Bog Standard Isekai

There was something about a bookstore that brought Brin straight back to his memories of Mark. It wasn’t even that he could say that bookstores had been a big part of his life back then because he’d gone straight from school libraries to e-books so trips to physical bookstores had been a rare occasion. And yet, there was something mystical about the act of walking into a room full of more books than you could read in a lifetime.

The bookstore held rows upon rows in every subject. It had that clean and slightly chemical smell of brand new printed books as probably three-quarters of the books here were copied by machine, having never been opened by human hands. The rest brought on that old book smell of parchment and leather and spoke of esoteric secrets written painstakingly by ink and quill. Or copied quickly by a [Scribe], as the case may be.

Unlike many of the stores he'd seen in other cities, where an anxious shopkeeper would personally keep an eye on every single person in a small one-room shop, the bookstore was the size of a big department store back on Mark's Earth, which might have been another reason for his sudden feeling of belonging. In fact, Brin didn't know who ran this place at all, and the staff completely left him alone. There were men posted at the door to discourage any disreputable sorts, though of course both had bowed and not said a word to Lumina as they strode through.

Marksi made a beeline straight for the monster bestiaries, finding them based on the pictures on their covers. Lumina was noticeably nervous when he pulled several books off the shelves and opened them straight there on the floor. But Marksi turned the pages carefully and delicately, and after observing for a moment, she was satisfied that he could be left alone.

Brin walked aisle by aisle picking things up and setting them down again. He'd spend a whole day here if he could. Simply skimming the titles was informative; he was getting a good feeling for the types of things the people in this world thought significant enough to write about.

The biggest section was on history, and the few books Brin picked out were severely dry, with a lot of dates, genealogies, and population counts. There were hundreds of books on philosophy, with a subsection on ‘natural philosophy’ which was as close as they really got to science around here. He saw a good deal more math books than he expected, and there was a tidy fiction section, mostly dominated by chivalric romances.

And of course, the magic. That was the specialty of this store, and it showed. Rows and rows of magic. They were mainly divided along the four elements, giving further weight to Hogg’s claim that these people were only pretending to have moved past that.

He scanned the titles in the Earth section, and when he saw a book on glass, he picked it up. The title was The Effects of Glass on Auguring and Portendation, which sounded promising. He flipped through the pages of the first chapter, committing them to memory to think about later.

“May I?” Lumina asked.

Brin handed her the book. She immediately flipped to the back. There was an appendix, with what looked like a list of spells.

After reading for a moment, Lumina said, “I don’t believe there are any particular reasons to believe this author’s claims. Hm. Too bad.”

She handed the book back, and Brin put it back on the shelf. “Maybe there’s something else on glass. Actually, maybe I shouldn’t be thinking about common elements at all. What are the refined elements that are connected to Earth or Fire?” asked Brin.

“Well, there are a great deal of those, and it depends on how you’re combining them, and why. I channel Fire and Water to make Seraphic Flame, because they both have great connection to the concept of purity. But Fire and Water could also be Frostfire, as a more literal frost that burns. For your case, you’ll first need to get the base elements before you can refine it into something else. You’ll need [Channel Earth] or [Channel Fire], and then you can try to expand them. Then, for example, Fire and Earth could combine to make Lava. I wonder if you could earn [Channel Molten Glass]. I can’t imagine what you would use it for when it’s already simple for you to summon glass and then melt it. If you could get Air… I know it would be a sacrifice, but it would lend your Fire spells an extreme concussive force that’s hard to overpraise. And it would give you Sand, which has a lot of interesting applications.”

Brin still didn’t think he wanted Air. Or he did, but only for the wrong reasons, because you could use it to fly. “What if I wanted to expand into elements near what I already have?

“For Fire, well, it’s already good enough as it is. Fire is quite fearsome when lent proper knowledge of Language. But if you’re going that route, I’d advise you to choose [Laser Mage] and get Fire some other way,” said Lumina.

“What about Earth?”

“Gravity comes to mind? You remember when I used it against that giant stuffed rabbit. And the element he used as well, Mass. Although, I’ve never heard of a [Mage] gaining access to Mass. Usually a Class based around physical combat will specialise into it.” Lumina pondered for a moment, and then said, “Metal. It would allow you to keep developing your glassmaking hobby.”

Metal. Now that was a thought. He already had ideas about metallic glass, but he’d never been able to find any. Or if it did exist, it didn’t react to his magic. He had a good deal of ideas about metallic glass from [Memories in Glass], but he wasn't sure if any of it applied to his magic. The main problem was that in his old world, they classified glass as any amorphous solid. It was seen as a certain chemical structure that nearly any solid element could achieve simply by cooling it quickly from its molten state. But he was now fairly certain that his magic didn't respond to any amorphous solid, only the ones that were silica based because that’s what most people thought of when they thought of glass. But if he could find some metallic glass, or better yet aid in creating it, he might be able to convince the System to stretch its definition. That might have to be his new project for the last week and a half before school started.

Brin remembered where they were, looked around at the books on magic. “Are there any books I need for school?”

“We’ve already purchased your textbooks, and for reference material, you are free to use my personal library at your convenience. I thought you might like to see one book in particular, however,” said Lumina.

She led him to the front of the store where he finally met the store’s proprietor. Motswallow was short and bald, a level 40 [Keeper].

He immediately began to fall over himself to suck up to Lumina. “Oh, goodness, what a delight, your radiance. A true delight, to see you here again. Have you seen the latest from Mr. Tell? Not quite released to the public, but I have an advanced copy. Oh, and Ivan Cavac has a new spell, a refined Meteor. I can’t show that to you before you buy, but from reputation alone you know it’ll be a sight to behold. And I have an exploration of Life magic from Pollissia. I can tell you I have it, but I can’t tell you why. Although, of course, you know more about that than I do…”

He rattled on, his entire focus on Lumina as she paid him little attention. She reached over to select a small book with a plain blue cover that was in the New Releases section.

Motswallow said, “Oh, yes, that’s made quite a stir in the Tower! I can’t say how reputable it is, however. New ideas. Shocking ideas, to be sure! But credible? Well, you can see for yourself that the author bases his thesis on the ramblings of [Witches] rather than any reputable study of magic. And who is this strange Mistaken, or does he use a pseudonym?”

The title was A Treatise on the Implications and Utility of the Wyrd on Magecraft and Spellcasting by Brin isu Yambul. The bookseller was so focused on Lumina that he hadn’t noticed that the author of the book he was talking about was standing right next to her.

This had been one of the subjects of discussion in the letters they’d traded back and forth. Lumina had wanted to add this knowledge to the Tower, and they’d hashed out exactly what should be included and what should be omitted. In the version he’d given Hogg and Lumina, he’d already omitted any mention of Aberfa or the lessons she’d taught him. Lumina had suggested that it might be safe to add some of his story back in, just to add credibility. So he’d included a section that claimed he’d first learned of these concepts after being taken prisoner by a [Witch] who’d destroyed his home, which was close enough to the truth. He’d made it sound like he’d only overheard the [Witch] teaching her apprentice, rather than admitting he was the student himself. Lumina thought it wise to make it clear he hadn’t begun exploring the Wyrd on his own initiative, and Brin agreed.

Lumina grinned like a cat at a mouse. “I can verify that the author's claims are accurate, down to the smallest detail. Actually, Brin, this book had an extremely noticeable impact on the potency of my spells. I fear I might have crumbled before Sana the [Witch Mage] if not for the lessons you imparted.”

Brin was sure she was just buttering him up; she’d displayed a thorough knowledge of the Wyrd when she’d saved him in Hammon’s Bog and then again when she’d spoken to the Hidden Guardian. He didn’t object to it in the least, though.

Motswallow must’ve chosen that moment to notice and [Inspect] Brin, because he began to visibly sweat.

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“By the way, Motswallow. Have you met my son?” Lumina placed a hand on Brin’s shoulder.

Motswallow didn’t give anything that could be considered a response, just a series of stammers.

Brin eventually had pity on him. He held out his hand. “Well met, and may Eridu’s blessing be upon you to enlighten your mind. Do you have anything on glass?”

That broke Motswallow out of his stammering, and it turned out that he actually did have a few books on glass magic. There was even one that Lumina admitted might actually contain useful knowledge. Motswallow tried to give it to Brin for free, and Lumina pretended to accept before paying right at the last second anyway.

Their next stop was a shop that Brin recognized even though he’d never seen it before. There was a sign above the store in elaborate calligraphy. Perris’ Fine Goods and Leather.

“No way,” said Brin.

Lumina smiled. “I believe you are familiar with the proprietor?”

“I think I just might be,” said Brin. He cautiously opened the door, only remembering at the last moment to hold it open for Lumina to step through first.

The inside of the store was a lot like he remembered, but the fact that it was here instead of in Hammon’s Bog made the whole thing feel a bit different. The finely trimmed wooden floors polished with lacquer was the bog standard, but here it was a bit more fancy than you’d normally see at an adventurers' outfitter. So too were the finely crafted wooden shelves and the other furniture, all of it made by master craftsmen with too much time on their hands and happy to have any buyer at all.

The man himself looked like he always did, his dark pants and vest only slightly altered to fit in with Steamshield fashions. His eyes bulged when he saw Lumina walk through his door. He leapt over his counter and then fell into a courtly bow.

“Your Radiance!”

“Oh, no, I’m only accompanying my son. Please, pretend I’m not here,” said Lumina.

“Then I shall,” said Perris, and snapped to his feet. His derisive sneer was back, and he twisted his mustache as he stared down at Brin. It turned out that Perris was actually kind of tall, something Brin only noticed now that he was average height for a man. “Oh my dear little Brin the Mistaken. When you left Hammon’s Bog, I thought I might never see you again. Alas, to see this happy thought crushed, like all my other hopes and dreams.”

“Perris. When I first arrived in Steamshield and saw the black pall hanging over the city, I knew you must be here,” said Brin.

Perris’ mouth twitched and his frown intensified as he cast his gaze down further. “And what’s this?”

Marksi boldly puffed out his chest and met Perris’ eyes, though Brin could tell the little guy was nervous and ready to bolt.

“Some kind of dragonling? Did you eat the little worm that used to follow this guy around? If so, he’s traded up,” said Perris.

Marksi’s mouth dropped open, completely dumbfounded by that response.

“But don’t get cocky. You’re still an infant,” said Perris.

Marksi snorted, trying not to show how pleased he was. He pranced back to Lumina, who seemed equally amused and befuddled by the conversation.

“So what are you doing here, anyway? I didn’t picture you ever leaving Hammon’s Bog,” said Brin.

“And why would I? I had those country yokels wrapped around my fingers. And the adventurers that passed through! Ha! Stupid and desperate, with no other options: the perfect marks. It was the perfect life, but no, good things can never last. I have dreadful news,” said Perris.

Brin’s mind suddenly swam with visions of the undead sacking his hometown. He’d assumed they’d be strong enough to repel the next invasion after all the levels they’d gained in the last one, but had he actually ever checked?

“Is it… the town, is it safe?”

“Grotesquely so,” said Perris. “You should see the new walls they put up. Positively garish. No, this is much worse than a few thousand nobodies dying in a swamp. No, it's about my Deborine. She’s… she’s…”

“Oh no,” gasped Brin.

“Married!”

Brin stepped back, putting the back of his palm to his forehead. “No. Say it’s not true.”

“To a [Tailor]!” Perris wailed. “A [Tailor] of all things!”

Brin rushed Perris and grabbed the man’s shirt in both fists. “How could you let this happen?”

Perris didn’t fight back, instead he went almost limp, and looked away, ashamed. “I tried everything, Brin, you know I did! But my Deborine could not be dissuaded. She was completely out of her mind; you know how women get.”

Brin let Perris’ shirt go, and helped him back to his counter, as if the man were suddenly frail. “I’m sorry. It’s just, I sort of always hoped she’d wait for me,” Brin said, maybe at least half-way joking.

“So did I!” said Perris. “But I couldn’t get through to her, try as I may. And the rest is history. Her sister visited her one time and decided she had to stay. All the blinking lights and bustle and excitement, I suppose.”

“And the ubiquitous indoor plumbing,” supplied Brin.

“That, too.”

“So your daughters moved to the city, so you and Susanna followed them here,” said Brin.

“What? No! My coming here was completely coincidental,” said Perris.

“Of course,” said Brin.

“Now I suppose I should ask about your news, but I don’t care! Are you going to buy something? If not, you can stop scaring away my real customers. They’re a timid bunch, these big city adventurers. They’ve one spine among them, and none of these ones have it. Do you? Do you?” He stared around at the few odd customers, and one young [Rogue] actually flinched away at his glare.

Brin’s casual glance at the prices marked on Perris’ goods told him that they were actually pretty good for Steamshield. Despite how Perris always bragged about ripping everyone off all the time, it looked like what was actually happening here was that he was competing on price so that he could continue to belittle and berate his customers. Good old Perris. Brin couldn’t stop smiling, though he tried.

“I need another Bog Standard spear haft. I was hoping you could repair this,” said Brin. He pulled out his broken spear.

Perris took it in both hands, and looked at the pieces, turning them around in his hands. He must’ve had some Skills working, because he looked more alarmed the longer he held them. “This was Bog Standard work, Brin. How did you manage to break this? This wasn’t done with the edge of a weapon.”

Brin leaned in and said under his breath, “Arcaena broke it herself.”

Perris pushed the pieces back into Brin’s hands. “Are you stupid? Don’t answer that, I already know the answer. That is called a rhetorical question, as are the following: Are you daft? Are you quite touched in the head? Were you perchance dropped, drowned, or mutilated, or severely tortured as a child? Because if you are, then your intellectual betters, which are still tragically few and far between in a skunky, misbegotten city such as this, should have informed you that that isn’t for sale. It belongs in a museum, for Anshar’s sake!” Perris was actually exasperated here, and his ‘evil shopkeeper’ mask was starting to slip. “Aren’t you supposed to be rich?! Just buy yourself a new spear, and keep your trophy, man!”

Brin blinked, and then looked to Lumina. She nodded. “He’s right, you know.”

“Of course I’m right,” said Perris. He took a few deep breaths, calming himself down, and then began twisting his mustache again. “Besides, you don’t need a spear. You need a staff. Come with me.”

Perris guided him towards the back of the store.

Lumina followed, looking concerned. “Oh, no, I don’t think… that is to say, a [Mage’s] staff is a large commitment. It’s not something you should begin to create before your first year. It’s something to be collected slowly, as you grow into your power. I don’t want to–”

“Just wait and see!” said Perris. “You’ll be begging me for it! Begging, Your Radiance.”

They made it to the back of the shop where there was a heavily locked case. Not a display case; there was no way to see inside. Perris undid the three locks on the outside, then swung it open, to reveal a tall and long steel safe. He unlocked the safe with another key, and opened it to reveal a long branch of white wood.

“This,” Perris said with a dramatic flair. “Is harvested without tools from a cypress of Aberfu.”

Lumina was shaking her head, “No matter what kind of tree you found, a [Mage] shouldn’t… wait, really?”

“The most rare and valuable tree in the Boglands, and therefore, obviously, the entire world! It is the most sought after wood by those who really know wood, near mythical in its rarity,” said Perris.

“We’ll take it,” said Lumina.

“I know,” Perris said smugly. “I’m overcharging you, too.”

“Wait, is it really that valuable?” asked Brin. Value Sense was telling him… yes. Yes it was.

“You heard me right. Aberfu. You were literally named after this tree,” said Perris.

“Wow, that’s uncomfortable,” said Brin. “When did you ever learn that name?”

He didn’t think Perris would’ve brought it up if he’d known Aberthol was actually named after his insane mother who’d tortured him. He must’ve heard the name somewhere without the full story. That wasn’t too hard, Brin’s fame was getting around.

“We’ll take it,” Lumina repeated.

Perris just twisted his mustache harder.

Money didn’t actually change hands, and Brin didn’t get to walk away with the staff. Transactions for this amount weren’t done in person, apparently this was the type of thing where money would change accounts in a bank, and there would be a big, formal, legal process before they could actually bring it home.

They negotiated a price and set up an appointment for when they’d meet at the bank. Perris was perfectly smug the entire time which, apparently, was deserved, if Lumina’s reaction was anything to go by.

On the way out of the store, Brin had a thought, and suddenly wished he had his own mustache to twirl.

“Oh, by the way. That was impressive! You had exactly the thing I needed before I knew I needed it,” said Brin.

“Your praise is wasted on me,” said Perris. “Go on.”

“I was just thinking it reminded me of a friend of mine. He has a Skill for that. It helps him find the perfect person for whatever it is he’s trying to sell. Great guy, too. You’d like him.”

“Oh, I severely doubt that. He sounds exhausting,” Perris said, still grinning.

“Goes by the name of Sion. He’s attached to some big fancy trading house. Wogan, if you’ve ever heard of it.”

Perris’ smile went flat. “Tell me you’re joking.”

“Like I said, you’ll like him,” said Brin.

“Sion Wogan. The Sion Wogan.”

“I’ll tell him to come visit some time.”

“Do not do that. You hear me? Do not,” said Perris.

“I’ll tell him you should do business together. Did I mention he’s a [Merchant]?”

“Brin. Brin, I need you to listen to me right now. Do not…”

Brin was already out the door. “See you later, Perris. Expect him soon.”

Perris’ yells followed them down the street. “Don’t you dare, Brin! Don’t you sic those monsters on me! You hear me? You keep him away from me!”

Brin chuckled the whole way back to the waiting carriage.

“Your friend is quite… he’s quite the character,” Lumina said diplomatically.

“Good old Perris. He always makes me smile,” said Brin.

The next stop was a shoe parlor, and after that a place for paper and notebooks. Lumina seemed to think he’d have strong opinions on stationery, and when he lacked those opinions, she helped him pick out notebooks, quills, and pencils. They visited a jeweler’s next, where Lumina explained that there was a modest amount of chains, necklaces, and such that someone of his station was expected to wear.

They also stopped for dinner at a nice restaurant with subpar food. But all became clear when dessert came and Brin was treated to the best peach and blueberry pie he’d ever eaten in his entire life.

All too soon, their time was over. Lumina glanced out the window. “It’s nearly sundown, so Hogg will expect you soon. I fear that may be all the time we have for friends. Hogg wishes to acquaint you with some enemies."