“Our hero watches the tall and muscular man standing in his way. The tension is palpable!”

“Will you stop? He’s not even taller than me.”

‘Tall?’

“Like a strong gusts of wind, the two flounder gallantly! Like princess of autumn!”

“Can you stop? You have no future in poetry!”

‘Poetry? Sir, can we help you?’

‘Who is making all that noise?’

‘It’s some insane flower boy, sir.’

“Flower what now. I am a very manly man! I’ll strip for you right here and now!”

‘Sir. Stop that. Put your clothes on! Sir! This is an archery!’

‘Mirel, what in Maests’ name is going on back there!?’

‘I’m sorry sir.’

“Look. Mirel, I need to learn whatever is taught here. It’s already pretty late.”

“Due to series of unpredictable events, our hero has managed to avoid a fight to death.”

“Narry, bro. It was all under control.”

‘I’m afraid we aren’t holding any auditions tonight, sir. I’d really appreciate it if you did me a favor and leave.’

“Mir, can I call you Mir? Look Mir, I hate to inconvenience you but I really want to do this tonight.

How about this, I throw you a few bones, and you set me up with the best crafter here. Alright?”

‘Bones? What in the name of the great white wood is wrong with you.’

“Bones. Money! God damn it. Look. Seals. Here.”

“Like a veritable moneybag, our hero grabs a handful of vertiseals and puts them on counter and puts on the countenance of an eccentric billionaire.”

“I trust this will solve the issue. Perhaps I should contact my good friend Asteri, a little known master rune engraver.”

“Although silence has befallen our newly acquainted bowyer, his eyes have lit up like a forest fire in the night.”

‘Of course, the young master is always welcomed here at our Letta’s bowyers and archery.’

“That’s more like Mer.”

‘Excuse me a moment, I’ll inform the master of your arrival.’

“As the opportunist, Mer, leaves the room. Our hero’s arrogant look fades into his default. Even his eyes have lost their shine and vibrant color, leaving them darkened and dulled.”

“That’s a bit overboard isn´t it? What am I? A chameleon?”

“The death-provoking voice reverberates the room, leaving one feeling withered and dry. Perhaps this is the voice of the forsaken?”

“Bunch of a bows everywhere. Is this all wood?”

“The room, cluttered with bows. Each clearly of high quality, in this city at least.”

“This one looks like iron.”

|Woodchrome bow of illusion|

Unable to discover items properties.

“Too high a level, hmm.

Woodchrome. That’s an odd thing, right?”

“With an amiable smile, Mer walks into the room as our hero continues to admire the beautifully crafted bows.”

‘The master is prepared to see the young master now.’

“How extraordinary. Like a mask.”

“Good! Good! Here you go Mer, a little something for the trouble.”

‘Mer thanks the young master.’

“Mmmm. Lead the way.”

‘Follow me.’

“One can’t help but to question our hero’s character as his demeanor and more astonishingly, appearance changes within a blink of an eye.”

“So who am I meeting with then, Mer? Is it Letta?”

‘No, no, no. Grand master Letta hasn’t dealt with outsiders in a few years now. His son, master Attel, has taken over the business entirely.’

“I see. I see. Very good.”

“After walking out of the bowyer storefront, our two faced hero is lead to a larger open area. Despite being inside we can see large open area. Grass and small ponds scattered around.”

“What a beautiful area, hard to believe we are still indoors.”

‘Rumor is that Grandmaster Letta saved a prominent formation master from one of the inner cities, supposedly it was a disciple of one of the ancient clans.’

“I’m sorry, ancient clans?”

‘One of eight pillars of our previous world. Their strength was tower in our previous world, according to the stories.’

“Hoooh. You seem to know a lot about this.”

“Appearing quite haughty, little Mer’s nose gives the illusion of growing two inches as he tilts his head slightly into the air.”

‘Huhuhue. You don’t know this young master, but I am the oldest son of a prominent historian!’

“Hooooh. So you’re a nerd?”

“Before the confused son of a historian is allowed his response, we see a man appear out of thin air, sitting on comfortable looking chair. Enjoying a drink of some sort.”

“Where did he come from?”

‘So. This is what my greedy apprentice has brought me. A frail boy, barely teetering on the edge of manhood.’

“The hell?”

‘You can go Mer, you really are your father’s son.’

‘Thank you, sir.’

“With a small bow, Mer turns around and heads back.”

‘Well.’

“Teach me your craft, please.”

‘Ah. You spoiled brats are all the same. No proprietary, no manners.’

“Eh?”

‘Tell me, whose clan are you from? Wait, let me guess. Skinny, arrogant, pale and stupid. Maybe a Ire? No. A Baltof?’

“First of all, I’m not skinny, the word is elegant or graceful. Second of all, there just isn't a lot of sun in this place.”

“Silence. Such abrupt silence. Yet both men appear deep in thought. Nearly mirroring each other gestures.”

‘Something just occurred to me, Ji, was it? You look rather human. That pale skin and full eyes. But above all, the hair on your skin.’

“I’m still humran, I think. And what are you? An owl-person?”

“A strange glint appears in the eyes of master Attel’s big round eyes.”

‘I’m not sure what this Owl-person is, but I’m afraid my lineage is a guarded secret, little Ji.’

“Well. I’m doing this quest, consider me thoroughly creeped out.”

‘Oh, please do, it is my pleasure of help a human.’

“Okay then.”

“After another short moment of silence. Attel waves his hands and various tools and materials appear on top of a spacious workbench.

Our heroquickly skims over the book on the table before getting to work.”

‘Good. Not bad.’

‘Ohh. Very smooth.’

“As praises rain on our hero, we can see him slightly tremble. Despite his obvious discomfort he managed to finish his objective with relative ease.”

“Here. Bye.”

“Before our hero managed to reach the perceived exist a gust of wind kicks up and a certain large eyed man has appeared from seemingly nowhere.”

‘Are we in a hurry, little Ji?’

“Yes. Very hurry. I mean yes, I really can’t stay a moment longer. Thank you and good bye.”

“Like a scared cat, the young master slinks away, an amusing spectacle.”

“You think this is funny?

That man isn’t right. I’m sure. I’m never coming back here.

He’s not following me is he?”

“It does not look like our will not learn the fabled art of bow making. One of the world’s most impactful weaponry, when used on a large scale.”

“Yes, yes. Bows sound very interesting. But magic sounds a lot better.”

“Like all things in life, they are governed by laws. Which in turn follow truths. That in turn follow greater truths.”

“I’m sorry, what?”

“The laws of water, can be seen following a different law or even combined into other laws, creating something lesser or more powerful.

Laws however have strict limits, while truths overlap with far greater ease.”

“How did we get into this? I’ve already given up on this whole law and truth nonsense, Narry.

It just doesn't seem real, ya’know?

Besides, I’ll figure it out along the way right?”

“Somewhere, deep within this part of the lower planes, we can hear a near inaudible sigh, shaking one’s foundations.

One never ceases to learn, yet this one can’t help but feel the tangible regression.”

“Hm? Just one more place to go right? We’ll go tomorrow.

Tio.”

‘Hey Ji!’

“Just wanted to tell you I am done. Going to find a place to stay for the night.”

‘I know.’

Right. So yo-I'm sorry. You know? How?

“It would appear the Oh-clan has felt the need to monitor our misshapen hero.

One can only guess whether it is due to the value he represents or if a certain noble lady is worried and paranoid.”

“Misshapen!? I am very rightshapen!”

‘Ji?’

“Second Tio. Gotta deal with this.

I´ll have you know. My face and figure is indefinitely nearing perfection.”

“The three men monitoring our hero all raise one eyebrow, almost synchronized. Nearby citizens throw a glance, a giggle or a scoff.”

“Alright Tio. I’ll see you later.”

‘Okay, stay safe Ji.’

“Mn.”

“Ji finds another lodging to rest his head for the night. Contrary to his appearance he is exhausted and has fallen asleep moments after laying down.

‘Ji-iiiiii~.’

“A familiar scene. Two free spirits, lying without care in a pool of warm water. Water that may leave behind irreparable water damage. But that is none of our concern.”

‘Wake up~.’

“Mrerm?”

“A sound eerily similar to one of ancient origins of mana escapes our hero’s mouth, bringing with it a tremor, imperceptible to all but seven individuals in the city.”

“What a dream.”

‘What did you dream?’

“I was in an ocean. And the only way out was drinking it all.

So I drank and drank. Later I realized it was not water but mana.

By the way.”

‘Yes?’

“Why am I wet? Why is the entire room wet?”

‘Perhaps it was your ocean.’

“With a crafty look, Tio averts her eyes and stands up, her blue nightgown moves unnaturally, barely holding its form.

Our hero’s casual glance reveals his intention but he quickly hides behind a veneer of callowness.”

“I only have one more place to visit before I go on a quest to increase my level.”

‘I would join you but there has been an explosive increase in my business since you arrived. It has been very beneficial for me.’

“Oh? How so?”

‘Ever since word got spread that a public quest was discovered, thousands flocked to the facilities. Even if only a small portion receive quests.’

“Do you know what kind of quests they get?”

‘It is mostly generic, painfully generic and dangerous. But they all brave it anyway, hoping they will be rewarded with another quest similar to the quests of the first generations.’

“The dam broken, the mere arrival of our hero has set cogs in motion. A great upheaval is upon the myriad races living in the lower plane, Erudth.”

“Alright. Well, I’m going to get this quest over with.

I’ll probably pick something I can practice while I travel.”

“The temptress quickly leaves the rather luxurious hotel room, leaving our hero behind.”

“I’m thinking about picking up engraving and alchemy. I think I can definitely practice engraving anywhere and alchemy also has a gathering side.”

“With a serious expression, our hero faces a wardrobe of newly procured clothing. A look of hesitation, confusion and lastly enlightenment.”

“This is it. What do you think?”

“The rare silk garments gives of an exquisite aura, an aura of nobility and refined grace. Completely wasted on our easily forgotten hero.”

“It’s good right? Hehe. You may not know this, but my sense of fashion is extraordinary.

I was on the verge of becoming a nudist, the clothing people wear are so crude.”

“The aura of a narcissist emerges, appearing more powerful than ever before!”

“I may have to think about getting into tailoring, if only to be able to dress properly.”

“…”