With his alchemy garden started and wine fermenting he turned his mind to other projects. Top ones being personnel improvement, better food and figuring out what was going on with the mana in the area.

  “Which do you think I should focus on first?” He asked Archie.

  “The people, you should get to know them better. Plus if they improve they can also start working on projects when you move onto others. Though I think you can address the food and people improvement at the same time if you start with Laure.”

  “Excellent idea Archie. What about you? Need anything from me?”

  “No sir, I’ve got quite a few ideas already that I can work on. Unless you need something specific from me?”

  “Not at all, honestly you know what I need better than I know myself most of the time.” Archie chuckled in response while they got ready for the day and headed down to breakfast.

  After everyone finished eating and started heading their separate ways Linus made his way over to Laure.

  “Hi Laure, I’d like to have a chat with you.”

  “Oh hi Linus, what do you need to talk about?” Laure asked, a bit taken back.

  “Well I’m not sure if you’ve heard about Hanna and the skill I helped her get.”

  “Yes, of course. She was bragging a bit to all of us last night, but deservedly so. It was something she’d been hoping for as long as I’ve known her.”

  “In the same vein I was wondering if there was anything I could do to help in your development. I’d also like to talk to you about the food situation and how we can improve it. Between your cooking class and my plant related skills I think we can improve it significantly. At least from a vegetation perspective.”

  “We can definitely use your support with the fields, right now it’s mainly me, and Theodore that keep them alive, and he splits his focus between the edible and medicinal sections. Though if I’ll be honest they are difficult to maintain. Even when we had people with dedicated farmer classes, the fields were always a bit anemic. It’s like this area is just worn down.”

  “I noticed that when we arrived. It’s as if the wastes are extending outwards. But let’s not try and tackle that problem yet. Thoughts on you and the fields?”

  “Well I heard you have [Heat Manipulation], that’d be really helpful for improving my [Resourceful Cook] class. For the fields we can walk them to see what is still alive that could benefit from your attention. We also have a variety of seeds saved in the kitchen area. Not sure if we have anything worth growing but it's quite the collection.”

  “Well I don’t have [Heat Manipulation], I’ve got [Basic Fire Manipulation] but I might be able to help you get the basic version for heat. If you’ve got time now I’d like to review the fields, maybe we can grab Theodore too.”

  “He’s on patrol today but I’ll let him know to check in the next day he’s free with you. I’ve got a couple of hours free now.”

  “Great, let’s head over then.”

  They made their way out the gate, leaving it cracked open so they could get back in without requiring someone from inside. Linus headed to the section he had worked previously, it looked better than the rest of the fields but not particularly thriving.

  “I see what you mean, these fields might need constant attention to do well.” Linus said, Laure nodding in agreement. They continued their tour discussing what was planted in each section and what would have the best impact on their day to day diet. Laure pointed out stable, long lasting ones that they already had plenty in stock that he could ignore while highlighting some of the more flavorful or delicate items that they never had available. As she pointed out ones in the later category he applied his litany of applicable skills. They ended up working through lunch time and well into the afternoon, leaving behind strange patchwork fields of almost decrepit and kind of thriving plants.

  Since it was nearing dinner time Linus and Laure made their way back to the kitchen, the plan for Laure to start prepping for the upcoming meal while Linus tried to help her with her skills. They made their way through the gate, closing and locking it behind them, with Laure giving a nod to Sasha working outside the crafting hall as they passed.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  In the kitchen Laure started to walk him through her plan for the meal, the kitchen setup and what supplies were available. Most of it was promptly forgotten but he nodded along in an encouraging manner, only wincing when seeing how many of their supplies were dried or sad compared to the fresh food he was accustomed to. As she started chopping up a pile of root vegetables he took half of them, summoning [Mana Blades] and carefully dicing them to the same size she was. Laure raised an eyebrow at the mana construct but didn’t say anything and just gave a nod before returning to her own pile. Between the two of them the vegetables were soon prepared, and ready for the actual cooking. At this point Laure grabbed a bucket and started to head to the well. In response Linus pulled water from the air and streamed it into the pot on the metal grate. Laure stopped in her tracks and stared.

  “I know I said [Heat Manipulation] but that’d be pretty handy too, not just for cooking but survival in general.”

  “I’m happy to help you learn it too, plus between water and heat manipulation I’m sure you could achieve some interesting things, both in the kitchen and in combat. Steam is quite frankly a terrifying element.” Laure hesitated before responding.

  “You really are willing to just teach valuable skills for nothing in exchange?”

  “Well I wouldn’t call better food and more secure lodging nothing, but yes? It’s not like it costs me anything.” Once again Laure paused.

  “It really isn’t anything to you is it? People would save up good money to pay to learn these skills or apprentice themselves to someone in exchange.”

  “I mean there’s nothing really to spend money on out here and I couldn’t stand to be responsible for an apprentice, too needy.”

  “Oh, okay. I mean I’ll need to think about this. I’ve only got a few Non-Class skill slots open and I’m still not sure what I’ll take for my third and final class.”

  “You’ve got a class slot sitting open?” Linus asked, surprised.

  “Of course, lots of people leave the last one open until they are sure what else they might want or will try to incorporate into their existing. Don’t you?”

  “I did for a while but I figured people out here would be more practical.”

  “There’s a balance between maximizing your class capabilities and keeping your options open. You can always spend more time planning your future build and which skills you need to develop for your future.”

  “Well enough about, I’ll use [Basic Fire Manipulation] to help you cook. While I’m doing it you should focus on sensing the temperature differentials and try to influence them. I’m honestly not sure how well it’ll work. I got mana manipulation before any of the elemental skills and it made it a lot easier. Plus your chance of getting burned is a lot higher with fire than pure mana…”

  “I’ve got a skill that protects my hands a bit but hardly makes them fireproof. Let’s get cooking, I’ll direct you on how to apply the flames and you tell me how to learn.”

  Laure struck a spark into the kindling beneath the grate and Linus reached, encouraging the flame to grow, first spreading to the logs then up towards the pot. At Laure’s direction he shaped the flames around the pot, holding them tight against the metal while she added salt and root vegetables before stirring. He mainly waited around bored, giving the occasional tip while she cooked. Once the hardier vegetables were deemed cooked enough she added more, lighter ones, some seasonings and bits of dry jerky. While the stew was simmering Linus started to vary the flames, working to compress them tighter and make them hotter before adjusting in the opposite directions with a broad, diffuse flame then back again. Hoping that the differences would help her pick up the skills.

  Dinner was ready before Laure made any progress but Linus was so hungry from skipping lunch his enthusiasm for the meal overshadowed any disappointment from either party. He and Laure were soon joined by Archie, Luke, Sasha and Emmet.

  “How was everyone’s day?” Asked Archie once everyone was seated and served by him.

  “It was good, I’m starting to get a good sense of the surrounding area and will probably venture out into the wastes soon” replied Luke.

  “Let us know when you plan to explore in that direction and we’ll try to have one or two other people go with you,” said Sasha, with Emmet and Laure nodding in agreement.

  “I’ll consider it. Might be safer to just go myself if I’m trying to avoid drawing any unwanted attention.” The outpost residents clearly disagreed with Luke but Archie smoothly redirected the conversation to avoid any arguments.

  “And what were you working on today Sasha? I heard you banging away out there.”

  “Indeed, I was working on repairing some of the spare equipment. There were quite a few damaged or worn items left behind and figured it’d be worthwhile to get as much in good condition as I could.”

  “That’s a great idea” agreed Linus, glad to hear people were taking some initiative. “If you are interested, I may be able to teach you heat or fire manipulation at the same time as Laure.”

  “Sounds good, just let me know when you are teaching and I’ll be there.”

  “Great, and how about you Emmet?”

  “Not too much, mostly a relaxing day for me. Though if you are sharing skills I’ll take some instruction too.”

  “Any thoughts on what you’d like to learn?”

  “Definitely not anything fire related. Not my style. My carpentry class could use some support though. Not a lot of spare lumber sitting around. No close trees that are worth harvesting either.” Linus started to smile as Emmet spoke.

  “Well in fact plants are kind of my specialty, I can definitely help and teach you a few things.” The conversation turned to small talk as everyone finished up their meals and the group slowly dispersed for the evening. Back in his room Linus and Archie chatted for a bit before bed.

  “Good job sir, you are going to make a great difference at this outpost. I’m glad to see you starting to get to know everyone, and I know they are glad for the chance to learn some skills.”

  “Thanks Archie, I couldn’t have done it without you, any of this.”

  “Of course sir, always at your service.”

  “Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  As Linus settled into bed he pulled up an old notification, thinking guess I’ll be needing this after all and hitting accept.