After the ambush, a small contingent of fighters escorted Jen’s party to the Arc Guild compound, while most of the other fighters scoured the city trying to kill all the remaining members of the Poison Dagger guild.

Sam messaged Jen, “Any ideas on how to get Captain Gru and Lt. Rowe to stop bragging to Deck Director Roger about how I am some sort of Grand Master Mage?”

Jen replied, “Your spells killed over half the enemy and saved Lt. Rowe’s life. It would draw more attention if we tried to stop them from relating the events to their Deck Director. I do have a couple of ideas on how we can manage the situation, but for now, just let it play out.”

While heading to the Arc Guild, Lt. Rowe pulled Jen aside and whispered, “just a word of advice, our Deck Director charges and taxes guild members for every little thing we do. As non-guild members, he will try to charge you way more than market price for anything you purchase! Make sure you get quoted the price before you accept even a sip of water from the guild.”

Jen nodded to Lt. Rowe with appreciation and said, “Thank you, Lt. Rowe. I hope I can return the favor someday.”

Lt. Rowe replied with a smile, “I’m alive. You owe me nothing!”

When they finally arrived at the guildhall, Director Roger said, “Mistress Jen, you must know the significant costs the Arc Guild spent to rescue your party from the Poison Dagger Guild.”

Jen smiled tightly and replied, “I would advise you to consider the cost to the Arc Guild’s honor if you failed to meet your obligations.”

Director Roger explained, “Don’t worry too much, you will recover ‘most’ of the cost of the rescue from the poison dagger loot drops your party is entitled to, and the rest of the cost of the rescue can come from the money in your multi-deck account.”

Alchemist Paul saw the murder in Tamako’s eyes and the revolt in Captain Gru’s and Lt. Rowe’s, and immediately spoke, “Deck Director, the Arc Guild was obligated to escort them safely to the Arc Guild.”

Director Roger objected, “Do you know how much that mana barrier scroll, that Captain Gru used cost the guild!”

Paul calmly stated, “Director, please give me access to the enchanted meeting minutes notebook, and you can read the Guild’s obligations yourself.”

The Director’s attitude was pissing Sam off. He texted Jen, “Your decision, but it wouldn’t break my heart if you wanted to come back later and give him an old-fashioned ‘accounting’! :)”

Jen groaned at the old man’s stupid pun, and was about to reply to Sam’s text, but then saw Sam’s attention snap towards Paul at his mention of the enchanted meeting minutes’ notebook.

Paul continued to unnecessarily explain to Director Roger, in an effort to help Jen, Sam and Tamako, stand against the Director’s claims, “As you know, I am required to update the meeting minutes notebook immediately upon arriving at the guildhall.”

Director Roger grudgingly handed Paul a notebook with an enchantment sewn into the cover. Paul placed the notebook against his forehead, and the Arc Guild’s meeting minutes from the First Deck were transcribed from Paul’s mind directly into its pages.

Paul said, “Mistress Jen, you and your party are not guild members, so I cannot give you access to the meeting minutes, but on my honor, I will allow no one in our guild to deny the truth they contain.”

Paul turned the notebook to the section regarding Jen’s party and handed it to Director Roger.

Paul laughed internally as he watched Director Roger read the specific message Deck Director Constance had left for him, “Roger, you cheap, greedy shit, don’t let me find out that you tried to charge our guests even a single copper for the guild’s transport services. Trust me, if you double-cross them, they will not hesitate to kill you, and if they don’t, I will travel to the Second Deck myself and kick your ass. I will then call for a multi-deck removal committee on your dumb ass! These guests have POWER, and I do not want you alienating their friendship with the Arc Guild.”

Paul noticed the Deck Director grumble quietly, “that uppity bitch,” but Director Roger apologized to Jen and her companions, and even offered them a FREE place to stay in one of the guild’s guest houses for the evening.

Jen avoided any further questions by expressing their exhaustion and accepting the guild’s hospitality for a room.

The next morning Jen grinned at Tamako when they heard Sam finally waking up and heading into the kitchen, and she said, “Good morning Grand Master! Tamako, please set the breakfast table for the great and powerful Grand Master Mage!” Tamako briefly smiled, before hiding her emotions and pretending to ignore Sam and Jen’s unique relationship and humor.

“Tamako, I heard Captain Gru tell Director Roger that our little Sam hear was actually a Grand Master Mage with the most unusual and powerful spells, and a mana pool so massive that he suspected Sam might even be a Deck dropper from the Fourth Deck!”

Tamako stood up and replied to Jen, “Leave me out of this. I thought Sam did an admirable job considering his normally terrible fighting ability. I am going to go get ready for exploring the City!”

Sam just groaned at Jen’s ribbing. With his ring projectiles and body enchantment tattoos, he had killed about one-half of the enemy fighters, but in reality, the strongest fighters could withstand his attacks. Captain Gru cast the barrier scroll, and Captain Gru and Lt. Rowe killed and defended against the strongest of the enemy that attacked from the front. Tamako and Jen had a relatively simple time with the remaining weaker fighters advancing from the rear.

“Alright! Alright! We’ve lost the anonymity we were hoping for. What do you suggest we do?” Sam asked Jen as he tucked into his breakfast.

“I hope Alchemist Paul will be O.K.,” Jen said as she sat down next to Sam at the breakfast table. Sam nodded in agreement. They both knew he went to bat for them last night with Director Roger.

Sam realized he forgot about operational security and jerked his head towards Jen with concern and said, “Can we speak freely?”

Jen replied, “yes, I’ve double-checked the house for any listening devices. We can speak freely. Also, to answer your question about what we should do, well … Paul, Captain Gru, and Lt. Rowe all think you are hiding your real level. We should assume that everyone in the Arc Guild thinks the same.”

Sam finished a bite of some type of egg that Jen had whipped up, and asked, “They saw us when we teleported in, if they checked our levels, why would they think I’m any higher than level 27?”

“They definitely checked our levels when we jumped in. Tamako’s fighting ability reflected a very skilled level 25 fighter, and my fighting reflected my skill level. Also, did you notice that after the ambush Tamako reached level 26?”

Sam nodded at Tamako and said, “Congrats! Where are you putting your points?”

Tamako perked up at this question. Her level as Captain of the Casino City guard hadn’t increased in many years, and she loved finally leveling again, and said, “We already have enough Mana points to jump to the Third Deck. I’m putting all my points into strength, stamina, and agility.”

Sam looked back to Jen, “What about you? How far are you from Level 27 after the attack?”

“Really close! I only need another…”

Sam’s mind revolted against the whole “experience points” calculations. The whole system just irritated him. There was no rhyme or reason that he could figure out why the experience points requirement increased at each level. The only thing that was consistent was the point requirement went up a LOT. It also frustrated him that the number of points gained for killing beasts, people, or for the creation of new magical techniques was so varied. This only consistency was, the more difficult the challenge, the more experience points earned.”

Jen stopped talking when she noticed Sam’s glazed look, threw some of the blue eggs at him, and said, “Why ask me if you’re not going to pay attention!”

“Come on! Those eggs stained my stupid robe. You answered my question when you said ‘really close’.”

Tamako shook her head in sympathy with Jen and said to her, “Sweetheart, you know he is old. He can’t help it that he can’t pay attention for longer than a few minutes.”

Sam just grunted “ha ha”. He realized that Tamako actually just bailed him out and didn’t want to try to defend himself from her insult.

Jen still looked ticked, but asked, “When you hit level 28 last night, how many experience points did the System tell you were needed to reach level 29?”

Sam rolled his eyes and said, “A BaJillion!”, but then forwarded her the System’s message he received when he hit level 28.

“Wow!” replied Jen after reading the System message.

“Exactly! A complete waste to even think about it. So back to the issue we need to deal with. What are we going to do about my level and the Arc Guild?”

Jen paused, and then shrugged. “Show your actual level, and let them think what they want to think. I’m pretty sure they also think you are a much more powerful mage than you are an enchanter. They didn’t realize the crossbow bolts and logs came from your rings, and they definitely don’t know about your body formation tattoos, so … we should let them keep thinking your main strength is in your casting ability.”

Sam sighed in agreement and said, “True, they know from the First Deck that I can cast lightning, healing, and water spells. I believe they will just assume I also have a spell for the crossbow bolts, but I doubt they’ve ever heard of someone casting log spells.”

“I have a plan. I want you to forge your mana system to look broken. Make your channels and core look like your mana is flowing erratically and blocked off in some areas.”

Sam perked up and replied, “I like what you’re thinking. Nice plan, boss lady!”

Jen smiled at his compliment and said, “Switching topics a little. What did you think of those guns? It looked like some kind of steam contraption powered them.”

“They were powerful enough to punch through the enemy’s armor, but I think they were one-shot and done weapons. I definitely want to ask about them in the City today and see what else the Second Deck offers.”

Tamako finished their discussion, saying, “Let’s finish breakfast, get our money from the account, collect the loot we’re owed from the battle, and then go shopping!”

Jen cheered and then laughed at Sam’s groaning.