Chapter eight F.

My bag once again slung over my shoulder, and with my new close gently caressing my body, I felt great; I had folded and put my onesie in my bag. I made my way to the next destination I had selected. I had received an absolutely dizzying array of spells since coming to this world but was woefully lacking in abilities and skills. I could feel that if I spent some time and focus, I would be able to develop skills by doing actions. I did not have quite as firm of a grasp on how I would acquire abilities in this new world, but I was determined to find out. And the best place to find out information is a library, and if no library is available, then a bookstore will do just as nicely.

Therefore, I found myself standing in front of Hobbes and sons, books, scrolls, skills, abilities, and memories stones for the discerning noble. The name and title of the shop barely fit on the sign and had to be printed in much too small letters. But as the large building sat on the corner of the street, I assumed everyone just knew who Hobbes was. With Sasha tailing closely behind me, her head bowed, I made my way inside.

As I entered Hobbes and sons, I was greeted with the familiar site of bookstores, probably a crossed all multiple universes. Neat rows of shelves that came to chest height ran the length of the store. In the center of the store was a circular desk with four attendance seated, one of which was diligently helping a customer.

"Wow, I've always wanted to come in here but I've never been allowed." Sasha said in a soft, quiet whisper.

"Well enjoy." I said, stretching out my hand and lightly taking hers.

Sasha obediently took it but looked at me with fear in her eyes as she placed her hand in mine. With a look of amazement, Sasha watched as I guided her into the store. "Thank you master Grayson."

Sasha blushed and smiled genuinely at me as we began to make our way through the aisles, looking at the various sections. The store was divided into sections; the first was reserved for normal books. As I perused through a few selected copies, I was impressed to see that there was some form of the archaic printing press, as all of the types on the pages was uniform. The books ranged from encyclopedias listing various alchemical ingredients to massive books on the various beasts and monsters in the Empire. The ever-present cookbooks were also represented as well as a selection of guides on woodworking and other crafts.

The next section of shelves housed the selection of skill tomes. The books were all relatively uniform in size, but I was unable to open any as they were locked by some magical crystal that I assumed could only be unlocked once they were purchased. The skill tomes were divided by topic. Different crafts had a fair selection as well as varying forms of weapon combat. Each selection of skills had novice, apprentice and even journeyman ranked skills. Though not every section had adept or master-level skills. And I guess grandmaster skills were probably kept in the back office.

It was as I was perusing the skill section that a young elf attendant walked up to me. She asked, "Is there anything I can help you find my Lord?" The elf said. She wore black flats on her feet and a long black skirt that came down to her ankles. A fitted black jacket hugged her frame with a high collar that wrapped around her neck, that showed just a hand's width of mid-drift. Embroidered over her left breast with the words Harris and sons. Her name, Servant Ashley was embroidered in silver as well.

I looked at the beautiful elf, and her wild pink hair that was done up in a bun, strands of which were expertly falling around her head to give her an etheric look. "Yes, servant Ashley that would be most helpful. I am lord Grayson and I am currently trying to diversify some skills and was wondering what you could tell me about the skill tomes and abilities you have for sale."

"Well, my Lord Grayson we have one of the largest selections of skills and abilities, as well as memories stones outside of the capital itself. The prices and selections vary, but if you would tell me what you were looking for, I am most certainly sure that I will be able to find it for you."

"That reminds me, Sasha are you able to display your personal analysis sheet for me?"

"Most certainly master Grayson." Sasha said as her eyes unfocused for a second, and then she made a flicking motion with her wrist. Then a blue transparent window appeared in front of my eyes that outline Sasha's statistics. It was also apparent that I was the only one that could see it, as Ashley the elf waited patiently for me to review the information.

Individual Statistical Analyses

Name: Sasha whitetail

Race: Kitsune

Level: 5. experience to next level; thirty-five out of sixty.

Health: 100 percent.

Mana Capacity: 150

Mana regeneration: 1.16 mana per minute.

Attributes: 4 per level.

Strength: 10.

Body: 15.

Speed: 15.

Dexterity: 15.

Mana capacity: 15.

Mana regeneration:10.

Charisma: 10.

Affinities:

Mana manipulation: 6 percent.

Earth: 1 percent.

Fire: 3 percent

Air: 15 percent.

Water: 10 percent.

Life: 3 percent

Death: 1 percent.

Light: 1 percent.

Shadow: 15 percent.

Space-time: 1 percent.

Summoning: 1 percent.

Abilities: 1 per level. 4/4

Skills: 1 per level. 2/4

Tailoring. Apprentice. Create clothing and items from cloth. Items have improved durability and become less dirty.

Spells: 1 per level.

Earth:

Clean: Base cost: 10 mana per square foot. Level 5.

Fire:

Flame: Base cost: 9.7 mana initial cast, 4.85 mana per 30 seconds channeled. Level 5.

Shadow:

Hide: Base cost: 42.5 mana initial cast, 20 mana per minute while holding still in shadows. Level 8.

"Very good thank you Sasha. Ashley I was wondering are there any restrictions on using skill tomes?" I asked as I turned away from Sasha and back to Ashley.

"Only the usual ones my Lord. It is not advised to use more than three skill tomes in a month. An individual can use as many ability crystals as they would like or can afford. And it is recommended that no more than two memories stones are used per month." Ashley recited as if she was reading a warning label; she had to recite multiple times a day.

"Is one able to learn a master level skill without learning the prerequisite levels?"

"It is recommended that the highest initial level of skill one learn is journeyman any higher and the concepts become too esoteric and have nothing to ground themselves in."

"Excellent I believe I'm ready to make my selection now would you be so kind as to assist us in holding our books?" I asked politely.

"Of course, it would be my pleasure Lord Grayson, it's no trouble at all." Ashley said as her cheeks turned a soft pink, almost matching the color of her hair.

I was beginning to wonder if my disguise as a noble was crumbling; I think I was being far too polite. Because even though I'm good-looking, with me being enhanced on the journey here and the points I had put into charisma, there really was no call for that level of blushing maiden reaction. The only thing I could imagine is that it was because of my polite demeanor towards the slave woman. 'kind of like when the nice barista is kind to you and you think it's flirting, but really she's just being polite.' I thought.

' Ahh well, this world is a fucking shit show.' I thought. 'Slaves running around left and right; in fucking BDSM gear like it's fucking normal. But as Amara said there's not much I can do about it right now. And I'm not about to go and get myself killed by not fitting in. The best I can do is be polite and eventually, maybe, I will be able to change something.'

With Ashley and Sasha following behind me, I began to make my selections. I grabbed two journeyman-level cooking skill books that I intended for Sasha and myself. I also grabbed a journeyman level tailoring skill book, as well as the journeyman level skill books for short blades and bows. These were the skills that I intended to give to Sasha to hopefully give her a better chance of survival as she traveled with me.

Next for myself, I selected the journeyman level longsword skill book; herbalism, alchemy, and gardening. It was at this point that I continued over to the abilities and spells.

Abilities were useful but far more specific in their effects. The levels of abilities went from 1 to 10 and could only be increased with ability points gained from leveling. This meant that people only had a few options when it came to abilities; have a lot of low-level abilities or four to five high-leveled abilities.

I first selected two of the same ability stones, one for me and one for Sasha. The ability graceful dodging was a passive ability that massively increased one's balance and ability to move inside and out of battle. The second ability stone I chose for Sasha was another passive ability called precise strike. This greatly increases the accuracy of both ranged and close-quarter weapons.

For myself, I chose saving heal. An ability that for every point allocated to it would restore 10% of one's health upon the loss of life, instantly healing the user with the ability. I finally found the ability crystal inspect; this allowed for the user to gain information about targets implicit with the system. The last ability I chose was called resurrection. Just as the name implied, it would revive the ability user or their chosen target upon their death. At level one, it would resurrect the user once per day and a target once per day as long as they had died within one hour.

My last two selections were for Sasha as well; an air spell and shadow spells. Air blade and shadow tendril. With my final selections made, I headed to the central desk, where Ashley was more than happy to assist us in purchasing the acquired items.

Ashley began, "So we have here, nine skill books of the journeyman rank, six ability crystals, an air spell and a shadow spell." As she listed out the items, I saw an older man make his way from the back and up to the counter. He was clearly a manager of the store, and upon seeing me with Ashely, he made his way over.

"I am manager Bartley. Do you have any questions concerning the items you are purchasing? Servant Ashley can be quite the dullard at times." Bartley said in a weaselly voice that instantly conveyed his dislike for the elf.

"Are all the items one use?" I asked, hoping to get him to go away after answering one question. Ashley had been anything but dull in appearance and her bright, helpful personality.

"Well, I am aware that there are single use skill books, these skill books are the most finely crafted. Thus, after one use, it requires one month to recharge fully, before it can be used again. I'm afraid that the ability crystals and spells are all single use items." Bartley said with a slimy proud kind of smile on his face.

"Well, thank you I'm sure Ashley can finish." I said, lacing my words with an implied dismissal. Bartley looked momentarily confused as if he could not imagine why, I would not want him to ring me up personally; then he turned and walked away. Turning back to Ashley, I said, "Very good. Now Ashley if you would tell me the damage."

Is Ashley calculated the number, then she said, "The total for all of the items is 46 gold and 13 silvers."

I pulled my coin card from the front pocket on my new pants and placed it on the crystal rectangle. Ashley imputed the cost on her side, and a faint glow lit up the crystal then a prompt appeared.

[ Would you like to pay the indicated amount to Hobbs and sons. 46 gold coins and 13 silver coins. Funds will be automatically transferred from your account. Yes or No.]

I selected yes, and the all too familiar beep, beep of a card reader finishing it’s task could be heard. 'Wow… Somethings must just be standard acrost the board.' I thought.

"These new bank cards really are so amazing. Here is your receipt." Ashley said with a genuine smile and a look of wonder on her face. She then went about bagging the items and handed a sturdy-looking cloth bag to Sasha when she was done.

As Sasha and I made our goodbyes to Ashley, I noticed that Sasha had a somewhat terrified and ashamed look on her face. As if she was embarrassed by something and deathly afraid of something to come in the near future. The sight almost brought me up short, but the sun was setting, and we needed to get off the streets before we could address whatever problems she was having.

"Follow closely Sasha, the sun is getting close to the horizon and it's time to call it a day. We will be returning to the Marina Harbor club and my room." As I said this last, I felt the magic that bound Sasha begin to pull at her, ensuring that she would follow my command closely.