Ruins

I sit on the bed and the girls sit on my sides. I notice Asami slides the box from gramps next to her and thank her in my thoughts. I open the letter and read it aloud.

"Dear Eric, Steele Wolves Guildmaster

My name is Triss, I'll be your guilds Agent. I'll be the one reading any reports you send and giving you your assignments. Pretty much any interactions between the Steele Wolves and the government Lyna branch will be through me. I'd like to keep a casual relationship with you and, apologizing in advance, you're the first guild I've been assigned to so forgive me for any mistakes I make. Hang on, it continues on the next page. Okay, now that the formalities are out of the way, I have your first assignment. I know that you're working with the Silver Garden and Blue Locus guilds on the Katorg dark guild investigation however this is one that you can do along side it. A few days ago the Silver Garden reported a newly discovered Ruin. The Ruins in question is on the weaker side and is only three floors deep. Another page, hang on. Now normally Ruins average at six or seven floors so this is a good one to start with. There is a book within the box I sent you that will explain more, but here are the basics of a Ruin. They have multiple floors and every floor is full of monsters. You'll often find chests containing treasures and artifacts. The stairs leading to the next floor will always be guarded by a boss class monster. These are always stronger than the monsters of the floor so please take caution. Another page, give me a sec. You'll need to enter the Ruins and slay the bosses. In the final chamber you'll find the final boss. We need you to slay all monsters and bosses and collect their Crystal Hearts. When you slay the monsters their bodies will disperse and leave these behind. We use these to create items and objects with magic. Your payment will be any items or treasure you find in the Ruins. You'll find a binder in the box with the Ruins locations and your papers you'll need to hand the guards to verify your identity and permission to enter. Next the box I sent you. It contains some books detailing how to make your monthly reports and what to include. Geez, more pages." I say and Asami chuckles.

"At least she's not skimming any details. And she got us access to some Ruins." She says and I nod before continuing.

"You'll also find your Guildmaster desk. This is an object made with your mana circuits. If you pour some mana into it the machine within will activate. It'll send whatever you place on the small stone, that's been built into it, to me. This is how you can contact me. You'll also see another stone on the other side. I'll be using this one to send you letters. Any objects bigger than that will have to be sent by the small tablets currently resting on top. Send me one and I'll signal the other when I'm ready. Then use it to scan the object and it'll send it through mine. I'll then send the stone tablet back and I'll do the same if I have something to send you.

Wishing you luck, Triss."

"That was a lot." Luna says leaning against me. "When should we explore the Ruins?"

"Calm down Luna." Asami says sounding exited herself. "It's night already and it's been a long day, let's leave it for later." Luna pouts but reluctantly agrees. "Here Eric." She says handing me the box gramps gave me. I take it and am confused by my feelings. I want to open the box but at the same time I'm worried about what I'll find inside, almost scared. Asami sees through me and starts rubbing my back. A simple wordless action that makes me smile. I open the box and inside rests a scroll. Unlike the others I've seen this one has a protective metal casing. I see a small ring sized metal circle attached to a string, that I assume is how you unroll it. I use Observe on it and read its description.

Scroll Of Annihilation Lvl UNDETERMINED, Mythical

This scroll contains all the knowledge of the Annihilation School of Magic. This School was created by REDACTED in order to combat REDACTED. She left it behind for her son after her ****. Only REDACTED may understand it and only REDACTED can handle the strain.

"Holy shit." I say aloud causing the girls smiles to vanish.

"What is it!?" Luna asks worried and looking from me to the scroll. I quickly explain what I read and they look at it worried.

"Eric." Asami says seriously. "I need to tell you something." I look at her, trying not to let any worry show on my face. "Remember when I showed you the spell to leave Falvos Barrier? The spells I taught you were Create Barrier and Exit Barrier, not Create and Exit Dungeon. I wasn't sure until you let me look through your memories but I'm sure of it. You've been creating monsters every time you cast the spell... Okay I'm going to be blunt, sorry. Whatever race your mother was, and you are, they're capable of... Well, the impossible. You've been creating monsters and fighting them. I also think that's why your magic works in a game like way. Your mana is manipulating the way your spells work and creating a system for you to understand and use it better. I don't know why or even if this is true but if it is, then your race is something very close to mana and magic." She says and grabs my hand, before resting her head on my shoulder. I wrap my arm around her and kiss her.

"Thanks for telling me. I love you." She smiles and I feel Luna grab my free arm. "I love you too." I say kissing her and holding her closely.

"Are you going to read it?" Luna asks and I start petting her.

"Yep, let's see what it has to offer." I say lifting it out of the box.