Maki sat down in the Guild’s mess hall with a plate of food, ready for breakfast.

  Just before he took his first bite of bacon, the room shook. He paused, waiting as the earthquake passed by, then put the bacon in his mouth.

  A few seconds later, Echo sat down across from him, one of everything on her plate.

  “So those are just a normal thing here?” she asked, eyes wide.

  “Eh, they’re getting worse,” he shrugged, cutting into his pancake. “But yeah.”

  “Scary,” she decided, and took a bite of omelette. Her eye twitched, obviously not enjoying it at all.

  Maki watched her as they ate, wondering why she’d force herself to eat food she didn't like. He was about halfway done when Maeve joined them, her plate full of syrup-covered sausages.

  “Healthy,” Maki commented.

  His sister locked eyes with him and slowly bit a sausage in half.

  “Could you be any more weird?” Maki asked, scooting away from her.

  Maeve grinned, then turned to Echo. “So! Any plans today?”

  “Not really,” she said with a shrug. “I kinda wanted to ask Cali why there were a thousand birds around her window last night, but I’m sure that won't take long.”

  Maki frowned. “That… doesn't sound normal.”

  “I hope not,” Echo said. “The cooing kept me awake until like two in the morning.”

  “Yeah, not normal,” Maeve decided, then smiled as Luke sat down next to her. “Hi.”

  He flicked his tail to curl around hers. “Morning.”

  Before their cuteness could get too revolting, Cali sat down next to Echo. Another round of greetings passed through the group.

  “What did you do with birds last night?” Maeve asked Cali.

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  Cali’s ears went back. “Nothing, I just… called them to me. And then they didn't want to leave. I was practicing a new charm spell, and it didn't work like I hoped it would.”

  “New spell?” Echo asked. “You leveled up recently?”

  For some reason, Cali looked at Luke. “Yeah, I, uh… Yeah…”

  Maeve didn't look pleased. “What happened?”

  Luke sighed, rubbing his face. “She carved a boost stone that made the boost permanent.”

  “That’s possible?” Echo asked, leaning forwards.

  “Not any more,” he said quickly. “The only place that rune was written was in my book, and Bonnie made me destroy it.”

  “Oh, that’s why you…” Maeve trailed off, then stared at her cousin. “What’s your level now?”

  Cali fidgeted. “It’s, y’no, just kinda… a little…”

  Maki reached out. “Cali.”

  “...Just over a thousand?”

  Silence. Luke flinched and glanced around the room, but said nothing. If it wasn't true, he would have objected.

  The silence was broken by Echo’s laugh. “That’s impossible. Boost stones can't get that high. The highest they’re made is 200, and even that sometimes drives people crazy. Having level 1000 charm magic would immediately turn you into some kind of mind-controlling supervillain.”

  “Right,” Cali said with an unconvincing laugh. “I have level 97. Charm. That’s it. Not 1000, that would be crazy.”

  Echo nudged her elbow, and Maki saw her eyes flick to where a stat screen would appear. “Don't tell lies like that. If anyone seriously thought you had charm magic at over 150, you could get imprisoned and executed for national safety. That or they’d manipulate you into doing seriously messed-up stuff.”

  Cali’s eyes widened. “Oh. I- I hadn't thought of that.”

  “And if you did have charm that high, I’d suggest you start wearing gloves and long sleeves so no one with abilities that activate on touch could, like…” Echo nudged her elbow again. “Like do that, and see your stats. But you were lying, so no worries.”

  Cali pulled away from the Spy, ears and fur completely flat. “Right.”

  Echo gave her a friendly smile, then went back to eating.

  Maki stared at the changeling, impressed by her acting abilities. And by the way she’d handled that in general.

  He knew, as sure as he knew anything, that Cali hadn't been lying. A glance at Maeve showed she also knew.

  Echo looked at him. “Do you have any plans for today?”

  Maki cleared his throat. “Yeah, I got permission to use the local Guards’ target practice range. Was going to go make sure I don't start losing levels due to no use.”

  “Can I come?” she asked, sitting up. “I’d love to see what fighting techniques people here use.”

  “Sure, if the captain allows it,” he shrugged.

  “And I’ll take Cali shopping,” Maeve said. “Summer is going to end soon, and we have space for more stuff now, so we need new outfits.”

  “And I’ll finish working,” Luke added. “Joy.”

  That all decided, they finished breakfast.