The Extra Wants Control

"Boss, boss, boss Neveah!" he practically screamed, waving his arms like a windmill gone rogue. I pretended not to hear him, burying myself deeper into my book. Ignoring him was usually the most effective strategy.

Unfortunately, Luke had the tenacity of a particularly stubborn weed. He materialized in front of me, panting slightly. "Boss, what do you have planned for this weekend? The others are planning a visit to some place named Babel, apparently it\'s a great hangout spot in Stonegate. Will you join?" He asked, his voice laced with what I could swear were puppy-dog pleads.

"I\'m busy," I mumbled, hoping he\'d take the hint and leave me to my meticulously planned solitude.

"That\'s not good, boss," he chirped, completely oblivious. "You always go to the library after class, you have no friends, and no friends means you won\'t get any girls or boys if you swing that way."

"Shut up, you idiot," I muttered, swatting him lightly on the head.

He yelped, rubbing the spot dramatically. "Ow, boss, that hurt! Anyway, are you coming? This Babel place is a good place, I hear it\'s only been opened three days ago! We have to go, be among the pioneers and all that."

"Fine, I\'ll go." Neveah said. \' I needed to go to Babel anyway.\'

Luke\'s eyes widened comically. "Wait… you just… agreed? Awesome! I\'ll go tell the organizers, Vera and Azrael!" He shot off like a human rocket, leaving me standing there.

The cacophony of Babel was almost enough to drown out Luke\'s incessant chatter as we stepped through the teleportation circle. The stark, library-like silence of the academy halls felt like a distant memory replaced by a sensory assault of light, noise, and movement.

Towering holographic displays advertised new restaurants, the rhythmic thrumming of gaming stations pulsed through the air, and the aroma of a thousand different culinary creations tickled my nose.

"Whoa!" Luke exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the din. "This place is amazing! So many things to see!" His eyes darted like a hummingbird, taking in the vibrant tapestry of Babel\'s offerings.

Polished floors of what looked like black marble gleamed under the soft glow of strategically placed lights. Holographic displays shimmered on the walls, advertising various activities and showcasing an array of fantastical creatures.

The air buzzed with a symphony of sounds – conversations in an unfamiliar dialect, the rhythmic chiming of what appeared to be small, floating golems, and the enticing aroma of spices I\'d never encountered before.

Babel. My creation. Ninety-nine floors of sleek black steel gleamed under the simulated sunlight filtering through a magically enhanced ceiling. Students from Class S, a motley crew of humans, elves, and dwarves, milled about, their faces alight with a mixture of wonder and excitement.

The aroma of exotic spices and grilled meats wafted from a section labeled "The Culinary Delights." Luke, ever the gourmand, practically drooled as he dragged me towards it. There, an array of unfamiliar dishes awaited – towering stacks of golden brown "burgers" cradled in soft, white buns, crispy golden "fries," and wedges of triangular "pizza" oozing with melted cheese.

A nearby counter displayed vibrantly colored concoctions labelled "fruit juice cocktails."

Luke\'s eyes bulged. "Neveah, look! Have you ever seen anything like this?" he exclaimed, his voice brimming with childish wonder. A flicker of amusement danced in my eyes. It was oddly satisfying to see someone else as bewildered by something.

We sampled a few of these culinary marvels, the explosion of flavors on my tongue both surprising and strangely delightful. The "burgers" were a revelation – juicy, savory, and unlike anything I\'d ever tasted. The "fries" were addictive, crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, perfect for dipping in a tangy sauce. Damn they did a great job at this.

"This is amazing!" Luke declared between bites. "Who came up with all this?"

I smirked. "Let\'s just say someone with a very… creative mind."

As we explored further, I observed my classmates with a detached amusement. Vera and Azrael, basically having a date.

Beyond the food and entertainment, Babel boasted a bustling marketplace. Stalls overflowed with exotic wares – shimmering silks, enchanted trinkets from the elven enclaves, and meticulously crafted weapons from the dwarf holds. Amber, my handpicked manager for the commercial sector, my marketing genius, had done a great job. Also Eric acquired some good staff.

And me? I surveyed my creation with a sense of detached satisfaction. It wasn\'t perfect – the student turnout was lower than I\'d hoped, and a few minor glitches. But overall, Babel was a success. Students were spending money, laughing, interacting. The foundation was laid.

As dusk settled, casting an ethereal glow through the simulated skylight, I noticed something peculiar. A group of students huddled around a counter labeled "Babel Bank." Curiosity piqued, I approached and found a bespectacled human student, Emily, nervously tapping her foot as she spoke to a friendly-faced elf named Mia, who served as the bank manager.

"But what about the safety of our gold?" Emily asked, voicing the concern I knew most students harbored. "This is a brand new establishment."

Mia smiled reassuringly. "Babel prioritizes security, miss. We employ the latest magical wards and enchantments to protect your deposits. Additionally, we offer a variety of benefits for student accounts, including discounts on purchases and preferential access to certain services like loans and interests."

Emily hesitated, then glanced anxiously at her friends. A murmur of conversation passed through the group. Finally, she straightened her shoulders and said, "Alright, I\'m in. How do I open an account?"

My lips curved into a satisfied smile. Trust, once established, was a powerful tool. To further incentivize them, I discreetly summoned a holographic display. "Attention, students of Class S!" boomed a rich baritone voice, startling everyone. "To celebrate the launch of Babel Bank, we are offering a limited-time student package.

Deposit 10,000 gold and enjoy benefits like free room service, exclusive discounts, and other early membership privileges."

I needed a greater nudge. With a smile, I strolled up to the counter, ignoring the curious stares that followed me. Depositing a hefty pouch of gold onto the smooth surface, I announced my request for an account. The bank teller, a young woman with wide, nervous eyes, smiled and started the process.

The effect was immediate. News of my actions spread like wildfire. Students, emboldened by my example and the tangible benefits, flocked to the bank counter. The initial mistrust evaporated, replaced by a cautious optimism. By the end of the day, a significant portion of Class S had accounts, their gold safely (well, mostly safely) deposited within the Babel bank\'s digital vaults.

As midnight approached, the throng of students began to dwindle. Most opted to return to the academy, the excitement of Babel wearing thin and the lure of comfortable beds beckoning. A few, however, lingered, booking rooms in Babel\'s luxurious guest quarters, eager to extend their experience.

I, of course, had no need for sleep. I had matters to attend to.

****************

The moonlight cast long, cool shadows as Vera and Azrael strolled back towards the academy dormitories from the Stonegate city gates. The city lights twinkled in the distance, a stark contrast to the quiet serenity of the academy grounds.

Azrael, still buzzing from the day\'s outing, broke the comfortable silence. "Honestly, I expected more people to come," he remarked, kicking a stray pebble down the path. "Seventy from the entire class? Weak showing."

Vera shrugged, her expression thoughtful. "We did manage to connect with most of the humans, though," she countered. "A good foundation to build upon."

"True, true," Azrael conceded. "Except for the clan heirs. They were like ice sculptures – unapproachable." His brow furrowed. "And that Luke kid… practically glued himself to Neveah\'s side. Did you see that?"

Vera chuckled softly. "He seems... attached. But harmless, I suppose." Azrael shot her a curious glance. "Harmless? You know him better than I do."

Vera shrugged again. "Just an over-eager puppy chasing his idol."

"Babel," he muttered, the name rolling off his tongue. "What a strange place. All those… things. The food, the music, the clothes. Definitely not from around here. And then there\'s the owner."

"Indeed," Vera agreed. "The whole system – the bank accounts, the discounts – it\'s sophisticated. The owner may not be someone ordinary."

Vera frowned. "A human, you say? they must be powerful indeed to own such a… unique establishment in the heart of this realm."

"Powerful or… something else entirely," Azrael mused, his voice dropping to a hushed whisper. " Should Seraphina know about this? Babel could be a crucial piece."

Vera nodded, a newfound seriousness settling on her features. "Agreed. But first things first. Getting close to the humans, building trust. That\'s our priority. We\'ll have to find another way to infiltrate the Clans through the heirs."

She paused, a ghost of a smile playing on her lips. "Though, I have to admit," she said, a playful glint in her eyes, "seeing the normally stoic Neveah dragged around by an enthusiastic Luke was rather amusing."

Azrael laughed, a genuine, unrestrained sound that echoed in the quiet night. "Indeed. A sight worth remembering. But for now," he sobered, "let\'s get some rest."