*000000*

Runecrafting is sort of slow going, but it gradually speeds up as the skill improves. Once I manage to get it up to 10 I take another shot at spells I don't already know, and manage to get down some light-based damage spells that should trigger just like the thrown boulders, although I'll have to test which ultimately does more damage. I'm just guessing, but hopefully Grimm will be vulnerable to light damage and such. Anything with an area of effect is still too complex for me to fit on something that I can easily throw, but I get the skill up to 14 over the course of the day. I also accidentally skip lunch. Oh well.

I also need to make sure to make some flight spells that I can cast on myself when I can. The tactical advantages of flight are vast, and it's going to be pretty much essential against any flying Grimm since I don't have a gun skill and earth spells are sort of short range/not prepared to deal with things that can fly.

Actually, speaking of tactics, is there some sort of stealth skill? I could use one of those. Eventually, I'd like to be able to trap my enemies in an ever shifting maze of stone, using hit and run tactics against them as I control the very battlefield itself.

Subskills that aren't directly combat related can be unlocked either on reaching milestones in combat or production skills, or by meeting certain real-world conditions. For stealth, you'll unlock it once your dagger skill reaches 25.​

Oh thank fuck, hopefully that means I'll end up gaining general life skills like cooking the easy way too, because there was literally no other way I was going to get any better at them. Hopefully I'll get something to help me with running a business and ruling the world too, in an administrative sense.

For now though, I'm going to grind the shit out of runecrafting as hard as I can motivate myself to go.

----------------​

"So, what do you think of her?" Ozpin asks the moment Qrow steps into his office.

"She seems like huntress material. She didn't hesitate to step in when Winchester was bullying a student again, and she handled it by giving him a time out, instead of beating his face in like I would've at her age." Qrow grimaces, and Ozpin can't help but share the sentiment. Hopefully Winchester senior will lose the next election, so that his... ill-tempered offspring can be expelled, but it's not exactly likely. "Other than that, she's social, charming, outgoing, a little weird, and seems pretty damn confident she's going to be ready to take on a Maiden in a few months, despite being self-aware enough to know she's weak right now."

"I see." Ozpin stands, getting up to look out over his city as he continues. "As it stands, I will expect that she is being truthful until proven otherwise."

"Why? The fact that she has magic that shouldn't exist is all we know about her for sure." Qrow frowns. "Unless the fact that she called you Ozma means something. Unless there really is something you're not telling me."

"Qrow," Ozpin looks at his most erstwhile companion in this life, and he can't help but let his age show, "all I can ask is that you trust in my desire to protect the people of Remnant." These secrets are too much for him to ask others to bear, even if Sil seems to be so strangely nonchalant about her supposed knowledge of them.

Given that she claims not to have gotten this knowledge from the lamp, yet to also know the nature, and most likely the name, of Jinn, the most likely source is the gods themselves. But such a thing doesn't fit the qualities of the gods themselves, though they must certainly be beyond his understanding. He long ago came to the conclusion that he was sent to Remnant as a balancing factor, in addition to bringing the knowledge of the Relics' true function. That he was there as someone who would represent the interests of the God of Light, in order to balance the scale against Salem, who is certainly not a willing agent of the God of Destruction, but who nonetheless has gained some degree of his nature from being submerged in the pool of Darkness. That the Gods were obligated to maintain some sense of balance with each other, as a part of their working relationship. Sending Sil therefore would seem to be an upsetting of that balance, regardless of which God had sent her.

Unless she has been sent by both. But that theory has its own problems. She seems to be clearly on the same side as him, by her claims. Even if she somehow knows so much about him that she feels confident calling him a manipulative bastard, she's still willing to give him information about Salem and the Maidens, even if she stands to gain from doing so. Furthermore, she considers herself to be an independent party. Which implies that her goals are something more than his own, yet still along a similar vein.

She seems to be so very confident in her own strength, as well. Her own abilities. If she believes she can quickly grow to surpass a Maiden, just what does she believe to be her upper limit? The strength he once held? That of Salem? That of the Gods themselves? Not that such a thing was possible, but she may easily believe it to be, should her arrogance go unchecked. For all of her knowledge, she hardly seems to be much more than a child, certainly nothing like himself or Salem. So, could it be that she is at risk of making the same mistakes he made when he first returned to Remnant?

He will need to watch her closely. Very closely.

"I do." Qrow nods.

"Good. I'm glad to hear that. From here on I'd like you to keep an eye on her. Make sure she's telling the truth about not being associated with Salem, and keep track of just how much stronger she grows. Teach her what you can as well, if she's interested in learning."

"Alright. Should I see if I can get her to admit to what she thinks she knows about you?"

"I..." Ozpin frowns, his hands clasped solemnly behind his back once more. "I find it likely she knows the full truth already. I have not used that name in so long that I can think of no other way she would know it. But... if you wish to pursue it for yourself, I won't attempt to discourage you, except to say that you will not like what you find should it be the truth."

"I haven't liked what I've known for a long time. I doubt this will be any different." Qrow smiles sadly. "Not unless you're somehow secretly the evil party here."

Ozpin chuckles gently along with his old friend. "No, I'm afraid you have no such excuse to be rid of me."

"Good. Then I doubt we'll have any problems."

"I've also looked into the names she gave. Cinder Fall, Mercury Black, Emerald Sustrai. They are all registered at Haven, and have been submitted by Leo as one team among his entries into the tournament, along with a girl fitting the description of Neopolitan's disguise. The records show that they have already passed background checks administered by Haven, but I will have Glynda subtly double check their results, just in case."

"What do we do if they are suspicious?"

"Nothing, yet. Their presence at this school will make for an opportunity to watch them, attempt to confirm as much information about them as we can. And about Sil."

----------------​

Two days of crafting and occasional text conversations with RBY later, I'm interrupted in the middle of laying in bed reading on my scroll by Qrow crashing through my bedroom window in a cascade of glass, his scythe out and eyes darting around the room.

Normally I would probably end up being utterly shocked by this sudden and intrusive loud noise, but mostly I'm just confused, and a little bit pissed. I'm guessing that Gamer's Mind is probably helping me keep my composure. I was having a pretty nice... afternoon. I haven't even gotten out of bed today, it's been a great break after like four straight days of doing work.

"Dude, what the fuck?" I glare at him, though the effect is reduced because I'm still buried under my blankets and laying on my side.

Qrow's dramatic and intense entrance ruined, he begins standing awkwardly in the middle of the small pile of broken glass, looking anywhere but at me in a show of scanning the room. "I heard screaming."

"Yes, I was screaming in excitement because the main character finally got kissed by the hot vampire lady after hundreds of pages of angst." I'm not really much of a glarer under normal circumstances. Hell, I tend to barely even look at people. But for fuck's sake man, seriously? Thank fuck it wasn't a sex scene. Also, this means that Ozpin totally has Qrow on babysitter duty now, which admittedly I'm not particularly against. It'll be insurance against Grimm that I'm not prepared to fight, or if one of Salem's agents somehow get wind of me. And he is a skilled huntsman that I might be able to learn some stuff from. "Oz is so paying for that window."

Actually, come to think of, can I actually benefit from teaching? Will it advance my skills at all?

Instruction and sparring can help you develop relevant skills, but they won't grow as quickly as they would through combat unless the skill gap between you and the instructor is very large.​

Well, since Qrow is basically the baddest ass in all of Vale having him teach me should be pretty helpful, especially when my weapon skills are really low like they are now. Which is to say, only 11. Total novice territory. All I know how to do is stab stuff with it.

Actually, speaking of low skills, I don't even have any light armor right now, so that one is still at 1. I should get some, and I bet Qrow is just the guy to help me out with finding an armorer for hunters. There are some hunters who wear bits of armor after all. Like Pyrrha.

"I, uh..." Qrow trails off, looking so very distinctly uncomfortable that I can't help taking pity on him.

"Look, just get out so I can put some clothes on. I could use some more of your adulting and huntsman expertise anyway." I sleep naked, which is also beginning to make me feel really awkward. "And shut the curtains."

"Right." Qrow nods and does as I say, his stare vacant and movements disjointed as if he were sleepwalking.

About a minute later, I unlock my bedroom and step into the little combination living room and kitchen that's adjacent to it. It's the only other room in the house part of my combination house and business, and also has a ladder that leads to the shop downstairs, which is the only entrance. At least, it was until Qrow decided to turn the window into a second.

"So, I'm sorry about... that." Qrow says, having finally mustered the will to look at me.

"Eh, whatever. Turns out I'm kinda hungry after all, so I guess I don't mind being forced to get out of bed." I shrug as I pull out some leftover pizza and stick it in the toaster. "I can't afford to let myself get too lazy."

"Are you saying that you haven't eaten today? And is your fridge completely empty?" Qrow's eyes narrow suddenly as he starts watching me intently.

"I ate dinner at like, 1AM. That counts as today. I haven't managed to get out and go shopping though. I've just been ordering pizza. I'm actually not entirely sure where the nearest grocery store is."

At that, Qrow's eyebrow twitches, and he looks almost angry as he sighs heavily. "Alright. Once you're done eating I'm taking you shopping."

[+30 reputation with Qrow Branwen(70/100) you're reminding him of Yang after Summer died]

Wait, Yang was just a kid trying to take care of herself and Ruby on her own after Summer died.

I'd be offended if that weren't such an accurate description of my literal entire life. Also, I am a college student. It's kind of inevitable.

"I was going to suggest that anyway. I need some higher quality gear." In addition to that armor, my dagger is literally an iron dagger. It's the most basic of the basics.

"I meant for groceries, but sure. I'll get you permission if you need anything that's normally restricted. Can you cook?"

"Of course I can cook, I'm a culinary genius. Why, I once put sriracha sauce on a breakfast burrito I made myself. It made it a little bit spicy, it was delicious. Another time, I realized that I could put garlic powder in my spaghetti."

"Do you know how to cook raw meat safely and without starting a fire?"

"Of course." I tilt my head as I talk to him, curious. "Why wouldn't I?"

"Just checking."

With that, the oven dings and I pull out my pizza. In my ravenous hatred I show it no mercy, and also Qrow tires to interrogate me about stuff while my attention is divided. I have to admit, it's a good plan of attack.

"What were you doing out in the forest yesterday?"

"Fighting stuff to get stronger."

"You went into a forest to fight Grimm alone and with no real backup or specialized gear?"

"Look, I never claimed to be a smart woman. I am in fact a complete dumbass. I'm pretty sure I already mentioned that yesterday, didn't I?"

"I thought you were joking."

"I do not joke about such important matters, bird boy."

"I'm not letting you do something like that again."

"We'll see about that." I'm not telling him about dungeons and stuff. I'll just have to vanish from his point of view if I have to once I get around to those, although I'd rather find an alternative to that.

----------------​

"You've been skipping lunch?" Qrow radiates disappointment in my ability to live my life like a sane person with every word. Which, fair. I am a small, gay, magical, antisocial disaster gremlin. A lot like Neo but with less bloodlust and more lust for justice. I don't know what else he expected.

[+2 reputation with ?(4/100)]

On the bright side, you're an endearing little gremlin.

I... uh... that's really nice of you to say mysterious voice. Oh no now I'm blushing and Qrow is looking at me funny, quick go back to acting all nonchalant, like a girl didn't just compliment me.

"Not skipping, I've been forgetting about it. By the time I notice I'm hungry it's already dinnertime. It's really easy to get absorbed in my project, especially since aura makes it so I don't get fatigued as easily." The whole process of making my rune grenades is pretty simple, but the carving part itself is sort of automatically guided along by the skill, and it gets me into a serious state of concentration where I move on to the next as soon as I finish one.

On the bright side, I've gotten the skill up to 28, so I'm basically done grinding it for now. I'm also having more difficulty with more complicated runes, such that I think I'll need to improve my stats a bit more to be ready to handle. Having dexterous hands and a sharp eye is an important part of the process just as much as the skill itself is. As it stands I have a military bases' worth of magic grenade rocks sitting in my inventory. I can't wait until I have a chance to actually use them.

"Your project being developing consumable magic weapons to help fight Grimm?"

"Yeah. You want to watch me test some out once we're done shopping? I've already guessed that Ozpin has you babysitting me anyway."

"I'll be keeping my distance regardless. Can't let anyone who might be watching me know we're spending too much time together."

I sigh. I wish he wouldn't, mostly because I know he's probably only doing that because of his whole concern about his semblance. I've been able to see its effect on me this entire time, by checking my stat sheet. All I need to do to negate it is put enough points into luck, and I want to do that fairly soon because seriously, I don't want Qrow to spend most of his time watching me staying at a distance because he thinks he'll hurt me. For both of our benefits.

Name: Sil Marilis

Race: Faunus(Mermaid)

Level: 12

STR: 21

DEX: 40

END: 24

INT: 43

WIS: 32

LUK: -79(21-100)

Skills:

Geomancy(17/100)

Daggers(11/100)

Light armor(1/100)

Runecrafting(28/100)

It's a bit weird that people have more than just 10 luck, which I would assume to be a baseline, but I'm guessing it's a stat that doesn't change as non-Gamer people get stronger, so it makes sense that it would vary like that.

"Alright. What I need now are a good quality dagger and some light armor." We already went grocery shopping and I stored everything in my inventory. There's milk and yoghurt in there, but I'm pretty sure that my inventory will essentially freeze them in time, I just need to test it. I bet I can figure out a way to abuse that.

"Armor? You do realize that it doesn't do much against Grimm, right?"

"I didn't know that, but I'll be fighting plenty of things that it will help against, and I have ways of keeping it relevant no matter how much things may escalate. It'll be pretty useful." I doubt that dungeons will have any Grimm in them, after all. It feels like I'm still to buy forgetting something important though. Something I haven't thought about at all.

"Do you only have the one outfit, by the way?"

"Oh yeah, all my old clothes are gone now so I only have these." I nod appreciatively. "Good catch. I probably wouldn't have bothered if you hadn't mentioned it. Where do you hunters get your nice color-coordinated outfits from?"

"We buy clothes. And wear them." Qrow gives me another look. Why does that feel like it's happening way too often?

"Huh. Look, everyone at Beacon looks like their outfits were made by some sort of professional designer. They even have fancy emblems and everything. You can't blame me for thinking that." I pout a little at him. "Although I have to admit that I have a negative amount of confidence in my ability to do that."

Qrow rubs his temples as he heaves another sigh. "I'll help you out."

"Ah, thanks dude." I give him a thumbs up.

You know, it's kind of weird. At this point, Qrow has saved my life, embarrassingly burst into my room for a dumb reason, he was probably going to teach me how to cook if I couldn't already, and now here we are and he's helping me shop for a bunch of necessities. At this point he's literally the best father figure I've ever had, which is admittedly a really low bar. Honestly, if he wants to adopt me I don't even mind, he's a pretty cool guy.

We manage to find me a nice outfit that's suited for combat, consisting of an aquamarine blouse that matches my scales, black skirt, and black thigh highs. Some civilian outfits too, but I decide that one's what I'm going to wear for work, since having an iconic look is a good idea in general, even if I didn't want to escalate to being a literal deity. Gotta start out as a public figure on the way to becoming a supreme ruler.

"Didn't your parents teach you any of this shit?" Qrow asks as we're leaving the store. It's actually sort of surprising how helpful he was about all this, and how he was more knowledgeable about women's clothing than me, which admittedly isn't a great feat. There are two possible reasons for this that come to mind, and I don't intend to speculate on either of them, for vastly different reasons.

"That's... complicated." I say, scratching my neck. It's a bit of a nervous tic of mine.

"Fair enough." Qrow just nods and leaves it at that. Yeah, it's not surprising he'd understand.

Now that I have clothes we swing by a gunsmith's, which also does armor and melee weapons that aren't guns. It's more of a general armaments store for hunters really, but it's still called a gunsmith's.

I gotta say, shopping for weapons and armor is a lot more interesting than I expected it to be. Mostly because there are so many different things for me to compare by Observing them, and thus stuff to read so I'm not bored all the time.

Fire-Infused Steel Dagger

A steel dagger forged with fire dust, deals 60 additional fire damage when wielded by a user with an active Aura.

Damage: 120+.8*DEX+1.3*str

Literally anything in this shop is way better than my shitty iron daggers, but the stuff that's infused with dust is especially nice. I wonder if dust actually has any meaningful combat utility for me? Would there be any point in becoming a dust caster for the sake of having elemental diversity, even if it would end up being obsolete once I get the relevant types of elemental magics?

Dust is being treated as a magical material by the system, because that's what it is. Using it in combat would be considered to be a function of the associated elemental magic skill, meaning you'll only improve as quickly as a normal person without the relevant skill.​

Alright, not going to bother with that then. Although maybe I should keep some earth dust on hand from now on in case I end up running out of mana. Eh, it would be a pain to buy at this point. I'd have to go to a whole other store.

Anyway, a bunch more looking around shows that this is pretty much the best dagger around. Most of them are also guns, because of course they are. I'm a bit surprised that any of them are normal daggers. There wouldn't be much point in getting a gun dagger right now, so I'm not bothering with those at all. Having a source of fire damage just seems like a good idea to me, as a way of covering some of my elemental bases.

"I'll take this one." I bring the dagger up to the counter, where Qrow and another scruffy huntsman are talking about making me armor of some kind, and how pointless making me light armor would be. I'm actually starting to regret that little choice of skill. Maybe I'll get lucky and loot some armor in the dungeon, since the stuff Remnant can make seems like it must be inadequate on a multiversal scale, given people don't use it.

"You can afford that, kid?" The guy glowers at me, his beady little eyes narrowing suspiciously. His entire outfit seems like it used to be sky blue, but now it's stained grey with ash, matching his eyes.

"Yeah." It's pretty pricey at 8,000 Lien, but I'm good for it. My rent is 10,000 a month, so I'll still have plenty of funds after this. As it turns out, a Lien is about a dollar, but forging stuff with dust must be one hell of a process, so I'm fine with it. It's a damn good item, too.

"Well why didn't you just say you had a budget that could fit in dust-based metamaterials?" He says, berating Qrow. They're like peas in a pod. Grumpy peas. No wonder Qrow recommends this place.

"I didn't think we did, Len." Qrow gestures at me instead, shifting the blame.

"Well I didn't know that dust-based metamaterials were a thing." I reply, my answer only serving to make those two scoff at me rudely. Who reacts to ignorance like that? There's nothing I could have done to know this, it isn't in canon. "What kind of price are we talking about, for a lightweight set of armor?"

"Well," he takes a moment to scrutinize me again, "you're already pretty small, so you won't need a whole lot of material. I can probably make you something for about 120,000 Lien, depending on what types of dust you want it made with."

"Earth dust, I think." My hope is that if it's made with earth dust that wearing it might buff my geomancy. At the very least, I'm betting earth dust is relatively cheap, because wow that is a lot of my funds but also utterly worth it for the sake of not dying.

"You sure about that? Earth dust's only real benefit is that it adds a little durability and is cheap." Len raises an eyebrow curiously.

"It's not like I have that much money to burn on this. Simple and high quality is just what I need right now."

"Alright, I'm going to need to take your measurements." He must notice how I immediately get uncomfortable, because he hastily amends his statement. "My daughter will be doing that part, assuming you would prefer that."

"Yes." I clear my throat nervously and scratch an itch at my collarbone. "That will be fine. How long will it take to make?"

"About a week. I can't tell you the final price until I'm done, but expect something around 100,000 Lien."

"That's fine." A week is more than I would like, but also fortunately quick for something this expensive and no doubt complex. It does mean I'll have to grind without it for a while, but I should be fine.

And now I'm done shopping. Thank fuck. I just have to survive having my measurements taken. I'll