I woke up feeling more refreshed than I could ever remember. Was the bed enchanted? It would make sense for someone of Corinn’s means to employ many such utility enchantments. I definitely appreciated the benefits. For now though, it was time to get to work.

I considered the robe lying on the floor next to the bed. Going outside without it would cause too many problems, but right now I was in Corinn’s household. The only occupants were people Corinn trusted, and if I was ever going to operate here at full strength, they were going to have to get used to it eventually. Yes, the choice was clear. I hated being weak.

I headed downstairs, towards the private dining area Merigar had pointed out during my aborted tour of the premises yesterday. I caught a glimpse of several laborers passing by on my way there, but they didn’t spot me. Oh right, the damage from the explosives still needed to be repaired. Had I been too hasty to go without?

No, the only reason they were here was because assassins had tried to kill us. If they struck again, I would be ready. I was not being reckless. Okay, I just wanted to be reckless! Better than being weak!

My destination did indeed have food at the ready. A large plate holding some intriguing variety of pastry occupied the center of the table, with containers for syrup and jam positioned around it. Corinn and Shira were already seated, and finishing up their own meals.

“Ah, Talia, glad you’re awake.” Corinn appeared refreshed, yet his expression remained somewhat downcast. “Since you wish to… hold to your class restrictions, I’d appreciate it if you avoided the workmen? This assassination attempt will cause enough issues without adding another thing for people to gossip about. Thank you for helping to uncover it though.” The pun appeared unintentional.

I helped myself to breakfast. The quality was as incredible as my previous taste of what the cooks here could offer: bites that just melted in my mouth, sweetness and texture that were somehow perfectly balanced, the delicious taste lingering well after I swallowed. I’d had many gourmet meals back on Earth, but this was something else. To think that a few days ago I had been subsisting on raw meat! Enhanced Metabolism had dulled the negative aspects, but the difference was still night and day. Wait, since I had Enhanced Metabolism, and there was a lot of delicious food right in front of me, couldn’t I…

When Renfry and Veers arrived shortly afterward, I had already finished half of everything that had been set out. Maybe I should have paced myself more, so I could savor it? Probably. But it had felt good at the time. Shira looked both disgusted and impressed, while Corinn had been looking with increasing amazement from my face to my stomach… with occasional stops in between. Oh yes, I had him. He even seemed less downcast now. One small victory against those assassins already!

Corinn spoke to us as they found seating. “Once everyone has finished eating, Merigar has arranged the conference room for us to discuss our future plans. We’ll be going over the events of last evening’s Royal Council, the recent assassination attempts, and what our options are over the coming week. Meryl will review what magical capabilities we have available, and Ullian will cover other possible information sources. All ideas are welcome, so feel free to bring up any alternative solutions.”

Unfortunately, smashing a hole in their hideout and pulverizing them all with a giant warhammer required finding them first. It also required a giant warhammer, but that part was easier. I should look into getting one soon. It was bound to come in handy.

Veers and Renfry had soon finished eating, and I reluctantly abandoned the remaining pastry. Oh well, there was probably more delicious food to be had later. We returned upstairs, heading to the third floor, where we followed Corinn into a mid-sized room built around an oval table, with bookshelves lining the walls.

Three people were already seated: Merigar, a middle-aged blonde woman in magenta robes, and a wiry older man with a nondescript face and plain clothing. The steward stood as we entered, and moved to seal the door behind us as Corinn took a seat at the head of the table.

“I’ll start with the Royal Council. Many of the other participants expressed doubts that the assassination attempt in the forest happened at all. I left several of the items we recovered from them as evidence, which may help address the doubters once they’re identified, but it seems we will face an uphill battle convincing the group of our version of events. I did raise concerns of how news of an Umbral Ceraphid managed to become an official problem, and though some still expressed concern that the beast might actually exist, I did get a commitment from the Primarch of Records to investigate the matter.”

“Overall, I have a limited list of accomplishments over the past several months, and if a challenger for my position emerges, it could become difficult to maintain it. Handling these assassins, and the threat to the Imperium that the represent, is not just a personal matter, but also necessary to maintain my political standing. So on that note, Meryl, what are your conclusions about the recent break-in and what we can do about it?”

The robed woman paused to take in the room, and then spoke crisply. “The magical lock for the basement was expensive and well crafted. It was undamaged by the explosion, and a cursory investigation showed that the internal workings were undamaged. The only way I can conceive of it being bypassed is to grow a fake limb of an authorized individual, and somehow give it enough of a semblance of life to fool the arcane mechanism. Just the idea is extremely advanced – there’s a reason the lock’s creator didn’t regard it as a concern.”

Shira narrowed her eyes. “Could the healing magic of the northern priests be used for such an effect?”

Meryl’s uncertainty showed. “I’m afraid divine casting in general is not something I’m familiar with. Perhaps? But how would a northern priest get all the way here?”

“If traitors in the South were willing to aid them,” replied Corinn grimly. “Regarding the explosives themselves, is there any indication of how they were delivered or how they operated?”

“According to Merigar’s reports, the boxes containing them were larger than the entryway. Clearly, some variety of extradimensional storage was used in the delivery. As for the payload, the nature of damage to the walls and the other contents of the room suggest a primarily chemical payload, perhaps with some alchemical catalysts. Incidentally, damage to the room’s other contents was rather severe. The magically reinforced items survived, but the others appear to be mostly unsalvageable.”

“At least we keep the designs for them separately,” was Corinn’s resigned response. “With that out of the way, what can you and your staff do to track down the responsible parties?”

“Unfortunately little. We found no unusual magical residue on the lock or in the room, and what fragments we could identify as being part of the explosives had nothing that could be traced. I’m sorry, your highness.”

“It’s not your fault that our foes are competent, Meryl. Keep looking to see if you spot any other opportunities, and prioritize installing additional security measures. Meanwhile, Ullian! What have your agents managed to dig up?”

“Merigar’s new hires have found a handful of reports about mysterious deaths. Many of the individuals in question were bureaucrats processing intelligence about Olgierian activity. So far there are no clear details about the deaths themselves, but we’re looking into it.”

“So, more hints, but nothing definitive. At least we have some leads, though it may be too late to find details…” Corinn looked disappointed. These assassins were so frustrating! They were probably high level, which meant that anyone didn’t have a high-level class with a detection Ability would be very hard-pressed to actually catch them. And it seemed like Corinn didn’t have anyone of the sort available.

If we couldn’t catch them… then we would have to make them come to us. Get them into a known location and then… blow them up? That would certainly be satisfying. But how to make sure they came? Would information be enough? No, it seemed they were going after people concerned about an Olgierian invasion. They would need to see an opportunity to kill some more, but how could that be faked… Frustrating.

The others were still discussing a few things, but it was clear that everything of import had already been said. Well, regardless of how everything else had gone, at lease I could finally get a Ring of Invisibility. Soon I would be able to travel at full strength once more! I wouldn’t ever have to limit myself again!

…Assuming I didn’t ever have to speak to someone in public. That could be a problem. And I had been looking for someone to teach me about winning social encounters, which would be problematic without something to wear… civilization was stupid.

Still, being able to turn invisible would be a definite improvement over my current situation. As the meeting adjourned, I approached Corinn to broach the subject.

“Ah yes, Talia. I did promise to get you a Ring of Invisibility when we had the opportunity. Since it seems we’re limited to letting others follow up on leads right now, this is a good time to see a reliable enchanter. I’ll be waiting for you by the entrance when you’re ready.”

Well. He had remembered. He was certainly nice to keep around. I returned to the room to put on my robe, grimacing as I felt myself grow weaker and slower. How would I ever engage in favorable social encounters if I had to do it while feeling crippled? Perhaps a tailor could make a custom design that minimized the class restriction penalties? Yes, getting the Ring was my first priority, but that too was important. Anything to be less weak.

Corinn had already retrieved his horse when I arrived by the entryway, and we rode back towards the crafts district we had previously passed through. As a fairly high-end item, Rings of Invisibility would be sold by high-level enchanters, of which there was a limited supply. The supply of trustworthy ones was even more limited.

This particular enchanter was one Corinn had done business with several times before. The arcane lock on the basement had been her creation, and while that didn’t cast her skills in the best light, I had been assured that the work had still been top quality. Since I couldn’t judge such a statement on my own, I would just have to make do. Relying on other people was frustrating.

We arrived after a few minutes of travel outside a large, three-story shop with a sign reading

ALCAZZAR’S ARCANA

General Enchantment, Universal Quality

The exterior was painted teal and purple, with windows on each floor showing shelves full of items, in a wide range of sizes. We entered to see a young man seated at a large wooden desk, partially obscured by intervening shelves. He looked up as we entered.

“Welcome to Alcazzar’s Arcana! If you need help finding anything, I would be happy to assist. If you need a consultation, Madam Alcazzar is working in the back, and can be with you shortly.”

Corinn approached the desk, responding politely. “Greetings, I am Prince Corinn Illorum. I need to procure a Ring of Invisibility, and also wish to have several items identified.”

“Ah, it is an honor to assist you your highness. I can procure the ring for you now, and I’ll summon Madam Alcazzar to perform the identifications as soon as possible.” He pressed something behind the desk, bowed, and then departed up the stairs.

I turned to take a look at the shop while I waited, only for a door behind the desk to open moments later. An elderly woman emerged, and bowed to the prince.

“Greetings your highness. It is an honor to have your continued service. Are your previous purchases proving satisfactory?”

“Unfortunately no,” Corinn grimaced. “An unidentified group was able to bypass your basement ward without disrupting it. My magical advisor theorizes that they may have used an artificially grown hand to fool the security, but that is just guesswork.”

She paled. “I am deeply sorry to hear that, your highness. If there is any way I could repay you…”

Corinn paused and thought for a moment. “It would be appreciated if you could investigate the bypassed ward, and see if you have any insights. But I would advise caution: the group responsible appears prepared to kill anyone they find inconvenient.”

“You are most gracious, your highness. I will make the investigation my highest priority. Oh, and I believe you were here for other business?”

“Indeed, your assistant is currently retrieving a Ring of Invisibility, but there are also a number of items I wish to have identified.” He turned to me. “Perhaps there are some you would like identified as well?”

Ah yes, the weapons I had recovered from the hired assassins had been enchanted. “Yes, I would appreciate that.”

“Very well, place everything you would like identified on the desk, and I will give you a full report.”

Corrin began removing an assortment of arms and armor from a saddlebag he had carried in, while I retrieved the longsword, the greatsword, and the halberd that I had recovered from the various assailants, materializing each in my hand and placing them on the desk. The woman was clearly surprised to see me exercising such an ability. I was getting tired of people’s stupid assumptions.

Once everything was on the desk, she began reviewing them; glancing at each, then beginning more extensive diagnostics on the longsword. In less than a minute, she announced her first findings. “This is a Keen Venomblade. The effective sharpness is roughly thrice that of the metal itself, and the poison from even a few cuts can leave a fighting class under level 20 seriously injured. The poison will take effect in less than five seconds, and will cease to cause further ailment after three minutes.”

Good thing I had killed the wielder while he was unarmed, then. This would definitely be a useful weapon to have.

She continued on in the same fashion. My halberd turned out to be a Halberd of Inertia, doubling the effective mass of both itself and me when blocking incoming blows or determining the force of my attacks. It was probably intended for use against charging cavalry, but would prove quite effective whenever I was leaping on foes from above.

My greatsword, meanwhile, was identified as a Keen Kinetic Greatsword, with twice the usual sharpness and the ability to double all kinetic energy imparted to it. Clearly suited for long, sweeping strikes, I looked forward to seeing how much damage it could do on a spin.

The equipment Corinn presented was identified as well. It would seem he had left behind the armor from the leader and the woman as proof, but the remaining items were identified as two shortswords with speed enhancements, a crossbow with automatic reload, leather armor with magical reinforcement and muffling, and full plate which enhanced the wearer’s agility.

The assistant had returned halfway through the identification process, but waited until it was finished before announcing himself. “The Ring of Invisibility, your highness,” he said, presenting a golden ring containing a large white diamond.

It was the enchantress who provided the details. “It will allow the wearer to remain invisible for up to sixteen hours a day, more in areas with unusually high mana density. Firmly pressing the inset gem will turn the effect on and off, though it will take fourteen seconds to activate the effect again after it has been disabled. Awareness abilities on classes over level 40, and detection spells on classes over level 20 will be able to see past the effect, as will some items with detection abilities. Wards and other effects using a means of detection besides sight will not be affected. The effect will remain active until turned off, until it encounters an antimagic effect from a caster over level 40, or until the wearer takes aggressive action or receives injury.”

“Aggressive action?” Odd that she would use such a vague term after such a detailed description.

“Action taken with intent to directly harm an object or creature.” Seeing my doubt, she continued. “Invisibility is a spell that sacrifices power to maximize the duration spent unseen. The mana formations it involves are fragile as a result, and shifting to an offensive approach disrupts them. Magic is foremost a tool of the mind, and it is the mind that has the greatest effect on it.”

Informative, though of limited use to me. Corinn paid for the ring and the services, presenting the enchantress with an assortment of golden and platinum coins, some inset with gems. The ring had apparently been 54 thousand kehlmarks, a currency I remembered the hired assassins mentioning earlier. Figuring out the value of currency was yet another thing I was going to have to learn.

Finally, I was handed the ring, and slid it over my middle finger. Yes, finally! No more need for weakness! I pressed down on the gem as I had been instructed, and saw my body disappear from view. Moments later, I shrugged off the robe, and saw it reappear at my now-invisible feet. Strength!

Corinn was looking concerned. I should probably keep him in the loop. I leaned next to his ear, and whispered “See you back at the mansion!” And with that, it was time to go!

I exited the shop. No one noticed the door opening seemingly on its own, and I avoided the other pedestrians as I got a running start. A Mighty Leap sent me soaring above the level of second-story windows, and I enjoyed the feeling of the wind in my hair as people blurred past below me. I would be landing again soon though, and would need a clear spot…

I twisted to avoid the heads of several pedestrians, and plunged my newly-materialized halberd into the ground to help control my landing. But why stop now? With the halberd in hand, I launched myself off in a different direction, returning it to my Personal Arsenal and spreading my arms to enjoy the feeling of being airborne. I would tire out eventually, but for now, this was fun! It was good to be free!