"Besides the main subjects, have any of you chosen any optional subjects?" Place asked his company as they slowly walked back to their dorm after a full day of new things.
The atmosphere between had become as that of one between long time friends.
"I have taken Arcanatics." Raise droned, his voice sounding out his exhaustion. "I wanted to take alchemy as well, but that would be a bit too much work."
Place hummed and nodded. The main subjects were already quite a bit of work, adding more was a bad idea, unless you planned to make something out of it.
"I haven't taken any." Orit walked with his hands behind his head, looking up at the sky as he did.
"Neither have I." Zandre echoed Orit's words. "What about you?"
"I prefer learning on my own pace, the pressure set by the teachers would have an adverse effect on my learning."
A moment of quiet passed.
"There is also the factor that the first few months would be nothing but a waste, since I have learned quite a bit on my own."
Place gazed forward as the other three pairs of eyes turned to him.
"A bit arrogant, that statement is." Raise side-eyed Place's profile. "Experienced teachers will always have some tips to offer."
"I know, but some tricks here and there will not compensate for the rest of the wasted time."
They arrived at their building and strode up the stairs.
"That's amazing!" Zandre exclaimed. "You must have spent years learning on your own!"
Place entered their room and marched towards his bed.
"I just had a lot of free time." He brushed away the compliment as he plopped down on his bed.
"I'm sure you could have done the same if you were in my situation."
Zandre shook his head.
"I don't believe that I have that kind of patience, you-"
"Enough, enough." Place cut off his words with a raised hand. "I get it. Can we end this here? I've had a very long day."
"Ah... alright."
With that bit of talk over, Place switched to some clothing suitable for clothing in silence as the other three did the same.
He then went straight to sleep.
*
"I AM HERE! Entering into your dream as agreed upon!"
A booming voice shook Place 'awake'.
"You're too loud." He complained as he opened his eyes.
He was seated in a plush chair, with a table in front of him.
Besides those two things, there was nothing else except for a black void, and the Thing.
Which was currently sitting on the air on the opposite side of the table.
"Uhg." Place rubbed his forehead, trying to drive away his grogginess. "Why did you shout?" He asked.
"Theatrics." The Thing spoke.
'The grin's not here.' Place noted with surprise. 'That's a rare occurrence.'
The Grin was absent from the Thing's face, its mouth was set in a 'normal' position.
"What's wrong?" In all of the years he had known the Thing, its grin was only absent during times when serious subjects had come up.
"I made a bit of an error." The Thing knew better than to try to hide whatever went wrong. "You see, I was 'shopping' for some rewards to give you, and some of my 'friends' took notice."
Place's heart dropped, multiple creatures on the same level as the Thing knew about him.
He took in a deep breath, and let it out slowly.
"What does that mean for me?" He kept a tight hand on his emotions, it was too soon to jump to conclusions.
"Chaos."
"Explain."
"Most of it will be beneficial, but some of it will make you scream in frustration and want to rip out your hair. Maybe."
A moment passed as Place digested the information and settled his emotions.
"They won't make any moves that will affect you negatively. I will make sure of that."
Place nodded as he took a sip. When did that cup appear in his hand?
"How will they interact with me?"
The Grin returned, and Place relaxed completely.
"I had a good talk with them about this, and we came to a very good agreement!" Jovial words spilled forth. "With this, we have created a good cover for your future!"
The Thing flicked its fingers, and something shot out and into Place's face.
"Hn..." Place let out a grunt as information was inserted into his mind. "The library...?"
"Go there, and you will know what to do."
"This is a bit unusual for you."
"This was a joint agreement, it's to be expected."
"I see, something to do later, but we have another thing to do right now."
"Your reward, yes, I remember." The Thing scratched its chin.
"I am a bit conflicted, so I'll just ask you." It held out its hands, and from its palm sprouted different images.
The one above its left hand showed a stone sculpture of a handsome and muscular man, posing for something. The other image showed a... tap?
"I can give your body an upgrade." It lifted its hand a bit, then lowered it back down and lifted the other one. "Or, I can give a little bit of magical capability."
His breath hitched.
"Personally, I'm leaning a bit to-"
"The magical capability." Place's decision was immediate.
"Thought so." The Thing let out a chuckle.
"Well then, here you go."
Another finger was flicked, and another point of light shot into his face.