Chapter 43: The Trade

I slept for a long time. Not a good sleep, a restless writhing discomfort plagued my body. Yet when I finally found my slumber; I stayed there far longer than I should have.

Sighing internally, I get up. A shouldn’t just waste a day like it's nothing. Momentum is very important. When I was training my body, I realized if I took a ‘break’ I found it so much harder to continue. If I hadn’t had that break, I likely wouldn’t have stopped for 3 months.

Looking out the window, ‘my gaze glossing over my island,’ must be afternoon. Mentally berating myself for wasting the entire morning I get up fully. I get dressed if that’s what you call equipping my Armor; it’s a second skin by now I suppose. I don’t even feel its weight anymore. Of course, I do have normal clothes. But I hardly ever wear them, some are even kept in my bag of holding. Partially from laziness, partially from the practicality of Armor.

I head downstairs, preparing an American-style omelet, large curdles, and lots of salts and fats. I put so much butter and salt in it; it's closer to a heart attack than a breakfast. I am feeling waffles, I should make a waffle iron soon. Then all I need is the batter.

Finding Chic, I play around with them, throwing the ball around. Just generally enjoying their company. Shrinking spell, I can shrink them so they can fit in my pocket. Then I don’t have to worry about bringing a giant spider around. I already neglect my pets far too much, it’s a good idea. Especially if I am considering making Chic my familiar.

For that, I will have to advance in ars magica. Actually, isn’t there an amulet of shrinking or something? A quick NEI search resulted in a terrifying number of options. Selecting a really cheap recipe; being scrooge reincarnated after all. It appears like a Gameboy, crafting it with an ender pearl, glass, iron, and a stone button.

Grasping it in my hand, I click the up button, which made me larger by I guess, 1/4? The down button reverses the effect and then continues the theme in the opposite direction. Immediately bringing the toy to Chic, I show them how it works. I was afraid at first it would only work on players. I was quickly found this wrong. Turning around I found Chic 4x the normal size, dwarfing me. My heart jumped out of my chest seeing a giant arachnid.

I quickly got them to shrink back to normal size. I took the time to craft a small glass container with breathing holes and a comfortable cloth bottom. I really just refurbished a mini-cage I was able to craft with glue, glass, and cloth. It resulted in a small homelike structure to which I can hand around my side like a handbag.

It took a while to convince Chic to shrink themselves, upon which I picked them up and placed them within. They panicked slightly before I showed the door on it was unlocked. Just in case I craft and then bind an ID card to Chic, once crafted with an emerald compass I now have a way to find them if they ever get lost.

Taking my now rather cute partner with me through the Telepad was a nervous experience. Anxiety plaguing me about how it could go wrong. Thankfully unfounded as we both appeared at the other end without concern.

I actually have a goal in town today, but I take the scenic route to show Chic around. The spider was positively jumping around. Mental note to do the same for Sling so they don’t get left out. I bought some beef at the market, to which I gave to Chic. To my amazement, they finished a piece of beef twice the size of them. Terrifying, yet cool too.

Before heading to my desired location, I spend a short while continuing my painting. Not bullied by rock-throwing children today thankfully. I didn’t spend long before continuing on.

Finding myself at a familiar place, the governmental building always housing the mayor, does he ever sleep. I don’t know. Finding the same clerk, who now addresses me by name. Seeing the mayor shouldn’t be so easy; guess I am special.

“Hey Aeternum, what do you need? Want me to arrange a meeting with the mayor?” He says in a chipper tone.

Crossing my brows slightly, “Is it that obvious?” More a statement than a question.

They reply nonetheless in the same tone. “Of course, it’s the only reason you ever appear here after the first visit.”

Loosening my shoulders in defeat, “Fine you win, please arrange me a meeting.”

Without reply the clerk, whose name I don’t know scurries towards the office; I should ask their name soon.

They return quickly with a happy reply. “He can see you immediately.” The smile on their face.

“A pleasant surprise, thank you,” I say in an equally chipper tone. Mood improved by good news.

As I walk towards his office, I hear a reply, slightly quieter “No problem, you are always so polite Afterall.” Knitting my brows, are people that rude to them that I am an anomaly.

Finding myself at the familiar office, I knock the rhythm we all know, yet don’t know where it's from. “Come in” I hear from the other side. To which I comply stepping inside the office. Noting a slight cluttered appearance today, a young man is quickly running around organizing books.

He looks at me, face dropping slightly with a sigh, “So what trouble do you bring me today? If it's paperwork il kill you.”

I reply unperturbed “Glad you are in a good mood. Anyway, I have a business proposition.” His brows rise ever so slightly.

He glances over to the… apprentice? I don’t know what they are. They meet the gaze, realizing its meaning quickly they run out the door. I never figured out that skill. I prefer words over body language; less room for misinterpretation.

Although, I understand this is where I talk, without needing his reply.

“So, the first il start by laying a card on the table. I am not so familiar with everything. I won't tell you why but my information is rather limited. So, my proposition is two-fold. First, I can ask you for common sense, general information, and slightly more valuable governmental, local geographical, and local superpowers information. Second I would like to be put in contact with a ‘Coven’ who can supply me with ingredients for the ritual of binding.”

I look over his face, clearly in a Pokerface, showing little emotion. “That’s a lot you’re asking for, what's in exchange? And what would make you think I have said information or could even contact said ‘coven.’”

Showing good faith, I answer honestly. “The general information, most have that. The governmental information? You didn’t make it to mayor without your fair share of working for and around the government. It’s a guess, but an educated one I suppose. Now the ‘coven’ contact; from what I have read, groups form developing new technologies and magic. It's far more efficient to specialize. So, a group must exist that can supply me with what I need. Of course, you may not have direct contact with one. But I would place a bet you could find a way to contact one.”

Taking a short breath, I talk about what I will supply. “I don’t truly know the value of the resources I have access to. But it's nothing to scoff at. I will supply you with something valuable. It can be Armor, spacial storage. Whatever you want I’ll find a way. And if I can't personally find or craft said item. I will supply a wealth of information on it.”

I have never seen a Pokerface crumble into a combination of disbelieves, and hope. On one hand, he likely finds it hard to believe, or the fact I would give such a deal. But also, the fact the offer is on his desk, is likely very tempting.

He looks at me for a long time, trying to look behind my helmet. Eventually relenting he speaks, a weird combination of emotions tainting his normally rough voice. “First, for safety reasons, you don’t get anything until I get everything. You have no backer, no reputation other than being a massive main.” I interject with “Touché” he looks at me sternly before continuing. “I want two things, a personal form of flight and something to improve the town.”

He pauses for a short while before helpfully adding. “A strong town means my political foundations are stronger.”

I consider his counteroffer, finding it fair; and the fact I little foundational knowledge in trading in this world, I start discussing what we will do to improve the town. “I accept, but please do tell me what this town could use to improve it.”

What follows was an exhaustingly long-winded conversation that boiled down to personal amenities and some kind of attraction. The first problem, the town has little to do. The second, even though it’s a healthy growing town, it doesn’t have that x-factor that makes people want to migrate to it.

For the first issue, at first, I was stumped, how can I improve the quality of living through enjoyment. So, what I ended up settling on was a small floating island, with a bridge leading to town. On top will be a carnival-style place. It will have a minecart rollercoaster running around the whole island. I will also include a parkour area overtop slime blocks for safety. I will also add familiar carnival games like ring toss, knock the bottle over. Those kinds of things. And finally, I will create a play area, half for children and a half for adults. Less so parkour and more an area for roughhousing and general fun.

This solves both issues very well, it is the x-factor. Let's go to this town it has a floating carnival. This will open up jobs and create new activities within the town. The mayor told me if I can actually build it he will be very impressed. Challenge accepted… for tomorrow. For now, I will work on his first item, a personal flight item. I am for sure not making him Armor like mine. One pink knight is more than enough for this town.

I inform the mayor he will be able to fly before the end of the day. He just scoffed. Heading into town, I buy some leather and feathers.

Heading home I take that new nether star, a slight pang of pain running across my chest using it for such a gamble. I suppose I could just steal it back if he doesn’t fulfill his end of the bargain.

Crafting it with leather and gold I produced an advanced belt. Combining that belt with feathers produced a belt of flight. Testing it out, and verifying this form of flight is awesome. I will be crafting my own in the future for now my Armor works.

Heading straight back to the building, walking past the clerk and immediately knocking. He answers angrily “Who is it!” clearly not expecting company. I walk in anyway, lets show some dominance here.

In my normal polite tone, “I thought you wanted this.” ‘looking over him’ he's scribbling away at paperwork as normal. I toss the belt towards him. He catches it gracefully, ‘carefully inspecting it’. “Go on, put it on, and test your belt of flying.”

Gazing at me in disbelieve. “Did you just glue some chicken feathers on a belt?” I guess it doesn’t look very professional.

‘Facepalming’ “Try it on, then complain.” Struggling to keep the frustration out of my voice.

He puts it on, apprehension clear on his face. That quickly changes to disbelief as he rises off the ground. And then I laugh as he bangs his head on the ceiling “ouch.” I say in between fits of laughing and breathing.

He was so enamored by the belt he doesn’t even notice me laughing on the floor. He turns to me just as I managed to get myself together. I then hear something I never expected to hear. “Apologies, you're legitimate; thank you, I look forward to the ‘island carnival’ as you call it.”

“No problem, see you soon. By the way, you can’t fall and hurt yourself while wearing it, it automatically stops you from hurting yourself if it involves normal gravity.” He nods appreciatively as I excuse myself.

I suppose it's time to round up all the items I will need. Man, I love islands. I can hear his childlike giggles as I walk down the hall. The clerk just looks at me, then at the corridor; confusion scribbled in permanent marker over their face. Today was fun.