Before we headed out as a group, I wanted to stop by Ian’s shop to see if he had a journal that could connect to my interface journal and show an updated schedule. The idea of having a physical backup that synced with my interface sounded perfect. As we walked, Alex was pointing out small landmarks to Ana, who was skipping ahead and eagerly asking questions in sign language. Alex glanced at me occasionally for translation but seemed to be understanding most of it.

  Meanwhile, I realized I’d forgotten to ask Brela how chat, through the interface, worked. It seemed like the interface only revealed features after I became aware of them. This adaptive nature made every discovery feel like an achievement, but it also added a layer of unpredictability to navigating my new life. Each unlocked feature forced me to rethink my surroundings and pushed me to stay observant, ensuring I didn’t miss something vital. It was both fascinating and slightly daunting, as if the interface itself was training me to grow step by step.

  Curious, I pulled up my connections and focused on Sam’s name. A small menu appeared, displaying options I hadn’t seen before. It was as if the interface adapted to my knowledge, unlocking tools as I discovered them. One of the options was “Chat.” I selected it, and a translucent window popped up in my vision. When I focused on the window and thought about what I wanted to say, my words began appearing.

  Ani: Are you okay?

  I glanced at Sam, who had been walking ahead. Their steps faltered for a moment, and they turned slightly, their expression shifting from confusion to surprise. They must not have known about the chat function either. Then, their face fell, a shadow of sadness crossing their features.

  Sam: Yes, and no.

  Their reply hung in the air—or rather, in my interface—and I struggled with how to respond. I wanted to push, to ask what was wrong, but I didn’t want to overstep. Instead, I decided to offer support without pressuring them.

  Ani: I’m here if you need to talk. No pressure, but I’m here.

  Sam didn’t reply immediately. I could see them glancing down, likely reading my message in their own interface. After a few moments, they nodded faintly and resumed walking, their pace slower than before. The silence between us wasn’t uncomfortable, but it was heavy with unspoken words.

  We reached Ian’s shop, a small but welcoming space filled with shelves of books, scrolls, and various writing tools. Alex and Ana waited just outside, Alex leaning casually against the doorframe while Ana busied herself sketching the flower display in front of the shop.

  I noticed how much more at ease she seemed since receiving the new noise filters. While she still cringed at particularly loud noises—as most of us did—she no longer seemed overwhelmed by the background sounds of the bustling town. Even when Alex struggled to get a sign right and had to resort to speaking, Ana didn’t recoil. It was a testament to how much more comfortable she had become, not just with her surroundings but also with herself. This shift was significant, reflecting her growing trust in those around her and her ability to navigate situations that would have once overwhelmed her. Ana’s calm response wasn’t just resilience; it was a sign of how deeply she was connecting with her companions. Instead, she patiently helped Alex find the correct sign, her expression calm and encouraging. It was a small but profound shift that made my heart swell with pride for her resilience.

  As we entered the shop it was Ian himself who greeted us. He was a wiry man with a warm smile that immediately put us at ease. "Welcome back, Ani," he greeted me, his voice carrying a friendly familiarity. "Looking for something specific today?"

  I explained what I was looking for, and his eyes lit up. "Ah, you’re in luck. I’ve just received a new shipment of journals designed to sync with the interface. They’re quite popular for their ability to display schedules and notes in real time."

  He led me to a shelf near the back, where several journals of varying sizes and colors were neatly arranged. I picked up a compact one with a leather cover and flipped it open. The pages were crisp, yet faintly glowing with the promise of connectivity. It felt like the perfect blend of old and new.

  "How does it work?" I asked, running my fingers over the smooth leather.

  Ian smiled. "It syncs automatically once you register it with your interface. Just focus on the journal in your connections tab, and it will handle the rest. You’ll see your schedule for the current and upcoming week and any notes you manually add. The schedule updates in real-time, but the notes will only sync at the end of the day. This way, you can keep a balance between digital and physical records without them becoming overwhelming. When it syncs at the end of the day it will only sync and remove the items you have chosen. Also, you can copy stuff from your interface journal to this one. We have many researchers who do that and have a journal for each topic or line of thought they are working on."

  I nodded, intrigued. "It's perfect, I’ll take it." I thought about maybe looking for a journal for recipes but I would save that for later because we had other things to do today.

  As I paid for the journal, I noticed Sam lingering near the doorway, their gaze distant. I couldn’t help but wonder what was weighing on them so heavily. Their usual energy was muted, and it made me uneasy. Was it something from their skills counseling session? I didn’t want to pry, but seeing them like this left a knot of concern in my chest. Sam was always so upbeat and supportive, so this quiet vulnerability felt jarring. I resolved to give them the space they seemed to need but remained ready to listen when they were ready to talk. I tucked the journal into my bag and approached them. "Ready to go?"

  Sam blinked, snapping out of their reverie. "Yeah," they said softly. But their voice lacked its usual energy, and I couldn’t ignore the weight in their tone.

  As we stepped outside, Alex handed Ana a small flower she had picked nearby, making Ana beam with delight. I hesitated before opening the chat window again. I wanted to give them space but also let them know I cared.

  Ani: I mean it—whenever you’re ready to talk, I’m here.

  This time, Sam glanced at me directly. They gave a small, almost imperceptible smile, and I knew that was all the answer I’d get for now. And for the moment, it was enough.

  ----

  We decided to head out the west gate as it put us closest to everything we needed for our quests. The road stretched out before us, bordered by patches of wildflowers and the occasional chirping of unseen birds. While I would have preferred us all staying together, Alex’s hunting quest required a level of stealth that made splitting up more practical. Their task involved catching a minkel—a peculiar creature resembling a soft turtle but far quicker. The thought of Alex sneaking after one with Sam’s help brought a small smile to my face.

  "Sam, I could really use your tracking skills," Alex said, their tone calm but insistent as they adjusted the straps of their pack. "I can follow trails, but you’re better at finding where something’s actually hiding."

  Sam nodded, their gaze still carrying a hint of distraction but steady. "Alright," they replied, their voice soft but resolute. "Let’s do this."

  We marked a spot on our maps to meet up later and reviewed the chat function to ensure we could stay connected. Alex gave a quick wave before turning down a narrower path that led into denser brush. As they walked away, I overheard Alex ask, "Chat? How do you even do that?" Their voices faded as they continued discussing the feature, leaving me with a mix of amusement and curiosity about their growing dynamic.

  With Alex and Sam headed off, I turned back toward my own task: gathering herbs. The sunlight filtering through the leaves danced on the ground as if encouraging me forward.

  I decided to confirm the quest objective.

  Gathering Herbs

  Objective: Collect the following herbs:

  Chamomile:

  Quantity: 15 flower heads.

  St. John's Wort:

  Quantity: Enough flowers and buds to fill one palm-sized bundle.

  Comfrey:

  Quantity: 10 leaves.

  Elderflower:

  Quantity: 8 full flower clusters.

  Yarrow:

  Quantity: 12 stems with flowers.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  Reward: 15 Credits, 1 Skill Points in Herb Lore if under level 5

  As I started searching for the herbs, I noted how remarkably vibrant the flora around this area seemed. I first stumbled upon a patch of chamomile. The small, daisy-like flowers glowed in the sunlight, and I carefully plucked the fully bloomed heads, making sure to leave the stems intact for future growth. I noticed that as soon as I gathered enough to meet the quest requirement, a small checkmark appeared next to "Chamomile" in my quest interface. It was oddly satisfying to see my progress reflected in real-time.

  Next, I found St. John’s Wort growing near a cluster of rocks. Its bright yellow flowers were sticky to the touch, as they should be. I filled a palm-sized bundle of clusters, double-checking each for ripeness. Again, the quest interface updated with a checkmark, confirming I had completed this portion of the task. Nearby, comfrey leaves caught my eye—large, dark green, and healthy. I harvested ten leaves from the middle of the plants, mindful not to damage the younger growth at the top. The satisfying checkmark appeared once more.

  Elderflower trees stood just beyond a stream. Their sweet scent drew me closer, and I carefully selected eight full clusters, shaking them gently to ensure no insects remained. The yarrow was the easiest to find, its distinct clusters of white flowers waving gently in the breeze. I collected twelve stems, making sure to snip them cleanly above the base. Each successful collection updated my quest log, reinforcing my sense of progress.

  Oddly, each herb was in perfect condition, blooming as if it were their peak season simultaneously. I couldn't help but wonder if this was due to some kind of psionic influence or if the environment here was simply unique. It felt almost too convenient, as though the area itself had been designed for this very purpose. Was it natural, or had someone cultivated this harmony deliberately? The thought added an extra layer of intrigue to my quest. I paused, noting the peculiarity. "This shouldn’t be possible," I murmured. Yet here they were.

  While gathering, I stumbled upon a few additional herbs—mint, which the Healer’s Hall often used for digestive teas, and feverfew, known for its ability to reduce headaches. I collected a small amount of each, knowing they would be appreciated. Meanwhile, Ana quietly sketched each of the herbs I found, her focus unwavering. She even added detailed drawings of the extra herbs, capturing their textures and colors with surprising accuracy. Watching her work brought a sense of calm to the moment.

  By the time I finished, my herb pouch was filled to capacity, and I felt a deep sense of accomplishment. As I was packing up, my interface pinged with a chat notification from Sam.

  Sam: Hunting’s done, but I haven’t found the locket yet. Want to meet up before I keep looking?

  Ani: Sure thing. We’re finished here. Heading to the meeting point now.

  Ana glanced up from her sketches, giving me a questioning look, and I signed, "Time to go meet Sam and Alex." She nodded, carefully packing up her pencils and sketch pad as we started back toward the designated spot.

  On the way, we ran into one of the guards patrolling the area. He greeted us with a friendly wave, and I decided to take the opportunity to ask about the unusual plant collection.

  "Excuse me," I said. "I couldn’t help but notice how many different herbs are blooming perfectly here, all at the same time. Is that normal?"

  The guard chuckled, adjusting the strap of his sword. "You’re new, aren’t you? This area’s what we call a starting zone. All beginner-level quests you’ve got access to are designed to keep you close to town and manageable for newcomers. It’s normal to find an odd assortment of plants here. Things don’t follow the same rules as they did in your old world."

  His explanation made sense, though it didn’t entirely quell my curiosity. "So, it’s like everything is optimized for beginners?"

  "Exactly," he replied. "It’s part of how this place works. You’ll notice as you progress further from town, things get more natural—and more challenging."

  I thanked him for the information and continued walking, mulling over his words. Ana, oblivious to my thoughts, skipped ahead, twirling as she walked. Her sketches were safely tucked back in her backpack, and I felt a flicker of pride at how far she had come in adapting to this world.

  I glanced at my map and then looked up to see Sam and Alex walking toward the meeting spot. Their relaxed expressions mirrored my own sense of accomplishment, though I couldn’t shake the feeling that everything was moving too quickly. Each task we completed added a new layer of complexity to this world, and the pace of it all was starting to feel overwhelming. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was missing something important or failing to grasp the bigger picture while we breezed through these initial challenges. We had only been out here for an hour and had already completed two of the three quests.

  “This feels too easy,” I muttered as Alex approached.

  Alex adjusted their pack and raised an eyebrow. “What do you mean?”

  I hesitated for a moment, then explained, “I ran into a guard earlier and asked about why the plants were all in bloom and perfectly in season. They said this area is a ‘starting zone’—designed for newcomers to get a handle on things without too much challenge. Apparently, all beginner-level quests keep you close to town, and everything is kind of… optimized for us.”

  Alex’s face lit with understanding. “That actually makes a lot of sense. I did think it was odd how straightforward everything has been.”

  Sam, who had been quiet up until now, chimed in, “So, things will get harder the further out we go?”

  “Exactly,” I said. “The guard said the further you get from town, the more things follow natural patterns, and the more challenging the quests become.”

  Alex nodded. “That’s good to know. It means we should take advantage of this while we can.”

  I sighed. “I just wish there was more to discover. I really want to forage every day, and I’ll need a reliable spot for that. Plus, I want to cook daily, but we’d need a place to settle for that, and I don’t want to commit to staying here.”

  Alex tilted their head, curiosity flickering across their face. “You’re thinking about Tyr, right? Heading to meet Mundi?”

  I nodded. “Yeah, but I need to figure out if there are caravans or traders heading that way. Traveling alone with Ana isn’t ideal. I also need to talk to you both—see if you’re planning to come with us or stay here.”

  “Fair,” Alex said thoughtfully. “Let’s wrap up these quests and then talk.”

  Talking about Mundi made me think of the chat. I sat down on a nearby rock, letting everyone know I needed a moment. Pulling up my connections, I focused on Mundi’s name, but the Chat option was greyed out. Frustrated, I muttered, “Maybe it’s a distance thing. Or we need to meet in person first.” Scrolling further, I saw Al’s name with the Chat option active. I quickly sent a message.

  Ani: Hello Al, sorry to bother you, but I have a question if you don’t mind.

  Confident I’d get a notification if they responded, I turned to Sam and Alex. “Did you know about the Chat feature?”

  Alex shook their head. “Nope, but it makes sense. A good way to stay connected.”

  Sam, who had been staring westward, spoke up. “The locket’s that way.” Their voice was quiet but resolute as they pointed further into the forest.

  “Alright,” I said, standing up and brushing off my pants. “Let’s head that way.”

  As we walked, I stopped occasionally to collect wild herbs and plants that Miriam might not have in her garden. Ana followed closely, sketchbook in hand, capturing the details of the foliage around us.

  “What’s the plan once we find the locket?” Alex asked, glancing at the map.

  “We’ll decide then,” I replied. “But let’s hope it doesn’t take too long. I want to talk about Tyr before the day’s over.”

  The forest became denser as we ventured further west, and the canopy above thickened, dimming the light. Sam stopped suddenly, crouching to inspect the ground. "There are footprints here," they said, their voice low. "Small, like a child’s."

  I frowned. "A child’s? Out here? Could it be someone from town?"

  Sam shook their head. "Not likely. Too far out. More likely… it’s something mimicking." They pointed toward a faint trail leading deeper into the woods.

  Alex tensed, their hand moving instinctively to the hilt of their knife. "Mimicking what?"

  Sam stood and met Alex’s gaze. "Minkels can mimic smaller creatures to lure prey. They’re opportunistic and crafty, with shells that can reflect light to disorient anything that gets too close. It might be using the locket as bait." Alex, had a far off look nodding.

  "Yes my book says it's a trapping method used to bring in small animals,"Alex agreed. They looked closer at the footprints. “Yes these are not a child’s footprints but are similar”

  A chill ran down my spine. "You’re saying this thing might be setting a trap for us?"

  "Maybe, but they normally go for small animals," Sam replied. "We still need to be careful."

  We moved cautiously along the faint trail, each step deliberate. The forest grew eerily quiet, the usual rustling of leaves and chirping of birds absent. Alex scanned the area, their eyes sharp. "Over there," they whispered, pointing to a clearing just ahead.

  In the center of the clearing, glinting faintly in a patch of sunlight, was the locket. It lay on a bed of moss, seemingly untouched. But the stillness of the clearing set my nerves on edge.

  "It’s too easy," I murmured.

  Alex nodded. "I’ll go first. Cover me."

  As Alex stepped into the clearing, the air seemed to shift. A low growl emanated from the shadows, and a figure darted out—a minkel, its shell gleaming and claws extended. Alex dodged nimbly, drawing their knife in one smooth motion. "Sam! Now!"

  Sam leapt forward, using a small sling to launch a rock at the creature’s shell. The minkel hissed and reared back, giving Alex just enough time to snatch the locket and retreat.

  "Got it!" Alex shouted, but the minkel wasn’t done. It lunged again, this time toward me. Panic surged, but Ana stepped forward, her hands moving rapidly in a series of signs.

  I was about to grab her and pull her back when I saw a faint, warm glow seemed to emanate from her fingertips, pulsating gently with each motion. It wasn’t just light—it felt calming, almost as if it carried a soothing energy. The minkel paused mid-lunge, its head tilting as if entranced by the glow. I watched in awe, realizing this wasn’t just Ana signing; it was her connection to something deeper, perhaps psionic or innate to this world, manifesting in a way I hadn’t seen before. The creature froze, tilting its head as if entranced by the light.

  Seizing the opportunity, Alex waved us back. "Go! Now!"

  We ran, the sound of the minkel’s claws on the ground fading as we put distance between us and the clearing. Finally, we stopped to catch our breath, the locket safe in Alex’s hand. Alex handed it over to Sam who stored it away.

  "That was too close," I panted.

  Sam nodded, their expression grim. "Minkels are smarter than they look."

  I glanced at Ana, who was calmly sketching the locket and the minkel. "You’re incredible," I told her, signing the words. Her ability to remain calm in the chaos, to step forward when it mattered most, amazed me. Even now, she captured the moment with precision and focus, her small hands moving deftly over the page. She smiled shyly, tucking her sketchpad away, as if unaware of just how extraordinary she truly was.

  "I spoke to them and asked them to stop that we were friends," she calmly signed but I realized that she wasn’t just telling stories but was telling the truth. I really need to get her into the menagerie and see about getting her training with animals. The menagerie is where they keep and care for various creatures, some of which are native to this world and others that are unique hybrids. It’s also a training ground for people like Ana who have a natural affinity with animals. I think it could really help her develop her connection with them, especially after seeing how she interacted with the minkel today.

  "Let’s head back to town," Alex said, sliding the locket into their pouch. "We’ve had enough excitement for one day."

  With that, we began the journey back, the forest seeming less ominous now that the locket was in safe hands.