11.5

Eve simply made a slight change to her apparel allowing the adventurer’s plate to be visible before walking into the restaurant. The severe looking hostess holding the fort behind her podium took one glance at the flashing metal plate before giving Eve a warm smile. Within moments she was seated in a quite booth behind privacy curtains of spider-woven silk. The curtains were exquisitely enchanted to reduce sound, block mana emissions, and remove distinguishable shadows.

For the first time in a long time Eve was exposed the power of a civilization with magical might. The menu was displayed on the clear glass table exactly like a hi-tech touchscreen. Each option was accompanied by mouthwatering pictures that ensured a buyer no question of their purchase.

If they can do this, then something like cellphones most certainly exist. Eve thought as her fingers scrolled through the menu. The probability of advancements being limited to a certain social strata is high, though.

The division in power brought by Class Tiers would reflect deeply in any social setting. It wasn’t hard to believe that convenience would be given to those with the highest levels of power. Instantaneous communication was powerful weapon no matter the era. Unlike on Earth, there was no one here who would be interested in providing the ability to grant information exchange or communication to the masses. Ruling sheep had always been far easier than ruling a herd of cats. Eve suspected those in power had no interest in losing even the slightest amount.

The sight of a slice of what appeared to be chocolate cake made Eve’s thoughts freeze momentarily before she clicked on the menu item. A few more selections were made as she mapped out an extensive meal course. In order to keep Kudzu happy, a massive selection of bread was chosen as well. Without taking Brianna out of hibernation it was the best option available right now. Kudzu detached from her hair to settle down on the opposite side of the booth. His vines quickly grew from the flowery center enveloping the entire opposite booth from Eve.

When the food arrived by teleportation directly to the table Eve tucked in. It was clear within moments the restaurant had a connection at one point to a British cook, or something close to it. The meat and potato pie was a masterpiece accented with spicy gravy that only whetted the appetite. Just in case the rest of the dishes somehow failed, Eve was saving the chocolate cake sealed in Witch’s Dust for last. In order to keep moving forward, she kept up a conversation with her four allies in the mental realm.

Taking care of these noble brats is a favor for the Guildmaster, but we need a longer term plan.Eve replied to the group mental channel. The self-image others would see was a young witch garbed in silver with blond hair, silver eyes, and bountiful assets. She sat at a circular table with four others, the mental image of the group chat room.

Orphanages? Felix suggested. His self-image was of a sparkling crystal orb surrounded by silver screens calculating endless symbols beyond comprehension of mere mortal minds.

Orphans appeared exceptionally effective back in Glenwood. Kudzu chimed in. His mental voice had the arching tones somber thought, while the image accompanying him was a glimpse of the deep forest jungle always expanding outward.

Children! Hut said with a warm feeling. Eve got pictures of Rin and Ren gallivanting about stealing bits of tasty treats from Kudzu’s Garden back on Tal Mor. The self-image of the Hut was a kindly matron always willing to provide a home and house for her wayward children.

It is rather fun broadening young minds. Nota said while simultaneously reading the Eternal Memory library. The image of a young female human bookworm dutifully studying accompanied her place at the table, and easy parallels between Eve and Nota could be drawn by any observer.

Ok, raising children can be on the agenda but I want to hear what each of you sees in the next thousand years of vacation. Eve said bringing the conversation back on track.

Each of her companions paused before finally Kudzu took the lead. I will break the limits of Alchemy and develop potions that bottle Class Tiers. From the lowest One, to the highest Six. I will move them from possibility into reality.

Eve blinked. Wow.

Kudzu’s vines stuffed more bread into his maw before saying on the mental chat. Flex.

Laughter from everyone crackled in the mental group chat as Eve started in on her clear vegetable soup helping.

Since we are setting long-term goals, I will push further into the path of Calculation. I will set a simple goal of seeing one second ahead in Time, permanently. Felix said with a serious tone.

Nice! Eve said sipping her soup.

Impressive. Kudzu agreed.

It will certainly be incredible once achieved. Nota said.

Time help steer future Ship-Hut. Hut commented enthusiastically sending a picture that Eve assumed the Ark might have looked like, if magic was involved in making it.

Of course, dear. Felix said with a burst of pink feeling towards the Hut.

I think I’ll just develop the Eternal Library, a database we can pull from for countless things. Nota said.

Excellent. These are all very exceptional concepts. Now, some advice I learned from my brother was the secret to immortality. You must have a goal, a hobby, or an interest that can accompany you through the endless eons. Eve said as she finished her soup moving to the roasted vegetable dish. Without such a thing, even if it turns obsessive, most immortals lose their way in the river of time. Since the vacation is going to be a thousand years, we’ll proportion two and a half centuries to each individual. After the time is up, we’ll rotate to the next in line, does that sound good?

What about your own goal, Eve? Kudzu asked.

I plan on pulling back slowly from the edge of habitual violence. I’m no murder hobo, although my past actions driving me to reach the highest echelons of power certainly could be construed as such. Tier Six is an opportunity to step back from the madness of constant combat. I need to reset my responses from instant violence to conditional opportunities. Violence has a place, especially in a world where might makes right, but it shouldn’t be my first choice, just my best one. When everything is a nail, that doesn’t mean a hammer is the most effective tool. Sometimes the best choice is getting a carpenter instead. Eve said before discussion moved to how to allocate the next millennia and who to start assisting first. There was a brief flurry of discussion among her companions before Kudzu was chosen. It was a unanimous agreement once Felix mentioned that Class Tier potions didn’t have to be for non-humanoid species, after all.

After the mind meeting wrapped up, Eve stared at the chocolate cake she had saved for last. Now was the moment of truth, the pinnacle of her hopes and dreams. If this cake didn’t satisfy her chocolate craving she would be deeply saddened, Kudzu still claimed he was years out from making a decent batch. It had something to do with botanic constants and ambient mana values that allegedly differed from Tal Mor. She removed the covering that had kept the cake fresh before taking a deep breath as she picked up a fresh spoon. With rapt anticipation, Eve cleaned her spoon gently with Witch’s Dust, before taking a small slice of the frosted brown heavens bringing it to her lips.

The single spoon entered her mouth and the heavenly substance triggered an explosion of bliss.

Eve’s eyes teared up at the clear use of mana to enhance chocolate. The chef clearly trained his Skills and Spells constantly to rise to the occasion, a pinnacle achievement in culinary arts. A few moments later the chocolate cake was completely gone. It took all of her willpower not to order more, since she was currently on a bit of a time crunch. A quick Eternal Memory registered the restaurants location in her mind along with the taste of mana-enhanced chocolate. With a deep sigh, Eve watched Kudzu finish the enormous variety of bread provided for him. When he was completely full and minimized once more, she picked him up before gently attaching him to her the right side of her hair as a decorative jade flower hairpiece. Anyone looking would see silver pollen misting out like smoke from the hair piece, lending it a mysterious aura.

“We’ll return later.” Eve said as she clenched her fist with anguish. She had to once more resist the temptation to stockpile chocolate cakes into her Storage. If she gave in, there wouldn’t be room for anything else, Eve knew.

After exiting the restaurant Eve shifted her clothing into a copy of the highest fashion design she had seen. Her dress oozed luxury, and she levitated slightly off the ground reinforcing the understanding it conveyed. Spatial Step quickly brought her to one of the more expensive luxury jewelry shops. She spent a few moments negotiating with the dapper owner who arrived moments after she demonstrated some of the dragon’s treasure pieces that she desired to sell. After approximately an hour of bargaining, Eve was able to offload the pieces that didn’t have a high mana content.

The higher mana content pieces can be gifted to those under my banner. Eve thought as she exited the shop. The books, scrolls, and such have all been eaten by Nota. There are a few antiquities remaining, but I’ll just donate those to the Guild.

With everything settled, Eve took a quick jaunt around the inner city until she finally froze in place her mind shocked.

Directly in front of her hovering form was a luxury shop for the more sexually oriented individuals. The sign glittering in sparkling silver enchanted to be eye catching said, The Silver Peak. Eve read the tiny print that denoted the shop was the most professional place to purchase luxury dildos for a premium prices. Anyone passing by felt a momentary chill if they walked near her. She had sold her ideas, and knew they were going to be used to make money, but there had been nothing about making all the items in silverfor heaven’s sake. Eve entered the store and moved to the nearest sales rep who approached her with a wide smile that slipped slightly as she felt the frosted chill’s touch from Eve’s cold rage.

“Greetings, milady, my name is Tiffany what might I assist you with today?” asked Tiffany in a bubbly tone that dipped as the cold chilled her bones.

Eve’s eyes roamed over the shop denoting various different types of dildos along with the accompanying change in price before she replied, “I’ll take one of each.” It took her a moment when she looked at Tiffany to realize the chill of frosty rage she was exuding had been picked up by Witch’s Dust on accident causing the minor issue.

Tiffany showed relief as the cold vanished suddenly once Eve got her emotions in check. There was a moment before the sales rep mustered her courage and said, “That will be a thousand gold, rounded down. Will you be paying with cash or card?”

Eve pulled her orichalcum card from Storage and flashed it. The card’s casual wave was equal to a supreme magic wand, as one of everything in the store’s inventory joined Storage in only a few minutes of Skill assisted packaging. Paying promptly before dropping her card back into Storage, Eve exited the shop. It took a great deal of self-control not to obliterate the window manikin  models that looked suspiciously like they had been based on her undisguised form’s looks.

I better get a great deal of satisfaction out of my purchases. Eve thought with mild annoyance. She couldn’t resist the feeling of being used, but on the other hand there were quite a few woman entering and exiting. Those that left had bright happy expressions and flushed faces, while those that entered just had flushed ones. I bet all the happy faces sampled the product after purchase.

She had noticed that the sales assistant had made mention of secure testing rooms in the back. Eve hadn’t registered at the time what she meant, but now that she thought for a moment the implications were obvious. A quick glance at the setting sun sealed her irritation away, it was time to return to the training field and see how her erstwhile new students managed. She didn’t expect perfection, but if fifty percent of them were able to get something decent it would be a win in her book.

Spatial Step made moving to the training field the work of a moment, and she floated up to sit on the tallest boulder with ease. Eve’s clothing shifted back to the same look as when she met the four teenagers. It was the work of a moment to terraform the top of the boulder to be comfortable while she waited. Dealing with children wasn’t a common occurrence when she was a special squirrel operative on Earth. However, there were a massive number of cousins, nieces, and nephews to work with in the branch families. She might not see them every day, true, yet Eve was the one who got dumped with babysitting duties on the big holidays like Easter.

As Eve watched the teenagers approach a small predatory smile flashed.

Ritual of Truth was the secretive dagger at the neck of her students. If they dared to lie about how they gained the resources, she would show them exactly what hell training was like!

Eve created floating lights to brighten the training field before she said, “Now’s the time to show me what you were able to pull off, let’s start with you Purple.”