The group sat eating breakfast, it was Reep's turn to cook. She made eggs, potatoes, and some kind of thin flat bread. The group had been discussing what was going to happen today.

"I've got that meeting with Sir Downs at noon. After that I was thinking I should go to the library. Icarus mentioned I might be able to find some information about my situation." Max said in between bites.

Reep had also made a creamy sour sauce, it paired well with the potatoes.

"That's fine. Breaks from training are always allowed for theory training. Look into familiars also." Vel said, sipping on tea.

"That's the plan. Icarus also mentioned getting a familiar. What about you girls? If you want, we could meet at the library? Say 2 hours after noon?"

Clammy and Reep looked at each other. Both shaking their heads.

"I was wanting to place an order for armor, and then I was talking to Reep about getting some more clothes. The only issue is we don't have any money." Clammy said with a shrug.

"I can give you some gold, I still have -"

"No. Keep your money boy. I will give them some…" Vel thought for a moment before adding, "It might be time to do your first team quest. Have you thought of a name?"

Vel had mentioned a few times over the last few days about taking a quest. They had discussed what type would be the best for them, deciding extermination would be better than gathering or tracking. Vel thought they were ready to take on most copper ranked quests, even though they were a wood ranked team.

"We can't take your money. Madam Vel, but thank you-"

"Nonsense. Do you remember who bought you those robes and hammer? Besides, I'm old. And I have more money than I know what to do with." Vel said dismissively.

Clammy turned red, nodding in acceptance. With breakfast finished, the group went about their days. Clammy and Reep heading to the crafter’s quarters, then to the merchant streets. Vel chose to go to city hall with Max. She said she would sit in the meeting, but not actively participate.

City hall was a larger white marble building. The architecture reminded Max of Taj Mahal, they both made use of onion domed roofs, carved impression windows, and large cylindrical pillars. A large green courtyard allowed for a strong flow of traffic, many carts and floating carriages were blocking the front door.

Magic, Max jested.

The inside of the building was not what Max was expecting. While the Mage Guild was open and clear, town hall was cramped. People running around, papers were being slung, and yelling... Max thought it looked like a scene from a Wall Street movie.

A well-dressed young man quickly came over to them. He held a clipboard, and a quill. He looked Vel up and down, trying to remember where he had seen her before. He completely dismissed Max.

“Hi. Reason for your visit? I should let you know, if you are here for the rise in goblins, the appropriate Guilds have been notified already.” The man said with a strained smile.

“Uhh. No, we are here for a meeting with Sir Downs. He should be expecting us.” Max replied.

“Sir Dows? Let me see here.” The man looked over his clipboard. “Ah, here we are. Max? I assume. I’m going to have to ask for some ID, then I can take you to his office.”

Max pulled out his black plate from his inventory. The casual use of an inventory along with the color of the plate, quickly made the man change his tone and posture. Max tried to give the plate to the man, but he refused it.

“My apologies sir. I should have recognized you. I thought I memorized all black plates. Are you perhaps newly renowned?”

“Renowned?” He looked at Vel, she gave him a subtle nod. “Ah yes. Only a few days ago.”

“I see. It is an honor, Master Max. If you could follow me.” The man turned to walk away, Max and Vel followed in toe. Max looked at Vel who just shrugged, mouthing “Get used to it.”. Max certainly was not going to get used to it.

Sir Downs’s office was in an offshoot of the main hallway. His door was a particular kind of wood, it gave off a sweet aroma. With a knock and the subsequence “Come in!” The door was opened, and Max could see inside.

Max had already known the basic layout of the room, using his Space Affinity. Max could sense the whole room before the door even opened. He knew where the desk was, and the chairs, which book’s width was the longest, making it stick out slightly more than the others. There was a second person already inside, sitting at a small table, and lastly, but certainly not least, a small, loaded crossbow, strapped under Downs’s desk, ready to be used.

Max figured it was just a precaution, one that he always had set up. Couldn't be too careful, Max thought, giving him the benefit of the doubt. Downs was the man in charge of seeing to slaves’ safety. Max couldn’t ban slavery, but he was going to sure try and make their lives safer. Max finally got his first glance of the two men.

Who he assumed was Downs was a rather portly fellow, middle aged, and balding. His suit is ratty and too large. His face is covered in a grotesque Dali style mustache. If Max didn’t know better, he would have assumed that this man was a super villain. Downs stood, leaning forward for a handshake, while at the same time ignoring Vel.

Max turned, shaking the hand of the other man, an Elf. Tall and slender with long black hair, braided downwards, landing right above his pecks. His ears were on full display, and he wore silver with black highlighted robes. A small green bird rested on his right shoulder. Ornate rings and jewelry covered most of his fingers.

The man introduced himself as Mayor Aldon Silverjewl. Downs also gave his proper introduction, but Max noticed that he pronounced his own name wrong. He said “Dows” not “Downs”, Max did not correct him. Not yet.

The four of them sat at the small table, no one had even acknowledged Vel. Max thought it slightly strange, but then again, knowing Vel’s temper, It might be for the best.

The discussion started off calm and collected. Max asked why a slave was able to be beaten, raped, tortured, and humiliated by her master.

“Ah. I see. I don’t have as much power as my job description says. I can free them if a guard sees, but pass that...” Downs gave a shrug.

“I don’t understand. Are you in charge of slave relations or not?” Max said, rubbing the strain from his eyebrows

“Only technically. You have to remember that Lester fought the royals to have slavery banned. Sad to say, but he failed. But Lester had enough influence over the city to force the royals to change the laws slightly. It took years to get where we are today. With him gone though, the royals have been pushing for change.”

“I don’t understand. How do the royals have such reach on Lesterwood? As far as I’m aware, Lesterwood is an independent city.”

“It’s not technically. You see, back when Lesterwood was River’s Bend it was a settlement of the capital of Salae. The royals had given a group of farmers a grant and they were to settle somewhere. A little while later Lester showed up. He created a thriving city and pushed for independence. The royals couldn’t let the city who, by then, had passed the capital’s population go so easily. They actually sent soldiers to kill Lester at one point.” Downs explained.

“Why and how are the royals pressuring the slaves of Lesterwood?” Max asked.

“As for the why; it's simple. They hated Lester. He was one of the few that could oppose the royal family. They want to remove him from the history books. Anti-slavery was one of the biggest ideals he was known for. For the how; it's a bit more involved. From bribery and blackmailing to threats and extortion. Hells, the person in office before me was assassinated! I have even been offered large amounts of gold for my silence. I am trying. I really truly am.”

Max could see the pleading look in his eyes. Max turned to Vel asking.

“What do you think? Is what he is saying true?”

A shocked expression came over her face, “Who are you talking to, Max?” Mayor Aldon Silverjewl asked.

“What? Vel? You don’t see her?” He realized his mistake. “Oh, sorry Vel.”

Vel’s invisibility dropped, revealing her irritated expression. Silverjewl and Downs gasped.

“How were you invisible? I have wards to combat that here!” Downs demand.

“Let's just say they are weak. Now then boy, what he says is all true. I could have told you, but I felt like hearing it from the source would have been better. The royals are power hungry tyrants. They would kill without hesitation to gain even an ounce of power.” said Vel.

Everyone was silent for a few minutes. Suddenly Max stood, the others copied him. “I thank you for the meeting. It seems I cannot do much as I am now. Thank you for your time and understanding. In all honesty, I came here expecting you to be less than helpful. I thought you would be openly in favor of harming slaves. I am sorry.” Max bowed. His face didn’t show it, but he was unbelievably embarrassed.

“Please stand, son. I know that our world is rough, but it is also true that there is some good. Look at healing magic. As I understand, your world does not have magic. There must be a lot of preventable deaths. No hard feelings. If you ever need anything my door is always open.” he extended his arm for a handshake.

“As is mine.” Silverjewl added.

Max shook both of their hands and let them lead him to the door. Vel had already gone invisible, opting not to shake their hands. Max gave one more final bow.

“It was a pleasure, Sir Dows, Mayor Silverjewl.” Max made sure to say his name correctly, understanding that he made a poor assumption of the man.

Max was heading to the library, after he asked for directions. The street nearby was filled with scholarly types. Most wore robes and had long beards, giving them the classic “wizard” look. Before Max could start up the grand steps, a hand grabbed him from the alleyway. Max panicked. He tried to get free but at the same time drew in the surrounding water. The person threw him to the ground, causing his concentration to break and his water to fall. Only now Max could see who it was.

“Vel! What the hell!” Max shouted.

“Boy, that was awful. Not only did you not try and fight back, but you also failed to RUN! How are you supposed to go on your first quest, if you can’t even escape this situation?” Vel shouted back.

Max stood, brushing himself off.

“And how would you have done it o’ wise one?” his voice filled with sarcasm.

“I would have used that fancy inventory of yours to summon a GODS DAMNED WEAPON! Use the distance it would have granted to gather water. Depending on who grabbed you, cast shield or bolt. From there it would be a normal fight.”

“Oh...” Max looked down, embarrassed and depressed.

If this was someone else, he would be kidnapped or worse. Max had a lot to learn.

“Alright enough moping, you know you fucked up. Fix it. Next time you will do better.” she said, “Now then, how did you see me? The spell I cast was perfect.”

“What? Oh right…” Max thought for a moment. “I think it was the connection I have to water. Water I have never manipulated has the same connection to me as the water I was experimenting with.”

“It has gotten stronger.”

“Yes.” Max agreed.

“Right.” she said in contemplation “The section for gifted people is on the 4th floor. Don’t let them know you have an inventory. Be back for night training.”

“Wouldn’t miss it.”

Max inwardly wondered how much more there was to his gift. Vel left first, turning invisible to traverse the crowd. Now that he had seen her actually cast the spell, Max had a good idea of how to replicate it. He would have to get stronger, however. Max headed up the stairs, making sure to put his plate necklace on. A scaled receptionist stopped him after he entered the door. Max remembered her race to be Drake, a branch of Dragon-kin.

“Library card?” She asked.

“Does this count?” Max asked, pulling his black plate from his shirt. She gasped; the subsequent bow followed.

Max sighed. “Can I go in?”

“Yes! You can freely visit any floor, except the 5th. That is a highly restricted area.”

“I understand.” He thought for a moment, “Can you tell me where the section about familiars might be?”

“Of course, sir. 2nd floor, in the “Magical Contract” section.”

Max said thanks and walked into the library. The library had five floors. Each floor was created with a large hole in the center, making it so Max could see every floor. The shelves were arranged in a large circle. Librarians walked around, picking up books and casting spells on them. The books would then follow, floating slightly. Max wondered if the spell used Gravity Magic.

Max searched for the books about familiars first. Max took Familiar Basics: A Mage’s best friend. He headed up two floors, finding a section titled “Unusual People”. Starting at the front, he made his way back. 20 minutes later he found a book that looked promising. Icer: The Naga Queen, the book’s cover was slightly damp. Max looked at the surrounding books, still on the shelf. They were dry, making Max think the book was enchanted.

Max found a table off in a corner, he sat down and started to read.