Sarah stirred, blinking against the pre-dawn light that seeped through her curtains. The soft, new carpet felt luxurious beneath her bare feet as she stretched. It wasn't just the employees' rooms that had been upgraded; her own had received a makeover too.

  The familiar, if slightly shabby, rug had been replaced, windows, actual fucking windows, now sported elegant drapes, and a sleek new table sat beside her armchair. The time would suggested it was around 6:00 am, or this-world's equivalent, the time she invariably woke. An unexpected notification awaited her.

  < Your class has leveled up

  - 5 stat points have been awarded

  A small, almost anticlimactic feeling accompanied the message. Compared to the dazzling and booming announcements that had accompanied her previous level-ups, this one felt strangely brief. A quiet "ding" rather than a triumphant fanfare. Still, the fact remained: she had leveled up. While asleep.

  Sarah groaned, pushing herself up against the pillows. The last thing she remembered was sinking into her mattress, intending to just "rest her eyes" for a moment before the tower closed. Two glaring oversights immediately sprang to mind, making her wince. A: She’d completely forgotten to ask Melissa, the recently employed mage, how she would feel about a promotion. And B: She’d utterly failed to show Melissa to her new quarters.

  Sarah mentally berated herself. Employer of the year? She was practically a contender for "Worst Boss Ever." Images of employee rights tribunals flashed through her mind, complete with stern-faced judges and mountains of paperwork. At least she was keeping everyone fed. That had to count for something, right? A niggling voice whispered that, no, it probably didn't entirely absolve her of her other failings.

  Relief washed over her as she remembered Ariel. Bless her insightful, proactive soul, she’d clearly taken initiative. Melissa hadn't spent a second night slumped in a chair, thank goodness. Ariel had likely used her skills and understanding of the tower’s layout to find Melissa’s new room and ensure she was settled. Sarah made a mental note to find Ariel later and reward her with something special. She deserved it.

  The mystery of the level-up still nagged at her. How had it happened? The only explanation she could conjure was the tower itself. But how? The building had leveled yesterday after her improvements, but she didnt receive hers alongside it. Did she earn experience points from the challengers who dared test their skills against Sebastian? Or was it something else entirely? Sarah desperately needed more information. A comprehensive guide, perhaps, something titled "So You've Become a Necromancer: A Handbook for the Modern Day Dark Mages in a new world."

  A brisk run was exactly what she needed to shake off the lingering morning fog. Sarah slipped out of her tower, the cool air a welcome bite against her skin that quickly faded with her increasing pace. She nodded to a few fellow early risers, their shared pursuit of fitness creating a silent camaraderie, as she made her way to the city gate.

  She broke away from the predictable path of Central Street, turning onto a quieter road that led into the residential heart of Grower's south side. The robe, despite its length, moved with her as she ran, a whisper of fabric against her legs.

  The change of scenery was refreshing. The imposing, grey structures of the main street gave way to the charming, if somewhat cramped, terraced houses of the suburbs. Sarah ran past small, well-tended parks, their green spaces a vibrant contrast to the surrounding brick and stone. A small, tranquil pond reflected the pale morning sky, a pocket of serenity amidst the growing hum of the city. She exchanged greetings with a few residents, some already starting their day, or out for a leisurely stroll, their friendly smiles a stark contrast to the hurried faces she usually encountered.

  < Because of your hard work and ability to push past your physical limits, Endurance has increased by +1

  An hour later, her legs pleasantly weary and at least seven miles under her belt, Sarah returned home, feeling invigorated. A quick workout followed her run, but while her muscles burned, no satisfying notification popped up. Her strength remained stubbornly static, a clear indication that while her endurance was improving, she still had work to do in other areas. She showered, the warm water washing away the remnants of her exertion, and dressed, her mind already turning to the day ahead.

  First on the agenda: Melissa.

  Sarah felt a pang of guilt. She barely knew the woman she’d hired. In her haste, she’d neglected the basic courtesies of getting to know her new employee. Standard questions, the kind any employer on Earth, or Ciria, would ask – where are you from, what are your qualifications, what kind of magic are you proficient in – had all gone unasked. It was a glaring oversight, and one she intended to rectify immediately.

  Determined to make amends, Sarah grabbed a quick breakfast and headed upstairs. The top floor of her tower, thanks to last night's renovations, now housed a variety of new rooms. Melissa's apartment was among them, along with several other living spaces and communal areas. A spacious kitchen, a small cafeteria, a comfortable lounge, and even a library (currently bare, a project for another day) had been added. The upgrade had been expensive, but the added space was worth it.

  The thought of moving Solus flickered through her mind, a reminder of the darker aspects of her life. But she pushed it aside. Now was for Melissa, and the collection of souls could wait.

  She found the mage in the cafeteria, already enjoying a cup of steaming coffee. Sarah joined her, plate in hand, and launched into a casual conversation that quickly morphed into a proper interview.

  Melissa, initially surprised by the sudden interest, warmed to the topic, her passion for magic evident in every word. She recounted her upbringing in a small village nestled in the foothills of the Dragon's Tooth mountains, where she’d discovered her affinity for elemental magic at a young age.

  She spoke of her rigorous training at the Academy, her specialization in manipulating fire and earth, and her desire to use her abilities to help others. As Melissa spoke, Sarah listened intently, finally getting to know the woman who worked for her, realizing how much she had misjudged her. The "in your face" mage, as she had initially perceived her, was actually a thoughtful and dedicated individual, driven by a genuine love for her craft.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Melissa’s potential as an Overseer was undeniable, provided she could maintain impartiality and resist the urge to favor certain challengers. With this in mind, Sarah broached the topic of promotion. The tower’s trials required a new administrator, and the mage seemed a fitting candidate. If not the only. After confirming Melissa's appointment, the tower presented Sarah with a crucial decision regarding the trial structure.

  - Successive Trials: Challengers must complete the first trial before proceeding to the second.

  - Openly Challengeable Trials: Challengers can choose which trial they wish to attempt, regardless of whether they have completed previous ones.

  The former option ensured a linear progression, while the latter allowed challengers to bypass Sebastian’s “War Tide” and head straight for Melissa’s “Riddle Room.” The newly configured staircases now awaited Sarah’s decree, their ascent contingent on her chosen rule and the tower’s acquiescence.

  Sarah, not one to shy away from a bit of magical manipulation, also discovered she could rearrange the trials at no extra cost. A mischievous glint in her eye, she promptly swapped the order. The Riddle Room, originally intended for the second floor, was now situated on the first, while War Tide ascended to the second.

  The Riddle Room, designed to test the challenger’s Wisdom stat, had cost Sarah a hefty four souls to establish. This investment spoke volumes about its intended difficulty. However, much like this world’s version of chess, challengers were granted a degree of autonomy, able to choose from a list of available options:

  < The Riddle Room

  - Challengers may choose a blessing from the list below. Costs are set by the Overseer and payment is required upfront.

  Blessings Available:

  - Wisdom +1

  - Wisdom +2

  - Wisdom +3

  - Wisdom +4

  - Wisdom boost 5% (24 Hours)

  - Wisdom boost 10% (12 Hours)

  - Wisdom boost 15% (1 Hour)

  While the blessings for this trial were higher than Sarah initially anticipated, she strategically placed it first. Her reasoning was sound: over time, the Riddle Room would become progressively easier to conquer. She planned to regularly swap the riddles, adjusting their complexity as needed. While the difficulty would scale with the chosen blessing – a +4 Wisdom blessing would unlock significantly harder riddles than a +1 – the overall challenge would still be less daunting than facing Sebastian in War Tide.

  Sebastian, the enigmatic Overseerer of War Tide, remained undefeated. His record was impeccable, a testament to his strategic prowess and mastery of the game. Well, almost impeccable. There was that one instance against Solus, a match that Sarah was convinced Sebastian had deliberately thrown. The memory lingered, a nagging suspicion that perhaps even the most steadfast guardians had their moments of leniency. But for now, the Riddle Room stood as the first hurdle, a test of intellect before the strategic battlefield that lay beyond.

  After a lively chat with everyone gathered around the fountain in the common room, Melissa was stunned to learn that the cottage wasn't a quant little building but a hidden tower that housed a talking door. Unbeknownst to her, it wasn't just a talking door, but a murderous one, a fact she'd only discover if she dared to try and pass.

  Meanwhile, Sarah was reeling from a different revelation: Melissa was 43, but didn't look a day over 21. It was also the reason she struggled to find an adventuring party and looking for steady employment. No one wanted a mom figure along to nag at them, even if she did look like Rihanna.

  The clatter of coins and the murmur of excited chatter still echoed in Sarah's ears as she left the common room, the image of Solus, laughing as Melissa choked on her breakfast, burned into her mind. She pushed it aside. Business called.

  The Immortal Receptionist and her Overseers would manage the trials while she was out, leaving Sarah free to handle administrative needs. Ariel had already delivered yesterday’s profits – a satisfyingly heavy pouch of coins that went straight in her ring. Now, for the less glamorous, but equally vital, task of stocking the pantry.

  Sarah sighed. Grocery shopping was a chore, but a necessary one in any world. She hoped to find a reliable, delivery service, freeing her from constant trips to the market. As if summoned by her thoughts, a familiar voice broke through her reverie.

  “Your eyes are the same color as… As the summer sky during a cloudless storm,” the voice declared, the hackneyed compliment delivered with an earnestness that was almost charming. Was that a compliment? Sarah didn’t even need to turn around. She knew that voice, just as she knew the large, white lion that inevitably accompanied it.

  “Leo,” she greeted, a smile playing on her lips. The lion flushed a delicate pink beneath his thick fur, his golden eyes shining with an almost puppy-like adoration. Sarah knew Leo harbored a fondness for her that went beyond casual acquaintance. It was… Endearing, in its own way. “I’m so glad you’re here. I need to find someone who can deliver fresh goods to my t… Cottage on a daily basis.” The slip was almost automatic, a constant reminder of the strange duality of her life.

  Leo’s ears perked up, his tail thumping against the cobblestones. “I can do it!” he offered eagerly, the image of himself as a personal delivery boy clearly thrilling him.

  Sarah chuckled. “That’s sweet, Leo, but I don’t think so. I appreciate the offer, but I need someone a little more… Available. And perhaps a little less… Captain of the Guard.” She couldn’t have a giant white lion turning up at all hours of the day under the pretense of delivering groceries.

  And so, they found themselves at Marcus’s stall, a riot of colors and smells. Marcus, a stout man with a beard that seemed to have a life of its own, presided over a mountain of fruits and vegetables, some familiar, others exotic and unknown. Sarah haggled good-naturedly, discussing prices, delivery schedules, and the inevitable extra fees. She emerged from the encounter feeling satisfied, her coin purse a little lighter, but her mind at ease. She’d have to make a trip to the bank soon to exchange her silver for gold, but that could wait.

  The bank was conveniently located next door, but Sarah was on a mission. “Next stop, the bookstore,” she announced to Leo, who had trailed along faithfully. “I’m tired of looking at empty shelves.”

  Leo nodded, leading her to a quaint shop tucked between a tailor’s and a perfumery. “My shift starts soon,” he explained, “I was actually on my way to the guard house when I caught whiff of your…” He trailed off, suddenly finding the cobblestones fascinating. He cleared his throat. “…When I noticed you. Yes, when I noticed you.” He winced inwardly after trying to backpedal.

  Sarah thanked him for his help and bid him farewell, promising to catch up later. As she stepped into the bookstore, the scent of old paper and leather filling her nostrils, a nagging feeling tugged at her memory.

  There was something she’d meant to tell Leo… Something important. But with the constant demands of her life – the necromancy, the trials, the constant need to hide her true class, the urge to level up and grow stronger – her mind was a whirlwind of thoughts. She shrugged it off, deciding it would come to her eventually, and turned her attention to the shelves, eager to fill her own with the promise of knowledge.

  Now, where will I find Necromancy for Dummies?