System Change

Derek summoned his blue communication crystal out of his storage bracelet and started making calls to have his members meet at the site. It wasn’t long before Rudy made his appearance. He was already waiting around the area. The man couldn’t wait to see his part of the shop.

A bit after, Malorie, holding Silvi, and Brandi filed in. Brandi had been making phenomenal progress under the tutelage of Roman. The halfling had taken a real like to the girl. She had a good grasp on Alchemy and didn’t require him to explain many things more than once. She was the perfect student.

Thomas was the last to arrive. He came stumbling in with a tired and bedraggled look. Shae had not been taking it easy on the kid. Derek had to wonder if the man may have been taking some of his frustrations about Derek and Roman’s prank out on Thomas. Any way he looked at it, though, Thomas was making leaps and bounds under Shae’s guidance.

Unfortunately, Rayna and Jacks were still not back from their training. Derek couldn’t help but wonder what they were doing, and how much the woman would change while out. He wondered just how seriously Jacks was taking her training. He hoped they made it back okay.

“Oh… thank you, thank you, thank you.” Thomas spoke when he got close enough. “We were just about to spar again. I don’t think I would have made it another round with that monster. The training’s worse than the dungeon training you had me do when we first met.” The boy complained.

“But you’re stronger because of it, right?” Derek asked.

“Of course I am. I just don’t know if I can survive much more of it.”

Derek ruffled the boy’s hair. “You can survive it, and you will. Then, when you enter the Academy, you will show all those petty nobles what a brat from a small village can do.”

Thomas’s eyes shined with a spark when Derek mentioned the Academy and his status as a villager. The boy grinned. “They’ll never think of a commoner the same way again.”

“That’s the spirit.” Derek laughed.

“Yeah! You show ‘em, Thomas.” Brandi cheered the boy on while Malorie smiled at them.

“See. You’ve got all of us rooting for you. You can’t let us down.” Derek said.

Thomas blushed, but nodded his head in the affirmative.

Derek clapped his hands. “Alright! Who’s ready to see the building?”

The group gathered around anxiously as Derek led them through the main door. “You’ve all seen this part of the building, so we won’t spend much time here. What do you all think about how we used the Pixy Yew?”

“It’s so pretty.” Brandi said.

“It gives the place a magical feel.” Malorie agreed.

Show me the kitchen. Silvi chimed in Derek’s head. He ignored her.

“I quite like it. It gives the shop a bit something that stands out. People may come for the uniqueness of everything, but when that wears off, they may end up staying for the contents of the shop. It was a good idea.” Rudy gave his opinion.

“I thought so, too. Though it came out better than I had hoped.” Derek agreed. “Now, follow me. I’ll show you all the basement.”

Derek led them down the stairs into the basement. As soon as they took a step onto the cold, hard stone, Brandi let out a squeal and darted towards the forge. Derek smiled and walked over with her.

“This was one of the best forges Geoffrey could offer us. It will allow you to work well into the later levels of your class. Once you are at a high enough level, you will be able to make your own forges and equipment to suit your new skill level. This is all for starting out. Do you like it?” Derek explained.

“Do I like it? I love it. I love it so much.” Brandi was already summoning the tools Derek had given her out of her storage ring and putting them where they were supposed to go. She placed some on the workbench and hanged some up on the wall beside the forge.

“Oh no!” Brandi suddenly called out.

“What is it? What’s wrong?” Malorie rushed forward to see what happened.

“What am I going to tell Mr. Roman? How am I going to divide my time between this and Alchemy? What am I going to do? There’s just so much that I want to do.” Brandi fired out question after question.

“Isn’t that a good problem to have?” Derek asked. “Roman won’t need to teach you every day. I’m sure he has other things to do. Plus, when you make your Alchemy tools, or borrow some from Roman, you can do Alchemy in here as well. I tried to make the basement big enough for all your crafts. If it isn’t big enough, let me know and I can have Geoffrey’s team come in and make a second level.”

Brandi looked around, as if noticing the size of the room for the first time. “It’s all for me?”

“Yup. We don’t have any other crafters. This basement is basically all yours. Of course, I plan on using it when I need to access my skill… you know the one. It’s better that I don’t let anybody else see it.” Derek was talking about his prison. As far as most people knew, Bones, Ogre, and Clay Torith were all dead, not being held captive.

“I put the smithing stuff in first so you could use it to create the tools you need for your other crafts. It will be good for you to do so. I suggest you start on Alchemy and Leatherworking tools first, as those are the two you are most familiar with. I’ll will find you some Runesmithing books sometime in the near future, so you can focus on that too.” Derek said.

“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Brand wrapped her arms around Derek in a great big hug.

He tousled her hair, which had grown out a little since her run in with Thomas and the Mana Clippers. “Besides, I can’t wait to see what you can do by combining Brewing and Alchemy. Roman already showed me what was possible with Alchemy alone. If you’re able to combine them well, I’m afraid you’ll end up taking most of his business.” Derek grinned.

Thinking about that was odd for Derek. He had a hard time wrapping his head around a 13-year-old girl brewing alcoholic products for adventurers. Oh well, I guess it doesn’t matter as much when everyone has a system. If you’re old enough to become an adventurer and all… Besides, she’ll be making it, not drinking it. I’ll do the testing…

Brandi heard Derek’s words and nodded seriously.

“Well, it’s yours to do with as you like. Now, let’s go see the contract shop.” Derek led the group back upstairs. Brandi kept glancing at the stairs to the basement as he led them. He could understand her excitement.

A small girl from an unknown village that had only dreamed of becoming a basic Leatherworker so she could help out in the village was now given an entire space to practice her crafts. It was more than she ever dreamed of, more than she thought she had the right to ever dream of. Derek was happy for her.

Soon, Derek opened the door and led them into the contract shop. “Is this good enough?”

Now, it was time to see Rudy acting like a kid on Christmas. He ran to each corner of the room and felt the cushions on the benches and chairs in the waiting area, going as far as to sit on them himself. Then, he fast walked to the counter and lifted the counter flap to walk to the other side.

Rudy ran his hand along the polished countertop, even laying his face and ear to it. It was a spectacle watching the man examine the room. Finally, he opened the door to his office and walked inside, closing it behind him.

Everyone stared at the door, not knowing what to say.

“Should have I looked over the basement better?” Brandi questioned herself quietly, but Derek heard her.

“You did fine. What you’re looking at now is a true, seedy professional. It’s better that you don’t act like that.” Derek answered.

Rudy burst through the door. “It’s exquisite!” He said as he walked back through the counter, lowering the flap after crossing. “When can I begin business?”

“As soon as you think of a name and figure out everything you need to do as a business. Remember the taxes. Always remember the taxes.” Derek said.

Rudy nodded twice. “Yes.” He said. “I’m going to need a secretary!”

“That’s all on you. I got you the space and opportunity. The rest is up to you. Though I’m sure you can find one of the orphans that Tavors told us about helping out. It will be up to you to work things out with the city.” Derek said.

“I had nearly forgotten about them. Maybe I can find one who is interested in contracts. It could be cheaper… ahem… better for them if I have something to teach them.” Rudy said.

Derek chuckled. “Just don’t do anything to get on the bad side of the city. I still haven’t met Natalie, and I don’t want our first discussion being about one of my people doing something stupid.”

“Of course, of course.” Rudy said. “What do you think about Rudy’s Contracts? Or Contracts by Rudy?”

“What?” Derek asked.

“For the name. I must have a catchy name. That’s half of the contract business.”

Derek shook his head. “Just figure something out.” He turned back to the group. “Now, I know you have already seen the bedrooms and bathrooms, but I have kept you out of the kitchen and dining area. Time to show them off.”

Silvi darted atop Derek’s shoulder. If Derek was leading to the kitchen, then he would be the first one through the door. Of course, she didn’t want to wait a second longer to see her work area.