After taking the elevator down to the surface, we got out and then I looked up. I felt a bit of fear seeing the massive amount of rock floating above us. The elevator was like a needle sticking out of the base, stopping just above the ground. I could see workmen on the underside of the College working on the rock.

We stepped down slightly onto paved ground. There was a small gap from the base of the elevator to the ground. Impressive they had gotten the precision so close. “I wonder what they are doing up there?” I asked out loud.

“They are dealing with cracks and stress points, while smoothing out the rock carefully with various skills. In time it will be the shape of a dome.” A young man said. He had to be about four years older than me if I had to guess. Probably starting here at the College at age 16 instead of 12. “Ah forgive me for intruding, I am Xyon Fullbright, first year.” I noted a large man in heavy armor standing behind him with a hand resting on the pommel of a massive sword.

“Justin Burnstock. Impressive placement, number ten if I recall correctly,” I said.

“Nothing compared to number one himself. The legendary child of Supreme Warlady Elena Burnstock,” he replied with a grin.

“That can’t be safe up there,” I said.

“There are safety harness and ropes you can barely make out if you squint. Heading into the city?”

“Yes. You?” I asked.

“The same. The College is like a crypt. I swear, it is like they suck the joy out of learning,” he said and I nodded at this.

“Exactly. I was just thinking the same thing. Surprised you are a first year,” I said.

“Well my parents wanted me to study at home until I was 16. To maximize my time at the College. I swear I would love to fail, but they would probably disown me.”

“Nobles?” I asked.

“Worse, merchants. You need something, they can get it. The dwarves might make nice contraptions, but they need human merchants to deliver all the stuff to human kingdoms. My family has a large controlling interest in such trade,” he explained.

“I don’t know much about any of that. If you asked me about the dungeon or fighting, I would be able to say. But my knowledge of trade is almost nothing,” I replied.

“Don’t worry. It is enough to put the dead to sleep. Profit margins, index portfolios, budget allocations. I swear new terms are invented just to confuse people. Now we just have to wait for a magical carriage to come back. There are a couple that are constantly going back and forth to the city transporting people and supplies, here is one now,” Xyon Fullbright said.

“This is Healer Melon,” I introduced my bald companion.

“This hunk of metal is Skullcrusher,” Xyon Fullbright said while gesturing at his guard. “He is here to make sure I don’t get into trouble or have too much fun.” The mountain of armor didn’t even nod. “Strong and silent.” I checked them over with Mana Vision and Shadow Vision. Nothing off with either of them. There was some Mana in the armor of Skullcrusher, but my Danger Sense wasn’t triggering either. I had been on edge since the attack, checking everyone and everything just to be sure a person wasn’t someone else in disguise.

We got on the magical carriage that had some seating and a large cargo area that was quickly unloaded by staff members. We were soon headed towards the city of Genoa. I noted that entire magical carriage shift a bit when Skullcrusher got on board.

“So what discipline are you focusing on?” I asked.

“Spell casting. My parents wanted me to go into crafting, but spell casting seems like an easier way to make a living. I am the fourth son, so nothing major for me to inherit. I prefer to keep things simple. Just cast a spell and be done with things. What about you?”

“Runes for now, but then spells,” I replied.

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“For the dungeon?” he asked.

“Yes. I plan to become an adventurer,” I replied.

“Dangerous. Shame about The Mathemancer, going to the bottom. That is a death sentence.”

“He might come back,” I said.

“No one comes back. Deepest anyone has returned from is the 25^th layer. Go any further and getting back is supposedly impossible. I plan to live a comfortable life and die in a comfortable bed. Sorry if that offends you,” Xyon Fullbright said.

“I don’t mind. Going into the dungeon isn’t for everyone. And the danger is very real. I almost died during a solo descent myself.”

“What happened?”

“Monster grabbed onto my face. A bug with a hard shell. I almost couldn’t get it off and was choked to death. It was an Abnormal,” I answered.

“Hmm. Well you clearly are capable. Just looking at your skill level gain in just three months, I feel exhausted. I thought I had a chance at the top spot, now I am happy making the top 10,” he replied.

“It is hard work. Like couldn’t they make the classes more engaging? Like minor competitions against other students. The instruction is the best, but it just feels impersonal,” I replied.

“No one wants to pay the cost if they aren’t getting a lot of levels. I think we are in the minority unfortunately,” Xyon Fullbright said.

“I know. Enough about the College. You know anything about Genoa? I plan to look for some sweets,” I replied.

“A good idea. They are a major port city since it is an island nation. Perhaps a gambling hall,” he said.

“Pulsestrike for sure,” I replied.

“Oh, you play?” he asked.

“Yes. You?”

“Of course. Now that is a fun way to learn math. Not bland problems. We should look for a gambling hall after checking out the market,” he said.

“Ack, ack!” Skullcrusher let out two loud coughs.

“You are my guard, not my nanny,” Xyon Fullbright said with an eyeroll.

“You too?” I joked while giving a glance at Healer Melon who just let out a sigh while he was trying to ignore the fact we were traveling on a magical carriage.

“Parents and their minions can be a hassle. Don’t worry we will have a good time here in Genoa. It’s a great mercantile city, with everything one could want, even a discerning connoisseur,” Xyon said.

“I heard it is uses democracy to govern? People voting for their leaders? That sounds like it would lead to chaos,” I replied.

“You aren’t wrong. It adds a certain flavor to the place. I was here a couple of years ago when they were first trying to switch over. It was a mess then, but it is getting better,” Xyon said.

“How does it even work?”

“With a lot of shouting and colors. Its good you are wearing the school uniform. Basically, all the colors have been taken over for political parties in Genoa. Practically a spectrum at this point. But that is boring. Let’s find some sweets first, then we can some place exciting,” he said and I nodded. It was nice to be out of the College.

“I will keep that in mind, avoid colors,” I said as we approached the city. There was no outer wall as the magical carriage went down the main road towards the city center. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ nοvelfire.net

“Good operation the school has going. Transport and resupply right from the city center. They should probably split the two tasks off. Specialization is always better for efficiency,” Xyon said.

“Merchant knowledge?” I asked.

“Yes. They should have arranged a warehouse on the outskirts to move supplies while having a transport for people to the city center separately. They will figure it out in a couple of years I am sure. The College of Advancement is never lacking in people who can figure stuff like that out. There are a lot of auxiliary business courses,” Xyon said.

“I might have to look into them. I have been approached about using my name and image for the Oakshield Corporation,” I said.

“You didn’t agree to anything, I hope?”

“No, why?” I asked.

“Good. Dwarven corporations are incredibly ruthless. Competition breeds excellence and the competition among the corporations is insane. Probably some low level employee putting on a big show trying to make a major accomplishment by getting your support for cheap. I recommend staying away from all of them,” he said.

“All of them? Even if they offer better terms or a percentage?” I asked.

“You should find someone who would be able to manage and negotiate for you. Specialization and all that. That’s the problem with adventurers, thinking they can do everything on their own. No offense,” he said.

“None taken and I get it. When you are down in the dungeon, you can really only count on yourself for survival. Depending on others is incredibly risky, especially where combat against monsters is concerned,” I replied.

“Don’t let that mindset carry over into business. Trust me on that. That’s why adventurers are always struggling to become rich and merchants rule the world,” Xyon said. I didn’t know how true that was, but I did know that at a certain point the power of money was a strategic resource, since higher quality metals could be used for higher tier equipment.

“I will keep that in mind,” I said as the magical carriage came to a stop. We got off and I looked around at the bustling market place. A large section had been set aside for the College of Advancement. I noted it hovering in the air a distance from the city. I didn’t blame the city for not allowing the College directly above.

Blocking the sun and the concern it might fall down wouldn’t be good. No one wanted to be the second Undercraft. Better to not to have two cities on top of each other at the same time in the event of an attack by powerful crazy people. “There is a sweet store,” Xyon pointed out. He was taller which made it easier for him to see past the crowd.

We made our way over to the store past several market stalls and entered. I smiled as I looked over all the options. It was time to stock up on sweets.

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