The Bastion was on ground level and when they walked in it was like a grand hotel, bank, and library crossed together. There were numerous different booths all around with people discussing important topics and trading items such as bags full of specter stones like the one Allen currently had in his possession. They both scanned the building until they spotted an open booth. In this one, was a beautiful woman with silky short brown hair and emerald-like green eyes.
The Bastion attendant was wearing a name tag that read "Augustine Beaulieu". She was surrounded by fragrant perfumes and candles causing a very pleasant aroma to permeate the air around her, and a dish with a solid perfume jar and a utensil that appeared to be for scooping the perfume from it. Allen noticed that some of the bottles were glowing and wondered if they were actually mana containers.
"How may I be of assistance to you two today?" She inquired in a cordially serene voice.
"Uh...we would like to ask about any information about unusual specter incidents and the Grim Reaper." Allen stammered out sheepishly captivated by the attendant's enchanting presence.
"Is that so? Are you two aspiring Traversers?" Augustine Beaulieu asked.
Allen was not sure how to answer while Nera immediately replied, "Yes."
"Magnificent. It's always great to see determined young people trying to make a difference while also staying informed about what they'll be facing out there." She conjured up a screen in front of her and started typing on it.
"I have just the right material for you. It should be here in just a moment," she brightly proclaimed as she finished and dissipated the screen.
"Before then, how about a little gift to potentially aid you in your future Traversing endeavors?"
She grabbed one of the various perfume bottles that surrounded her with this one particular glowing vividly and raised her hand over it.
"Poisoner Crafter, Page 9 - Mark of the Hunted."
A mystical magenta symbol materialized inside of the lavender bottle.
"Poisoner Craft? You aren't giving us poison are you?"
"Oh, of course not! Our Craft is called "Poisoner" but my family has not practiced dealing with toxins for over eleven generations. We switched to using our abilities to augment the properties of liquids in a much gentler way since then. It has been hard getting rid of the negative stigma that comes with being branded a "Criminal Craft" family though, but I believe helping people out here at the Bastion is sure to wipe some of that stigma away even if it's only a little bit.
"That's mega cool of you trying to improve your family's reputation like that Ms. Bealiue! You're awesome!" Nera earnestly complimented as Augustine handed her the bottle and she seamlessly handed it off to Allen.
"Oh, that's sweet of you to say. Honestly, I'm not anyone to be praised," she stated bashfully while holding her face and ineffectually hiding the bright red blush on it. She then took a deep breath to compose herself and put back on the professional air she had before.
"Anyhow, I cast an Enchantment on that perfume so that if you toss it at a specter, it'll activate and create a smoke trail for you to be able to track it no matter how far it runs away. That should be somewhat helpful, right?"
"Yeah, definitely," Allen replied keenly.
"Although, I plan to never get involved with those monsters for the rest of my life."
She smiled warmly in response.
"Ah! it looks like the information I requested is approaching us now," Augustine announced as she looked up.
From high up above from the building's ceiling, a massive book steadily descended until it landed into Augustine Beaulieu's hands who then enthusiastically showed it off to them.
"The Layman's Necronomicon, Vol. 74!"
After she handed it off to them, they began sifting through its page, and after a couple moments of looking, their faces were cast over in a shock and dismay which they desperately tried to hide.
"Would you like to be loaned that book? Our Bastion allows our materials to be loaned out to anyone with a valid Atelier I.D. for two weeks."
"Yes," they both monotonously said in unison.
Nera showed Augustine her flip phone to show her Atelier CIty status which caused a puzzled look to appear on the attendant's face.
Name: Nera Vide
Title: Exceptional Resident
PhysicalAbility: 48
Technique: 6
Merit: 1
"This device is very outdated despite the modifications made to it in order for this phone to work with Atelier City's status network. That shouldn't be a problem but it seems to also be restricted to Overworld access. Would like me to take off that restriction, so I can lend you this book?"
"Uhh...sure?" Nera uttered while not fully understanding what Augustine was going to do.
"Excellent! Just hold your phone over this scanner and I'll get that done in a jiffy!" Nera looked at the holographic scanner she mentioned and followed her instructions.
She typed a little on the holographic keypad she had and in matter of seconds, the details of Nera's status changed.
Name: Nera Vide
Title: Exceptional Resident
Physical Ability: 48
Technique: 6
Mana Control: 0
Mana Capacity: 0
Mana Output: 0
Skills: 0
Merit: 1
Allen and Nera observed that three new sections of Mana Capacity, Mana Output, and Skills had been added to the status.
"Now, you have access to the status format available to those who come and go through Atelier City's Luminaire District and will be able to borrow books from this Bastion."
"I see." Nera flatly stated with a nod.
Allen furrowed his brows and spoke up.
"Could you do the same for my status?"
"Sure!"
With a few more moments passing by, the appearance of Allen's status changed as well.
Name: Allen Lee
Title: Art Novice
Physical Ability: 8
Technique 4
Mana Control:
Mana Capacity:0
Mana Output: 0
Output: 0
Skills: 0
Merit: 0
'Hmmn, my physical ability and technique increased. They haven't done that in weeks. I guess I broke through some walls last night. And that mana control stat, I actually have a 1 in it, must be because I can use magical energy now a little bit.' Allen pondered this new status of his as Augustine finished the lending process with Nera.
***
After Nera got the book, with Augustine bidding farewell to the two cheerfully, they both walked out of the Bastion wearing the same grim expressions. They had to decided to skim through the pages and discovered two revelations that changed their outlooks on their situation. Allen and Nera almost wished they were still unaware of them.
'The Grim Reaper is an enigmatic and malevolent being that commands armies of specters and has caused several cataclysmic tragedies across the world. The Grim Reaper is known to bestow portions of their ominous power to some of their underlings resulting in the spread of even more destruction.'
'Craftless who have been exposed to large amounts of miasma in life-threatening encounters with specters may develop the ability to perceive and manipulate mana. In all cases, those that have gained this ability have become specters themselves within four months.'
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