While talking, we arrived at a strange place. It was surrounded by rocks and strange animals. It was a mix of a swamp, but with rock-like structures and organism

„This is the Rock swamp resource zone with the Rock tower. Not a very creative name if you ask me but it describes it perfectly. This one is one of the most profitable zones of the Order. The only reason we still have it is that the Order of the Elements is in a lockdown with the league and it is on our side of the mountain, Else it would have already been sacked by one of the major organizations. Still, we pay most of the resources from here to the Order of the elements. Watch out for the apprentices from this place, They have brownish robes and they are strong. Not like those willy nillys who followed you into the black beetle forest.“ He said.

The ship rocked to a halt. The Rock tower in front of me was a lot bigger than the one in Osmor. It was 50 per cent higher and somewhat thicker. The most astonishing were the runes on the sides. I understood nothing, but they looked beautiful, like art.

„That tower is a beauty. Bought from the Mumons, it is one of their more expensive products. The Runes are beautiful aren’t they? “ he said.

„Yes, Yes they are, “I said a bit dazed

„Don’t drool, you couldn’t afford it even if you slave away in your magic scrolls business forever“ he said

„So expensive?“I asked

„Yes, this baby cost 20 times more than the one in Osmor“ he said

I sucked in some air from my surprise. That’s a whole lot of money, even though I don’t know how much the Tower in Osmor cost.

„So why exactly are you so forthcoming with information?“I ask in puzzlement. Normally every bit of info from him is expensive. He rarely gives out information for free, but this amount is unheard of.

He laughs „It’s an investment.“

„in me? Why?“I ask

„Because you are the smartest persons I know with the most potential. Maybe they don’t have interest because of your affinity, but what you did until now astonished me a lot. You are not a genius in leadership, but your ability to make things is very rare. I am very confident in you“ He said.

I am sure that there were some things that he left unsaid. Some things that left me very uncomfortable, but nothing I can do about it.

„Look, I know you are paranoid, but I won’t be able to become a mage, like ever because of some reasons. And the only person I know and might be willing to help out is you. It is a long shot, but I am getting older. The older I get the harder it is going to break through and the less lifespan I get“ he said a bit anxious. So he is desperate, he put some hope in Allister, but most likely he lost that hope and he just stays for being useful.

I mean why not? It isn’t like I am making an underground organization. I think that the biggest argument for his decision is my small gang escapade and how I go about with them. Hmm, a sly fox, but nothing some good old soul sorcery can’t manage.

„So what exactly am I supposed to do with that?“I asked

„Please don’t be like that, I am getting pretty desperate around here. Some info as means of my sincerity.“ He said

„The black and white gang used to be one gang under the leadership of an aristocrat, one of the hidden places they put in the west district. The noble already got assassinated by someone a decade ago, that’s why it is fractured“ he said

„Some of it, I already deduced, so what’s the freebie?“I asked.

He winced a bit „well, both of the leaders and some of the advisors used to belong that family, so you should know how to motivate them, but be careful, they are more dangerous than someone like black mantis and finally, I have here some Infos about the other league. I hope that that shows some of my sincerity“ he said.

I throw him an uhum and then left with the Infos towards my room.

On the way, I met with some of the rock people as I dubbed them. Some were friendly, but the majority was arrogant. They have three apprentice leaders. Funnily they are triplets, look very similar, but for some reason hate each other. They have something similar going on then Allister, but are a lot more open about it. The mages don’t seem to care that much either way.

They have the creative name of One, Two and Three. I don’t know why they didn’t change it or who would name their children this way. Someone who doesn’t give a fuck, I presume.

Back in my room, I resume my training with the black cube. Since the first time I tried it, I progressed a lot.

First, I am able to simultaneously have 10 soul tendrils. This is the limit of my soul right now. Second, I can command 5 of them precisely at the same time. A major improvement that helped me tremendously in nearly everything. With it, I can somewhat draw the spell and cast it without engraving it into my very limited soul. By the way, I already have something in mind to combat that, unfortunately, that has to be until I become a soul mage.

This improvement doesn’t seem huge, but there are spells, which are a waste to engrave, like ignite or weak light. Very useless as scrolls and a waste of precious space on the soul, but a surprisingly useful spell for exploration and survival in general. There were dozens of such spell for cheap in the tower.

Spells no idiot would engrave, but very useful for utility.