Maximilian's gaze hardened as he decided what to do. "Stay with my mother and follow me out." He held up his right hand as he called on the dao of squall. A circular barrier of hurricane-strength winds formed a moment later. He condensed the barrier as much as he could until he had a shield that could take one of his strongest attacks. He wasn't sure what the threat was, but he was confident that he could handle it. He gave the group another moment to brace themselves as he led them out of the room and into the lobby. A lobby that had fallen into chaos. The main entrance was half-collapsed, as dozens of bodies littered the floor. Even more cried out in pain. He surveyed the situation and began to put things together. Someone or something had bombed the place. He unleashed a jet of pressurized rainwater in time to blow a chunk of the wall apart before it could crush a woman who had her leg pinned. He swore inwardly as he made a choice. "Keep her safe no matter what!" Spiritual energy surged into his feet as he joined the chaos. He abandoned his barrier in favor of supporting the building. Tornado-like tendrils shot toward the roof as he sought to stabilize what he could. A golden flash to his left told him that Justinian was still here.

  He knelt next to the injured woman and quickly lifted the stone off her. He did his best to keep a smile on his face as he surveyed her injury. It wasn't a permanent wound, but it would make it hard to move for now. He placed his palm over it and wrapped it in a veil of water. He was pretty sure his healing abilities would be enough for something this minor. "As soon as you can walk again, get out of here. Help anyone you can along the way." He imbued his voice with a small amount of spiritual energy and authority to overcome the fear. The woman nodded, and Maximilian was off. His attempt at holding the building together was failing and failing fast. It wasn't that he was too weak to do it, but his daos weren't for this. It was like trying to hold onto something slippery. He added the dao of rain to give the wind more solidity, but that was a patchwork. He saved several more people before a wall to his left exploded as a panther-like monster was launched through, followed by Yao Wei.

  "I would appreciate an explanation," Maximilian said. A bolt of bluish electricity arced out to blow up the cat's skull.

  "A group has targeted Congress. Several explosives were placed in and around the arena, as well as the outer wall. Monsters have flooded in."

  Maximilian nodded, a bit impressed by how curt the explanation was. They exchanged a few more words, but Yao didn't know much more than he did. He and Justinian had been close by when the attacks started. Both had joined the fighting immediately. Once Yao left to rejoin the battle, Maximilian turned his attention back to helping. Part of him knew it was better to go fight since that was where the energy was, but he refused. He spread his dao throughout the room to help as many people as he could. Everyone's bodies had improved to a great extent, resulting in few fatalities. If they weren't killed in the initial impact, they would survive. His healing further increased their survivability. The more pragmatic part of him knew that he could go into the field and fight off the monsters. A part that he quickly silenced. He was more than strong enough at this point. No, he needed to focus on the area where he would be the most useful. He double-checked that he hadn't missed anyone and then stepped out into the settlement. He ground his teeth as he took in the chaos. Several buildings had been destroyed, all of which were old-world structures. From what he could tell, the others had the beasts handled, so he decided to focus on search and rescue. He formed tendrils of wind and water as he stepped toward the closest pile of rubble.

  Thirty minutes later, he stood across the street along with the rest of his diplomats. They hadn't figured out who was responsible for the attack or even what the point of it was. Neither Yao nor Justinian reported anyone, not that communication was open right now. The UWG fully turtled up, which only made the situation worse for them. Not only had the attack made them seem weak and vulnerable, but Maximilian came away looking like a hero, which brought him to his current situation. Nubia was about to grow.

  "We can't stay much longer. The government isn't going to tolerate us poaching their citizens for long. Further, it'll be difficult to keep people safe here. Assuming the attackers haven't already run." Maximilian stood and glanced at his party. "Further, I don't want to risk your safety any more than I need to. Anyone else who wants to join will have to wait until later."

  His mother looked like she wanted to argue, but stopped herself. He glanced at the others, and a few moments later, the group headed to the teleportation building. Where they found two groups waiting. The first and smaller of the two was the guards of the UWG. The group was out in force, or at least what they considered force. Mostly men and women in tactical gear and guns. He wasn't sure if the group stood by because of his reputation or because someone had ordered them to, but none of them tried to stop him or the would-be settlers. Maximilian gave them a curt nod as he strode by before turning to face the second group.

  "Greetings, everyone. I am sure you all know who I am, but in case you do not, I am Maximilian Croft. I am the Lord of Nubia." He let his words sink in before he continued. "I am thrilled that so many of you wish to join our fledgling nation, but I must remind and warn you. Everyone, be they human or otherwise, is protected under the laws of Nubia. Currently, we have no non-human citizens, but that will change. If that is something you find difficult to accept, I would suggest you remain here." Once again, he paused. When no one attempted to leave, he continued. "Further, I will pay for your teleportation this time. If you wish to leave later, you will be responsible for your own." Once again, he gave them a moment to consider if this was what they wanted. When one moved, he nodded and made his way into the teleportation room.

  An hour later, the job was done, and he was back in Nubia. He wanted to say the process had been easy, but that wasn't completely true. It had cost more than half his credits and required him to stay in New Philadelphia the entire time. Regardless, it was worth it. He felt a bit like a child on Christmas as he waited for his mother and Nezha to arrange housing for the new citizens. His full attention was on his now-completed quest. He had already checked that the quest was complete, which brought him to his current situation.

  "I am redeeming the reward." He called out as the group made their way over. He gave them a moment before he pulled up the quest and confirmed. The quest disappeared, and for a moment, he thought there was a mistake. A thought that was quickly proven incorrect. An invisible pulse of energy spread out with him at its core. The hair on his arms stood up as all sound disappeared. His gaze shifted to the north as something appeared. He wasn't sure how he knew it, but he did. He gave a nod to the rest of the group and then jogged off. He had to resist the urge to jump over the buildings and into the trees as they exited the more developed region. The journey took less than fifteen minutes before he saw it. A workshop carved into the side of the mountain. The building was three stories tall and reminded him of something one would expect from fantasy dwarves. The structure was slightly darker than the mountain and was covered in symbols that made his head hurt. It had deep angular ledges and two ledges, one between the first and second floors and another between the second and third. There were crystalline nodes spread across the front of the building that glowed. Lastly, the building had several vents and chimneys spread throughout. Vents that emitted white smoke into the air.

  Maximilian took in the view for a moment before he received a string of new notifications. Once again, he found himself impressed with the Intelligence attribute. He couldn't say for sure, but he would compare the amount of information he just got to that of a thousand-page book. All processed in less than a second. The building was called the Crucible Hall. It was a business that came from the Network, though it wasn't a part of the Network. It came from a multiversal faction that was devoted to alchemy and alchemical creations. The building and the workers inside were considered a part of the reward. Something that was further illuminated by the last prompt he received.

  Formation Realm - Large Scale Celestine Crucible Hall. Upgradeable.

  He read the message twice, not because he didn't understand it but because he wasn't sure what it meant. He assumed that Nubia was considered an early foundation or early realm 1 faction. Or just a basic faction since he was the strongest person. So why would the Network give him a building stronger than him? He was about to head inside when he thought better of it. Instead, he waited for Nezha to arrive. When they did, he confirmed that you generally weren't allowed to use the Network to wage war or anything like that. Which just made him more confused. Why would a business agree to that? He instructed the others to wait as he leaped down and strode toward the building. He knew that the only way to find the answers he wanted was to jump into it. Despite the oddity, he had to admit the building was an impressive feat of engineering. He wasn't sure if it was stone magic or the Dao of Stone that made it possible, or if it was arrays. What he did know was that he wanted to learn how to do it.

  He pulled himself out of his thoughts as he pushed the large stone doors open. Only to be forced back a half step as a powerful medicinal smell washed over him. For a moment, it felt like he had been trapped inside a pharmacy or medical research facility. Only to lurch forward as a powerful hunger spilled out of him. It felt like every pore in his body had become ravenous pits. He held onto enough of his wits to surround himself in the dao squall. The wind banished the smell long enough for something in the room to activate. He saw several symbols on the wall glow with the dull silver of spiritual energy, and then it stopped. The hunger in his body faded, though not completely. Now that he could think, he took in the rest of the room and was impressed. There were glowing crystalline nodes spread across the room that he assumed were what passed for lighting in the area. The whole thing reminded him a bit of an old gala or the other dinner parties he saw in movies. The room was divided into three sections. One was a meeting space filled with tables and chairs. One was a large desk where one could conduct business. The third was the smallest and was a staircase that led into and then up the mountain. The stairs were covered in a set of symbols that gave off a vague sense of danger.

  Though he was confident that the danger would only appear if he tried to go in there without permission. He shifted his attention to the counter as a figure stepped out from a hallway he hadn't seen before. The person was a woman who looked a bit like a fantasy elf. Tall and slender with dark bronze skin, pointed ears, and cat-like eyes. She wore conservative robes in dark brown and green with a badge over the right breast. A badge that his language skill translated. It was a nameplate that revealed the woman's name and her role as the administrator of the crucible hall. The woman walked until she was about ten feet away before she bowed.

  "Greetings. My name is Semyaza, and it is my honor to administer your crucible hall."

  Maximilian cocked his head at the woman. "Hello. My name is Maximilian. Maximilian Croft. I am the Lord of Nubia, though I imagine you've already been notified of that. I have people I would like to bring inside, but before I can do that. I would like to make sure that it is safe. They are all weaker than I am if that influences your reply." He watched the woman for any signs of deceit or displeasure, but there was nothing. At least nothing he caught. If anything, the woman reminded him of someone just clocking in for a job. Which only made him more confused. He had a faint awareness of her strength compared to his, but that realization did not appear evident. Or rather, the feeling he got from her was one of medicine. He assumed that she was an alchemist and likely posed no threat to him.

  "That is correct. Neither I nor the facility nor its workers can cause you any harm. The deal with the Network is clear on that much. Anyone can access the building as long as they follow the rules." She replied.

  Maximilian nodded; he could boil the rules down to respecting the establishment, as they weren't unique. That included not harming Semyaza. Though he was somewhat confident that no one could do that. At least not yet. A short conversation later, he had returned with his mother, Nezha, and Joshua. Semyaza had moved to the meeting area, which prompted everyone else to take seats around a stone table. A table that appeared simple yet had remarkable durability. He couldn't be sure, but he figured he would need to use an imbued Severing Disc if he wanted to break the thing. Not that he would.

  "Would you mind explaining the point of the hall? And how you came to be here?" Maximilian decided to get straight to the point and his most pressing question.

  "Of course. I am the administrator for this branch of the Crucible Hall. I am aware that this world is in the middle of assimilation, so you are not aware of our details. To avoid going into the greater faction's details, we are some of the most prolific alchemists in the multiverse. I have leased myself to working for the Network as I have recently finished my apprenticeship. This situation is a unique opportunity for both of us. I had wanted to run my own branch, and the Network wants to reward people who prove themselves. Despite my personal alchemical abilities. I am limited in what I am allowed to do." She waved her hand, and a moment later, a menu appeared in front of Maximilian. He took a moment to read through the list and was pleasantly surprised. The options were limited but very important. Arguably, the most important were the various healing pills. The most common were called "Healing pills," while the second option was called the "Clearwaters purification" pill. A pill that would protect against poison and other similar substances. Outside of those, he could buy pills that would boost his strength, allow him to go without eating, and disguise one's appearance. Of those, only the fasting pills were of interest to him.

  He was confident that the pill wouldn't affect his intelligence, which meant the pill wouldn't be very helpful. A part of him knew that the pill could be useful if he found himself in a bad spot, but he still wasn't interested. He also knew that, despite his position, he still had to pay for them. Part of him didn't like that, but he wouldn't complain. Based on Semyaza's explanation, he had already been given a good opportunity. When he was done going over the menu, he closed and gave his attention to Semyaza and the others.

  "Allow me to thank you for offering your services. I take it that the crucible hall belongs to Nubia. Is that correct?"

  Semyaza nodded. "Yes. As per the agreement with the Network, though, should the settlement be captured, it would fall under their control."

  "Are we able to set additional restrictions on what can be purchased?" Ashanti asked. "For example, if we wanted to control how many pills of each type someone could buy?"

  Semyaza shook her head. "No, you can pass any laws you wish, but anyone who enters has the freedom to spend.""

  Maximilian raised an eyebrow at that. In truth, he wasn't big on the idea of controlling resources like that. He could see some wisdom in it. Assuming there was some limit on what they could produce, but he hated that reasoning. Everyone's life should be valued the same. Honestly, if he had his way, he would just give them all for free, but that idea was dashed. Semyaza refused, and he couldn't force it. Partly because it was a business and partly because the Network banned it. The justification he had been given was that of fairness. It would stop the hall from just giving away great pills. That wasn't the only restriction, either. He would need to earn the right to buy better and better pills. Something that made him question the Network even further. It was all a bit too structured for his taste. Once everyone had asked their questions and made a few purchases, he got to his feet. He decided to leave his group behind as he set out to take care of something he had been putting off. He needed to go and spend some time with his student.