Astor went to see what Bel and Hyakinth were up to. The [Appraiser] was here for a specific reason: he was one of the judges of the competition held by the Fourth Land, the reason why the Invention festival was happening in the first place. As an expert in items, it was only natural for him to hold such an important role.

  There, Bel was assisting Hyakinth. She became quite good at it, as clients and persons in general were always smiling around her. Ah, to be good at social gatherings. With them was another man, rather tall and strong-looking, a [Guard]? He seemed well acquainted with Hyakinth.

  Astor approached Bel.

  “Oh hey blue-eyes! Everyone, say ‘hi’, it’s my friend.”

  He was being put on the spot. They greeted him. Weird.

  “What’s up?” she asked.

  He replied, “Nothing, I was just walking around.”

  “The competition is starting soon, are you here for that?”

  Absolutely not, but he pretended to: he nodded.

  “Hey,” she called Hyakinth, “can we have an extra vip place for Astor?”

  “We’re already full, you should be glad to have a seat in the first place.”

  “Well, if you thanked me enough I wouldn’t be here, that’s on you.”

  Was she guilt-tripping him? Was it a bad thing to do? Astor’s moral compass was all over the place at this point.

  “Right, right, sorry Astor but you’ll either have to switch with her or get in the crowd.”

  He didn’t care all that much in the first place. “I’m fine, I will find a place.”

  They parted ways. He felt better after seeing her, it was always nice to be around her. She just had the sort of aura that made you feel like that.

  Finding a place far away from the crowd but close enough to zoom in with a barrier-lens made with [Arcane], he made himself comfortable. The stage’s ranks were filled to the brim. Judges had special seats and Bel was not far.

  The first contestant came up on stage, holding his item. He called it a “Converter”. Upon activation, it vacuumed objects and spit out mana potent enough to be visible. It would be a winning item if the world needed more mana. But given what happened at the Third Land, the reactions were predictable. People grew angry at the contestant, Hyakinth being the first to cuss at him. Mana influx was a heavy problem after all.

  Astor saw the potential to make more mana potions without needing adventurers to risk their lives fighting monsters. But right now, his invention was similar to an animal eating and shitting in the same river they drank from.

  Many other contestants continued to roll, one by one. The crowd grew thinner with each one as the inventions weren’t up to expectations. The most impressive invention of all times being talismans, being able to use any skills, with or without a System, was priceless. They were extremely hard to make though.

  Coming on stage was a familiar face. The lady from the inn yesterday. Of course she would be here for the competition, most Helpers were researchers, and in this case, inventors. It should be interesting.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Her item floated in the air. No mana required, according to her. She tossed it in the air and activated it with a vocal command. The item glowed and everything around bent toward it. Air, light, materials, anything. It warped without distinction.

  She named it “Gravity warper”, which is an odd name for gravity and warp together sounded redundant. Scientists and their naming-sense… It took the interest of the judges, who swarmed her with questions about it. Astor kinda wanted to ask some too, like what its main use would be, but he was in no place to do so. Not only that, but she was still a Helper. The first day of the week-long competition wrapped on that.

  Astor went back to the streets and continued to learn about items.

  Stars settled in the sky, reminding him of the time of the day. Should he go back for dinner? What did they plan on? A stand’s smell lured him. Smokey, the smell of cooked meat with spices.

  “What can I do for you?” the vendor said.

  Astor stared at the food with intent. He pointed at one of them.

  “One? Coming right up!”

  He took the brochette handed to him. It smelled good and looked like it’d ooze with juice at the first bite.

  The vendor spoke, “I almost forgot to tell you, the red spice on it grants a random effect, it differs from one person to another. I wonder what yours is!”

  The red spice could do that? Like a legendary item? He took a bite. A voice, unfamiliar, resounded in his head.

  Passive: reduce every mana cost by 1.

  The same as his cloak.

  “That’s a good effect! Might be the best I've ever seen,” the vendor said.

  Astor’s curiosity took over, “Where is that red spice from?”

  “Have you heard about the gigantic tortoise in the First Land?” Astor didn’t like where it was going. “We grinded it into powder and it turned out that way.”

  Disgusting. Actually very delicious but either way.

  Astor saluted him and went back home. It was a bit too much to fathom, even for him. Especially for him, he just ate what he killed! And it dated from a few months ago too… Will he get sick?

  “Welcome back Astor,” Cayn said.

  Astor bowed back.

  “Have you eaten yet? I can cook you something if you want.”

  That was very nice of him. That being said, the timing was horrible. Astor declined.

  “Oh and I found a cat’s lair, want to come with me to see it?”

  Astor jumped at the occasion, “I do!”

  “I like your enthusiasm,” Cayn said, laughing, “not now though, it’s getting late.”

  Astor didn’t mind staying up at night, like he usually does. But the festival kinda changed their habits, at least temporarily.

  Bel came back, “Boys, I’m tired. Let’s sleep right now.”

  ***

  Dawn. Sunlight on his face, waking Astor in a good mood. He was excited to see some cats today, it’s been so long.

  Bel was already gone, like yesterday. As for Cayn, he was surprisingly asleep. It might be the first time Astor actually woke up before him. Cayn had atrocious bed hair, like a poulp on his head. Funny.

  Astor stared too long and Cayn opened his eyes slowly. “Good morning,” he said.

  “Morning,” Astor replied.

  Cayn stood up, stretched and went on with his routine. Astor observed his hairstyling. A bit of water magic coupled with some wind and to finish it, straightening with some barriers. Impressive? It looked good at least. Astor kept a hood on at all times, so he never cared about hairstyling until now.

  “Let’s depart, shall we?” Cayn said.

  Astor nodded fast.

  They walked on the opposite side of where Astor went yesterday. Far from Bel and the competition. They continued for a long time until Cayn stopped in front of an alley.

  “Alright, they are right there,” he showed a box, “approach gently.”

  Astor did as told. One step. Two steps. Three steps. One mama cat and its litter of three kittens. If he had a skill to communicate with them he’d ask if they needed anything, but as of now, he had none.

  On the way, Astor had bought some food. He took them out and offered. They all ate with no hesitation. What were those cats doing on the streets? During the festival even. Were they lost?

  Cayn came, “Cute, right?”

  Astor agreed.

  “I was planning on finding a better place for them to live, do you have any idea where?”

  Astor pondered, but he only went to a small portion of the city so far. “I don’t know.”

  “I was thinking of putting them in our room if no one picked them up today, thoughts?”

  He was more than pleased about the idea. “Sure!”

  They kindly asked the cats to go into the box, which they did. Carrying them, they went back to the inn and gave them a nice bed; one of the beds was vacant anyways. Astor played with the kittens.

  Cayn spoke as he smiled at him, “Alright, I will go back to search for the World Boss, stay here as long as you want.” He left.

  Astor could stay all day, but it’d be unfair to leave all the work to Bel and Cayn. The least he could do was gather more information, again. So he reluctantly left the cats alone. Leaving some food, of course, and even his cute cat plushie.