Leveling up the World

Chapter 263: Invitations

I think its a bad idea, Gen said. I know you dont really believe it.

Thats why Im doing this.Dallion took a deep breath. He didnt like what he was doing one bit, but it had to be done.

It had taken him most of the evening to come up with the devicea means to see whether someone was a copyette or not without arousing suspicion. It had also taken him twice as long to construct it, which is why he had done so in his awakened realm. Now, once he was pleased with the result, Dallion had only to build it. The catch was he had to do so without anyone knowing, and that included Euryale.

Technically, the chances of her being the copyette were close to none. He had used the kaleidervisto on her back in her workshop. However, back then, he was focusing on searching for echoes rather than paying attention to the color of her silhouette. The same could be said for Hannah. This time he had to be sure, and that meant checking everyone from another world, as well as everyone at the Gremlins Timepiece, and this time he was going to be careful.

Nil, how does it look? Dallion turned to the old echo.

Crude and shoddy. Nill approached and bent down to take a better look at the device. It was slightly larger than the box Eury had constructed, shaped like something between a vase and a bowl. Its bound to work. Are you sure about this, dear boy? There are risks involved, and Im not only talking about what might happen during the breakfast party youre organizing.

I know. Dallion paused for a few moments, then linked his realm to the kaleidervisto.

Considering the artefact was pretty much a dungeon world, Dallion expected it to take the form of a trapdoor, or a celler or some kind. Instead, the complete opposite happened. In one of the empty rooms, a winding stairway emerged, going up through the ceiling. The steps led to an observatory, allowing Dallion to look at the rest of his realm. At present, there was nothing but a lot of mountains and a bit of sea, visible around where the harpsiswords tower had formed. That pretty much confirmed that all linked items were present in the realm in some weird way. Size was the only thing that remained elusivethe library, the arena, as well as the forge were nowhere to be seen, hidden somewhere within the mountains.

Lux, Dallion said. Welcome to your new home. Youll be the light in the lighthouse.

The firebird popped into the air next to him with a happy chirp, then started flying all over the inside of the observatory, getting familiar with its new domain. Now, everything was set for the event. The only thing that remained was to invite the participants as well as buy a lot of mirrors.

Preparations finalized, Dallion went to sleep. The first thing he did next morningafter letting Veil and Gloria know about the eventwas to go to the guild and start inviting people.

Estezol was more than happy to go, especially when he had heard whod be cooking at the event. Even more, he had used his tricks to find and invite quite a lot of people on Dallions listnot only Janna and Kallan, but also their parents, all of the elites that had been on Dallions sanitation job with the exception of Spike, as well as Adzorg. The only people who werent invited were Grunt, who had politely refused, as well March and Falkner, who couldnt be reached.

March, Dallion expected, but he was somewhat surprised about Falkner. Apparently, the boy had been scarce at the guild ever since he had passed his gate trial. More than likely his father had insisted on training with the echoes inside Falkners realm, instead of him wasting time being in a guild. With nobles one never knew.

You can try to ask him in person, Estezol said. Youll have to go to the nobles quarter, but given the importance of the event, I dont expect thered be any issues.

Theyll let me go there just like that? Dallion asked, surprised.

But of course. The short man smiled. As long as its an awakened matter, nobles like to keep in the loop. Theres always the chance that in ten years you join their ranks. The nobility is very keen on getting acquainted with new players, and passing the third gate is something that definitely gets noticed.

Thats part of life, dear boy, Nil said. Now that youre able to see, you can also be seen and believe me, the nobility is always looking, even in a backwater town such as this.

There was something to look forward to Once Dallion dealt with his copyette problem, hed have to take a crash course on history and politics. If everyone was keeping an eye on him, as Nil suggested, it would be good to know who everyone was.

Ill do that. Thanks.

Dont worry about it. Estezol smiled. So, tomorrow morning?

Yeah. Ill talk with Hannah to have everything ready at about nine.

Great! Dallion waved, then rushed out of the building.

At least hes full of enthusiasm.

Thats because he always likes to find an excuse to eat Aspans food. You see, Estezol is the guilds little glutton. Its not that he eats a lot, but he has a weakness for fine cuisine, as he would put it. Thats one of the reasons hes stuck with administrative duties.

You mean he can do anything besides that? Dallion couldnt help himself.

Possibly. At this point, well never find out. One day he stopped improving or going on jobs. That was way before he came to the guild, mind you. And before you ask, that happened quite a while ago, much longer than the supposed date that the copyette escaped.

Although Dallion wanted to believe it, a sneaking suspicion remained. Maybe it was a good thing that he was going to be checked, after all.

Going to the nobles sector turned out to be far easier than Dallion imagined. Not a single guard made an effort to stop him as he went into the neighborhood. In fact, Dallion approached one of the city guards, asking for directions where to find Falkners house. One mention of the nobles nameand that it concerned an awakened matterand he was quickly pointed in the direction. If anything, it was the butler at the house that seemed far more suspicious of him, asking questions, checking answers, though even he didnt look down on Dallion. For the first time since he was here, Dallion started seeing the significance of a persons level. Back when he was recruited for the chainling hunt, the Dame couldnt even speak with him directly, having the soldiers convey any compliments. Now, three gates later, Dallion was almost viewed as a potential noble. People remained reserved, but the disdain of before was gone.

It took minutes for Falkner to appear at the door. One look and Dallion could already tell that the boy had gone though a significant amount of training, potentially more than he himself had gone though.

Hey, Falkner said, slightly short on breath.

Hey, yourself. Dallion smiled. Working hard, I see?

Huh? Oh, just the daily routine. Im combining real and realm training for better effect.

Apparently, Vend hadnt come up with the method himself. If nobles were using it, that had a lot to say regarding its efficiency.

Cool. Which level are you at?

Twelve, Falkner replied. I need to go steady. No help until I get to the next gate.

Oh?

I know. Falkner looked to the side. Its a family thing. I must only rely on my own strength to deal with my flaws. I can get advice and training, but the trials must be passed by me alone.

Dallion could see that Falkner disapproved. Having entered double digit territory apparently had made him slightly rebellious, though with an echo of his father in his realm, that was difficult to achieve.

You can learn a thing or two from him, dear boy, Nil didnt miss the opportunity to remind Dallion. He hasnt taken any short cuts.

I heard you passed your third gate, Falkner continued. Congrats.

Suddenly Dallion caught a glimpse of an emotion he hadnt seen before. There was the standard grain of admiration, but there was also speck of jealousy. That was slightly alarming, especially since Dallion didnt have the skill to discern what sort of jealousy it was. If the boy was envious of Dallion passing the third gate so soon after he had passed the second, that was somewhat concerning. If, however, it was related to Gloria, then Dallion was in serious trouble. He knew from experience denying any romantic connection would only make things worse, confirming it in Falkners mind.

News sure travels fast, Dallion laughed. Actually, thats why Im here. Im having a small celebration. Mostly people from the guild and a few others. Id like you to come as well.

There was a long moment of silence. Falkner looked Dallion in the eyes, then away again.

Dont worry, hes just having a conversation with his father, Nil said. Ive seen this many times.

Is that a good thing?

That, dear boy, is something that youll eventually find out.

Its just a breakfast thing, Dallion added. The Luors will be there, of course. When were done, well go directly to the guild to check on available jobs.

I wont be doing jobs until after the festival. Falkners voice was sharper than Dallion had hoped.

Sure. Id still like you to come. Youre probably the first person from the guild I met.

The last sentence melted the jealousy and reluctance in Falkner away.

Okay, the boy said quietly. What time?

Tomorrow morning around nine. That okay for you?

Sure.

Itll just be a small thing. No need to come all dressed or such I really dont know what the proper etiquette is, so there will be none. Well just be there to have some food, some drink, and a lot of laughs. Just like a party.

A smile appeared on Falkners face.

Ill be there. Sorry, but I must get back to training.

I know, I know. The echoes in our realms never sleep. Thanks, Falkner. See you tomorrow.

With a nod, Falkner closed the door. Dallion stood there for a few seconds longer. The conversation had gone better than he had expected, although it had brought a new problem to light. What if the copyette had already replaced a noble? Supposedly, the Overseer was making sure that didnt happen, but how much could she be trusted? She was a chainlingor something similarafter all. Even tamed, there was always doubt that she would close her eyes when someone of a similar nature was concerned. Or maybe she had some link with the Star? The relations between deities were starting to get quite complicated, especially when they involved mortals.

Nil, how close will the nobles be from the arena during the festival? Dallion asked.

Close enough to get a good view. Why? What do you have in mind?

If we dont find the copyette at the breakfast party

Which is pretty much a given the echo mumbled while Dallion was talking.

Ill do the same thing at the arena. What part of the crowd will that let me see?

A few dozen rows. The nobles certainly, but as for most people behind, Id say not. However, in order to do that, youll have to win your way to the actual round, and that means defeating some of the actually good contestants. Given that theres still time, I say you have a fifty-fifty chance at best.

Fifty Dallion repeated. Considering what was on stake, he didnt like those odds one bit. After the breakfast was over, he was going to have a chat with Falkner the one in Dallions awakening realm.