Sarah woke to the crackling of the eternal fireplace, a warmth seeping into her bones. She felt more rested than she had in ages, a solid, undisturbed, comfortable sleep. Stretching luxuriously, she sat up, placing her feet on the warm floor of the master suite. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she noticed the two undead children sitting quietly beside her bed.

  They look remarkably well, considering, she thought, a flicker of unease mixing with curiosity about the potential for good within the Necromancer class. (Create Undead), combined with (Revigorise is quite something.

  Her stomach rumbled, a stark reminder of her empty pantry. Looking at the bare shelves, a wave of annoyance washed over her. She'd been too liberal with the last of the meat.

  I knew I shouldn't have eaten it all yesterday. I wonder if Leo would like to treat me to dinner?The idea brought a wry smile to her lips. It was a cruel thought, given the circumstances, but it reminded her of Leo's own penchant for jokes. He was a humorous cat.

  "Are you two hungry?" she asked the children. They exchanged a glance before shaking their heads in unison.

  Will they even need to eat now that they’re… Like this?

  [Not until you bless them with a soul, Master.] Azrael's voice echoed in her mind.

  [At the moment, they are nothing but walking corpses in a state of suspended animation.]

  It's not like I have souls to spare, not if I want to get this place running. And if they won't starve or rot, there's no immediate rush. A pang of guilt nipped at her. Turning the children into undead hadn't been ideal, but it was done.

  Regret's a useless emotion now.

  To the casual observer, the undead twins could pass for normal children. However, a closer look would reveal the unnatural stillness, the subtle pallor. Sarah was beginning to understand that being partially dead was a strange, unsettling state, perhaps preferable to… Well, actually being dead. Not that she had any real frame of reference. She’d returned from the other side enough times, but she still didn't truly know what staying dead felt like. She clung to the hope that granting the children souls would somehow rectify the situation, ease her conscience.

  Time would tell.

  Leaving the children in the master suite, Sarah descended the stairs. She was eager to see how Ariel had fared with the trial’s advertisement. But as she reached the first floor, she stopped, speechless.

  Sebastian was in the midst of finishing off a challenger. The life-sized chess pieces moved with an almost balletic grace, guided by the players' thoughts, a spectacle that held Sarah captivated.

  This is… Incredible!

  The game reached its swift conclusion. Sebastian dispatched his opponent with ruthless efficiency, barely breaking a sweat. Sarah wondered how the promised blessings were bestowed upon the victors, but that remained to be seen.

  With the game over, Sebastian escorted the challenger downstairs, handing him over to Ariel. The Immortal Receptionist explained that he was welcome to challenge Sebastian again whenever he wished, though he would have to join the queue like everyone else.

  Queue?

  Sarah glanced to her left, finally noticing the three people occupying the waiting area. Two men and a woman sat quietly, awaiting their turn to face the Game Master.

  "Excuse me, Sir Devon. It's your turn for the trial. Are you ready?" Ariel called out to the man closest to the door, impeccably dressed and sporting a magnificent mustache.

  "Y-yes. I am ready." He sounded anything but.

  "Excellent. Please come forward, and I'll explain the process." He approached her desk as instructed. "The cost of challenging the tower varies depending on what you seek. Here are our current offerings:"

  - Intelligence +1 - 2 Silver coins

  - Intelligence +2 - 3 Silver, 5 Bronze coins

  - Intelligence boost 5% (24 Hours) - 5 Bronze coins

  - Intelligence boost 10% (12 Hours) - 1 Silver coin

  - Intelligence boost 15% (1 Hour) - 1 Silver, 5 Bronze coins

  The system was straightforward. Ariel and Sebastian had conceived, implemented, and even completed their first game before Sarah had fully woken. She’d been utterly exhausted, after all…

  She was proud of their efficient setup. The currency system was easy to grasp, too—far simpler than on present-day Earth. Ten bronze coins equaled a silver, and ten silvers could be exchanged for a gold.

  "Now, that might seem like a considerable sum," Ariel continued, her voice smooth, "but how often do you encounter the opportunity to permanently increase your Intelligence? Or boost the same stat for a duration of your choosing? Prices are subject to change and are non-negotiable, nor are they refundable upon a loss." A touch harsh, Sarah thought. It almost sounded like Ariel was predicting his failure before he even began. "Having heard that, do you still wish to attempt the trial?"

  "Yes," he replied, a hint of nervousness in his voice. He withdrew three silver coins from his pouch, his hand trembling slightly as he placed them on the desk.

  "Very well, and good luck, Sir Devon. Your trial awaits you on the first floor. You are not permitted to ascend further, and you will be escorted back down upon completion of your trial." Ariel gestured toward the door beside which Sarah stood, a polite smile gracing her lips as she caught her master's eye.

  Damn! Ariel was so persuasive, she almost had Sarah wanting to take the trial herself.

  "Thank you," Sir Devon murmured, a slight bow to Ariel preceding his exit. He brushed past Sarah, the air around him thick with unspoken tension, and disappeared through the door. The waiting area, a small antechamber just inside the tower's main entrance, suddenly felt too small.

  Sarah and Ariel watched the two remaining challengers swap seats, instinctively gravitating closer to the door, though proximity was irrelevant to Ariel's meticulously organized system. The ghostly receptionist, her form shimmering slightly in the dim light filtering through the stained-glass windows, held a list—a testament to her dedication—upon which she diligently recorded the names and arrival times of each aspirant.

  Sarah, her brow furrowed with a mixture of awe and apprehension, leaned towards the desk. "Ariel," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "Could we speak for a moment in the stairwell?"

  Ariel, her spectral features softening into a warm smile, nodded. "Of course, Master Sarah." She gestured towards a narrow door tucked discreetly in the corner, and the two women slipped away from the watchful eyes of any potential latecomers.

  The moment the stairwell door clicked shut behind them, Sarah turned to Ariel, her expression a mixture of disbelief and admiration. "How… How did you manage to get so many people here? They were avoiding the tower like the plague last time I checked. And such a crowd! Whatever you did, Ariel, you're a miracle worker."

  Ariel beamed, her translucent form radiating pride. "It wasn't as difficult as it initially seemed, Master. You see, I discovered I'm unable to physically leave the tower. There appears to be some… Barrier preventing me from crossing the threshold. However," she continued, her smile widening, "that didn't stop me from disabling the tower's perception filter. I even managed to conjure a sign and place it outside, advertising the… Unique opportunities available within."

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  Sarah's eyes widened. "You turned off the perception filter? And put up a sign?"

  Ariel nodded enthusiastically. "Indeed! The ability to enhance one's intelligence is, as you know, highly sought after. Word spread quickly. So far, Master Sebastian has faced twelve challengers, and none have yet prevailed."

  "Twelve?" Sarah exclaimed, her voice echoing slightly in the confined space of the stairwell. "I thought that… that man was the first."

  Ariel, still basking in the glow of Sarah's praise, explained, "Oh, no, Master. He was simply the thirteenth."

  Sarah shook her head in amazement. "Twelve challengers already… and none of them have succeeded?"

  Ariel’s expression shifted slightly, a hint of concern flickering across her spectral face. “Master Sarah,” she began hesitantly, “While I have you here… there’s something I wished to discuss. I was hoping you might grant me permission to… inhabit the body of the young girl upstairs.”

  Sarah stared at Ariel, her mind racing. She thought of the child upstairs, the one she had… changed. The realization dawned on her. “You’re talking about… the soulless girl?”

  Ariel nodded, her eyes, usually filled with playful mischief, now held a pleading glint. “Yes, Master. Please, may I?” She clasped her hands together, a gesture that seemed almost comical coming from a ghost.

  Sarah considered the request. “Hmm,” she murmured, tapping her chin thoughtfully. “I’m already dealing with the… complications of what I did to her. Is this going to make things even more complicated?” She sighed. "What the hell. Things can't possibly get any worse, right?"

  As if her words were a curse, the door to the tower burst open with a resounding crash. Sarah, startled, peeked out of the stairwell. A man, dressed in pristine white, swaggered into the reception area, his every movement radiating an air of entitlement. He adjusted a pair of small, gold-rimmed spectacles perched on his nose, his gaze sweeping across the room until it landed on Sarah.

  "Are you the receptionist?" he demanded, his voice laced with condescension.

  Sarah bristled. The man reeked of privilege, the kind that came from wealth and status, not merit. She pegged him instantly as a pompous officer, fresh out of the academy and utterly untested. A wave of irritation washed over her.

  “Well? Are you deaf or what?” he sneered, his tone dripping with disdain.

  Sarah’s patience snapped. “No,” she retorted, stepping fully into the doorway. “I am not the receptionist. Are you the entertainment we weren't expecting?"

  The man’s face reddened. He spluttered, clearly taken aback by her unexpected response. “How dare you! I am—”

  “Oh, I don’t care who you are,” Sarah interrupted, her voice hardening. “You kicked down my door—or rather, the tower’s door, which is considerably more robust than your average portal—and you’re rude and obnoxious. So, unless you have something constructive to say, I suggest you—”

  Before she could finish her sentence, a small figure materialized between them. It was the girl from upstairs, but now, she looked exactly like Ariel, only smaller, her features delicate and refined.

  Sarah’s jaw dropped. “No… way…”

  The girl, her eyes fixed on the man in white, spoke in a voice that was surprisingly firm and authoritative. “I will not allow you to speak to my master in such a tone. I am the receptionist. And if you continue to behave in such a rude and disrespectful manner, you will be denied entrance to the tower. However,” she added, her gaze softening slightly as she turned to Sarah, “if you apologize to my master, I may overlook your unruly behavior and allow you to attempt the trial.”

  Ariel, in the body of a twelve-year-old girl, stood her ground, radiating an aura of quiet power. The pompous noble, momentarily stunned into silence, looked from the small receptionist to Sarah, his face a mask of confusion and indignation. He opened his mouth to speak, but no words came out. He looked down at the diminutive figure, then back at Sarah, a flicker of uncertainty replacing his earlier arrogance.

  Name: Ariel

  Class: Receptionist - 9

  Title: Immortal Receptionist

  Skills:

  - Communication - 4

  - Organization - 2

  - Customer Service - 3

  - Record Keeping 3

  - Barring 1

  - Materialise 6

  Ariel has a teleport skill? Sarah’s jaw tightened. It felt profoundly unfair. She was supposed to be the master here, the one with the burgeoning magical talent. How was it that the ethereal spirit had already mastered something so complex? In the body of a twelve-year-old, no less. Sarah couldn't quite muster the anger she felt she deserved. It was hard to be truly furious with… Well, with Ariel.

  "Ugh, who left this little snot rag here?" The noble reeked of fancy wine and misogeny as he swaggered forward, sneering at Ariel. "Little brat thinks she's funny, does she? Mocking your betters? Well, you’d better vanish before I decide to…"

  He didn't get to finish his threat. Before he could even raise a hand, his feet left the floor. One moment he was there, sneering, the next he was sailing backwards, propelled by some unseen force. He landed with a meaty thump outside the tower, his face a mask of bewildered fury.

  Sarah, momentarily forgetting her own pique at Ariel’s teleporting prowess, burst into laughter. The sheer comedic timing of the man’s abrupt ejection was too much. She pictured him sitting unceremoniously on his backside, his face reddening like an overripe tomato, and the giggles bubbled up uncontrollably.

  Outside, the man’s bluster erupted. "What the hell? Are you kidding me? How dare you? Let me in! Let me in right now!" The crimson door stood open, yet he was banging against something invisible, an unseen barrier that shimmered faintly in the afternoon light. It was a skill that Ariel, and Ariel alone, controlled, and which seemed impervious to his rage. "You can't do this to me! Do you know who I am?" he roared, his voice echoing across the street.

  Inside the tower, Ariel, her translucent form shimmering slightly, addressed him calmly, her voice carrying through the closed door as if she stood right beside him. "Nobody speaks to my master like that, so it matters not who you are," she said, her tone cool and measured.

  You fucking tell him, Ariel. What, what!

  "This tower is open to those who can afford entry and who show it respect. Your status means nothing within these walls. You would do well to remember that. As this is your first offense, I will be lenient. Your ban will last seven days. After that time, if you return and apologize sincerely, I will permit you entry once more. Otherwise, it will be fourteen days.” Ariel then closed the door, cutting off his sputtering rage. She turned her attention back to Sarah, her expression unreadable.

  "Don't worry, Master. I will make him grovel at your feet before he re-enters the tower," she smiled, a chillingly mature expression on her youthful face. The three remaining spectators exchanged uneasy glances, their eyes flickering between the woman and the unnervingly composed child.

  We should have just sent him to Solus. He didn't seem like the type of person that has a good impact on society. Sarah's own thoughts startled her. That was the darkest thing she'd ever considered. She pushed the thought away, grateful for the approaching distraction.

  "Excuse me, are you her master? That's what the receptionist said, right?" The woman at the front of the small queue abandoned her place to approach Sarah.

  Damn it, Ariel. That's why I wanted to talk in the stairwell. Sarah internally cursed the cutest receptionist to ever grace Ciria, who, oblivious to the simmering irritation, beamed sweetly and bounced onto her chair.

  Fucking magic.

  Sarah turned to the approaching woman, who clearly hoped to earn some stat points. "Yes, I'm her Master. Although I despise the title. My name's Sarah. It's a pleasure to meet you."

  "My name's Melissa, and the pleasure's mine. I can't believe you own this building. That's amazing!" Melissa was bubbly and every inch the stereotypical mage. Her robe, staff, rings, and grimoire practically screamed, "I'm a mage! Are you paying attention?"

  "Erm, thanks?" Sarah shifted uncomfortably. "So... What can I do for you, Melissa?" She had pressing matters to attend to, but it would be rude to dismiss the woman outright.

  "I was wondering if you were hiring? I... Kind of need a job, and this place caught my eye as I was passing. It's really cool."

  Hiring? The question caught Sarah off guard. She hadn't expected to deal with employment issues so soon after waking up. Then again, she hadn't expected most of what had happened so far, so she added it to the ever-growing list of the bizarre.

  Melissa nodded enthusiastically, her eagerness palpable. Sarah knew arguing would be a waste of energy. Giving in with a sigh, much as she had with Ariel moments before, she agreed to hire Mellisa on the spot. It had absolutely nothing to do with her rumbling stomach and desperate desire to escape. Nothing at all.

  "Fine. First, Ariel is your boss. Do what she says, when she says it, and everything will be fine. Hopefully. Second, your pay will be whatever Ariel decides is fair. You can negotiate if you're not happy. We only opened earlier, but business seems to be picking up, so fingers crossed. Lastly..." Sarah leaned closer to Melissa and whispered, "Do not go near the final trial. It's not ready yet, and you might die." Melissa paled visibly, nodding quickly.

  "Good. Now that's settled, I need to eat. Ariel, I need some funds for breakfast. I'm absolutely starving." The young girl, who was actually the receptionist, who was actually a soul the tower screwed reality over with, bounced over to her desk and retrieved a small pouch.

  "Can I have some too, Master?" she asked, her tiny tummy rumbling in agreement, as she handed the coin purse to Sarah.

  Oh, yeah. She's possessing an actual body now. Granted, it was undead before, but (Revigorize) combined with her possession makes her look like any other child. Although, technically, I suppose she is kind of alive now. Does that make me like… God? Bow before my power! Sarah chuckled inwardly.

  [I think you may be getting a little carried away, Master.]

  Sarah coughed, trying to hide her embarrassment. It was easy to forget Azrael could hear her thoughts. The Book of Souls was always stored within the ring. "Yes, of course, Ariel. I'll even get you something special for doing such a good job with the tower." She took the pouch, stowed it in her ring, and turned to leave.

  "I'll be back as soon as I can," she called, wondering how many times she would have to die to acquire her own teleport skill.