Improvements

I sit back down on the bus and wait for a few more stops before getting off myself, walking to my apartment. I open the door, set the keys down, shut the door behind me and walk inside, dumping my bag. I can’t help celebrating to myself. I’ve made friends with a gorgeous woman, levelled up a few times, created my own guild and got some sweet sweet loot, which I have yet to check out. First priority though, is spending my statpoints. I have 10 of them, and 17 Wisdom. I spend 8 points on Wisdom to hopefully get the bonus for 25, then after thinking about it, spend the remaining 2 on Charisma to try to get better at being social.

Wisdom has been raised above 25.

Mana regen efficiency has been raised.

Just like the last time, my mind feels a lot clearer and my thoughts seem to be kicked up a notch. I find the feeling invigorating, empowering. I look forward to getting even stronger. Checking my character sheet, I’m slightly stunned at the result of the efficiency increase. My mana regen has gone all the way from 0.6MP per minute to a little over 3MP per minute. I’m both really happy that my regen has increased so much, and happy at the clarity I now have in my mind.

I also notice on my character sheet that the amount of money I have has gone up by a lot. Considering the previous amount I had in my inventory was about $160, I must have picked up a cool two thousand dollars from those rats and the Queen. I nod to myself, extremely happy with the number.

I pull out the new items in my inventory and lay them neatly on my bed. I get to the first new item and realise that it’s a container of some kind of meat. I pick it up and observe it first.

Rat Meat

A container of meat from oversized rats. Can be consumed or sold.

I have 7 of these containers. I’ll probably try sell them somewhere, I’m not too keen on eating rat. I move on to the next item, a knife. I inspect it with interest. There are patterns engraved on the blade, and leather strips wrapped around the handle.

Steel knife

This steel knife was handmade hundreds of years ago and has survived until today. The engraving on the blade is an old enchantment for extra damage.

I give it a few test swings. Considering the fact that it’s a knife, the reach I get with the blade isn’t particularly impressive. However, it’s a weapon and it’s something specifically made with combat in mind, not simply a repurposed kitchen tool. This makes it a good first weapon for me. I store it back in my inventory and move on to the next thing, which are bones of some sort.

Oversized rat bone

This is the bone of an oversized rat. It has limited magical properties that make it useful as a crafting material.

I have a stack of 14 of these. I decide to upgrade some of my equipment. I take off my jacket and my pants, and put them each in a pile with 7 of the bones. I use craft on the bones and my jacket first.

Craft will use:

Upgraded battle jacket

7 oversized rat bones

Result:

Gamer’s battle jacket MK II

Accept?

Yes/No

I click the yes option and the bones fuse with my jacket. I pick up the resulting item and observe it.

Gamer’s battle jacket MK II

The Gamer’s battle jacket. It has been upgraded with armoured chicken feathers and the bones of oversized rats. It grants extra protection, maneuverability and style.

+1 Agility

+1 Charisma

+20 Armour when worn

I grin happily and set it aside, before once more using the craft skill, this time on my jeans and some of the rat bones.

Craft will use:

Jeans

7 oversized rat bones

Results:

Gamer’s jeans MK II

Accept?

Yes/No

Again, I click the yes option. The bones fuse with my jeans with a small flash of light. I pick up my new jeans and admire them for a second. The colour has been restored, they’re no longer a faded black colour, but a proper black colour. The stains that were there from times past have also been removed, and I’m left with a clean, new looking pair of jeans.

Gamer’s jeans MK II

The Gamer’s jeans. They have been upgraded with oversized rat bones and grant extra protection and maneuverability.

+1 Agility

+10 Armour on legs when worn

New inventory options unlocked:

Second equipment slot (allows for easy switching of everyday outfits and combat gear)

+6 inventory spaces

I read the second window with interest, testing out the new systems. I find that I can undress and redress with the ease of a thought, and just as the window says, switch between two sets of outfits.

Lastly, with my remaining mana, I use augment body on my boobs for a third time. They increase in size again and I think I actually need to buy bras now. A window pops up as I use the spell.

Augment body lvl 3: now costs 40mp. The spell now affects targeted body part by 7%, applying retroactively. Cap is now 4 spells.

I’ll happily make use of that, once my mana bar refills again. With the retroactive increase, my tits are now definitely at the point where I need to buy bras, and my dick is now 6.7 inches long. I smile again, extremely happy with the results of the day. New armour, my first weapon, increased general power, a new friend and a guild established. I feel like I’m doing quite well for myself at this point. I remember the gang that tried to kidnap me, and resolve to make sure quickly that they can’t hurt me. I’m not letting anybody take this new and awesome life away from me.

I open my eyes, blink twice and am immediately awake. I grin to myself. These powers are awesome. I could stay in bed if I wanted to, but I don’t really see the point. I throw the covers off and begin my usual routine of breakfast, a quick shower and getting ready for class. A new quest window pops up and I read it with a keen interest.

New Quest!

Make another friend

Goals:

• Talk to Skylar

Reward:

• 100xp

Accept?

Yes/No

Interesting. What does this mean? Are these quests trying to steer me into a specific direction or are they a result of my own wants? I’ve barely started to talk to Mia and already I get a quest to talk to another girl. Maybe it’s trying to push me out of my shell? In any case, I’ve always liked the idea of a polyamorous relationship. If things are as unregulated as Mia says, there’s no reason why I couldn’t marry multiple partners, assuming I found multiple partners to marry in the first place.

My insecurities are telling me that there’s no way that even one of them would fall for me, let alone both Mia and Skylar. I push those doubts aside. It doesn’t really matter if neither one of them falls for me. It’s a goal to aim for, and stranger things have happened to me in the past few days. Whether or not they like me, having a goal like this will drive me to improve my social skills as well as keep getting more powerful with my magic, as if I needed another motivation for that particular aspect of things. With that in mind, I accept the quest and resolve to see what I can do about somehow scoring a date with both Mia and Skylar.

Before class, I use augment body on my dick and both my tits. The result is a 7.2 inch dick and boobs that are very much in need of a bra for support. With that in mind, and noticing that I still have some time left before class, I take a walk down to a shop that sells bras, find my size and buy a few different pairs in the size. It’s a strange experience but I find that I enjoy it. It’s always nice to experience a new aspect of womanhood. The trip only takes half an hour as the shop is close by, so once I get back home, I change into one of my new bras, along with the rest of my outfit, and head out to class.

The journey to the campus is as uneventful as usual, with the one difference from ‘usual’ being that I’m using spying magic on everybody around me, less because I’m actually interested in learning more about them, and more just because I want to level up the skill.

It’s interesting how this is now my new normal. They say that one of humanity’s greatest strengths is our adaptability. The human mind takes a surprisingly short amount of time to adapt to a lot of different things. While I don’t think that statement holds true everywhere, the sentiment works in my situation.

I get off the bus and walk to my first class of the day: English with Olivia. That works perfectly for me. Before I sit down, I walk up to her. “Hey Ms White, can we talk after class?” I ask. She regards me in her composed and dignified manner for a few seconds before answering. “Yes of course, stay back after class and we can speak.” I nod and smile at her before taking my seat.

The class is once again interesting. Today’s lecture is all about how films set in the same “universe” as films already released have to be careful to respect what has come before, whilst also adding new value to the world and concepts. Ms White references the Star Wars sequel trilogy, which in her own words, was done to try to make the topic interesting.

It’s extremely enjoyable to see my teacher, with all her authority and dignity, talk about how bad the sequel trilogy was from a writing perspective, and how it has destroyed so much of the world building that came before it. Olivia seems to get a kick out of the class’s reactions to her ripping apart the movies, with some people agreeing and some people vehemently disagreeing. I catch a small smile on her face multiple times throughout the lesson. I think she likes causing this kind of discourse. Or maybe she’s just happy that people are paying attention.

The bell sounds and I stay in my seat while everybody else packs up their belongings and files out of the classroom. As the last student exits the door, I stand up and walk to the front of the room. “So Ms Rose, what is it that you wish to discuss?” Olivia asks. I give her an amused smile. “That was a fun lecture, bringing up the Star Wars movies certainly got people to pay attention.” That same small smile crosses her face and it strikes me that it looks really cute on her.

“It certainly was an amusing discussion. It is nice to see people so engaged in my lectures.” “I’ve always found them interesting. I enjoy film analysis and your lectures are much different to how teachers in high school did things.” She smiles at me. “Thank you Gemma. We should not get too distracted however, what is it that you wanted to speak to me about?”

“Yesterday, I made friends with somebody in the abyss, a girl called Mia. We’ve now started a guild, just the two of us. I was wondering if you might like to join?” I ask, getting to the point. Olivia thinks for a few seconds before answering. “I would consider it sometime in future, however I do not think it the best idea at this point in time. I will wait to see how this guild of yours turns out. I am not looking to align myself with a guild, however if you turn out to be a **** for good, I may reconsider joining. I have spoken to Mia before, she is a good and headstrong young woman. I think you have the potential to make a lot of changes for the better around here.” She replies. I nod.

“I can only hope and advise you to do good for the world. I myself could help the issue, but I could not solve it. A late bloomer such as yourself, with a guild of like minded individuals behind you, could achieve a lot. Stay the course and you will be able to help a great many people.” Olivia continues. I nod again, taking in everything she said. “Thank you Olivia, for your faith in me. I’ll do my best to lead my guild to do good things.”

“What is the name of your guild?” “The Centurions.” A ghost of a smile forms once more on her face. “Roman military terminology. A good choice for a name. Did you register your guild?” I nod in response. “Yeah, we did.” “I find it surprising that your name was not already taken.” “So did we. Works out for us though.” I glance at the door, remembering that I have another class on. “I should go. Thank you for your time Olivia.” I say. She nods. “You are welcome. Good luck, and stay safe.” I start to turn and walk away, but remember something.

“Hey, how did you know I was in danger that time? And why do you just protect me?” I ask. “I protect one other student also, one Skylar Whitley. She is a quiet girl who mostly just wants to be left alone. As for how I know when you are in danger? I have a spying ward set in front of my classroom and I do my best to keep an eye out. It is not foolproof, but it seems sufficient for the task so far.” I nod. “Thank you Olivia. I appreciate your protection.” I reply. “It is no trouble. You had better go to your next class though.” She says. I nod once more and turn to walk away.

The next class isn’t all that interesting. The material is boring but a prerequisite for my degree, so I don’t have much of a choice, at least if I want the degree. I continue my discrete levelling of craft and observe to pass the time. Considering that I already know most of what is being covered in the lecture, I don’t have to pay more than passing attention. The class goes by, albeit at a pretty leisurely pace. Once the bell rings, I pack up the little amount that’s on my desk and head out the door.

I’m looking forward to spending some more time with Mia and talking about stuff to do with our guild. I walk through a hallway and suddenly, the distant chatter of other people on campus falls silent. My eyes narrow immediately as another window pops up.

You have been **** into an illusion barrier. You may only leave after all hostiles are defeated, or when you are allowed by the person in control.