54 – Invitation

Alexandra was sitting in front of Sera, arms crossed.

“I’m glad you came to your senses,” the Katori woman smiled.

“Get to the point.”

Sera shook her head. “Oh my, I was going to. Well, it’s as I said. Your friend has been captured by Lucius Merinus. He’s currently locked up in the Merinus estate.” She raised her hand as Alexandra shifted. “Don’t be so impatient.”

Alexandra started. “I wasn’t—”

“Your face says it all,” Sera said. “Louis should be safe. They kept him alive.”

“But for how long? We can’t take that risk.”

“And barging into the Merinus estate can’t even be called taking a risk. At your level, it’s suicide. Lucius is not the only Gold of the family.”

“Then what? I just leave him to rot in jail?”

Sera rolled her eyes. “So dramatic. No, you scout, you train, and you come up with an actual plan. I’m not allowed to intervene in this region, but I can give you advice.”

“Why not?”

“It’s quite simple, really. Baleria is limited to Gold ranks and below. It’s a rule the leaders of Laika set to avoid escalation. I shouldn’t even be here, to be completely honest with you.”

Alexandra frowned. “You’re…”

“Platinum. But keep that to yourself.” Sera sighed. “I really don’t want to deal with the consequences of being found out.”

“Then why didn’t Raymond send a Gold rank instead?”

“Questions, questions, questions. So many questions. But I do commend your thirst for knowledge. Tash would be proud. Short answer: there are no Gold ranks among the Keepers of the Iron Ink. Platinum is the minimum required to join us.”

“Okay, then—”

“Wait,” Sera said, interrupting her. “It’s my turn to say my piece. The Magus sent me here to extend an invitation to meet him at the Iron Library in Kator.”

Alexandra tensed. Bamir’s warning echoed in her mind. Can I trust Raymond?

“Unfortunately for me, he made it clear that I wasn’t allowed to force you,” Sera added.

“So, if I refuse, you’ll leave?”

“That’s the worst part. Failure to bring you back is also not an option. I’ll have to convince you.” She coughed. “So, the Iron Library, and why it is such a good place for you. First of all, it’s in Kator, an actual city. Not like this provincial town where nothing happens. Second, it’s the foremost center of learning in Laika. Since you are seriously lacking in that aspect, it’s a natural destination for you! Third—”

Alexandra raised her hand. “Look, I can think about it. But I won’t leave while Louis is in danger.”

Sera clicked her tongue. “Figured as much.”

“Also, there are a few ongoing matters in Esmera that I need to see through.”

“Your quests. I know.”

She blinked. “How?”

“What do you mean how? I’ve been watching you for a few days.”

“Creepy.”

“That is—” Sera stopped. Her fingers found a loose thread on her sleeve. “It’s not every day you meet someone from another world. I was simply curious.”

Alexandra pursed her lips. “Okay…” She shrugged. Since she already knows.

She summoned her journal.

“Oh, you too?” Sera snapped her fingers and a thick grimoire landed on her lap. It was a lot larger than Alexandra’s journal, and the leather binding it was thicker, older. The pages inside were worn out, stained yellow by the passage of time. The Keeper noticed her expression. “Don’t worry. Everyone knows how a Keeper’s class art looks.”

Alexandra nodded, and opened her journal.

Quest Journal

Daily Reset: 06:00 | Streak: 17 Days | 1% All Stats

Next Milestone: 25 Days

Daily Quests:

• Patch the holes in your clothes (0/23)

She looked down. Twenty-three, really? Sure, there were a few large ones in her shirt which left her skin exposed. And, yes, there were at least two gaping holes in her pants around her knees.

“Anything good?” Sera asked.

Alexandra looked up. She already knows. Might as well.

When she was done explaining her daily quest, Sera stood up and rummaged through Louis’ belongings. She pulled out a set of needles and spare fabric, and handed them over to Alexandra.

This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

“You know how to sew, right?”

Alexandra didn’t smile. “Do I look like someone who knows how to sew?”

“Most people do,” Sera answered. “But I guess I can teach you.”

“Thank you…” Alexandra started, reaching for the set. She stopped mid-action, and snapped her fingers. “Wait. I know.”

“What?”

“If this works…”

The quest asked that she patched the holes in her clothes. What would happen if she got someone else to do it for her?

She explained her reasoning to Sera.

The Katori rolled the needle in her hand. “Good instinct. Class arts are always more complex than they seem. Those who reach higher ranks are the ones who took the time to experiment with their limits. You say that your daily quests can unlock skill quests. You should consider if the way in which you complete the quest will influence that.”

“I’m quite certain it does.”

“Then,” Sera continued, “it’s a matter of choosing your path. It’s mere speculation on my part, but if you patch the holes yourself, you might get a sewing skill. If you pay someone to do it, perhaps a bartering skill.”

“Or perhaps nothing. It happens sometimes.”

Sera nodded. “There’s only one way to know.”

Alexandra licked her lips. Bartering sounded nice. She needed the money to cure her sicknesses. Then again, with how often she tore her clothes, learning how to sew would prove useful. Doing it herself also felt more likely to give her a skill.

“Can you patch one for me?” she asked. “I want to see if this works first.”

Sera took the needle, examined the tear near Alexandra’s knee.