP.¡± Rachel leaned over and quietly whispered, ¡°Whenever she says stuff like that, it means it¡¯s one of the few mistakes that can get you kicked out of her class.¡± I nodded as I continued to listen. ¡°Now, if we are hoping to take this basic fortification enchantment and try and make it twice as strong, how would we go about doing that? first, we need to increase the mana inflow segment by 2.¡± She drew the same enchantment on the board this time with the line size variation added. ¡°Second, the mana regulation segment does not need to be enlarged but fortified by a factor of three for the most stable enchantment. Any more than three times fortification and the segment will detract from the overall mana being put into the whole, weakening it. Third, the pathways for the effect matrix should be enlarged by 2.5, being half again as big as the mana inlet. This will allow for the mana to be metamorphosed into the proper effect while allowing for sufficient room for inherent mana instability and build-up. Fourth, the directional and replication line matrix should be 2.1-2.3 of the normal effect one wanted to produce. This allows for the outflow of transmuted mana to have the space to produce the effect at twice the power as desired and give a buffer for environmental factors. Any more than the 0.1-0.3 and the mana will naturally try and increase the effect past the planned amount, draining mana too quickly and destabilizing the enter enchantment matrix. Fifth, the directional exit line matrix and replication matrix can be fortified by a factor of 2, allowing for a more stable draw output from the enchantment.¡± When she was done and had the double strength fortification enchantment drawn on the blackboard, she went about using the bonded etching ability to carve the new enchantment on another dagger. She took two small mana crystals and placed both in the pommel of the daggers. The was a faint flash of light as the crystals were fused to the enchantment. ¡°Now, will test this.¡± She said, moving to place the daggers in a bench clamp. With each secured at an angled to the class, we watched as she bent each at a ninety-degree angle. The tool she used looked much the same as a torsion measuring wrench from Earth. I did not know the exact measurement they used, but it was clear that the plane dagger bent easily, while the one with the mid-level enchantment took about three times the pressure to bend. While the double fortified enchanted dagger took nearly eight times the amount of force to bend. ¡°As you can see, the power of an enchantment is not a direct correlation to the overall effect. These are standard legionnaire steel issued daggers, and while good, they are not the best. Still, however, you can see how the increase in the natural material and the standard craftsmanship made in the effectiveness of the overall enchantment. Materials and crafting quality are a lecture for another time, however. Back to line segments.¡± She went on to explain how changing the size of the lines in differing parts could change the enchantment. By enlarging the mana intake by four, she overclocked the enchantment, stating that due to the rest of it being stabilized, it would not explode. When she bent the dagger, it took nearly 32 times the amount of pressure, but the mana crystal got burnt up in the process, crumbling to dust when the test was completed. When she changed the replication matrix to smaller, the enchantment did not cover the entire blade, breaking near the tip instead of bending. When the replication matrix was enlarged, the dagger began sparking, trying to fortify the air, causing heat to build up, and within a few moments, the dagger had melted to slag. When the directional line pattern was changed, it made the whole enchantment fail or turned the dagger into dust after a few seconds. When she was done with her test examples, she finished with, ¡°so, this is why line diameter variation is so important though it is basic. Experimentation with diameter should be well thought out before it is attempted, or a standard imperial templet should be used that has been tested and proven safe. And always remember when enchanting,¡± The whole class answered, ¡°Material variation, line stability, and crafting pattern stability.¡± ¡°Very good; now we will take an hour break if you wish and then go over to the workshops.¡± As she finished, she smiled warmly at some of the girls getting out from under their tables before she went through the back door at the rear of the stage. Handkerchiefs were used to wipe mouths as the other male and female students got up and left. I watched, amused as skirts were adjusted and stains dabbed at. The nonplus attitude of the whole thing was shockingly funny, and I didn¡¯t think I would ever get used to the sight during class or after. ¡°So, what did you think?¡± Rachel said, smiling broadly at me. ¡°That was informative, and I had no idea how small variations could change an enchantment so drastically. I have a lot to think about before I start making some enchantments of my own.¡± ¡°About that, if you want to go to the workshop, you should stick to the basic enchantments. If you do too much well, you will have the enchanting faculty breathing down your neck. The students sell their school crafts to the legion directly, you can make a few coins that way, but if you make your own enchantments and they work, you can make a lot of gold that way. If they think you have an aptitude for it, they will push you into enchanting more and more.¡± ¡°How long does the workshop last?¡± ¡°Well, it is open all the time, the class part will be from 13:00-14:00. Were Trianna will guide us in what we just learned.¡± ¡°Hum best I skip enchanting in the school workshop. We have a shop at our house to set up. Care to come out there today with me?¡± ¡°I would love to; that way, we can spend the weekend making enchantments.¡± Rachel and I walked to the elevator and rode it back to our apartment level. ¡°I have to go to the halls of Roxclue,¡± I said with no emotion. ¡°I know¡­.¡± Walking into the apartment, I left Rachel to go back to the enchanting workshop while I prepared for what I was going to have to experience next. I could already feel the stain forming on my soul. Chapter 22 D Chapter 22 D. Bright light bathed the hallway leading into the living area and kitchen. One of the flower arrangements Ashley had ordered sat atop the entryway side table, and with Strafa''s morning cooking long done with, the room was filled with a sweet floral scent. I was home, well, as much as I could call this place home. I strode into the living room, "Hello, I don''t have long but wanted to stop by before I head to Roxclue''s halls." Sasha was at the desk in the far corner while Brie and Allie lounged on the couch; Faith sat nestled in an oversized chair. Walking out from the back storage room attached to the kitchen, Milly said, "Master your back!" she lightly bounced over to me, her chest jiggling with the movement. Strafa came out of the door behind her, her ears perked up. "Yes, but not for long. just wanted to see you all." I said, Milly''s soft, plump curves pressing into me. She buried her face in my chest, careful to keep the small white horns on the top of her head from poking me. I stroked the chestnut hair on the top of her head, pulling her in close with my other hand. "Aww, well, I understand. Is it true we''re all going to the house? I would love to see May; I have so much to tell her?" Milly''s wide smile could not be denied as she gazed up at me, the soft pink on her cheeks betraying her excitement to see me. "Absolutely, in fact, why don''t you all get ready to go. Once I am done with Roxclou''s hall, we will head over. Do you know where Mistress Ashley is?" Brie came up behind me, wrapping me in a hug as well, "She went to get the latest home d¨¦cor catalogs from some noted artisans in the city. She said she would meet you at the manor. I don''t think she could wait any longer to start decorating; she flew out of here and didn''t even take us with her." "That sounds about right; well, I am going to change and head down." "Would you like some help?" was purred by all the women. "On any other day, I would say yes, but I need a moment alone." "Very well," Milly said with a pout of her bottom lip. "Okay, Master," Brie said with one last squeeze from behind me. Sasha was waiting at my door when I got to it from the tangle of happy hugs. She kissed me on the lips lightly before returning to her work at the desk. She was stitching or embroidering something; I could not tell what it was as I walked into my room. I peeled out of my college uniform and stood in front of the armoire. I dressed in much the same outfit, though these clothes had been embroidered by Sasha, with the green leaf patterns of my house crest. Vines wove and clung around pant legs at the boot, my white thin long sleeve shirt was embroidered the same at the cuff, and my vest was fully embellished on the front. Last I put on my troll cloak, the green and silver blending effortlessly with my chosen ensembles. I tucked the gold pocket watch into the front vest pocket, the gold chain hanging along the left of my torso. 12:45 Riding the elevators down to the main atrium lobby of the college tower, I stepped out into the throng of students. Exalted nobles headed to the exits or down into the dungeon. A low buzz of noise permeated the air, the shuffle of feet and ruffling of clothes masking any coherence of conversation. I found my way to the east side of the college tower, where two statues of Roxclue were positioned on either side of the elevator doors. The kneeling statues had their hands upturned and proffered. The elevator doors were carved in relief of Roxclue in a variety of prostrated positions. Three other exalted mages waited in front of the elevator doors and were currently engaged, discussing their expedition down to the breeding halls. The doors opened, and the four of us stepped inside. I stood near the back wall of the elevator. The attendant was a slave priestess of Roxclue; her head stayed bowed the entire time as we descended. Rotund, with light perspiration bubbling upon his forehead, spoke, "Lord Gralen, you finally going to work up the courage to take a prime this time." "Shulick, courage has no¡­nothing to do with it. The primes are far too savage for my tastes." "We know Garlen, a good slave is a docile slave. I enjoy the sport, however." "Ha, Edmund, is it sport when the brutes are tied down with their backsides in the air for you. I don''t know how you can take to the males." Shulick said patting at the sweat with a handkerchief. "Easy, the firm muscles quiver violently as their rage builds, impotent against the power of the empire as I dominate their hole. The rage in their eyes tastes sweeter than wine." "They are so hairy, though, Edmund. Quiet and smooth makes for easy breeding." "You never were one to participate in the groups Garlen, it''s quite fun to bet and see who''s seed takes root. I won 100 gold last time ten of us took a Wolfkin bitch." "Really seed bets, Shulick. I don''t know how you do it." "Easy, it''s when the light dies in their eyes. That''s why a fresh catch is best, or a virgin breeder. Braking them with your cock and using them up. Sweet as cake Edmund, sweet as cake." "Well, if anyone would know about cake, it would be you, Shulick." With the last said from Edmund, the doors opened, and the tree quickly walked into the lobby of Roxclue''s halls. I trailed after them slowing my steps, breathing in through my nose and out my mouth. I could do this. Attendants familiar with the three quickly guided them through doors and out of sight. The room was large and circular, with a domed ceiling. Doors lined the walls, and a giant statue of Roxclue kneeling was in the center of the room. Mage light lit the dome and the paintings of Roxclue serving the other gods and goddesses. "Welcome, honored Exalted Lord; I will assist you." A young female elf said; her head was bowed to the floor, and her red hair was pulled back tight in a braid, revealing the silver collar around her neck and her shorter ears, marking her as a demi-human and not a beast kin. The tunic dress she wore, belted around the waist by a silver chain, was see-through, the pink of her nipples visible along with a strip of red pubic hair. The dress seemed a uniform of sorts as all the other females were in the same thing, while the males wore a shirt and trouser variant. She led me along the wall to the right, where a counter was inset. She spoke to the attendant quietly while I stood behind her. Everything she did was salacious. As she talked and bent over the counter, she did so in such a way as to expose the pink hole of her pussy and the pucker of her ass to me. The counter is obviously being sized to do just that. I thought briefly if I just took her here and now, could I be done with this but thought better of it. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. "Honored Exalted Lord Grayson, it appears you have never been registered with the temple of Roxclue?" "I came from a small settlement never had the chance." "Of course, Exalted Lord, we will register you, so you have no trouble from this. I can show you the breeding cells unless you know what you wish to breed?" "Show me," I said, keeping as detached a tone as I could manage. The priestess led me to a door on the far wall. An attendant opened it as we passed by. "These are the Prime holding cells. On the left, we have the males of the species. If you wish to implant your seed in one, do so in the ass or if you use their mouth, on their face. A servant will collect it and implant it in a female. On the right, the female primes are kept; if you breed them, we can extract your sample from their ass or face if you do not finish in their birthing vessel." The priestess explained as we strolled down the hall. Down a way'', I saw Edmund from the elevator go into the left side of the cells. The cells were walled on five sides with bars on the fronts, like a prison cell. They were large, larger than I thought they would be, but each held furniture to strap the occupants too. The first cell on the left held a minitour; he was chained with his arms splayed to the sides and chains running to the ceiling from his great horns. He was brown and looked utterly like an animal, a gold septum ring in his nostrils. And he was naked, a massive flaccid cock left out to hang. I quickly shifted my gaze to the right side of the cells where the females were held. "If your Exalted Lordship wants privacy while breeding, the curtain in the room may be drawn. It is enchanted to prevent sound from coming out, or it may be left open if you so desire." The elf said, head still bowed as she walked on the right side of me. She moved there so I could look at the females as she spoke. We walked down the hall of cells. Beast kin of every type was chained and awaiting use. Kitsune covered in fine fox fur, a full lamia the fan of her hoods like a cobra covered in bright green scales, Minobous with massive breasts, diminutive mouse kin covered in fur, and elves. Each was chained in some way within their cells, some being locked into place on furniture, unable to move from their exposed positions. Most of the cells were not being used, only one or two curtains having been closed. All except for Edmunds, he put on a loud display with one of the wolfkin males. Taking him from behind while he lashed him with a flail. Passing quickly, the elf spoke, "the slave binding works, so my Exalted Lord need not worry. We only chain the beasts to remind them of their place within the glorious empire." We approached the end of the hall and went through another door. "This is where the second generations are held; males are on the right, and females are to your left." She said, moving to the right, so my view was on the females as she talked. "Are all the halls configured the same?" "Yes, exalted lord." We walked down this hall, and I noted the change in appearance in the generations. The beast kin were markedly more human-looking, having lost fur and their faces taking on a more human appearance. There were more curtains closed here except for a group of four who were in the process of filling a gnome girl. She road one while a large muscular noble took her ass. Tears streamed down her face as the third buried himself in her mouth, the opening barely large enough to accommodate the average cock. The fourth cheered the others on. "All the slaves are connected to healing enchantments while in the breeding rooms, so his Exalted Lordship does not need to worry about harming the breeders while he relieves himself in them." We reached the end of the hall and went back into the main lobby. The last female in her cell was a pitiful-looking elf hung upside down with her legs nearly in a full split, mounting steps let anyone get a good downward position on her two exposed holes. Each of the halls was much the same, with the fourth and fifth having the most curtains closed. Groups of nobles were not common but fining two together was. The nobles who left their curtains open excited when we walked by, putting more vigor into their beating or poundings, increasing the screams or hollow moans from the captives. It was as we walked up the fifth hall that I asked my question, "I heard you can buy breeders, so my schedule is not inconvenienced by having to come all the way down here?" "Absolutely, my lord." "Good, are there any here who have not been used?" The elf paused for a moment, then nodded her head, "Yes, a lamia was just brought out this morning, and she has yet to have been bred." "Take me to her," I said, figuring that if I was going to buy a breeder to fulfill my requirements, I wanted one that could at least assimilate into my household. Anyone who spent too long down here would surely have their mind cracked, much like the kitsune I won from the drunken fool. We stopped three cells down from the door to the main hall. Inside was a pale-skinned Lamia; her tail was light lavender with soft pink running along her sides. The pink scales traced her sides, from the lower portion of the human thigh where it connected to her snake half, all the way up to her shoulders where the scales ran down her arms. Her human half was about 175 centimeters, she was slender, and her mussels were defined. Her but was bubbly and round. Between her thigh''s there was a diamond, perky breast held round and firm with no sag. She had soft lavender hair braided over one shoulder and little fangs stuck out over the bottom of her red lips. Her snake body was coiled beneath her but had to be 7 to 8 meters long. The lamia brightened when she saw me looking at her; no doubt she had been brainwashed to think being bred was the highest honor she could achieve. Heedless of any other torment she might suffer. "What can you tell me of her?" "She is a fifth-generation. Her children will be proper bipeds and can be sold as Demi-humans. Her venom has healing properties and can be used in potions or injected directly." "Good enough, she will fit the aesthetic of the manor I just purchased; I will purchase her after I breed her." "Very well, exalted lord." She said while she snapped her fingers toward the priest. She whispered to him, and he left quickly. I walked into the room, and the elf followed. Looks like I was going to be watched while I did this. I kept my tone as derisive and officious as possible, "are you ready to receive my seed beast for the glory of the empire." "Yes, Exalted Lord, and thank you for your seed. Where would you like me?" she said, a hint of nervousness in her voice. I noticed that she was only chained to the wall by a thin gold chain attached to the tip of her snake tail. The elf priestess stood along the wall, waiting and silent. The room had furniture sized and shaped to strap a lamia down. The bed would work fine for what I had in mind. "What is your name, and the bed will do nicely," I said, undressing as I lay down. "Salieshie, Exalted lord." The lamia said, gliding the lavender of her scales across the floor as she positioned her human half between my legs. I laid back on the pillows as Salieshie''s red lips opened, and her tongue licked her lips. Her tongue was human, if not for being a little longer and slightly more pointed. She nuzzled her head against the side of my thigh, her tongue darting out to lick the bass of my half-hard cock. She circled her head around my shaft, her soft hair trialing along my leg. Rolling her lips down the top of my shaft, the tip of her tongue poking out, she kissed the head of my cock. I was worried for a second about her fangs, but they retracted when she opened her mouth wide, swirling the head of my cock with her tongue. Hot wet saliva coated my head as she descended my shaft. Feasting with her mouth slowly as she sunk to the base of my cock. With greater suction than I was used to, she glided back up, my cock constricted by her throat. Licks and pressure-formed all around my stiff shaft as she dove methodically up and down. Her hands held my balls while her other rotated up and down. Stiffly I pressed into her throat, holding her head to the base of my cock, feeling the rhythmic clamping of her throat. Pulling from her mouth with a sudden jerk, I held her hair as I pulled her on her belly to the head of the bed. Laid out straight, the bump of her ass parted slightly, revealing her puckered hole and wet slit. She reached back with her hands, griping each of her round cheeks in her hands, and pulled them apart, granting me easy entry into her while she arched her hips up. With my wet cock I Pressed my head to her puckered rosebud. With a strong resistance, the head of my cock sunk inside of her. Her ass constricted like the snake she was, as I plunged slowly into her. Hot and tight flesh like nothing I had ever felt before surrounded and consumed me. I pinned her to the pillow by the neck while her tail lashed back and forth. She took each hard thrust with a hiss and moan. Pumping her, each pull and thrust was met with the unnatural tightness of her rosebud. Muffled by pillows, her moans went barely heard by me, "Oh, Oh, mphf." When I was close to finishing from her slick tight ass, I pulled out slowly and violently flipped her over. Her bright blue eyes were wide with excitement as they peeked out from damp lavender hair. Sweat beaded on my body as I straddled her lavender body. She arched her hips up, letting me easily glide into her pussy. Pulling her head to me, I kissed her while the warmth of wet velveteen walls parted for me. Moaning into my mouth, I thrust in and out of her. The odd angle was something new, but the tight embrace of her pussy sending me over the edge. Shuttering, I let loose inside of her, spilling my seed deep in the hot walls of her clinching grip. "Yes, lord, yes. All in me, fill me." She whispered and moaned in my ear. The perk of her nipples pressing on my chest while she rocked upward hard on my cock, making sure I was at the back of her channel. Cum poured into her and leaked from the edges of our combined sex. I panted, laying against her as the elf priestess spoke, "Excellent job, Exalted Lord Grayson, well done. The praise was odd, but then again, a bunch of wealthy nobles might need the recognition after "Working" so hard. I lay atop Salieshie for a while with my cock still buried in her before I rolled over. She lay very still with her hips arched up even more than before, trying not to lose any of my seed. After some time, I got up, finding my clothes neatly folded on a chair. Salieshie laid still, her eyes closed in concentration. As I dressed, the elf priestess asked, "do you still wish to buy the lamia?" "Yes." I had confirmed my supposed duty to the empire, and by purchasing Salieshie, I could fulfill my breeding obligations. "I will prepare her and deliver her to your apartment then, speak with Roxclue''s assistant in the entryway to arrange payment. With that, I walked out of the cell and back into the main entry hall. The clean, bright ambiance of the place belied the true nature of what went on here, and I could only imagine how the common citizen breeding halls were handled. "I wish to purchase the Lamia I just bred," I told the priestess behind the counter. She wore the same outfit as the other attendants, the slight glint of red scales the only thing different about her. "Absolutely, Exalted lord Grayson, let me see what her price is." She said, pulling a book out. Leafing through it, she found the page and spoke again, "She costs forty platinum, exalted lord." With little fanfare, I paid the price and headed back to the elevator. Riding in silence and solitude, I got out in the central atrium of the college. Walking to the elevators that led up to the apartments, I was once more in front of my apartment. Waiting outside the door were the elf priestess and the Lamia Salieshie. "Here is her binding ring, and the God Roxclue thanks you for your service." The elf said, handing me a silver arm ring that matched the silver one around Salieshie''s neck. I bound the silver ring to the mithril slave binding ring I wore on my left hand, feeling the slave binding settle into place. With a nod, the elf left, and I opened the door to Rachel''s, Ashley''s, and my apartment. Chapter 40: All the Stars in the Sky. - A. Chapter 40: All the Stars in the Sky. - A. ¡°Everyone, I want to introduce you to Salieshie,¡± I said when I entered the living room. The bright light of mid-afternoon cascaded in through the windows, illuminating the smiling faces of my household. ¡°Strafa, Faith, Allie, and Brie, Milly, Sasha, this is Salieshie. She will be joining us from the halls of Roxclou.¡± ¡°Oh my, your coloring is beautiful, Salieshie. I see why Master picked you.¡± Cooed Strafa, button nose sniffing her as an exciting thrill goose-pimpled her skin. ¡°Welcome, Salieshie; you will love Master as much as we do; I am just sure of it.¡± Faith bubbled happily while hugging the lavender and pink scaled lamia. ¡°It is an honor to be bred by one of the exalted lords. I hope to birth him many acceptable slave children.¡± The kind adoration was clearly unfamiliar for the lamia, punctuated by the creeping blush on her cheeks. ¡°Rachel dear, are we ready to head to the home?¡± I asked while seating myself at the table amongst the scattering of papers she was working on. ¡°Humm. Oh, husband, I did not see you there. What did you ask?¡± ¡°Shall we go and explore our new home. We have an enchanting workshop to set up, after all.¡± ¡°Yes, let¡¯s. The girls have everything we need for the weekend packed.¡± ¡°I thought we would have to come back to the apartment tonight?¡± ¡°Oh, well, yes and no. Since there are no classes tomorrow, Lastnuss was given to new arrivals so they can settle in. We won¡¯t need to come back. The apartment occupancy rules are to ensure that paired couples spend time together. As we will all be staying in the same House and hopefully the same bed, the college administration will allow the weekend trip. I already got our exemption form and told them we wanted to break in the House properly.¡± With Rachel¡¯s clarification, she pulled out a formal paper and handed it to me. ¡°Good thinking, Rachel. I was dreading having to come back just to leave again in the morning.¡± While I spoke, I reviewed the form. We had been granted permission to stay at the House until Monday morning for the rest of our time at the college, so long as both Rachel, Ashley, and myself were in the House together. Handing the paper back over to Rachel for safekeeping, I stood. ¡°With that settled, let¡¯s go get a carriage and head home.¡± Luggage in hand, the nine of us headed out. Rachel and I went to the main elevators arm in arm, more so I could guide Rachel as she still had a diagram on a paper in front of her that she was studying. While the rest of the House went to use the servant elevators, saying they would meet us in front of the east entrance to the college. Stepping out from the elevators into the main atrium of the college Rachel and I were greeted by the tinkling laugh of Tiffany Greystorm. ¡°Ha, and did you know that exalted lord¡­ oh, Lady Rachel, what a pleasure.¡± ¡°Lady Greystorm,¡± Rachel said, tensing next to me as she looked up from her enchanting diagram. ¡°So, good to see you and without escort or your lovely shadow lady Ashley. And Exalted lord Grayson, handsome as ever, I see.¡± ¡°Thank you, Lady Greystorm; I do hope the day is treating you well?¡± ¡°Oh, it¡¯s a bore. Lady Wildpoint and I were just headed up to our rooms to see if we could spice up the day. Where are you headed? I do hope Lady Albillac is not insistent on boring you with her endless enchanting?¡± Rachel answered with a sickly-sweet tone, ¡°We are headed to the new manner that we purchased and for the whole weekend.¡± ¡°I did read about that; congratulations. It must have been very expensive for a new noble such as yourself. You are planning on having a reception ball, I hope?¡± ¡°I would never dream of denying the pleasures of the house of stars to the aristocracy.¡± ¡°I heard the House of Star¡¯s galas were some of the grandest and most beautiful. Quiet costly, I do hope you can manage to keep the tradition.¡± ¡°Lord Grayson has yet to disappoint in any way, lady Tiffany. I can¡¯t imagine he would start now.¡± ¡°Wonderful, I do hope to receive your invitation; Adelia and I wouldn¡¯t miss it for the world.¡± ¡°We¡¯ll be sure to send you the invitation with plenty of time; I would hate for Prince Leonard to not have time to arrange his schedule accordingly. Seeing you then unaccompanied to such a grand affair.¡± ¡°How kind.¡± Tiffany kindly sneered. ¡°We must be off, but it was so good to see you, Lady Tiffany and Lady Adelia.¡± ¡°Yes, yes. Good day.¡± A red-faced Tiffany said as we headed to the far doors leading to the east exit of the towers. ¡°By the Gods, she is horrible; I hate that woman,¡± Rachel muttered as we exited the doors to the carriage drop-off and pick-up area. I had been expecting to have to hire a carriage but waiting near the front of the cobblestone roundabout was Timmothy. Two carriages sat waiting. The first was the same sleek lacquered black with silver imperial eagles and tinted black crystal windows. The second was polished wood, brown and drab by comparison but still nice enough to be in the front of the college. ¡°Timmothy, I wasn¡¯t expecting you to be here.¡± ¡°I am most glad that I could exceed your expectations, Exalted lord Master Grayson. It is my duty to anticipate your needs and see them tended. Would you like any of your House to provide companionship on the trip to the estate?¡± ¡°Send Sasha in and Milly,¡± I answered, climbing into the carriage after helping Rachel in. ¡°Very well, lord.¡± Once Sasha and Milly were seated, we slowly moved along the road and out onto the main street. The second wagon followed behind with the rest of the household, leaving Milly and Sasha to snugly press themselves in on either side of me. Rachel sat across from me, her dazzling blue eye flicking over the papers she was reviewing. She wore an elegant, tight-fitting black jacket with a high collar that framed her neck, with the front split open just past her cleavage, revealing her small pert breasts. She had changed into a pleated miniskirt that rested lightly at mid-thigh. Delicate lacy stockings with embellishment at the top hid just below the line of her skirt. Her legs were thin but not emaciated, and they glided up from her feet in near-perfect symmetry. I could see the barest hint of flesh between the skirt and stockings. I wonder if she is wearing panties, my mind helpfully questioned. I reclined back in the large carriage, letting the sights of the city gates and buildings pass as I thought. Milly was soft and warm, pressed up next to me. Her clothing did little to protect her from my idle, wandering hands. Sasha¡¯s tails flicked over my other side, and with one arm draped over her, I caressed the top of her chest with the tops of my fingers. It was Harness or Thursday, as the people here called it. The auction for the priestess would be held in three days, on Sunday or Dawning. That left me with the rest of today and tomorrow to get all my affairs in order to attend the auction and have enough money that I could outbid any who would wish to steal her out from under me. I currently have 17 Mithril coins in my bank account, along with 65 platinum coins, 509 gold, 250 silver, and 200 coppers. When the Titan¡¯s Shield finished selling our haul from the dungeon, I would get more money, but I did not think it would significantly increase my balance. Our new House had cost 9 mithril coins, and that had been overpaying. I doubted Sarah Allenoic, the priestess I was to rescue, would cost more than I had, so I was secured on that front. I doubted any noble would pay more than a house for a slave. ¡°Rachel, I saw that there was a special slave auction happening on Dawning, I was thinking of going.¡± She looked up from her paper¡¯s bright blue eyes, meeting mine. A lock of black hair had escaped from the braid she had over her right shoulder. ¡°Really, I would think you might find such a thing tedious?¡± her eyes flicked around the carriage, and I saw her shake her head with the barest hint of movement. ¡°I¡¯m in the mood for some new acquisitions. Since I got to sample the wet hole of Salieshie I find I might want to broaden my menagerie.¡± I indicated slightly with my eyes that I knew we were not free to speak inside the carriage. ¡°Wonderful husband, I can¡¯t wait to guide your large hard cock blessed by the God Ack into the wanton wet hole of a new slave. I delight at the thought of lapping the holy cum from your shaft that has been milked to fruition by a tight new girl.¡± Rachel said with a smirk. Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. The carriage pulled onto Emperor Way and turned once we reached Temple Street. Soon, the twisting vines and flower patterns of the wrought iron gates to the noted House of Stars opened and we were traveling under the tree canopy along finely crushed stone. Dappled shade covered the slight incline of the path. The outer section of the grounds was a well-maintained section of forest. Breaking from the trees after a few minutes led to open gardens and the front of the manor house. Finely crushed white marble gravel was lain on the front drive and around one side of the House. I could only just see the outlines of the outbuildings; their shapes were broken by trees and flowering bushes. It was just as beautiful as the first time I had seen it and there were already a few well-appointed carriages waiting to the side in the front drive. It looked like Ashley had company over already. The front of the home was not immaculate; ivy grew on the north side of the building, and the telling signs of age slowly crept throughout the area. The front of the building had double doors that awaited the entrance of guests. Sets of three tall windows lined each side of the door, matching the ones on the two stories above the first. Gabled roofs and angles hid windows and chimneys. On each side of the center house were rounded towers, some levels enclosed by windows, while others offered covered patios. The cylinder towers rose above the main House, conical roofs pointing to the heavens. Side wings of the manor grew from the corner towers, hinting at the internal size. The roof was done in black tiles, not unlike the Spanish-style red clay shingles from Back on Earth. While not the vibrant red color, the black matched the clean brown trim and dark green which allowed the places where white was displayed to vibrantly stand out. The home was refined but aged and needed just a bit of tender loving care. I could already tell my slaves had been hard at work since they got here, not doing anything major, but simply sweeping and dusting the outside gave a remarkable improvement to the overall glow of the building. With the carriages stopped in front of the House, Timmothy got out along with the rest of the household from the college tower and moved to the door of the carriage. I let Sasha and Milly exit first, allowing them to take their place in the line-up of slaves waiting to enter our home. I guided Rachel out of the carriage door and onto the finely crushed stone of the drive. Looping her arm in mine, I could see the barely contained excitement as she viewed the front of the House. ¡°It¡¯s better than I could imagine, lord husband. The House of Stars has always held a special place in the hearts of those who pursued enchanting. I¡¯m going to have to properly reward you for securing such a wonderful prize.¡± she said while tucking my arm close to her breasts. ¡°I had a feeling you would like it. Let¡¯s go find Ashley and see how much damage she is inflicting on my bank account.¡± I said with a smirk. We walked arm in arm passed the lowered heads of my slaves and through the doors to the entrance hall to the House of Stars. The curved double staircase was even more splendid now that it had been mopped and cleaned. That was not to say that Baroness Montfort had neglected the House, but any noble family that fell on hard times always had dust accumulating in hidden corners. The ceiling of the grand Entranceway was on full display, and Rachel marveled at the precise beauty that dazzled the eyes when one would now enter our home. The House of stars lived up to its name in every way, the stunning spectacle of the ceiling a testament to the enchanting skills of the late Baron Montfort and the beauty this world was capable of producing with magical effect. The alien planets and solar system were hung precisely in their celestial cradles tracing their paths along the heavens with the backdrop of the glittering gemstone constellations providing a dazzling tapestry for which their motion could grace my eyes. ¡°Husband!¡± Ashley said excitedly, the wave of her auburn hair a sea of beauty that hung about her as she walked up to Rachel and me from a hallway. ¡°Ashley, you seem¡­ Happy.¡± I said, emphasizing the word with one eyebrow raised. She blushed, ¡°Oh, now, none of that, come and see what I have selected. We have so much to do, so much to buy¡­ SO MUCH DECORATING TO DO!¡± The last was said with such a thrill of excitement I could not help but smile at the exalted lady Ashley fully in her element. It was clear she was living her dream right now, and I would not dissuade her from her passions. ¡°Ashely, just don¡¯t go overboard,¡± Rachel said as the two kissed each other¡¯s cheeks. ¡°I would never! But we must restore the grandeur of the House of Stars! When we have our new home reception, I want every noble to be in absolute awe of you, Eric!¡± Ashely said, wrapping her arms around me. ¡°I would expect nothing less, but I imagine there is more than one reason to have such splendor.¡± Ashley¡¯s and Rachel¡¯s eyes shifted, and they simply nodded. We would have to find a place where we could set up Rachel¡¯s anti-spying device so we could talk freely. ¡°Show me what you have selected so far. I want to see your skill for homemaking in full bloom wife.¡± My lips pressed to hers, her wide smile making the kiss more a moment of shared happiness than one of heated passion. It was then I realized, my heart was warming to these two amazing women, and love was settling into place. ¡°Come, I had the furniture makers from the Elegant Lounge come over, as well as a slave from the Noble Rose and a provider from Crates and Silos.¡± Ashley turned and nearly sprinted to the side ballroom, where she had set up her war room for her battle against the bare-bone minimalism the House had been reduced to with the departure of Baroness Monfort. The once empty basketball court sized ballroom was now set up like some kind of fantasy world Ikea. The bright light of the room glittered off the selections of room furnishings set up in full. Through the labyrinth of polished wood and silk cushioned chairs were imitation rooms set up with dressers and armoires, beds, and side tables all displayed so one could experience the feel the collections would illicit within the rooms they mimicked. There were dozens of such displays. The dining rooms had grand tables, some that could easily host a hundred people. The tables had been set, each lain with different patterns of silverware. Crystal wine glasses and a dizzying array of dishes were all precisely set up on the table as if a noble feast would break out at any moment at any of the tables. Candle holders with beeswax tapers danced with merry flames while others held flickering flames of different colors, their illumination created by mana. Smaller tables were set for more intimate breakfast affairs, and each chair and table were carved with beautiful patterning. The beds came in a variety of sizes, but none would be what I would describe as small. Four poster beds, along with a wide selection of headboards and footboards, each carved by skilled hands. There were desks and sofas, daybeds, padded wingback chairs, ottomans, coffee tables, and side tables for hallways. The selection of furnishings was truly staggering, and I had no clue how to make it all come together in a cohesive way. My only thought was the price. Each item had a paper tag, and each collection had the entire set priced in full. As Ashely guided me through the maze, I noted the prices, and relief filled me. The most expensive of the collections were priced at a platinum coin, or a thousand gold coins, while most collections were only a platinum penny or a few dozen gold coins. Even if Ashley bought everything my bank account would only take a slight beating. ¡°Well, there is certainly a lot to choose from,¡± I said. ¡°Ha,¡± Rachel chuckled from my side. ¡°Oh, there is so much I, well how much, can I¡­¡± Ashley trailed off. She wanted to know how much she could spend. ¡°Well, considering we want to make a good impression,¡± I teased. Ashley was tense with excitement. I pulled Ashley close, kissing her and whispering in her ear, ¡°Don¡¯t let them know, but I think a mithril will do¡­¡± I paused as I felt Ashley use all her power to keep her giddy excitement under control, ¡°Do try and get the best price though. And that includes the flower arrangements.¡± I added at the end, nipping her ear lobe. After her flush subsided some, she nodded and said quietly, ¡°Oh, I certainly will, lord husband.¡± ¡°Good, I have no doubt when it comes to your skills, me and Rachel are going to go to the enchanting workshop and sort that area out,¡± I said, kissing her once more. ¡°Oh¡­ yes, yes, you and Rachel go and immerse yourself in the workshop. It¡¯s in the back, connected to the very large spyglass. Can¡¯t miss it. Now, to get this House in order.¡± Ashely said, turning from us and diving headfirst into the battle royale of home decorating. ¡°Well,¡± I said to Rachel as she looped her arm in mine. ¡°Yeah¡­¡± She said with a sigh, ¡°I almost feel sorry for them.¡± Rachel said as we watched Ashley begin inspecting items. ¡°She¡¯s going to be busy for the rest of the day. Shall we find the enchanting workshop?¡± I asked. ¡°Oh, definitely,¡± Rachel said, pulling my arm as we left the ballroom turned battlefield. Milly and Sasha had been drafted into the war, along with most of our other household slaves. We found are way easily through the House and out the wide back doors of another sitting area into the rear gardens of the House. The ground level of the rear gardens was a wonder; fine marble tiles created large patio areas, and raised garden beds spilled their exotic plants over the side. The lush green of the plants was dotted with vibrant flowers of reds, blues, purples, pinks, and yellows. The wings of the House extended wide, creating a large central garden area. Just past the right wing of the House was the workshop. I looked over the brass domed roof, a burnished gold glinting in the late evening sun. The building was clearly a large observatory. The thick brick construction gave the building a heavy feel, and from what mana I could sense, I knew this building was heavily fortified and enchanted. ¡°Would you like a tour of the grounds, Master Eric?¡± Timothy said, coming up behind us. ¡°Not yet, Timothy, I think me and Lady Rachel will be entering the workshop,¡± I said heading in the direction of the burnished round domed building. It was at least four stories tall, peeking above the roof line of the main house. ¡°Very well, Master Eric, I will return to Lady Ashely.¡± I barely heard the words as Rachel and I quickened our steps, ¡°What do you think is in there?¡± I asked. ¡°I mean, I have no way of really knowing. But definitely an enchanter¡¯s workspace. The stories, though¡­¡± Rachel trailed off. ¡°Well, like what?¡± I said as we reached the ground floor door. The door into the observatory and workshop was made from a type of heavy iron, but as I reached my hand out to the handle, I felt the slightest tingle of magic ripple through me, and whatever had been sealing the door shut unlocked with the slightest flicker of blue light around the edges. The heavy door swung open easily, the enchantments recognizing me as the owner of the home and allowing me entrance. ¡°Exalted Baron Montfort¡¯s enchantments were known for being incredibly stable. His use of the imperial runes was innovative, and his love for the stars was well known. He was able to prolong his life, by some three hundred years, through the use of such enchantments though his research into the field was never made public.¡± Rachel answered as we entered the first floor. The room was lit with magical light, soft but permeating, and the first floor was set up as a study. A spiral staircase twisted its way up to the floor above, and opposite the curved stairs leading upwards was a staircase descending into the basement of the observatory workshop. The walls had no windows, and the entire curve of the building was lined with fine dark wood bookshelves. Each colorful bound volume was precisely placed and well cared for. The center of the room had wingback chairs for reading, desks, and tables that, at one point during their life, most certainly had been strewn with papers but now sat completely clean. The room was clearly a place for study and to expand one¡¯s magical knowledge. Rachel walked to one of the center tables, took the enchanted cube from her pocket, and placed it in the center of the room, turning it on. Just like before, there was a subtle shift in the manna, and the magical enchantment on the device activated, ensuring that no eavesdropping was possible. Once the enchantment was in place, Rachel spoke, ¡°And it was rumored he was a world walker like yourself.¡± ¡°Oh¡­ that¡¯s a world walker. We¡¯ll have to figure out if he was or not. I think we should take a look around.¡± I added. Rachal and I started looking around the first-floor room. The books were mostly on enchanting and observations of the movement of the stars in the sky. I cataloged the ones that I would read in the future as we headfirst down into the basement area. ¡°Enchanting is best done in a highly shielded environment and underground,¡± Rachel explained as we entered the workshop area. Forges and tables, along with a dizzying array of tools, lined the walls. There was a tunnel that led back to the basement level of the manor house. The basement was a mostly wide-open space, aside from a few storage rooms and testing rooms that would hold the required materials for enchanting and crafting work. There was an area for blacksmithing and detail jewelry work, as well as what seemed to be alembics and other tools for alchemy. Everything was fortified, and there was a testing chamber where one could place new enchantments and power them while being fully protected by some rather oversized and powerful glass shielding. The spider web of enchantments that networked the glass was barely visible, but I got the sense from them that they would truly be able to take the force of a massive explosion or other such caustic projections of devastation before failing. ¡°We will have to go over the tools and enchantments at some point, but this is going to be a wonderful place to work. If my lord husband will allow it, I would love to work down here?¡± Rachel asked the formality in her tone, betraying the hope she had to work on the craft she loved in such a grand workshop. ¡°Absolutely you can work down here, I want to see what you will be able to do. And you can teach me also, or at least catch me up some.¡± I said, watching Rachel¡¯s face light with happiness. I grabbed her hand before she could dive into her passion craft and pulled her toward the stairs. ¡°It¡¯s time to take a look at this telescope,¡± I said, heading back up to the ground level. The stairs above the study twisted up to the third floor, where the large round room held the Eyepiece for the telescope. Seated behind it was a chair that was attached to the whole thing and the telescope was designed to be able to make a full three-hundred-and-sixty-degree rotation around the room. The walls held charts and maps of the night sky along with worktables and places to create the maps. It was beautiful. The burnished brass of the telescope glowed in the low light of the room. A network of woven silver lines ran through the whole of the scope and I knew that it was magically enchanted just by looking at it. I wondered why the late Baron Montfort would have invested so much time in creating this Masterpiece. Was it just for his personal interest in the stars or something more? I walked up to the telescope and sat in the seat. It was comfortable but rigid enough that one would not be in danger of falling asleep while seated. Levers were to the right of the seat and clearly controlled the telescope¡¯s positioning. I pulled a few of the levers gently and watched as the enchantment lines lit up and began moving things. One would open and close the main shutter of the brass domed roof, letting the telescope gaze into the sky and protecting it during the day. Another rotated the telescope and dome of the roof. The others controlled the angles of the telescope, letting it move up and down and side to side. I placed my eye on the Eyepiece, with the ceiling still closed, as I did not want the fading light to somehow be magically enhanced into a laser death ray and blast directly into my brain. That would surely be a death sentence, but with all the magical effects going on I could not be sure if that would actually happen or if there was some protection against that. As soon as my eye made contact with the telescope¡¯s Eyepiece, I received a pop-up window from the system. Chapter 40: All the Stars in the Sky. - B. System message: Baron Montfort celestial observatory: Active. Would you like to activate observatory enchantments? Yes, no? Enchantments: Time dilation: ten to one. Body: Times five. Speed: Times five. Dexterity: Times ten. Focus: Increase ability to focus on a task for prolonged periods of time. Increases mental acuity. Optical enhancements: Enhances ocular nerve to receive and transfer information faster. Mana sight: Grants the ability to see mana affinities. Celestial mana sight: Grants the ability to see mana affinities in the celestial realm and fluctuating lines between celestial bodies. Vail gaze: Allows for the barrier between realities to be viewed. System notification: World walker detected. Security question: Who was King of the great British Empire during the year of our lord 1782? ¡®What in the hell, King? Brittan?¡¯ I thought as I racked my brain for the answer. That would have been the guy the Americans were fighting during the revolution. What was his name, Greg, Gary, Geroge, it was King Geroge the third or something. Yeah, mad King George the Third. As soon as I had the answer formed within my mind, the system reacted. Answer: King George the Third. Correct: unlocking. Embedded message active: This message can only be viewed by those who meet the criteria of a world walker. View the message from Baron Montfort. Yes, no? Yes. Message: To whom it may concern, If you are reading this, then you are, as I am, a world walker as those here in the world of Forduna have so named us. My name is Baron Montfort, and I am from Earth, as you most likely are. I was a baron for our good King in the year of our lord 1782 in the high country of Caledonia. I went for a ride in the early morning mists; heaven only knows why, for the passage of time has made me forget that detail. My story is a long one, though I will not trouble you with it now. Know that I have spent three hundred and twenty years within this empire. I was granted the rank of baron, the same title I held within our beloved British empire at the time of my transference. For that is what happened to me; I was bodily transferred to this place; I still know not what happened to my mare Willow who disappeared along with me, I do hope she is well, wherever she may be. I arrived here with this unholy system surrounded by the workings of the devil in all his cursed forms. I have since learned to work with this system and have found my pleasures and joys here within the empire. Knowing I am most likely presumed dead and my wife and children long since passed morning my death, I have taken a wife after my natural life span would have surely been accounted for, should I have remained on Earth. Though only one, as the good lord commanded, unlike the multiple wives the heathen barbarians of this place take. However, due to the lack of male offspring, I understand why having more than one woman is quite normal. I just cannot bring myself to engage in such a hedonistic practice. The forced breeding is its own horror that I pray my soul shall be forgiven upon my departure from this world. That said, I have taken to the craft of enchanting as mechanisms and the aperture of maths of the high knowledge used in the observation of the heavens was and still is a great passion of mine. I built this home with hopes of one day returning to my earthly wife and children, for the love I bore them was held in no small measure. Through my workings, I have long since learned that this is not possible, should I even be able to return to the sea of chaos, that primordial place between the many universes and the worlds and people there within. I have resigned myself to live out my days here, though, through my many nights of observations and calculations, I have uncovered mysteries, most of which I know I shall never find the answers to. I implore you who read this now to watch and take heed, for this world is on the brink of destruction and catastrophe. This universe is new, from what I have come to understand from my calculations on such matters. As such, the branching network of universes that make up the core of reality, this universe is so precariously placed upon the furthest most branching pathway along the edge of the void, that place of vast nothingness that cradles the whole of all realities within its eternal embrace. What I have now come to know as the abyss is the layer of reality that nestles existence as some kind of corrupted insulation against this void, for which I have found no magics with which that veil of darkness may be pierced. This universe is close to this abyss, from which creatures of horror and nightmare are born to let loose their tentacles, teeth, fangs, and claws upon the worlds close to their savage realm, thus consuming with unholy ravaging¡¯s the new universes that form. They feed on these worlds and return to the place we call the abyss. What they do from there is a mystery and from what few attempts I have made to gain knowledge of their dark deeds in that place have left me with little more than madness and insanity creeping in at the edges of my mind. I warn you not to gaze into the abyss, for if you are noticed by those horrors within, and they gaze back at you, you may surely become lost. My findings are this; that the death, space-time, and summoning affinities are somehow disrupted. By what or who, I do not know, but until those affinities are healed and brought back into natural balance, this world and universe slips ever closer to being fully consumed by the creatures of that place of horror, the abyss. Using my telescope, you will be able to see the fabric of the celestial spheres warp and fluctuate, precursors to incursions from that place of abyssal horror. In my time here, the breaches into this world have only increased slightly, but they are increasing. I have tried to calculate how many more breaches of the veil between our realms this world can withstand. From my best guesses it is not many, maybe a few hundred at most, before the veil can no longer heal and the devouring of this world and universe truly begins. I have sought ways to heal and mend the rips in reality, those holes between the dark realm and this world filled with such light by comparison. My attempts have only been marginally helpful, for I have no great skill with tailoring, and none of the exalted mages here within the empire will ever have the power to make a difference. But mending reality is not enough, at least I think not. You must find the reason why these affinities are so blocked within this world and seek a remedy for the affliction that causes it. I have left my notes and findings in my journals, which I have hidden within the storeroom of my enchanting workshop. Should you possess the skills needed to undertake this endeavor then you will be able to find them and unlock the treasures held within. I have written the journals in the King¡¯s English, so even if they are found by one underserving, it will be all the harder for them to uncover knowledge they should not have. By the grace of our lord God, I hope and wish with utmost sincerity you are able to continue this work. I go now to mend a larger-than-average breach; if you are reading this, then me and my children have died. Sincerely, The baron Montfort, ever the loyal servant of his majesty King Geroge the Third. ¡°What, what is it, Eric?¡± Rachel asked, looking concerned as I pulled my eye back from the Eyepiece. My mind was whirling at the information. I might not be as safe in this world as I once thought. ¡°I need¡­ I need a moment.¡± I answered, heading to a wingback chair and sitting. I closed my eyes and reviewed what I had just read. So, the baron Montfort was, in fact, from Earth, but during the regency period of the British empire. I suppose that makes sense with some of the styling choices I have seen within the empire. From my stat sheet, it seems that my 15 percent in death and 25 percent in space-time and summoning, respectively, are actually maxed, and it is this world and universe with this weird system that is out of balance and keeping them so low. I would have expected these three affinities to be closer to 85 percent like my other affinities or even 100 percent. The void that was what I saw from the platform and the things and twisted beings were, in fact, abyssal creatures. The void beast attacks the newspaper talked about; they are what Baron Montfort was most concerned about, these incursions from beyond this world¡¯s reality. I have to find these notes; I have to find out how much the incursions have increased and, more importantly, how long this world has left before it is permanently broken. Was this a message from the great-grandfather who built the House, or was the current baron Montfort and this elder of the family actually one in the same person? My thoughts swirled, and I had a growing unease in the pit of my stomach as I asked Rachel, ¡°How long ago did the baron Montfort die?¡± She cocked her head to the side, ¡°Um, it was three or four decades ago. Why?¡± ¡°Well, it seems we might have a large problem. First, though, lets head to the storeroom down below. It appears that Baron Monfort hid his notes in a secret room, and I need to¡­ well, we need to find them.¡± I said, getting up from the chair and heading to the stairs. ¡°What did the spyglass show you, Eric¡­ you¡¯re scaring me a bit?¡± Rachel said walking down to the basement workshop along with me. ¡°Forgive me for that, I just need to confirm a few things before I go worrying you anymore. Bring your anti-spying cube.¡± The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. After grabbing her cube from the table, we entered the storeroom. The large storeroom had four sets of long shelves inside of it. The two along the outer walls that stretched into the back were carved into stone, while the two in the center were made from some kind of metal. There were a few items inside, mostly just basic materials that were not actually worth taking or selling off over the years but were required for enchanting and other such magical workings. At least that is what it seemed, but based on the message from the late Baron Montfort, there was some kind of room hidden by enchantment. All I needed to do was find it. ¡°Can you sense anything, Rachel? I want you to try before I do.¡± ¡°Let me see, okay, okay, I think this would be the best spell and skill for that,¡± Rachel muttered to herself as the faint glow of mana began to move around her. After a few moments, Rachel said, ¡°I can detect something along the back wall, but that is the extent of it. A very subtle enchantment and powerful.¡± ¡°I thought as much; let me see what I can do,¡± I said, sinking into my mana and beginning the process of constructing a spell. I let my arcane mana manipulation guide the process of spell creation. Through my mana sight, I watched the storage room sparkle to life with the detailed woven pattern lines of Masterwork enchantments. There was an outer layer of enchantments, but hidden deeper behind the veil of the simple enchantments was a network of fine hair-like woven threads that created a precise weave of enchantments that would easily be overlooked. I walked to the back of the room where, in three spots, the fine detail lines of the enchantments converged. ¡°What are you doing? Is that¡­?¡± Rachel asked, her words trailing off. ¡°Yep, it¡¯s the lock,¡± I said as I placed my hand on all three of the panels one after another. The stone of the wall did not glow or give an indication that I had touched them correctly, but as my hand fell on the third spot, the back of the storeroom wall began to shimmer. It only took a moment for the stone to appear completely liquid and begin melting into the sides and floor of the room. Just like with Rachel¡¯s armor the Stonewall was malleable when under the effects of the enchantments. ¡°So flawless!¡± Rachel said breathless excitement at the enchantment activation. ¡°I am going to learn so much just from getting to study the enchantments in the House and getting to work in the same place as the baron Montfort. I just can¡¯t¡­ I can¡¯t believe how lucky I am!¡± ¡°I¡¯m looking forward to seeing what you can do, but now, the hidden room,¡± I said with a wide smile on my face as I turned from Rachel and looked into the short hall that led to another room. We walked through the door and I was surprised that the stone did not seal behind us, but from what I could gather from the glowing enchantment lines was that the far door to the storage room had sealed itself. The second storage room was larger than the first and held shelves and tables, none of which were bare of hidden treasures. However, the real treasure I was looking for were the notes left by the late Baron Montfort about his findings. Rare materials lined the walls, and along the shelves, there were more than a few completed items in the room. I could only guess at the rarity of the materials or their value, but it was a safe bet that I had just increased my overall net worth by quite a large amount. The items were strange, each held in their own places behind glass or neatly hung on racks. The storage room was part study, part workshop, part library, and storage room. It was half as large as the whole of the downstairs workshop. This was a place where the baron Montfort would keep his most prized creations. The walls glowed with subtle yet powerful protective enchantments. The glowing blue lines in my mana sight made the walls almost appear fuzzy with the delicate detail from the enchantments. ¡°We need to find Montfort¡¯s journals and notes,¡± I said to Rachel as we started our search on opposite sides of the room. We each took a wall lined with books and began reading over the titles, letting the system windows tell us about the items that were in the room as well. There were such items as: Bound chains of the aperture seal: Quality: Excellent. Scarcity: Unique and rare. Etheric chains that are used as support for binding rift openings along with the aperture formation plates. Prototype. Realm needle stitcher: Quality: Excellent. Scarcity: Unique. A mithril needle that pierces the veil of realities and, when coupled with the celestial thread of healing, can be used to mend and strengthen the borders of reality. Prototype. All the items were, as such, geared towards the healing of the veil, but each was a prototype or a failed creation with some flaw. I moved along the shelves of books, most of which were advanced texts on enchanting and system theory. It took a fair amount of searching, before me and Rachel found the journals. On a bookshelf next to a worktable was row upon row of journals. When I opened them, they were all written in elegant stylized penmanship, but the words were clearly an older form of English. It was still readable or as readable as Shakespeare is, though they were far less flowery. Each had charts and tables, notes, and math equations. The bottom shelf held the earliest journals from Baron Montfort, while the shelf right next to the worktable held the most recent entry. It was going to take quite a bit of time to read through everything the baron Montfort had collected on the mechanics and coming disaster in this world, but I was determined to continue his work. I knew the stacks, and as I was stuck on the planet for the foreseeable future and this universe, I most certainly did not want to be consumed by some abyssal horror. ¡°This, this is his private, secure, enchanting storage and work room?¡± Rachel said, her voice filled with wonder at the treasure trove of materials and knowledge that was now at her fingertips. ¡°But these items?... was he trying to stop the void beast attacks?¡± she asked. ¡°Sort of, from what I gather. There is more to it, Rachal, but Ashley, you and I should have a private conversation about it. And sooner rather than later.¡± I said, flipping through the pages of his most recent journal. They at least were in neat sections, broken into parts on enchanting the items he was creating to heal the world, his personal musings, why the world¡¯s affinities were out of balance, and the theories on what might be responsible and his findings on the void beast attacks. They were not truly from the void, but the abyss was so close to that enigmatic edge of reality that the distinction was almost meaningless. ¡°It¡¯s not good, is it?¡± Rachel asked, worry plain on her face to see. ¡°No, no, it is not.¡± We spent a bit longer cataloging items and familiarizing ourselves with the whole of the observatory workshop and secret storage room. When we had finished, and I was growing hungry, we went back to the House. I was sure Ashley would have gotten a lot set up in the hours Rachel and I had been gone. We took the tunnel through the underground to the basement level of the manor house. The door from the tunnel opened into a well-lit downstairs hallway that had doors that led to other storerooms for the House and, most likely, some slave quarters. Rachel and I walked into the ballroom turned war room and found a sweaty and exhausted Ashely. She still looked immaculate, or at least I thought she did, though the few disheveled hairs and damp hair clearly showed just how furious her battle had been against the horrors of minimalism. Ashley was sitting in a chair with her feet up on an ottoman. The workers from the shops were packing up the last of their items while the last of the items she had purchased were being taken from the war room and directed into their proper places by her battlefield commander, Timothy. ¡°I see you¡¯ve been productive, dear wife,¡± I said as I came to stand over her. Ashley¡¯s eyes fluttered open, and a wide, bright smile lit her face as she said, ¡°Oh, Husband, Eric, yes. Oh Yes, it was¡­ I was most productive.¡± She did not even get up to give me a kiss or hug as would have been her normal. She was truly tired from getting everything arranged. ¡°Did we get everything?¡± I asked. ¡°Mmm, Hummm, we did, well, mostly. There are a few special items we will have to get, but by and large, the whole of the House is now ready for habitation, yay¡­¡± she said flatly, her excitement for decorating having been drained from her most recent of melees. ¡°How about we head up to the Master bedroom and get some dinner and rest? How¡¯s that sound?¡± I asked. The faded light in the sky was deep purple, the color barely spilling in through the high windows of the ballroom. The world was fast approaching the hours of darkness and sleep. Kicking her feet onto the floor and standing to wrap her arms around me, Ashely answered, ¡°That sounds like the best idea I have ever heard.¡± Rachel stepped close and hugged her long-time friend as well, ¡°It looks like you did an absolutely wonderful job, Ashley.¡± Their heads touched as we held each other for a moment, the dark auburn and black hair mixing like glowing embers in the dying light of a fire. Ashley¡¯s stomach rumbled, and a chorus of hungry rumblings followed suit from mine and Rachel¡¯s stomach as well. ¡°Food.¡± was all I said as we headed for the door. ¡°Timothy, have some food sent up to our bedroom. It¡¯s time for dinner. Is there anything that needs to be addressed?¡± I asked. ¡°I will have May send up dinner. And no, Master Grayson, everyone is settling in quite nicely.¡± ¡°Good, good. Good night, Timothy.¡± ¡°You as well, Master.¡± He said with a deep bow, conveying respect and not servitude. We steadily made our way upstairs to the Master apartments that Ashley had selected for us. We were all deep in our own thoughts, making the walk to the third-floor room on the southern side of the building facing the front of the House and grounds a quiet one. We passed many small tables that held flower arrangements provided by the Noble Rose. Ashley truly had an eye for the right kinds of fresh flowers that complemented each area they were in, their colors and even scents exactly for their selected location. The floors had finely crafted runners down them, complementing the wood floors and the marble floors. Vases and other such adornments had been added, making the House of Stars a true home. Whirling patterns of galaxies and solar systems had been matched with a skilled eye with the flower colors and themes. Once we reached the Master apartment room on the third floor, the true skill she had for stylizing rooms was made abundantly clear. Deep green, black, and silver leaf patterns flowed over sofas and chairs. The room seemed alive with the vines as each placement merged with the next. We headed over to the eating area, a smaller dining area that would be better used for a quick breakfast in the morning, just past the sofas and study areas. Ashley had truly placed everything we needed in the room so we could keep our college apartment lifestyle while in our new home. The only main difference was the single large bed and shared wardrobe space, though I had my own walking closet, and Ashely and Rachel had theirs. Alma and Iolanthe were on their knees beside the bed, looking for all the world like the happiest two kitsune ready to please their Masters. ¡°Oh, by the hungry mouth of Sippsie, I am so hungry!¡± Ashley said, flopping into the padded chairs at the dining table. ¡°How was the enchanting workshop and the spyglass?¡± Rachel side-eyed me as she reached for her cube; I held my hand out for a moment. ¡°It was the most beautiful workshop I have ever seen truly a credit to the late Baron Montfort. The spyglass is a marvel, and I am looking forward to gazing at the stars with it.¡± The tone a pitch of my voice immediately had Ashley picking up on the fact I was leaving something very important out. I was not sure how much the empire knew about Baron Montfort¡¯s discoveries, but the fact I did not want to take the chance on a report getting back to someone, saying we knew about something we should not have. Sasha, Milly, Faith, Brie, Strafa, and Allie all walked in, pushing carts that held the dinner prepared for us by May. They were beaming, faces happy and smiling though clearly tiered. Their clothes were still a bit disheveled, from the work they had done helping Ashley get the House set up. The garments hung loosely, as they are prone to do after a day of hard work. It was clear they were proud of the fact they were able to help set up the new House and be the first to serve us dinner in our new abode. It was a special moment for them, and I would let them play the part of slave this time. The food was steamed piles of vegetables seared meats, delicate and full of rich flavors. We wasted no time and dug in. Ashley seemed to be famished and I saw her eat more than I ever had. Rachel and I were not far behind her, though, as it had been a long and taxing day. Conversation flowed between Rachels¡¯s excitement for the enchanting workshop and Ashley¡¯s new purchases for our home. I listened and ate, waiting for the right time to have Rachel set up her anti-spying device so we could talk freely about what it was I had learned from the system message left by the late Baron Montfort. I nodded to Rachel when we were almost and she quickly set up her device. ¡°We can talk now?¡± Ashely asked, switching to a no-nonsense tone once the device effects were on. ¡°Yes, we had to have it on for most of the day in the shop, and if we are being tracked, I wanted to fill the gap with normal conversation for a while before activating it again,¡± I said, pushing my plate away from me. Sasha took it to a cart, smiling and brushing me with her tails as she did. ¡°Smart,¡± Rachel said. ¡°So? What is it?¡± Ashely asked. ¡°Well, we found something, well I found something. A message the baron left in the system for a world walker like me should they ever use the telescope.¡± ¡°Oh, that is a very advanced system theory skill. What¡­ What did it say?¡± Ashley asked as Allie took her plate. Each of our slaves was silent. They could feel the gravity of what we were about to discuss. ¡°Here is the message,¡± I answered, sending the system message over to the two. They would keep quiet about it and not alarm Milly, Sasha, Allie, Brie, Strafa, or Faith with the disturbing content. They each read over the message half a dozen times by the looks of it. Their eyes went wide, and fearful expressions crossed their faces more than once. It was sometime before either of them spoke. ¡°Should we tell the empire?¡± Ashely asked. ¡°No. If they know, then they are working on it in secret, and we might be killed for knowing it. if they don¡¯t know, then that means they dismissed the baron¡¯s findings and likely would do the same to us.¡± Rachel said, going through just a few of the logical options. ¡°Our fathers?¡± Ashley said. ¡°Maybe, but we would have to time it right. Definitely make it seem like our own discovery and not something from the baron Montfort.¡± Rachel said, tapping her fingers to her lips. ¡°We need to¡­ well, I don¡¯t know what, but we will have to look into this more, right?¡± Ashley said, shifting her eyes between Rachel and mine. ¡°Oh, I most certainly will be looking into it, but not until after the auction. We are safe for now, but for how much longer¡­¡± I trailed off, picking back up as I said, ¡°I¡¯ll, I¡¯ll have to go over his notes and study them for a while; this type of thing cannot be done quickly. I just wanted you both to know. We have a serious problem that we have to look into, and having to do it in secrete will be taxing.¡± ¡°With your power, you will help, won¡¯t you,¡± Ashely said, a little bit of pleading creeping in at the edges of her voice. ¡°Of course he will, Ashley,¡± Rachel said, turning her eyes on me. ¡°Defiantly, I will do what I can and fix the problem if I can,¡± I said. I got a system notification at that moment. System Quest: distortion of affinities. This is a system quest. Discover the reason behind the low-affinity percents behind the death, summoning, and space-time affinity and what is causing it. Accept yes or yes. Yes. ¡°Shit, I just got a system quest? And it forced me to accept?¡± I asked, more than a little worried that the system, which hardly gave out quests ever, was giving me one now. ¡°By the holy wet cunt of Sippsie, a quest?¡± Ashley said, her mouth falling open. ¡°That, that¡­ I¡¯ve only ever heard of a few outside of those given by the divines.¡± Rachel said the same look of shock on her face. I thought of sharing the quest, thinking of my two acting wives, and the notification went to them. ¡°Not a lot of information here, but as we discover something, it will update and give us hints as to what the next steps might be,¡± Rachel added. ¡°That¡¯s good to know. But honestly, I am exhausted, and sleep sounds like the only quest I want o to fulfill right now.¡± ¡°Agreed,¡± Rachel said. ¡°Agreed,¡± Ashely said. The others of our household looked equally exposed as Strafa and Milly were both swaying side to side on their feet, looking half-dreamy. ¡°Bed, all of us. We can figure more of this out in the morning. Sasha, Milly, Brie, Allie, Strafa, and Faith you will be joining us for our first night.¡± I said. The carts weren¡¯t even taken out of the room as we all made our way to bed. Clothes were stripped, and down to our undergarments, we each fell into the large bed. The nine of us took up the whole bed, and warm bodies and soft tails splayed over us as we maneuvered into comfortable positions. Iolanthe and Alma stayed next to the bed and I was reticent to have them join us but decided they could sleep at our feet. ¡°Iolanthe and Alma, you sleep at our feet.¡± ¡°Yes, Master Grayson!¡± they said as one. They looked so happy and content just being in the same room as me, but to get the chance to actually sleep in the bed sent them into a near fit of hysterical happiness. They controlled themselves, though not disturbing their Master was so ingrained that even their joy had to be hidden. I rested my feet on one of them, and it took only a moment for me to fall fast asleep. Chapter 1: Fate of Letters Chapter 1: Fate of Letters TO: Exalted Lord Eric Grayson, Residency: The Imperial College and the House of Stars. From: His Exalted Imperial Majesty Amulius Tagin Dear Exalted Lord Eric Grayson, His Exalted Imperial Majesty Amulius Tagin bids you come and attend him at the palace after classes on Mundness. Sincerely, Exalted Seneschal Calthorpe The letter fell from my hands, the dry ash of consequence clogging my throat for but a moment. ¡°Yes¡­ Tell, of course. I will attend His Majesty tomorrow after class. I shall head to the imperial palace after lessons.¡± I said to the messenger with a bow. ¡°I will inform the head steward, do try and be prompt.¡± The messenger said, the cold wind of his presence leaving my home. All those around the table were silent. Ashley spoke first, her auburn red hair catching the dim light as she turned toward me, green eyes dark with uncertainty. "A summons¡­ to attend His Imperial Majesty." The words held no weight, only the hollow echo of realization. Rachel¡¯s hand found mine, fingers laced tight, grounding. "It will be okay, Eric. He only wants loyalty. Loyalty to him. To the Empire." I exhaled through my nose, measured and slow. "Yes¡­ but do you think he knows?" Rachel hesitated. Just for a breath. And that was enough. It¡¯s not like I had truly been hiding, sure I wasn¡¯t waving a banner saying I¡¯m from another world, but still. "Finish your meals," I commanded, my voice steadier than I felt. The clatter of silverware resumed a discordant symphony of tension. "Timmothy, see to the others once they''re done." The aging butler bowed, his eyes betraying a flicker of concern. "Of course, Master Grayson." I stood, the chair scraping its cry of protest against the floor. "Ashley, Rachel, Sasha, Milly, Brie, Allie - with me. We must speak about this." ¡°Not how I thought the evening was going to go,¡± Ashley huffed. ¡°I doubt any of us thought the emperor would send a message, Ashley,¡± Rachel said with a slight shake of her head. Exasperation flooding from her. ¡°Right, up the stairs. We¡¯ll go to my master bedroom.¡± I said, heading from the large dining hall. ¡°Shall I have food sent up, master Grayson?¡± Timmothy asked. ¡°Not for me, any of you?¡± I asked. Rachel nodded, ¡°My room, a small snack, if you would Timmothy.¡± We ascended the winding staircase of the House of Stars, each step echoing with the fading footsteps of the messenger. The enchanted stars on the walls flickered and shifted, mirroring our restless emotions. The enchanted constellations adorning the ceiling shifted and swirled above us, casting ethereal patterns across our skin. Ashley''s auburn hair flickered like dying embers in the celestial light, while Rachel''s raven locks absorbed the starlight, creating a halo of darkness around her face. Sasha padded silently beside me, her four blue-tipped tails swishing with nervous energy. Milly''s bovine ears twitched at every creak and groan of the ancient manor, her chestnut curls bouncing with each step. Brie glided gracefully, her three red-gold tails a mesmerizing dance of flame in the otherworldly glow. As we reached the landing, the door to the master bedroom swung open of its own accord, revealing Alma and Iolanthe waiting by the massive four-poster bed. Their eyes widened, fear and uncertainty flickering across their faces, surely from the look I had on my face. Fuck, I needed to remember to be careful around these two, they have already been through too much. Seeing me angry might just send them into an unrecoverable panic. "Master," Alma whispered, her three lush brown tails curling protectively around her legs. "Is everything alright?" Iolanthe remained silent, her vivid red eyes darting between me and the others, her body tense as if bracing for impact. I forced a smile, trying to ease their obvious distress. "Alma, Iolanthe, I need you to wait in the master bathroom for now. We have some... delicate matters to discuss." Alma nodded. Her golden-brown eyes filled with concern. "Of course, Master. We''ll be there if you need us." She gently took Iolanthe''s hand, guiding her towards the ornate bathroom door. This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it. Iolanthe hesitated, her black-tipped tails twitching nervously. "Master," she said, her voice barely audible, "are we... did we do something wrong?" My heart clenched at the fear in her voice. "No, Iolanthe. You''ve done nothing wrong. I promise. This is about something else entirely." Relief washed over her face, and she allowed Alma to lead her into the bathroom. As they retreated to the bathroom, I caught a glimpse of Alma''s reassuring smile to Iolanthe, a silent promise of protection between the two kitsunes. The door closed with a soft click, leaving us in a heavy silence. ¡°That fuck, really did a god damned¡­¡± I started. ¡°He¡¯s dead, Eric¡­ Dead and gone. And the world is better for it. And now those precious Kitsune can start to be treated right.¡± Ashley said, placing her hand on my heart as she held me. Her soft eyes and smile instantly cooled the building anger in me. Rachel''s grip on my hand tightened, her icy blue eyes piercing through the dim light. "If the emperor doesn''t know about your... origins, Eric, it could be something worse." Ashley sprawled across the velvet chaise lounge, her auburn hair spilling like liquid fire against the dark fabric. "But yes, and if he does know," she mused, twirling a strand around her finger, "all he wants is loyalty.¡± Rachel''s grip on my hand tightened. "Yes," she agreed, her icy blue eyes locked on mine. "The emperor only wants loyalty to him. To the empire. That''s what matters above all else." I exhaled slowly. The weight of their words settled on my shoulders like a leaden cloak. The enchanted constellations above us seemed to pulse with ominous energy, casting long shadows across the room. The air grew thick with tension, the very walls of the House of Stars seeming to lean in, eager to hear our next move. ¡°The house can¡¯t hear us, can it?¡± I asked, more than a little freaked out. What if he had spies or some other system magical nonsense going on. ¡°No, I set the wards up, and the house amplifies the enchantment as well. the whole house should be fine.¡± Rachel said looking at me like I had gone just a little insane. "Right, right, okay then¡­ So, if it''s not about my origins?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper. "What then?" Sasha''s white-blue fox ears flattened against her head, her four tails curling protectively around her legs. "Master," she whispered, "if it''s not about your origins, could it be... about us?" The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging heavy in the air. The enchanted constellations above seemed to dim, casting long shadows across our faces. "Fuck," I breathed, running a hand through my hair. "That''s... that''s a possibility I hadn''t considered." Ashley sat up straighter, her green eyes flashing with a mix of concern and determination. "But why would he care about your slaves? Unless..." She trailed off, realization dawning on her face. Rachel finished the thought, her voice tight. "Unless he''s heard about how you treat them. How you... care for them." Milly''s bovine ears twitched nervously, her chestnut curls bouncing as she shook her head. "But that can''t be it, can it? Surely the emperor has more important things to worry about than how one noble treats his slaves." Brie''s three red-gold tails swished anxiously, her voice barely above a whisper. "What if... what if he wants to take us away?" The thought sent a chill through the room. I felt my fists clench involuntarily, a surge of protectiveness rising in my chest. "No," I said, my voice low and dangerous. "That won''t happen. I won''t let it." Allie, who had been quiet until now, spoke up. "But Master, if the emperor demands it..." I turned to her, my gaze softening as I met her worried eyes. "Allie, I promised to protect all of you. That''s a promise I intend to keep, the emperor, the empire be damned. I have yet to unleash my inferno of truth upon this world¡­ what I truly think, what I want to do every day¡­ I hold back for one reason and one reason alone. I know the horror and pain it would cause. But make no mistake, I will not be idle and let depraved hands touch one thing that belongs to me without recourse." I would not!¡­ I breathed, taking a few deep breaths. Rachel squeezed my hand, her voice steady despite the fear in her eyes. "Eric, we need to be rational about this. Defying the emperor outright would be suicide." Ashley nodded. Her earlier playfulness was replaced by a calculating gleam. "Rachel''s right. We need to approach this strategically. If it''s not about your origins or your slaves, what else could it be?" Rachel flopped onto her back on the bed. "Or to make an example of you," she said softly, her eyes filled with worry. "To show that even those from beyond our realm must bow to the empire''s will." I paced the room, the enchanted constellations above swirling in response to my agitation. "The sailboat," I muttered. "Could he have heard about the sailboat?" ¡°Humm¡­ Maybe, but I doubt it.¡± Ashley said, tapping her lips, ¡°Don¡¯t get me wrong, Eric, it¡¯s a wonderful boat¡­¡± ¡°Ship¡­ and it¡¯s big¡­¡± I cut her off lamely. ¡°Yes, a very¡ª very big ship. But I doubt the emperor really needs it or wants it. To my knowledge, he has never been on a ship, except for a few imperial war ship commissioning¡¯s.¡± Ashely said. Rachel rolled onto her side, her blue eyes fixed on me as the starless sky of her black hair spilled over her shoulder. ¡°I agree with Ashley, I think he knows you¡¯re from another world and just wants to reaffirm your loyalty, that¡¯s all. We need to go to bed or head back to the college. We have class tomorrow.¡± Sasha''s ears perked up, her blue eyes wide with concern. "Master, should we prepare anything special for your meeting with the emperor?" "No," I said firmly, my gaze sweeping across the room. "We proceed as normal. Any deviation might draw unwanted attention." Ashley stretched languidly on the chaise, her auburn hair cascading over the edge. "Well, if we''re to face the emperor''s scrutiny tomorrow, perhaps we should indulge in some... stress relief tonight?" Her suggestive tone hung in the air, a tempting distraction from the weight of our predicament. For a moment, I was tempted to lose myself in the comfort they offered, to forget the looming threats. Rachel''s cool hand on my arm snapped me back to reality. "Not tonight, Ashley. We need clear heads." I nodded, grateful for her pragmatism. "Rachel''s right. Everyone, get some rest. We''ll reconvene in the morning before taking our carriage to the college." As the others filed out, murmuring quiet goodnights, I fell onto the bed. It really was comfortable. Sasha and Milly came to lay down, and Alma and Iolanthe took up kneeling positions at the end of the bed. I sank into the plush embrace of my nightly fortress, its enchanted threads whispering ancient lullabies against my skin. Sasha curled up beside me, her four blue-tipped tails wrapping around my legs like a living blanket. Milly nestled on my other side, her warm, bovine body and large breasts radiating comfort. As the enchanted constellations above dimmed to a soft, starry glow, I noticed Alma and Iolanthe kneeling at the foot of the bed, their eyes downcast. "What are you two doing?" I asked, my voice was thick with exhaustion. Alma''s brown ears twitched nervously. "Alma and Iolanthe will sleep on the floor, Master. They do not wish to dirty the Master''s bed." Iolanthe nodded, her lilac hair cascading over her shoulders. "Iolanthe knows her place. The floor is good enough for such lowly creatures." Their words, spoken in that detached third-person manner, sent a chill down my spine. Even after all this time, the scars of their past abuse ran deep. "No," I said firmly, sitting up. "You will not sleep on the floor. Come, there''s plenty of room at the foot of the bed." Their eyes widened in disbelief, a flicker of hope dancing across their faces. "Master... Master would allow Alma and Iolanthe on the bed?" Alma whispered, her voice trembling. "Iolanthe does not understand. Is this a test?" Iolanthe''s red eyes darted between me and the empty space at the foot of the bed. "It''s not a test," I assured them, patting the mattress. "I find it displeasing to see you sleeping on the floor." Hesitantly, as if expecting punishment at any moment, they climbed onto the bed. Their movements were graceful yet cautious, just as deer stepping into a sunlit clearing, wary of a hunter. "See? Much better than the floor," I said, offering them a tired smile. Alma''s brown tails began to wag slowly, and a tentative joy spread across her face. "Alma is... Alma is very grateful, Master. The bed is so soft." Iolanthe pressed her face into the silken sheets, inhaling deeply. "Iolanthe has never felt anything so wonderful. Master is too kind to unworthy slaves." Their happiness, so pure and unrestrained, made my chest ache. I wanted to tell them they deserved this and so much more, but exhaustion was quickly overtaking me, and there was no way they would believe it anyway. I knew more than likely they would never be normal, but I would do my best to at least make their crazy, the happy kind, and not the fucked up tortured kind. "Goodnight, everyone," I murmured as the last of the magical lights faded. A chorus of "Goodnights, Master Eric" echoed softly in the darkness. As sleep began to claim me, I felt the weight of tomorrow''s meeting with the emperor. He had to know, and whatever he did with that knowledge, I would find out tomorrow. I realized it was probably a good sign I was still alive, and he had not just sent someone to kill me or the guard to imprison me. Happy thoughts, Eric, happy thoughts.