I woke up early the next morning, not something I usually do. I don't sleep until midday or anything, but i rarely get up before the sun unless I have to. I had good reason to today however.

  Advancement complete. Level 2 achieved.

  I immediately set it to start again and went to wash up for the day. I'd only accomplished half of what I'd set out to do yesterday. Dealing with my parents hadn't left me in a sorry mood and I'd wanted to shake that off before I talked to my friends. That was my goal for today. I went back to my room and got dressed, thankful to have different clothes to change into today. I placed the book under my pillow because I was paranoid and headed out.

  On my way out I ran into Derk. "Hey Derk. Sorry I didn't see you again last night. I was in a foul mood after talking to my parents and didn't even go to see my friends. Just went straight back to my room for the night."

  "Oh no worries. I have to inform you though that since it appears you'll be staying here you will need to work. You'll have to pitch in with cleaning the Grand Cathedral, serving in the dining room, and one other task of your choice. You seemed to take an interest in learning so maybe ask librarian Stephens if he'd let you work there. If not then the kitchens always need hands for prepping service. You've met Helga right?"

  "Oh yeah, I have. Sweet woman."

  He grinned a dark little grin. "Sweet woman, yeah. As long as you're not working for her. If you are then she's like some all seeing kitchen goddess. She runs a tight ship in there and she's fair, but if you mess up she'll give you a tongue lashing like you wouldn't believe."

  "Really? I'd have never guessed. I'll ask Stephens first then. Anyway I'm off to talk to my friends. Let them know where I'm at and how I'm doing. When do we clean the Cathedral and can I serve at breakfast? I'd like to get that out of the way early in the day."

  He looked a bit surprised. "Thats great actually. Most novitiates don't want to serve breakfast. They like the later meals because they use the morning to study the scriptures. I'll get you signed up for tomorrow morning. As for cleaning, it's just after the awakening ceremony in the evening since that's the last official function for the day. You'll need to start tonight on that so make sure you're back in time please."

  "I'll be back long before then. I still need to talk to Stephens after all."

  "Make sure to call him either Scholar Stephens or head librarian Stephens to his face. He may be more relaxed behind closed doors but for official duties he wants professionalism."

  "Thanks for the tip. I'm off". I gave a little smile and wave as I left. I liked Derk. He was very easy going and just pleasant to be around.

  Into the city I went, headed to three different places. Aurelia and Livia were likely to still be at home this early in the day as they were both younger than me. Gais had awakened two months prior though and would be at work. He'd gotten Blacksmithing and would be at his uncle's smithy. Livia would be helping her father sell pottery soon and Aurelia would help her mother in her Enchanting shop, Akaia's Wonders when she opened at 10. Her mother claimed it was indecent to do business before a nice leisurely breakfast.

  We were lucky to even be friends with Aurelia actually. She came from a much wealthier family than the rest of us but we'd all been friends and attended the same school before her mother had become well established and we'd been close ever since.

  Since Livia was going to be busy soon I headed to her house first. I knocked on the door and heard someone ask "Who is it?.

  "It's Cid." The instant I responded the door was flung open and Liv shot out like she'd been fired from a catapult, tackling me in a hug.

  "Cid! We all heard the news. We've been so worried about you. What took you so long to come see your friends you idiot." She banged her head into my chest and I laughed. She barely came up to the bottom of my ribs. She stepped back and I could see she was playing.

  Liv was a little thing. Short and thin with sandy blonde hair. She had thin delicate features and was like a mother hen for our little group. Always worrying over us.

  "As you can imagine I've been dealing with quite a few changes to my life. Cut me a little slack."

  "I know and I'm so sorry Cid. You're still my friend no matter what."

  "Actually I've made peace with my skill. It's not ideal but I'll live."

  She looked shocked. "Really? I thought you'd be devastated. I know you've were planning to get something Grand and rub it in your parent's faces. Heh heh"

  I played it off like it was no big deal. I couldn't let any of my friends know that I'd broken the restrictions of the skill. I couldn't let anyone know, yet at least. "Really. I can still have a life and I'm still free of my parents. That's the important thing."

  Sympathy dozed from her as she said "You're right. You're finally free. I do worry for you though. A murder in the Grand Cathedral itself?! What monster would do something like that?"

  "I know but that was a once in a lifetime crime. They have Templars on guard at night now inside the Cathedral. I'll be fine." At least I hoped that was true.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  "Thats good. Are you going to see the others too?"

  "Yeah, they'd kill me if I didnt. I'll go see Gais first just to let him know I'm okay then I'll go see Aurelia since she has the most free time. I'll ask if you guys can visit me at the Cathedral and let you know soon."

  She smiled as she said "Tell Gais to have a good day for me okay?"

  "I will. You know he's going to ask for your hand as soon as you awaken in a month right?"

  "He better. The big idiot. He'd be lost without me."

  "Ha! Well if need to get going. I have work to do back at the Cathedral later and need to finish up here in the city."

  "Alright but you better visit again soon." She stepped in for another hug.

  "I will. Give your parents my best." I squeezed her and headed off.

  The smithy where Gais worked was in the crafting district between our neighborhood and the one where Aurelia lived so I could hit him on the way. I waved at a few people I knew as I walked until I got to The smithy, Publius' Parts. He specialized in making different bits and bobs for carts, tools, and fixtures. All sorts of little things really. It was a more niche market but he'd done well for himself.

  I walked round the side of the building down an alley to the back where the forge was since that was where Gais would be. I saw him hammering away at what looked to be the makings of a shovel. I waited for him to finish as I knew startling him could cause him to ruin the piece he was working on before speaking up. "You should hit it with your head since it's way harder that that hammer."

  He turned around and gave a big honest smile. He was like a giant puppy. Loyal and friendly. He was my height at around 1.8 meters, thickly built with muscle, and a handsome devil. Black hair and chiseled features that made girls blush just saying hello. "I don't want to break it though." He laughed as he put down his tools and walked over.

  "I know you're busy but I wanted to let you know I'm alright and staying at the Cathedral. I spoke with Liv first so I know you know my situation. She said to have a good day by the way."

  "She told me everything. I'm so sorry Cid." He gave me a look that said he meant it too.

  "I'll be fine. Don't worry about me. I'm headed to see Aurelia next and I'll see you guys again soon. I'll make sure to tell Liv if you can visit me. She's the responsible one of you two."

  The got a big grin. "I love that woman. Gonna marry her as soon as I can."

  "You better. That's a direct quote from her by the way. Anyway I'm gone. Don't want to get you in trouble."

  "Eh, my uncle likes you. Plus he's not a slavedriver and I always get my work done. Take care Cid. I'm happy you're free." He reached out and grasped my forearm in a shake.

  "There's the upside. Later Gais."

  One more visit to make. Aurelia lived in a much nicer neighborhood but it was fairly close. A half our later I was knocking on the door of a large stone mansion. Her butler answered. "Hello Cidrakas. I'll inform miss Aurelia of your arrival. Please wait here in the foyer."

  "Thank you Dura. You can call me Cid you know."

  "Of course mister Cidrakas." That was attached least the 500th time I'd told him that. I knew he never would, but it made me laugh. A couple of minutes later Aurelia came downstairs.

  "Cid. I'm glad you're alright. I heard about the murder at the Cathedral. Ghastly business that." She walked up and gave me a hug. She was a beauty. Long brown hair with green eyes complemented her pale skin. She was a bit taller than Liv her head coming up to my sternum. She had a athletic figure and was wearing an emerald green dress.

  "Yeah that was shocking to say the least. I'm fine though. I wanted to let everyone know that I'm okay. I'll find out if you guys can visit and leave the details with Liv. I saw her and Gais on the way here."

  "Come, let's go to the sitting room. Mother may be in there and we can chat a bit." I filled her and her mother was indeed there, sipping tea and sitting in a large cushioned chair.

  "Cid, how lovely to see you. Aurelia told me about your unfortunate awakening. You have my sympathies dear." She was a tall, statuesque woman with curly auburn hair and elegant poise.

  "Thank you Mrs. Bellus. I'm alright though. I still draw breath and where there is life there is hope."

  "Good lad, that's the right spirit to have. Tea?"

  "No thank you ma'am. I'll be leaving shortly. I just wanted to let Aurelia know I'm alright and see how she's doing with her birthday being in 8 days." I flashed and smile at Aurelia.

  Her cheeks turned a few shades darker. "I am fine thank you. Perfectly composed."

  "Uh huh. Well either way I just wanted to pop by and assure everyone that I'm alright."

  "I'll leave you two to chat then. Good day Cid, and take care." She stood up and left the room.

  "Mother was worried about you too you know."

  "I appreciate it but I'm fine, really."

  "Not about your awakening, well that too, but about the murder. There were traces of soul magic at the scene and the only known practitioners of soul magic we currently know about are the royal family themselves. The king, the crown prince, and the youngest princess. She's 16 herself though and only awakened six months ago so it's highly unlikely to be her." Her look turned dark with meaning.

  "And you think the king or the crown prince are LIKELY to be responsible?" I didnt like where this conversation was headed. I wanted as little to do with this topic as possible.

  "Who know. I'd certainly not say so in public of course but it's worth considering."

  "Consider it considered then. It has nothing to do with me anyway. What are your plans for your birthday?" I redirected away from the topic.

  "Hm. Well mother has a party planned the day before, you have to come. No excuses. The day of will be spent in quiet consideration of what I want before the awakening ceremony. That is supposed to increase the chances of getting what you want as your first skill. I may even see you there since you're staying at the Cathedral."

  "I'll see what I can do." We spent several more minutes talking before I told her I needed to leave. It would take about 45 minutes to return from her house and I still needed to speak with Stephens before helping clean the Cathedral.

  I headed to the library and asked if the head librarian was in. He was and I was directed back to his office after about 10 minutes.

  "Hello young man. Have you been reading that book I lent you?" He was seated at his desk going over paperwork again.

  "I have. It's been very helpful. I was wondering if I could work here in the library as a matter of fact."

  "Ah. I think you'd make a fine addition to the library. You'd mostly be tasked with reshelving books and fetching books for those here to study. Also a fair amount of dusting. We endeavor to keep it tidy here after all."

  "That sounds fine sir. I appreciate the position." I meant it too. I had a great deal to study.

  "You start tomorrow then just after breakfast since you're serving in the dining room then."

  "How did you know that?" Only Derk knew and I doubt he'd told Stephens yet.

  "You'll find that very little happens withing these walls that I do not know. I'll see you tomorrow." He looked back down at his work in a clear dismissal.

  I returned to my room and read for a bit before my cleaning shift. The Cathedral was huge so it looked like every single novitiate was there sweeping, mopping, dusting, and picking up and refuse as well as general tidying. It didn't take too long with all of us there.

  Back in my room I read some more before bed and fell into my new routine the next day. Like this the next 3 weeks passed by.