Micky looked down at the two plates, shocked by the relative normalcy of the food. There were croissants, several small sausages, fried eggs, and blessedly what looked like a flat white in a small mug off to the side. Unfortunately, food was about the last thing on his mind.

“BLEEP me dead, I just keep making this worse don’t I?”

“It may seem like that at first Micky, but I promise this is all part of the adjustment process. For now, just remember that using an Ability on an unwilling sentient soul is considered incredibly rude. Unless Magdalena had a specific set of Abilities activated she had no way of knowing what Ability you were using or what you intended. After we finish here I will take you to one of our Skill consultants who can explain such matters in far greater detail than I am able. For now, simply relax and enjoy this late lunch. I have tried to pick foods appropriate to arrivals from your ‘verse.”

Looking back at the plate of food with a growing sense of relief Micky reached out to take the mug of coffee before taking a cautious sip. His eyes grew wide and he groaned in relief, the coffee seeming to reinvigorate him somehow.

Placing it back on the table he turned a serious gaze at Blaes “mate if I swung in your direction I’d have proposed marriage in return for a flat white, as it is I’m seriously considering my life choices.”

Chuckling softly Blaes raised his left hand, displaying the silver band on his ring finger. “While I appreciate the compliment I do believe my wife would take umbrage at my bringing home a new partner.”

“That's dead disappointing that is” Micky deadpanned.

“I shall take it under consideration, now please don’t let me distract you from your lunch. I hope you find it to your tastes.”

Needing no more invitation Micky dived into the plate with gusto, slicing open the croissant and stuffing it with egg and sausage until it was nearly bursting. Several minutes and croissants later Micky leaned back in his chair. “I feel just about human after that Blaes, you're an absolute superstar. My compliments to the chef and baker as well.”

Blaes, who had approached his plate with similar enthusiasm, smiled back “perhaps we can return from dinner after your skill consultation and offer our thanks in person? For now however, are you ready to move on?

“Lead on and I shall follow” replied Mickey rising slowly from his chair.

This time Blaes led them down four flights on stairs, deep into the basement, coming to a stop before a thick wooden door.

Knocking twice he called out softly “Alcair are you ready for the consult?” This was followed by a flurry of activity from behind the door. Micky could hear the scraping of heavy boxes being pushed along the floor and then the clacking of what might have been high heels on a hardwood floor. The door swung open rapidly, revealing the goblin he saw earlier in the analysis room standing in front of what was either the world's most disorganized office or some kind of paperwork graveyard.

“Yes yes, much to do much to do. Come in if you're coming in.” The goblin turned on his heel and scurried back to the desk and Micky realized the clacking wasn’t from a pair of heels but rather from the rather impressive claws on the goblin's feet.

“Alcair” Blaes started sternly “do you remember the workplace policies on office space usage? Or do I need to get Clarita down here to remind you?”

Alcair stopped in this tracks, spinning to face Micky and Blaes again. “No, no. Is okay, I will clean after the consult. No need for scary Clarita and her book of rules.”

“Excellent,” said Blaes, his voice returning to normal “I shall expect to see it cleaned then. Now, this is Micky. I believe you have inspected his skills and stats after his time with the analysis stone?”

“Yes, yes. Most interesting spread of stats and skills. ‘Will’ and ‘Wisdom’ to make a caster, ‘Sway’ to make a merchant, “Might’ to make a drunken toddler.”

“Hey, hang on a minute there mate” Mickey interjected “I’m way stronger than a toddler.”

“Not what the stone tells Alcair, and stone can’t lie” responded Alcair, seemingly immune to Micky’s indignation.

“No easy build warrior for you” Alcair continued. “For you we need special build, use Skills to compliment Stats, not force you into same Class everyone use.”

At this point Blaes spoke, “as amusing as you seem to find insulting our new arrival Alcair, have you prepared some recommendations for us?”

“Not insult, tell truth only, new man has arms like soba noodle. Alcair has worked hard to make good recommendations. Look, look.”

With that Alcair dived into one of the piles, emerging with a small sphere of smoky crystal, like the analysis stone in miniature. Pulling his arm back Alcair launched the stone at Micky, shouting “catch noodle boy”.

Desperately flinging a hand in front of his face Micky managed to snag the stone from the air before it hit him. “Uh, thanks I think,” he said before turning to look at Alcair.

“Despite all his quirks, Alcair is among the best class consultants employed by the TRC. That stone contains his recommendations, which will be exemplary, along with his commentary which will be anything but. Simply place the stone in your left hand and think inspect, like you would if you were opening your menu. Looking dubiously at Blaes Micky did as instructed, and was then greeted by a barrage of blue system notifications.

Class Recommendations for: Michael ‘Micky’ Taylor

Class One: Merchant

Summary: Merchants use their high ‘Wisdom’ to find valuable goods or services and their high ‘Sway’ to make the best deal possible. As a non-combat Class, the merchant gains experience and levels through the making of profitable deals and the acquisition of wealth.

Base Skill: Eyes on the Prize - Active Skill 2SP per minute

This skill allows merchants an increased chance to spot goods or treasures which may be otherwise overlooked. At higher levels, there is an increase in the chance of spotting items and widening of the kinds of goods that can be spotted.

Stat Adjustment on Level Up: +1 Wisdom, +1 Sway

Class Requirements: a minimum of 9 in both Wisdom and Sway. To unlock this class the aspirant must buy and then sell at least ten items at a profit, and make at least 15 gold in profit in less than one month.

Alcair’s Commentary: Buy! Sell! Make money and buy shininess. No need fight scaries. Buy big house and breed maybe.

Class Two: Mage Academian

Summary: Mage academians are involved in research that melds the technological and the arcane. They are involved in the creation and refinement of both new spells and devices. As a hybrid class mage academians can gain experience through either research of new spells or the usage of their spells in combat.

Base Skill: Put it to the Test - Passive Skill

This skill allows mage academians to deploy new or hybrid spellforms with a greater chance of success. At higher levels, this chance increases incrementally and the spellform will be adjusted to the caster's intention.

Stat Adjustment on Level Up: +1 Wisdom, +2 Will

Class Requirements: a minimum of 10 Will and the research (mundane) skill of at least Novice (10). To unlock this class the aspirant must complete one month of training under the supervision of an acknowledged mage academian and assist in the development of a new spell or device.

Alcair’s Commentary: Learn new things then make them go boom! Stay inside and not strain noodle arms?

Class Three: Bard

Summary: Bards travel the land entertaining the masses, or delve deep into forgotten places using their songs to aid allies and confound their enemies. As a hybrid class bard can gain experience through performance or through using their skills in combat

Base Skill: Enhanced Tune - Active Skill 7SP per minute

This skill allows the bard to channel magic through their instrument to either draw in or push away others. At higher levels, this skill can either have a healing or damaging effect over time

Stat Adjustment on Level Up: + 1 Will +2 Sway

Class Requirements: a minimum of 10 Sway and two separate performance skills above Novice (10). To unlock this Class the aspirant must perform for three separate audiences of more than 15 people within one week.

Alcair’s Commentary: Sing! Be merry. Find comfortable bar and then sing for beer. Alcair will listen. Use noodle arms for good!

“Well BLEEP” Micky muttered, “no pressure here right guys?”