Well that's a new ceiling. Brown planks of wood. I scan my surroundings. I'm in a bed under a blanket, it's comfy. There is a dresser at the end of the bed. To the right are some closed drapes, I can't see behind them. To the left is a desk and a chair. The desk has a mirror.
I scramble to the desk, the blanket is on the floor, I haven't had a chance to see my face before. The nose is small, slightly up turned, the eyes are grey blue, the lips pink, freckles sprinkle my face above my upper lip and under my eyes, there is a dimple on my chin. The hair is thick, curly, dirty blonde and totally annoying, small mercy that it doesn't touch my shoulders, at least when it's dry. I see a brush, sigh, and start finding my tangles. The morning ritual done, I see some clothing is laid out on the dresser.
It's a light blue dress, underwear and a pair of sandals. The dress is too long, it's almost touching the top of my feet, better than the tent of a shirt I was just wearing though. The sandals are nice if a little long.
I leave the room through an already open door, the hallway rather plain. I chose to go right, left just ended at a window and a door. The hallway leads to an open area, there is a large set of stairs in the center that leads down. Huh, must have been on the second floor. Floors?!? Where the hell am I? I rush down the stairs, trip, cling to the banister, and start walking slower. Stupid dress. The noise is answered by a door opening on the first floor. A woman steps out, she is wearing a dark blue dress that goes to her ankles with long sleeves. Glasses with black hair in a bun.
“You're awake, the lady of the house is this way.” Curt. A hand is out stretched towards the door she just came from.
I have more pressing matters than that, “Um, before that . . . Is there a bathroom I could use?”
“Of course, this way.” She leads me to a door that is under the stairs, then opens it. “You are not to touch any of the mana interfaces, the lady has informed me that it's possible that they may explode if you do.”
Explode?!? She opens the door, I ask a question for safety's sake. “Where are the mana interfaces?”
She ushers me into the small room and points to various orbs in the room. One is on a wall above a bench with a hole in it, a toilet, and two are on a sink. She reaches and touches the left orb on the sink. Water comes out the faucet and pools in the basin of the sink.
"For when you need to clean up. Knock on the door when you wish to leave, do not touch the handle, it is also a mana interface, I'll be outside waiting.” She leaves, closing the door.
The hole is rather large for my small body, I don't fall in, thank god, and I spy some neatly folded cloth in a stack on the bench. There is a straw basket with a lid just past the bench. I lifted the lid peering inside, gagging, I gained an understanding of what the cloth is for. That taken care of, I stand on my toes and rinse my hands. No towels, I shrug and use another toilet cloth. I knock on the door as far away from the handle as possible. The woman opens the door, and I leave the bathroom.
“Wait here.” Again curt.
She enters the room, I hear a vroom sound, then she turns to the sink and touches the right orb this time. The water dissolves in the basin. My hands feel dryer too. Magic. Mana empowers magic. It sounds so obvious now that I've thought it. Maybe I could learn spells. Are there spells? I think that's what the old man did to me. So spells, future Sara get on that, along with reading and knots. Don't think I've forgotten. No, wait, stupid title in the way. Future Sara needs to go find a new title as well. So far the list is, new title, reading, writing, spells, increase con for wine and knots. Oh, I also need to go get my—
“Miss, miss, finally, this way.” The woman takes her hand off my shoulder.
She opens the door she originally motioned towards when we first met. Inside is an older woman seated at the head of the table, she has blue hair and looks like Cecelia with wrinkles. The older Cecelia speaks.
“Thank you Marie, Sara please have a seat there” Marie is already pulling the seat out that older Cecelia pointed to. “I am [Lady] Maxwell. My daughter has spoken much about you. She sends her apologies that she could not be present but the captain has her duties” she smirks at that, “Marie, some breakfast for Sara.”
Marie nods and leaves the room from a different door. Lady Maxwell continues “Did you sleep well? Cecelia was rather frantic when she carried you in last night.” Ah, that makes sense, I nod to her question, then ask my own.
“Um ma'am, what knocked me out? Last thing I remembered was touching the fountain.”
“Mana exhaustion, I've been told you don't have the [Manipulate Mana:Self] skill and are currently unable to acquire it. A nasty title you've been afflicted with.” she says with pity that feels hollow.
But I've touched a fountain orb before, I point this out, couching the observation in a way that would prevent the lady from ordering my execution.
“You need not be so nervous. The boy, Bartholomew, said you had already used all your mana on his status stone, touching a fountain before one has recovered even a tenth of their mana can knock even an adult unconscious.”
Boy? She looks younger than the old man. I should start asking ages, or is that rude? Maybe they will think I'm trying to figure out soul levels.
Marie is back with a cart. She places a plate in front of me with scrambled eggs and some toast. A cup of water joins it with a fork. I thank her and start devouring the eggs in front of me. After it's gone, I noticed the lady was just watching and sipping from her cup. I smile weakly and give thanks again.
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“Cecelia had already informed me that talking to you while you're eating is a pointless endeavor.” Rude. “From what I've been told, you're looking to gain a new title.”
I nod, “Are there any jobs you can provide?” I look hopefully.
“No, all those in my employ must have a competent level of [Atlas Noble Etiquette].”
Can't be a guard and can't work for a [Lady]. What's an Atlas? I ask, the lady arches her eyebrow.
“Why, it's the Queendom you live in, Sara.”
She says it as if I am a child. Which to be fair I am, but it still annoys me. Queendom though, that's nice, is it a matriarchal line or just who is ruling at the moment. Why are measurements in Kings feet. I have more questions but I feel it's not a good idea to be taking this lady's time.
“Thank you for breakfast and the bed . . . and clothes. I think I should head out into town and see if there's anyone willing to give me a job.”
The Lady nods, “That would be for the best, Cecelia wishes for you to report to the guard house before you wander off. Marie will show you out and give you directions.”
Back in the hall with the staircase, foyer? Is that what they call it? Before I can ask I'm led out a double door and am outside. A fancy metal gate is between us and the road. Marie allows me to touch the gate to open it. Guess it's not a mana interface.
“Down that way will lead you to the guard house.”
Not much for directions, I can see the fountain I fainted at, and the hill beyond it. It's a fair walk, but I should find the guard house.
“Thank you, Miss Marie.” I give her my best smile. She nods and heads back in.
-----
It doesn't take me long to get to the guard house. Jacob outside with his spear. I wave, he waves back, then points inside. Going inside I see Cecelia at a desk pouring over a parchment, quill in hand. She looks up.
“Ah, Sara, good to see you up and about again. Bart was not enthused to have to come pay my house a visit after you fainted.”
“Sorry about that”
She waves me off, “I was at fault, I hadn't realized that touching the stone had left you with no reserves. I apologize for that. I take it you are off to find a job?”
I nod, she continues, “Alright, I want you to keep an eye on your status screen throughout the day.” I tilt my head at that. “Bart pointed out that your mental fortitude is low, well all your stats are low, but raising your mental fortitude is something you can do without causing any issues in town. Just try to manipulate the screen and such, see if you can get another skill level by this evening. The street you came down has a grocer, a messenger office, Bart's apothecary, a blacksmith, the adventure guild, make sure to skip that one, and the tavern”
“Why not the adventuring guild, is it because I can't even qualify as a guard?” Not that I want to go back to fighting monsters.
“O, no, they will take anyone. They just don't care about your safety either. They also will check your status and will know your soul level. While they guarantee confidentiality, there can still be people in the room who will be able to sense you.”
“Like with the skill you have?”
Cecelia gives me an annoyed look, I explain, “The old man wasn't being subtle when he was explaining about aura senses.”
That got a snort, “Bart only 37. I can not stress this enough, you need to be careful. People with high soul levels who can't defend themselves disappear. One of the reason why you need more mental fortitude, I prefer that you're not walked out of town after someone casts dominate mind on you”
I shudder at that. The other reason is so I can resist my own aura. Was that the spell the not so old man cast on me? That was scary, I think I was dissociating during that time. Speaking of scary things.
“Is it true that I might cause mana interfaces to explode?”
“You might break them, I suspect whoever told you that was trying to stop your curiosity. Without a skill to manage how much mana you use, you will always push all your mana when you touch an interface.”
“So how likely is a door going to be a mana interface?”
“Only in the homes of the wealthy or nobility.” She started to look at her parchments again.
Well that's good, I was afraid I would have to leverage doors open with a stick or something. I thank Cecelia for her time and head out. After a wave at Jacob, I check my [Status Screen].
Tier 1 : Human lvl 3 [NOTIFICATIONS]
Title:[Voiceless]
Str - 8
Agl - 10
Per - 15
Con - 7
Cha - 8
Men - 19
Int - 40
Soul - 58
Skills: [English] Intermediate 9 [Math] Intermediate 8 [Yell] Basic 3 [Speak:Common] Apprentice 1 [Running] Basic 5 [Tough Skin] Basic 2 [Status Screen] Apprentice 1 [Tell Lie] Basic 3
Earned Titles: Voiceless
Oh, [Tough Skin] leveled. 1 con closer to wine. Wonder if it was when I stepped on the stone. I touch the [NOTIFICATIONS] button. A new screen appeared.
You have inherited the skill [English] at Intermediate 9
Int raised to 39
Seems I have to swipe to get the next one, wonder how many there are.
You have inherited the skill [Math] Intermediate 8
Int raised to 40
Guess computer science didn't translate well into system. Ironic.
Memories of a previous life have survived reincarnation
Soul raised to 44
That's a whole can of worms.
You have gained the skill [Yell] Basic 1
The art of being loud
Basic - You are able to be heard from further than before
Str raised to 1
Baby Sara's first cry, guess working out one lungs is considered a str skill.
You have gained the skill [Speak:Common] Basic 1
The ability to speak Common
Basic - You have words now, use them
Gain 1 exp
And now baby Sara's first word in common.
You have gained the skill [Running] Basic 1
The ability to move faster than walking
Basic - You're a bit faster
Agi raised to 2
Run baby Sara, run.
You have gained the skill [Tough Skin] Basic 1
Your skin resist tearing
Basic - Next time you skin your knees, you may not bleed as much
Con raised to 2
That one seems rather specific . . .
You have gained [Yell] Basic 2
Str raised to 3
I think I see what happened here. Also, strong baby.
You have gained [Speak:Common] Basic 2
Gain 1 exp
Yay, more exp.
You gained 2 unallocated stat points
Guess it's 2 exp to level up.
This is a daily reminder: You have 2 unallocated stat points
Uh oh . . .
