The Original Beefcake

Marcus wasn't yet ready to open his eyes, but soft fingertips were running over his skin and gently lured him towards the light. He gradually opened his eyes and welcomed the new morning bit by bit. Azaa traced his arm muscles with her fingers and looked very satisfied with the current situation. Marcus put his arm around her and she snuggled up even more.

Slowly, his mind woke up and the memories of the previous day flooded in. "Your mother is intense," Marcus said, and Azaa smiled. "True. More than you know. She is holding back right now, to not scare you away. But once you have firmly become part of our family you will get to know her thoroughly," Azaa said in reply, and turned around to look Marcus in the eyes. "That sounds like a threat to me," Marcus said, and now Azaa laughed. "Hardly, she already sees you as one of her children. My loneliness had always been a great source of suffering for her. When she learned of our courting… she cried out in joy," Azaa said, with a soft voice and gently touched his face. "Try to approach her without reservation and fear," she said.

"Hmm, given the scolding I got last night… I don't know." Marcus said and triggered a sudden reaction from Azaa. She pushed herself up and glared down on Marcus, "AND for good reasons. Fighting a third stage monster at your level is more than reckless. It is suicidal! I can't believe you and more so Xeen would do something this mindless! You could easily have died! Swear to me you won't do this again until you have gained at least another thirty levels." Her eyes were intense and Marcus could clearly see the resemblance to her mother in this moment.

"I swear. In my defense, we all got carried away by the events and the fact the monster was actually running away from us all the time. It made us overconfident. If it wasn't for Grace we would all have perished…," Marcus said, and Azaa nodded. Her anger quickly melted and they returned to more enjoyable ways to spend their time. As much as Marcus wanted to do nothing else all day long, he actually had something important to do. He, and more so Xeen, wanted to visit Vivian and see how she was doing.

An hour after their shared recreational activity, Marcus walked into a large estate at the border of the city. Azaa had drawn him a painfully accurate map and he had no problems finding the new dwelling of the resident Artificer. The building was impressive and well decorated, like a posh manor. Several high level class holders were guarding the premises, but didn't object to his visit.

It seems they have given her a home befitting her station.

I smell some heavy bias here.

Just stating the facts. We Sorcerers are of vital importance to any society. My pupil will prove to be a great boon to the ginghi.

How quickly you have come around on Vivian, Marcus laughed as he walked.

Following the cobblestone road Marcus knocked on the heavy, wooden door and soon after Vivian opened the door with a wide smile. "Marcus! I was hoping you would come visit me," she said, and beckoned him to step into her home. Vivian looked energetic in her ginghi clothes, and she guided him through several half empty rooms until they entered a large, but cozy room. The place was filled with furniture, but more so with all kinds of items, weapons, armor and papers.

"Sorry, I am not very good with cleaning." In spite of her words she quickly made some space for Marcus to sit, and produced some herbal tea for them to drink a few minutes later. "Rather large place for one person," Marcus remarked, and Vivian grinned. "I believe they hope I will soon choose a man and populate the place with children. The ginghi tend to think long term," she said and Marcus raised his eyebrows. They both laughed and he could see how she carefully observed him.

"How are your studies coming along?" Marcus asked, and Vivian smiled. "Well, I would say. The ginghi provide me with everything I could want or need, and I have at least learned the second set of instructions you have given me. I am of course far away from mastering them," she said, and Marcus nodded.

Good, she should be able to do this much.

Vivian looked at him and put down her tea cup. "Marcus. It was my theory that the knowledge you have provided to me was in truth from the ginghi and that you were only the messenger. But since then I learned that the ginghi have no knowledge about the secrets of the Artificers," she let her words stand in the room, together with her unspoken question. She wants to know where my knowledge comes from, Marcus thought.

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

As we have discussed. Proceed with the introduction.

"Sorcerer or Quel'Suuk," Marcus remarked, and Vivian's eyes widened upon his words. She had apparently not really expected an answer and was now struggling to cope. "Come again?" Vivian said, and Marcus smiled. "The name of your class. According to your master, Sorcerer or Quel'Suuk would be more fitting." His words followed a silence and he could see how she formed the word 'master' with her mouth. "Who…," she whispered.

"His name is Xeen. He is an ancient alien Sorcerer, who is directly bound to my mind. He sees through my eyes and is with us in this very moment," Marcus explained, and Vivian started to breathe heavily. A wave of nervousness washed over her body until she facepalmed hard and focused again. "Alright, that means there is no sense in pretending to be a good girl. He very much knows me… and my shoddy skills," she ended with a whisper.

Marcus listened to Xeen's words and spoke, "You are doing well, no need to be down on yourself. The only thing holding you back is the miserable state of the human Artificers in general. The lessons he has prepared for you will surely help you find your way." Vivian absorbed every word and her face lit up. "Like the two you have already given to me?" She said, and quickly grabbed two pages of paper, which had been laminated and protected by a special frame. Marcus nodded and on a hint from Xeen, he revealed a third page from his own pockets.

As soon as the piece of paper was in her shaking hands, Vivian's eyes were glued to the next instructions. A second later she straightened her back and her eyes met Marcus'. "I am sorry, I am far too impolite to you and master Xeen," she said, and forced herself to put down the paper. Marcus laughed and waved it off. "I find it rather interesting how easily you have accepted my explanation. Without any proof, too," Marcus said, and Vivian bit her lip. "Because it makes more sense than anything else I could come up with by myself. It also explains this weird sensation I get around you, the feeling you are bending the world. This surely is the influence of my master. He must be incredibly powerful and wise," Vivian said.

She is quickly adapting to the situation. I approve.

I suspect you approve of her calling you wise and powerful.

What she said is objectively a matter of fact. Also, a pupil should show some respect to her master. That is the way of things.

Suuuuure.

"If you need help or get stuck, don't hesitate to ask for help. Besides that, the existence of Xeen is only known by few and this should stay that way. You can talk with Azaa, Uela, Shen and Ruuq about him, but not with anybody else," Marcus said, and got up. "You are already leaving?" Vivian asked, and jumped to her feet.

"I would like to stay longer, but I have a limited amount of time before I have to return to my clan. I have been away for a month because of a raid, and far too much work is waiting for me," Marcus explained. "Please wait for a moment," Vivian said, and rushed out of the room. Seconds later she came back and handed him a wide, emerald green, metal belt. "For you. As a sign of gratitude," she said, and Marcus blinked. "But you have already given me an incredible weapon as a thank you. Grace nearly melted when I gave her the sword."

Vivian nodded, "It was thoughtless of me. In retrospect I realized that my gift would be completely useless to you. So I used my new found skills to produce this belt. The base was provided by the ginghi, it is of remarkable quality," she said. Marcus took the belt and inspected it. Ah yes. I can see she has been able to put her lessons to good use. Still very rough, but the fundamentals are here. This belt has improved durability, but more importantly it should provide the wearer with roughly a 10% boost to vitality.

"A 10% stat boost on a belt!" Marcus gasped, and Vivian looked happy.

'Stat boosts' are the absolute top enchantments everybody hopes to get. They are large, difficult to create enchantments and normally can only be found on full armor pieces. Stat boosts don't actually increase the amount of crests a wearer has, but instead increase the effect of the crests the class holder has. It is basically a multiplier which improves the effect of the relevant crests. It also improves the scaling abilities connected to the crests. "This is a phenomenal gift! Thank you very much. It will greatly help me," Marcus said.

Now look, who she has wrapped around her little finger.

I don't know what you are talking about.

Sure.

"Azaa helped me to decide what to give to you. She also chose the base item," Vivian explained, as he tried the belt on. It fit perfectly and Marcus could feel the effect seconds later. Easy 8 vitality. With this he had effectively over 90 vitality! They talked for a few more minutes and Marcus left Vivian's home, after he had promised her to visit her every time he was in the city.

He had only made a few steps outside the building, when a melodious voice spoke. Azaa's voice provided a translation even before Marcus spotted the two women. "This will not stand." Marcus turned on the spot and saw Azaa and her mother drawing closer. Both looked amazing, and Marcus realized Ruuq must have had her way with Azaa. His beloved Azaa wore a short, white dress and her hair was made to look exceptionally good. Several jewels were worked into the haircut. "What?" Marcus didn't know what was going on. "Turn around and go back in. We will spend a nice afternoon with the lovely Vivian. Besides that, no more work for you for the time you are here," Ruuq said, and her tone made it clear that this wasn't up for debate.

Marcus looked confused to Azaa. "My daughter has told me how much work and stress you put on yourself. I won't stand idle and let you overwork yourself. It is time for you to relax," Ruuq said, and once she walked past him, she took his hand and dragged him back towards the building. Azaa gave Marcus a faint smile that said that there was nothing she could do. "You should also say something nice to Azaa. She tries very hard…." Azaa didn't translate the rest of her mother's words. Instead she looked bashful. "You look amazing," Marcus whispered to Azaa, when he was allowed to walk alone again.

Like an unexpected summer storm Ruuq barged into the mansion with Marcus and Azaa behind her. Vivian was surprised and very happy to have more company. And true to her words, Ruuq made sure Marcus spent the afternoon drinking tea, eating fruits and doing nothing. A prelude of what was to come in the next days.