It was still boggling to the mind that thousands upon thousands of people were sitting in the same room, eating piles of food (from a normal-looking potato salad to the greenish chicken), merrily chatting along, while I was being ignored, maybe more than before.

Don’t get me wrong, I was still getting the odd looks here and there, but it was like nobody knew what to do with me.

Even you do not know what to do with yourself.

"And what’s that supposed to mean? All you have to do is approach me, I promise that I don’t bite."

Of course, I could make the effort of establishing first contact, but that sounded like effort, and my mind wasn’t still unjumbled enough to make any.

So, I continued with the eating and drinking, unbothered by the distance, both physical and social, that was between me and the other [Humans].

We both know that it bothers you more than you would like to admit, and not making an effort to change things sounds like the exact opposite of that “do better” attitude you had when first [Transferred].

"Leave it to the 'brain telltale' to worsen my brooding", I mentally remark, slightly miffed.

You are not “brooding”, because it would require you to look dark and foreboding.

You are just sulking, like a little kid.

"Wow, rude. You really need to tone it down with the insults, or you’ll come along as just a prick, and not simply 'cheeky'."

Takes one to know one.

My rebuke died before starting, because at that moment an 'itchy' feeling was making itself known at the back of my eyes.

Entirely discomforting, I know, but it somehow translated to 'look up from the table' in my mind.

And so, I did, and noticed Undine, the [High Priestess], walking towards me, with her eyes locked on me, but not threateningly so.

When she saw me noticing her, her face went through various emotions, which ended up settling on a pleased smile.

"What was that about?"

How would I know? She was probably just surprised at being noticed among the throes of people presents.

She stopped beside me and somehow started the conversation with a well-known Space Battle reference, which made me ask her about how those 'cultural mishaps' could happen so often.

She seemed to evade the question, and simply relate that my warning was founded, and some [Human] thought that they were in the Matrix, or something akin to it.

But the niceties didn’t last long, because she too asked about my [Traits].

The fact that she thought that I had [Polyglot], instead of [Omniglot], gave me pause, but tossed it as it being just another thing about me being (quote on quote) 'special'.

"At least she just wants to confirm that all [Humans] have the same ones."

Definitely refreshing, compared to the previous attempt by Jeff.

"Any idea on which of my [Traits] is merely racial?"

By description alone, I would say that [Fast learner] and [Adaptability] fit the bill, on the fact alone that both reference [Humans] in their description.

"I thought so too, and relayed as much."

She was way too relieved at my statement and- "OHMYGOD she thought that I wasn’t [Human]!"

I think that she just had some passing doubt, and was relieved to have them gone.

Also, do not say anything about [Gods], or you are asking for attracting their attention.

She seemed to notice my flinching, and I could have hit myself on the head enough to go stupid, because I just made the only person that I could consider 'friendly' in this unknown world, including among the [Humans], worried… again.

And so, I tried to relieve the situation by uplifting her approach and comparing it to Jeff’s vehemence.

But, apparently, that was the wrong thing to do, because just as I said that, the 'itch' was back, and much stronger, this time screaming at me to look 'behind me', which was the only thing that stopped me from screaming in an unmanly way when someone shouted:

"It’s Jeoff, you asshole!"

Here I was, having a 'somewhat' pleasant conversation with the buxom [Priestess], and out of left field comes in an angered Jeff.

I would stop calling him “Jeff”, if you want him to calm down.

"Wait, I keep hearing 'Jeff'. Is he saying something different?"

But there was no time for [Buddy] to respond, because… 'the bald dude' was looming over me now, and had a dangerous glint in his eyes.

"Jeoff, what is the meaning of this?", asks an irked Undine, from next to me.

"Do not worry [High Priestess], I will free you from the mental compulsion from this disguised fiend!" He triumphally exclaimed.

* * *

I was growing accustomed to swirling colors that seemed to permeate everything, that now I knew I was able to see thanks to [Demiurgic sight]; for example, I started to notice that certain colors seemed to be attracted by certain people: That, to me, seemed like some sort of [Attunement] (oh, it’s [System] term) to the [Ambient Mana], making it easier for a person to absorb [Mana] of the same type that they could control.

Largely accurate, let us leave it at that.

"I kind of want to know the exact 'science' behind it, but I guess this isn’t the time."

Why am I talking about the [Mana] signatures, that only I am apparently able to see, and why wouldn’t I push to know more about it right now?

Because all of this is what is going on inside my head when I notice some sort of 'node' of brownish energy inside of Jeff flickering, and expanding, in rapid succession, emanating similar energies from this [Core] (that’s the correct word then) to the ground below.

Now, I may be completely new to magic and [Nexus], but that looks like a preamble to a [Spell].

I know that you are used to punching above your weight, and that the concept of “asking for help” is unknown to you, but nothing good could come from taking what seems like an unprompted magical attack head-on.

I have to reluctantly agree with my 'mental squatter', it probably knows about [Level]-disparity more than I do.

A stalagmite (or stalactite) surges towards me from the ground, but since I was readied from some sort of [Earth Spell], the most obvious assumption on what to expect (given the color of the [Mana] and his skin), I manage to get out of my chair just in time to avoid getting speared through the head.

"WHAT THE FUCK IS YOUR PROBLEM!!??" I shout enraged, but only after securing my footing.

"You may have fooled the others, fiend, but your constant mockery and disregard of my noble lineage have revealed you for what you truly are, a [Demon]!" Not-Jeff exclaims, in an even more triumphant tone than before.

Multiple gasps are heard around the room, probably from the [Priests], because they should be the only ones to know what a [Demon] is.

"What’s a [Demon], and why is it in brackets!?" I urgently ask my 'inner encyclopedia'.

I see that you are going to town with names lately.

To answer your question, a [Demon] is a [Dimensional Entity] constructed by [Destruction] in the ages of the [Godly war]; its only objective is to infiltrate a reality and ensure its destabilization.

"Didn’t we surmise that the [Godly war] was bullshit?"

But as I think about it, I remember the words of [Luck], when she talked about the [Gods] fighting for their sake, so maybe there was a war, and it was still ongoing (just not against [Destruction]).

"Jeoff, you will stop what you are doing right now and explain yourself!" Undine seems to have gathered her wits, because she interposes herself between 'baldy' and I.

"See? I didn’t even need to ask for help, there was someone nice enough to provide it right next to me."

What you said is incredibly wrong, but we do not have time to go over on just how much Wrong it is.

I momentarily ignore that statement to focus back on the impromptu fight, that I’m technically part of.

One more flash from the bad guy’s [Core] and a stomp, that I must have missed the first time, and a veritable pillar of rock is launched from the ground on my left side, towards me.

I get distracted by the fact that, when turning my head to look at the [Spell], I notice the other [Priests] having 'erected' a 'meat wall', with their bodies, between the fight and the other [Humans], that were just looking perplexedly at the ongoings.

The distraction is enough to almost make me have a headbutting contest with a [Stone pillar] (What’s up with me and names today?), but thankfully Undine erected a [Water barrier] in time (and another one).

Pay more attention to the fight that has probably your life on the line.

You getting more “names” right is just a by-product of properly being integrated with the [System], akin to your newfound ability to avoid using brackets every time.

"Good to know."

"Jeoff, your acts are deplorable, more so when committed by a [Priest]" Undine seems ready to initiate a long-winded spiel, but is beaten to the punch by 'what’s-his-name' "You better stay out of it, lady Undine, you are just a victim to the fiend’s allure, but I can’t promise to not retaliate in the face of an attack, even from you."

"Oh?" for a moment Undine assumes an expression not unlike the predatory one adopted by [Luck], "So not only you assumed my [Analyze] to be faulty, not only you thought that your mental fortitude was higher than mine", by now even… Jeffrey… is looking like he’s reconsidering his life choices, "but you’re also certain that you could best me?"

I now was looking at Undine in a new light, guess being the daughter of a [Demi-Goddess] wasn’t just for show: she was fucking scary.

And I wasn’t talking about this hidden, and vindictive, side of hers, but also for the 'flood' of [Mana] currently exiting from her [Core].

"Please [High Priestess], you have to understand! You have been bewitched by the [Demon]’s eye and are-" That was not the right thing to say at the moment, and it would be readily apparent to Jeff.

He had only moments to try and further defuse, or worsen, the situation, before [Geysers] seemed to coalesce from the air around him and slam into the brown Nymph at incredible force, from four different directions.

He didn’t stand a chance: one moment he was talking, and the next he was in the worst type of tempest imaginable, the one that had a bone to pick with you.

"That kind of reminds me of a washing machine", I barely hold in a chuckle, that I end up masking with a cough, that fools nobody.

The [Spell] was soon over, and Jeff's limp body drops to the ground, hopefully still alive.

And then, probably by other [Magic]-fuckery, black-clad [Priest] seem to pop into existence around his lying form and grab him from the ground.

Two of them seem to hoist him up with unexpected ease, the robes didn’t make them look all that bulky, while another snaps ivory bracelets on both his wrists, which seem to then magnetize together.

I was just going to ignore what I thought was the magical equivalent of handcuff, but my [Demiurgic sight] takes note of how they seem to [Syphon] his energies straight from his [Core].

"May the [Cleaners] have pity on you, but I’m not surprised by the events, a punishment was long coming" says Undine with severity.

Jeff, still unconscious, doesn’t respond, so he just gets dragged away.

Afterward, in what was perhaps an unsettling display of nonchalance, every [Priests] leads the [Humans] closest to them to their previous seats, having somehow remembered all of them.

Meanwhile, I’m still too stunned to even move, but it is quickly rectified by Undine turning around, towards me, making me flinch.

"How about we both sit down and take a moment to recompose ourselves?"

I robotically nod and my feet move on their own, conducting me back to my spot at the end of the table, where I promptly drop in my seat.

Undine makes to stand next to me, once again, but it’s obvious that she’s still ruffled by had just happened.

It takes a while, but a genuine smile comes back on her face, after having huffed and puffed several times, that is.

"I’m really sorry that you had to witness that, I apologize on his behalf, and I swear that I’ll personally make sure that the rest of your stay at the [Temple] will be a pleasant one."

I’m only able to mumble a bashful "Thank you".

Do not ever be the cause of her smile dropping!

"Way ahead of you [Buddy]", I’m already rethinking about all my past interactions with her, and I find immediately a problem.

"You know," I awkwardly try to start a new conversation "I took notice that he only referred to me as 'fiend', or [Demon]…>>.

"I know with 100% certainty that you are a [Human], an [Evolved Ability] of mine confirms so" she tries to reassure me, probably misinterpreting my hesitation for fear of being attacked again.

I file away the notion of [Evolved abilities] for another time, and interrupt her "no, no, I knew that you believed me", I quickly reassure her, "It’s just that thinking about me, with my continuous mispronunciation of 'Jeffs' name, which is totally unintentional, made me remember that I never properly introduced myself, and that was incredibly rude of me."

A laugh escapes her mouth, before she was able to stifle it with a hand.

"What’s so funny?" I ask, now a bit apprehensive.

"Nothing, don’t worry about it" she assures me, "It’s just that I originally approached you during the feast to also ask your name, and don’t worry about formalities and pleasantries everybody is still rattled by the [Transfer], it’s only normal."

She is too nice for you: you do not deserve her.

"Nothing to argue there."

"Well, since I want to rectify things, before missing my chance once again, let me properly introduce myself" I go for a handshake, but she instead grips my forearm, but still shakes it, "A pleasure to meet you Undine, my name is Dulcet, Darwin Dulcet" And I smile at her.

You could have done without the “Secret Agent” reference, but smooth.

"Shush it, you!"