As if by magic, a pretty slip of an elf stepped out from a doorway behind the counter. To say she was gorgeous would be an understatement. Her long blond hair shimmered within the lights of the store, crystal clear blue eyes that made me jealous sat within the almond-shaped features. Her grayish-pale skin shone with an ethereal beauty. Full breasts with long legs and well-shaped curves hidden behind a simple blouse and pants with ankle-high boots, it all caused a rush of lust to move through my body.

  Working to keep my thoughts somewhat pure, I noticed Katie's look as well, which helped alleviate my touch of guilt for the sudden lusting of the elf so soon after our bonding. Her voice was musical in nature as she offered a dazzling smile,

  “ Welcome to my Grandfather's shop. My name is Ameri .”

  Even such simple words were mesmerizing as I watched the older elf hand her the contract. She added her mana signature to it, and her eyes turned towards Katie. “ Well, Katie, let's see what we can find for you. “ With that, she stepped out from behind the counter and slid an arm over Katie's shoulders. Talking to her quietly as they headed out of the main showroom into one of the side rooms.

  Meeting Namon's eyes, “ So I take it I am not going to be so easy?” I grinned, having accepted that my class was a lot more complicated. “ Hopefully, you have some insight.” Moving closer to the counter, he nodded and pulled out several crystals.

  “I do. And perhaps a business proportion, depending on whether you take the path I am proposing for you to consider. You have a very unique skill [Naughty Girl]. “

  A blush colored my cheeks a bit at his mention of the skill, and he shook his head.” No need to be embarrassed by it. Trust me, I have lived long enough to see far more embarrassing skills. You might say it is a niche skill, but there is a market for it.” I didn't hide my surprise at that.

  “Really, so there are people out there that would use a sword with a dildo handle or as a club or gun?” Granted, what I just mentioned was pretty lame when said out loud. Ideas were still budding within my imagination. Something that I will have to ensure I set aside time to jot down more valid and or unique ideas.

  “We can talk more about that another later, but keep that in the back of your mind. You don't have a useless skill, and as it ranks up, I am sure there will be a lot more than what you are seeing.” Pausing, he pushed four small blue crystals up.

  “These four crystals are skill shards. Rank 0, so it is just the very basic info. But extremely inexpensive. Easy to get up to Rank 1, especially if you have a trainer. You can do it on your own but it will take longer. If you are interested in such, I do have some services available that you can purchase. These skills are [Blacksmithing], [Weaponsmith], [Shape Object], and [Gunsmith].”

  I eyed the four skill shards for a moment. “ I was considering a more do-it-yourself build, but the problem I am coming up with is how do I balance that with combat skills. “ Giving a pause, I saw him nod in understanding. “ Now I am trying to set up some trainers on my world for hand-to-hand combat and melee weapons. I also want to learn how to use a gun. “ Sucking in a breath,” but time is a factor. There are only so many hours in a day, and I am also afraid of spreading myself out to thin.”

  For a moment, Namon seemed confused by my words before that Grandfatherly smile appeared on his face, like he was about to drop a knowledge bomb on me. It was a look I missed so much.

  “Sometimes I forget that new worlds don't understand how skills work. If you grew up in a system-controlled world, it is something you would know at an early age.”

  His words thankfully brought me out of that rabbit hole of memories before it could start. Giving him my best grin as my elbows rested on the counter,” Well, lay it on me then.”

  I watched his eyes light up, “ Oh, my pleasure. So having a skill gives you a huge advantage right now when it comes to learning. Especially combined with your [Rapid Learning] Skill. Especially with a trainer to help you through those first mistakes, you will become proficient a lot faster. So let's say you have a two-hour session, and then you spend two days practicing, by the time you see your trainer next, you will be ready for the next lesson. Having an actual skill makes muscle memory happen a lot faster. “

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  OH shit, I forgot about that skill. Plus, what he was saying made a lot of sense. “ So basically, I learn a skill, no matter what it is, and I gain the experience of trial and error faster.”

  Another nod of confirmation from him, “ Exactly. Now, let's say take a skill but no trainer. You have the knowledge, but it will take you more effort to rank up. The System only offers knowledge. Take [Weaponsmith]. Sure, you can make a knife that is functional, but it will not compare to a being trained properly, at least not immediately. Also, it takes longer for your quality to improve vs someone who has experience or is trained.”

  Time management will still be a factor, but perhaps not as much. I am sure he could see the wheels of thought turning in my brain while I worked through the implications. “ I take it there is more ?” I felt like a fucking dry sponge that just got dropped into the ocean of knowledge.

  “Well, not so much more, but you don't realize that more than likely you can follow a more diverse path than you think. Plus, Sara, you have time to learn. Maybe not as much as you think. But let's say you get to Rank 2 in sword before your integration. Another person on integration gains the Warrior class; more than likely, they will only have a Rank 1 to start unless they have training. A Master is usually rank 5 or higher.”

  I think my brain just exploded. Yeah, I am pretty sure I had brain guts all over the place. Yet he continued.

  “You should really lean into your building skills. Use your tech skills to your advantage. Right now, you don't feel you have much. Remember, you are just starting out. Plus, the basics are important. Even if you don't lean into the more physical combat, having a skill in it could save your life. Remember too you can switch out skills once a day. So when you are going out adventuring, you put your combat skills to active. Then, when you are at your shelter, you focus on your non-combat skills.”

  Sure, I could have figured it all out, but sometimes having someone just lay it out simply helps things click. Well, at least for me.

  “ OK, so what else would you recommend?” Thinking, when we get back, I will have to call those numbers Tony left me to get things rolling on the combat aspect of things.

  For a moment, I thought I saw a look of sadness in his eyes.” Look, lass, I am going to be honest with you. I know the System said you had six months. But I wouldn't count on getting that. So even with your advantages, you are going to have to work harder than your companion. I am sorry I can't say any more on that. “ Pulling out a couple more crystals. “ Now, these are Rank 1, but four are Rare, and one is Legendary, so extremely more expensive, and I don't have anyone on staff who can train you, but for you, I would highly recommend that you consider these. Again, the edge they will give you to start on your path can't be understated. “

  Namon pulled out four shards of a bluish color, but the last one was golden. He set it away a bit off to the side. “ So these four, pointing to the blue shards are [Mechanical Engineering] [Electrical Engineering] [Monster Core Manipulation] [Mana Crystal Manipulation], and the last one [Mage Tech Engineering],

  The inner greed goblin arrived as I saw what was laid out before me. These skills were the difference between life and death if I chose to follow the creator's path. Yeah, that is what I was calling this option. I could keep Katie safe, or anyone else, for that matter. I could work hard to ensure I don't lose anyone else important to me. I could become their shield. Yet even the Rare ones had to be out of my price range. I took a look at a few of the descriptions.

  Mechanical Engineering

  You have the basics down. Now it is time to ramp it up a notch. Oh, you didn't realize you had what it takes. Have you bothered to look at your passive skills? Probably not. And your Rank 2 in Ramen noodle cooking doesn't count. This Rare skill gives you a college education worth of knowledge, but will you utilize it or let it go to waste?

  Fuck is up with the System and its snarky comments. Honestly, it was starting to piss me off.

  Mage Tech Engineering

  This legendary skill can bring your creations from Meh, to Holy shit, I will buy ten. Only Technomancers get this skill as part of their class. Sure, you have to sell your next ten kids to afford a fraction of this skill, good thing slavery is legal in the multiverse. Using this skill will allow fine-tuning of magic into anything you create. It allows for a more seamless joining of technology and magic. Automatically increases the quality of all MageTech-created items to increase by one rank. This skill allows you to punch above your weight class, creating more advanced creations.

  One thought came to mind: Fem Bots. I am sure I was forming too much of a fascination with that goal. Still, the advantage of time and having such advanced skills to start would put my mind at ease. The time it would take to properly learn and execute such a skill seemed daunting, even with my learning skills.

  Something else bothered me. Namon had to know I couldn't afford these skills. Sure, I had some credits, but not even with my earth money could I afford all of these. He wants something from me. Dangle the carrot. That is what grandpa would have called this. He is trying to distract me from something. Not that I felt in any way he was trying to swindle me, but then what did I know? I was a minnow in a pool full of sharks.

  There was a silence between us while he let me think. At least he wasn't being pushy. None of that greasy used car salesman vibe. I was almost afraid to ask, but Grandpa's voice echoed in my head. When the carrot is dangled, they want something and want it badly. They want to make you feel at a disadvantage to get the better deal. When the carrot is dropped, always remember to negotiate hard. They want whatever from you; make them work for it.

  So I leaned into my role. I let out a sigh, you know that one when you are out window shopping, you find that super sexy red dress, but it is out of your price range. Yeah, that kind of sigh left my lips. Yes, I wanted the fuck out of those shards. Would I have to bust my ass to get the hang of them? Probably. Would it be worth it? Yes. I met his gaze as he gave me a gentle smile.

  “Good, now how about we make a deal?”