Stopping for a moment after a bit of confused handwaving I figure I should use some magic to solve the problem. While I'm not too practised in it, some level of translation magic might work.

Calling up a bit of strength within myself I start silently channelling magic, focusing on the concepts of translation and understanding, of connection and the mind. Using it as a 4 pointed construct base, I form a circle to gather the power of a first grade spell on the outside of the star before using some basic runes to structure the chant.

> "Fog shrouds without care,"

> "Fragrant scents of gifts received,"

> "Stumbling in silence."

With a stabilizing chant the circle solidifies within my mental plane before I force it through into the physical one with my spirit shoving behind. With a final burst of mana from my own reserves and with some concentration I manage to send my thoughts towards the man before me and attempt to understand his speech and translate between our languages.

The effect is immediate; the nature of mana, assisted by the spirits start aiding my communication with anyone in the surroundings in a similar fashion to telepathy only more limited in range than that.

Trying to ignore the echoey way this makes voices, I set a 2 hour timer mentally before starting over.

"Hi, hello. I'm looking for a place to stay tonight, does this place have some kind of hospital or other cheap shelter here?" I ask slowly at the guard.

"Uh yes, we have a hospital for travellers to stay at. Just down the dirt road over there. If you are looking for work we are quite short on labour right now due to most everyone being busy elsewhere and would pay a small sum for your help," he tells me as I nod, thanking him with my hands as I start heading away from the village centre towards where he indicated the hospital to be at.

Arriving at the worn out building, it's not much more than a wooden shack with two small rooms inside, each holding a few beds and a table with a washstand on one side. One of the rooms smells strongly of damp with dark stained wood walls and floorboards which creak as I enter. Someone looking like a sort of staff looks up briefly before returning to their work.

Keeping my things close, I lie down in one of the cleaner beds to rest. Happy that this culture seems to still have a similar idea to hygiene standards and cleanliness as mine and others with modern technology, it's a nice change from all the blood-soaked floors and bedding I've slept on in military triages.

The room is somewhat dark as the night rolls in, very few sounds from others in the room moving around as people fall asleep. I keep what little I have in possessions close before setting my biochip to a proximity sensor. While I don't expect anyone to come in trying to steal something it doesn't hurt to be woken up as someone draws near. Even if I didn't set up my chip to do so I would still likely respond quickly due to years in military training.

An uneventful night passes. My biochip reporting that it logged a few small conversations and with the additional burning of mana from my translation spell; has made the common language here easier to understand. I'll still need to use a spell for proper conversation but it is a big step towards fitting in.

The sunrise breaks through one of the windows, lighting up the hospital room. The few other occupants seem either preoccupied or asleep. I assume based on the people who were helping before that this society has started using hospitals as a gathering to treat their ill and not just as a cheap place to bundle poorer people together.

Feeling a bit weak as I push myself up I check my biometrics status.

---

Meidu Alou mure-zü Suna (Female)

Age: 24 years (10367)

Race: Genetic Paragon Elf

Current conditions: Malnutrition, Exhaustion Grade 3.

Physical operational capacity: 59.5%

Bionics power storage: 19.2% (-0.5%/day - light activity, -2%/d = heavy. Passive sun recharge = +0.1%/2h)

Baseline stat: 10

─ Physical Strength: 62% (15/24)

─ Constitution: 56% (10/18)

─ Stamina: 60% (12/20)

─ Dexterity: 60% (12/20)

─ Willpower: 77% (20/26)

─ Mental Resistance: 78% (18/23)

::Skills Addon list::

Basic Skills- Bodyslam, Deadlift, Sympathy, Stealthy movement, Totally not a forest fire.

::Achievements addon list::

Lost in translation.

---

Based on these numbers I'm acting below operation capacity. I could probably burn through a lot of bionic power for the next 3-4 days and still survive as long as I get enough food to deal with the malnutrition. Considering how fast the effects of starvation set in when someone reaches zero mana and stamina; I'd rather not risk it, especially since I don't know if there is some kind of magical food source or potions available in this place.

Following a few people closer to the center of town, I see a construction site that is currently being worked on. One of the places I had been told about in regards to work. Starting back up the translation magic, I walk up to one of the workers who looks to be in charge and start up a conversation.

"I've been told by the guards to the south of town you are looking for people confident with their strength to help out a bit?" I ask, keeping my tone steady to not give much away.

"Yes, we are," the man says in reply, nodding his head up at me. "We've been a bit short handed since the raids on the borders, a lot of people taking up arms and marching south."

"That is unfortunate," I say, shaking my head in sympathy. "But as I was told to meet here if I wanted to find work? What would be my duties if I did decide to join your workforce?"

The man laughs slightly at my statement but seems to warm up to me after a moment, answering my question. "Well as far as work goes, we're doing some repairs to some damaged docks along the water front. The water makes it harder to move heavy things around without sinking into the ground, so extra hands is always welcome." He looks at me intently before continuing. "Do you think you can lift a hundred kilos worth of timber?"

"Of course," I assure him, nodding my head firmly. "If there's one thing training to fight has given me is strength. I also have some basic magic if you have any ideas for that too. Its been a while since I used it much however."

As he listens to my answer, the other worker beside us starts laughing lightly. "You sound like an adventurer, just saying!" he adds cheerfully, earning a scowl from his boss.

"I could see how you might think that but I was more in the military for a handful of years." I notice his eyes flicker to my elf-like ears.

"Ah I guess I misjudged then, sorry." he apologises as his boss chases him off before continuing to speak to me.

"For now we don't have much use for magic, I don't think I'd be able to afford it. I'd be happy for your strength though, especially if you want to stick around. We may be having problems getting enough skilled people here soon." He grins at me and points at his chest. "I'm Vartas, if you need anything just shout out."