The Second Life of Adam Cosmos

With the deal settled, Gaius politely nodded and said, "I will need about half an hour to prepare the items so they’re ready for transport."

Adam waved off the suggestion with a casual smile. "That won’t be necessary," he replied smoothly. "I can store them in my Spatial Crest." He left the explanation at that, keeping the true extent of his abilities concealed.

He did not elaborate further, intentionally keeping his true method of item storage concealed. Gaius, knowing better than to pry, simply acknowledged the request. After all, it saved him the trouble of organizing transportation for bulk ingredients, which benefited both of them. With a brief nod, he turned his attention back to business.

"I’ll prepare the ingredients as requested, 99 kilograms each," Gaius confirmed. "In the meantime, why don’t you enjoy some tea while you wait?"

He gestured to Claudia, who promptly brought over a pen and paper. "Please write down any other ingredients you're interested in. That way, I’ll know what to keep an eye on in future deliveries," Gaius added.

Adam nodded, having already planned to ensure Gaius would serve as his eyes and ears for the ingredients he might need in his upcoming quests. He took the pen and paper, ready to make the list.

The tea before him had grown cold, and Claudia, ever attentive, moved to offer him a fresh cup. But Adam, ever in control, politely declined. "It’s not necessary," he said as he raised his hand. Channeling a touch of Pyromancy into his palm, Adam brushed the cup lightly. A soft glow flickered through his fingers, and in seconds, the tea warmed, steam rising lazily from its surface.

Claudia watched, eyes wide with quiet amazement, though she said nothing.

Focused, Adam carefully listed the ingredients. He was meticulous, including only common, uncommon, and rare materials. The more unique or legendary items, reserved for his private plans, were deliberately omitted.

He had no intention of making Gaius- or the Sanctus Lux Fortress- too knowledgeable about his true needs. In business, maintaining an advantage was key, and Adam intended to keep his upper hand regarding the more valuable and difficult-to-obtain ingredients.

Adam completed the list without a word and handed it to Claudia, who nodded before returning to Gaius. He sipped his tea, the warmth matching his growing satisfaction. Everything was falling into place.

After thirty minutes, Gaius returned with a satisfied expression and announced, "Everything is ready, Adam. You can place the items in your Spatial Crest whenever you wish."

The officer took it, his eyes scanning the detailed list. His brows raised slightly as he read over the ingredients, some of which were unfamiliar even to him- an intriguing discovery for someone like Gaius, who was a seasoned Crafter himself. Still, as a shrewd businessman, he knew better than to question Adam's choices and risk souring what was shaping into an incredibly profitable partnership. He kept his curiosity to himself.

After reviewing the list, Gaius cleared his throat and confidently said, "About 70% of the items you've listed can be acquired with relatively no issue. In fact, you can have them right now if you want." He then pointed to a dozen or so ingredients. "As for these, they account for another 20%. They’re a bit harder to come by and will take some time, as they usually arrive from traders outside the Undead Regions."

Gaius hesitated momentarily before continuing, "And for the remaining 10%... honestly, I’m not sure when- or if- I’ll ever be able to secure them. Some of these items are extraordinarily rare."

Adam appreciated Gaius’s candor. He knew the complexity of acquiring certain ingredients and valued the transparency. "That’s not a problem, Officer Gaius," Adam replied calmly. "I appreciate your honesty. As long as you can provide most of what I need, I am happy to continue our partnership."

This was exactly what Gaius had hoped to hear. His eyes gleamed as he smiled broadly. In the midst of the Sanctus Lux Fortress' ongoing crisis, he had never imagined he would stumble upon such a lucrative partnership, and without having to go out of his way—he was already in charge of these ingredients and materials. It was, quite simply, a deal of a lifetime.

With a gesture of goodwill, Gaius reached into his satchel and pulled out a journal identical to the one Claudia had used earlier. "Please, Adam, I want you to have this," Gaius said, handing over the journal. "It’s a Connecting Journal. I always keep a spare in case I lose mine. With this, I can contact you directly if any interesting items come into my store. And if you need anything, you can reach me at your convenience."

Gaius opened the journal and wrote his name in it. "Now you can contact me whenever you need to. And if you could write your name in mine," he added, handing Adam his own journal, "we can stay in touch easily."

He smiled as he added, "Please also add my daughter, Claudia, to your contacts if you ever need to make more moderate purchases. She’s more than capable of handling your requests."

The impact Adam had made on Gaius was clear. It was rare for a merchant like Gaius to offer such a direct line of communication, especially with a spare Connecting Journal- reserved for only the most valuable clients. Adam had secured more than just a business partner; he had gained an ally with substantial influence within the Sanctus Lux Fortress.

Adam graciously accepted the journal- called a "Conjour" by Gaius- understanding the convenience it would bring regarding communication. This would allow him to stay ahead in his quests without the delays of traditional negotiations.

Ding!

[You have received a Connecting Journal.]

[This will allow you to communicate with people who wrote their names in your Connectin Journal. In order for them to communicate with you, you will need to write your name in their Connecting Journal.]

[Once the page runs out, you can replenish it at a magic store.]

With the formalities out of the way, Gaius led Adam to the area where the requested items were being stored. As they arrived, Adam quickly verified everything, using the assistance of his Status Window to ensure that each item was precisely 99 kilograms as ordered. He found that everything was in order, just as Gaius had promised.

With a simple thought, Adam activated his Spatial Ring, and in moments, the bulk materials disappeared from view, safely stored away.

With everything in place, Adam turned his attention to the final step of their transaction. He reached into his spatial storage and began to conjure bags of gold, one after another, until the agreed amount was met. Each bag materialized with a soft shimmer, and the weight and sound of the coins confirmed their value.

Gaius watched in awe as the bags piled up. The ease with which Adam conjured the gold was a testament to his wealth and power. Once the last bag was in place, Adam handed them over to Gaius with a casual smile.

Gaius took the bags, his eyes reflecting both satisfaction and a hint of admiration. The payment was exactly as agreed, and Adam's manner- so nonchalant about such a significant sum- only reinforced the sense of a mutually beneficial arrangement.

With the transaction completed, both men shook hands one final time. The deal was concluded, and Adam, having fulfilled his end of the bargain, was about to leave the store with a sense of accomplishment. The new partnership was established, and with it, Adam gained a valuable ally for acquiring the ingredients he needed for his quests.

After Adam completed his extensive purchase of alchemical ingredients, his gaze wandered around the cluttered shop. The shelves, packed with various potions and arcane supplies, held a lesser-known section dedicated to books. Dusty tomes and ancient scrolls were stacked haphazardly, each with its own story to tell.

One book, in particular, caught his eye. It was bound in a weathered leather cover, its spine embossed with elaborate symbols. The book's title, Secrets of the Eldritch Veil, seemed to pulse with an enigmatic allure. The subject matter was strikingly relevant to an upcoming quest he intends to take, making it an irresistible addition to his inventory.

Adam decided to add the book to his purchase, placing it on the counter as a separate transaction.

With a grin of appreciation, Gaius said, “For your generous purchase, I’ll throw this book in for free. Consider it a gift.”

Adam accepted the gift and thanked Gaius once more.

Though seemingly an unexpected bonus, this book would prove useful for Adam’s upcoming visit to a certain territory. Its content, rich with ancient knowledge and relatively forgotten lore, was destined to play a small yet welcome role.

As Adam departed, Gaius couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement about the potential of this new business relationship. He was confident this was just the beginning of a prosperous and fruitful alliance.

After exiting Gaius' shop, Adam wore his mask again and went to the alchemy lab within Fort Vindolanda. As a 1st Class Auxiliary, he had access to elite crafting facilities and intended to take full advantage of this privilege. Initially, Adam planned to craft the mixtures he needed for upcoming tasks. But his conversation with Gaius had reminded him of the benefits he could enjoy by utilizing the Fort's advanced facilities.

***

As Adam stepped into Fort Vindolanda's Crafting Building, the air was thick with the clinking of tools and the hum of conversation. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting shadows across workbenches crowded with supplies. Crafters from various guilds scrambled for the few remaining crafting rooms.

At the reception desk, players negotiated for reservations. “I’d like to reserve the alchemy lab for the next hour,” one adventurer asked urgently.

“All labs are fully booked for the next two hours,” the receptionist replied with a sigh, visibly tired from repeating herself.

Frustration simmered in the crowd. Offers of gold and favors filled the air as players tried to barter for time.

Amid the commotion, Adam’s attention was drawn to a brewing argument across the room.

A young woman, an independent player, stood her ground against a group of twelve alchemists from the Maxima Guild, gleaming their prestigious insignia. She held up her reservation slip, her voice calm but firm.

“I’m not asking for the whole lab,” she said. “I just need a single spot. I booked it first, and I’m willing to share. It’s unfair for your entire team to take up all the space.”

The lead Maxima alchemist, a man with a smug grin, crossed his arms. “We paid for priority access. There are twelve of us, and we need the whole lab. It’s not our fault you’re alone.”

The woman didn’t flinch. “I understand that. But I’m just asking for one spot. I booked it first and will pay my share.”

The senior alchemist sneered, his tone dripping with condescension. “Your share? You couldn’t afford what we paid for this reservation. Honestly, you’d probably botch your work anyway. We’d end up redoing it.” He smirked at the other alchemists, who chuckled in agreement.

The crowd murmured uneasily. While the Maxima team had the rank advantage, the woman’s calm demeanor and fairness struck a chord with many watching.

“This isn’t about gold,” the woman said, her voice steady. “It’s about fairness. I earned this time slot. I’m not asking for special treatment—just what’s right.”

One of the other Maxima alchemists, a woman with a sly smile, stepped forward. “Fairness? That’s rich. You’re a bronze-ranked independent. Nobody is here to back you up. You’re lucky anyone even lets you book a spot.” She paused, then added, “We refund you for your trouble, of course. Make it worth your while to step aside. How much do you need? 50 gold? 100?”

The independent player’s face tightened, but she kept her composure. “It’s not about gold. I’m not selling my spot.”

“Not about gold?” another Maxima player scoffed. “Then maybe it’s about competence. Do you even know what you're doing? You could ruin something important if we let you near our work.”

The senior alchemist took a step closer, lowering his voice so only she could hear, though his words dripped with venom. “The truth is, nobody would want to work with you. You’re alone for a reason. No guild would take someone like you. Why don’t you think about that the next time you book a spot like this?”

The independent player hesitated for a moment but then squared her shoulders. “I’m still asking for what’s fair. I booked the room first. I’m willing to share. That’s all.”

The senior alchemist laughed, gesturing to his team, who flashed their silver tesserae. “See this? We’re silver-ranked auxiliaries. That means we get priority. You’re bronze. You’re at the bottom of the ladder.”

The woman pulled out her bronze tessera, holding it up. “My rank doesn’t change the fact that I booked the room fairly.”

A ripple of discomfort spread through the crowd. Even though the Maxima team was technically right, their arrogance and mockery left many uneasy.

The receptionist, glancing nervously between the two parties, seemed reluctant to intervene. It was clear she was torn between following protocol and her discomfort with the way the Maxima alchemists were treating the independent player.

Adam, watching from the back, stepped forward. His expression was calm beneath his mask, and he approached the group with a measured pace.

“Excuse me, Mr. Manager,” Adam said, his voice cutting through the tension. “I’d like to book the Elite Alchemy Lab.”

The room went silent. The senior alchemist turned, his sneer deepening. “Who the hell do you think you are, interrupting us? This isn’t your business.”

Adam met his gaze without flinching. “The crafting rooms are the business of whoever books them, aren’t they?”

The alchemist scowled. “Walk away. We don’t have time for nobodies.”

The independent player glanced at Adam, her expression wary but hopeful.

The manager behind the desk, caught in the middle of the tension, stammered, “The room is already reserved.”

Adam smiled, pulling out a gleaming Golden Tessera. He placed it on the desk with a slow, deliberate motion.

Every eye in the room locked onto the Golden Tessera. A gasp rippled through the crowd. Adam’s rank as a First Class Auxiliary was undeniable.

The senior alchemist, who had been bullying the independent player moments before, stood frozen. His confidence evaporated.

Adam turned to the manager. “I’d like to book the Elite Alchemy Lab. Is there a problem?”

The Maxima alchemists, once so arrogant, were now silent, their earlier confidence drained. Adam glanced briefly at the independent player, offering her a nod of reassurance before returning to the desk. His quiet intervention had shifted the power dynamic entirely.