Alex passed the time in any way he could, and the next thing he knew, preparations had begun for the feast. Earth mages were creating large tables, chairs, benches, and a large platform. Cooking fires were ablaze. Everywhere he looked, people were a hive of activity. It made him smile.

  This is how everything should be.

  I don’t know how the world will be outside the tutorial, but I promise to do my best to make sure people have this. They’re stressed about cooking and setting up for a feast, instead of a monster attack. This is the kind of community I want. Less fear, more excitement.

  While personally, I enjoy the fighting now… I understand how others might not. I want to build a safe place where people don’t have to.

  It’s really strange to think I want to do it. Hasn’t even been two weeks yet, and I’m wanting to build a community. Is that weird? It’s hard not to want to do it after seeing the progress made here. While I’m still not fond of leading, I understand I don’t have much choice. If I don’t do it, someone else will, and they might not be as friendly. I won’t let that happen.

  I don’t think my Progenitor urges would allow me not to lead anyway. They won’t let me be weak or shy away from doing my duty.

  I also probably need to stop acting like my Progenitor side is anything other than my own. There really aren’t sides. I am, me. This is me now. But whether I like the new me or not… I guess we’ll find out.

  The rest of the afternoon flew by in a frenzy. He helped the earth mages build tables and sitting areas, the cooks with skinning or fire magic, and even broke up a fight between some angry beastkin. The last part was definitely the easiest. When the fight broke out, all Alex had to do was walk up to them, and they instantly stopped upon seeing him. While he wasn’t a fan of how people reacted to him, it had its advantages occasionally.

  But even now, after helping most of the day, people still avoided him or didn’t make eye contact often. This was especially so for the humans, while most of the non-humans treated him a little more normally. Similar to how you would treat your boss's boss at a company job. While it wasn’t exactly friendly, it wasn’t extremely fearful either.

  It's really interesting to me how each species treats me differently. It truly shows the difference in the cultures. Some, like the beastkin, are more used to powerful leaders. But people, like humans, aren’t. Our leaders weren’t necessarily physically powerful, just financially. They’re typically elected, too, for their personality, not strength. Most of the humans probably think of me as a horrible dictator from Earth’s history.

  It wasn’t long before the festivities were set to begin. Many things had been purchased from the System Store. A dozen different fruits and vegetables were bought, along with many extra blankets to provide comfortable seating. Some of these fruits were even turned into drinks. None was alcoholic, but having something with more flavor than water was a treat. Overall, Alex was excited for the evening. Good food and good drinks were high on his list of wants.

  He also didn’t plan to relax the whole time. The last thing Alex wanted was for an attack to come while the people were feasting, so he planned to keep watch most of the time, including late into the night. He didn’t know much about being a leader, but one thing he always liked in movies was seeing leaders do the work themselves rather than passing it off to others. Alex planned to be that kind of leader. Delegating was important, sure. But some things shouldn’t be delegated.

  The execution of Richard Debagge was one such event. If he felt someone needed to die, he would do it himself. He wouldn’t put that on someone else.

  Those things are my burdens to bear.

  The seats in the courtyard began to fill. Everyone was invited. All the residents of their little camp would feast and relax for the night. They needed it. Especially the newest refugees they had rescued from the goblin camp. A majority of them still weren’t doing too well, some physically, some mentally. This would be a much-needed respite.

  The area was awash with activity. Hundreds of people were bustling about, searching for seats, talking to friends or new acquaintances, and laughter had already begun to echo throughout the area.

  Not everyone would participate immediately. Volunteers would take the first guard shift, allowing most people to enjoy the feast. The walls were lined with them. Derek and Korgrith had spoken to the volunteers and ensured they understood how important it was to stay alert. They would be tempted to sit and watch the people below, but their main duty was to keep an eye out, outside the walls. Not in.

  As the people took their seats, the council members approached Alex, who had been standing off to the side, watching everyone.

  “Alex,” Myris Meadowtail said, speaking first. “Can you say a few words before we begin the feast? It would be good for everyone to hear something from you that doesn’t end with an execution.”

  “Yes, laddi. It’d be gud for ye, and them.” Durgan Forgehammer said, motioning towards all the people with one hand, while the other stroked his big red beard.

  The other councilors nodded in agreement.

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  “Damn. Well, it’s not like I can back down from that now. I have no idea what I’ll say, though.”

  Bazgra Lagum grunted in her orc-like way, “They need reassurance and levity. Keep it light and joyful. Let them forget about this forsaken tutorial for a few hours.”

  “Easier said than done. But I’ll try.”

  Myris nodded. “That is all we can ask for.”

  A few minutes later, Alex stood on a platform with the council members and his team behind him. Hundreds of people were looking up at him. While he didn’t feel anywhere near as nervous as he would have before the integration, he still had to fight the urge not to fidget from the old habits.

  When Alex spoke, he tried his best to project his voice so everyone could hear him. Even the guards on the walls.

  “While most of you might know who I am, some of the newer people may not. So my name is Alex, and this is my camp. I am in charge here, and those behind me also speak with my authority. If any of you need anything at all, don’t hesitate to let one of us know. We are here to help.”

  He paused a moment to let everyone consider what he said before he continued on.

  “We’ve all had trying times since the Universal System came to our different planets and brought us into this tutorial. And yes, most of the time has been bad for everyone here. But take a moment and look around you at the people sitting near you… Go ahead, I’ll wait.”

  He did just that. Giving everyone a moment to look at the people sitting near them.

  “A majority of those people sitting around you are different, aren’t they? But they aren’t just a little different. Many here are from completely different planets. Different culture. Language. Most things are different, and yet… here we are. Sitting beside each other and about to enjoy a feast. Not only are you meeting people from other planets, but you also have magic, skills, professions, and other things we couldn’t imagine before this. While it’s true that things have been dark, there is also some light. You just need to take a moment to see it.

  So tonight, we feast. Eat your fill. Make new friends. Forget about the terrible things for a few hours and live in this moment. Don’t worry about anything else except what's right here, inside these walls. Tomorrow is for tomorrow, so let tonight be your only concern. Talk to the people around you, create lasting bonds with one another, and eat until you burst. And then eat some more!”

  Alex jumped down and grabbed one of the carved wood cups, filled it with one of the fruit juices they had, and easily jumped back on the platform.

  He held the cup up. “A toast to the people we’ve lost, and to the future we will create together.”

  Silence rang out for a moment as no one moved before Durgan clapped his metal gauntlets together and yelled, “AYE! Fer the folks we lost and to the future we be creat’n!”

  The other dwarves instantly cheered out and repeated it as they downed their cups. A few others joined seconds later, followed by everyone else calling out as well. That seemed to be the signal for everything to begin. More volunteers began bringing out food on wooden platters and setting them out at the different tables as everyone started talking to those nearby. The feast had begun in full swing.

  Alex sighed. Glad that's over with.

  “Nice speech,” Derek patted him on the back.

  “I don’t know about that. I just spoke off the cuff and almost flopped at the end with that toast, but luckily, Durgan saved me.” Alex glanced at the dwarf, seeing that he was already busy laughing with another group of dwarves.

  Derek laughed a little. “True enough. But their hesitation could have been for several reasons. Most of them didn’t have a drink for one. And two, they’re from other planets, remember? Some might not be familiar with the art of toasting. It would be no different than me saluting someone who had never seen someone from the military.”

  “Shit, you’re right. I just did it in the moment without thinking. It felt right.”

  “I liked it, and I think they did too. You spoke from the heart, and they’ll see that. Regardless of where they’re from. Now let’s get some food and drink before we start our guard duty!”

  “Wait, you’re doing it too?” Alex asked, eyebrows raised.

  “Of course. You’re not only our team's leader, but I’d like to think we’re friends too. All of us will be doing it with you, Alex, Korgrith, and Rykos included. Now come on, I’m hungry. Sir!” Derek gave him a proper military salute.

  “Hah, so funny. None of that stuff! The last thing I need is people saluting me, calling me sir more, or god forbid, a crazier word.”

  “Of course, my lord. Whatever you want.”

  “I hate you.”

  Derek laughed as they walked over to their table. It was already laden with food.

  As they walked towards their seats at the large wooden table, Alex admired it. The table was square and quite long, lined with chairs on each side. At the end of the table was a large chair someone had created specifically for him.

  “Feels weird to be be sitting in the bigger chair. I’m not a king or some shit,” he mumbled, not really expecting a reply or for anyone to hear.

  “No choice,” Derek said, almost startling him. “Remember what I said a few days ago: there are burdens to leadership. This is one of them. You’ll be treated differently, no matter what you say or do.”

  Alex sighed, “Thanks. Couldn’t do all this without you guys. The team and the council members. I’d have run away after the first day.”

  “I can imagine that actually. Especially if you were still the same Alex that walked into that cave with me. But we both know you aren’t. You would have done this, even without us. You’re a good man, Alex.”

  “Alright, alright. Quit that before I go hide somewhere and cry.” Alex smiled. “But thanks,” he finished right as they reached their seats. The rest of the team was already sitting at the table, along with the council and a few other species representatives– Kenneth and Skyrin included.

  Is Kenneth the new human rep? Definitely better than Richard Debagge, that’s for sure.

  Time moved quickly. They drank, ate, and enjoyed the evening. During the feast, no one approached him, aside from a few of the council members and a handful of the rescued prisoners, like Skyrin and Morgan. It was peaceful and relaxing. He hadn’t realized how much he had needed this, too. Two weeks had yet to pass in the tutorial, but it had been a constant, unrelenting pace. This was a well-earned break for everyone.

  After the first few hours, Alex and his team moved to the walls, relieving the guards and letting them enjoy the night.

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