After leaving the trainer they were taken to an office to fill out some paperwork. They had to agree to some basic rules, such as no murder, and play fair with taxes. The guild had to get its money somewhere. And they received their guild badges. Small palm sized pieces of metal that displayed the symbol of the guild. They had to channel a little mana into it. And after that it would verify their membership, and identity to whoever appraised it. As long as they were holding it.

  After that they were taken to the second floor of the guild.

  It was a massive warehouse. Spatial storage crates were piled on top of each other like they were common place chests! There was a clerk there that appraised their items. They sold everything except their tools and gear. The bandages didn’t fetch a high price. But they were by necessity crude things. So a high price was not expected. They mainly sold them so they would have less clutter in their crate.

  Speaking of their crate, they sold it as well. Apparently it was going to be added to the stash of crates that filled the floor. At the same time they traded for a much smaller spatial ring. It had less storage than the crate. But it was far easier to carry. And it was keyed to only work for them.

  They came out behind on the deal. But it was far more convenient.

  All told they left the trade floor with fifty gold pieces.

  After that Senec said, “I received permission to show you to the house. If you follow me I can take you there. The seller will meet us as well.”

  They agreed and were soon outside the guild again. They walked the streets, this time in full kit and without a bulky storage crate.

  “You should make a habit of wearing your gear at the guild. As well as when you are traveling between it and somewhere else. I know it can be uncomfortable. But it will earn you respect. And while many will respect you on the basis of your level alone, others will be jealous of you. Or think you cheated in some manner"

  Kennon chuckled. They had cheated in a way. It was taking time to realize. But they leveled far faster than anyone else. Even Senec, despite being more than triple their level, and once called system favored himself, was only at that level after a lifetime of effort. He had to be at least one hundred and forty, maybe more depending on his exact skills and stat spread..

  Determining age was hard when people had stats.

  As they walked towards the opposite side of the city from the gate the buildings got larger. The rune work on them got more extravagant. And the architecture shifted from grand but functional to seemingly useless, and expensive. Who needed a ten meter tall, non functional, scale on their building!

  Senec eventually said, “the guild is in the economic sector of the city. That is the area to go to look for goods and services. At least as long as you are willing to pay the mark up. This is the noble sector of the city. It is where I, and the other nobles, or rich merchants live. It is also the center of law. You only come here when you are in legal trouble, or going to an expensive home.”

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  So, that explained it. The scale was probably for a courthouse. A symbol of justice. At least in theory. It really served more as a symbol of wealth. They were a little surprised that Senec lived here. But he did have the noble name, “Lux”. And they supposed anyone that got high in the guild would be able to afford some luxury after a hundred years of work.

  They would be the last ones to begrudge other’s luxuries. Their home had wards that used an entire realm as a battery. Sure, they were vitally important. And the only reason they were alive. But it was hard to imagine a larger expenditure of wealth on a home.

  And they had never exactly lived as paupers.

  After passing through the noble sector houses got smaller, less extravagant. It wasn’t like there was a clear line that denoted the change. And the road remained in perfect quality the entire time. But eventually they were coming across what was clearly housing for the poor. Large, multi story long houses that had windows into every room. All of them the same, all of them cramped.

  Senec said, “After the residential area comes the slums. We are proud to say that there is not a single homeless person in the city. And everyone that lives in the shelters is well nourished. But sadly not all of them live as I do. Next comes the industrial area. If it smells, or makes a lot of noise, but still needs to be done it is done there. Your workshop is on the edge of it. Along with several other minor smiths and crafters.”

  Bev wasn’t sure how to feel about that. They had seen some nice looking places back in the residential sector. Small, but big enough. Did they really have to live in the industrial sector?

  Senec seemed to pick up on her hesitation as he said, “there are strict rules in the residential sector. Setting up a smithy, or alchemy shop would be the clearest violation of those rules to have ever passed the courts. But don’t worry. It is common for smiths to live in the industrial sector. They either live there, or they rent a smithy. And renting a smithy often costs more than buying a home.”

  Well, that made sense. Kennon could make quite a stink sometimes with his alchemy. It wouldn’t be kind to the neighbors they supposed.

  Soon the highly standardized shelters stopped, and as if they had passed a magical mark in the ground the rumbles, and smells of industry began. The houses in this area were all simple. And practical to the extreme. Soon they stopped in front of a building.

  “This is it.” Senec said.

  It was small. Barely three times the size of their cabin in the portal. But outside it had a large open area. The flooring there was made of a stone that Bev recognized. It was enchant clay! Extremely easy to enchant. And while the enchants didn’t last more than a few months they were easy to repair. They had a desk made of it for her to practice on back home with Margie.

  Its primary use was to make customizable enchants for an object, or area. Perfect flooring for a workshop.

  Then she noticed the chimney in the corner of the house. It had purification runes spiraling over it prominently. It wouldn’t do a thing for wood smoke. But for alchemical mishaps it would prevent a mistake from killing the neighbors. Clearly there was a fume hood inside. Perfect for Kennon.

  They didn’t even need to see inside. They already knew it was perfect. Then they saw a stout man wearing garish robes, and covered in unenchanted jewelry.

  They might have some trouble paying for the place.