A bell rang.

  “Greetings sir. Are you looking for talisman paper, paper for formation diagrams or animated paper for technique books?”

  The same clerk greeted Reed.

  “Sheets of spirit paper.” Reed asked.

  “You again?” The clerk seemed to recognise Reed, his facial expression changing a few times before he ducked under the counter and pulled out a stack of spirit paper.

  “Ten bundles please.” Reed asked as he arrived just in front of the counter.

  The clerk's expression changed again and he quickly ducked under the counter and brought out 9 more bundles.

  “I-Is that all today, sir.” The clerk asked, a shaky smile on his lips.

  Reed took one of the pages, before laying it on the bench.

  “Uh– Sir you need to-”

  Reed placed a gold coin on the bench. The clerk stopped halfway through his sentence and bowed, taking a step back.

  “Huuuh…” Reed exhaled, folding the paper in half. Unlike the cheaper paper from the artisan district, the spirit paper was a smooth and pure white that folded neatly without any tearing.

  “I hear you're a talisman master?” Another voice suddenly interrupted Reed. He looked up to see a man with a white beard in silver embroidered white robes, coming down some stairs behind the counter.

  To think, I even wondered if my bluff here would cause trouble later. Reed thought bitterly. He wondered if it was finally time to face some consequences.

  Yet… He had already taken the jump to enter. He wasn’t ready to give up just yet.

  “In a way. Yes.” Reed responded, unfolding the paper, leaving a straight crease down the centre.

  The old man narrowed his eyes. “I see. To claim to understand arrays and formations enough to make your own talisman… At your age no less…” The old man continued. “I’m curious, what kind of talisman have you made to gain that title?”

  I see. So it's a title given based on the achievement. Reed realised. He should have denied it since he never claimed to be a talisman master last time he came, only implied it.

  Time to learn something. Reed hardened his resolve. Gritting his teeth and forcing air down his throat.

  “What kind— do you think?” Reed threw back the question, at the same time, he folded the top corners of the paper to the center.

  The old man opened his mouth to speak.

  The sound of a bell came from the front.

  Reed and the old man turned their heads around.

  “G-Greetings sir. Are you here for talisman paper, formation paper or animated paper?” The clerk suddenly spoke up, taking a step back toward the counter.

  “More talisman paper for the young miss’s studies.” a tall man with long green hair and golden glasses answered. A young girl in intricate light blue and gold robes trailed behind him.

  “Master Green Ink.” The old man greeted, bowing slightly and cupped one hand over his fist.

  “Sir White Silver.” The green haired man, Green Ink, responded by cupping a hand over a fist.

  Reed folded the folded edge of the paper towards the center a second time. Observing the two.

  Master and Sir. One bowing and cupping a hand over a fist while the other only cupped a hand over a fist together.

  “Who might this be?” Green Ink asked, looking at Reed while walking over to White Silver.

  Reed thought for a few moments, before bowing slightly and cupping one hand over a fist. “Red Haven.” He introduced.

  “Isn’t it Red Heaven?” The clerk suddenly asked.

  Not just Reed, but even the two old men and the young girl looked at him.

  “...Ah… I heard from my brother who works at the Jade Merchantry that it was Red Heaven.” The clerk seemed to realise his mistake, taking several steps back while bowing so deeply his face couldn’t be seen.

  Unfortunately, the damage was done, the two old men looked to Reed.

  “...I prefer to be called Red Haven… Red Heaven is a bit…” Reed explained.

  “I understand.” Green ink said, readjusting his glasses. “With such an arrogant name, you must have lived a difficult life.”

  “...” Reed thought of what to say in response, but his mind came up empty.

  “I heard White Silver say you were a talisman master.” Green Ink asked.

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  “In a way.” Reed tried to leave a retreat. Cold sweat running down his back. He didn’t expect a second person to show up.

  “Oh?” Green Ink seemed interested. “It’s rare for fellow talisman masters to meet each other."

  “...”

  I’ll be damned. This would be a good place to retreat. Reed thought bitterly. He folded the paper back in half.

  “I’m still young.” He trailed off, looking away.

  “Nonsense. All talisman masters are different.” Green Ink shook his head.

  “Is something wrong?” White Silver asked.

  “Not particularly.” Reed said in a shaky voice, folding the wings of the paper plane down, completing it. Time to guess if it's an official title.

  “I say, in a way since it's not like I’ve ever been officially told if I’ve reached that level.” Reed continued, gently tossing the paper plane across the shop.

  “Oh? Then let us test you.” White Silver said.

  “...Really?” Reed asked.

  “Come in 5 days. I’ll invite the town lord to administer the test for you.” Green Ink offered.

  “...Truly?”

  Green Ink nodded. “All external professions are valuable.”

  White Silver nodded along. “Naturally. Since you're confident in your skills.” He glared at Reed. “Though if you believe you’ll make the mistake of wasting the lord's time, there's no need.”

  I see. So he just wants to force my hand. Reed felt his hands trembling. The image of his head rolling on the ground played for a moment. He didn’t know how many mistakes he had made— but if he made enough…

  If I can succeed though…

  Reed thought about the status he could gain if he succeeded. To require the town lord, presumably the highest ranked person in the region, to administer the test. The title presumably came with corresponding status.

  Still… Reed thought. This seems a little extreme. I don’t know what punishment there would be for wasting the town lord's time. But shouldn’t expect it to be lenient. Why is this old man trying to corner me? Is it really just because he doesn’t believe I’m a talisman master?

  Reed's eyes widened.

  It clicked.

  When he first entered Middle Bridge Inn. Why did the waiter tell him to go here?

  If the world operates on a class system… Then faking your class…

  Reed looked down at his red and gold robes.

  He had made a mistake.

  He looked back up at the two older men. His nerves got the better of him and he couldn’t stop smiling.

  The solution to his mistake had just been offered to him.

  He calculated in his head. He learned 6 months of quantum physics in 3 days before the final Exam. He scored in the top 18% of the course. Chaotic energy could also grant knowledge.

  —OR. He suspected it could be used to enhance learning ability.

  The slight traces of chaotic energy danced in his mind.

  5 days…

  16 traces to learn a language in an instant.

  Reed's smile became wider.

  He could do it.

  He had to.

  The mistake of faking status in a class ruled by strict hierarchy. There wasn’t any better solution than to prove status in front of other high status individuals.

  “Of course not. In fact. I have to thank you for this opportunity.” Reed responded, before bowing once more to the two, cupping a fist in one hand. The tremor in his hands stilled, his breathing became more controlled and he met the two eyes.

  “5 days right? When should I arrive?” Reed asked.

  White Silver’s eye twitched, while Green ink seemed stunned for a moment, then delighted.

  “Haha! Five days. Come to the town lord's mansion in the afternoon.” Green Ink chuckled heartily. “It would be nice to finally have another talisman and array master in town.”

  Reed shuffled slightly on his feet before speaking. “...Does five days include today? And is it after 5 days on the sixth day, or on the fifth day?” he asked.

  Silence fell for a moment.

  “You really aren't from here?” Green Ink pushed up his glasses slightly.

  “I come from a rather isolated family that studies mechanisms and ignores much of cultivation.” Reed told the same story he had told Halberd Moon. “I left because I wanted to pursue immortality.”

  “Hmmm… I see. No wonder. Then, you should know, the emperor has standardized the expression. In five days it includes the day it was said and happens on the fifth day.” He shook his head. “After five days means within three days following the fifth.”

  “I see…” Reed responded distractedly, before suddenly straightening up before giving a small bow.

  “Thank you for telling me. I look forward to it.” Reed thanked, before finally turning to the incessant tugging at the hems of his robes.

  The young girl who had come in with Green Ink had an angry look in her eyes, before holding up the deformed paper airplane above her head, trying to hold it in front of Reed’s face.

  “Uh…” Reed took the plane. He assumed the girl wanted him to fix it since the tip had deformed a lot. He hadn’t even noticed her playing with it after he tossed it.

  Reed unfolded the paper plane on the counter, then folded it again from the other side so the tip was fine before passing it back to the girl.

  The girl took the plane. She turned it over a few times, inspecting it thoroughly before tossing it into the air, letting it sail around the room.

  “It seems the young miss is interested in your… Paper Construct?” Green Ink said, stroking his chin.

  “I didn’t think noble kids were interested in this kind of mundane thing.” Reed admitted, picking his words carefully.

  Green Ink shrugged. “A mystery to us.”

  “Then…” Reed started, picking up the pieces of paper. “I’ll be heading off now.” He had a lot to think about with the talisman.

  “You as well. I wish you luck in the talisman master certification— Oof!” Green Ink almost spat as a heavy thump knocked him off balance.

  The young girl from before admired her fist for a moment before looking at Green Ink then pointing at Reed.

  “Ah… The young miss. Mangrove Spirit, would like to invite you to the Mangrove estate sometime for tea.” He voiced.

  Does she not speak? Reed wondered. “I’ll be sure to visit after the certification then.”

  The bell rang and Reed suddenly paused. “Ah. Do you perhaps know where I could find some good ink? My brushes have worn out too.” he breathed a sigh of relief, he had almost forgotten his original purpose.

  “White Beard Pavilion. Towards the Town Lord’s estate, turn left, you’ll see it.” Green Ink responded while dodging a second opportunistic strike from the young girl, Mangrove Spirit.

  “Thank you.” Reed spoke as he left, the door closing behind him, then realised. He hadn’t heard anyone say thank you. Or rather, they would bow and cup a hand in a fist instead. He had bowed earlier to thank him for answering his question about the timing, but only because it felt right based on what he’d seen.

  Reed sighed as he looked around the road, then back down at his clothes. If only he was omniscient.