Max knocked on the door labeled Guild Master. A short time later the door swung open, and a bright red skinned man appeared. It took the man a moment to realize who he was seeing, but a great smile overtook his surprised face.

“Max! Come in come in!” Domic moved to allow Max and Emi to pass. “I didn’t expect you so soon. I thought a few days, but not the next morning.”

“I can come back later if you are busy, I was just in the area.” Said Max.

“No, no. I just thought that you would want to rest.”

“We wanted to get the administrative portion of our return out of the way.”

“I see.” Domic turned his eyes to Emi. “And how are you little one?”

Emi let out a sound only a father could love. Domic cringed and eyed the monster strangely.

“Trying to speak? It amazes me that you are only a few months old.” Domic turned back to Max. “She is going to be something special when she’s bigger.”

“Of course. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” Max said with a hint of pride.

“That’s good. That’s good. Max, if you don’t mind me asking, what really happened in Esmel? I know the story Vel, and Bishop told, but obviously they left out certain details.” Domic nodded towards Max’s missing arm.

“I was bit by one of Buzluc’s plague swarm. Bishop had to cut it off before the disease withered the rest of my body. And well… I didn’t know about regrowing versus healing, so I healed my arm rather than prepared it for regrowth.”

“A failing of having no formal training.”

“One I hope to remedy by taking classes.”

“Of course. But…You had a pivotal role-“

“My role was the same as the others.” Max interrupted. “I had ideas that proved correct just like the others. No one out worked or out shined. Other than Bishop and Vel, of course. Without them, the city would have fallen. Mallor and Buzluc were just too powerful.”

“But you can’t deny that you return to Lesterwood a changed person. I can see it from how you walk, how you ta-“

“Domic. What’s going on? Why are you asking questions like this?”

The two men stared at each other for a few moments before Domic looked away and spoke.

“Max, has anyone told you about the winters on Nava?”

“They’re cold?”

“Yes.” Domic chuckled. “They are cold. That is true. But that is not my meaning. Nava’s cold temperatures are a sign of migration and upheaval. Monsters move in waves. Hordes crash gates and destroy undefended settlements. Winter is a time of struggle and hardship, death and pain…”

“What are you trying to say? You think Lesterwood will take losses?”

“Lesterwood? Yes. But not many. I am primarily thinking of the outlying villages. The ones without guard or adventurers’ intervention. The ones that are too poor to afford enough food for the winter, let alone premium defenders.”

“And you want to know If I will be able to help. Being a [Space Mage] could prove vital to their defense.” Max inferred.

“Yes. That was what I was trying to gage.” Domic looked guilty.

“I don’t know long range teleportation yet. I can jump a few meters away… But past that…”

Domic suddenly stood up. He balled his hand into a fist and moved it to his right peck. With a great and powerful movement, Domic bowed.

“I have a request as Guild Master of the Mage Guild to Lost Lord Max.” Domic kept his head down as he spoke. “Please set your focus on learning a teleportation spell! There is just over a month before the monster waves start. Please Lost Lord, I request this of you.”

Max was speechless. A quick glance confirmed that Emi was also speechless. They both stared dumbfounded at the Flame Devil. But as the seconds drew longer and the Guild Master kept his head bowed, an awkward silence was created. One that Max squirmed in.

“Domic. What are you doing?” Max asked causing Domic to slowly look up. “What is this? Why are you calling me Lost Lord? You know I told you not to call me that.”

“This is bigger than our friendship Lost- Max. Every year hundreds die. Every year I’ve had this office the report with the death total gets longer. I can’t get people to volunteer, and there just isn’t enough money in the Guild’s budg-“

“I understand.” Max said cutting Domic off. “I can’t promise anything, but I will try to learn the spell. Please don’t do that bow thingy again. If you need a favor, just ask. Again, I’m not much for formality and simply asking me straight removes a lot of confusion.”

“Thank you Max. Thank you…”

Again, the air turned awkward again. Domic seemed to be in a quiet state of euphoric hope.

“About classes-?” Max asked tentatively.

“Ah yes, of course.” Domic stepped to a nearby shelf and removed a thick bound book. What a loud slam, Domic opened the book to the last page. He returned back to the shelf and grabbed another large book.

“Vel had suggested a few classes, but I want to make sure they are suited to you.” Domic looked to Max, who gestured to continue. “She recommended, Mana Systems for Mages, Introduction to Magic, Spell Formations and Creation, and Basics of Runes. I don’t recommend more than five class to active adventurers. If- If you are successful in the creation of the long-range teleport spell, then five will be plenty.”

Max let out a low hum, thinking back to his college advisory days. “Can you give me a description of each of those?”

Domic nodded. “Mana Systems for Mages is a rather niche class and the one that I questioned the most. It meets once a week for three hours at a time. It is primarily a theoretical class with ties to spiritualism and culture. What a mana system is to you, is the foundation question that is explored. Beyond that, it is not very practical for a combat mage, like yourself. [Scholars] are the primary populating force, and even then, its niche. A lot of the information taught will be rather common since, but seeming as you are not of this world, I could see the appeal.”

“Yeah,” Max said. “Mana is a foreign concept to me. No one on Earth had a mana system…”

“I take it that you wish to take it?” Domic asked, Max nodded. “Alright…” Domic began to scribble in the first of the two books. He then opened and flipped through the second. It seemed to be a catalog of classes. He stopped at a certain page and copied down some information.

“Introduction to Magic. I agree with Vel on this one. Every mage that learns through the Guild is required to take this class. Of course, there are some special circumstances to get around it, but I highly recommend you take it. It, again, will meet once a week for three hours, however it will be a mixture of theoretical and hands-on experience.”

“Sounds good.” Max said, causing Domic to scribble in the book again.

“Spell Formation and Creation is an advanced class, but I think you should be fine. Twice a week for two hours, one will be here in the Guild Hall, the other will be in a preset location. I think for this semester it is in the Adventuring Guild’s training room. The portion of the class here will be theory, while the portion in the training room will be the hands-on. Passing this class is slightly different than the others. For those you will need to show a level of understanding. For Spell Formations, you will need to create your own spell.”

“But I’ve already created spells.” Max said.

“Yes, but the spell needed for the class will be unique to you. Some call them signature spells. I take it you are interested?” Max nodded and Domic wrote again.

“Lastly is Basics of Runes. Vel tells me that you are interested in Rune crafting and potentialy artificing?”

“Yes, I have only seen a few, but I’ve already made parallels to concepts from Earth.”

Domic’s eyes widened. “That is very interesting to hear… But the class, again, is niche. The instructor expects nothing less than perfection and often turns away potential [Rune Smiths] from the profession.”

“I’ve had my fair share of bad professors, Domic.”

Domic smiled. “That is good to hear. I’ll put you down for it.” He scribbled away. “Any idea what you want for your final class?”

“No clue.” Max said with a shrug. “Any recommendations?”

“Magical Defense is always a popular class. Water Magics for the Advanced. Basics of Glyphs and Wards. Integrated Technology of Magic. History of Mag-“Domic cut himself off. “What?”

Max who was smiling largely, shook his head. “Nothing, nothing. Just reminding me of home. I swear I had a conversation just like this with my college advisor.”

“College huh?” Domic suddenly looked downcast. “If you wish to graduate from a college, then Salae is the place to be.”

“I don’t care about that. Everything I know is in Lesterwood, I’m not leaving unless there is a good reason.”

Domic seemed to brighten up. His red skin turned back into a deep scarlet rather than the paling pink it had just been.

“Any space classes?” Max asked.

“I’m afraid not. Salae is the only place to have classes as niche as that… I could recommend Arithmancy if you are wanting to construct Space Gates and the like.”

“Arithmancy? The study of math and magic?” Max hesitantly asked.

“You are familiar?” Domic asked surprised.

“There was a famous book series from Earth were one of the characters took Arithmancy classes. But you say that it is needed to understand Gates?”

“Unfortunately. It is a difficult class if I’m being honest. But, if you pass it, you will be certified by the Guild to be able to conduct research into the Gates. If you find yourself unable to keep up or change your mind for whatever reason, we can change it to something else.”

Max nodded. “It’s been a few years since I’ve done real math… But I do want to look into the Gates…”

“I’ll put you down for it. I do have to warn you, most that take it are not interested in space magics. Most take it for the Artificer Certificate.”

“Certificate? Vel was talking about that. We decided that some of the classes would be too difficult for me now, but if this is one of the required classes then I’ll definitely take it.”

Domic nodded and scribbled more down in his book. With a strong pull, he ripped out the page reveling a perfectly intact piece of parchment. Max looked between the independent ripped paper and the unharmed book.

“Interesting, isn’t it?” Domic asked. “You can rip out a copy leaving the real page in the book. Very useful for times like his.” Domic handed Max the paper.

Max gave it a glance over, but already knew its contents. It was his schedule. A list of his classes along with the meeting times and start date. Under each was the requirement for passing along with the instructor’s name and required reading.

Just like college. Max said to Emi.

“Classes start in about a month. So…” Domic trailed off.

“I’ll work towards the spell Domic. It’s something I’ve wanted to learn since I got the class. Don’t worry.”

“I… I- I thank you regardless, Max. Until next time. My door is always open.”

“Thank you Domic. Come over for dinner whenever you’d like.”

Domic slightly bowed, Max bowed back and left. Max’s travel to the Adventuring Guild was short and uneventful. He found Clammy and Reep sitting at a door nearby the entrance. They both looked pissed, even Max’s lovable face didn’t cheer them up on site.

“What’s wrong?” Max asked sitting down with his teammates.

“We are under Guild probation.” Reep said.

“Probation?”

“We can’t take any quests, our rank is decreased, and until our team is reviewed by the Guild Master it will remain that way.” Clammy said through grit teeth.

“Any idea why? Max asked.

“Those quests we took in Esmel, the ones that were used as a cover for why we were there. We didn’t finish them and Esmel never sent word that we were working for them.”

“So, until Esmel can contact the outside or the new Guild Master arrives, we are demoted.”

“Essentially.”

“Alright, that’s not that big of a deal. Yel should be here soon, and I’m sure we can explain what happened with Vel and Bishop’s help. Did you both know about winter’s monster waves?”

“Yes, everyone kno-“ Clammy stopped herself. “Right, uhh, winters on Nava can be very harsh. Often-“

“Yes, I know.” Max interpreted. “Domic explained it to me. But this is good, without having to worry about quests, I can focus on figuring out how to teleport long distances. Domic practically begged me to help out the smaller villages.”

“But what are we supposed to do in the meantime?” Clammy asked. “Should I take some classes?”

“You could, but aren’t you supposed to be working with Bishop to get your visions under control? I’m sure researching at the library will helpful.”

“Oh right… Visions… I actually haven’t had any today.” She beamed.

Clammy, since achieving a second class, has been plagued by visions of the future, past, or present. From seeing a grove of trees with a family of dear grazing to the deaths of countless souls from suicide bombing, Clammy has seen visions every day. Nightmares and dreams were another symptom of her class related with her heritage. She would often wake up screaming and cause the gravity around her to increase.

The first time Max encountered this, on the way back to Lesterwood, he thought they were being attacked and acted accordingly. Water had wetted most of their beds and drenched Clammy. Granted Max had reacted fast and strong, but the damage was more than done to Clammy’s confidence. Bishop had promised to help her find solutions since he felt the most responsible.

A door leading into the administration rooms opened and a tall blonde Elf walked out. Iris was merely a receptionist the last time Max had seen her. With the downfall of Arthur and Nix, she had been promoted to Senior Advisor to the Guild Master. But, since there was no Master, she had been filling the roll.

“Max!” She screamed. “Your arm!”

“Yeah yeah.” Max said rolling his eyes in playful way. “Plague is no joke.”

“Plague? You mean…” Iris moved in very close and whispered. “Buzluc did that?”

“Well not him personally. He launched spears of rock into my stomach. No, one of his bugs did this. Bishop had to cut it off before the withering spread.”

“Spear…”

“Yeah, he was powerful… But we got the last laugh.”

“Max… Are you okay? A lot of adventurers lose their nerve after going through something like that.”

“I’m fine Iris, seriously. I’ve already received a mission from Domic, I can’t retire from being an adventurer already.”

“A mission from Domic? Did they not tell you? You are barred from taking quests, pending review.”

“Yeah, they told me, but his mission isn’t a quest. It’s more like a favor. One that only I can do.”

“That- that’s good.” Iris looked at the others who shrugged. “I’m going to need to see your plate, Max. I have to mark it.”

Iris gave back Reep and Clammy’s plates. She had just returned from marking them. Max let out a deep sigh when he saw this. The Guild had no trust, and that slightly upset him. His black plate usually causes a fuss when he removes it from his inventory. Iris, however, already knew of his plate and inventory. She quickly scampered into the back room.

“Reep if you want to take some classes, we could head back over to the Mage Guild.” Max said, knowing about her free time.

“Thank you, but no. I have something already scheduled with the Guard. I’m going to be training with the new winter recruits under Captain Shatterwind.” Said Reep.

“The Guard? What about the Humble Titans? I’m sure that our status is going to be fixed as soon as Yel gets here.” Max sputtered.

“No, no!” Reep amended quickly. “It’s just so I can talk with their mental healer. I can’t unless I’m signed up to work with the winter guard. We’ve already cleared it with Shatterwind while you were outside last night. The Humble Titans come first, Shatterwind agrees.”

“Oh… That’s good then? Any idea what you are going to be doing?”

“Not a clue.” Reep answered.

Iris returned a few moments later. She gave back Max’s plate, apologized for the situation and had to get back to work. Max reminded her that she is always allowed at the mansion and to come over for dinner sometimes.

The group made their way from the Adventuring Guild to the market. Max became the pack mule again and carried all of their purchases. Many of the items they bought were cheap, [Sellers] and [Farmers] were trying to dump the rest of their produce. It would only be a few days before they would turn sour. There were plenty of people at the mansion now-a-days, they will make sure none of the produce goes to waste.