EV B2 Chapter 28:

  The slightly dreary room around me was strangely quiet. I expected to hear the creaking of floorboards above me, the slosh of water in buckets, or the raised voices of arguing warriors from the common room below. But as I sat cross-legged on the floor in front of my bed, I didn't hear any of that. It was a quiet tavern in a slightly seedy part of town. Was it because it was near the Temple of Order? I didn't think so. I was sticking close to Tyr's clergy, but the war god's chosen were just as rowdy after battle as any of the other warriors here.

  I actually found the quiet a little unsettling. I didn't even have Astrid to talk to, as it had only been a couple of days. Throughout that time, I had done a few things for the church, but nothing significant. Not enough to be suspicious. Other than that, I had been relatively bored, and I had taken Loki's suggestion to work on my magic and meditate on my skills.

  Skills were making no progress in my spells. As much as I had gotten a handle on them, I'd only improved their efficiency slightly—their speed of casting, their power, just on the margins. Not enough to make a real difference. But I was having a completely different problem. It wasn't that I couldn't change them, adjust them, or move them. I just didn't know in what direction to take them.

  So far, my spells had held up amazingly. I only had two of them, but between being able to move, heal, and take damage, along with leaving illusions to confuse my enemies, I hadn't needed anything else. I was faster than almost anything I had fought. The only reason I'd struggled with the challenge was because I couldn't be in two places at once—and I didn't think any spell at my level was going to let me do that.

  Everything had been strangely effortless since I got back from the other world. I felt my fingernails dig into my palm as I thought about how that whole thing had ended. There was still no word of Alana, but, well, it would be a while before I found out anything new along those lines.

  I pulled my focus back to my issue. There was just not much need for improvement. Because of that, I was simply moving my spells into a general, slightly better state. But I couldn't bring myself to compromise speed for power—or any one element for another—because everything was working as it was.

  And this was a bit of a problem. When it came down to it, I just wasn't challenging myself. I wasn't sure how I would continue to grow without that. Sure, I had picked up a few levels in the challenge, but nowhere near as much as I could have if it had been difficult and pushed me further.

  I kept pushing down the urge to try out the challenge again on my own. I could do it, but it felt like it would be a distraction at the moment. I needed to keep my focus on my target. But I could only spend so much time dealing with the priests of Tyr before they started to get suspicious.

  And going into the challenge could take far longer than I wanted it to. That left me with a few options. I could talk to Loki. I had spoken with him over the last couple of days, but those conversations had been more casual and, honestly, relaxing. I was sure he could give me some sort of job to do in my downtime, but, well, I wasn't exactly hurting for money.

  I didn't have enough to buy anything extravagant, like fancy new spells, but I also wasn't sure what kind of spells I'd even need. Maybe some sort of direct damage spell? But I wouldn't know what kind I needed until I started to struggle. Right now, I felt like I could face almost anything with my 15 levels in a class that gave me significantly more versatility than my straight 23 levels would. I was effectively something like a level 60 mixed mage and warrior.

  Of course, I wasn't as effective as someone who'd earned all the experience to make it to level 60 without any class. I'd probably still be weaker. But all of this left me with only one real option if I wanted to actually get stronger in the immediate future: head back to the arena, back to where everything went wrong last time.

  I wasn't sure what I would even be able to do there. I supposed I could enter some sort of fight that would allow me to use mana—or one where I couldn't use mana at all. This time, I only had one skill, so I could even enter a skill fight without much concern. But that wouldn't really help me figure out where to move next or what direction to take my spells. At the very least, though, it would challenge me.

  Maybe I could find out what kind of warrior I could be without relying on spells, relying only on pure stats. I could try entering an under-30 tournament or taking on some exhibition matches.

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  Eventually, I gave up on meditating and pushed myself to my feet. I looked around the empty room. Ever since I'd gotten my special bag from Astrid's former friends, I hadn't felt the need to unpack. No space ever really felt like my own; it was just what I carried with me.

  Still, I kept my third-best sword belted on. It wasn't my initial weapon—I didn't want to risk damaging, losing, or having it stolen. But I also didn't want to appear unarmed. I had a decent collection of weapons taken from defeated foes and loot, some of which I still needed to sell. But I didn't need the coin yet.

  All in all, I just felt stuck, like I was waiting for something to happen that wasn't here yet.

  Sighing, I looked out into the early morning light. A light dusting of snow was falling, but no heavier than usual. Dawn would arrive soon, and most people still hadn't gone to bed. Then again, this city never really slept.

  I crept downstairs and left the key on the bar top. I had already paid for the night up front, so I didn't feel the need to wake anyone. Breakfast could wait.

  Stepping out into the street, I breathed in the slightly smoky air from the torches nearby, their flickering light casting shadows across the cobblestones. This wasn't a wealthy enough district to use metal lamps like some other areas of the city did.

  Jumping slightly, I used Dance the Jester for a brief moment, launching myself high enough to see over the rooftops. Spinning midair, I spotted the nearest coliseum holding an arena and began making my way over.

  I passed through several distinct boroughs, each one transitioning seamlessly into the next. The changes were subtle at times—different types of shops, clientele, or just the overall level of wealth and cleanliness. A few stores caught my attention as I walked, their displays tempting even at this early hour.

  One thing I noticed in every district, regardless of its wealth or status, was the ever-present symbol of Loki scattered throughout. His mark adorned shop signs, discreetly engraved or painted, even in places where I wouldn't expect it. I knew I could stop in and purchase something, but the thought felt… trivial. I need a hobby, I thought to myself as I finally caught sight of the coliseum's towering stone facade.

  The arena was closed for now, but the day's schedule was posted out front. A small group of people loitered around the board, and I joined them, scanning the listings.

  The day was mostly filled with mid, and low-level fights, which worked for me since I was officially above that 15-level cap. At this point, the types of fights became more varied and interesting than simple duels.

  One event immediately caught my attention: a monster time trial. I signed up for it without hesitation. There was also a "no spells, no skills" tournament for those under level 25. I considered it for a moment before adding my name to the list. I wasn't planning to win—it was more about the experience. If it got boring, I could always bow out early.

  I glanced at a "spells only" tournament but quickly dismissed it. My lack of offensive magic made it a poor choice. Maybe I should just go get Firebolt, I thought wryly.

  Several higher-level matches were scattered throughout the schedule, featuring fighters above level 50 in exhibition bouts or grudge matches. I skimmed the descriptions of the combatants and picked out a few matches to watch later. With luck, I might find some inspiration there.

  When I turned to leave, however, someone was blocking my path.

  A woman, nearly my height, stood before me. Her long red hair framed a face dominated by steely blue eyes that locked onto mine with unnerving intensity. I stopped a pace from her and made a small step to the side, gesturing for her to move up to the board.

  She ignored the gesture, pivoting slightly to remain directly in front of me.

  Okay, this was odd.

  "Excuse me. Do I know you?" I asked, keeping my voice polite. It wasn't the same kind of politeness I used to rely on back in my old life—that would be seen as a weakness here. My tone was straightforward but not confrontational.

  I made eye contact, holding her gaze, and didn't offer the half-smile I'd habitually given since I was five.

  "No," she said, her voice heavily accented. "Not yet, you don't."

  "Okay," I replied, a question laced in my tone. "Should I know you?" I asked, probing for some kind of introduction.

  She didn't respond.

  I stayed where I was, fingers idly tapping along the pommel of my sword—not in a threatening way, just a casual gesture that kept me ready to draw and defend myself in an instant. Not that I actually planned to fight. If she attacked, I would simply vanish in a flash and activation of Dance the Jester.

  Still, I wasn't going to just let my guard down. As she stood there, silent and unmoving, I let my Incisive Gaze activate.

  I barely managed to control my reaction when the result came back.

  Level 55.