The world around Ethan blurred, a slight headache rushes through his head but was gone as soon as it appeared. Before he could react, his feet met the cobblestone streets. An old bustling town stretched before him. The buildings, with made of wood and stone had the familiar design of the German town of N?rdlingen. As he looked around, he noticed people in old-fashioned clothing walking past him, their expressions indifferent.


    His breath caught in his throat. This is... a simulacra. Now now, Ethan, relax. You ought to thread carefully. Small steps... small but sure steps.


    Instinctively, he resisted the urge to give a detailed explanation of what he saw. He isn''t comfortable with new people despite being a teacher, which is why he is often assigned to teach the same groups of students with different subjects.


    After quietly observing the group of adventurers who got teleported with him, Ethan was relieved to confirm that there were no signs of the femme fatale. After hearing about his physical and dream encounter with Miss Trust—his mentor, concluded that Miss Trust is most likely a Soothsayer based on the characteristics of her Quillmancy.


    Essentially, there are two main types of Quillmancers, the Quill-Casters and the Quill-Wielders, each with their own sub-categories or simply known as specializations. Even though most Quillmancers only get their specializations once they reached silver rank, the main type from which they belong are already determined by birth. Ethan could roughly identify the adventurers based on their types:


    The Quill-Casters or just Casters have their souls exist separately from their physical body. Majority of people fall under this category. In this world, the soul is a wellspring of inspiration from which they skilled can tap into and use to encode their will on the world. As all beings contain a soul-ink, several plants and animals rich in soul-ink can be used to synthesize more ink. It should also be noted that casters are unable to encode spells using synthetic ink without the use of weaponized pens. The number of spells cast depends on the spell cost and the amount of points available in their Lexical Reservoir (commonly known as LRP). The soul ink LRP varies from person to person depending on their level and amount of literature read in their lifetime. It can be refilled with sufficient rest. On the other hand, Synthetic ink LRP is capped at 200 points but can be refilled anytime as long as ink is available (average refilling time takes about five minutes).


    The Quill-Wielders or just Wielders are the embodiment the physical and ethereal combined. Ever so often an infant is born with a slight glow or discoloration of their skin, usually bearing ink marks in certain parts of their body bearing one or several symbol/s. These children are considered a blessing since they have a higher than normal amount of stat points on one or more attribute-Strength, Dexterity, etc.; making them the physical manifestation of that attribute. As they level up, wielders experience a great boost with their proficient stats granting them class-specific skills. However, since their soul (ink) is fused with their body, they are unable to tap into it and encode spells, they are also unable to use synthetic ink but are able to wield specialized pens that only cater to their class specific skills. I should take note of their tendencies just in case, Ethan surmised.


    One’s tendencies is another thing. Compared to the two main categories, one’s specialization is determined by the usual action one takes. For example, a person who is inclined to use his/her powers to charm, coerce, or manipulate others has a tendency of becoming a soothsayer- like a certain Miss Trust. As Faye explained, soothsayers are a special class, not everyone can become a soothsayer since the mind altering, puppetry and other spells of that nature has been widely banned. Plus it has a glaring weakness of not being able to use offensive spells. Miss Trust seems to be an exception- making her several notches more dangerous than the usual soothsayer. Must have something to do with Parallax…Enjoying the story? Show your support by reading it on the official site.


    Ethan was pulled out of his thoughts when a message window popped up in front of him. The other four adventurers who were teleported in the same location


    [ Practical Exam for Silver Rank Ascension ]


    Guidelines:


    1. Survive until the end of the practical exam.


    2. Complete five challenges.


    Note: Each succeeding challenges will increase in difficulty.


    3. Spatial Storage are temporarily unavailable for the duration of the practical exam. Note: for five minutes, you are allowed to retrieve five items from your spatial storage starting now (Time Remaining : 4:59:59-4:59:58…)


    4. Adventurers may form a party of five. Party members can only be swapped once per day.


    5. Once a challenge is accomplished, a system notification will alert you with the details for the next task.


    6. Failure to complete a challenge will result to immediate disqualification. The failed adventurer will be teleported out of the simulacra


    7. As you have the balls to take the practical exam despite the risk of mortality, you are allowed to take the exam once more next year.


    8. Adventurers who finished all the challenges will rank up as silver adventurers with the reward of 5000 gold.


    Ethan quickly rummaged through his storage retrieving the bag Ashley packed when they were just starting out as adventurers, together with his sack of mithril tailored clothes, his purse filled with gold coins, his ink containers, as well as the random item box rewarded for passing the written exam. He sighs, thanking Ashley as his bag pack were counted as one item by the system since it''s in a single compartment slot. "Thank goodness, what would I do without you?" he grins sheepishly like a child opening christmas presents.


    [ Macro Skill : Listening (Advanced) ]


    Ugh... Look at those sleek clothes, another noble, really?


    I swear he''s in cahoots with the organizer, who even packs their belongings in a single storage slot?


    He''s a cheater, that''s why. Maybe we should steal his clothes. There''s clearly mithril in there.


    *scoffs* show off...


    Ethan shuddered as the lunacy of his past traumas crept back. He never wanted to be the center of anything really. Yet somehow, he feels like the universe is rigged to make him garner unwanted attention.


    "Come on Ethan, this isn''t just about you," as soon as Ethan uttered those words, he shifted his perception, surgically weeding out the conversation about him...


    "Oy, it says here we can form a team, I think the five of us would do great? two dexterity wielders, an evoker, and an alchemist should do the trick, no?"


    "That guy seems to be a diviner, we need five anyway. Let the poor bloke join us."


    Ethan has been observing this group as soon as he caught wind of this conversation.


    "Outrageous! How could you? Diviners are useless now. I''m kicking him out of the team since we can swap members once a day."


    "Oh I know, let''s get the other strength wielder!"


    "Great idea. Sorry dude, guess you developed the wrong tendencies. If you promise to change for us, maybe we could–"


    "NO," a young man replied as he stood there, looking completely out of place among the confident, well-groomed adventurers around him. His clothes were slightly too big, his eyes wide and hopeful, and there was a faint blush creeping up his neck. A soft, unassuming air surrounded him, and despite his timid stance, he looked as if the world is yet to crush his spirit.


    "What did you just say?" the guy claiming to be an evoker demanded.


    "I-I don''t m-mean to be rude. It''s just that I-"


    "You''re what?"


    "I-I''ve always wanted to be a d-diviner!"


    Laughter erupts in an instant. Harsh words were thrown at the stuttering kid. His wavering voice and shaking legs belied the determination in his eyes.


    The adventurers soon departed after forming teams of their own leaving both Ethan and the dejected lad alone in the town square. Ethan was an introvert, but he was also a teacher who has a soft spot for outcasts. He walks up to the lad and inquired, "So, wanna team up? I could use a diviner in team."


    The boys'' eyes beamed with hope and excitement, "Why– It would be my pleasure! I''m Cassius Piqer, what s-should I call you mister?"


    "You can call me Ethan. Ethan Erstellen. The pleasure is mine, looking forward to working with a diviner."


    The two got to know each other a little more as they walked down the town square awaiting their first challenge. Ethan knew that fate had probably dealt him a bad hand, but such trivialities are but common in his life. After all, how could he turn down a person who reminded him of his youthful headstrong days? The world may have been cruel to him, but it doesn''t have to be for this child.


    Small steps. Small but sure steps.