*You have reached the level 3 of the Class Aether Mage.*

*You have reached the level 2 of the Class Student.*

A week had passed since my breakthrough. I was now level 3 in my magic Class. Each level up came with the voice of Margaux. I had asked Inrak about it and it was apparently common to hear the voice of a loved one. I wasn’t sure how the Gods had managed to make me hear my wife, seeing as she wasn’t from their world. The only possibility I saw was that they had taken it from my memories of her. It was a bit unsettling, but I did not care much. Hearing her every time gave me strength I sorely needed.

My level-ups did not come with new Skills, but I had an easier time sensing the Aether. I could almost feel it reacting to my awareness of it. I knew I was close to being able to begin manipulating it.

It had not stopped raining for five days, but this morning some sunbeams pierced the clouds. I took this opportunity to run an errand for Inrak. Leaving the shop after an early breakfast, I made my way towards the harbour. I was wearing new clothes that I had bought with my first salary. Miska, Inrak’s daughter, had taken me to a tailor she knew and had helped me choose a few simple outfits. I now did not stick out as much among the locals. And I had gotten to know some of them.

One of them was Morange. I still trained intensely every night before bed and woke up with a furious headache. Discovering Morange’s apothecary had been a lifesaver.

Little bells on the door rang when I opened. Morange was cleaning up the room. He was a tall man with copper skin and bright, blonde hair. He welcomed me with a smile.

“Luc! You’re early!”

“Good morning, Morange. Yes I know, I’m meeting someone at the docks. Did you see, the sun finally decided to show up.”

He laid his broom against a wall and went into the backroom. He yelled to answer.

“Yes, I saw this morning! I don’t believe it will keep but it one can hope!”

He came back with a small vial. A brownish liquid sat inside.

“Here you go,” he said, holding it to me. “I tried to make it less awful, but it is hard to hide the bitterness of the trapper’s root.”

“It’s fine, thank you. It is so effective, I don’t mind the taste.”

I swallowed it in one gulp. The potion truly was disgusting, as if someone had mixed the boiled water left behind when cooking rice with some dirt and a touch of grapefruit because why not. However, I could already feel my mind clearing up. This was better than paracetamol.

Morange laughed at the face I made.

“I still have some work to do I see.”

I paid him in local Sturronian coins, different from the Goddess-backed, Kiestan coins used mostly for interregional trade, and took my leave.

Inrak had explained to me the monetary system as she understood it. Since the Gods were barred from directly intervening in mortal affairs – save for rare exceptions I had not asked about, the priests of Kiest, Goddess of trade, had “took it upon themselves” to set up their own monetary system. Each of their temples served as a kind of currency market where traders could convert their Kiestan coins into local ones. This encroachment into their sovereignty had obviously not gone well with regional authorities, but the stability and the utility of this currency had been such that few cities and kingdoms had completely forbidden it. Attacks upon it took more subtle forms. Some forty years ago, for example, a Winory mage had successfully forged Kiestan coins disappeared with a fortune. The Goddess had not appreciated it. It had apparently been a big scandal and the University had been embargoed for a time, which caused a lot of damage to Sturron’s economy.

In most regions, Sturron’s included, local coinage complemented Kiestan money. Here, the lower-valued local currency was used for most day-to-day commerce while Kiestan coins and ingots allowed Traders and City officials to manage their finances without having to carry around entire coffers full of change.

I had volunteered for today’s errand both because I wanted to do more for Inrak and because I needed to go out more. Confining myself to my studies in her apartment was not healthy. I had to remind myself that this was a marathon. I would not discover how to create a portal between worlds in a day. I could not afford a burn-out. Besides, I would meet one of Inrak’s main supplier of books, a Pterar Trade Master name Louprak. I was eager to learn more about the logistics of travel and trade in this world. I was fairly certain that becoming a high-level Aether mage would require a lot of money, and logistics was one of the fields where I thought I could apply both my professional knowledge from Earth and the magic I was learning.

As always, the harbour was full of activity. People of all species were coming and going around the ships and the stalls installed on the docks. I only had Louprak’s name and a vague description, so I first went to the harbourmaster’s office. A young clerk pointed me in the right direction and gave me the name of the ship I was looking for, the Siren’s flight. I found it easily enough.

Louprak was a Trade Master who often brought back books and journals for Inrak from his travels. Otherwise, Inrak told me he mainly traded agricultural goods, as evidenced by the barrels full of produce that were being rolled off the ship I was standing beside. Siren’s flight was a Pterar ship. It had two masts with great triangular sails that looked like wings. Its round hull measured about 15 meters in length, with a slightly lower level near the prow.

I recognized Louprak from the description Inrak had given me, mainly his long coat of the same red as his head feathers. He was currently talking to a female Schalass – I had gotten better at differentiating the genders, so I waited and watched the ship being unloaded. I was surprised to see that the containers were not identical. I could see mostly wooden barrels, but also a few crates, wicker baskets, and even some burlap sacks. A few Pterars were up on the deck of the ship and carried the cargo to a heavy plank connecting the ship to the docks. Ropes were reeled around each container. Workers received them and slowly went down the plank, with the crew holding the ropes to help. The work seemed hard and tiring and there was a lot of yelling.

“Can I help you, mister?” asked a voice close to me.

While I had watched the scene, Louprak had obviously finished his previous business because he was standing before me.

“Hello, are you Trade Master Louprak?” I asked to be sure.

“I am indeed, who’s asking?”

“My name is Luc. I am Inrak’s new assistant. I came about the books. Here, I have a letter from her to prove it.”

I gave him the letter she had written yesterday evening. I had not read it but she seemed to believe Louprak would not trust me enough to let me buy her books without it.

The Pterar frowned and took it. He made little whistling noises while reading.

“Hmm… It seems you are telling the truth,” he said finally. “I never would have thought Inrak had taken an apprentice, much less a human. No offence.”

“None taken. And I’m not really her apprentice, I am studying to be an Aether mage. I’m just helping her around the shop and with her accounts. It’s a long story.”

“It certainly seems to be.”

He still seemed suspicious.

“I actually have some time before meeting my contacts, and I thought to take them myself to Inrak’s bookshop. Wait a few while I finish here and we’ll go together.”

He turned his back, not waiting for an answer. I did not mind the rebuke, it gave me more time to observe the logistics of unloading a ship and the organization of the harbour. I decided that I would come here more often. This was fascinating. And, to be honest, I understood the Trade Master. A man starts living with an old lady and handles her affairs? It should send warning bells in her friends' minds. I was lucky that I had not faced more hostility from her neighbours. Though now that I thought about it, I spent so much of my time alone upstairs that I may have missed many conversations about me.

A young Pterar crept surreptitiously close to me and made a show of unknotting a rope. I had no doubt that he was sent by Louprak to make sure I did not run away. In a way, I was a little proud of the fact that he was so suspicious of me. It must have been my new clothes. Everybody who saw me in my dirty, Earth ones just pitied me. I had now gone from beggar to potential crook. It surely was a step up.

I must have waited more than an hour. The Trade Master came back after a while, carrying a middle-sized wooden chest under one arm. He held it to me. I nearly fell when I took it. I was not expecting it to be so heavy. He had carried it so easily!

I strained with the effort and looked back at him grinning. He slipped a few coins to the young boy and we departed. I was determined to make a good impression on this man. I had plans and it would be easier to work with a friend of Inrak than a complete stranger.

“Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about your trade?”

He grunted, which I took as encouragement to keep going.

“I noticed that your ship carried many types of containers, are there no difficulties that arise from not having only one standard type?”

“Why do you ask?”

“Well as I said, I am training to become an Aether mage. I figured that it could have practical applications in logistics, like making bags or crates that can contain more than their normal volume. Since the only book I have about the Aether is a theoretical one, I figured I would ask a professional.”

We walked in silence for a moment before he decided there could be no harm in answering me.

“As to your first question,” he said, “every merchant or farmer has their own way of packing their products. It does make things a little harder for us, but as long as the containers are suited to the journey, it does not really matter. We sometimes have to repack everything into our own barrels, but we only do that when we buy in hopes to sell elsewhere, not when we act as courier. As to your second question, holding bags exist. The permanent ones are expensive, even for small bags. I do not know how much it would cost to enchant even one barrel, but it would certainly take a long time to recuperate the costs. Perhaps smaller, faster ships or long-distance traders would have more interest. Besides, barrels deteriorate over time, they get banged up when the sea is angry and we have to repair them as we can. If a barrel enchanted to hold twice its volume broke at sea for example, what would happen? Would everything inside explode out of it? That would be most inconvenient.”

“I had not thought of it like that,” I admitted. I had not thought of it much, really, to miss so obvious complications. I just imagined a truck carrying twice its volume. Any company on Earth would pay dearly for that kind of technology.

Perhaps he heard the disappointment in my voice because his next words were not as harsh.

“I don’t actually know what would happen. Space enchantments are rare enough that I have not encountered one personally. Perhaps it would work well, and it would not cost as much as I think. But these are some of the considerations every potential client will ask about before buying anything.”

“Thank you for your help.”

I pondered what the Pterar had said the rest of the way while lamenting the fact that I had not gone more often to the gym. I was certain that my arms and my back would be sore tomorrow.

One thing he said stayed with me. I knew that I could resolve most issues he mentioned. The cost, for example, certainly resulted from the monopoly and the rarity of Aether mages. But the Trade Master talked about enchanted barrels. My plan was not dead, but I would need to learn about enchanting.

Our arrival at the bookshop caused a flurry of cooing and whistling from both Pterars. Inrak came out from behind the counter and hugged the Trade Master. I understood a little more his protectiveness earlier. It seemed that they were very good friends. I put the chest in a corner and wandered the shelves, looking for books about enchanting, while they were reuniting with each other. I found a few that could be interesting. Enchanting was a more common subject than Aether magic. I would wait to ask Inrak if I could take them upstairs to study for a time.

“Luc, come here!” called Inrak.

I put the book I was browsing back and obliged.

“This is Trade Master Louprak, he brings me books!” She said. Her smile was contagious.

“Yes I know, Inrak, we met at the docks.”

“So, Inrak,” Louprak said. “Are you too tired to come and see an old friend at his ship that you had to send your new apprentice?”

“Oh not at all. But I wanted you two to meet. And I knew you would be suspicious and come here yourself. I was right!”. She laughed at her own cleverness. Louprak did too. He did not seem upset.

“You are too crafty to spend your days in this shop, my friend. You should come and see the world with me.”

“Hmm… You know I could not. Books don’t much like the sea.”

Their conversation continued along what I guessed where old, well-trodden paths. I sensed that my presence kept them from talking about the subjects they wanted to broach, the main one probably being myself. I suggested that I go and bring back some food. It was a bit early but at least I would beat the rush. Inrak readily agreed and Louprak said he would eat with us.

I had gotten acquainted with the closest food stalls. It wasn’t much different from Earth actually, where I knew every pizza and kebab place in a small radius around our apartment. Still, my favourite was the first one I had gone to a week ago, Sirmy’s. Sirmy was the owner, a female Schalass of around 30 years old. She lived alone with her daughter, Ripsile, who was the most adorable little Schalass girl. Ripsile was the one holding the stall when I arrived. She waved at me.

“Luc! Luc! Are you eating with us today?”

I took on the stool in front of her. She was standing on her own stool to be able to reach the counter and serve the customers. Pleasant smells were coming from the kitchen behind, where no doubt her mother was busy cooking.

“Hello, Ripsile. I can’t, I’ll eat with Inrak and her guest. But I can stay here and chat a bit. How are you today?”

“I’m good, thank you. It stopped raining! Mum said I could go and play later after I’ve helped clean up.”

“That’s great, Ripsile. What kind of game will you play?”

“Tag!” She yelled. “And also skoga if we have time but I don’t have a set so I must ask my friend Porter. She’s a Human like you.”

“I don’t know what skoga is,” I said. “Can you explain it to me? And could you serve me some ipio while we wait for your mother, please? I’m very thirsty.”

I put a few coins on the counter that she grabbed with a practised movement. Then she explained in great detail this game she liked while I sipped my ale and asked questions. I resolved to buy her a set as soon as I made money with my Class. It could not cost too much and she deserved it. Spending time with her and her mother always gladdened my heart.

Sirmy came soon after, struggling with a big pot.

“Good day, Luc,” she said. Her daughter helped her set the pot down.

“Hello Sirmy,” I replied.

“I could hear Ripsile talk and talk, I hope she has not been bothering you.” She winked at me.

“No I haven’t! Luc asked!”

“It’s true,” I laughed. “I did ask. And now I know everything about skoga.”

“You can play with us if you want! I’m sure the others will like you.”

“That’s very nice of you, Ripsile. I have to work today but maybe another day, yes?”

“Sure! We always play skoga.”

I stayed talking with the two of them until the first hungry customers arrived.

Coming back to the bookshop with the food, I could see that Louprak had settled and now looked at me with a lot more curiosity than suspicion. I was actually surprised that more people had not come and asked me about Earth. Perhaps the Gods had kept quiet and that information had not spread yet.

The discussion at lunch was cordial. I asked a lot of questions about enchanted containers and they both answered as best they could. Inrak promised me she would let me study a few books about enchanting and only sell them if clients specifically asked for them. Afterwards, I recorded the books Louprak had brought into the new system, writing their title and the price Inrak paid for them. It seemed low to me, but I supposed that was the old friend’s discount.

Before leaving, Louprak took me aside.

“Luc, I apologize for the way I treated you earlier. It was not justified.”

“It’s fine, I understand you were worried about your friend. And you gave me a lot to think about with my magic.”

“Yes, about that.” He paused, perhaps wondering how to phrase what he wanted to say. “This choice you have made for yourself is not an easy one. Aether mages are rare for a reason. They have little in the way of defence compared to other Mage Classes and can be very valuable. Especially if powerful people find out about your origins. You are fine now because you are low level and you are hiding here in her nest, but you must be careful. For your sake, and Inrak’s.”

“I will. I won’t let anything happen to her. If I am ever in danger, I will leave.”

“Good. Thank you.” He looked relieved. “And if you do figure out your enchanted containers, I would not mind trying them out and possibly buy some.”

“Thank you, Louprak. I will let you know.”

After he left, I went upstairs with a few more books and a lot more ideas. I was still convinced that making holding bags or crates was the way to go to earn myself a starting capital. Transporting people or travelling myself as a courier seemed more difficult in terms of Aether magic, and more dangerous, more exposing.

I became certain of it when this same evening, after studying the whole afternoon, I heard Margaux’s voice telling me that I was on the right path.

*You have gained the Class Enchanter. You have reached the level 1 of the Class Enchanter. You have gained the Skill Knowledge of Basic Runes.*

*You have reached the level 4 of the Class Aether Mage.*

*You have reached the level 3 of the Class Student.*