“Stay quiet, booksie,” Gavril hissed, crouching among the crystalline biome, avoiding the light as he slowly inched ahead. Jennifer followed behind, taking each step with care while trying to manage the input from her Mirror’s Eye spell.

“Try seeing two things at once Gavril while walking straight without tumbling over, then we’ll talk,” Jennifer whispered from behind. Gavril glanced at her with narrowed eyes before he continued to make his way towards the tree at the center of the light-affinity biome.

Jennifer closed her eyes, focusing on the view she perceived through her floating mirror. The mirror floated near the opposite entrance of the cavern, it’s surface just slightly curved in to allow for a wider viewing angle. A little trick she'd picked up when researching the spell. The link to her second eye was disorienting. It wasn't just the dual perspectives either, as Jennifer struggled not to flail her arms with her second perspective being ten feet above the ground.

Gently she turned the mirror to grant her vision around the large cavern. She was able to spot Gavril inching towards the tree, trying to slip past the other light affinity creatures nearby. And behind him, she could see herself couching in the crystalline grass.

This will never not be weird. Seeing myself like this.

Jennifer opened her eyes, the world spinning slightly as her sight readjusted itself. She kept a vague stream of information coming in from the mirror, playing in the back of her mind. She might not be able to discern any details, but if a monster approached from that direction, she would know.

“[Sleight of Hand]” Gavril murmured as he dashed towards the centre. The tree shuddered as his hand snaked into it, shaking as the many birds on it began to escape. Jenniifer braced herself for another explosion, ready to rush in to get them out at a moment’s notice. A small tremor passed through her feet as blue light seeped through the gaps in the tree trunk, but the area seemed to remain stable otherwise.

“Let’s go,” Gavril said, rushing back through the grass. Jennifer nodded, racing after him as they ran out of the area.

“What did you do there Gavril? I still see the lightcore back there,” Jennifer said, turning to glance back at the tree, confirming the blue light at its base was still shining brightly.

“That’s a decoy, the real one’s with me,” Gavril said, digging the large affinity core out of his side pocket. “The tree started to turn all blue and shake when I dug this out, so I shoved a mana core in.”

Jennifer took the mana core from Gavril’s hand, inspecting it for a second. Focusing on her internal mana core, she drew the little blob of crystal affinity mana out, letting it mix with the affinity-core. The energies swirled together, in the affinity-core as she felt her connection loosening before she reabsorbed it. She could feel minor changes to how her glass formed when using the foreign mana, but so far, she’d been unable to assimilate it into her core.

With core in hand, Jenn turned to Gavril with a smile. “Look at you, not botching a job for once. Maybe you should’ve joined the thieves guild, with how good you are at sneaking around. Got a class for it?”

The boy snorted, folding his hands. “Ain’t gonna get in with those folks. Rumina’s real crafty with her stuff, but that ain't me. Also stop chitter chattering and let’s go. We’re in the depths of a dungeon, not a garden booksie,” Gavril said, walking ahead. Jennifer stared at him, shocked by the nonchalant boy being so careful for once, before she rushed to catch up.

“Fine, I’m sorry. Let’s get out before we talk. I plan to just sell this right now and get it done with. I have some stuff to buy anyways,” Gavril grunted in reply, and the two of them quickly walked out of the first layer of the dungeon into the crowded central plaza.

“What level are you Gavril?” Jennifer asked, as the two of them headed towards the merchant lane.

Gavril eyed Jennifer, raising an eyebrow in surprise. “You’ve never pried before, why the sudden interest?” Gavril asked. Jennifer shrugged, keeping an arm on her left pocket to cover the affinity core.

Gavril leaned in towards her suddenly, and Jennifer stopped in surprise. “Dumbass, don’t be so obvious that you have something precious on you. Move the arm away, walk casually. Pretend that it’s just a toy or something,” he whispered in her ear. Jennifer nodded, moving her arm away, continuing ahead without break.

“I’m level 13, ain’t that impressive, I know. But I’ve got some decent skills so the levels don’t matter much,” Gavril muttered as he shoved both of his arms into his pockets.

“It’s not bad. Although, aren’t you a [Runner]? I’ve never seen you use movement skills. All passives?” Jennifer asked, as she began to conjure another mirror’s eye above the street.

“I’m a [Devious Runner], I don’t have any running skills. I’m not fast, but if I get a job, I get it done,” Gavril replied, turning towards her. “What about you? I’ve shared mine, what’s your level eh? You’ve been all holed up in your home, didn’t even see you at Haireth’s place recently.”

Jennifer looked at Gavril, a smile building on her face. “Take a guess,what level I am?” Jennifer said towards Gavril.

“Level 5” he said with a grin and Jennifer snorted.

“Level 17 [Resourceful Enchanter] I got like, three new skills from it,” Jennifer said and she saw Gavril pause, staring at her.

“You’re lying,” he blurted out as he stared at her face, and Jennifer rolled her eyes, shoving him aside as she continued to walk ahead.

“Wait really? Level 17? Rotten skulls, you really have been holing up and doing magic all day, huh? Why didn’t you tell anyone that you levelled up? I could’ve sworn you were only a level or two higher than me,” Gavril said, and Jennifer returned a smug grin.

I cheat.

“Also, come with me. I need to do something,” Jennifer said, walking around the corner in a nearby section. Away from the dense crowd of people walking by.

“Here, hold this,” Jennifer said, shoving a scroll into Gavril's hands as she took some mithril dust from her pocket.

“You’re doing a spell out here? Why?” Gavril asked, pinching the scroll with his fingers as if he was afraid the thing would explode any second.

“Because it works better outside. Master's shop has dozens of magical aura's that'll obscure it. And my place is too far away for a good reading,” Jennifer muttered as she began to draw lines with the mithril dust in her hand.

Divination runes, unlike arcane magic, followed their own separate runic systems. The spell matrix of any divination magic was context dependent, and multifaceted at minimum.

Slow line by slow line Jennifer traced the wiggly symbols onto the ground, setting a few mana cores into the enchantment she was creating. After a few moments of patient work, and some back and forth with Gavril, she had completed the encryption.

“Set the scroll in the middle Gavril,” Jennifer said, wiping sweat off her face. She kept her [Enhanced Mana Sense] active, and a side sequence of [Lesser Arcane Analysis], both skills feeding streams of information to her mind. A simple mirror eye floated above the alley, keeping watch.

I should try to get the Mind Threads spell. Ugh, it’s Tier 4 though. Why does everything that's useful take so much effort?

She looked up at Gavril, who was staring at the scroll. When he still didn't move, she sighed. “You haven’t touched your mana before, have you?” she asked.

Gavril just shrugged. “I thought not. You can’t set that thing off, even if you wanted to Gavril. Just put it here, I don’t want any mithril getting on it before I start the spell,” Jennifer said, putting the bit of remaining mithril dust back in her pocket.

“Fine. But if it blows up, I’m gonna ditch you and run,” Gavril said.

Jennifer rolled her eyes at the boy’s antics. A moment of hesitation later, the runner set the scroll down, before scrambling backward. When nothing happened he continued to watch while Jennifer stretched her hands, cracking her knuckles. Then she started to channel her mana.

By Sera’s name, if even this doesn’t work, then I’ll need to get additional help for finding Xar. That or sink even more money.

Jennifer held back her sigh as she started her work. “Stay back Gavril,” Jennifer warned as mana began to pulse through her hands. While he couldn't cause things to explode, he could still interfere with her work. And then she'd explode. She sat on her knees, the blank parchment set in the middle of her inscription. Leaning in, she touched the scroll, letting her mana flood in. Bright light flashed as golden lightning crackled, the runes glowing as letters of gold flashed onto the scroll. Jennifer used [Lesser Arcane Analysis], keeping track of the shifting spell matrix as she focused on her target.

Xardhviladrothic.

The words burned themselves onto the paper as a pulse of divination magic spread through the area. The scroll caught fire and Jennifer hurriedly pulled her hand back. A vague sense of location formed in her mind, pointing towards the northern part of the city. She stood up, her chest tight as hope started to blossom.

It worked!

Suddenly a dark red disruption manifested on the divination spell thread. A seal broke through the spell matrix, cracking the spell as it cut the threads.

Jennifer felt her arm stiffen, a sharp headache sending her stumbling as mana backlash sent the world spinning. She vaguely saw Gavril grab her, and lower her against the alley wall as her vision began to focus once more.

“By Elphion’s name, what was that Jenn? What kind of mad spells are you trying to use out here?” Gavril said, his face scrunched up in a scowl.

“I’m fine. Thank you for asking,” Jennifer said as she pulled herself up. Her gaze turned towards the northern section. To where the guild hall dominated the city. And anxiety flooded her chest.

“The spell worked, Gavril. Something was trying to stop it, but I got a glimpse,” Jennifer muttered and the taller boy stared blankly at her.

“I’m starting to get worried Jenn, maybe you should stop reading so many books and come get some fresh air. The jargon and madness of those mages is getting to you,” Gavril said. Jennifer turned towards the boy in exasperation before a chuckle broke through.

“Maybe I should, yeah. I have so much to do though. There are a lot of things I need to solve in this re- this month. Anyways, I’m alright. That was a bit reckless, I’ll admit. I hope no one called the guards. Let’s not stick around to find that out,” Jennifer said, Gavril nodding back as the both of them ran out of the side alley.

The two walked out into the main streets. They continued to talk light-heartedly, Jennifer periodically scanning the shops to find the one she was looking for. Her eyes stopped as she noticed a familiar figure standing in the crowd.

“Kariss!” Jennifer shouted in the crowd, the Lizardfolk chef turning their way before they flicked their tongue with a light hiss.

“Ah, Jennifer, good to see youss. Thank you once again, for your help with the enchantment,” Kariss replied as the frill on their neck rose slightly. An excited Frills emerged, his furry little head peeking over Kariss’ shoulder. He pounced off Kariss' arm, the otter rolling as it hit the surface before running towards her, hand extended with a his great big pleading eyes, begging for mana cores.

“Frillsss? What have I told you about begging for treats?” Kariss said to the little otter. Frills chittered lightly before turning around and climbing onto Kariss’ shoulders.

“Spirit otter huh, haven’t seen those before,” Gavril remarked standing beside her.

“Well, what bringss you here Jennifer? Would you like to finally visit my shopss? It was a shame that you couldn’t stay for some sweet’s beforess,” Kariss asked, their yellow reptilian eyes swiveling as they regarded her.

Well, I think I can probably trust Kariss.

“Sorry, not today. I’ll visit someday for sure, but right now we, well, I need to find a place to sell an affinity core,” Jennifer said, glancing at Gavril when he elbowed her in the side.

Kariss hissed lightly once more. “For an affinity core, hmm, perhaps you can have a look at the caravan coming from the southern desert? There was talk of an auction at the south side of the city; plenty of Orc mercenaries were hired to guard it recently.”

Jennifer frowned. Wasn’t the mayor the one who called for the Orc mercenaries. In fact, there's the whole upheaval with the greenskin thing. And now a caravan from the desert?

“Can you tell us where this caravan is, and the auction perhaps? Also, were some of this people from Ostiri?” Jennifer asked Kariss who hissed.

“Ostiri, well, I saw some in shacklesss, so there may be. The whole caravanss is another reason security is being tightened at the southern gatess. They’re probably setup outside the walls. At least a good number of them are. Was going to visit them myself. They're one of the best sources of fresh Drak'lit meat this time of year. I can take you, if you’d like to have a look. I know some merchants who may be able to get you a good price for your affinity coress,” Kariss said with a trailing hiss.

“May have to take a detour,” Jennifer said, turning towards Gavril who gave her a shrug.

“Just another day with you booksie. The only difference is that you weren't the reason for the detour this time,” Gavril replied to which Jennifer huffed before turning away.

“Thank you Kariss, I’ll take you up on your offer,” Jennifer said, and the Lizardfolk smiled, Frills poking out and chirping once.

“I’m pleased to hear that Jennifer, let’s go then,” the lizardfolk said, walking ahead through the crowd as Jeniffer and Gavril followed behind.

“Isn’t the southern city where the slums are?” Gavril added absently, causing Jennifer to pause for a moment.

Gavril chuckled looking at her expression as Jennifer gumbled to herself. The trio, and the little spirit otter secretly munching on a mana core Jenn had snuck him, made their way toward the slums.

Of course, we’re going into the slums. I wonder if I’m cursed.