Abyssal Road Trip

Amdirlain’s PoV - Outlands - Outpost of the Monastery of the Western Reaches

With Ebusuku’s disappearance, Amdirlain returned to the duty pavilion and looked over its eight-story pagoda. The Outlands’ sunlight glistened off the lacquered red tiles that covered the eaves and the polished redwood of the window’s shutters and trim. The fittings inside were all lacquered redwood with golden decorative ornaments that drew on Middle Eastern and Asian influences.

The novices about the place were mainly of Persian or Mongolian heritage, though some appeared to be from central China. Those entering the pagoda seemed to mainly visit the counters on the first two floors, where senior students supervising groups of five or six younger novices were registering selected jobs. Those who ventured to the third floor met with clerks in individual offices. Beyond the third floor, the number of offices rapidly decreased from a score to the single office that occupied the topmost floor. As Amdirlain entered, one of the staff at the closest counter commented on her green silk, and the clerk supervising those counters stopped and looked her way. All expression vanished from his face, and with a respectful bow, he signalled Amdirlain towards the stairs that ran along the wall.

“Lady Am, the Head Clerk Erhi asked for you to be escorted to her office on the third floor,” said the black-haired senior, and he shooed one of his juniors towards the stairs. “Her office is the last in the row on that level.”

Those students close to her stopped and looked at her in curiosity before they quickly offered polite bows.

Amdirlain restrained a laugh and nodded politely. “Thank you. You’re most efficient. Might I have your name in case she enquires?”

All the efforts Livia and Kadaklan put in to convince me not to play the part of a Novice and a clerk would have undone my disguise at the first step.

His smile accented his sturdy cheekbones and added character to his round face. “That’s unnecessary, Lady Am.”

Amdirlain hummed suspiciously but climbed the stairs behind her escort, having already picked his name from the clerks he was supervising. She had only reached the top of the stairs to the second floor when a Message orb had Erhi rise from her desk and step to one side. She stood a hundred and sixty centimetres tall, her monastery uniform covered a tightly muscled frame. Her office was modest but neatly appointed, with a desk, chairs, and cupboards of a deep brown wood that all featured engravings of wind-swept plains and herds of horses running with the wind streaming through their manes and tails. Atop the desk was a tray of stamps crafted from the familiar redwood with an inlay of golden Chinese symbols.

As the student opened the door for Amdirlain, Erhi bowed deeply from the waist.

“Lady Am, it is an honour to meet you. The duty pavilion’s overseer, Master Sukh, has shared tales of you,” said Erhi.

Amdirlain returned the bow but to a shallower degree. “I hope he didn’t share some of my wilder exploits.”

Erhi blinked and schooled her smile to mere politeness. “He spoke of the combat challenges you conducted in Limbo with a local champion.”

“I’m glad he stuck with the tamer-goings on,” said Amdirlain. “My apologies for disturbing your workday. I merely came to discuss the possibilities for earning contribution points so that I might purchase some of the masters’ time for private lessons.”

“You do not need to explain what you wish points for,” reassured Erhi. “Though given that is your goal, there are several masters who have ongoing tasks for sparring partners. What are you seeking lessons in?”

“I’ve various Ki powers that I’m looking to develop,” explained Amdirlain.

“Then it won’t be an even exchange. Such lessons are normally more expensive than what sparring sessions would cover,” said Erhi. “You would also need to gain access to the scrolls detailing them from the library.”

“Is there a librarian fee?” asked Amdirlain suspiciously.

A faint wince flickered across Erhi’s face. “There is a consulting fee to determine the relevant scrolls for your advancement.”

Amdirlain lifted an eyebrow. “And another for copying the scroll?”

“Yes,” admitted Erhi.

“I take it accommodation also requires contribution points?” enquired Amdirlain, getting a feel for how much throttling the monastery could do for visitors wanting to access resources.

“Yes, it does,” said Erhi. “If you are looking for accommodations within the inner wall, that’s possible, but they’d be more costly.”

“What task could I undertake for the monastery that would receive the best remuneration?” asked Amdirlain. “I’d like a small place to myself but also to make decent progress towards hiring teachers regularly.”

“You won’t be staying with Master Livia?” asked Erhi.

Amdirlain smiled. “I wouldn’t want to impose, and she has students and other matters needing her attention. Plus, since all her rooms are currently in use, that would require shuffling around, so it’s far easier to have a small dwelling and visit.”

Erhi hummed thoughtfully. “From what I understand, you are like an Immortal?”

“Not quite, but similar if you’re talking about bodily needs,” allowed Amdirlain. “Why do you ask?”

“There is a general training hall close to Master Livia’s dwelling, with some attached rooms,” explained Erhi. “It has no food preparation or storage rooms, hence my question. If you would teach your style, even a single lesson a day, I could allow that to offset the use of the attached rooms.”

“I’ve not asked anyone to determine if my style is acceptable to teach,” demurred Amdirlain.

“Tales of your sparring with Master Payam have already spread,” countered Erhi.

“I told him I was looking to be discreet, and I had concealments around our exchange,” huffed Amdirlain.

Erhi shrugged helplessly. “After you exchanged pointers with Master Payam the other day, I had several masters enquiring if they could get some of your time if you sought contribution points,” said Erhi. “While individually, the rate wouldn’t be the highest, there isn’t any of the coming and going that gathering or hunting tasks would require. The lesson to the general students would cancel your accommodation costs, so teaching the masters would allow you to accumulate contribution points.”

Gathering or hunting—I could cheat outrageously, but that would cut into the senior student’s opportunities to progress. I need something to avoid being blocked that will benefit the monastery over the long term.

“I can move about quickly, so hunting wouldn’t require much travel time. I take it the monastery needs materials for alchemy and to feed its members?”

Erhi motioned to a stack of plaques on the corner of her desk. “Alchemists always need exotic materials, and they pay well.”

“Why don’t you select the longest unresolved job from your list, and I’ll take care of it,” said Amdirlain.

“The monastery is still new, so we’ve not yet had any long-standing jobs sitting on the list,” replied Erhi. “The longest-standing gathering task is for a few items that were requested a couple of months ago, but the Alchemist hasn’t increased the reward.”

So, the fee can increase, which seems like one way to milk the system. However, it might be easy to lose out without warning.

“I’ll still take care of it for you if you wish,” said Amdirlain, but she caught Erhi’s hesitation.

What unspoken rules am I missing? She mentioned they’ve not increased the reward. Are they not offering enough, so she’s holding the job back?

“Though I guess I should learn more first. Would you tell me what restrictions apply? For example, can I line up sparring sessions for the different masters and take the gathering job?” asked Amdirlain.

“Some of the gathering jobs pay the same amount for multiples of the material in question,” clarified Erhi, and she motioned Amdirlain towards her visitor’s chair beside her desk instead of the simple stool before it. “Since the masters require scheduling, we should see when you wish to undertake all those jobs. Please sit, and we can review the requests and see what you’d like to undertake.”

Noting Erhi’s eagerness to move away from the Alchemist’s tasks, Amdirlain sat where Erhi had indicated without further argument.

Wait, she said some of the gathering jobs pay for multiples. Is that Alchemist after a single object? That would mean I’d get paid a minimal amount for the time involved.

“Does that long-standing job only involve one item?” asked Amdirlain.

Erhi gave a tight nod.

“Perhaps a student who isn’t restricted to the number of tasks they can take on should resolve that one,” offered Amdirlain diplomatically.

“That is likely for the best, and it would give the enterprising student a beneficial travel experience,” said Erhi, and she laid out a sheet of rice paper and a calligraphy set. “Currently, there are four masters, two of whom I know have minimal free time this week. Or at least they’ve told me so in refusing to take on students wishing to study with them.”

“I would certainly not wish to put pressure on them by arranging a time in conflict with prior commitments,” said Amdirlain.

Nor reveal them to be liars if they suddenly have time to spar with me.

“It is best to be understanding with some of the older masters,” agreed Erhi, and her brush danced across the paper, leaving classic Mandarin in its wake. The names of the four masters appeared on the right-hand side, and she put possible times against each, writing the details from right to left.

I never did get down to the fine details with Master Cyrus about the realm they came from. It does seem that their language matches my home realm. I wonder if the multiverse is supported by deities causing copies of their realm to spawn along what they deem major event lines.

“If any students are still working to sense their Ki, I’d be happy to spend some time assisting them,” said Amdirlain. “Or if there are children of servants that aspire to do so but can’t afford lessons.”

Erhi froze, and her eyes bulged slightly. “You would do that?”

“Or is that work that novices undertake for points?”

“Contribution points are paid for success, not attempts,” explained Erhi.

“How many pending requests for such assistance do you have?” asked Amdirlain. “Also, do you have anyone offering contribution points for assistance in gaining affinities?”

Erhi spluttered and almost ruined her sheet of paper.

“What do you mean?”

Amdirlain kept her expression serene. “How many contribution points could I earn awakening affinities in students? Of course, we’re talking about once their success is verified.”

“The time such efforts would require might have you working for years before you get any contribution points. I couldn’t recommend you take on such tasks,” protested Erhi.

“You have a job listing for those?”

“No, we reach out to students who have expressed interest when a Master has time to assist,” said Erhi.

Amdirlain smiled. “Do you have the oldest of such expressions of interest on hand?”

Though she frowned, Erhi rose, moved to a cupboard, and started to shift boxes about to dig the details out.

“You might want to gather them all up,” advised Amdirlain. “I might only be able to take on one at a time, but I’ll turn them around quickly.”

Erhi froze and turned to her in disbelief. “What do you mean?”

“You don’t have any affinities, do you?” questioned Amdirlain.

“No,” admitted Erhi tightly.

Perhaps it’s an old dream.

Amdirlain smiled reassuringly. “Would you like me to demonstrate by teaching you one?”

“I’ve been told I don’t have any talent along those lines,” said Erhi with a grimace of resignation.

“Let me see if I can help,” insisted Amdirlain. “I’ve yet to find anyone I couldn’t help gain an Affinity. I’ll withdraw my suggestion if I can’t give you some glimmer of understanding of an element in the next hour. What would you like to learn?”

“Air,” breathed Erhi, and her gaze darted to one of the engravings of the running horses.

“It’s an element that embodies freedom,” offered Amdirlain. “If you’d like to enter a light meditative state, be mindful of the air moving in and out of your lungs. Once you are centred, you’ll feel my mind touch yours, and I want you to imagine stepping forward to meet me.”

Less than a minute later, Erhi’s theme chimed with the Wizard Class being unlocked and the Air Affinity settling alongside it. Amdirlain didn’t release Erhi’s mind but continued through the base elements. When Erhi finally opened her eyes, her understanding of affinities included Water, Earth, and Fire.

“How?” gasped Erhi, her eyes glistening.

“It’s one of my talents,” said Amdirlain, and she gently touched Erhi’s forearm. “I’m glad I could fulfil a dream you thought would never be.”

Erhi snorted and brought both hands to her face to hide her embarrassment.

Amdirlain presented Erhi with a crystal created while her eyes were closed. “This crystal contains the contents of four grimoires and some fundamental texts useful for self-study. I would recommend you find a teacher.”

“But the value of that,” breathed Erhi.

Amdirlain smiled. “Isn’t for me to determine. If you could speak to the head librarian and decide between you? As for guiding you in gaining an Affinity, consider it a gift in recognition of your position.”

Erhi carefully set the crystal on her desk. “How many can you teach magic to?”

“This is opening the door, it's not teaching them. However, I can help them gain any decent Affinity, but I will need to meet the person before I agree to help them,” offered Amdirlain.

Erhi’s eyes looked like they would pop out of her head, and she started to sputter.

“Would you like a few minutes?” asked Amdirlain.

“The value of what you offer,” coughed Erhi, and she reluctantly shook her head. “You’re restricted to a single job at a time, and no jobs have been posted, merely expressions of interest.”

Amdirlain lightly touched the desk’s edge before she continued. “I know your process needs to be followed, but might I provide a suggestion?”

“I’m open to hearing what insights you might offer,” allowed Erhi warily, and her gaze flicked to the crystal resting not far from Amdirlain’s hand.

Yeah, she believes I offered it as a bribe.

“Since you don’t know if any still require them, perhaps have a clerk contact the students to verify their interest. After talking to them, a job can be posted, and I’ll handle it. Once the Affinity is verified, the clerk can call the next,” proposed Amdirlain. “I’m sure you can decide the most efficient way to organise such confirmations and verifications.”

Erhi’s gaze remained wary. “If we’re looking to confirm their interest, it’s more a matter of the duty pavilion performing its due diligence. We should summon groups of students to ensure we’re utilising the clerk’s time efficiently. The office next to mine is vacant today. Would you like to retire there, and I’ll have someone bring you some tea while I discuss the matter with my Master?”

Welcome to my parlour. Since I cannot bypass your rules, I’ll use your processes instead.

“I’d appreciate the refreshments,” replied Amdirlain.

The office next door was only slightly less ornately furnished containing redwood desks and chairs with Persian geometric patterns beneath the redwood’s lacquer. A young teenager dressed in servant robes delivered a pot of tea and red bean cakes. Wide-eyed at Amdirlain’s appearance, the young girl fussed about and nervously ensured everything met Amdirlain’s satisfaction before hurrying from the room with repeated bows.

A young boy in student robes tapped on the doorframe of the open office. “Lady Am, I’ve got a job that Head Clerk Erhi asked me to have you review.”

“Is it, by chance, an Affinity request?” asked Amdirlain,

The Novice nodded and waved a square of paper towards the stairs. “They’re just waiting downstairs. Should I send them up, or would you like the card?”

“To save time, if there are more of these today, perhaps just send them up with their job card,” offered Amdirlain.

The student rushed off, and another student in his late twenties took his place. He possessed dark hair and the round face of many with Mongolian heritage.

It took only minutes before he repeatedly bowed in thanks and headed off in a daze with the Metal Affinity to assist his Ki Infusion. A steady stream of students followed until Master Cyrus approached Amdirlain with an amused smirk. “I suppose you’ll tell me that meditation is an aspect of being a Monk.”

Amdirlain smiled. “Shouldn’t so many novices possessing additional affinities help the monastery long-term?”

“That and challenge us to educate all the monks with new affinities,” countered Cyrus.

“Don’t worry about that. I’ve got an idea,” said Amdirlain glibly. “At least as far as those that take Wizard. Unfortunately, I can’t help those selecting the Wu Jen Class.”

Cyrus’ gaze narrowed suspiciously. “Do I want to know?”

“It involves meditation, so don’t worry about it,” replied Amdirlain, and she shooed him on his way. “Please send up the next student with their card.”

“How many do you intend to do today?”

Amdirlain shrugged broadly. “As many as I can, but I’ve been limiting myself to helping them with one Affinity each. I’m glad I’ve not encountered anyone I needed to refuse to teach. While a few have been a bit cocky, none have been bullies.”

“You already have enough contribution points to get the scrolls you should need and arrange enough private lessons to keep you busy for months.”

“With time between the lessons, I wouldn’t want to tie up a Master for that length of time,” said Amdirlain.

Cyrus nodded. “Private practice is always wise to ensure you understand the training properly. I was curious as to why you’re teaching so many today?”

“Some have been waiting years for an instructor to help. I’m just trying to help them move forward,” explained Amdirlain. “Since they’re turning up to verify the request with the clerk, I might as well save them another visit.”

“Would you care to spar this evening?”

Amdirlain gasped in mock shock. “Master Cyrus, are you trying to jump the queue? I have a list of four masters offering contribution points to spar against me.”

“I was offering you a lesson, brat,” grumbled Cyrus.

“I’d love a lesson for something else besides sparring,” replied Amdirlain.

“Oh?”

“I need to evolve Ki Movement and Ki Flight,” said Amdirlain. “And getting to Sword Light could be fun.”

“You can look to evolve each individually or merge them first and then evolve,” explained Cyrus. “Though in your case, I’d recommend the former. The latter technique involves projecting your Ki outside your body.”

“That might attract a bit of attention where I have to go,” agreed Amdirlain, and she gave Cyrus an innocent smile. “Do you think I have enough funds to consult with someone to get the scrolls?”

“It seems the duty pavilion’s processes were explained,” said Cyrus. “Shall I tell the clerks to hold off further interviews after those currently waiting?”

“If you would be so kind,“ replied Amdirlain. “The forty they’ve lined up shouldn’t take too long. If only I could handle multiple jobs at once. Guess some people are going to be waiting a long time.”

“Didn’t you help scores at once in Limbo?”

“Why yes, I believe I did,” replied Amdirlain, innocently fluttering her eyelashes. “Such a pity restrictions stop me doing the same here. I’m being slightly rebellious, but I’ll behave, I promise.”

Shaking his head in exasperation, Cyrus headed downstairs.

They could set up a job to help students en masse. I’ll bet on that happening rather than a rule change.

By the time Master Cyrus reached the lobby, forty-seven more students were waiting to unlock their affinities.