Having finished in the guild plane, we returned to the hotel.

Solomon: all right everyone, let's get moving.

Not wanting to waste time, we left to do our jobs. As we had decided, Gareth went to buy supplies for our next mission. As for the rest of us, we went to buy a guild space. Going across the centre plaza, we saw our destination.

A three story nondescript office building. In large gold letters the words "real estate agents" hung above the entrance.

Solomon: it's a little less flashy than I'd expected.

From what we knew this was the only estate agent in the city, as such I thought they would be rather grand.

Alice: maybe we've been tricked.

Though it was possible, I doubted it. All of the information Gareth had delivered to us was accurate so far.

Pluvia: we'll just have to go and see.

Bored of waiting, Pluvia started to walk towards the building. Shrugging my shoulders to Alice, we followed after her.

Upon entering the building we were surprised to find it was similar to a standard, office. There was a few rows of chairs for people to wait in, as well as a front desk. In front of the two people manning the desk were short lines of people.

Walking forward to line up, I felt an odd sense of unease. Following my instincts, I looked up. Following my actions, my guildmates did the same. To our surprise, hovering in the centre of the lobby was a giant floating eye.

In response to our gazes, it looked straight at us. Under the gaze of this mysterious eye, I felt as if our deepest secrets would be revealed. Wanting to avoid that feeling, we all ripped our gazes away.

Solomon: what is that thing?

Alice: what was that feeling? It was like it could see right through me.

Pluvia: calm down, it's a sensory eye.

Though Pluvia told us to calm down, she was not completely calm herself.

Solomon: you know what that thing is?

Pluvia: yeah, it’s an android that some guilds use. From what I know it can discern the strength of people up to Z rank.

For the estate agents to have such an item proved their strength to us. However, it also put us on edge. If they had such a powerful android in their front lobby, what would they have elsewhere?

Solomon: can it tell what you are?

If it could tell the true origin of Pluvia it would cause us massive problems.

Pluvia: fortunately not, though it can tell I'm a dragon, it can't determine the origins of my soul.

Though this could cause some minor issues, in the worst case scenario, pluvia could dissipate her body and hide in dragons fire.

Solomon: okay, if things go badly, return and hide in dragons fire. Then I'll summon you back later.

Having spent a lot of time talking, we had reached the front of the line.

Receptionist: hello, how can I help you today.

Like in the hotel, the receptionist was a robot.

Solomon: we'd like to purchase a guild space.

Getting straight to the point, I hoped to finish up here as fast as possible.

Receptionist, yes sir, could you fill this out, please.

Reaching under the desk, she pulled out some type of form. Looking it over it was surprisingly simple. It asked for some simple information like the guild and guild leaders name, as well as the budget. After a minute or so I had filled out the form.

Receptionist, thank you, sir, please take a set. We'll have on of our workers with you in a minute.

Walking over to the seating area, we sat in a few open seats.

Alice: is it me, or was that too, normal.

Solomon: I get what you mean, it's like buying a house back on earth.

Except for the weird floating eye and odd appearance of the customers, the whole place felt like an estate agent from earth.

Pluvia: it's built like that for the comfort of the customers. I'm sure you'd prefer this than some sort of barbaric auction system.

Thinking about it, this was much better than it could be.

Solomon: If you put it like that, then it does make sense.

After 5 minutes or so a person walked over to us. He was a tall man wearing a white suit.

White suit: excuse me, are you, Solomon?

Though he asked the question, it was obviously just a formality.

Solomon: that's me.

Fredrick: I am Fredrick, one of the employees here. Shall we go to discuss your request?

He chose his words carefully as he spoke. He was probably very experienced in dealing with customers. Though he was very polite, my instincts told me this man was far stronger than me.

Solomon: sure, you don't mind if my guildmates join us, do you?

Fredrick: that's no problem at all.

Though he was outwardly calm, he was momentarily surprised by my words.

Fredrick: please, follow me.

Walking off, we followed Fredrick. Taking us to one of the doors by the front desk, we entered a room. Inside was a simple desk with chairs, oddly it was the perfect amount for all of us.

Fredrick: this is a consultation room. In here nothing from the outside world can hear us. As is customary, we like to keep our client's details confidential.

Solomon: that's a good policy, so shall we get down to business.

Being as we could not be out at night, I wanted to get this done quickly. That way I could complete all of the necessary jobs today.

Fredrick: certainly, let me just check your details.

With a flash of light, the form we had filled in appeared in his hand.

Fredrick: so your budget is, 900 points.

After giving Gareth points for supplies, I had 1600 leftover, as I would need tokens to buy anything worthwhile, I decided to spend most of my points like this. I would use the rest to exchange for things through the system.

Solomon: that's right, though to be honest, we're not sure what we can get for that amount.

Fredrick: with your strength, it must have taken you a long time to collect so many points. I would advise you to keep these for more important things.

Though he was a businessman, it appeared Fredrick still had a conscience. Unlike most people who would seek the most amount of points, he advised us otherwise.

Solomon: thank you for your warning, however, this is a decision we've already made.

Every time I'd say we've, he seemed a little surprised. Though I was unsure why.

Fredrick: if that's the case, I won't press further. What are you looking for?

In all honesty, I had no idea how much guild spaces cost. It would be good if we could get a 4 bedroom apartment.

Solomon: like I said, I'm not aware of the price of guild spaces. With that in mind, I would like at least a 4 bedroom apartment.

Hearing my minimum request, Fredrick lost his usually calm demeanour.

Fredrick: HAHAHAHAHAHA, AH, I'm sorry, I lost myself there.

Having been subjected to the same reactions before, I was used to it by now.

Solomon: it's fine, but what's so funny?

Fredrick: something like a 4 bedroom apartment would cost 150-200 points, I'm just surprised that you think so little of points that you earned through life and death struggles.

Realistically speaking, most people would struggle to make this many points on a mission. The fact that we had made over 4 thousand together was miraculous.

Solomon: oh, then what could we get for 900 points?

If 200 got you a large apartment, 900 must get you something like a large house.

Fredrick: a 10 bedroom mansion with an ample garden. Or if you'd prefer a 15 bedroom mansion without a garden.

Solomon: A 10 BEDROOM MANSION!?

It was much more than I hoped to get.

Fredrick: that's right.

Solomon: please show us the ones available.

Being able to get such a luxurious guild space was like a dream.

Fredrick: okay, so we currently have 5 available. Here you go.

With another flash of light, 5 pieces of paper appeared on the desk. Each containing photos, a floor plan and a description.

All of us began to look these over intently. The first was a 9 bedroom mansion with a large garden. It had on suits for each bedroom, as well as several living rooms, two kitchens and a large basement. However, better than all these features was the magical arrays all over the mansion. Every room had self-cleaning arrays, as well as self-repair arrays. Other than that each kitchen had 2 androids that would cook for us. The best array, though, was one that spanned the whole property, the self-defence array. According to the description, it could hold up to the attack from anyone below D rank. This would be a great insurance in the current dispute with the capitalist mages.

After looking through them 4 of them were like the first with differences in room and garden size and amount.

Alice: is it just me, or is this one out of place?

The last one was different to the others. According to the description, it was a 8 bedroom one barracks mansion. It was much smaller than the others with only one living room and kitchen. The garden was also much smaller. According to the description, the basement was a barracks that could contain 20 people. It also had no androids.

But there was one feature that stuck out, the arrays. It had the usual repair and cleaning arrays as well as an upgraded defence array. Anything below B rank could not enter. However, it had 2 new arrays. One called the time density array. According to the description, time in the array flowed 2 times slower. The other array was called the spatial compression array. This array worked like dragons fire, allowing the storage of a huge amount of items.

Solomon: it's the arrays, they seem special.

Jumping in, Fredrick explained.

Fredrick: normally these arrays would appear in mansions costing at least 1800 points, however, due to the tiny size of the mansion the price is low.

Pluvia: we should get this mansion. The time density array will be extremely useful for us.

With two times the amount of time, we could greatly increase our strength before next mission.

Fredrick: I'm afraid it's not as useful as it seems, it can only operate for 8 hours a day.

Solomon: hmm, I think we should get this one.

Talking to my guildmates I chose my preference, the time density mansion.

Pluvia: I agree.

Alice: for now it is the best choice, let's go for it.

Seeing the exchange between us, Fredrick was perplexed. Seeing his expression I asked what was wrong.

Solomon: is there an issue?

Fredrick: no, it's just rare to see a guild leader like you.

Solomon: like me?

Though I had good talent and incredible luck, he didn't know about that. So I wondered what he meant.

Fredrick: a leader who treats his guildmates like allies, not like dispensable pawns. Anyway, let me formalise the deal.

From what he said, guild leaders who were manipulative were far more common. It did make sense, after all, it's easier to control people than it is to win their trust.

Fredrick: do you, agree to purchase this mansion for the price of 900 points.

Solomon: I agree.

Ourous: 900 points deducted, mansion. clearwater, purchased.

With Ourous's confirmation, we had brought our guild space.