Max woke up after Emi. He found her gnawing at the base of his bed.

“Emi, please don’t chew things. If you are teething, I can find you something. Don’t harm the furniture, okay?”

Emi sent back a mixed bag of emotions. Happy that Max was awake. Downcast that he was lecturing her. Excited for a chew toy. The list went on. Max could only sigh, just like a puppy.

They went downstairs, high pitched squeals sounded from the kitchen. Two girls came running over, and completely ignored Max. Reep and the others soon walked out as well. Clammy and Celenia were busy sticking their arms into Emi’s water bubble, giving her scratches, so Max talked with the others.

“This is Emi, my bond. She hatched last night.” Max tried to explain.

Everyone but Reep accepted what he said without any questions.

“Where did you get the egg? When did you get an egg? What is she?”

“The egg was in that box from Sythia’s, I finally got it opened.” Max answered, “And for that last one... I don’t really know. Neither does Vel and Icarus.”

“I see.” and with that, Reep joined Clammy and Celenia in giving Emi scratches.

Emi sent Max a feeling of pure joy and excitement. Also, slight fear of the one we call “Clammy”. Max started laughing.

A few hours after breakfast, everyone went to see off the Orcs. Max hadn’t gotten to really know them, but he was fine with it. People would be coming and going from his life, especially if he was serious about the adventurer life. As long as Max could help those who needed it, he was superb.

The Orcs had signed up for a caravan heading for Salae. They actually declared themselves as capable warriors and got a price reduction on their tickets. If the caravan was attacked, they would help out. A good deal, Max thought. Even if there was no reduced fare, he hoped capable people would help anyway.

The group stood just outside the gates of Lesterwood, watching the caravan disappear in the distance. Emi was making a few guards nervous, and others quite happy. As Max had walked through the city, Max had seen quite a few reactions to her. While not rare, most familiars were of certain types. The most common was wolf or dogs. After that were large cats and birds. Max had even seen a few bears. Past that though, the level of rarity went up with the familiar's uniqueness. The weirdest familiar Max had seen was a centipede that curled around its partner like a belt.

Once the group felt it was time to leave the gates, Max told them he had to make a stop at the Adventuring guild, then he was going to see if he could check out a few books. Celenia opted to go with him. Clammy did also, but Reep elbowed her, canceling her original statement. Max did not notice.As they walked, they of course talked about magic.

“You may not realize it, but I am rather new to magic. There were no [Mages] where I came from, so I’m missing a lot of common knowledge.”

“There were no [Mages]? Were there hybrid classes?” Celenia asked, and Max shook his head. “Wow, I wouldn't want to live there, magic is everything to me.” She fluttered her steps when she said that.

Their conversation about random magical ideas and facts lasted until they entered the Guild. As soon as they did, the conversation in the common room died. Almost every pair of eyes stared at Max, some looking past him at Emi. Almost like he could sense the hitch in the atmosphere, Arthur appeared. He walked out of his office and partially down the stairs. While he did so he shouted.

“Ah. Celenia my dear, how welcoming of you to come by. Come, come, we will talk in my office.” He waved them up.

Max and Celenia shared a glance. What is going on, Max wondered. As soon as the door to Arthur’s office closed. His booming voice rang out.

“Vel told me you were trying to keep a low profile, Max. Do you think my calling to Miss Celenia fooled any onlookers?”

“No!” Max and Celenia said in unison.

“Oh. I will strive for betterment.” Arthur shook his head, adding, “Make yourselves comfortable.”

Max took this chance to look around the room. Arthur’s room was plain, completely different from his normal stature. His office was small and square, one desk with three chairs sitting at it. A small couch to the side, and a shelf full of paper. Max noted that the papers were very neat and organized.

After they both sat, Arthur asked the question that had been brewing in his mind. He looked at Emi and spoke:

“I must know Max, why space magic? It is my understanding that you are a [Water Mage].”

“I thought we had already been through this. I think it would be cool to control space.”

“I understand that. But [Space Mages] are not combat oriented. They are geared more towards transit.”

“Ah. I see.” Max thought for a moment, “My dream is to move between worlds.” Max said, knowing that Arthur knew that he was from a different world. Max didn’t want Celenia and the others to know, not yet at least. Max thought that it could cause some complications between them, and Max wanted as many friends as he could. He didn’t want to be alone.

“Hmm.” Arthur said.

“Other worlds? Like the Lost Ones? Why would you want to do that, aren't they stranded here?” Celenia asked.

“Yes, but I understand that the Faye are beings that travel to many worlds.”

“Yes, but Faye uses different magic than us. We can’t move like they do.” Arthur countered.

“Until I find that out myself, I want to proceed.”

“I see.” Arthur shuffled his hands below his desk. If Max hadn't already noted the organization, he wouldn't have cared about Arthur’s shuffling, but something was off.

“Arthur?”

“Ah yes, just looking for- Here it is.” Arthur held a black book. There was no cover art or writing. Across the spine was a 1. The book looked to be made out of leather, but Max was unsure what kind. Emi noticed the book and sent Max a feeling of worry. Max had to agree with her.

“This is a Space Spell Book. It was written by one of the greatest [Space Mages] to have lived in the last millennia or so.” He placed the book on the table and slid it over to Max. Max inspected it.

Spell Book.

“Have you ever seen a spell book?” Arthur asked, drawing him from his stupor.

“No.” Max lied.

“They are very interesting items. You just accept the prompt, and a few hours later, you know the spell. Is that not cool!”

Max reached out to touch the book, glancing at Arthur as he did.

Learn Manipulate Space Y/N

“Manipulate Space?” Max asked.

“I guess that confirms it. Unless you have an affinity for the spell, you can’t tell the name of the spell.”

Shit. Max thought. I fell into his trap.

“Yes. I have an affinity for Space. Is that a big deal?”

“No, not particularly. But it is indeed rare. Especially in humans, who don’t have the racials for it.” He said with a smile. “Do not worry. Your secret's safe with me, can you say the same Miss Celenia?”

“Of course.” She told Max with a smile.

Max did not like being played. He didn’t even understand why Arthur would do such a thing. Max wanted to leave, to go and talk to Vel and Icarus. Emi sent a comforting feeling. Ah.. Maybe I’m just being paranoid. Emi sent a picture of a fish.

“Thank you, Arthur, but we must be going.” He pointed his thumb at Emi, “This little one is hungry, and I don’t want her trying to eat your furniture.”

“Of course!” Arthur smiled huge, “Come by any time.”

Max nodded in thanks, and Celenia bowed. They left throughout the main entrance, the whole common room staring at them as they left.

The library was the same as last time Max was there. Overcrowded on the first floor, getting progressively desolate the higher up. This was Celenia’s first time in the library, Max gave her a small tour. He explained how each of the floors required a different level of authority, and how there can be magical traps on books. She thought he was joking.

Celenia and Max split from each other. Celenia went off to find information of [Druids], and Max had a few specifics in mind. The first was a basic and advanced version of familiars for dummies. He also picked up the bestiary that the Librarian, who Max forgot his name, recommended. The first three books he wanted were easy to find, the last ones however he had to ask for help.

“I’m looking for a book with mention of a [Water Arch Sage].” Max told a librarian shelving books on the 3rd floor.

“Magical fiction is on the first floor.” He said, waving his hand.

“What?”

“Magical fiction is on the first floor. Unless you would rather read the theories about [Sages].”

“I’m not sure I understand.”

“I guess your parents didn’t tell you those stories are fake huh? Theories are on floor two, far back right.”

“Thanks…”

Max left the weird librarian and headed to the spot he said. Max found only a single shelf of books related to [Sages]. Fact or Fiction: [Sage], was the book Max finally chose. He went to find Celenia’s table.

The two of them sat there for a few hours. Both reading, but Celenia taking the occasional glance at Max. He had put some fish in his inventory for Emi, and she happily chomped down.

Max learned about the two types of Familiars; Icarus had told him a little but he got a lot more information from the books. The first type was the natural contract. Monsters or creatures are born normally in the wild and make a contract with their selected prospect. Most of the time, someone would raise a creature from birth, and make a contract as soon as they could. Occasionally adult creatures would make contracts, but it was rare.

Summoned beings, such as Icarus, are summoned from spells. The spell Summon Elemental is the most common, and popular. An elemental can choose if they want to be able to be resummoned by the summoner, or not. Icarus for example created a contract on his original summoning, which Max learned to be rare. Normally it took a few summonses and a friendship to create a contract.

The overall goal for most contracts is to raise the creature's intelligence to a high enough level to bond. Being considered a bond unlocks a new menu in the system. The menu shows the status of each of the bonds and known spells of each. After the bond grows, they can use each other's spells and class bonuses. Max pulled up the bonded menu.

Name:

Emi

Bond:

Max Fowler

Level:

1

Class:

N/A

Spells:

Manipulate Water (level 10)

Max was surprised at Emi’s Manipulate Water level. Max granted that she was being of water, but she was also a newborn. If she is already this strong, I don’t even want to think about the future!

Max figured he should learn Summon Elemental, but as far as he could tell, it was recommended to be tier 2. Max added it to his mental “potential spells” list. Other entries included, Hydro Cannon, whirlpool, Water Scythe, and Pressure Cut.

Max moved on to the book about the class [Sage]. The book was a few dozen pages, but the concept that it was trying to teach was simple. [Sage] is a tier 4 class, and IF there had ever been one, they had kept it secret. The author explains the fabled class as being the subject matter of many tall tales.

If [Sage] is tier four, does that mean [Arch Sage] is tier five? Max had more questions than he originally started with. Guess I’m asking Vel...

Max stretched and looked between the bonded water monster, and the nature Elf.

“Ready to go back?” Max asked.

“Yeah!” Celenia answered, sighing in relief that they could finally go.

“Rawr!” Emi quietly roared.

Max stopped with Celenia on the island side of the bridge to let Emi play in the water. She swam in loops and figure-eight, happy as a clam. She chased fish and leaped from the water like a certain whale from Earth. Max smiled, Emi’s feeling of pure joy had overcome him. With a mischievous grin, he grabbed Celenia by the arm and dragged her to the water.

She begged and pleaded, but her giggles overcame her fear. Max threw Celenia into the water and jumped in after her. Celenia splashed Max, who retaliated with a wave of water he created through magic.

“That's cheating!” She yelled, in between dodging splashes and splashing back.

“You're fighting a [Water Mage] on his home turf! What did you think would happen!” He said back.

Emi swam over to see what the fuss was about and ended up being roped into Celenia’s team. Together they overpowered Max, winning the splashing war. They played in the water for a while longer. The fun came to an end when Emi utterly destroyed Max in a race. Max had manipulated the water around him to pull him forwards, but Emi’s higher-level manipulation was too much.

The group walked to the mansion, Emi gloated with thoughts and images of Max losing. Max could only help but smile. They found the others in the underground training room. Currently Clammy was sparring with Mel, from the Adventuring Guild. Max remembered inviting her over, but never thought she would have accepted so soon.

The battle was one sided, with Clammy on the losing foot. Something that Mel was doing was making Clammy’s Gravity Magic useless. She could still affect her armor and hammer, but she couldn't change the weight of Mel or her equipment at all. The match ended with Mel wrapping her whip around Clam's foot, knocking her down.

“That’s so dumb!” Clammy sang. “Why does your aura completely counter my magic?”

“It's not a complete counter. I could feel that I was slightly heavier that time.” Mel answered, “Maybe you just need to use a stronger spell?”

“Maybe you're right... I just need to be stronger in general...” Clammy said downcast.

“Don’t worry you will get there.” Mel said, placing her arm on Clammy’s shoulder. “I have been an adventurer for many, many years.”

Looks like aura counters Clammy, huh? Max thought, while walking up to them.

Mel and Max shared a look, Max wasn’t sure what it meant, but he guessed “I’m going to beat you one day” kind of look. Clammy smiled mainly at Celenia, and then proceeded to give Emi scratches. Emi sent Max a euphoric feeling, making Max smile. Reep and Goob came over from their corner.

“Welcome back.” Reep said.

“Thanks, does anyone know where Vel is?” Max got a series of head shakes, in response. “Icarus? Is Vel in the house?”

Icarus appeared next to Max. He still was hesitant around Emi, but kept it hidden. Max wasn’t sure if it was the question mark thing, or the instant bond, or both. Max wanted to talk to him about it but figured now would not be the best time.

“She is in the library.” Icarus answered.

“We have a library?”

“...Yes. I showed you it during the tour.”

“Oh... Well, that's where I’m heading, be back soon guys!” Max quickly ran off, hoping that Icarus would forget.

Max entered the library to find Vel sitting at a table. A lamp was on next to her, and 3 spinning balls of constantly rotating water revolved around her. Max figured it was a training exercise, he was also already thinking how he could implement someone similar into his meditation. Vel looked up, noticing his and Emi’s presence.

“What is it boy?”

Max closed the door and asked for Icarus to appear. He did, perched on a nearby chair. Max slowly sat down, and the others noticed his hesitancy. Max removed the black spell book that he received from Arthur. Vel and Icarus reacted in a normal curious way. Vel slowly reached her hand out and touched the book. Confusion appeared on her face.

“Water Demolish? I thought you asked for a Space Spell not one of the rarest Water Spells known?”

“Huh? That book is for Manipulate Space.”

“Oh no.” Icarus and Vel said at the same time.

Vel and Icarus quickly jumped into defensive measures. Vel opened her gourd, creating a suit of water armor, Icarus created light constructs of trees and vines. By this point Max realized something was wrong, and he stepped back, manipulating Emi’s bubble with him.

“What is it?” Max finally asked.

“One of Ikzag’s creations. He has to be able to spread his pestilence somehow, this is one. It's a Spell book that looks like whatever the user wants to see. It's a trick, you actually “learn” the spell Diseased Body. You become patent zero for one of Ikzag’s plagues.” Icarus said, still in defensive mode.

“This book could kill everyone in Lesterwood.” Vel abruptly turned and stared at Max, searching into his soul, “Where did you get this.”

“Arthur.”

“Just had to be sure.” Vel said, her eyes narrowing.

“What do we do?”

Both looked at each other, then back to Max. A hidden understanding between the two emerged.

“Put it back in your inventory.” Vel said.

“WHAT!? I don’t think so.” Max began to slowly back out of the room.

“Max, listen to me. Your inventory is the safest place for it.” Icarus said in a calming voice. Max didn’t know it, but Icarus casted Calming Light. “Think about it Max. No one except you has access to it and WE know you won’t use it. Unless someone kills you, which we will make sure does NOT happen, your inventory is the safest place for it. Temporarily.”

“Temp-” Vel cut Max off.

“Do you think we would just let you hold on to one of the most dangerous weapons of this world? We will get as far away from the city as possible then destroy it.”

“Wh-what do we do for now.”

“Icarus will lock down the city. We contact the Mayor and Domic, as well as Captain. Shatterwind, we put out an apprehend order on Arthur. I will stay here with you, as protection. The mansion’s defenses should be good enough, but if they have a Book of Pestilence, we can’t be too careful.”

“Careful?” Max asked.

“Vast Empire.”

“Oh right, them...” Max remembered the evil cult, they were the ones who killed Reep’s parents, “I will gather the others, what's the most defended room?

“The kitchen.” Vel and Icarus said at the same time, remembering a previous invasion.

“Al-alright then.” With that, Max touched the book, putting it in his inventory. He walked out, towards the others.

Max and Emi entered the training room and saw a spar between Reep and Goob. Goob was winning, but that hardly mattered right now. Max threw up a wall of water, blocking them from continuing, and making them look at him.

“The city is about to go on lockdown. Arthur is a possible member of Vast Empire; we need to move to the kitchen. It is apparently the most defended room in this mansion. Let go.” Max started to move to the door but stopped when he realized no one was following.

“Guys, we need to hurry. Icarus is about to put the city into lockdown. I think it won’t let anyone in or out. If someone really wants to get out they will come here looking to kill him. We need to be ready if that happens.” Max’s brain was starting to feel the adrenaline the situation was causing.

“Wha- Alright everyone let's move!” Reep ordered, causing everyone to follow Max. Max inwardly felt a little bit jealous that they listened to her.

The group followed Max into the kitchen just in time to see the city’s barrier soar. A bright beam of light cut the darkening sky, originating from the island. Once it reaches a certain height, it slips into millions of smaller beams. The beams cascaded down, forming a dome around the city. If Max was closer to a wall, he would have been able to see that the dome was composed of millions of hexagons. The beams all fed and split off each other, creating a symmetric pattern, much like a bee’s honeycomb.

The group could only stare in awe at the display of light. Max wondered just how powerful Lester was. Could I ever do something like this? Max wondered. The group was abruptly shaken out of their mesmer by a large explosion against the inside of the dome. The explosion was very far away, but the sound and light it caused reached the mansion. All of a sudden word appeared.

THE CITY IS IN LOCKDOWN

DO NOT TRY TO LEAVE OR DESTROY THE BARRIER

IT WILL LAST UNTIL THE APPROPRIATE PEOPLE ARE APPREHENDED

The illusion was somehow visible, even though it was backlit by the dome. Max remembered Lester’s second class was [illusionist]. This is crazy. Max thought, his fear of the situation only grew with the dome. Max’s hand was shaking, Celenia noticed, and placed her hand on his. She gave him the brightest smile Max thought he had ever seen.

“Amazing isn’t it.” Vel said from behind them, “The call for everyone to look for Arthur has sounded. His office has been searched, and well, first impressions are not good. Max, did you notice anything odd about the office?”

“Other than it being a complete opposite of his personality, no.”

“Damn...” Vel cursed, causing confused faces from everyone. “Vast Empire has a [Doppelganger] in their ranks. Goes by the name of Nix. I thought one of the Knights of Salae killed it years ago. If Nix is still alive that means the REAL Arthur is dead.”

“That would make sense with fake Arthur trying to make me the center of attention. If that really is Nix, and it is still working with Vast Empire, then they already know about me.”

This realization made Vel and the rest of the Humble Titans curse.

“This is bad. Really bad.” Reep said, quickly. “It's just like back then. I’m not going back. Never. I won’t. I will kill-”

Reep was beginning to become hysteric. Vel casted a spell on her, causing her to fall asleep. Vel shook her head. Max wasn’t sure if he was right, but he thought Vel’s expression was of heartache. Max knew she had a soft spot for the former slave, but causing her to pass out, took a toll on Vel.

Vel spoke to the rest. “It's not the worst case. Max has already guaranteed that. The barrier is simply a precaution. If Nix is still in the city, and I’m guessing it's not, we will find it. If we don’t in a few days, we drop the barrier and move along with our lives. But this alone is confirmation enough to cause some big powers to move. When we told the world powers about the Vast Empire’s possible resurrection, some didn’t believe it.”

Vel thought for a moment. “This may be one of the best outcomes. Yeah, the information about Max is bad. But now people will move. Only one person is dead, assuming Nix is responsible.”

“What is this secret about Max?” Goob asked.

Everyone looked at Max. He sighed, thinking. Does it really matter at this point? The news will be out soon anyways. The only issue is Mel, but I think I can trust her.

“I’m a Lost One.” Max finally said.

“I fucking KNEW IT!” Mel yelled, causing everyone to jump a little. “You did cheat! Ha!”

“...what?” Max asked, echoing everyone’s thoughts.

“In our duel, you must have some crazy overpowered Lost One’s ability! I knew it!” she laughed

“In your dreams!” Max bantered back, causing the tension in the room to drop.

“Well, that's sweat and all, but you three new people have to understand something. This information cannot get out. Understand? It will eventually, but not now.” Vel’s tone was intimidating; it caused Goob to move his hand to his hilt.

“I understand.” Mel and Goob eventually uttered.

“Celenia?”

“Wha- oh yeah, I won’t tell anyone.” Celenia seemed to be off in her own little world after Max dropped the bomb.

“What do we do now?” Clammy asked Vel.

“Nothing. I say we get dinner cooking, and sleep. This will not end with us. Icarus and I will be on guard detail. Do not leave the mansion. THAT is an order.” Her voice left no room to negotiate.

With that, they dispersed. Max went into the kitchen proper and started dinner. Most of the others left to sit down somewhere. Clammy stayed with the sleeping Reep. The barrier fell after three days. The general conscience was that Nix had escaped before the dome went up. The guards found traces of [Doppelganger] skin, whatever that is, confirming it was either Nix or some other [Shapeshifter]. A message had been sent to every world power, on this side of the globe. Hundreds of messages went out, some to kingdoms and their [Kings], others to homeless hermits, who in their own right, were a world power. The world quickly knew of Vast Empires revival, and many pieces began to move.