Infinity Hotel

It was a rising sun that woke the unlikely couple of ghost and God, Xie Lian and Hua Cheng, a martial god and ghostly disaster who brought ruin to 33 gods who mocked and belittled his beloved. It was a scene that was frequent in his mind, the beating of the gods, the burning of their temples and the loss of their important faith they desired. 

Hua Cheng seemingly chuckled as he recalled this memory, one chuckle that even stirred a martial god from their half-asleep state. "What are you laughing at?" asked Xie Lian as he got up from his resting position, clearing himself of dirt and grime on his robes. It was morning, and he had plenty of time to analyze his temporary room. 

It had one bed, probably because it was the couples suite. It had amenities to cook food, and even bath oneself. As a god, it was important to remain purified of the ghostly influences. Xie Lian found it very luxurious, even more luxurious than the baths that could be found in the homes of the upper heaven. 

"Just a fond memory" said Hua Cheng as he accompanied Xie Lian to the bathroom, each cleaning up in hot water. After they were clean, they went downstairs, eager to explore more of this strange, 'Hotel'. It was unusual, especially for Xie Lian. The waters seemingly stirred his qi, his energies healing his body and even growing in power. Then there was the food he ate last night. 'Food that contained heavenly qi, and it even gave me more power' thought Xie Lian as he saw the group from last night. 

"Hey, Naofumi!" shouted Xie Lian as the named person looked over. He looked happier, alot less grumpy than before. The tiredness which seemed to stick to his frame was ebbing away. "Xie Lian" said Naofumi as the couple joined their table. It was a cozy atmosphere, something that gave Xie Lian joy beyond repair. 

"So, how was your guys sleep?" asked Xie Lian. "It was great, I have never felt more rested than I had today. It even felt like I was enhanced a little" said Naofumi as Luke came by with some coffee for Naofumi, tea for the ghost and God, and some chocolate milk for the two little ones who came downstairs. 

"Hope you guys are enjoying your stay, breakfast will be ready in a moment" said Luke as he went into the kitchen and began making breakfast. Today, he decided on an eastern affair, rolled eggs and rice, and a nice grilled mackerel he bought from the computer, which apparently came with some stat bonus like strength and training enhancement. 

As he began cooking, the delightful smell began to permeate the air, and the group seemingly looked like they could have floated by the smell alone. "Man, that smells good" said Naofumi. He could recognize the smell, a breakfast his mom made him and his brothers when they were younger, when she had the time to do so. 

"I wonder what it is?" thought Xie Lian as Luke came out of the kitchen with the food on multiple plates, balanced on his hands and head. "Here you go gentlemen, enjoy" said Luke as he went back into the kitchen to cook him something for himself. He wanted to cook something simple, a breakfast of eggs and bacon. 

It didn't take long, and his plate was full of two fried eggs, strips of bacon, and some toast he decided to add after putting the bacon in a pan. He walked out of the kitchen and sat on the last available seat at the table with the group. The dining area wasn't small, in fact, it could even rival that of palaces if he chose. 

Luke sat listening to the guests talk, hearing each other discuss their adventures and professions. "Sounds tough Naofumi" said Xie Lian after Naofumi told him his heart wrenching story of betrayal by the countries princess. "Sounds like a real piece of work" said Luke as he listened, sipping his coffee. 

"You have no idea" said Naofumi as he seemingly laughed. Laughter, it wasn't something Naofumi did often, ever since the accusation by the woman, that bitch, framed him for something big, something that would have ended in his execution if it wasn't for his important role as a hero. 

"Man, do you guys need help?" asked Xie Lian as Naofumi seemed surprised. "No, no we don't but thank you for the offer though" said Naofumi as he replied. A thought that remained inside his head was 'What about the damage I might bring if I had a god with me?'. He wanted to avoid that possibility, stacking criminal charges like badges if the king could have it. 

"Well, this was a nice breakfast, but me and Raphtalia and Filo got to get going" said Naofumi as he paid his dues and went upstairs to pack their stuff. Raphtalia followed suit while Filo remained downstairs with the other three people. "Man, this is good! Can I get some more please?" asked Filo as the cup seemingly refilled to her glee. 

"Your a nice person Luke" said Xie Lian. "Well, I'm a sucker" said Luke with a smile, the last drop of coffee entering his mouth and flowing down to his gullet. As he was finished, he got up and went to the computer to look through it. As he gazed upon the screen, he saw an exclemation mark on the inbox tab. 

Clicking on it, the notice apparently was something about a bonus and his point count went to 500,000, adding 400,000 to his 100,000 he had from the gold exchange. He learned he could earn points by collecting payment, by type of customers, and even if he served the customers some good food. You could say it depends on customer satisfaction in a way. 

He grinned as he began to browse the shopping tab, and he decided he would go all the way to the bottom of it, and saw how some of them were worth too many points to look at. 'Seriously! 3 trillion points for an ability called instant death! What the F***!" he shouted as Xie Lian looked over in concern. 

"Is everything alright Luke?" asked Xie Lian in concern. "Yeah, was just surprised by something is all" he said, muttering something about expensive sh** on the internet. It was like spending 10,000 dollars on a book because it was in such short supply. It almost made him vomit blood, but he held through. 

He decided on three things he wanted from the shop. One was a skill called [Mana manipulation], the other things was books called "Magic: a basic guide" and a book called "Aspectual Magic". As he hit the purchase button, his 500,000 points went down to 400,000 and he already felt like he was poor again. 

He felt something etch itself into his body, his mind updating him on what it was. It was the skill, extra skill called [Mana Manipulation] and it allowed him to manipulate mana and the molecules in the air, allowing for usage of the elements. It also apparently could be used to disturb the magic of others. 'A powerful ability for a fantasy world' thought Luke as he cracked open the basic guidebook and began reading. 

Luke could see the couple go back upstairs, most likely to enjoy some alone time by themselves. Luke wouldn't blame them, he would too sometimes as he grew up in Kyoto, avoiding other school kids at lunch and recess. He recalled these fond memories as he memorized each passage laid out in the book, commiting it to memory. 

From what he could gleam, every person had magical power within them, it required training to bring it out and mold it into a spell that could interfere with the worlds natural order. 'Neat' thought Luke as he read the books, thinking maybe there might be something, with the signs of fantasy entering his life. 

As he read and read, he tried to sense the magical power within himself, hoping the silence of the now empty front would help in the endeavor. He closed his eyes, his book like a butterfly on his legs, and he began meditating, waiting and sensing for the magical power within his body. It felt like an eternity as he spotted the waves of energy on his body. He was struck by its beauty and now he could feel it, the power within him. 

As he opened his eyes, his body was a glow with magical energy, with mana. The air itself seemed to be tinged with its flavor, and others as well if what Luke could sense was correct. He held his finger and called forth the mana in the air, and a harmless spear was formed. His smile widened in disbelief, at the fact he could do magic. 

He felt happiness and began reading once more, remembering the sensations of the mana in his body and the coated air. It felt like he could even feel the very molecules in his hand. He smiled and began to play with them in his hands. 

[A/N: Another chapter out. I wonder how this will play out? Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy as Im writing this, I have many ideas to put and many to make, but all with due time]