Chapter Sixty-Two: Indoor Swimming

  Jace couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. No lasers, no creatures to fight on his behalf. Those kinds of perks didn’t even make an appearance in the Bronze Rankings. Maybe, just maybe, they’d start showing up in Silver? He could only hope. For now, he’d have to settle for sturdier walls. Still, it provided some comfort.

  It was his last upgrade that brought a grin to his face, something that was a total splurge, an upgrade for the simple joy of it. He knew it was slightly irresponsible, but he felt like he had earned it.

  He selected the option for: [Butler, Rank Two.]

  This might not have been the most practical choice, but it had a charm that tugged at something deep inside him. It wasn’t just about functionality; it was about something more, something that resonated with a part of himself he hadn’t touched in years. It reminded him of his brother, who had always loved those old movies where the butler was more than just help—they were the unsung hero, the quiet force that kept everything running smoothly. The idea of having his own “man in the chair,” even in a place as magical and strange as the Fields Below, filled Jace with a sense of childlike wonder. It was like bringing a piece of those cherished stories to life, a way to keep that connection alive. Maybe it wasn’t the most efficient upgrade, but it was one that made him smile, and that was worth something too.

  “That’s odd,” Jace muttered as he selected the upgrade.

  He scanned the option carefully, but something was off—there was no star next to the Butler upgrade, no detailed breakdown of what it entailed. Just a single, cryptic word where the description should have been: “Variable.”

  He raised an eyebrow but shrugged it off. “Why not?” he thought, locking in Rank Two for the Butler. What’s the worst that could happen?

  Satisfied with his choices, Jace stepped back, a small smile playing on his lips as he imagined what the Fields Below would look like once the upgrades were complete. He reveled in the anticipation, the excitement building in his chest as he reviewed his list one final time. He was spending nearly every last point.

  He’d spent so long scraping by, constantly worrying about every small detail, that the reality of this moment felt almost surreal. Now, here he was, on the brink of transforming his entire world with just a single press of a button. The thrill of it was exhilarating, almost intoxicating—a heady rush of power that he’d never felt before. It was as if the weight of the interface had suddenly become tangible, heavy with the promise of something new, something magnificent waiting just beyond the veil.

  His heart pounded as he took a deep breath, his eyes sweeping over all the choices he’d made, each one a step toward that new reality. This was it. With a mix of anticipation and resolve, Jace pressed [Accept].

  He waited. But nothing happened.

  Frowning, Jace checked his HUD. All of his Society Points were still there, untouched. He glanced back at the screen, and then, just as he was about to give up, a new prompt flickered into view.

  Butler Rank Two has been activated.

  Accepting Resumes… you have “1″ application for the position of Butler.

  Jace tapped the selection, revealing the applicant—a man, friendly enough, with a five o’clock shadow that gave him a look of casual ruggedness.

  He waited, expecting more applicants to pop up. Nothing. With a sigh, he chose [Accept].

  And then all hell broke loose. A torrent of darkness and light exploded from his chest in a sweeping arc, crashing into the monitor. It didn’t hurt, but it felt like free-falling from a great height, only to be yanked back up at the last second. His eyes stayed glued to the display as his Society Points plummeted to near zero, the arc finally sputtering out as he dropped to one knee, breathless from the effort.

  That had never happened before. Was it because of how many points he’d spent all at once? Maybe the effect had always been there, just too subtle to notice with smaller expenditures.

  The air thrummed with a deep, resonant vibration that sank into his bones, an ancient pulse awakening in the very fabric of reality. The console blazed with light, and for a heartbeat, the universe itself seemed to pause, holding its breath. Then, in an explosive surge, the Fields Below roared to life.

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  Magic crackled through the space like a live wire, buzzing with energy and intent. The walls around him began to shift, contorting and transforming as the upgrades took hold, responding to his will with a fluid grace. Jace could feel it—a raw, electric sensation of power rippling through the air, reshaping the world in ways that felt almost divine. It wasn’t just an upgrade; it was a rebirth, the very essence of magic bending reality to his command.

  Jace wandered through the shifting corridors, eyes wide as the walls shimmered and reshaped themselves like something out of a dream. Books flew past, each one carried by invisible hands to newly formed shelves. Old, stone-gray walls now gleamed with vibrant colors, intricate carvings blooming like vines. Stained glass windows blinked into existence, casting soft hues that danced across the floor in patterns too beautiful to be random.

  The common room was pure magic. The ceiling transformed into a living night sky, stars swirling like they’d just stepped out of a Van Gogh painting. The night above the Fields Below was starting to shift, the deep blues of twilight fading into the soft blush of dawn.

  Then came a scream—a high-pitched yelp, followed by splashing water.

  Jace bolted down the hallway, his heart pounding, tracking the sound to the Catacombs. Turning the corner, he skidded to a stop.

  Shadow, drenched from head to toe, climbed out of a pond—newly formed and black as ink. It must’ve materialized too fast for her to avoid, trapping her in its sudden splash zone. She stomped up to him, her eyes blazing with a mix of irritation and something like... amusement?

  He barely had time to brace himself before she was toe-to-toe with him, leaning up, her nose nearly touching his. She held his gaze, face stormy—and then, without warning, her lips twitched. The storm cracked. She snorted, tried to fight it, and failed. A giggle escaped, quickly followed by full-blown laughter.

  Jace blinked, torn between confusion and relief. “I’m sorry,” he managed, stifling a grin. “Really, I am.”

  Shadow shot him a half-hearted glare, then gestured around as if to say, Upgrades? Really?

  “Yeah,” he admitted with a shrug. “Figured I’d be a bit more proactive with my points.”

  She huffed, shaking her head, still dripping as they walked. Her bare feet left wet prints on freshly unrolled rugs, which magically unfurled as they passed. It wasn’t that she didn’t have shoes, she just refused to wear them.

  Torches flickered out one by one, replaced by elegant bronze sconces that bathed the hall in a warm, golden glow.

  Despite herself, Shadow’s eyes widened as the halls continued to shift. She’d never say it, but Jace knew she was mesmerized.

  He couldn’t resist asking, “What do you think?”

  She stopped, turning to him, and her expression softened. A serene smile lit her face, her eyes reflecting the stars now sparkling above. Jace’s chest warmed at the sight. This was what he’d been working toward—this feeling of accomplishment, of home.

  Then, suddenly, he ducked as a bookshelf exploded from a pile of rubble, shooting past him toward the library. Shadow snickered as Jace straightened, grinning sheepishly.

  Intrigued, he followed the rogue shelf, stepping into the library just in time to watch it transform. Shelves stretched upward, three stories tall, groaning under the weight of countless books. Ladders slid smoothly along their lengths, chandeliers glowed warmly, casting golden light on polished floors. It was a book-lover’s paradise, all grand architecture and cozy nooks.

  He spun in place, taking it all in. “This... is incredible.”

  Shadow strolled past, taking her time, her eyes scanning the tapestries that now adorned the walls—epic battles, forgotten myths, serene landscapes woven in vivid detail. Her silence was thick with awe.

  They wandered through the grand space together, Jace talking excitedly about his vision for the place, while Shadow let her expressions do the talking. A raised eyebrow here, a quirk of her lips there—a smirk when he suggested adding bean bags. It was a dialogue in its own way, every glance and nod full of meaning.

  They ended up sitting on the floor, leaning against a pile of books yet to be shelved. The fire crackled in the hearth, warmth wrapping around them like an old, familiar blanket. Jace kept talking, more to fill the comfortable silence than anything. Shadow just listened, her presence steady and reassuring, even without words.

  At some point, he looked at her, a soft smile creeping onto his face. “This is ours,” he said, his voice low, but filled with certainty.

  Shadow turned to him, her gaze lingering on the sprawling library before them. And then, she smiled. No words, just that—a quiet, knowing smile that said it all.

  Together, they sat there, letting the world fall away.

  It wasn’t more than a few minutes later when their reverie was shattered by a loud clatter from the other room.

  Jace jerked upright. “What was that?”

  Shadow shot him a look—brow furrowed, lips twisted—How am I supposed to know?

  Another clatter echoed, louder this time, followed by what sounded suspiciously like a cough... and then grumbling?

  Jace glanced at her, eyes wide. She just shrugged, but the question was there—Should we check it out?

  They moved quietly, inching toward the sound. Every creak of the floorboards underfoot made Jace flinch, and he could swear the air felt thicker, charged with anticipation. Shadow wasn’t exactly helping either, moving with all the grace of a cat stalking a laser pointer, her eyes fixed ahead, completely ignoring the nervous energy radiating off him.

  They reached the closet just outside the hall, its old wooden door slightly ajar. From inside came the muffled grumble again, followed by a cough that sounded like it belonged to someone ancient and dusty—or maybe just... gross.

  Jace put a hand on the knob, hesitating. He glanced at Shadow. She raised an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed with his sudden caution.

  He took a breath. “On three.”

  She rolled her eyes, gesturing impatiently—Just open it.

  He tightened his grip, his heart thudding in his chest. The door creaked louder than any door had the right to as it slowly, painfully slowly, swung open.