Thalindra

Thalindra stood at her office window overlooking the city, her new home. The bustling town had a lot of activity to keep one's mind occupied. The latest of which was the teardown of the obnoxious golden statue of their former city mayor. But her mind was elsewhere today. The last couple of weeks had been surreal. The sudden upheaval of the town's hierarchy and functioning due to the influx of low leveled citizens, the overnight shift of the political base, or even the appearance of so many Awakened adventurers.

Any one of these was an occurrence that rarely happened in the Multiverse. But on this newly integrated tutorial planet, everything happened within a few weeks. And at the center of it all was one man—or more accurately, one boy.

Thalindra also deduced from her experience that the former Arbiter's downfall was also somehow linked to Lord Fenrast. She just didn't know how or why. Alas, she couldn't do much about it. It was an unsaid rule in the Multiverse—don't dig into someone's past unless you have the power to back yourself. And based on who the boy was involved with, there wasn't a single entity who would be capable of dealing with the backlash if she uncovered something sensitive.

The most ridiculous thing about all this wasn't even the fact that he was a newly minted player. It was that he seemed to have done it all by his lonesome. Thalindra suspected that someone might have helped him from the shadows. But she had a gut feeling that wasn't the case. She couldn't see the boy's level, but from her estimates he was at least level 110, with an E grade evolution under his belt. At least that would have been her assumption before he claimed to have taken down an Ant Monarch—a claim she couldn't deny unless she had irrefutable proof. If true, it meant he was at least a D grade evolved, placing him onto the list of elite guards of most noble houses.

Getting a high tier evolution in less than a year on a tutorial planet wasn't that difficult. The available Titles and opportunities were abundant enough to attain that. But you needed one of two things to achieve it—backing from a powerhouse, or a penchant for taking and surviving extreme risks. And based on what she had seen so far, it was more likely that the new Mayor relied on the latter.

But it was a strategy few noble houses implemented for one simple reason—the casualty rate was just too high. Most families relied on the more tried and tested approach of providing just enough guidance and resources that the System doesn't count it as outside interference. But even then, the System couldn't be fooled. It would limit the truly lucrative rewards, but what was given out wasn't anything simple either.

Thalindra was torn away from her thoughts when she heard a loud knock on her door. Sensing who it was, she took a seat and put on her professional expression before asking the man to enter. As the City Admin approached, she pointed at the seat across from her.

"To what do I owe this pleasure, Lady Sylvathorn," Henry asked politely.

"Lord Fenrast has requested certain items to be delivered," Thalindra got down to the main point immediately. In terms of status, the two of them were at the same level. Both were second in command of their respective organizations, and thus their time was too precious to waste on useless banter.

"I see," the City Admin replied as he received the slip of paper. And just like her, the man's expression was of genuine confusion as he perused the list. "These items…"

"Don't look at me," Thalindra said with a shrug. "I am just the messenger. He did not deem it necessary to explain himself. Nor did he add any other instructions except that he needed these things."

Henry hesitated for a bit, before acknowledging his instructions, "Very well then. I will get down to it right way. Is there anything else? I am sure you didn't call me all the way here just to give this to me."

"Well…," Thalindra said, thinking on how to approach this. "What do you know about our new Mayor?"

Henry raised an eyebrow at that, since it wasn't like her to be so direct in her approach. Usually she was more politically tactful, but that hadn't worked one bit when it came to Lord Fenrast.

"Where is this coming from?" Henry asked with a neutral expression.

"I just want to know why you decided to hand over the city's reigns to someone you just met," Thalindra said without beating around the bush. "We have known each other for quite some time, Henry. And you don't strike me as someone who is impulsive and rash."

Henry looked to the ground while thinking something over. Thalindra didn't interrupt him, instead studying his emotions closely. There was no deception coming from him, just a feeling of deep introspection.

"Do you have any hired help, Thalindra?" he finally asked, puzzling her.

"I…do," Thalindra said with a frown. That question wasn't something she was expecting. "A maid."

"What's her name?"

"Umm," Thalindra didn't know how to respond to that. She had a personal maid who took care of her house cleaning and stuff. But she never really cared to ask her name since they barely interacted. "I don't think I know."

"Hmm," Henry had a small smile on his face. He looked out the window with a distant look but didn't speak for almost a minute. "That is the first thing he does when interacting with each of his maids or butlers. He asks their name."

Thalindra was surprised by that. Coming from a noble family herself, she had picked up some common habits—not the cruel ones thankfully. Even so, some things were considered normal throughout the Multiverse. Not knowing the names of your subordinates was one of them. No one really put much effort into knowing those who worked for them—unless they held an important role.

"That…that can't be it," Thalindra said uncertainly. Based on what she sensed from the man, this simple act held great value to him.

"Oh, but it is," he replied with a warm smile. "I have been in service of noble houses all my life. But not once has any of my bosses ever asked me my name. I was always addressed as 'you there', or 'servant'. On occasion I may have been addressed by my title, but not one person deemed it worth it to call me by name."

"But…," Thalindra struggled to understand.

"That simple act, which was preceded by another act of kindness, told me everything I needed to know," Henry explained. "That he viewed us as humans, and not second-rate citizens who he controls."

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"Act of kindness?"

"He ordered everyone around him to go eat before doing anything else," Henry said.

Thalindra's eyebrows went up as realization set in. She knew of the former Mayor's tactic of starving his servants before breakfast. It was a common loophole which the nobles employed to satisfy their ego. And by his actions, Lord Fenrast had won over the entire mansion help with one swift move.

She would have chalked it up to political maneuvering, but recent observations said otherwise. It seemed he just didn't care what others thought of him. Before she could decide what to ask next, Henry continued.

"I agree that I was bit hasty in my decision," he said. "But everything I have witnessed so far has only cemented my confidence in him."

Thalindra became quiet, deep in thought. She had always prided herself in being able to read a person like an open book. Using her powers, she could take apart anyone's hidden motives and aspirations with ease. But she could never get a read on Lord Fenrast.

And now she realized why. Her own opinions were biased based on Multiversal norms. Things like empathy and goodness of the heart existed in the Multiverse, but people who had those characteristics rarely survived long enough. Either getting killed, or eventually changing over time to conform with others.

"I may not have your rumored mind reading powers," Henry interrupted her. "But I can clearly sense that you are troubled because you can't figure out our Mayor. You don't know what kind of man he is, or what his motivations are. Before deciding to fully commit to him, you want to know if he is good or evil."

Thalindra was momentarily stunned at his last words. It was scary how perceptive and shrewd the man was. If someone like him had soul powers, he would be unstoppable.

"Yes," Thalindra said in a neutral tone, not wanting to give the man more ammunition into her thoughts.

"It's simple, actually," Henry replied with a shrug. "He is neither. We have seen his ruthlessness when he killed the former Mayor. But we have also witnessed him putting everything on the line when trying to protect that little girl. Which means he is someone who follows his instincts. To his enemies, he is fear incarnate. To his allies, a silent sentinel."

"You realize that you just described a beast, right?" Thalindra said with a frown.

Henry chuckled at that. "Do you know any human who has earned the trust of wolves? They are beasts with a strict societal hierarchy."

"And you are okay with following a beast?" Thalindra countered. "Relying purely on instinct isn't a favorable quality of a leader. It would cause political mayhem down the line. Which would no doubt shorten our expected lifespan."

Henry didn't respond, getting up and heading for the door instead. Thalindra sensed that he didn't wish to prolong the discussion further. But he said something right before opening the door that gave her much to think about.

"I'd rather follow a beast with good instincts, than a scheming politician. At least that way I know that I followed someone who genuinely cared for me."

………………

Aenon

The sizzling sound of frying meat permeated the air, along with the deep aroma of several herbs and spices. Little beads of sweat trickled down Aenon's temple as he focused on the floating frying pan before him. Simultaneously controlling the fire and making the stone construct was taking all his attention. Which was made harder by the eager 5-year-old hanging off his shoulder.

Aenon didn't have any cooking utensils—for now—which he could use to improve his cooking Skill. So, he tried doing it the pre integration way. While trying to incorporate his magical abilities of course. He created a stone pan using Earth Manipulation and was heating using a fire that was three feet away. He had to channel a bit of Air Manipulation too, but so far he didn't feel like he was gaining any progress.

His Cooking Skill kept hinting that he was doing something wrong. But since it was at Adept rank, the nudges were very subtle. He had managed to cook five batches of roasted meat when Talia joined in. She was fascinated by what she was seeing and had been glued to his back since. Once the latest batch was done cooking, he deposited them into more stoneware he had shaped. He was also experimenting with various herbs he had gathered, and honestly the taste wasn't half bad. But the System refused to acknowledge his bushcraft techniques and didn't award him with any Skill progress.

"Are you preparing food for a long expedition," Mrs. Ashvein chimed in as she joined them. The kind old lady had too much free time on her hands now, since Nocthrya made sure to handle all chores. She had argued quite intensely that she needed to work to keep her old bones working.

"Umm, not exactly," Aenon said in embarrassment. "Just trying to practice my Cooking."

"Practice your…cooking?" the woman asked in confusion.

"Uh huh," Aenon responded while adding another steak to the pan.

"It smells good grandma," Talia added while grabbing a piece from the cooked stockpile. "But it doesn't taste as good."

Mrs. Ashvein looked between the two with a dazed look before shaking her head and adding politely, "I can prepare your meals if you…"

"Oh. No Mrs. Ashvein," Aenon interrupted her while trying to mix the fat and grease using Air Manipulation. "I am trying to level my Cooking skill."

"You have a Cooking Skill?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah," Aenon nodded but was unable to explain further since this next step required his full attention.

He spent another 15 minutes carefully cooking both sides of the meat, making sure not to burn anything. When he was done, he took a tentative bite. The taste was…okay in his opinion. But Talia gave it a thumbs down the moment it went in her mouth. Mrs. Ashvein on the other hand was observing his self-procured pantry.

"Umm, May I ask why did you decide to use this particular herb?" she asked finally.

"Hmm," Aenon said with a jolt. "Oh, it smelled nice."

"It…smelled nice?"

"Uh huh."

"What about this one?"

"I chewed a leaf of the plant. It tasted like berries."

"And this?"

"It kinda looked like cilantro."

Mrs. Ashvein kept enquiring about each of the "herbs" he had gathered, and he replied honestly to all questions. But based on what she was feeling, Aenon could tell she was experiencing secondhand embarrassment on his behalf.

"Uh, dare I ask who taught you cooking?" she asked in a far too polite a tone.

But before he could answer, they were joined by Henry. The man was as prim and proper as always, bowing as he reached the group.

"Here are the items you requested," he said formally. "I didn't know what you meant by 'cooking ingredients', so I procured many high leveled items. Same for the utensils."

He deposited quite an assortment of meats, vegetables, spices, and even cookware on a large table on the side. Aenon had a broad smile on his face as he inspected them all. He didn't know half the items before him, but he was delighted to start experimenting.

"Thanks, Henry," Aenon said with genuine praise. "These look fantastic."

"My pleasure, sire," Henry said with a formal bow. "If there is nothing else, I will take my leave and get back to my duties."

Aenon waved him goodbye, before grabbing a weird look spherical…something. It looked like a nut, but the smell was very earthy. He shrugged and was about to toss it into the pan when a staff knocked it out of his hand.

Aenon was momentarily stunned at the speed with which the old lady had moved. He didn't have time to react to the attack. His knuckles smarted from the blow.

"And what do you think you are doing, young man?"

The mood suddenly changed as Aenon looked at the calm expression on Mrs. Ashvein's face.

"Umm… experimenting," Aenon said while rubbing his hand.

"That…," she started explaining. "Will turn your dish into a very potent laxative. Life threateningly potent laxative, even for someone who was level 300."

The color drained from Aenon's face as he realized what he almost did. He had created some nasty concoctions that upset his stomach. But none of them were life threatening.

"You should listen to my grandma," Talia added helpfully. "She is a savant level cook. People called her the culinary sage."

"Oh hush," Mrs. Ashvein said with a shooing motion. "Please don't mind her childish words. I am just an old lady now. Can hardly lift a pot anymore."

After that vicious attack, Aenon refused to believe that last statement. But an idea popped in his head.

"Would you mind teaching me?" he asked politely. He needed to learn trust, and what better way than to start with something as trivial as cooking.

But the horror on Talia's face confused him.

"Why, of course, dear" the woman's smile broadened. But for some reason, that expression felt…unnatural. And he got a feeling that he may have made a big mistake.

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