I shared the notification with them.

  Selena snorted. “That’s nothing compared to your mana regen.”

  “Right, but there’s something odd about the mana here. Have any of you tried to use it?”

  “Odd, how?”

  I smiled at her. She was so pretty. It struck me that this was the first time I’d truly been distracted by her appearance, almost to the point that I felt like my heart skipped a beat. Ever since I’d committed to her, she’d become even more attractive to me. It was odd how the mind and heart worked together when they wanted to. “Try for me. I want your honest assessment without being biased by my perceptions.”

  “Okay. But I don’t have any rogues to suck into a spatial portal.”

  Taking the initiative from her, Samvek seemed to disappear for an instant and then was back. He let out a low growl. “That’s frustrating. Even the notification is different, somehow. It’s like the system is here, but only partially.”

  Selena’s eyes widened with that statement. Before she could say anything, I made a suggestion. “You need to hide your appearance. Make the two of you look purely human if you can. Their mention of beastkin suggests that there are other races here, but I don’t know what they’ll look like. Can you do that with reality mana?”

  She smiled as though saying that was the least of what she could do, and then the air around her and Samvek went fuzzy. A moment later, it was like there were two images overlaid, at least if I focused on them. When I didn’t focus, they appeared like a large human warrior and a beautiful warrior-maiden with blonde hair. “I heard a rumor on your world that blondes have more fun. Figured I could find out firsthand.”

  “Why’d I have to get stuck here with two lovestruck puppies?” Samvek growled, his voice still every bit the lion. His words were harsh, but I knew him well enough to know how happy he was for me.

  “Well? Did you feel it?”

  She nodded. “I’m pretty sure I know what’s happening with the notifications, and if that’s the case, then I know why the mana feels so odd. At least, I think I do.”

  “Are you going to share with the rest of the class?”

  “For a kiss.”

  Samvek snorted and I took a half-step forward, but she shook her head. “I was just playing. I may become a Renner, but I’m still a Turga. My ancestors would roll over in their graves if they saw me acting with so little operational awareness. If I’m correct, Samvek tried to teleport away and discovered that he couldn’t.”

  He nodded. “The notification simply said that I don’t know any other locations within this universe to teleport to, and urged me to discover more about this realm. It was a system notification, but like I said, it was… odd.”

  “That’s because we aren’t under the Heavens now. Nor are we on the frontier. We’re in a separate part of the multiverse, controlled by another system. I just haven’t figured out which one yet. But you still have a connection to the system because every class core creates a node. It’s like a miniature local version of the system. It can’t regularly update to the greater system, though, and if it does, it could take a long time depending on how far we are from the system and what the relationship between the systems is.”

  That made sense. “I can tell you what system we’re in.” I smiled. “For a kiss.” Now it was her turn to be flustered, and for a moment, I thought Samvek was about to hack up a hairball. “Turnabout’s always fair play,” I said. “Anyway, here’s the notification I got when I tried to summon Urg.”

  Your eidolon is not welcome in the Fey System. As long as you reside within the Courts, you will not be able to use that spell.

  Chapter Two: Odd Auras

  I wanted to vent my frustration at that, but I realized we needed to get off the street. Sure, those idiots who tried to extort us were weak, but that didn’t mean everyone around here would be. I’d been exposed to a few systems by this point, and there was something the Dragon System, Hell System, and Divided Realms all had in common—they each had individuals of power. The parallels weren’t exact, but they were there. Each system had its strengths and weaknesses, and certain people rose above the rest. I had to assume this would be the case for the Fey System as well.

  “We should find shelter. I feel out of place here,” Samvek said.

  It surprised me to hear a degree of unease coming from him, but I could feel the same coming from Selena. “Haven’t you ever been to a world with this level of technology? Galen wasn’t much better.”

  Selena shook her head. “I’m aware of a couple worlds like this, but system magitech generally spreads. The worlds of the portion of the multiverse under the Heavens are far more like one of your sci-fi novels than a medieval fantasy.”

  When I arched an eyebrow, she smiled. “Remember, I did my research on your world, and the more attached I’ve become to you, the more I’ve delved into the mediums of entertainment you enjoy. I still can’t figure out for the life of me why there was only one season of Firefly. I mean, did Mal and Inara ever get together? You can’t leave me hanging like that.”

  “A few million fans would agree with you, but who can understand the wisdom of network management? But as to our current situation, I’m excited to be here. I’ll miss taking showers, but I need to level up Clean anyway. Based on the architecture, the dress of the locals, and the smells, I’m guessing this is a port city. Our best bet for an inn or the equivalent is wherever the ships pull in. Translation seems to be working, so communication shouldn’t be a problem.”

  She held out an arm. “Lead the way. We’ll place our unwavering trust in the knowledge you obtained from your fantastical works of fiction.”

  I couldn’t entirely keep the smirk off my face as I headed out onto the main street. I felt for all the world like I was walking through a town pulled straight out of the code for an Elder Scrolls game. The road was wide enough for two horse-drawn wagons to pass each other with room to spare. The sun was only a couple minutes away from breaking over the horizon, so we didn’t see many people out and about yet. Those who were had their eyes on the cobbles, pushing, pulling, or shouldering whatever heavy load they needed to start their day.

  I decided that asking for directions from someone on the street wasn’t a good idea. Most of the businesses had signs we could read. There was a bakery, and based upon the scents I was detecting, the work for the day had already started. Tanners, various shops, and a blacksmith all came into view within a few minutes of walking, but still no sign of an inn.

  The side streets were narrower, some so narrow a wagon would have a hard time fitting through, so the street we were on had to be a main thoroughfare or business route. In the background, I could still hear the sound of marching boots—at least four individuals, by the sound of it. Definitely a patrol.

  As we reached an intersection with another street as wide as the one we were on, I caught sight of them. They wore plate armor, with open-faced helmets and gauntleted forearms. They all wore tabards of white and gold with matching symbols, and marks on their shoulders I took to be ranks. They appeared very well put together.

  And they were headed straight for us. Four of them marched side by side, with another man walking in step behind them. Rather than relying only on my senses, I pushed on Identify as I stared at the leftmost guard. As expected, there was some resistance, but I got the information I was looking for. A little focus was all I needed.

  Lawkeeper

  Name: Unknown

  (estimated level: 50, uncommon-tier equivalent)

  Highest stats: Strength and Durability (equivalents)

  Lowest stats: Will and Charisma (equivalents)

  My scan of the others each came back with similar reports, although upon closer inspection, I realized one of them was a woman. When I scanned the one in the rear who I’d mentally marked as an officer, the results were… different.

  Lawspeaker

  Name: Unknown

  (estimated level 120, rare-tier equivalent)

  Highest Stats: Mind, Vitality (equivalents)

  Lowest Stats: Agility, Will (equivalents)

  Disposition: Untrusting and hypercritical. Fixation on law and order has been identified.

  Interesting, I could work with that. I sent the findings in a party message to Samvek and Selena, then got a system message in reply.

  Local members have received your message, but some members of your party are out of range. The messages will be buffered for 24 hours local time, but will then be deleted.

  There wasn’t much I could do with that information, but I could deal with what was in front of me, namely five preening members of the local militia. Instinct told me these Lawkeepers were going to be trouble, or at least an annoyance, but I figured now was as good a time as any to deal with it. Hopefully, my bloated Charisma would count for something in this new realm.

  I made a beeline for the soldiers, smoothly closing the distance between us in seconds. Surprise passed over the faces of a couple of the Lawkeepers, while the others opted for continued boredom. All the people I’d seen so far were human with relatively light skin, but I had seen a couple with more swarthy complexions.

  I held up a hand in what I hoped was a greeting of peace. “Good morning. I don’t suppose you could give a newcomer some directions? We’re looking for an inn.”

  They came to an abrupt synchronous stop only ten feet from us, and the Lawspeaker moved forward as the Lawkeepers spread out into a semicircle behind him. “Greetings under the Law. I am Lawspeaker Jessup. Who are you, and where do you hail from?”

  Despite the affable greeting, there was too much tension in his voice for my liking, so I allowed my aura to expand, washing over the five of them. A few tidbits of information became immediately apparent. Whatever abilities this man had, an aura wasn’t one of them, and closer examination told me none of his followers did, either. I knew this system couldn’t center on cultivation, either, at least not as I knew it. Ryan’s people had stronger than average auras, without the need for a spell or ability to create them.

  The expression on his face softened, but then he twitched, almost into a full spasm. His body tensed, and I felt something deep within him surge forth, as if he possessed the fragment of another being’s aura deep inside. Whoever or whatever this being was, it was incredibly powerful. He reminded me of some of the paladins I used to play back in my MMORPG days.

  His expression hardened, and any trace of hospitality disappeared from his voice, not that there was much to begin with. “It was not wise to attempt a spell to affect my mind. I didn’t feel you casting it, which only makes you that much more deadly.” His hand didn’t reach for the sword at his side, which told me he lacked the ability to assess our combat potential, but the Lawkeepers drew theirs in unison, two maces and two axes.

  I reacted on instinct, pushing the aura out with every point of Will I had at my disposal. I couldn’t use any system resources to modify it, but I tugged at what I could—my bound primordial trait, my cultivator’s core, and the Psi seed I was still so unfamiliar with. The primordial energy felt distant, and the core didn’t budge, but I felt the Psi surge forward.

  New Psi ability catalogued: Persuade.

  Further review necessary to determine limitations and uses.

  The foreign aura within the Lawspeaker cracked like an egg, and his tone changed completely. A smile split his face, apparently exercising muscles the man hadn’t used for years. “Oh, you must forgive me. I almost didn’t recognize you for who you are! You’re clearly high-leveled adventurers. Basetown is grateful for the commerce created by your type. Please, tell me how I can help you.”

  That had been too easy. I was almost positive this encounter was going to come back to bite me, but I went with the flow. “We arrived a short time ago, and we are in search of an inn, somewhere we can get some good food and warm beds.”

  He made a gesture, which caused his subordinates to put away their weapons. The entire scene felt unnatural, but I supposed I was forcing my will onto others. It was likely a good thing to be uncomfortable in situations like these.

  His grin grew wider, and I could’ve sworn I heard a muscle pop in his face from the stress of it. “Ah, and you are of course too discerning to want to stay at the rat-infested inns in the dock quarter. Too many adventurers stay there, if you ask me, and it affects their performance in the dungeon. It shows that their character is as stained as their shirts. But you! You are clearly a cut above.” I looked to Samvek, who obviously didn’t know what to make of it, although Selena’s smile was almost as wide as the Lawspeaker’s. “No, those won’t do for you,” the man continued. “The only other section where inns are allowed in Basetown is the Upper Quarter. You’ll find the residences for nobles there, in case your team is searching for a sponsor. The city guard does their job there, as far as they are able, instead of leaving the security of its citizens to those touched by the good graces of the Lawgiver.”

  “Thank you. It sounds like a delightful place to stay. And might I add, my companions and I will rest easier knowing that you and your men are guarding the streets.”

  It felt dirty coming out of my mouth, but from the slight nod I got from Selena, she approved of the approach. The Lawspeaker, of course, took the compliment in stride as though he were owed it. Then he gave me some directions and we said our farewells, heading for the part of town he’d directed us to.

  When we crested the hill, there was a low wall, no more than ten feet, but I didn’t think it was meant to be more than a deterrent to the locals who weren’t welcome in this district. As we approached the gate, I made note of the sleepy guard. He Identified as a low rare-tier equivalent and a member of the city watch.

  He grumbled about it being highly unusual for a party to seek an inn with the sun just coming up, but a small flex of my aura quashed any concerns. This time, there was no hint of that buried aura, which reinforced my suspicions about the Lawkeepers.

  The upper quarter greeted us with quiet confidence rather than opulence. The cobblestones were smoother here, worn into a subtle sheen by centuries of careful steps instead of wagon wheels. The houses rose higher, their timber frames straighter, their plaster clean. Iron lamps lined the street, their glass panes etched with simple patterns that caught the early sunlight. Every window had painted shutters inlaid with muted jewels and stones, creating a palette of greens, blues, and violets that marked wealth without shouting it. Even the smell was different—less fish and tar, more bread and soap, with a faint undercurrent of fresh flowers.

  Shops stood in tidy rows, their signs hand-carved and brightly painted. A silversmith’s display glimmered behind mullioned glass. A tailor’s window showed mannequins in half-finished finery. I spotted a perfumery where the air shimmered with scent so thick that my senses rebelled, followed by a bookbinder’s stall that smelled of ink and leather and something older and faintly enchanted. People here moved with a measured rhythm, deliberate and self-possessed. I was fairly certain that the only people out on the street were servants based upon the way they walked with purpose.

  We passed two inns before settling on the third. The first was too loud, especially for the early hour. The noise wasn’t the usual cacophony of a busy inn, but of a certain type of establishment that catered to a more… specific clientele, and business was still booming, despite the morning sun peeking over the horizon behind us. Still, a bed was a bed, but Selena shook her head at the prospect. “Even here, I’ve got standards,” she murmured, “and it’s not like we’re in any kind of rush.”

  The second was vetoed for a similar reason.

  The third stood on a corner where the main street curved toward a town square. A painted sign swung above the door naming it The Purple Cat, its feline mascot caught mid-stretch with eyes of amethyst glass. Selena smiled immediately upon seeing it. “This one,” she said, with no room for argument in her tone.

  The inn looked clean and sturdy. The lower floor was plastered white, the upper half-timbered with deep aubergine beams to match its name. Small panes of colored glass softened the light that spilled into the street. When I pushed the door open, a bell above it chimed a single clear note. Inside, the air was warm and smelled of yeast and sugar, with something frying in butter beneath it.

  The dining room was empty, but not abandoned. Chairs were stacked on half the tables, the rest arranged neatly with linen still folded along their centers. A hearth smoldered near the far wall, its embers catching the brass fittings of a small bar that ran the length of the room. From beyond a swinging door came the clatter of motion, clearly a kitchen in the middle of its morning panic. I heard the scrape of a pan, the hiss of steam, and a woman’s voice giving brisk orders that carried the authority of habit.

  After half a minute, the door swung open, and the voice gained a face. The woman who emerged wiped her hands on a flour-stained apron before brushing a wisp of hair from her cheek. She was perhaps in her forties, broad-shouldered, with the steady calm of someone who’d long since learned that worry never made the dough rise faster.

  “Oh, saints above, I’m sorry,” she said, catching her breath. “We’re short a pair of hands this week, so I’ve been helping in the kitchen. Breakfast service will start in about half an hour, but you’re welcome to sit and wait. The coffee’s not on yet, but there’s cider if you fancy it.”

  I stepped forward. “We’re adventurers from out of town,” I explained. Her raised brow made it clear that she didn’t need the clarification. I pressed on anyway. “We’re looking to rent two rooms for a few days, preferably with baths if that’s possible.”

  She nodded briskly. “Every room’s got a bath, love. Wouldn’t have less with our reputation, but our two luxury suites even have TMI showers, though those cost extra.”

  The pride with which she said the initials spoke of an obvious significance, but I hadn’t a clue what they meant. “TMI?”