"Morning Lillyn. I hope this doesn't take too long. My shift at the counter starts soon."

"Hey, Essie. Thanks for showing up. I hope this doesn't take too long."

Good morning to you too, my imaginary audience. It's my second day at Maynard Mansion and I already have a few questions. I decided to call Essie before opening my shop. She is a second-year void-trader apprentice and sort of my teacher to everything Besona. The world that I am now stuck in. Just now her hologram appeared in my living room.

Maybe it is a little too early for her. Her mane of reddish hair is still a mess. Did she just crawl out of bed? Normally she has them in intricate braids. Sorry, I am getting distracted.

"I only got a few quick questions."

"Well, why don't you tell ask them then?"

"It's about the mansion. Something strikes me as odd. Yesterday I voided mountains of tainted silverware, torn clothes, and other ruined houseware. But this looting of the mansion has been going on for some time, right? How can people still find stuff worth taking?"

Oh, boy. Did I say something wrong? Essie gave a big sigh and now is looking for a place to sit down.

"Quick questions. That's a good one, Lillyn. You manage to stumble upon the complexes of topics in no time at all. Maynard Mansion is a hardened space. A concept that is difficult to explain. Frankly, we don't even know why they exist, but adventurers have been studying their appearance for centuries. You remember how I explained the void and the material world, right?"

"The void is without substance but retains potential."

"Right. Now the material world has substance, everything still has the potential to be changed. People can grow. Wood can be burned. Food is grown. But hardened space is different. There the potential for change is reduced close to zero. The very area resists change in itself."

"But the manor is changed. People go in and haul out junk. That's the whole deal about it."

"And that's why it is complicated. You see a hardened area has a saved state of being. If something is removed or altered the very reality bends to undo the change. For example, the tableware you get. If it is taken from the mansion the hardened space will simply create a copy. Sometimes before the very eyes of adventurers. If a door gets bashed in then over time it will fix itself."

No wonder the adventurers return with all that junk. If it keeps respawning like that. Though I wonder why they only pull damaged stuff out of those buildings. Maybe I should take a look at it myself? I mean by now shouldn't all monsters be slain?

"Say, Essie, what's stopping me from just going in there and grabbing all the loot myself. Cutting off the middleman."

"Don't!"

Shot, I said something stupid again, didn't I? Essie practically jumped from her seat with a look of worry.

"It is not just objects and environments that are stuck. Everything, Lillyn. Whatever was caught when the hardening happened remains inside. That includes people, animals, and monsters."

"Alight. Alright. I won't go in there. Monsters and animals are beyond my scope. But why can't I talk to those people?"

Now Essie is shaking her head and giving sad sighs. I hate how it makes me feel. Everything has to be explained to me. It makes me feel like the village idiot. Wait, Essie is sitting down again.

"Lillyn. Imagine being stuck in one place. Not just for a few days or rotations. Years. Decades. Even centuries. They can't die. Sure, adventurers can kill their bodies, but the soul remains. The hardened space simply creates new bodies for them."

That sounds like an absolute nightmare. Just thinking about it is giving me the creeps.

"Sounds like a living hell. To be trapped like that."

"What's a hell?"

Just now I nearly waved Essie off. Why explain something about Earth when she will never see the place anyway. But then again, she is patient enough to explain everything about Besona to me. No matter how stupid or common the knowledge is.

"It's a place of torment. Not really on earth. Some people on Earth believe they end up there if they sin too much. Being then punished for eternity for the bad deeds they did. This hardened place sounds like torment to me. I guess they go crazy after a while."

"It is more than that. Lillyn, living things inside a hardened space become agents of it. Their need is to prevent change. To them, everyone who enters the area doesn't belong and needs to be removed. Even if that means killing someone. We simply call it The Madness. No one inside a hardened space can be trusted, Lillyn. No one."

Geez. That is heavy stuff. I don't think I will sleep well this night either. This is the stuff of nightmares for sure.

"Isn't there a way to free them? I mean to me it appears to be cruel to go in, rob their belongings over and over again. On top of it, they get murdered again and again."

"There is. That is what adventurers do. You see the ability of a hardened space is limited. If too much change is put on it for too long it becomes exhausted. Its ability to revert to its saved state slowly chipped away. Once it is gone the zone returns to normal and those trapped inside are set free."

"I see. So, the adventurers aren't greedy. They work to undermine these hardened zones to remove them."

Essie just gave a hearty laugh. For once I don't mind. This is heavy stuff and some humor is a welcome distraction. Not to mention Essie has a nice laugh. Wait, I did mention that before, right?

"Oh, there are plenty of greedy adventurers out there. But their participation still helps."

"You are right. I better stay out of it. Heck, now I wanna get as far away as possible."

"Funny you should mention it, but the courtyard your Little Mule is currently parking in used to be part of the hardened area around Maynard Mansion. It was the central place to reach all the other areas so it got unstable first."

"That I didn't need to know. Thanks. Now I have another reason to stay awake at night. Can we drop the subject? I had enough."

And another laugh. She is kinda cute when she is like that. Her skin turned slightly red. Trying to match her freckles but falling short of it. Sometimes I feel the need to tickle her just to squeeze out another laughter. Essie is lucky she's just a hologram right now.

"Sure. What are the other questions you wanted to ask?"

"You know what, this one topic has me exhausted. I think I shelf the others for the evening. Besides, counter duty awaits both of us. If yesterday was normal then today will be a busy day as well."

"Right. Call you in the evening."

"Bye Essie."

A wave of her hand and she is gone. Sometimes I wish she had counter duty on my Little Mule instead in the trading hub. It would make the day less tedious and a lot more joyful. Then again, the Little Mule is too small to house two people. Unless we share a bed and-

You know what? Nevermind. Time to get to work. Talk to you later.

....

....

Woah, that is the tallest person I have seen to date. A living amazon. Bulging muscles and shooting in the sky. She must be close to eight feet tall.

Sorry, I got a little distracted there. A few bells passed by in a hurry and now this next customer is this tall gal. I wonder what she wants. She has to lean down to not hit her head on my Little Mule's ceiling.

"A new trader? Do you have growth potions? I am running low."

I got all the basic potions for the main stats. Strength and stamina and so forth. I even got a few new ones through research. But this growth potion is new to me. I don't think the trader on Tsundore Fields had one either. Though I spot an opportunity to get my hands on the blueprint.

"Sorry, I do not have that type of potion yet. You still got a few left, right? If you sell me one then I can research it and then sell you more of them in the future."

"You seem nice, but listen. I ain't got all rotation for you to learn a new potion."

"I promise if you sell me one, I have it learned by nightfall."

"Alright, you are on."

A bit of haggling and I got a new potion. She sold it to me for twice it was worth, but I reason the potion's future sales will return my investment. And then, more profit for me. Listen to me. Talking like a real void-trader. I am slowly getting used to this. Now, what does a growth potion do exactly? Time to look at the item description. Thankfully every item has one while they are in a soul inventory form.

> New Item: Growth Potion - Strength 15 <
> Increases the overall size of the user by 15 percent for 2.5 bells. <
> 52 void-favors <

Huh? So, it makes one taller? Maybe that woman isn't as big as I thought. She's probably tanked up on that potion right now.

"Can I sell you anything else for now?"

The rest is boring. Time to satisfy more customers.

....

....

"Here is your cut of the void-favors." After a shake of our hands, a large sum of void-favors is transferred to my customers. Not that I mind. My cut is fifty-eight void favors. A small, but nice profit. "Can I do anything else for you? A health potion or two?"

"Yes, but there is something else. Do you collect clothes? I mean you probably only collect potions, but I had a quite rare drop today. An unblemished item. I could go to Xarestes, but-"

"But he is an ass and you try to avoid him?"

The woman before me gave a vigorous nod. Yeah, I can understand her. The void-trader for everything armor didn't leave a good impression on me. Apparently, others weren't smitten by him either. I didn't know Xarestes also sells regular clothes. But not even twenty horses could me drag back to that guy.

Having more articles of clothing might be nice too. I like my new outfit, but wearing the same for a few rotations might get old fast. I am not some statist in some videogame like my brother used to play back on earth. There the non-player characters always wear the same stuff.

"Let me see what you got."

She didn't hesitate to pull out the item. Let's read the description first.

> Maynard Mansion Bustier Of The Servant Maid <
> This elonged brassiere was designed in 437 AE by renowned tailor Isekian Menro for exclusive use in the Maynard Mansion household. It is part of the required uniform of all servants at Maynard Mansion. <
> 119 void-favors <

"I'll take it. How much do you want for it?"

"Two hundred?"

"Deal."

Great. A new bra. I had hoped for something less intimate, but I don't mind much. A little variety is always welcome. Not to mention this is one blueprint Xerestes won't get his hands on. That's definitely a plus in my book.

Let me just finish this customer and then I plop it into the research bench as well. It can keep the growth potion company.

....

....

"The sun is setting, void trader. Do you got the potion ready?"

Oh, look. It is that amazon woman again. Ha! I was right. She is smaller now. Well, still bigger than myself by quite a few inches. I guess slightly above six feet.

"Of course. Now, do you want the potion you sold me with strength fifteen or the one I researched? Same price, but strength seventeen."

That got a hearty laugh out of her. Good. Let that be a lesson. Don't underestimate me.

"Not bad, trader. I'll take ten."

And just like that, I made eighty void-favors. Too bad they don't have a physical counterpart. Else I might be rolling in them by now. The amazon made a welcome end-of-day customer. Time to close up shop and maybe put something new on the research bench.

Let's see. Oh, the bra got a variant unlocked.

> Enchanted Maynard Mansion Bustier Of The Servant Maid <
> This elonged brassiere was designed in 437 AE by renowned tailor Isekian Menro for exclusive use in the Maynard Mansion household. It is part of the required uniform of all servants at Maynard Mansion. <
> Growth enchantment - Strength 15 <
> 190 void-favors <

Wait a minute. I can research stuff that has enchantments on them? Cool. Apparently, the bustier took the effect of the potions and made it its own. Intriguing. If I had armor to sell, I could research variants with stats enhancements on them.

At least, I think it could work that way. Maybe I should ask someone who knows more. Didn't Pasus mention that he sells enchanted artifacts? I should pay him a visit.

Stepping outside my Little Mule definitely got creepy. Ever since Essie mentioned that the courtyard was a hardened space once. Walking to Pasus ship I wonder how it looked before the adventurers managed to liberate it. An artfully decorated garden with statues and sculpted trees and bushes. Gardners driven mad chasing visitors with hedge clippers or scythes. On second thought, maybe not dwell on it.

Good, the ramp to Pasus ship is down. I didn't step out for nothing. Today he isn't sleeping in a heap. Instead, he is rummaging in the back of his Little Mule. It can't be easy to find anything. His interior is as dark as the hull of his ship and only illuminated pale lights.

Time to knock and see if I can wring a little wisdom out of him.

"Hey, Pasus. Do you got a minute?"

"Lillyn. Of course. It is nice that you are back. I was just about to close up shop."

Pasus still is that lanky young guy, but I could swear he is wearing a different robe. Still black with a hood. Fitting to the theme. But this is what I am talking about. A little variety to spice up life.

Look, I am not going all native. I am a woman now, but this doesn't mean I have to go on shopping sprees. I bet most women do it either. That's just a prejudice cliche. But even as a man I had more than one set of t-shirt, pants, and underwear.

And no, I do not count the jumpsuit I got from Myra as a valid alternative.

Wait, where was I. Right. Pasus. Today, he looks a little less scattered. Maybe because I didn't wake him up.

"I just came by to pick your brain. You sell enchanted artifacts, right? I just managed to enchant a piece of clothing and-"

"That is amazing! Your meditation skills must be quite extraordinary."

Oh, the excited puppy is back. Pasus is acting like I just did something special. I only popped in the bra and a potion on the research bench and got an unexpected result. Now, how do I get to explain that to him?

"There was no meditating involved. It just happened. I thought I ask you, as an expert, for a few hints about the whole process."

"Sure. We can- Do you want to come in? We can talk over tea?"

"I'd like that."

What? Yes, maybe I shouldn't get into a stranger's Little Mule, but I don't think Pasus is a threat to me. Honestly, I think my biceps are bigger than his, and I can't even see them under the robe. Besides, I am curious about how it looks inside. More magical trinkets and stuff? Color me intrigued.

Once the door is open, Pasus shows me the way to the stairs. Cute. As if I don't know the layout of a Little Mule from my own. But I have to admit, upstairs is a surprise to me. Gone is the black. The walls and ceiling here are in pastel blue and darker blue accents. I approve. A lot better than the ominous black shown to the outside.

"This is nice. Why don't you color your whole Little Mule like that? I bet it will be friendlier to the customers too."

"I wish, but it isn't that easy. The color scheme is closely tied to my merchant family. People recognize it everywhere and know it belongs to the Antesec family. That they get quality spellbooks here. What type of tea do you want?"

"Surprise me."

That shouldn't be too hard. I hadn't a single Besonian tea so far, but knowing its food by now, I expect weirdness. So far I had stuck to water.

After putting a kettle on the small kitchenette oven, Pasus joins me on the bench. Our elbows nearly touch. The seating is wrapped around a small table that gives this a lot more intimate feeling than I like. Not that there is a choice. Little Mules are small. Just as the name suggests. The upper floor is pretty much modeled like an RV back on Earth.

"About the enchantments. Are they rare?"

Looks like Pasus takes his time formulating an answer. Did he just scratch his chin? Wait, does he have stubble down there? I could have sworn he'd be too young for that. Then again, now that I see him in propper light he appears a bit older. Maybe early twenties instead of late teens.

"Enchantments are pretty common for those of other magical professions. We void traders have to work for them. Usually, they happen if two items on a research bench interact. An event that is rare enough. To influence what enchantment gets added depends on the items and the level of concentration the void-trader can maintain. The longer it takes the harder it is."

"Really? My items influence each other all the time. Though today it was the first time an enchantment happened."

"Don't be discouraged. The general rule of thumb is that adding an enchantment is hard, but improving one is easier. What my family does is buy an item we want with all the enchantments in place with a low quality. Then we research it over and over to improve the enchantments."

In other words, if I sink enough time into improving my new special bra, then I can reenact the "attack of the forty-foot woman" movie. Not sure how useful that will be.

While I was musing, Pasus got up to get the tea. It's still hot, but I have to take a sip. Minty. Very Minty. With a hint of peach. Not that there are peaches on Besona. I think so at least.

"So, I got to ask. Why do you open your shop so irregularly? A few customers of mine commented on it."

"Oh, that-" And he is blushing again. It is awfully easy to get him to do it. "You see I am still new to the trade. My family has these shared stock items. Wares customers expect to find at each Antesec shop. I still got to learn a few of the blueprints, but it isn't easy. Highly enhanced items like that take a long while to research. So, I spend a lot of time meditating to speed it up."

"That didn't look like meditating yesterday."

Just to hide my grin I take another sip of tea. As intended Pasus is blushing even more.

"Well, sometimes I nod off when meditating-"

Oh, this guy. How adorable. I want to pinch his cheek. Hey, I am going easy on him. Essie probably would-

Damn. I forgot Essie.

"Speaking of nodding off. Not sure where my head is today. I am expecting a call from a friend soon. I got to go. Maybe we can continue this soon?"

"I am looking forward to it."

Time to run back to my Little Mule. No, wait. Walking. Running gives too much momentum to my twins. By now, I can ignore them most of the time, but not when I run. Or walk fast. Damn this oscillating effect. It's like my mounts try to break free of my bra.

As soon as I step into my own Little Mule I know that there is a call pending. Up the stairs and I crash on my own little bench in the living room. Now I am ready.

The moment Essie appears I have to do a double-take. She is sitting in the air. Clearly waiting for me on a piece of furniture that isn't included in the broadcast of her projection. Today she is wearing a tunic herself. Just a little longer and with leggings beneath. It would give her a sporty look if it wasn't for her hair. Once again, she has it in braids, but today also in an elaborate updo too.

"There you are. I thought you are blowing me off."

"Sorry, Essie. There was a little errand to run."

"You could have told me, you know." Essie is jumping up before I can question what she means. Is she postering now? Strange. "I am quite close to Awyn. It was her who actually told me that you share a spot at Maynard Mansion."

"You know her?"

I met Awyn yesterday. She is the void-trader specialized in weapons. I only talked to her for a moment, but she seemed nice.

"She's my aunt. Didn't you notice the similarity between us?"

"Uhm-"

I mean both are redheads, but Awyn's is a bit more saturated. In fact, I thought her red hair came out of a bottle as her shade was slightly unnatural in my book. But that was by Earth standard. Maybe Besona has different natural hair colors. If so, then I haven't noticed yet. Aside from Awyn, everyone was blonde, brunette, redhead, or a mix thereof.

"She told me of this nice young void-trader who arrived yesterday with a massive bust. Sounded familiar. Don't you think so?"

"I hate how this is my one defining characteristic everyone now judges me by." Time for me to give a deep sigh. Alright. Maybe a bit theatrical. "What else did Awyn say about me."

"Oh, soo much good stuff. There are quite a few rumors around you spreading through the camp."

"Great. Just great. Stupid big tits. Only cause trouble."

The smirk Essie was giving me showed that she enjoyed teasing me. Maybe there is a little sadistic streak in her?

"Can't be that bad, Lillyn."

"You think? Yesterday on my walk to introduce myself I stumbled upon Xarestes. He's the guy who sells armor around here. First, he wants to dress me up in skimpy outfits so I can seduce my way into adventurer groups. When I told him I am a void-trader he flat out accused me I slept with people to get here."

"What an ass."

"Yeah, you tell me. He also dragged Iren through the mutt. Told me she is some kind of lesbian harems builder."

"Well-"

Suddenly, Essie has a hard time looking me in the eyes.

"Wait, she actually is all that? Is she helping me because of-"

"No! Iren isn't like that, Lillyn. She would never hit on a subordinate of hers. Trust me on that. The matter is complicated. You should maybe ask her about it. I don't want to tattletale."

"Alright. I trust you. If you say it is fine then I believe you. To be honest, everything out of Xarestes mouth I take with a grain of salt. But there is another thing he mentioned and I wanted to ask you about. What are guild ranks? He wanted to know mine."

"Now that I can talk about."

Visibly relaxing, Essie looked around and sat down on a stool I have by my kitchenette. Not on her invisible whatever. Someday I have to figure out the rules of this projection system.

"The guild rank system is on a voluntary basis. Void-traders donate a sum of void-favors every six rotations to the guild. Those funds are then used to pay for guild expenses and to train new void-trader apprentices. Each rank is tied to a specific amount. Rank one is for one hundred void-favors. Rank two is for a thousand. Rank three as ten thousand. The rank system itself is not really official. It is more a thing of prestige. To hold a certain rank shows how well you do as a trader. Holding a lower rank for a longer time is preferable to jumping wildly between ranks."

"In other words, I don't have to do it, but if I want respect from my fellow void-traders then I have to pay to do so."

"Exactly."

"Well, that is straightforward enough. Not sure if I had expected anything else from a guild of traders. Hmm. I wonder what rank Pasus is."

"Oh, who is Pasus? Someone caught your eye?"

"What? No. No. No. No. He is the third void-trader here at Maynard Mansion. Specializes in spellbooks and enchanted stuff. His whole family does, as he keeps saying. The Antesec merchant family."

"Now, that is a family I heard of. Quite wealthy. Most consistently pull a rank three or four through guild donations. So, you talk a lot? What got you interested in him? You can marry into worthy families, you know."

"Essie! Stop."

Now she has me blushing. Yes, there is definitely a sadist streak in her. I hadn't noticed before, but maybe she is warming up to me and is letting loose a bit. Not sure how I feel about that. I rather like it when I do the teasing.

"It's about enchantments. Today I managed to do one by accident and I thought I ask Pasus about the details. That is actually why I am late."

"Interesting. What did you manage to get?"

"Today someone sold me a growth potion. Do you know about that one?"

"The I-want-to-it-my-head-on-the-ceiling-potion? Not a fan."

Well, the Little Mule is a little on the small side, but I think I wouldn't hit my head if I downed one.

"Well, somehow the effect got transferred onto a bustier bra I bought a short while later and put onto the research bench at the same time. Now I can summon an 'Enchanted Maynard Mansion Bustier Of The Servant Maid" that makes me grow fifteen percent in overall height."

"That crazy. I wanna see."

"You just want to see me hit my head."

"Please."

"Fine."

It didn't take too long to summon a copy from the void. For a moment, I contemplated heading into my small bathroom to change, but then again, why bother. We are only girls here, right?

Unequping my belt, tunic, and bra is done quickly. My twins springing free, but only for a moment. Time to equip the bustier that has a longer name than any of the lord of the rings book titles.

As always it is fascinating how a piece of clothing is equipped. A small black ball materializes in front of me. Only to disintegrate into a mist and rushing towards me. It is strange to describe the feeling when something forms on me, but it is done soon enough.

The bustier is made of some black velvet that wraps around my upper torso and cups two-thirds of my breasts. Framing them in white lace. And there is a lot of it. The white lace decorates every edge and even transitions to ruffles on the lower hem. It looks nice but way too girly for my taste. As for the enchantment-

"I don't think it is working. Still my usual height."

"Oh, I see something happening," Essie said before busting into a fit of giggles.

What is she on about? Wait, are my twins growing? And only my twins? What is wrong with this world? My breasts are big enough as they are! Great, now Essie is laughing out loud. I hate this world. Besona can go to hell.

Talk to you tomorrow.
Provided I can ever live this down.

---

---

Hey readers,
Cassy_Bee here.

Looks like Lillyn is in for big changes. XD

I recently mapped out the next four parts.
There are more hijinks afoot.
I have plans for more but how the story develops after part 9 is largely influenced by you guys and gals.

Part 9 will contain a Strawpoll that gives you all a big say on how this story will end.
Stay tuned for that. I promise it is worth it.

But for now,
hugs and kisses.

Cassy.