The farm Ramia had found for them was nothing special, a simple building that could house them all, far enough from the forest entrance to give them plenty of time to react to any monster appearance, should there be any, and close enough so they would not be overly burdened to have to travel too far to acquire the wood they would need. It was also close enough that they could see the city walls from the property and could rush over should a disaster strike while they were still not prepared. Not that Jack expected something like that to happen, they were still within the neutral territory that was off limits for military conflicts, heavily enforced and ensured not only by the three nations around, but also by a number of large guilds that did the same and used this place as their own negotiation table. The forest the group of kids had gone to being quite the newby training ground, resulting in many a person visiting the city in hopes to either grow and get lucky in one of their hunts or to either find, or get scouted by some of the larger guilds that had their people keeping an eye out for promising seedlings.

  It was a rare occasion when Jack left his 'laboratory', almost dragged out screaming by the kids as they were on their way to visit the merchant. Ramia had asked for Jack to visit to converse about some important things that supposedly needed his presence. Grumbling, he had relented and so here he was, on the way there with his party, Alonso and his farmer squad also packing up their own stuff, preparing to move out towards their new home to be.

  Jack had not idled by the last week or so, his experimentation deepening his understanding of the skills and class he had acquired on a personal level, the couple of spatial rings his party now had a clear proof of it. 'Might as well see what old Ramia has in stock and perhaps could be of use.' he mused as they walked, looking back on the last week he had spent on his so called 'experimentation and development.'

  Sure, he had done some work, the spatial rings a clear proof of it, but he had also come to an extremely important conclusion about the class he was now a proud owner of, as well as the path he had believed would be a lot of fun. First, the class was too busted and irregular. The entire system that it worked on meant that Jack would not have to actually craft anything until he had either gotten his hands on already existing piece to perfectly replicate it at a later time, so long he had enough matter to do it of course, or he had to use his imagination and think up entirely new constructs that would then demand certain amount of matter to be realized in the material plane. If he so whished, he was sure he could even go so far as to create some sort of void abomination, assuming he had enough matter to work with, something he was not entirely sure could be made manifest even if he were to break this entire plane down into mere matter for him o work with. Still, the possibility existed for that to happen.

  What could he do then to advance and master his craft? Spend days with his mind off in the 'la la land' as he tried to fantasize more and more absurd things? Clearly not, at least it was obviously not a decision Jack could make. He had gone through years of blood rousing, adrenaline pumping and knife's edge balancing fights to the death against countless monsters and had come out on top. No, he had to inject his life with excitement and perhaps even a tinge of danger, all the while maintaining his current front as slightly insane Virtuoso. 'Could make another persona that does the dirty work, so to speak. Need to prepare for that though. A small warp station connecting a secret hideout in the basement to somewhere else entirely and also a new class setup to go along.' he mused as the group continued on, his mind getting into groove in mere moments as he started to map out the things he would need to work on as soon as possible.

  Not long after, they arrived at Ramia's place, a girl, dressed in a simple maid outfit receiving them and guiding towards where Ramia was expecting them, warned in advance about their inevitable arrival. They were guided inside a rather cozy study deeper behind the shop. The room was not all that large, a couple of old, yet well maintained wooden bookshelves lined the walls, each stacked with neatly arranged books, telling quite a story about both connections, influence and wealth of the owner of this place.

  Further in the room near the other end, sat a simple, yet once again well maintained desk, covered with more books and a few stacks of paper sheets on either side. Behind it, a rather cozy looking chair awaited it's owner and, together with the stacked desk, reminded everyone who viewed them that there was still plenty of work to be done. Coming back towards Jack and his group, on both sides of the room relatively small tables awaited, each surrounded by few more chairs and assortment of light snacks awaited someone's arrival on each of said tables. Ramia himself was sitting at one of them, light smile on his face as he enjoyed his own chosen snack. The light smile spread further still once he noticed their arrival.

  With a simple gesture of his hand, he beckoned them forward, inviting them to join his little rest and partake in the snacks he had prepared ahead of time.

  "Do not be shy. These are just a few of the snacks my chefs had come up with in the short time they have had on hands thus far, using precisely the blend of spices you have provided us with and I do have to say, they are terrific. Would you perchance have any other ideas of similar nature, for I would gladly come to an arrangement to produce and distribute them as well. Heavens be my witness, they are worth every bit of coin I am paying you."

  With the enthusiastic and friendly smile directed towards them as they took their seats, Jack did not wait long to respond, telling half truths, though in a way that would serve to further both parties goals.

  "Depends really. I would need samples of different spices that are considered highly valuable and the reasons why. Then, as many books about flora and fauna of this world you can get your hands on, ideally actual specimens as well so I could understand what I am working with. All manner of minerals, metals and other inorganic materials as well for the same purpose."

  "I can understand why would you need all manner of flora, but why minerals and metals?" Ramia asked, though he did have some manner of suspicion regarding the answer to his own question.

  "There are several reasons for it, but the one that concerns our possible future deals and the emergence of possible new spice blends is as follows." Jack replied, his voice calm, betraying not an iota of worry or excitement. "Think of every non flora ingredient as a possible salt. While true that spices, or many blends for that matter, indeed do not contain it, there are no doubt plenty more in which salt is a crucial core ingredient. While I don't plan on explaining in detail the process in which I come up my spice blends as those are what you could call trade secrets, I do not hesitate to reveal that understanding and introducing myself to as many different possible ingredients is mandatory for it."

  "So it would be an investment of sorts to provide you with the best possible conditions for more to come. The question though arrives here. How would you be able to discern their value and effectiveness?" Ramia asked, only to receive a raised brow and a smirk from Jack as he stared the old merchant down. Noticing the awkwardly forming silence, Jack replied with words.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  "Don't you, as a merchant of considerable skill, have precisely the tools needed in your own hands at all times to know? Appraisal. Unlike back in our world, where no magic or system exists and we had to go through trial and error for years to figure such things out, here the success and failure is immediately shown through appraisal. Much like with the spice blend I created that is classified as high grade and rarity, at least as far as general blends are concerned, my new creations I bring forward would be similar. And the best thing about it all is also rooted in appraisals existence. Since the skill exists, other investigative methods to uncover the way things are made are scarce, to the point of near non existence, ensuring your ability to maintain iron grip on said recipes. I say there is only upside to what this 'sponsorship' could bring you. And besides, there is always the other venue that would easily resolve any possible losses you might incur due to this particular deal, should all my experiments fail that is."

  "Ha. Ha ha ha ha ha!" Ramia laughed once Jack had ended his explanation, clearly amused and happy at the possibilities that this small group had brought his way. "Indeed, there are no way I could come out the other end worse for wear. Are you not worried I might stab you in the back?" he asked a moment later with a suddenly serious tone.

  "I am a 'Virtuoso' and it is a part of my skill set to judge people's characters. And you sir, have been deemed worthy of such trust. There are few, if any, traits more commendable and demanding of respect than honorable after all."

  "And if the system deems a person worthy of such a trait, who are we to question it? Is that right?" Ramia asked with a smile on his face.

  "Haven't had a reason to doubt it so far." Jack replied with a smile on his face.

  "A word of advice kid. There are skills and items at heroic rank and above that can disguise system windows. Don't blindly trust all you can see or it will be the death of you one day." Ramia warned the youngster group, his voice once again calm and grandfatherly. "Though I don't have anything like that at my disposal, sadly. Alright, alright, I will consider the wording of the contract we should form for that next little investment and come back to you regarding that in a few days." he smiled and concluded that part of their conversation, thought he quickly added.

  "That was not the only reason I asked you kids over though." and once he held all of their attention, he continued. "I have received news that the trials and subsequent banquets have finally ended, with the rest of newly arrived gifted leaving the town of beginnings. I do have to ask, for obvious reasons, how come you reached here already, so much ahead of the schedule?"

  "Our wish for triumphing the tutorial boss of our trial. You are surely aware of said reward, yes?"

  "Y-yes, of course. The group that defeats their respective trials boss receives a small favour from the force in charge of said trial. Wait, are you saying just you dealt with the boss and asked to avoid the whole graduation event?"

  "You are indeed correct. That is precisely what happened. Due to our small numbers, we were allowed to ask for more, so to speak. No doubt you are aware of the token we flashed to get through the gate guards?" chimed in Izumi.

  "Yes, I was told that you showed a token of Anastiela the archangel. Heh, that's one way to go unnoticed and not at the same time. But that does all add up. Still, your arrival, and our cooperation, alongside the auction I am pulling together to sell off that treasure, has brought the attention of more than one unsavoury character to our nice city. Add to that the fact you are planning to establish your own mini compound outside the walls and your security is at high risk."

  "Can you acquire a place for us within the walls then with sizeable garden for us to do our thing? We need the place for our farmers to practice their craft."

  "I take it they are no simple farmers either?"

  "What gave that off? The high likelihood that they are also gifted, or the fact they are with us?" Kaede giggled as she asked.

  "The latter to be honest. Can you blame me though?" Ramia asked back with a shrug, only receiving another giggle and a shake of Kaedes head.

  "We have our plans, let's just put it like that." Jack smiled as he explained.

  "Give me another week then. i will find a plot that's large enough and not too expensive. It will still cost a small fortune, not that I can't afford it, but it will sting a bit." Ramia hummed as he was already making some mental calculations.

  "Would these help then?" Izumi asked as she placed a few, relatively small containers the size of a salt shaker on some free spaces on table before her, right in front of Ramia. The old man took one of the containers in his hands, opened it and glanced inside for a moment, then placing it down and doing the same with the rest. Once done with all four, he looked to Jack, clearly aware who made them and laughed maniacally for a good while.

  "Kid, when were you going to show these to me if not for the warning I delivered and the need to change plans?"

  "Once I had some of those books and test flora samples delivered." Jack replied shamelessly, earning another maniacal wave of laughter from the old man, who clutched his sides a moment later, stifling his own laughter.

  "Damn, now that's some business sense." Ramia grinned "You sure you don't want to become a merchant under me?"

  "No can do. Izumi was the one who strategized and came up with this. Why else would she hold the stuff?"

  "No way you would be willing to part with her either I assume?"

  "She is her own person and can decide for herself, but if she asked for my opinion- No way in fucking hell!" Jack replied with conviction "Those kids are mine. I helped them, and while I will still do it all the same, they will now help me as well. And to be honest, the most important part of my refusal is that I have grown attached to them, even with the short while we have had to spend together."

  Jack's words, while somewhat awkward and crude, did carry a hint of fondness, something the rest of the party felt, bringing smiles to their own faces as well.

  "We share the same sentiment." Izumi added with a rare smile on her face.

  "And we have to repay the kindness and help we have received so far as well. it would stain our honour should we do anything but." added Kaede, supported by a decisive and reaffirming nod from Kenji and the rest of the party.

  "A good party you have acquired. I almost feel jealous." Ramia smiled as he said. "Almost." He then turned towards Emi, asking the girl to employ her talents once again and draw up another contract for the added four spice blends, following the same rules as before, while adding his own, new obligations to the contract. With what he saw through his appraisal, no matter how pricey his next task would be, he was sure to come out the other end much, much wealthier than going in, and that, that was the language he loved to speak.

  "Right, do be careful regarding strangers around you. While we have quite the safety within town, one can never be too cautious." Ramia added after the contract was finalized and signed and the group had their share of his prepared snacks. There were plenty of praised regarding the taste of quite a few of them, with some receiving the status of ' for acquired taste only'. Still, most were well received and with that done, Ramia thanked the group for their visit and assured he would have good news for them in just a few days. It was much easier, though also more expensive, to find and organize a good place for a small villa with relatively large 'garden' attached to it. A wall of sorts was also a requirement since it was obvious to the older man the farmers would be growing some valuable stuff eventually.

  With their business concluded, the group left Ramia's shop and headed back, taking a relatively large detour instead of heading straight back towards the inn they would apparently stay a while longer in, not that they had a problem with the place, mind you, each and every one, including the owners had already somewhat gotten used to staying there. Of course, it was not viable to stay there for much longer, Alonso and his farmer party already growing impatient to get their hands dirty and busy with work, their hard working and down to earth nature coming out in spades.

  It was then, as they passed through a smaller side street that Jack stopped, as if frozen in place, his head shooting to the side, locking on a small and barely afloat flower shop, if the sign on top of the barely holding together guilding was anything to go by. Then, as if entranced, Jack headed inside, the door creaking with sound that reminded people of miserable wails.

  Jack Raja(?)

  Age- 27

  Species- human(?)

  Level- 15

  Class- Twin aspect of Creation and Destruction(EX)

  Stats unassigned: +11

  Attributes:

  Strength- 24 (14+7+3)

  Vitality- 22 (12+8+2)

  Dexterity- 21 (15+6)

  Intelligence-7

  Spirit- 25 (20+5)

  Skills- Wisdom of Creation and destruction(EX), Choice of the creator(EX), Eyes of procurer(EX), Matter storage(EX), Arukain language(C), Spark of inspiration(EX).

  Spells- temporary spatial storage (shrinking)

  Titles(unlocked): The real Monster, Big Game Hunter, The brilliant rookie, The insane Solo. The actor. Executioner. Survivor. Pioneer, Record breaker.The new champion supreme.

  Gear: amulet +2 vit: weapon- Gundao+3 str.