“What?” Victor said to himself quietly as he looked over the card.

He knew that there had to be something to this. Some reason for the card to have the image of a quarter on it. He couldn’t be sure, but he thought that this was the quarter that he had assumed he lost in the guild yesterday. Turning it over in his had, he walked into the guild and sat at the first table he came across.

He was fortunate enough to have sat down at an empty table as he thought about what he was looking at.

“Alright…… I have my card. Everyone else was able to figure out what their artifact did right away, but this……. I don’t know what….. no, I know what I just don’t know how or……. wait…….”

Over the next several minute's Victor spoke to himself as he tried to figure everything out.

The card seemed basically the same, except the tall thin rectangle to the right of the quarter had a sliver at the bottom colored soft blue. The quarter, of course, was also different, as was the label that it had along the bottom. The only thing that made sense to him was that this was some sort of storage item, but the big question was how he had managed to get the quarter in there in the first place.

Eventually, Victor pulled his attention back to his plan to look at the jobs in his rank. Entering the guild and walking over to the posters he hoped that the people from yesterday that wanted to hire a pack mule weren’t around.

He already knew that he was going to say no to their offer, but he didn’t feel like dealing with it unless he had to. Once Victor got up to try and read the posters with the black mark on them, he let out an annoyed groan. Then, as if on cue, he was approached by a young boy who looked to be about ten years old.

“Need a reader sir? Two small copper coins and I’ll read for you for one flip of my timer.”

Taking out the timer that he mentioned, Victor noted that it looked nicer than he had anticipated.

The craftsmanship made him start to wonder what this world had and didn’t have. Sure there was magic, but at the same time, there might be certain things that he knew about that was better than the magic they were accustomed to. Especially since, as far as he had been told, most of the people don’t bother to learn more than the most simple life-enhancing magic.

“Oh well if I need more time is it the same price? Won’t suddenly say its three because I want you to flip it again will you?”

The boy shook his head in response to Victors’ question, “Two per flip and I’ll read anything or look for anything you want. I’ll even let you flip it when you’re ready….. as long as you already paid at least.”

Victor reached into his bag and gave the kid two small copper coins, “I’m just curious what sort of jobs they have for someone like me who just joined. If you could just tell me about any of the black rank jobs. Ah, but I would want something where I can go back to the same inn I am staying in so nothing too far away.”

Flipping the timer the kid went from one job to another. While Victor was glad that this didn’t seem like a place that expected someone who didn’t know what they were doing to slay a dragon, assuming they existed here, or destroy an army he couldn’t help but think about how mundane the black level requests were.

In the end, Victor paid two more coins for the kid to go over each job again so he could think on them a bit more and pay attention to the specific aspects when they were pointed to, just in case he had to reference them later.

Eventually, he had it down to a few that he was debating between.

Helping with butchering some animals at one of the farms. This one paid in some coin and some food.

A house cleaning job. It didn’t get into to much detail beyond mentioning a strong smell.

Checking some traps located just a little bit beyond the farmlands to see if anything was captured. It said that there was no need to bring anything as they had someone who would go to whichever traps were indicated as triggered.

A couple of jobs that were basically manual day labor like moving products in or out of a cart. Those mostly had the same pay but a few had minor extras thrown in if you did an extra good job.

One asked for someone of a very specific body type to work as a stand-in for something. It didn’t say anything specifically beyond nobody to large, but it did mention that standing still for a long time would be a must. The pay was better than the other ones, probably because the job said that the requirements were very specific, but if nobody matching what was needed was found within six days that it would be offered to whoever was closest to the ideal form.

Just in case he fit the body type he had planned to check in on that one.

The remaining ones all seemed to be cut and dry and only slightly different.

There was one that involved doing inventory for a store. It mentioned that in order to do that one there would be a basic math test to verify a minimal level of numeric skills. Likely because the worker had to prove themself, it did pay more than all except for the one needing a person with a specific body type.

There was one about helping set up furniture in a new business that’s opening.

The last one involved taking stuff out of a business that had failed to pay its taxes. That one mentioned that it might take a few days and the pay was per day.

Going over the jobs in his head he spoke to himself softly, mostly as a way to verify with himself what he was planning.

“First try that stand in one. Best pay, even if it isn’t likely to take me. After that is the inventory one. I’m not sure about the standards, but I can probably manage whatever math is needed. If I somehow fail their test, well I’ll do some of the more manual labor ones and, only if I have to, I’ll do one of the remaining non-trap ones.”

Going to the right counter, Victor found himself face to face with a woman he hadn’t spoken with before. He took out the crystal that he had been given previously and placed it on the counter.

“I’d kind of like to try some jobs. Sorry if I was supposed to bring them over here I only joined yesterday so….”

“It’s fine.” The woman said cutting him off as she took his crystal, “Just tell me the jobs you’re interested in and I will let you know what you need to do.”

Victor thought of how the woman spoke and found himself thinking about when he worked as a cashier and had to fake caring about a lot of things. He felt like she might have that mindset right now. Not that it was a bad thing.

“Right so I thought I would see if I fit the body type the guy wants first and…”

“You aren’t the right type, but since nobody who is had gone to her, she might be willing to work with you if nothing better comes along. I’ll be blunt with you. You probably won’t get the job even if that’s the case. She is a very finicky artist.”

Alright maybe not so fake, Victor thought to himself.

“If that’s the case I’ll just check in with her and go to the one asking people to do inventory? I’m, I like to think, really good at math so I could do that, and if for some reason that doesn’t work I’d be willing to go to that closing business one.”

Nodding her head, she took out a piece of paper and a quill with an ink bottle. She wrote on it as she spoke.

“Do you know the area enough to just be told where you need to go? If not I can get you a pretty basic map. It might take a little bit to draw up, but if you don’t mind the wait we can manage it.”

Watching her write, Victor wasn’t sure why, but he felt like she needed something. Even if it was small he got an idea in his head and reached into his pouch taking out one of the pens and held it out to her.

“Here this should help make it a bit easier. You won’t have to keep dipping it in the ink as you write or draw with it. Although when it runs out of ink you can’t use it anymore to write with.”

With a bit of hesitation, she took the pen from him and looked at it. She tapped it against the counter and wiggled it in between her fingers a little before she put it to paper and discovered how it worked. The faintest smile appeared on her lips as she started to use it. It made her eyes look a bit brighter as far as Victor was concerned.

“Thank you for this. It will likely be of some help.”

It only took about five minutes before the woman handed Victor a map. Looking at it he notices the guild and the three locations were labeled, albeit in a language he couldn’t understand.

With that in mind, he labeled it again himself.

When he left the guild, map in hand, Victor started towards the request for, what he assumed was, the modeling job. It was the place farthest away from the guild, but he had the order planned out in order of desirability and wanted to stick with it.

As he walked he did his best to mentally take note of what was where. A detailed map would be a great tool for someone not from around the area and the fact that he doubted anyone could read what he was writing would just make it safe to write anything.

Taking out his card, he couldn’t help but think about it. How there was a quarter on his card. How he hadn’t figured out what his card did despite the others being able to figure out what their items did. In the end, he decided that it was just a matter of learning more and trying to think about it more.

As he approached the door and knocked on it he found himself wishing he could get his quarter back. Mostly so he could figure out what was going on. He wondered if it even was the same quarter or if it was something to keep track of what he had lost when he heard a clang on the ground followed by another familiar sound as the coin rolled in a circle.

Not wanting to lose it again Victor quickly picked up the quarter.

Once in his hand, he looked at the coin that shouldn’t exist except for the ones he brought here unless what his classmates had with them found their way here. His card was once again had a blank space where the quarter used to be and the small rectangle on the right was the same as it had been before.

The quarter that had gone missing was now in his hand and the card that had been blank, before it showed the quarter, was now blank once again.

Before he could wrap his mind around what had happened, the door opened to reveal an older woman standing there wearing a sort of dress made of colorful patches with a belt around the waist that seemed a dull white in contrast.

“Are you here about the job request?”

Putting away both the card and quarter Victor nodded his head, which caused the woman to move in closer to him, before patting him down.

“Not much in the way of muscles. Good, you’re the first male who might have a chance. Emphasis on might. The others had to much muscle to them. At least you could pass as a woman with the right work for this. None of the other women are close enough to fit my vision, but as of now, it will be between you and one woman if she is willing to cut her hair. Give me your name and if I can use you I’ll contact the guild.”

Having not expected the woman to start feeling him up, Victor had to fight to not jump back from her. He also needed a moment to collect his thoughts.

Her comments threw him for just enough of a loop that even when he told her his name it almost felt to him like someone else was speaking.

After getting his name, the woman let one finger linger up and down his chest, “I’ll remember that Victor, but I hope you never hear from me about this again.”

Without a proper goodbye, the woman closed her door leaving Victor alone with his thoughts. Only about a minute passed before he was able to think properly and started to continue on his way. Soon he found himself at the shop that would test his math skills.

When he entered the shop Victor saw three people moving around. they were carrying or organizing different things.

“Sorry, we’re closed today and likely tomorrow to do inventory. We might open before the end of the day tomorrow but today we’re closed.”

Looking at the source of the voice, Victor found himself looking at a young man who had a face that looked as if it had been mauled or burned enough to leave scars. It was so different than most of the people he had seen that it made him stop in place for a moment before he managed to speak.

“Actually I’m here because the guild said you wanted people to help do your inventory and I like to think I am good with math.”

Looking at Victor a moment the man put aside what he was doing and yelled into the basement of the shop, “Riyel! We got someone from the guild do you mind checking if he has any skill with number quick? I’m in the middle of checking the quills and I don’t want to lose track.”

Hearing something coming from the basement, Victor waited until a lady who looked to be maybe a couple of years his junior came from the basement carrying some papers.

“We only lost nine of the…… well you can read it I’ll get to this guys test.”

Setting the papers down she walked over to Victor with a slight look of exhaustion on her face.

“I really hope you pass because we could use the help. Anyway, these tests might seem hard, but we are paying well so we can afford to be a bit strict. Now take your time and think about the questions don’t just give an answer thinking speed counts, because only the right answer matters even if you are slow.”

Victor felt a little impressed that someone younger than him was so confident in her trade and couldn’t help, but wonder if he would find a way home or have to find a trade himself and live here.

“Now question one. In the first box, you find thirty-seven red candles and in the second box you find fifty-seven white candles and in the last box, you find eight brown candles. How many candles do you have to sell.”

Unable to help himself, Victor smirked. If this was an example of a hard question for this world’s math skills, he would do just fine.

“Thirty-seven red, fifty-seven white and eight brown are exactly one hundred and two candles,” Victor said after only a couple of seconds.

“That’s…….. right.” A bit of a smirk appeared on the young ladies face, shifting a couple of her freckles in the process.

“Now let’s say that you have one hundred candles to sell that cost one small copper coin to make two. You sell them at one small copper coin each, but after you sell sixty the rest are sold buy three get one free. How much profit did you make?”

Victor, again, knew the answer pretty quick but found himself waiting a little bit on purpose. He assumed the smirk on Riyels’ face meant that this was supposed to be a hard question and he didn’t want to stand out by answering too quickly.

“Forty small copper coins.” He said when he finally answered, “Or a little more if some people didn’t take part in the sale so technically at least forty but up to fifty is possible.”

The smirk fading slightly as she tapped a finger against her hip, “Someone wants to…..”

“That’s enough Riyel,” the man with the damaged face said loud enough to get her to stop, “We only needed him to answer the two questions we made. You don’t need to give him any more questions.”

“He got that answer so fast I just thought…” She tried to explain before he shook his head and moved past her to Victor.

“Sorry about that,” the man said as the girl went back downstairs with a fresh scroll of paper. “She isn’t used to people being able to answer her questions that fast. She has a good head for numbers. I keep saying that she should study magic with that mind of hers, but she insists on helping with the shop.”

“Regardless, you pass so, for now, you will count the arrows so there are twenty in each quiver and then write down how many quivers are full and how many leftover arrows we have.”

The man pointed to a section of the shop that seemed to have a small pile of stray arrows.

“I can count them all for you of course and even organize them, but I’ll have to tell you the results since I don’t know how to read or write,” Victor said hoping this wouldn’t prevent him from getting the job.

“Fine, you can come to me or go to my sister if you’re working downstairs to tell us the results now get to work. If you slack off I’ll only partially pay you.”

When the job was finished the sun was nearly touching the horizon, causing the shadows to stretch out.

By the time Victor was told the job was done, it was obvious to him that the shop seemed to be a general goods shop that dealt mostly with bulk, cheap, and short-life items. Apparently, they even had some customers that had usual orders and these were the days that managed to prevent their usual clients from not getting their orders.

After collecting a stamped paper Victor headed back towards the inn, stopping for a quick bite to eat. Apparently, despite having soup bowls made of bread, sandwiches were not a thing. Either that or the food stall was messing with him when he asked for one.

Along the way, he even saw the group of guild members who tried to recruit him. With them was someone that he hadn’t seen. A man who was maybe ten years older than him. One of the members yelled over to let Victor know they got someone else and it was his bad luck to not accept the job.

Thinking about how he made some, what he assumed was, decent money from the general store Victor didn’t feel like he had made the wrong choice. Especially since he wanted to at least get some sort of basic equipment before doing anything outside of the town.

It was only when he was about to fall asleep when his mind started to wonder about his card again. He quickly sat up, took it out, and started to look at it. Again it was empty of any special designs on one side while retaining its fully colored design on the other. He tried to think about how he had gotten the quarter in and out.

When his quarter was missing it was just after the physical test giver came to his table. He thought about what was on his mind and, if he remembered correctly, it was a desire to keep his quarter or a worry that he might need to answer some awkward questions if it was seen.

Getting it back was more about just a desire to get his quarter out of the card. A simple thing overall, but he wondered if it really was something like that. A simple desire to save and retrieve.

Taking out a small handful of coins he held them to the card and thought how he wanted to keep them safe from someone who might steal them.

As far as Victor could tell nothing happened despite his efforts.

His hand still was full of coins and there seemed to be no change. There was nothing that looked different and no sounds that occurred, but when he took his hand away the card had the image and a label for a small silver coin. Quickly counting out coins even verified that, as long as he included the coin in the card, he still had the right amount of money.

Taking out the coin from his card and putting everything away, Victor told himself that he would test what else this card could do later. That he would try things out because, unless there was something more, the card seemed less than impressive compared to what he saw the others manage before he ran. He even suspected that there were plenty of items using the mana cores that could be more useful than a card that can only store one coin at a time.