“I’m not trying to be cute, just don’t see why you can’t come with me.”

‘Uuuuuaarrrh’.

“And I’m hearing you, I just don’t agree.

But people probably wouldn’t be ready to accept you because of the whole undying thing either way.”

“A few hours of walking and finally we reach the edge of the protected domain.

We haven’t seen the old man for a few hours now, presumably he has returned to his hovel of a home.”

“He’s the one we’re going to right? Or what? Wait. Who gave me this quest?

Oh ye, I got it when I hit level forty something. I think.”

‘Uuuuu!’

“I’ll forever remember you Arra! You were there for me when everything else fell apart.

‘Uuraaahrrrhh.’

“Me to girl. Me to.”

“To not drown everyone is their own tears, we will be omitting the majority of this touching goodbye.

After the reluctant departure concludes, our hero starts making his way down to the center of the crater.

Quick to increase his pace, a mere hour passes before we see the small hovel of a home that old man resides in.”

‘I think you’ll find the word is quaint. This is no hovel, but a home, a home made with pure feelings, can’t you see it exudes comfort.’

“Found you! I heard from reliable sources that you were following me around.”

‘Yes. Well. I couldn’t very well let you go by yourself on such a dangerous journey!’

“This of course has nothing to do with karma, this old man couldn’t possibly be trying to tie himself to a Beta.

That would be too dishonorable.”

‘Of course not! Pft! Do not even entertain the thought!’

“Well. Whatever you were doing, you weren’t of much help, eh?

Never mind, the quest is done. Where are my awards!?”

‘I believe I told you before. I am not a quest-giver. To clear any misunderstandings, I will tell you this.

I am a mere gardener of this place. And have been for the past three-hundred some years!’

“An odd look appears on the over three hundred year old gardener.”

‘Do not repeat it! I was wronged! Oh how I was wronged!’

“What happened, uhm. What is your name?”

‘Just call me old Deio.

As you should know, there are some jobs the world provides to maintain a certain balance to things.

When I first arrived at this place I was a promising young man! A whole future ahead of me! Oh you should have seen me! How dashing I was. How handsome!’

“It at this point that I would like to remind everyone not to believe everything you hear.”

‘I was filled with vigor in those days. I even had a fiancé! How beautiful she was! She was chased after by all the young masters! But she chose me! Hmph, hmph!’

“Uhm?”

‘Then I arrived at this cursed place! “immortal life” he said. That old codger!

How naive I was!

He promised me glory, fame and eternal life!’

“I think I understand. You took over his job, right?”

‘That is right boy. And I am also the only person to enter this place since then!

Well. Until you came.’

“I suppose this old man didn’t have the ability to open the portal on this side.”

‘The narrator is right.

Who in the world has that amount of mana? I have long since out leveled this place, stuck in the late three thousands.

And that’s only because of the job! I’ve wasted hundreds of years here!’

“Okay. So just join me when I leave.

Now! Back to the matter at hand, Deio.”

‘I told you boy, I have no control over any quest or anything. Oh. I can give you this though.’

|Lively bloom|

“With the guidance of an ancient chant you can guide the elements to invite vigor into all things rooted in the ground.”

Current level: Zero.

Usable on various florae.

Mana used is dependent on the target.

“Oh! Cool! A skill!”

‘Don’t get too excited. Things get out of hand if you use it too much. Haven’t you noticed all the odd animals running around?

It is hard to admit it, but that would be this one’s fault.’

“Like the squabble of feisty birds. These two have kept going for far too long.

One would. And when I say one. I mean anyone with even a sliver of wit, would already have checked their quest’s progress.”

“You’re right. I’m not sure why I keep expecting it to remind me of any changes.”

|Class quest: Tier one|

Finish your master’s quest (Complete)

Meet with your escort and travel back through the portal.

I´ve also got this.

|The abandoned gardener|

“After spending centuries in this place alone, the man has create a utopia that thwarts any outside interference.

His defenses will hold for thousands of years and is to be relieved of duty.”

Find and convince the old gardener to leave this place with you.

(Hidden quest)

Rewards: *****

“It is only natural for the world to be fair in all things and let this slave, I mean faithful servant have his vacation.

Praise be to Meijai. Praise be.”

‘Screw whoever Meijai! I’m finally getting out of this damned place.’

“One man’s utopia is another’s dystopia. Or so they say.”

“Alright old man Deio. Come with me, I need to go find Tio-oh.”

‘Lead the way.’

“One young, yet deceptively old and another old, yet deceptively young. Almost makes one laugh.”

“Hehe. Didn’t think about that.”

‘Hmph, Hmph.’

“The wary looking man follows the unhinged hero towards one Tio-oh of the Fluo, in hopes of completing his first class quest.

And moments flicker and before we know it we stand in front of a sparkling platform used to hold the portal from this world.”

“Where is she?”

‘Right here, Ji.’

“Coming from the direction of the river, the flexible Fluo takes unhurried steps as she approaches the two baffled males.”

“Wow! Is that really you? You look so much more, so much.”

‘Shapely?’

“Was going to go with firmer. But yes.”

‘*Cough*’

“Ah. Right. Tio-oh, this is old man Deio.”

‘Please just call me Deio. Pleasure to meet you.’

“It would appear that the young Fluo was given some lee-way and allowed to wander further than she initially expected.

And not only that, she appears to have made considerable gains due to the very rich water that flows through here.”

“Oh. So the water here helped you?”

‘Good guess. Yes. And how did your quest go?’

“Great! Was easy!

No well. I kind of almost died a few times but the rest was easy.”

‘Congratulations!’

“Thanks. Don´t mean to be rude but can we start the portal up? I want to get this over, the sooner the better.

Oh, and old man Deio the impeccable gardener is coming with us.”

‘Shush. Do no listen to the boy, I am the guardian of this place, young lady. The venerable Deio of the sanctuary.’

‘I see. I’ll get started then.’

“With the simplest of movements and a gentle touch the portal flickers with incredible ambience.

The more adept can see the world’s mana being funneled into the invisible grand magical laws.”

‘It is more heartrending than I remembered, it has been over three hundred years so it is to be expected.’

“I can’t see it.”

‘What are you two talking about?’

“The narrator said there is a lot of mana being extracted to fuel the portal. Old man Deio can see it apparently.”

‘Oh. You must be very powerful, Deio.’

‘Hohohoho. These old bones?’

“As the portal opens Tio-oh gestures our hero to go first, as it is her job to make sure goes through.

Next we have a scene of our hero pointing the grand gardener through and with no hesitation and incredible speed he enters the intimidating portal.”

“Alright, me next. Catch you on the flip side!”

‘It’s actually dimension Aeiro south seven.’

“Oh. I was just quoting a movie.”

“To experience cross-dimensional portals made with such intricate and grand laws is an honor any being of the lower planes can only dream of.

Some may even scratch the surface of the laws and gain tremendous power.

Just another thing our hero takes for granted. Another opportunity wasted on the untalented.

The journey passes as they marvel, completely in awe of the illusory world they are shown, neglecting to think on the mysteries being used.”

“Hooop! Is it cheese to ask to go again? I really could stay in there a few days.”

‘Sadly, I do not have any power over the portals.’

“Awh.

Alright let’s check the quest”

|Class quest: Tier one|

Finish your master’s quest (Complete)

Meet with your escort and travel back through the portal. (Complete)

Follow your escort to the evaluation room.

“There is more? Can’t this just be done with?”

‘Follow me Ji Aleksy. It’s just across the hall from the portal room. Coincidentally, it hasn’t been used for a long time, as long as the portal room.’

“One second. Where is the old man?”

‘I haven’t seen him since he entered the portal.’

|The abandoned gardener|

“After spending centuries in this place alone, the man has create a utopia that thwarts any outside interference.

His defenses will hold for thousands of years and is to be relieved of duty.”

Find and convince the old gardener to leave this place with you. (Complete)

Find the gardener for a reward.

(Hidden quest)

Rewards: *****

“That bastard! He ran off, he must’ve known he had to give me something as a reward.

Damn cheapskate!”

‘Are you ready?’

“Coming.”

“Another abandoned room, covered in dust.

In the room there are large tables with multiple seats.

On the tables are dust covered tablets. These are keys of sorts.

Depending on how our hero has been evaluated, they will be able to open different things.

And he will be given a hard choice.”

“That reminds me I got another minor skill point.”

|Forced empathy|

Tier: 1

Class: Support, melee, touch, psychological

Used to transmit sensitive information without any evidence.

“That’s the only one related to mind magic. At least that I know of.

Shame about needing physical contact but whatever.”

“A rare occurrence. Our hero took something that could very well save his life in many situations, as he has the potential to cultivate it.

All that remains is to see if he actually will.”

‘I realize you are talking to your narrator but I have to say, forced empathy is useless.’

“Ah? Oh. A bit too late though. Mind if I try it on you.”

‘Sure.’

“With the new information taken hold, our hero reaches out with his hand and softly touches the young lady’s shoulders.

The body of the Fluo is in perpetual liquid state so even when it appears firm and stable a simple touch may cause ripples.

Assuming they are not actively trying to prevent it.”

‘Baby don’t hurt me?’

“No more.

Well it works.”