《Quinn Noir:Spellbound Sleuth》
Reincarnation Protocol
I have spent my whole life in one room. One dark, terrible, lonely room. I was born with a condition referred to as ¡°Photosensitivity,¡± essentially a sun allergy. Whenever I venture outside, one of two things will happen: A rash will appear where the sun touches me (uncomfortable) or I will go into anaphylactic shock (death, probably uncomfortable).
As I sat in front of my computer, poring over the latest case as an armchair detective, I wondered if I would ever experience the outside world. It was a tantalizing prospect, but one that I knew was impossible due to my condition. I had no choice but to make the best of my situation and hone my skills as a detective through online resources.
The current case was a tough one. A serial killer was on the loose, and I had been assigned to the case as a consultant due to my reputation as an excellent detective. The victims had no apparent connection, and the killer left no clear evidence behind. As I scrolled through the images they sent me, I muttered to myself, ¡°Perhaps I should investigate more into the victims.¡±
Suddenly, my attention was drawn to a small note sticking out of a nightstand in one of the crime scene photos. I didn¡¯t see anything about a note in the report, so I knew I had to contact the head of police to see what it said. It could be very important, but how could they not have noticed it? I stood up from my chair, my mind racing with possibilities.
¡°I¡¯m going to need some coffee for this,¡± I said, walking to my kitchen. After looking for a minute, I was disappointed. ¡°Dang it! Guess Mom used the last of it.¡±
I pondered for only a moment. Mom wouldn¡¯t be back until tomorrow, but I needed coffee now. I decided my best bet was to hope for the best and order DashDoor, it should be fine if just my hand sticks out. When the coffee finally arrived, I stuck my hand out to grab it. As I sipped the hot, bitter liquid, I glanced out the window and saw a man being mugged by two men. Without thinking about it, I ran out to stop it. Maybe it was foolish of me, but I couldn''t stand by and watch someone be hurt.
I would have been regarded as a hero if it weren¡¯t for the fact that I went into anaphylactic shock by the time my feet hit the pavement.
¡°Target locked, activating reincarnation protocol,¡± a robotic voice rang out above me, or was it in my head? I wasn''t sure where the voice came from.
¡°Host is far weaker than the average human of this world, activating handicap protocol. Skill unlocked, skill unlocked.¡±
I slowly blinked my eyes open, but the bright light nearly blinded me. I quickly turned my head away from the source and took in my surroundings. The room looked like it belonged in a doctor''s office, but everything appeared to be at least forty to fifty years old. The strong smell of almost-dried blood hung heavily in the air, reminiscent of a jar of pennies.
As I scanned the room, I noticed a boy in a white coat. He looked like a doctor, but that didn''t seem quite right. He appeared to be no older than sixteen, too young to be a doctor. He was tall, standing at around 5''9", with short, dirty blond hair and kind gray eyes. He was jotting down notes in a notebook and seemed lost in thought, a small smile playing on his lips.
Suddenly, he looked up and locked eyes with me as if he had heard something. As he stood up, I caught a glimpse of a sword hanging from his waist. It was an unusual sight for a doctor''s office, and I couldn''t help but wonder what was going on. Despite the strange circumstances, the boy''s kind demeanor put me somewhat at ease.
¡°Ahh, Quinn good to see your finally awake,¡± He said to me,
¡°How do you know my name?¡± I questioned, surprised
He blinked slowly for a moment, ¡°I mean you come here at least twice a week, I hope I would know your name.¡±
It was then that I remembered what the voice had said. If it was true I had been reincarnated, I tried scanning through the memories of this body. I could only find bits and pieces, but that was enough for me. I already had a plan.
¡°Sorry Cain. I guess I was hit harder than I thought,¡±
He laughed slightly, ¡°That¡¯s okay, glad you caught up eventually. How are you feeling?¡±
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¡°A lot better thanks to your help,¡±
¡°Good to hear. Are you good to return to your dorm?¡±
¡°Of course, I¡¯ll head there now,¡±
I was lying, of course, I had no time to rest. This Quinn had spent her first year at this magic academy slacking off and skipping class, if I was to survive I needed to learn quickly. I was always good at pulling all-nighters, though I usually had some form of caffeine. I followed the memories of the original Quinn down to the library, I was surprised she even knew where it was. As I entered the library it was completely empty, perfect for me. I walk through the shelves grabbing everything I might need.
¡°History Of Magic, History of The World, Basics Of Performing Magic.¡± I read out the names as I walked, ¡°That should be good for a start,¡±
I walked to a table, sat down, and opened up the first book. As I began to read a message appeared in front of me, ¡°Skill Active: Learning Curve. While reading about unknown topics in a library, information will be absorbed 25% faster.¡±
I, of course, didn¡¯t notice the message as I was far too busy reading through the books. By the time I was done reading, it was early the next morning. I learned many things from the books which I began categorizing in my mind as I walked to the dorm room. I have summarized my learnings in three points.
- Magic has always been in this world. It was created by the gods who originally gave magic to special individuals
- There exist three different humanoid species in this world, all of which are not on amicable terms.
- In this world, magic is separated into different ¡°schools¡± and a student is expected to only focus on one of those schools. Though there is no explicit penalty to learning multiple schools.
To further elaborate on point two, those three races are Humans, Elves, and Beastmen. Elves are rumored to be far more beautiful than the other races, but this is simply a rumor because few people survive their encounters. One thing that is concrete is that elves are physically weaker than other races, it is believed that their bones are incredibly brittle. To counteract this the Elves are incredibly proficient in magic, generally containing twice the amount of Mana when compared to a human of the same level.
On the other hand, the Beastmen are physically strong but weak in magic. They can transform into a more beast-like state, though the weaker ones may only be able to gain ears or tails. I immediately determined that it would be crucial for my plan to have a Beastman on my side. Preferably female¡ with cat ears¡ and maybe a tail¡ for no particular reason.
Though my progress is temporarily halted as there is more to consider. I should begin learning spells as quickly as possible, but spells require a spellbook which requires money. Sadly I have no money and no clue what exactly is used as currency in this world. I am sure I can use some of my skills to earn money, but I need to find the quickest way. On Earth, I would have considered tutoring, but I am unsure if any of my Earthly knowledge would be of use here.
As soon as I finished that thought I was in my dorm. Sitting on my bed I continued to think. I chose now to focus on the strange message I heard in my head at the beginning. It would be quite useful to have some sort of screen, maybe an interface, to allow me to see the skills it mentioned. As soon as I thought of the word ¡°Interface¡± a screen appeared in front of me. It listed four categories: Stats, Skills, Spells, and Quests. I began by checking my stats.
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HP
|
5/5
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|
Level 1
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|
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EXP
|
0/50
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|
Mana
|
15/15
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|
Strength
|
2
|
|
Intelligence
|
15
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|
Agility
|
6
|
Quite low physically but that is to be expected, I don¡¯t have a baseline for what is average or below average. For now, I will assume that a 15 in intelligence is good. I move on to skills, the first skill that appears is the one that was used in the library. After that is one titled ¡°Scene Of The Crime¡± but where the description of the skill should be, it instead says: ¡°Skill descriptions are not unlocked until the skill is used for the first time.¡±
I tried to activate the skill, but nothing happened, there is likely a condition for it just like ¡°Learning Curve.¡± From now on I should expect each skill to come with a condition I will need to meet to learn and use the skill. I move on to spells, and as expected nothing is there currently. That just leaves quests, moving to that window I see only one quest.
¡°Learn Your First Spell - Time Limit: None - Reward 50 EXP¡±
The Game Begins
Staring at that message, I determined that it would be best to come up with a plan right away. I began to think of a plan. Currently, I have no way to get money, thus I would need to borrow spellbooks. With my "Learning Curve," I should need no more than one day to learn the basics in the Tier 1 books. I should at least be able to learn enough to graduate from Tier 0 to Tier 1.
This world has magic divided into tiers. Once you learn five Tier 1 spells of a certain school you are considered a Tier 1 mage of that school. Certain Tiers are given nicknames to help differentiate them. For example, Tier 1 is "Barely A Mage," Tier 5 is "Half Mage," and Tier 10 is "Full Mage." There are higher grades than that but I am not currently concerned with that, what troubles me is my new understanding of the downsides of taking multiple schools. What matters is your overall Tier, which is the average of all your tiers. That does not affect someone focusing on one school of magic, but for someone with two or more schools, it could spell disaster.
A Tier 9 Conjuration mage who decides to expand their repertoire by becoming a Tier 1 Evocationist, would be considered only a Tier 5. This was a considerable handicap as it would limit their position in the Mage Alliance, as well as the missions they could take on. This fact has not changed my mind. I have already determined that the best path for me will be taking multiple schools to high levels.
It was then that an alarm shook me from my thoughts. As I listened to the loud beeping trying to discern what its purpose was.
"Ah right," I thought, "Highschool. Classes. At such ungodly hours."
As I opened the closet door, my eyes fell on the school-provided uniform. Without much thought, I reached for it and started getting dressed. However, before leaving, I couldn''t resist the urge to take a quick look at myself in the mirror. After all, this was the first time I had seen myself since my reincarnation, and I was curious to see if anything had changed.
To my surprise, I looked almost the same as before. My light brown hair was a bit longer now, falling just below my shoulder blades instead of the usual tip. The color of my eyes had also shifted slightly from oceanic to a more river-like blue, but they were still as bright as ever.
I pulled on the uncomfortable, brown, long-sleeved shirt that was part of the uniform. As much as I wanted to change into something more comfortable, I knew that it was necessary to wear it. After all, it was a symbol of my status as a Tier 0. To complete the look, I draped the black cloak over my shoulders, ready to face whatever challenges the day had in store for me.
I rush over to class, it is important to the plan to absorb as much knowledge as possible. As I walk I try to scan "my" memories for information about the class. As I arrive at class, I swiftly open the door and am greeted by a nearly empty room. In the room stands only one figure who is quite familiar to The Old Quinn, Professor Elody.
Professor Elody is a commanding figure with an air of authority that demands respect. As a powerful wizard, it''s clear that she''s confident in her abilities and is not afraid to use them when necessary. Despite her young age of 25, she carries herself with a poise and maturity that belies her years.
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She is always impeccably dressed in professional attire, ready to face whatever challenges may come her way. Her medium-length dark brown hair is always neatly styled, adding to her polished appearance. Her piercing green eyes are sharp and observant as if she''s constantly analyzing her surroundings for any potential threats or opportunities.
She looks at me, her eyes wide, "Q-Quinn! You are here extremely early!"
"Sorry," I apologized, "I guess my clock was wrong again."
"It''s alright," She regained her composure,
"Do you mind if I stay?" I asked, she looked at me questioningly, "I''d rather not leave, just to come back shortly after. Plus I''m hoping to catch up on reading,"
She looked at me with a puzzled expression before a loud laugh escaped her lips. She then noticed that I was not laughing with her, and she quickly regained her composure, "Yes that would be fine,"
I sat down at my assigned desk and grabbed a book from my bag. It was a relatively large book that had taken me a while to find. It was 15 years of city history, specifically about crime. Detective work has always been my passion, no matter what situation I am in that will always be my end goal. Ten minutes into my reading a new person walks in. My roommate: Colette Winnr.
Colette Winnr exudes an air of confidence that draws attention to her striking figure. As the valedictorian of her class, her sharp intellect is evident in the way she carries herself. She has a penchant for Gothic fashion, which is evident from the short black dress she''s wearing with lace sleeves.
Her angular features are framed by long, blond hair that''s usually tied back in a ponytail. But today, it cascades down her back, adding to her allure. Her piercing gray eyes seem to hold a hint of mystery, always assessing her surroundings and weighing her next move. And her full, pink lips have a natural pout that only adds to her alluring qualities.
It''s hard not to be drawn to her undeniable beauty, but there''s more to her than just looks. With her intelligence and confidence, she''s a force to be reckoned with. As I find myself lost in thought, wondering what it would be like to ask her out, my cheeks flush with embarrassment. I quickly turn away, realizing that she''s way out of my league.
"Come on Quinn pull yourself together," I thought to myself. I lightly slap my cheeks to refocus myself.
Shortly after, the rest of the students shuffle into the class. As the bell rings Professor Elody stands up and prepares to teach.
"Good morning everyone," She began, "Today I would like to check your progress on determining your school and path. Please raise your hand if you have already made your decision"
Most people raised their hands, but Colette was the first to be called on, "I have chosen Conjuration, Path of the Titan"
A few more people are called on until the next interesting person: Able, Cain''s brother, "Alchemy, Path of Research,"
Everything was going according to plan until I heard someone say, "Divination, Path Of The Future"
The person who spoke was Warren Peters, the Old Quinn''s bully. There goes my plan of learning those three schools for free. No one else in the class had any plans of going into divination. That does slow down my progress slightly, but it doesn''t matter. I''ll work around it, divination isn''t immediately necessary to the plan.
The teacher then calls my name, "Quinn! Do you have any ideas as to what you will do?"
I smile slightly, "I plan on forging my own path. The Path Of Forensics," People around the room snicker when they hear that the tier 0 wants to forge her own path.
Professor Elody smiles and silences the room, "What school will that be in?"
"I''m not sure what all it will encompass, but as of now..." I pause looking around the room, "Conjuration, Alchemy, and Divination,"
I smirk as the room descends into chaos.
First Steps
"Who does this idiot think she is!" one student yelled out
"She''s in her second year and doesn''t even know a single spell!" Complained another
"A path with more than two schools is unheard of!" Yet another voiced their concern,
Their complaining is cut short by the sound of the bell, signaling to the students to change classes. I continued through my classes, but nothing crucial to plan happened. The next step to the plan would happen at lunch.
As I walked into the cafeteria I immediately spotted who I was looking for. Without bothering to grab a plate I walked immediately to Colette. Her table was currently empty, but it was clear she was waiting for the rest of her friends to arrive. As I sat down she scowled. I smiled.
"I know you are a very busy girl, so I will make this quick," I say
"Good,"
"I would like to borrow your Tier 1 conjuration spellbook," I paused, "For one day," I then added,
"I don''t support your decision." She thought for a moment, "100 credits for the day,"
I frown, "I have no credits. I know you are Tier 4, you have no need for the book."
She smiled, "Girl needs to make money somehow,"
I sighed and stood up, "Thank you for the help," I walked away.
I smirked as I walked away. Everything went just as planned. There are three hours left before classes end, but since I am not enrolled in any specific magic classes I don''t have that restriction. I walk straight into our shared dorm and "borrow" her Tier 1 Conjuration book. Then it''s straight to the library.
The book before me was a stunning piece, with ornate details and yellowed, slightly crinkled pages that hinted at its age. The blue cover was adorned with a red orb at its center, with a pentagram etched into it. As soon as I laid my eyes on the symbol, I knew it represented the School of Conjuration.
The book had an otherworldly quality, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe as I held it in my hands. The pages seemed to hum with ancient magic, and I couldn''t wait to delve deeper into its contents. Despite its age, the book was well-preserved, with the binding holding together perfectly.
As I turned the pages, my gaze was drawn to the notes scribbled in the margins. Two distinct styles of handwriting had been etched into the pages, suggesting that two different people had shared the book. My curiosity was piqued when I stumbled upon a page titled "Mineralized Warrior," where a note caught my eye: "Easy spell for beginners. Quite powerful as well." The handwriting was sloppy and rushed, and it didn''t match Colette''s meticulous script.
Excitement coursed through my veins as I committed the rune formations and incantations to memory. In this world, magic could be cast through drawn rune formations or spoken incantations. While incantations were considered more powerful, I was determined to master both techniques. The potential for power and influence was too great to ignore.
After memorizing the spell, I set out to test it. I muttered the incantation under my breath, and a pile of rocks began to take shape, forming a human-like figure. But as I completed the spell, I couldn''t help but feel disappointed. The book had promised a soldier that would stand at least five feet tall, yet the creature before me barely reached my knees.
My frustration was short-lived, however, as I heard Colette''s voice echoing through the library. She was yelling my name, demanding to know what I had done with her precious book. I knew it was pointless to run, so I stayed put, determined to uncover why the spell hadn''t worked as intended.
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Colette soon appeared, and her eyes widened in surprise as she took in the tiny stone creature at my feet. She kicked it lightly, causing it to crumble into pieces. "Is that the best you can do?" she scoffed, "I mastered that spell in an hour." An obvious lie based on her body language, but I chose to ignore it.
"Let''s make a bet," I said, laying the bait, "In the next 24 hours, I will become a Tier 1 mage. If I fail, I owe you 10,000 Credits, to be paid in any way you see fit."
Colette laughed. "That''s impossible," she said, shaking her head. "It took me a week to become a Tier 1." Still lying.
"Humor me," I said, feeling a spark of defiance. "And what if I win?"
Colette shrugged. "You won''t," she said confidently. "But if you do, I''ll give you the book and 1000 Credits."
She fell for my trap hook line and sinker, and now all that was left was my part. As soon as she left I got straight back to work learning spells. The next spell I focused on was Conjure Small Object. The note on this page simply said, "Useful spell, good for getting free credits. The item disappears when you stop supplying mana so be fast," That was from the disorganized writing. Right underneath that was another set, this time it was likely to be Colette''s: "Don''t do that,"
After learning that spell, which was once again weaker than advertised, I learned one more before taking a short break. The Mist Clone spell was also weaker, but I decided not to focus on it. I used this break to check my stats.
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HP
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5/5
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|
Level 2
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|
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EXP
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15/100
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Mana
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10/18
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|
Strength
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2
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|
Intelligence
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18
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|
Agility
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6
|
I couldn''t help but feel a surge of excitement as I saw the changes in my stats. With renewed determination, I quickly moved on to the next quest. "Become Tier 1 - Time Limit: 24 Hours(16 Remaining) - Reward: One Additional Skill." I knew I had to act fast to reap the rewards. Without wasting a second, I delved into learning the final two spells that would help me ascend to the next tier.
The first spell I practiced was a fascinating one - a Conjuration and Evocation spell that conjured a ball of solid light. However, it was still too weak for my liking, and I decided to seek help later. Moving on, I focused on the final spell - Conjure Messenger. The spell was relatively easy to learn, and it summoned a small bird that could deliver short messages.
As I cast the spell, I felt a rush of energy course through my body, and my brown shirt turned into a vibrant lime green. It was a sign that I had achieved my goal. Turning to the bird perched on my hand, I commanded it, "Tell Colette that I would like my credits now." The bird gave a weak nod before hopping off in the direction of my dorm room.
With my spells mastered, I decided to check out the new skills I had acquired. The first was "Precision Strikes," but its description remained locked until I could use it. Moving on, I was surprised to discover the second skill, "Mind Sanctum." Its description was intriguing: "Create a mental sanctuary that exists only in your mind, where you can store and retrieve information at will. Time moves slower inside the Mind Sanctum at a ratio of 3:1, giving you more time to study and learn. You can also bring books, notes, and other materials from the real world into the Mind Sanctum, allowing you to access them even when you are physically separated from them."
I couldn''t wait to try out this fascinating new skill, but as I prepared to delve into the inner workings of my mind, my stomach growled, reminding me of my physical needs. Realizing that I needed a break, I decided to head to the cafeteria to grab some food. But as I walked down the corridor, my mind couldn''t help but wander, thinking of the endless possibilities that the Mind Sanctum held.
Able Mercurio
It was a little past 5:30 AM when I walked into the deserted cafeteria, hoping to grab a quick bite before starting my day. I was surprised to see Able Mercurio sitting alone in a corner, his scraggly hair and tired expression suggesting that he hadn''t slept in days. His cold gaze and distant demeanor only added to his enigmatic aura.
Unlike his empathetic and caring brother Cain, Able was more pragmatic and analytical, always searching for answers to the mysteries of alchemy. He was a studious individual, with bags under his eyes and a book on alchemy always tucked under his arm. His passion for his studies bordered on obsession, and his sharp mind often led him down paths of deep introspection, causing him to detach from the world around him.
It was evident that Able was a deep thinker, and his intellect was both a blessing and a curse. His passion for knowledge often came at the cost of his well-being, as he relentlessly pursued answers to the questions that consumed him. As I watched him from afar, I couldn''t help but wonder what was going on in his mind and what secrets he held.
Befriending Able was crucial to my plan, so I approached him with a friendly smile and sat down beside him. "What brings you here so early?" I asked, trying to strike up a conversation.
Able looked up at me with a blank expression before responding, "I couldn''t sleep. Got hungry."
I sensed that something was bothering him, so I probed further. "Is everything okay? You seem a little troubled."
"I''m about to break into Tier 4, but I''m stuck on the last formula," he admitted with a heavy sigh.
"I might be able to help," I offered, hoping to pique his interest.
He looked at me skeptically. "Are you joking? I''m not good at discerning humor."
"No, really," I said, trying to sound earnest. "I''m not an expert, but I''m willing to learn and help in any way I can."
Able studied me for a moment before nodding slowly. "I appreciate the offer, but it''s a complicated formula. I doubt you would be able to grasp it without extensive knowledge of alchemy."
Undeterred, I smiled and replied, "I''m a quick learner. Maybe you could teach me a thing or two."
He appeared to be lost in thought for a moment before finally declining my offer.
¡°It would take too long to get you to my level. If I focused on it myself I could get done faster.¡±
I nodded and got up wishing him luck. I never truly expected the plan to work that way, but it was worth the try. I decided to return to my dorm until it was time for class. As soon as I was halfway to my dorm a loud yell reverberated in the halls. I smiled, it seems Colette finally got the memo.
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I walked in the dorm and Colette immediately looked at me. She muttered something under her breath while looking at my shirt.
¡°I¡¯m sorry. What was that?¡± I asked leaning forward,
¡°Did you just come here to gloat about your victory?¡± She snarled,
¡°No I came to ask for assistance,¡±
I explained to her how I wanted to see if she could tell me what was wrong with my spellcasting that made the spells so weak. She told me to cast the Mineralized Warrior spell. I nodded and began to mutter the incantation. She stopped me immediately.
¡°You¡¯re being too quiet,¡± She said,
¡°What?¡± I asked, was it really that simple,
¡°Magic, specifically conjuration, is all about communing with the spirits,¡± She explained, ¡°Once you commune you need to convince them to join your cause, with that timid voice only the weakest spirits will help.¡±
I listened intently to Colette''s advice, eager to improve my spellcasting abilities. She went on to explain the importance of projecting my voice and channeling my energy into the incantation, as it would allow me to connect with more powerful spirits and produce stronger spells.
With her guidance, I began to practice the Mineralized Warrior spell again, this time with a louder and more confident voice. To my amazement, the spell produced a much larger and sturdier golem than before. I couldn''t help but grin at the improvement.
Colette smiled slightly seeming impressed by my progress, ¡°You certainly have potential,¡± She sighed and grabbed a small card from the pocket of her dress, ¡°Here, these are the credits I owe you,¡±
I thanked her as I grabbed the card, ¡°You know you are actually a lot nicer than I thought,¡±
She blushed, ¡°Sh- Shut up! I just felt bad because of how weak you are!¡±
I laughed, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I won¡¯t tell anyone,¡±
On my way to class, my path was blocked by Warren Peters, a stereotypical bully who was tall, cocky, and not as strong as he liked to think. As he pushed me against a set of lockers, his black hair was pushed back, and he stared at me, trying to find any signs of fear. But I refused to give him the satisfaction of that reaction.
Warren wore a yellow shirt, indicating that he was a Tier 2 mage from the Divination school. He scowled at me, and a wicked smile spread across his face. "Come on, Quinn, you know the deal," he said. "200 credits, and I won''t hurt you."
I glared at him and shook my head. "No."
"You think you''re big and tough now that you''re Tier One," Warren growled. "But you forget that it still means you''re weaker than me!" He punched me hard in the gut, causing me to spit out blood.
Suddenly, a voice yelled out in my mind, urging me to fight back. But it wasn''t my voice, and I was confused. Before I could react, my health was refilled by some unknown source, and a warning popped up: .
I felt a surge of energy flow through me as I braced for the next attack. Warren looked surprised by my sudden change in demeanor, but he quickly recovered and lunged at me again. However, this time, I was ready for him. I dodged his fist and landed a solid punch on his nose. He stumbled back, holding his bleeding nose in shock.
I didn''t give him a chance to recover as I continued to attack with a series of precise strikes, targeting his weak spots. It was as if my body was moving on its own, guided by an unseen force that knew exactly where to hit to inflict maximum damage.
After a few seconds, Warren fell to the ground, defeated. I looked down at him, breathing heavily, and realized that the voice in my head was gone. I didn''t know what had happened, but one thing was for sure - I had just unlocked a new level of power that I never knew existed.
Birth Of "X"
I arrived at class earlier than expected, and Professor Elody hadn''t arrived yet. Some students were gossiping nearby, and I wasn''t interested in eavesdropping until I heard something intriguing.
"I heard someone stole all the third-year students'' wands," one student whispered.
"Who would do something like that?" another asked.
"I don''t know, but it''s what I heard," the first student replied.
My excitement grew at the prospect of having a case to work on, even if it was a minor theft. I continued to listen in on their conversation, gathering as much information as I could to start working on the case.
Suddenly, I fell to my knees, clutching my head in pain. It was the worst pain I had ever experienced, and my vision became blurry. Just before I blacked out, a notification popped up: "Activating Scene of the Crime: When working on a case, you can use Divination magic to form a mental image of the crime scene. As your understanding of the crime increases, more details will be revealed."
In my mind''s eye, I saw a shadowy figure running through the halls early yesterday morning. Other figures walked by, covered in shadows and carrying books, without noticing anything suspicious. The running figure was using illusion magic to remain undetected
I woke up abruptly to find Professor Elody leaning over me. Able was standing at a distance, appearing slightly concerned. Colette had placed my head on her lap, and as much as I wanted to stay there, I knew I had to get up. When I opened my eyes, I reached up to her face and said, "Is that you, Colette? Or just an angel?"
She slapped my hand away, and her tone was serious. "You idiot! You know how much paperwork we would have had to do if you died!"
I chuckled as I got up. "Glad to see you care, Colette." I turned to Professor Elody. "I hope you don''t mind, but I think I should go see Cain."
Before Professor Elody could respond, Colette interrupted her. "Not by yourself! You need someone to make sure you don''t hurt yourself!" After a brief pause, she added, "I''ll go with you."
As we walked down the halls, I felt conflicted. On the one hand, I was with the most beautiful girl I had ever met. On the other hand, I originally had no plans to go to Cain¡¯s office. I was going to work on the case when no one would be around to bother me.
We walked in silence, each lost in our thoughts. Colette''s gaze flickered toward me every few seconds as if she was trying to find the right words to start a conversation, but nothing seemed to come to mind. Finally, we arrived at Cain''s office and walked in.
"Ah, Quinn," Cain greeted me with a hint of amusement in his voice. "What brings you here this time?"
"Nothing really," I replied with a smile. "Just needed a break from class. Felt like everyone was staring at me."
Colette shot me a disapproving look. "Everyone was staring because you passed out on the floor!"
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Cain turned his attention to Colette, a hint of surprise in his eyes as if he had only just noticed her presence. He gestured for me to take a seat, and I complied. He studied me intently for a few moments before letting out a sigh.
"Quinn, when was the last time you slept?" he asked.
I had to pause for a moment to think. "I think it was on Saturday," I said finally.
"You think?" Cain raised an eyebrow, a small smile tugging at his lips. But then he became serious. "Look, I understand wanting to impress your new girlfriend by working hard, but what you''re doing is bad for your health."
At Cain''s words, Colette''s face turned bright red. "I am not her girlfriend!" she exclaimed.
Cain smiled at me, ¡°Whatever you say. What I recommend is that you take a nap here and make sure you actually sleep tonight.¡±
I nodded and looked at Colette, ¡°Since I¡¯m taking a nap, you should probably go back to class.¡±
Colette, still flustered, blurted out, ¡°Exactly what I was thinking!¡± She ran out and yelled, ¡°Still not girlfriend!¡± one last time.
***
I woke up around three and prepared myself to work on the case. I asked Cain for an old shirt of his, claiming that the school uniform was uncomfortable and that I had things I needed to do before returning to my dorm. Using my magic, I created a small mask to cover the bottom half of my face. My disguise was complete, and I stealthily made my way around the school looking for the head investigator. I found him, a teacher known only as Mr. Moon.
Mr. Moon was the head of the disciplinary committee and a veteran member of the faculty at the magic academy. He had a lean and wiry frame, with a crisp black suit accentuating his every movement. A neatly trimmed white beard framed his sharp features, and a pair of wire-rimmed glasses rested on the bridge of his nose. He held a wooden cane with a silver handle, tapping it gently against the floor as he walked.
He sighed, ¡°There is no point investigating! We don¡¯t have any evidence to narrow down our suspects.¡±
I was appalled by what I heard. The best detective they had given up so early. His claims were also completely false. There was plenty of evidence if he used his logic. I walked up to him.
¡°I¡¯ve actually narrowed it down by quite a bit,¡± I said.
He whirled around, ¡°Who are you?¡±
¡°Call me X,¡± I said, using one of my many aliases from back on Earth. ¡°We can immediately rule out 4th years as the wands would be far too weak for them to have any use for them. We know the attack happened sometime after 12 AM.¡±
¡°How do we know that?¡± He questioned.
¡°Pay attention! The halls of the third-year dorm have golems patrolling them before that time. Those golems can see through any illusion spell under the mage level. We already determined that no one of mage level would need the wands. Quite a few early risers walk the halls during that time of day, so the culprit must have at least Tier 4 Illusion spells.¡±
¡°That¡¯s incredible, X!¡± He exclaimed. ¡°We now know that it needs to be a year 2 with access to Tier 4 Illusions.¡±
I sighed. ¡°No, we cannot eliminate the possibility of it being a third year.¡±
¡°You¡¯re right!¡± He nodded. ¡°We need to see if any third years did not have their wand stolen.¡±
¡°No, any idiot with enough brains to commit this crime would know to hide their own wand as well.¡±
He nods, ¡°You¡¯re incredible, X! Do you have any more information?¡±
I ignored his question. ¡°I need you to do two things for me. Firstly, I need a better mask, preferably a full face mask. Then, I need you to research this symbol right here.¡± I handed him a piece of paper with the symbol from my vision drawn on it.
¡°Of course, X. How will I contact you?¡±
¡°I¡¯ll appear when those two things are done.¡± I then ran away without giving him time to react.
Tier 1 Alchemy
The next day, I wasted no time and immediately took the necessary steps to carry out my plan. Able was working alone in his Alchemy Lab when I found him, surrounded by his Tier 4 book and personal alchemy journal, with the Tier 1 book sitting on the shelf behind him.
I entered the lab and took a moment to look around. The room was filled with an assortment of jars, vials, and flasks, each containing different substances of varying colors and textures. There was a large cauldron in the corner of the room, and several smaller pots and pans scattered around the lab. The walls were lined with shelves, on which were stacked various books, parchments, and scrolls.
"Tell me Able, what do I need to do to borrow your Tier 1 Alchemy book for the day?" I asked.
He looked up briefly from his work and replied, "100 credits, no additional resources, 8 hours max."
I countered, "150 credits, ingredients and cauldron, 1 day."
"250, and I can keep what you make," I said.
We haggled back and forth for about 30 minutes until we finally agreed on a deal: 125 credits, ingredients and cauldron, 6 hours, and Able would keep half of everything I made. Though it wasn''t exactly what I had hoped for, I was still able to make it work.
The Tier 1 Alchemy book contained only two spells: Fragmentation and Nature Sense, as the focus was on potions rather than spells. Fragmentation allows you to break an ingredient into its most basic form, while Nature Sense allows you to sense and find ingredients more easily. Though I only needed to learn 6 potions to advance to the next rank, I found so many of the potions to be useful that I decided to use the first half of my time to memorize all of them.
I sat down at a table and began to read through the book. Despite not being in a library and being unable to use my skill, my memory was still exceptional, with each page taking only a minute or two to commit to memory.
After an hour and a half of memorizing, Able seemed annoyed at my lack of progress in potion-making. "You''ve been through half the book already, and you haven''t tried to make a single potion yet. Are you trying to waste my time?" he asked.
I quickly reassured him, "Of course not, I''m just working on memorizing as much as I can."
Able returned to his usual demeanor and asked, "How much have you memorized so far?"
"I''ve memorized everything that I''ve read," I replied confidently, sensing Able''s confusion.
To prove my point, he grabbed the book and tested me, "What are the ingredients to the Basic Vitality Potion?"
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"Besides the base of water, you need 1 part honey, ginger root, and dandelion root, and 2 parts rose petals," I answered without hesitation.
Impressed, Able asked me about the Mana Restoration potion, to which I replied, "That one is a little more complicated. You need 3 parts Mana Grass, 1 part Moon Flower, and 1 part finely ground crystal to serve as a catalyst."
Able looked at me with newfound respect, "You really do have an incredible memory. Maybe you''ll be worth the half of the potions you make that I''ll be keeping."
I nodded and began to work on the potions. The first one I tried was the Basic Vitality Potion, which was relatively simple, but I still took my time to ensure that I made it perfectly. I made sure Able was satisfied with the potion before moving on.
I followed Able''s instructions carefully, taking my time to measure each ingredient with precision. The Mana Grass had to be finely chopped, and the Moon Flower petals had to be dried and ground to a fine powder. I added the ingredients to the cauldron one by one, stirring constantly in a specific pattern. Finally, I added the finely ground crystal as a catalyst, and the mixture began to glow with a bright blue light.
Able to observe my progress with interest, occasionally offering a suggestion or a correction. "Watch the heat," he cautioned me at one point. "Too high, and you''ll burn the mixture. Too low, and it won''t react properly."
I adjusted the heat as needed, keeping a close eye on the mixture as it bubbled and steamed in the cauldron. After a few more minutes of stirring and adjusting, the mixture turned a deep shade of purple, and the potion was complete.
Able examined the potion carefully, sniffing at it and then taking a small sip. "Not bad," he said with a nod of approval. "A little rough around the edges, but with some practice, you could make this potion truly exceptional."
Encouraged by Able''s praise, I moved on to the next potion on the list. This one was the Sleep Potion, which required a combination of chamomile flowers, lavender, and valerian root. I carefully measured out the ingredients, following the instructions in the book precisely. As I stirred the mixture, the aroma of the flowers filled the room, and I found myself feeling a little drowsy.
"A word of warning," Able said as he watched me work. "This potion is incredibly potent. Use it sparingly, or you''ll sleep for a week."
I nodded, taking his advice to heart as I continued to work. After a few more minutes of stirring and adjusting, the potion turned a deep shade of blue, and it was ready to be bottled.
The last potion I made was the Invisibility Potion, which required a mixture of ground unicorn horn, powdered moonstone, and a pinch of powdered silver. The ingredients were difficult to find, but I managed to acquire them through some careful searching and a little bit of luck.
As I worked, Able watched me with interest, occasionally offering a suggestion or a correction. "You need to be very careful with this potion," he warned me. "It''s incredibly powerful, and if you don''t use it properly, you could find yourself in some serious trouble."
I nodded, taking his advice seriously as I continued to work. After a few more minutes of stirring and adjusting, the potion turned a deep shade of green, and it was ready to be bottled.
After six hours had passed, I had made all six of the required potions, as well as a few additional ones for Able to keep. I handed him the half he was owed, feeling satisfied with my progress for now.
As I left Able''s Alchemy Lab, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation for what lay ahead. With my newfound knowledge and skill in alchemy, I was one step closer to achieving my ultimate goal.
Conjuration Study Group
After the uneventful day of classes, I eagerly anticipated hearing back from Mr. Moon regarding my demands. Unfortunately, it seemed that he had yet to make any progress. With no immediate course of action available, I decided to return to my dorm and take a much-needed break.
But as I entered the room, I was met with a surprise. Colette was seated at the table, engrossed in her conjuration book, surrounded by four other students who were equally absorbed in their own books and notebooks.
"Colette," I said, "What''s going on here?"
She looked up and greeted me with a wave. "This is our conjuration study group," she said. "Would you like to join us?"
My luck had turned around. Not only did I have a chance to learn more about conjuration, but I could also see what spells the others were studying. I quickly introduced myself to the group and settled into a chair.
I studied the people around me, noting that Mateo, who sat next to me, followed the Path of The Titan like Colette, but he was only a Tier 1 Mage. I made sure to memorize the pages of his spellbook the most. On the other side of me was Sun, who followed the Path of Warding and was a prodigy, reaching Tier 4 even though the Path of Warding was a joint path.
Colette sat between two girls, Esther and Aster, who also followed the Path of The Titan. It seemed that Sun and I were the only outliers when it came to our paths. The meeting went by quickly, with people asking for help learning certain spells or viewing concepts. I had memorized three spells from Mateo¡¯s book that I found interesting, but stayed mostly quiet.
Eventually, the meeting slowly died down as Esther and Aster left for their dorms. That was when Sun turned to me and tried to start a conversation. "You know, Quinn, I''m surprised you don''t participate in the School''s Dueling Club," he said.
"What?" I asked, confused about the strange club and why he thought I should join.
"I saw how you totally manhandled Warren the other day," he said with a smirk. "Plus, Colette was talking about how you seem to be having an issue with credits."
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I smiled with a glint in my eye. "Sun, my friend, you should have started with that! How many credits are we talking?"
Sun grinned. "Winning any lower ranking match will get you a hundred credits, when you get into higher ranks like me you can get a thousand credits even if you lose!"
My eyes widened at the potential reward. 100 credits would go a long way in helping the plan. "Count me in," I said, feeling a newfound sense of determination.
Colette looked at me with surprise. "I had no idea you were interested in dueling, Quinn."
"I''m not particularly interested in dueling," I replied with a shrug, "but I am definitely interested in those credits."
Sun chuckled, "That''s the spirit! You should start with the lower-ranked matches and work your way up, but then again, you did manage to beat Warren who was in 50th place."
I nodded in agreement. "I''ll take any challenge that comes my way."
"Good attitude," Sun said. "I''ll take you tomorrow to officially sign up if you''d like!"
"Sounds good to me," I said, already thinking about the spellbooks I could potentially buy with the credits I would earn.
After Sun and Mateo left, I retreated to my room to start practicing the spells I had memorized. The first one on my list was "Warden," a spell that summoned an invisible creature to watch over a designated spot and report back to me. It was an incredibly useful spell that could come in handy during stakeouts or keeping an eye on Mr. Moon''s progress with my demands.
However, I soon discovered that the spell was more challenging than I had anticipated. No matter how hard I chanted, nothing appeared. Frustrated, I tried to recall what Colette had said during the study group when Mateo was asking for help with his spell. I remembered her mentioning something about the "Contract" spell and how it related to the theory behind summoning creatures.
I thought about what I had seen after Mateo flipped to the Contract spell. Colette had explained that it was more about forcing the mana out of your hands to enchant a contract, ensuring that more powerful summoned creatures would follow your commands. While Mateo had struggled to grasp the concept, I realized that forcing mana out of my hands might hold the key to summoning the Warden.
Forcing the mana out of my hands was a painful process at first, but after an hour of practicing, I finally managed to summon the Warden creature. It wasn''t perfect, but it was a start. I knew I had a long way to go before I could master the spell, but at least I had made some progress. With that, I decided to call it a night and get some rest before my upcoming dueling match.
Dueling Club
The next morning''s classes were just as uneventful as the previous day. After classes, Sun promptly met me as promised and led me to the dueling club. The building resembled a Roman colosseum, and a young man sat at a desk in front of it.
"Fight or watch?" the man asked.
"Sign up," Sun replied.
The man produced a sheet of paper from his desk and handed it to me with a slight smile. I filled it out and returned it to him, but then he said, "You need to pay a 1000 credit registration fee."
Just as I was about to tell him that I couldn''t afford that, Sun placed his hand on my shoulder and said, "She is signing under a direct recommendation of me, Sun Wukong."
The man''s eyes widened at the mention of Sun''s name. "I''m so sorry, Mr. Wukong. I didn''t recognize you. You are good to go. Would you like to schedule a match now?"
"She''s not all set," Sun said. "As she was recommended by one of the Ten, she gets a signing bonus, doesn''t she?"
The man gritted his teeth slightly. "My apologies, you are right, Mr. Wukong. Her signing bonus is 1000 credits because you hold the number 10 spot."
The man handed me a gray card, which he explained was my signing bonus and all future winnings would be deposited directly onto it. Sun escorted me to a small kiosk in the Colosseum and walked me through scheduling my matches.
¡°You should start with Rank 97, Fierro Burns, as a way to test your strength,¡± he suggested.
I nodded and requested a match with Fierro Burns. ¡°Okay, I¡¯ve sent the request. What do I do now?¡±
¡°Now, we wait and see if he accepts. It shouldn¡¯t take too long,¡± Sun replied.
Just as he finished speaking, a message appeared on the screen: ¡°Match accepted. Time: immediately. Location: Arena A.¡±
¡°Well, that was quicker than I thought,¡± Sun chuckled. ¡°I¡¯ll escort you over to the arena.¡±
As we walked, Sun explained the rules of the Dueling Club. But he only had a few moments to tell me about my opponent. Fierro Burns was a Tier 2 Path of Destruction Mage who mainly focused on fire spells. Who would have guessed?
Fierro towered over me, with a messy mop of brown hair and a cocky smirk on his face. Despite only being ranked above three people, he exuded an air of confidence. He taunted me as I stepped into the arena, offering to give me time to prepare spells.
¡°I¡¯m fine, but you can take a moment if you need to,¡± I replied calmly, returning his crossed arms with my own.
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Fierro''s expression twisted in anger at my words, ¡°You''re going to regret not taking my offer,¡± he growled.
The bell signaled the beginning of the match, and Fierro charged at me with a Firebolt spell. I swiftly dodged, barely escaping the flames by a hair''s breadth, thanks to my superior agility. When I activated the Precision Strikes skill this time, it showed me where to strike by glowing, leaving the rest up to me. Despite my precision, Fierro managed to dodge my attack with equal speed.
But I didn''t lose hope. I started chanting the Mineralized Warrior spell and summoned the towering rocky warrior, which punched Fierro. However, he remained unfazed and countered with a fireball, destroying my spell. As he launched another Fireball at me, I narrowly avoided it using the Mist Clone spell.
It was time for me to take the offensive. I weaved around his attacks, landing punches and kicks with the Precision Strikes skill. As Fierro fired another Fireball at me, I knew I had to end the match quickly. I began continuously chanting the Mist Clone spell, ordering the three mistlike figures to disperse and surround Fierro in mist. He frantically looked around in the mist, giving me the perfect opportunity to strike. I ran up and hit him in the gut, causing him to fall in surprise. I quickly pinned him down with my foot, winning the match.
The crowd erupted into cheers and applause as I was declared the winner. Fierro glared at me as he got up, brushing himself off, and stalked off the arena. Sun rushed up to me, clapping me on the back.
"You did it! That was amazing!" he exclaimed, a wide grin on his face.
I received a notification from the system.
I smiled and dismissed myself as I headed back to the dorm. I decided to check my stats.
|
HP
|
5/5
|
|
Level 3
|
|
|
EXP
|
0/200
|
|
Mana
|
22/22
|
|
Strength
|
4
|
|
Intelligence
|
22
|
|
Agility
|
7
|
I now had enough information to confirm my theory. It was just as I thought, stats increase at each level based on my actions in between levels. Which means that the longer it takes me to level up the more my stats can increase. Now I just needed to figure out why my health has yet to increase. Perhaps it is like my mana which is tied to my intelligence, but none of my stats are a five like my HP.
Feeling confused by my stats, I decided to focus on something else. I cast the Warden spell and instructed it to check on Mr. Moon. Specifically, I wanted it to determine if he had a mask on his person. After a short time, the Warden returned to me and tapped my forehead.
I saw Mr. Moon pacing in front of the Disciplinary Office, holding a white mask in his hand.
"I know X said she would be here when I was done," he sighed. "But how will she know that I did it? I worked really hard."
I smiled, realizing that I would be seeing him sooner than expected. If I played my cards right, I could solve this case by morning.
X Emerges
After retrieving my disguise, I made my way to the disciplinary office. Mr. Moon was still pacing in front, muttering my alias over and over.
¡°Moon,¡± I said with a smirk. ¡°You should really stop pacing like that. It''s unbefitting of someone with your standing.¡±
He ran up to me and handed me the mask. I thanked him and told him to turn around as I put it on.
¡°This is much better,¡± I said, my voice distorted by the mask so that no one would recognize me. ¡°Now tell me, what did you find out about the symbol?¡±
¡°I apologize, but I could not find anything about that symbol,¡± he said, looking down and worried that he had disappointed me.
¡°That''s fine,¡± I replied. ¡°Do you have a list of all Tier 4 Illusion Students?¡±
His face brightened as he pulled it out from his cloak. ¡°Yes, here you go!¡±
I scanned the list. ¡°Can I trust you to interview the second years while I work on the third years?¡± Even though the mask distorted my voice, I couldn''t risk any second-year students recognizing me.
¡°Yes, of course, X.¡±
¡°Good. Meet me back here in four hours.¡±
I made my way to the first student on the list, Leila Damica in room 107. I knocked on her door, and she quickly answered. She was slightly taller than me with red hair that extended far beyond her lower back. It seemed like I had caught her in the middle of a nap, and she rushed to the door, her hair a mess and all she wore was an oversized hoodie. I blushed slightly underneath the mask. She opened the door with a smile, but when she saw me, it disappeared.
¡°Who are you?¡± she questioned.
¡°Detective X,¡± I said, conjuring an ID using a spell. ¡°I''m here to investigate the missing wands.¡±
She invited me in, "Would you like a minute to freshen up?" I asked, trying to put her at ease.
"It''s fine," she sighed. "I''d like to get this over with."
"I see," I said, taking a seat. "For the record, please state your name and tier."
"Leila Damica, Tier 6 Illusionist," she replied.
I nodded, jotting down her information. "What were you doing the night of the incident?"
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"I was in my room with a few friends playing board games," she replied, leaning back with her arms crossed. "My alibi is watertight."
I made a note of her statement before continuing. "Would you mind stating the names of these friends?"
She listed off three names I was unfamiliar with, and I wrote them down. "Thank you. Do you recognize this symbol from anywhere?" I asked, handing her a piece of paper on which I had drawn a symbol.
"Nope, can''t say I have," she replied, examining the drawing.
I noted her response and continued with my questions. "Have you noticed anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in the past few days?"
She shook her head. "No, nothing unusual."
I paused, taking in her responses. "Thank you, Ms. Damica. That''s all for now. I may need to follow up with you if anything else comes up."
Leila nodded, and I stood up to leave. "Thank you for your cooperation, and please remember to report anything suspicious to the disciplinary office."
I exited the room and made my way down the hall to the next student on the list. As I walked, I thought about Leila''s alibi and her lack of knowledge about the symbol. It seemed like she was telling the truth, but I couldn''t let my guard down just yet.
The next student, a Tier 4 Illusionist named Max, wasn''t as cooperative as Leila. He was defensive from the moment I knocked on his door, and he refused to let me in without a warrant. I had to use some persuasive tactics to get him to cooperate, but eventually, he relented and allowed me inside.
Max''s room was cluttered with various gadgets and gizmos, and it was clear that he spent most of his time tinkering with machines. I asked him the same questions I had asked Leila, but his answers were evasive and vague. He claimed that he was working on a project the night of the incident and couldn''t leave his room, but he refused to provide any further details.
When I showed him the symbol, he squinted at it for a moment before shaking his head. "Never seen it before," he said, his tone dismissive.
I left Max''s room feeling frustrated. He was hiding something, but I couldn''t figure out what. As I made my way to the next student on the list, I couldn''t help but wonder if I was getting any closer to solving the case or if I was just running in circles.
Hours passed as I interviewed each student on the list, and by the time I had finished, it was nearly dark outside. I met up with Mr. Moon at the disciplinary office, and we compared notes. Unfortunately, none of the students had any useful information about the missing wands or the mysterious symbol.
¡°X, we¡¯ve made zero progress,¡± Mr. Moon said, his tone somber, ¡°We may have to close the case if we don¡¯t make progress soon.¡±
I grabbed his shirt and pulled him down until he was eye level with me, ¡°Moon as long as I am working with you we will never close a case until we solve it,¡± He began fervently nodding, ¡°And if I even hear you think about suggesting that you will experience pain unlike anything you have ever felt,¡± I paused, ¡°Do you understand?¡±
He said yes so I released my hold on him, ¡°Good. Now I need you to find out about these three students.¡± I handed him the paper with the three names Leila had given me as well as some other names I had received to confirm alibis, ¡°I need names, tiers, and dorm numbers.¡± He nodded, ¡°When you are done, find my sister and give her the information,¡±
¡°Y-you have a sister?¡± He questioned,
¡°Yes,¡± I lied, he couldn¡¯t find out I was a second year student in disguise just yet. But if he thought X and me were sisters, he would write off any similarities.
¡°How will I find her?¡±
¡°You are a detective are you not?¡± I said already walking away
Mind Sanctum
When I returned to my dorm, I found myself restless and unable to sleep, consumed by thoughts of the case that seemed to elude me at every turn. To distract myself, I decided to test out a new skill I had recently acquired: Mind Sanctum. Sitting up in my bed, I crossed my legs and activated the skill, feeling as though I was being transported to a different dimension.
As I emerged in the strange new world around me, I saw towering bookshelves lining the walls, their tops disappearing into the distance. Curving staircases wound their way up and down the room, and I couldn''t help but feel a sense of awe at the sheer size of the space. My attention was drawn to a single bookshelf in front of me, holding six familiar-looking books. To my surprise, they were the very same books that I had read since my arrival in this world.
As I reached out to take one of the books, I heard a deep voice behind me. Spinning around, I saw a figure standing in the shadows, his features obscured. "Finally!" he exclaimed. "How long were you planning on waiting to use that skill?"
I tensed up, recognizing the voice as the same one that had spoken to me during my encounter with Warren. "Who are you?" I demanded.
The figure stepped forward, revealing himself to be a tall, broad-shouldered man with piercing blue eyes. "My name is Alexander Gramble," he said, extending a hand in greeting. "I''m the last person who reincarnated here."
As I opened my mouth to introduce myself, he cut me off abruptly, "I know who you are, and I know you''re not making progress as fast as you should be," he said with a hint of frustration in his voice.
¡°Excuse me!¡± I exclaimed, ¡°I have advanced a tier in two schools in less than a week! In this world I would be considered a genius,¡±
¡°By the Director!¡± He exclaimed though I had no clue what he meant, ¡°I didn¡¯t think you¡¯d get all defensive about it. I was just saying that your method isn¡¯t very efficient,¡±
¡°Oh alright Mr. Genius,¡± I said, ¡°How would you recommend advancing?¡±
¡°If you perform a Soul Bond you can advance a days worth in ten minutes,¡±
¡°A Soul Bond?¡±
¡°Just like how I helped you with Warren, by temporarily fusing our souls you can gain access to the memories that I want to give you,¡±
¡°This is incredible, Alexander!¡± I exclaimed, my mood doing a complete one-eighty. ¡°If I can constantly perform a soul bond for about 60 hours, I could progress a year just like that!¡±
¡°Slow down there,¡± Alexander warned, ¡°It¡¯s very dangerous to do it for that long, especially at the beginning.¡±
I nodded, beginning to calm down. ¡°So what can you teach me?¡±
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¡°Well, I didn¡¯t study any of the subjects you''re interested in, but I learned Evocation and Enhancement magic. I could also teach you how to use a sword.¡±
I pondered my options for a moment. ¡°I think I¡¯ll learn evocation. It should help me in the dueling arena.¡±
Alexander nodded and gestured for me to sit down. ¡°So, how do we do this soul bond thing, anyway?¡± I asked.
Alexander sat down in front of me, closed his eyes, and reached out towards me, pressing his thumbs into my temples. His eyes jerked open, glowing faintly red as he muttered the words, ¡°Soul Bond.¡±
I found myself in a small, dimly lit room surrounded by candles. With two books in front of me, a tier 1 and a tier 2 evocation book, I read intently with my right hand while practicing the spells with my left. I made quick progress, only two spells away from reaching tier 2 in just 8 hours. But suddenly, I noticed the room started to crack and crumble. In a few moments, the cracks grew into gaping holes in the floor and I fell through them.
The next thing I knew, I was a young boy standing before my father, Wright Gramble. We both held steel longswords and it was the day he was to test my swordsmanship. As we clashed swords, I realized that even though he was holding back, I was still able to match him. But then the cracks reappeared and widened even faster than before, and I found myself falling again.
In the next vision, I stood over a criminal, my sword covered in his blood. I winced at my wounds, knowing I was lucky to have survived the battle. Suddenly, I felt something soft press against my back, and I turned around to see a girl with tears in her eyes.
"Alexander, please tell me you''re okay," she cried, her arms wrapped tightly around my neck.
I reassured her that I was fine and that it would take a lot more than that to kill me. She laughed and moved closer to me, dangerously close to my face. I wanted to whisper something to her, to tell her how much I loved her, but before I could, the vision ended abruptly.
I was gasping for air when I returned to the library, but my concern for Alexander quickly took over. He was sweating profusely and clutching his head, muttering a name repeatedly under his breath. I reached out to him, but he slapped my hand away, tears welling up in his eyes. After a moment, he regained his composure and apologized, admitting that he had lost control and shown me things that were not meant for my eyes.
"I think it would be best if we refrain from Soul Bonding until I can control my emotions better," he said, standing up and dusting himself off.
Curiosity gnawed at me, and I couldn''t resist asking about the girl I had seen in his memories. "Alexander, who was she?" I asked, hoping to ease the tension.
But his response was cold and defensive. "I don''t go around asking about your first life, so don''t ask about mine," he growled before walking off, leaving me to contemplate the secrets he held tightly to his chest.
As I slowly came back to reality, I was amazed that the entire Soul Bonding experience had only taken ten minutes. I sat down and tried to recall everything that had happened, knowing that it might be a while before I had the opportunity to try it again. It was crucial to review what I had learned. I had made significant progress as a Tier 1 Evocationist and was only two spells away from becoming a Tier 2.
I was surprised to find that I had also gained some knowledge of sword fighting. Although it was just a brief encounter in the vision, I felt that I could recreate some of the moves I had used in the battle. It was a promising development, and I looked forward to exploring it further in the future.
Finally, I couldn''t help but wonder about Alexander''s origin. His experiences and memories seemed to be from a completely different world than mine. This revelation suggested the existence of at least three separate universes, each with its unique history and inhabitants.
Moon Meets Quinn
The next day, I sat in class, half-listening to Professor Elody''s lecture on spell-casting techniques. My mind was preoccupied with the anticipation of Mr. Moon''s arrival. I had left several clues in his office to lead him to me, and I knew he was getting closer. Finally, Mr. Moon burst through the door and beckoned me to follow him to his office. As we entered, the smell of tea filled the room, and I couldn''t help but notice two cups on his desk. One on his side and one on mine.
Without wasting any time, Mr. Moon cut right to the chase. "Quinn, I need to know if you''re X''s sister," he said, looking straight at me.
I confirmed his suspicion with a nod and took a seat at his desk, grateful for the cup of tea in front of me. He reached into a drawer and handed me a piece of paper. "Here''s what your sister asked for," he said, his eyes studying me carefully.
"Thanks," I replied, tucking the paper into my bag. "Is there anything else you need from me?"
He hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Is your sister seeing anyone?" The question caught me off guard, and I nearly choked on my tea.
"I''m sorry, what?" I asked incredulously
¡°W-well, it¡¯s just that your sister is really pretty and smart,¡± He stuttered, ¡°A-and I was just, you know, curious if she would be open to a date,¡±
As Mr. Moon stumbled through his request, I couldn''t help but feel disgusted. His words were so crass and disrespectful, especially since he was talking about me. It took all my self-control to maintain a composed fa?ade.
¡°No,¡± I said through gritted teeth, ¡°I don¡¯t believe she is dating anyone at this moment,¡±
He smiled wide, like some sort of child, ¡°Oh good, well that¡¯s all I needed to know. Make sure your sister gets that paper,¡± He paused for a slight moment, ¡°And maybe don¡¯t tell her about this interaction,¡±
¡°Sure,¡± I replied, trying to keep the disgust out of my voice. I got up and made my way to the door, wanting to get out of there as soon as possible. As I reached the door, I turned around and looked at him with a cold stare, ¡°And Mr. Moon, I hope you understand that it¡¯s not appropriate to ask a student about their sibling¡¯s dating life,¡±
He looked taken aback by my sudden change in demeanor, ¡°Y-yes, of course. I apologize if I overstepped any boundaries,¡±
¡°Good,¡± I replied before exiting the room and slamming the door behind me. I took a deep breath and tried to calm myself down before heading back to class. I couldn''t believe the nerve of that man.
***
I met Colette at lunch, noticing her sitting in her usual spot all alone. I once asked Sun why no one ever sat with her and he told me that everyone was too scared to try. I sat down next to her and saw her shutting her spellbook that was resting on her lap.
¡°Hi Colette,¡± I greeted her. ¡°What¡¯s up?¡±
¡°What was up with Mr. Moon this morning?¡± she asked.
¡°He just wanted to ask about my sister,¡± I replied, not thinking about it.
¡°You have a sister?¡± she exclaimed, her eyes widening.
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¡°Oh, I guess I¡¯ve never mentioned her before,¡± I said, trying to save the situation. ¡°I don¡¯t really talk about her a lot, I guess.¡±
She nodded, ¡°So what did he want to know?¡±
¡°He wanted to ask if she was single,¡± I said, rolling my eyes.
¡°Ew,¡± Was all she said in response before changing the subject, ¡°Oh, I was going to go to town tomorrow looking for some new spellbooks. You want to join?¡±
¡°Sure,¡± I could hardly contain my excitement, ¡°That sounds great,¡±
¡°Okay, I¡¯ll let Sun know,¡±
¡°Wh-Why would you let Sun know?¡± I asked
¡°Oh I forgot to mention, Sun was the one who suggested it in the first place,¡± she explained with a shrug. "He said he wanted to come along too, so I thought I''d ask you as well."
I couldn''t help but feel a little disappointed that Sun was going to be there, but I tried not to let it show. I was thinking that Colette was asking me on a date, but that was just wishful thinking. Of course, Sun was also a great friend, but I didn¡¯t either of us trapped as a third wheel.
"Great, I''ll meet you both tomorrow morning then," I said, forcing a smile. "Where do you want to meet?"
"We''ll meet outside the main gate at 9 am," Colette said, standing up and collecting her things. "See you then!"
I was considering heading to the Dueling Club for some practice, but then Alexander''s voice popped up in my mind.
"Hey, do you mind coming into the Mind Sanctum?" he asked. "There''s something I want to try out."
"How are you able to speak to me right now?" I asked mentally. "I thought we could only communicate in the Mind Sanctum."
"Think of it like this," he explained. "The Mind Sanctum is like a room in your mind. Before, it was locked, but when you entered it, you unlocked the doors for me to move around. Don''t worry, I just left now, and I haven''t seen anything weird."
I felt a bit hesitant, but I was also curious about what he wanted to show me. "Okay, I''ll come," I replied. "Just give me a minute to get there."
As I made my way back to my dorm, I couldn''t help but feel curious about what Alexander had in store for me. I wondered if he had found a way to control his emotions, but deep down, I knew it was unlikely. When I arrived, Alexander instructed me to grab some papers before entering the Mind Sanctum.
Once I entered, I immediately noticed that Alexander seemed exhausted with bags under his eyes as he feverishly wrote on the papers in front of him.
¡°Ah, you''re finally here!¡± he exclaimed, holding hundreds of papers under his arms. ¡°I''m not ready for Soul Bonding just yet, but I have written down some of my techniques here.¡±
He spoke rapidly and seemed to dislike even a second of silence.
¡°Alexander, are you okay?¡± I asked, noticing his erratic behavior.
¡°Okay?¡± His eyes twitched, ¡°I am more than okay, Quinn! I am doing just dandy! It''s not like I''ve been trapped in this library all by myself for seventy-two hours!¡±
I was about to correct him, informing him that it had only been twenty-four hours, but then I remembered the time-dilation effect that was in effect within the Mind Sanctum.
¡°I think you need to relax,¡± I advised
¡°Relax?¡± He looked at me like I was crazy, ¡°No, no, no! I cannot relax, if I relax I¡¯m alone with my thoughts,¡± He shoved the papers into my hands, ¡°If I keep working the problem will go away! And maybe you¡¯ll be almost as strong as me!¡±
I hated to have to pull this card, but I could tell I would not make it through unless I tried, ¡°Alexander, is this what she would have wanted?¡± I said thinking back to the girl from the vision, I could tell he cared deeply for her,
He fell onto his knees breathing heavily for a moment, ¡°You¡¯re right Quinn,¡± He said after a minute, ¡°Do you mind if I stay out of this place for a while, I don¡¯t think it¡¯s good for my mental health,¡±
I nodded, ¡°Just, uh, try to close your eyes when I shower¡¡±
He laughed slightly, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯m not some creep who would take advantage of living in your mind,¡±
I chuckled. ¡°I know, I was just trying to lighten the mood. But seriously, don¡¯t push yourself too hard. We can work on this together when you¡¯re ready.¡±
Shopping
I arrived five minutes early for our trip out of town, Sun and Colette arrived shortly after me. Colette was in her usual dress, but Sun looked different today, wearing a casual shirt and jeans instead of his usual formal attire.
I was surprised to find out that the town was just a short walk away from the academy. As we walked through the marketplace, I couldn''t help but marvel at the vibrant colors and bustling activity around us. The marketplace was a mix of different cultures and merchants selling everything from exotic spices to intricate jewelry.
As soon as we entered the marketplace, Sun left us alone as Colette dragged me through the stalls. She stopped in her tracks staring at an item in a glass case. It was a golden bracelet, with glowing runes etched all over it. The owner of the stall walked forward and smiled at Colette.
¡°You have a great eye young lady,¡± He said, ¡°This is a one of a kind bracelet for a mage such as yourself!¡± Colette¡¯s eyes almost looked like they were shining, ¡°See it¡¯ll increase the rate that your mana recovers,¡±
¡°It¡¯s a fake,¡± Alexander says in my mind, ¡°It¡¯s a well-made fake, but it won¡¯t have any special effects,¡±
I smirked as I looked at the clerk, ¡°Can I ask you a question?¡± I asked, but without waiting for an answer I continued, ¡°Do you think I''m an idiot?¡± I gave him a withering look.
¡°I¡¯m not sure what you are talking about ma¡¯am,¡± He said, his smile faltering.
¡°It¡¯s a forgery,¡± I said firmly, ¡°In fact, all of these are fake. Why, it¡¯s so obvious I could tell even if I was blind!¡± The man started shaking slightly, ¡°Maybe I should go tell everyone that this stall is a scam.¡±
¡°No!¡± The man said, ¡°Please, what can I do to make you keep your silence?¡±
I raised an eyebrow, ¡°Well, for starters, you could give my friend here a discount on something that¡¯s actually worth buying.¡±
The man nodded frantically, ¡°Of course, of course! Please, let me make it up to you both.¡± He quickly pulled out a small box from under the counter and handed it to Colette. ¡°Here, take this bracelet as my apologies for the inconvenience.¡±
Colette beamed as she put on the bracelet, and I couldn¡¯t help but feel satisfied with the outcome. As we continued to browse the marketplace, Sun rejoined us, carrying a small bag of pastries from a nearby bakery.
¡°Sorry about that,¡± Sun said, ¡°I had to take care of something for a moment. Did you guys find anything interesting?¡±
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Colette showed him her new bracelet, and Sun looked impressed, ¡°That¡¯s a nice find. It looks like it will come in handy.¡±
Colette led us to her favorite bookstore in town, and as we entered, I was struck by the unique layout. The store was divided into two distinct halves, separated by a line of chalk that created a magic wall between them. On one side were the more magical books, divided by school, and on the other were the more traditional books, divided by genre. The store was run by two twins, Click and Clack, who did not get along, hence the divide in the store.
As I perused the spellbook section, I picked up a tier 2 conjuration book, and a notification appeared in front of me: . Intrigued, I selected yes, and a small ball of light emerged from the book and entered my mind. However, when I tried touching a tier 3 book, no such message appeared. Realizing that I was only able to absorb books that were at most one tier higher than my current tier, I went around the spellbook section, eagerly absorbing as many spellbooks as I could get my hands on.
After absorbing the tier 2 Enhancement book, Clack walked up to me. He was a tall man with short blonde hair and a serious expression.
¡°Ma¡¯am, can I ask what that light entering your head is?¡± he asked.
I hesitated for a moment, unsure of how he would react, but then decided to be honest. ¡°It¡¯s a magical ability that my family possesses. It allows me to absorb books into my mind to read later,¡± I explained.
¡°That¡¯s practically thievery!¡± Clack exclaimed, his voice rising in anger. ¡°You are going to need to pay for those!¡±
I could feel my face heating up in embarrassment. I didn''t want to cause any trouble, especially in Colette''s favorite bookstore. ¡°I''m sorry, I didn''t mean to cause any problems. I''ll take them out,¡± I said, trying to sound as sincere as possible.
Just as I was about to remove the absorbed books, I had an idea. I lifted my hand to my head and cast the Light spell, creating a ball of light similar to the way the skill was working. I handed him the ball of light, ¡°Here you go sir,¡± I said with a smile. The ball disappeared into thin air when it touched his hand. ¡°Now as you can see, I no longer have the information. So there should be no further problems,¡± I said, feeling proud of myself for coming up with a solution.
After Clack left, Colette approached me with a look of wonder on her face. "Is that spell you were talking about real?" she asked.
I nodded, a smile spreading across my face. "Yes, it''s very real. It''s a family spell that''s been passed down for generations."
Colette''s eyes widened with excitement. "That''s amazing! With a spell like that, imagine how fast I could progress!" She grabbed my shoulders, her enthusiasm contagious. "Do you think you could teach me?"
I hesitated for a moment before replying, "I could, but it''s a family spell and I''m not really supposed to share it with anyone outside of my family."
Colette''s face fell at my response, "Unless..." I said slowly, drawing out the word.
"Unless what?"
I grinned at her mischievously. "Unless you want to marry me right now," I said jokingly.
Colette''s face erupted into a mix of red and pink. "Even I''m not power-hungry enough to do that," she said, shaking her head and turning to walk away.
Tier 2
I spent most of the time in the Mind Sanctum when we returned to the academy. With Alexander''s guidance, I was able to reach tier 2 in everything except Alchemy within just 8 hours or 2 and a half outside time. However, I was left with a dilemma and needed his advice.
"Alexander, I can''t decide whether to learn Abjuration or Enhancement," I said, pausing for a moment. "Or should I just stick to the plan and learn Divination? I''m worried that six schools will be too much."
He pondered for a moment before responding, "Personally, I would leave Enhancement to me since I''m already an expert. But when it comes to Abjuration or Divination, why not both?"
I looked at him with a puzzled expression, "Do you think six schools is too much? You only mastered two."
"I only mastered two, but the two I did are at Tier 20, so I know every spell in those categories. I learned many schools," he explained. "In addition, your skills are particularly suited for learning as many schools as possible."
"Really?" I asked, intrigued.
"Of course. And I can see the next skill the system is going to give you, which will be really helpful," he said with a smile.
"What is it?" I asked eagerly.
¡°Well it¡¯s ¨C¡± He was mouthing words but nothing would come out, ¡°Shit, stupid ¡®Rule Of Plausibility¡¯¡±
¡°What¡¯s the Rule Of Plausibility?¡±
¡°It¡¯s ¨C¡± He groaned as the words wouldn¡¯t come out, ¡°I can¡¯t tell you things that you shouldn¡¯t know,¡±
¡°That sucks. Well, what can you tell me?¡±
¡°Well I don¡¯t suppose I can tell you about dimensions¡ Oh I guess you¡¯ve figured that out,¡± He paused, stroking his face, ¡°There are ¨C dimensions. I used to work for the ¨C.¡± He continued to try to say different words yet still nothing seemed to come out, ¡°So basically, I can teach you nothing important,¡±
¡°Well that¡¯s great,¡± I sat down and continued reading books for another four hours.
After reaching Tier 2 in all the books I had acquired, I finally leveled up to Level 4. But what caught my attention was the subsequent notification that appeared on my screen.
I couldn''t help but smirk as I exited the Mind Sanctum and stepped out of my room. Colette, who was sitting in the living room, immediately noticed my yellow shirt that signified my rank up. She stood up and congratulated me.
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"I can''t believe you made it to Tier 2 already! And in two schools no less!" She beamed.
"A little more than two," I corrected her with a smile.
She blinked slowly, "Oh, right! You said you were going to learn Divination too! My bad, three schools." I rubbed the back of my neck, and she glared at me. "Quinn, how many schools are you in?!"
"Six," I answered, trying to cough to cover up my response.
"SIX!" She screeched. "Do you have a death wish, Quinn?"
I shrugged nonchalantly, "I like a challenge."
She shook her head in disbelief, "I''ll never understand you, Quinn. Anyway, here''s your Tier 3 book. But I don''t see how you''re going to make much progress in it right now." She handed me the book, and I absorbed it into my mind. "Oh, right, I almost forgot."
After finishing my practice in the Mind Sanctum, I decided to pay a visit to Able in his lab. It was a Saturday, but I had a feeling that he would be working anyway. As I entered, I spotted him wearing a purple shirt - a sign that he had reached Tier 4 in his studies. According to official school policy, once you reached Tier 4 you only needed to carry the shirt on you. Though Able didn¡¯t seem like the type of person who cared what he wore as long as it worked.
"Hey Able, sorry to bother you," I said with a small smile.
"What do you need?" he asked, not bothering to look up from his work.
"Just need to borrow your cauldron and some ingredients," I replied.
Able scoffed. "What do you think I am? Some kind of endless herb vending machine?" he retorted. I glanced around the room, taking in the countless jars of herbs and ingredients, some even sticking out of his lab coat.
"Okay, fine," he finally relented. "But you''re going to either pay for the herbs or give me the potions."
I quickly gathered the necessary ingredients and began to concoct the potions with ease, thanks to Able¡¯s previous training and my knowledge from the Mind Sanctum. While brewing, I struck up a conversation with Able, curious about his personal lab.
¡°What do you need to get your own lab?¡± I inquired.
¡°You shouldn¡¯t be talking and brewing at the same time, especially at your level,¡± he chided, ignoring my question.
¡°Is there anything else I''m doing wrong?¡± I asked with a sly grin.
He scrutinized my work but couldn''t find any mistakes. Finally, he relented and answered my question.
¡°You need to be Tier 3 and receive a recommendation from a teacher or a special student,¡± he replied.
¡°Are you one of those special students?¡± I asked.
He nodded. ¡°If you want my recommendation, tell me how you''re doing that,¡± he said, eyeing my brewing process.
¡°It''s simple, really. I memorized the entire spellbook,¡± I smirked.
¡°You should stop joking around so much,¡± Able said, his voice stern. ¡°Tell me seriously.¡±
¡°I am being completely serious,¡± I replied. ¡°It took a while, but by memorizing the two books, I was able to get a full grasp of all the theory. If I wanted to, I could do this in my sleep... That last part was a joke.¡±
¡°That¡¯s impressive,¡± he said, seeming unable to think of anything else.
With the necessary potions concocted and ready, I walked over to the bookshelf in the lab. I focused on absorbing the knowledge from the Tier 3 book before turning back to Able.
¡°I¡¯ll probably be back next week, so I can reach Tier 3,¡± I said, determined.
¡°Normally I would categorize that as a joke and not expect anything,¡± Able smiled slightly. ¡°I look forward to seeing you in a red shirt.¡±
X-Posing the Truth(1)
The next day, I turned my attention to the more pressing matter at hand - solving the case as quickly as possible. My first step was to check Leila''s alibi. The first two people I spoke with were able to confirm everything she had said, but they had no information about the mysterious symbol from my vision. The third person on my list was Leila''s roommate. As I knocked on the door, Leila answered.
"Oh," she sighed, "it''s you again."
"Don''t worry, Ms. Damica," I reassured her. "I''m not here for you. Is your roommate home?"
"Yeah, she is." Leila turned around and called out, "Elise! There''s someone here for you."
As Elise walked out of the room, my eyes were immediately drawn to her striking resemblance to Colette. Her long, blonde hair flowed down her back, framing her delicate features. I couldn''t help but wonder if Colette would look the same with her hair down; it was a captivating thought that distracted me for a moment. It wasn''t until I glanced at my list of names that it finally clicked ¨C Elise''s last name was Winnr. It all made sense now; Colette must have a sister who shared her stunning looks.
"Who is it, Leila?" Elise asked.
¡°Good morning, Ms. Winnr. I am X,¡± I greeted her with a smile under my mask before turning to Leila. ¡°It might be best if you leave while I conduct the interview.¡±
¡°The hell!¡± Leila protested. ¡°You think you can just kick me out of my dorm?¡±
¡°I assure you that I am not kicking you out,¡± I replied, raising my hands to show my peaceful intentions. ¡°I''m simply asking you to leave. If I wanted to force you, I wouldn''t even have to try.¡±
Leila was practically growling at me, but eventually relented and left, claiming she needed to get lunch anyway. Elise and I sat across from each other, her on the couch and I on a chair.
¡°I apologize for Ms. Damica''s outburst," I said. "I had no idea she would react that way."
¡°It¡¯s okay,¡± she replied with a weak smile. ¡°What do you need?¡±
¡°I just have a few questions for you regarding the night that the wands were stolen," I said. "Firstly, can you confirm your whereabouts the night of the incident?¡±
¡°Me, Leila, and some friends were playing board games in the dorm.¡±
¡°Did you notice anything suspicious that night?¡±
¡°No, not that I can think of.¡±
I handed her the piece of paper with the symbol on it. ¡°Do you recognize this symbol?¡±
She thought for a moment. ¡°Oh! This is the logo for the book club Leila is a part of!¡±
¡°A book club, you say,¡± I said, feeling a sense of progress. ¡°Are these other friends of yours a part of this book club?¡±
¡°Yeah, I¡¯m the only one in a friend group who isn¡¯t in it.¡±
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¡°I see,¡± I began to think back to my vision. ¡°This may seem like a strange question, but I assure you it is imperative to answer truthfully.¡± I took a deep breath. ¡°Have you ever seen Leila¡¯s bare back?¡±
¡°W-What kind of question is that?¡± she blushed furiously.
¡°Please, it''s very important. Has she ever been in a crop top around you? Or in an open-backed dress? I need to know if she has any sort of back tattoo.¡±
¡°Um,¡± she pushed her fingers together and looked down. ¡°I¡¯ve never seen her in any outfit that reveals anything like that. I¡¯m sorry I couldn¡¯t be more help.¡±
I thanked Elise for her cooperation and left to report my findings to Mr. Moon. With Elise''s testimony and the symbol''s connection to Leila''s book club, Leila had become my primary suspect. Despite her seemingly airtight alibi, I couldn''t discount the possibility that she had used her Tier 6 Illusionist abilities to create a convincing replica of herself.
When I entered Mr. Moon''s office, I found him dozing off at his desk. I banged my hand against the desk, jolting him awake.
"Mr. Moon, Leila Damica is now our primary suspect," I declared without preamble. He started to respond, but I cut him off. "I need all the files you have on her, and I need them now. Time is of the essence, and I may need to infiltrate a few places to get to the bottom of this."
Mr. Moon quickly retrieved the information I needed, and as he handed over Leila''s file, my eyes darted over to the extracurricular activities section. After a few moments of scanning, my eyes locked onto the information they needed.
"Moon, can you sign someone up for a club?" I asked with urgency.
"If I know the club sponsor, I can certainly try. Why do you ask?" Moon replied, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"I need you to get my sister into the next meeting of this book club tomorrow." My gaze was unwavering, "Can I trust you to make this happen? If we fail now, we may lose our chance to solve the case."
Mr. Moon saluted at me, "You can count on me, X."
"Good." I exhaled. "If everything goes as planned, we will soon have the answers we need."
The next day, Mr. Moon successfully signed me up for the club. As I entered the clubroom, I scanned the area for any signs of suspicion. To my surprise, there was no trace of the strange symbol. However, most of the members kept stealing glances at me, which made me even more suspicious. I had a gut feeling that this was more than just a book club.
The meeting commenced with a discussion about the book they had just finished reading. It sounded peculiar to me. The book was about a group of farm animals who revolted and took over the farm they worked on. I couldn''t understand the relevance of such a story until one of the members claimed it was a metaphor for how we shouldn''t trust the Beastmen. My suspicion grew as I realized that the book club might have a more profound purpose than just discussing literature.
Eventually, the teacher running the club spoke up, ¡°I believe we are going to cut it short today,¡± and I noticed a few people exchanging relieved glances.
Curious, I asked, ¡°Why are we cutting it early?¡±
¡°Well, it¡¯s not against you Quinn,¡± the teacher explained, ¡°It¡¯s just that most of these students are uncomfortable doing the second half of our meetings with someone they don¡¯t know.¡±
Feeling confident, I replied, ¡°If that¡¯s the case, you can just pretend I¡¯m not here. I won¡¯t say a word.¡±
The teacher hesitated for a moment, then said, ¡°Well, the people here want to make sure you share our same ideals. So, it would be best for you to leave for now if you''re that concerned.¡±
Determined to prove myself, I challenged him, ¡°Okay then, test me.¡±
¡°Very well,¡± he said, ¡°How do you feel about Beastmen?¡±
I already knew the answer from sitting through the meeting, ¡°I hate their guts. They can die for all I care.¡±
¡°And the Elves?¡±
This question was a bit more challenging, but I decided to take a leap of faith, ¡°They suck. No one should be more powerful than us humans.¡±
The teacher smiled and turned to the group, ¡°What do you guys think? Did she pass?¡±
X-Posing The Truth(2)
The suspenseful moment held its grip on me. People exchanged glances and a few nodded, signaling agreement. Then, a new voice emerged from a boy I had never seen before. "We find her satisfactory, Professor," he said, breaking the silence.
Relief washed over me as I realized I had passed their test, but my attention quickly snapped back to the conversation at hand. The teacher turned to Leila.
"The task was completed as planned," she said with a sigh, "but it would seem someone is starting to suspect me."
The teacher''s tone shifted to one of frustration. "Who?" he demanded.
"Some detective named X. They are really pushy," Leila replied.
The teacher groaned, clearly disappointed. "I could have sworn that imbecile would be working on this," he muttered. Then he turned to the boy who had spoken earlier. "Henry, I hope you can give us some good news."
Henry nodded in agreement, "Yes, they have taken the bait and have already agreed to come." His tone was cold and indifferent, as though he had no emotions. It sent a shiver down my spine.
The teacher sighed in relief, but I couldn''t help but wonder what kind of sick plan they had in store. He went around the room, checking on the other students and their progress. They all seemed to be involved in something nefarious, but I had no idea what it was.
As I sat there, I couldn''t help but feel like I was running out of time. I had managed to catch Leila before it was too late, but I also needed to find out what the rest of these students were up to. It was a daunting task, but I was determined to see it through.
Perhaps I could try to find another way to gather information. Befriending Henry seemed like a daunting task, considering his cold demeanor. I decided to explore other options before resorting to that. Perhaps I could eavesdrop on some conversations, or search for clues in their meeting room. It might also be worth considering a different approach with Leila, maybe offering her a deal or making her think that cooperating would be in her best interest.
As I stood up, Henry pushed me out of my chair. I stumbled for a moment before regaining my balance, surprised by his sudden aggression. I looked up to see him staring at me coldly.
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"The meeting is over," he stated bluntly.
"Sorry about that," I apologized, feeling uneasy under his gaze. "I must have zoned out for a moment."
"You were staring at the wall for fifteen minutes," he said, his gaze piercing. "Do better."
I informed Mr. Moon that we would be interrogating Leila the following morning and that I had gathered evidence that would surely prompt her to confess. As I made my way back to my dorm, an idea struck me.
¡°Alexander, are you there?¡± I thought, hoping to contact him.
¡°Yes,¡± his familiar voice echoed in my mind. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡±
¡°Have you been monitoring the situation?¡± I asked.
¡°Only the significant events,¡± he responded. ¡°Why do you ask?¡±
¡°Do you have any knowledge of the book club?¡± I inquired.
¡°Do I look like the type of person to join a book club?¡± he scoffed. ¡°However, if I had known it was a clandestine organization, I might have given it a try.¡±
I let out a deep sigh, feeling disappointed that my attempt to gather more information about the secret book club had failed. "Well, it was worth a try," I said, dejectedly.
Alexander''s voice echoed in my mind, "Why don''t you try using your skill again? That''s what got you started on this case, right? Maybe you could get a new vision."
I was taken aback by his suggestion. How had I not thought of that before? With all the new information I had gathered, perhaps I could use my skill to gain further insight. I felt a glimmer of hope in my chest as I considered his words.
"Alexander, you are a genius!" I exclaimed, my spirits lifting. I closed my eyes, focusing my mind on the image of Leila and the book club. The room around me faded away, and soon I was lost in the depths of my own mind, searching for the truth.
In my vision, the symbol on the girl''s back was unmistakably that of the secret club. The girl was Leila, and she was running through the halls using the Tier 5 Illusion spell called "Hide in Plain Sight" to avoid detection. I saw her enter each room, deftly grabbing the wands before slipping out unnoticed. Just as I was about to catch a glimpse of where she was hiding the wands or what her ultimate plan was, the vision abruptly ended, leaving me with more questions than answers.
I opened my eyes, feeling disoriented as I tried to process the information I had just received. Leila was clearly up to something, and it involved stealing wands, but why? And what was the purpose of the book club? I needed more information. I decided to get some rest and plan my next move. As I drifted off to sleep, I couldn''t help but wonder what other secrets were hiding beneath the surface of this seemingly peaceful academy.
X Marks The Spot
I decided to skip class the next day because getting Leila to confess was too important. When classes started, I approached Mr. Moon as X.
"Have you grabbed Leila yet?" I asked.
"No, I haven''t," he frowned.
"I''ll get her," I smiled under my mask. "What class is she in?"
I walked into Leila''s classroom and quickly asked her to follow me to the disciplinary office. As she stood up, her shaking legs betrayed her attempts to remain calm. Henry stood up abruptly.
"What''s going on here?" he demanded.
"Henry, please sit down," I smirked. "I''m X, and Leila is going in for questioning."
Henry stumbled back slightly. "How do you know my name?"
"I''m a detective," I said.
I led Leila to the disciplinary office, tightly holding onto her arm in case she attempted to cast an illusion spell. Once inside, I instructed her to sit down and began questioning her.
¡°Ms. Damica,¡± I began, ¡°Is there anything you would like to tell us?¡± Leila remained silent, so I proceeded to describe everything that I had seen in my vision to her. With each sentence, her eyes widened in surprise.
¡°How do you know all that?¡± she finally asked.
¡°I''m a detective,¡± I replied matter-of-factly.
Leila sighed and admitted to stealing the wands. ¡°Okay, yes, it was me,¡± she said. But when I asked her where she had hidden them, she refused to tell me.
¡°You didn''t find that out, oh great Detective X,¡± she taunted. ¡°I''m not going to tell you.¡±
Unfazed, I grabbed my notebook and began writing. ¡°Withholding information from the authorities,¡± I muttered as I jotted down the crime. Leila looked at me in confusion.
¡°What are you doing?¡± she asked.
¡°I''m writing down your crimes,¡± I replied coolly, ¡°Honestly, you did that first one at least four times.¡±
Leila''s expression turned from confusion to horror. "You can''t do that!" she protested.
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I held up a hand to silence her. "Oh, but I can," I retorted calmly. "I have evidence against you, and now you''re obstructing the investigation. That''s another charge."
Leila slumped back in her chair, defeated. "Fine," she muttered, ¡°The elves have them, so you¡¯ll never find them,¡±
This was unexpected. "Why would you give them to the elves?" I questioned, trying to understand her motive.
¡°I don¡¯t see how that is relevant to the case X,¡± she replied curtly.
"It is important to establish the motive," I insisted.
¡°Not if you already have all the proof you need to convict me,¡± she retorted.
I grimaced, realizing she had a point. I reached for a pair of bracelets that Mr. Moon had given me and placed them on her wrists. I explained to her that they were enchanted to limit her movements and spellcasting abilities. I warned her that we would be alerted immediately if she attempted to remove them, which would also result in additional charges.
Leila glared at me, clearly unhappy with the situation. "You can''t keep me here forever," she said.
"We won''t have to," I replied calmly. "We''ll find the wands soon enough, and once we do, we''ll have everything we need to convict you."
Leila slumped further in her chair, resigned to her fate. As I left the room, I saw Mr. Moon waiting for me outside. He looked at me expectantly, and I gave him a nod of approval.
"You did well, X," he said. "I''ll take it from here."
I returned to my dormitory feeling a mixture of emotions. On one hand, I was proud of myself for cracking the case, but on the other hand, I was frustrated because I had no idea how to locate the elves or why Leila would choose to involve them in the first place. I lay on my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, lost in thought. Suddenly, I heard a creaking sound and turned my head to see Colette standing in the doorway.
¡°Hey, are you in here?¡± she called out.
¡°Yes, I am,¡± I replied, sitting up in bed.
Colette walked over and sat down next to me. ¡°Why did you skip class this morning?¡± she asked with a concerned look on her face.
¡°I didn¡¯t feel like it,¡± I replied to Colette''s question, not wanting to go into detail.
Colette raised an eyebrow, sensing that something was bothering me. "Are you okay? You seem upset?" she asked.
I struggled to find a way to express how I was feeling without revealing too much. Eventually when I found the words I spoke, "My sister is a detective, a great detective," I explained, my voice laced with frustration. "And I always thought I could be one too, so when she asked for my help on a case I was ecstatic. But now that the case is over, it feels like I''ve taken a step backwards instead of moving forward."
Colette looked at me sympathetically. "It''s okay to feel that way," she said. "You learned a lot from this experience, and you can use it to improve and grow as a detective. And who knows, maybe there will be another case that comes up where you can put your skills to use." I nodded, feeling slightly better. "Thanks, Colette," I said, appreciating her support. "You''re a good friend."
Colette smiled. "Of course, anytime," she said. "Now, let''s go grab something to eat. I''m starving." I laughed, feeling grateful for the distraction. As we walked out of the dormitory together, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of determination. Maybe this case was over, but there would be more to come. And I was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.
Soul Bond Fight
The next day, I decided to take my mind off things by following Sun to the dueling club after class. I perused the list of names, having a hard time deciding. I turned to Sun and asked, "Do any of these people use a sword?"
"Lotus Blade, rank 76," he answered quickly. "Why?"
Without answering, I clicked on Lotus'' name on the list and requested a match.
"Quinn, I don''t think you''re ready for him," Sun warned.
I smirked. "I got this, Sun."
I strode into the ring and locked eyes with Lotus, who quickly accepted my request. He was tall and broad-shouldered, with a longsword in his hand. He smiled at me.
Returning his smile, I made a request. "Lotus, if you would oblige, I''d like to make this a sword-only match. But, I need to borrow a sword."
He laughed. "That sounds like fun, but I hope you know I trained under a student of Alexander Gramble."
"That''s funny," I smiled. "I trained directly under Alexander himself."
Lotus quickly turned serious and tossed me a longsword. I smiled at it, feeling the weight of the weapon in my hand.
¡°I hope you don¡¯t mind,¡± I thought, hoping Alexander was nearby, ¡°I¡¯m going to let you take over.¡±
¡°Wait!¡± Alexander''s voice rang in my mind, ¡°What do you mean?¡±
Without responding, I focused on the technique I had seen Alexander use before. ¡°Soul Bond,¡± I muttered under my breath, allowing Alexander to take control of my body.
***
(Alexander POV)
What was she thinking? Did she believe that I could make up for her lack of physical strength? I mean, she''s not wrong, but this is a dangerous move. And how did she even figure out how to perform a soul bond by herself?
Shaking off my thoughts, I focused on the fight in front of me. Quinn is far weaker than I am, and she made this a match without magic, so I would have to use something that didn''t depend on my strength but also not my magic.
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As Lotus charged at me, I sidestepped still trying to come up with my plan. As I continued to dodge I finally found it. D-Force is a type of energy contained within every being across the multiverse. How to use this energy is the first thing taught at the academy in my home dimension. Though Quinn had a lot less than I did, it is still enough to act. I channeled the energy into the sword, once all the energy was channeled I swung the sword.
¡°Dimension Blade!¡± A wave of energy pushed him back. I rushed forward and kicked him to the ground. I pointed the sword at his chest, ¡°I won,¡±
***
(Quinn POV)
Lotus glared at me, ¡°What the hell was that? I thought you said no magic!¡± He accused,
¡°I see you haven¡¯t gotten that far in your training,¡± I smirked, ¡°It¡¯s called D-Force,¡±
¡°D-Force, oh yeah I think my master mentioned that once,¡± He sighed, ¡°Sorry for getting mad, I¡¯ve just never lost before. If it makes you feel better you can keep the sword,¡±
¡°I¡¯d like that,¡± I smiled,
As I walked out of the ring, Sun''s mouth hung open in disbelief. I waved my hand in front of him, but he didn''t react. I sighed and checked my system, noticing that I had received two notifications: and . I couldn''t help but smile to myself, feeling a sense of pride in my new abilities.
As I made my way towards the exit of the Colosseum, I heard Sun''s excited voice calling out to me from behind, "Hey Quinn, you better get strong enough to fight me soon! I can''t wait!" I turned around to face him, grinning in response. "Don''t worry, Sun," I said confidently, "I''ll be ready for you soon enough."
As I walked through the dimly lit halls toward my dorm, my thoughts drifted to Alexander and his vast knowledge of D-Force. I wondered if there was a way for me to increase my supply of the energy. Suddenly, Alexander''s voice echoed in my head, interrupting my thoughts.
"I could teach you a lot," he said, "But if I did, my old work would be after you. You don''t want that."
My heart raced at the thought of being hunted down for knowledge I didn''t even know existed. "What do you mean they''ll be after me?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly.
"Quinn, if I could tell you, I would," Alexander sighed. "This Rule of Plausibility keeps getting in my way."
I bit my lip, unsure of how to proceed. "So, should I avoid using D-Force altogether?" I asked, my mind racing.
"Well, you''re below the ¨C rank, so they shouldn''t notice as long as you don''t use it too often. Use it sparingly," Alexander advised after a moment of contemplation.
I nodded in understanding, even though I still had so many questions. "Okay, I''ll be careful," I promised. "Good," Alexander said, his tone serious. "And Quinn, be careful in general. The world you''re in is dangerous, and not everyone is as friendly as Sun or Lotus." "I will," I said, feeling grateful for Alexander''s concern. As I entered my dorm room, I sat on my bed and thought about everything that had happened. I had obtained new skills, but at the same time, I had also learned that dangers were lurking in this world. It was clear that I needed to be cautious and continue training if I wanted to survive and thrive in this place. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, feeling the weight of my new abilities in my mind. "I''ll do my best," I said to myself, determined to make the most of my time in this strange new world.
Preparations
I was determined to use the day to train and become stronger, so I decided to skip class once again. It may not have been the wisest decision, but I couldn''t resist the opportunity to sneak into town and peruse the local bookstore for some Tier 3 books. After slipping back into the academy undetected, I settled into a meditative position on my bed and entered the Mind Sanctum.
The Tier 3 spells were more challenging than I had anticipated, but with guidance from Alexander, I eventually mastered them. In just fifteen hours, I had reached Tier 3 in all of the schools I was studying. Just as I was about to ask Alexander to teach me more about D-Force, the room began to shake violently, and I was abruptly forced out of the Mind Sanctum.
To my surprise, I found myself face to face with Colette, who was shaking me vigorously and calling my name in a panic.
"You can stop now," I said calmly, trying to regain my composure.
"Quinn, what happened?" Colette exclaimed. "You missed class again, and when I found you here, you weren''t moving!"
¡°I was using my family spell to get stronger,¡± I said, ¡°I¡¯m sorry for worrying you,¡±
She blushed, ¡°I- I wasn¡¯t worried. Just concerned that you might not pass if you keep skipping class like this,¡±
¡°I apologize for skipping class, Colette. I understand that it is not the best course of action,¡± I replied. Colette blushed and averted her gaze. As she looked down, she noticed my shirt had turned dark red and she slumped down to the floor, clearly alarmed.
Concerned for her well-being, I quickly knelt beside her and asked, ¡°Colette, are you alright?¡±
She took a deep breath and regained her composure. ¡°I''m fine. I¡¯m just surprised. You¡¯ve managed to progress from Tier 0 to Tier 3 in two weeks using your family spell. That¡¯s an impressive feat, especially since you''re enrolled in six different schools,¡± she said, her tone a mixture of awe and concern.
¡°I couldn¡¯t have made it without your help,¡± I smiled gratefully at her, ¡°Let¡¯s not dwell on that, okay?¡± She nodded in agreement, ¡°So did I miss anything important in class today?¡±
¡°Nothing much,¡± Colette paused to think for a moment, ¡°Oh, Professor Elody mentioned that the Elf Embassy will be visiting this Saturday.¡±
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My eyes widened in surprise, ¡°The Elf Embassy? What for?¡±
Colette¡¯s face lit up with excitement, ¡°They say they are bringing gifts! I¡¯ve always wanted to meet an elf!¡± she squealed slightly.
As I pieced together the information, it all started to make sense. Leila must have given the wands to the elves and planted them near their location. The elves then picked them up and received the note from Henry, which was likely an invitation of some sort, possibly diplomatic. The ultimate goal was to get the elves to bring the wands as a gift. However, the reason behind this plan still eluded me, and it couldn''t be anything good.
I made up an excuse for why I had to leave for a moment, then turned my thoughts to Alexander. As I reached out my thoughts I heard him speak.
¡°This isn¡¯t good,¡± He said, ¡°I¡¯ve never fought an elf before, but if the rumors are true you can¡¯t handle them yet,¡±
¡°I know,¡± I replied, ¡°But we need to figure something out,¡±
He sighed, ¡°I have something I can do, but that should wait until we have no other choice,¡±
¡°What is it?¡±
¡°I can¡¯t tell you exactly, but supposedly it¡¯ll allow me to be of more help to you, but there will be major consequences,¡± I could feel his frown in my mind, ¡°Firstly you won¡¯t be able to speak to me for a week after, I¡¯ll be completely out. And secondly, my work will definitely come after you,¡±
¡°If it¡¯s our only choice than so be it,¡± I smile, ¡°Together we¡¯ll take on anything that comes our way,¡±
I spent Friday after class making thorough preparations for what might lie ahead. My first task was to search for Mr. Moon, but he was nowhere to be found. He was probably occupied with the impending visit of the elves, but his focus was misplaced. Next, I sought out Cain and Able and implored them to get ready for a potential battle tomorrow.
Cain appeared baffled by my request. "What? Why?" he asked, puzzled.
"I have a foreboding feeling," I responded.
Cain seemed poised to object, but Able beat him to it. "I trust you. What scale of a battle are we expecting?" he queried.
"I''m not entirely certain yet, but it could be significant," I admitted.
Able nodded with understanding. "I''ll begin brewing," he said confidently. Cain, however, appeared hesitant.
"I suppose if Able believes in you, I will too," Cain grumbled, throwing his support behind me.
I thanked them both for their cooperation and headed back to my room to continue my preparations. I spent the rest of the day researching everything I could about elves and their magic, trying to anticipate any possible strategies they might use against us. As I delved deeper into my studies, I couldn''t shake the feeling that something big was coming. The stakes were higher than ever before, and failure was not an option.
Elven Embassy(1)
The next day, I woke up early and headed to the courtyard with Cain and Able. The campus was buzzing with excitement as the students prepared for the arrival of the Elf Embassy. There were decorations everywhere, and the air was thick with the scent of freshly baked goods. I couldn''t help but feel a sense of unease, knowing that danger was lurking just beneath the surface.
As the day progressed, I kept a watchful eye on everything that was happening. The elves arrived in the late afternoon, dressed in their finest robes and carrying a large gift box. Colette was practically bouncing with excitement as she greeted them, her eyes shining with anticipation.
The queen of the elves stepped forward with two towering guards behind her, carrying a large ornate chest.
"Greetings," She spoke eloquently, her voice echoing through the room. "I am Queen Eladriel, and I have come to extend an olive branch of peace between our peoples. And to show our sincerity, I present to you this gift." She gestured to the chest as the guards carefully opened it, revealing a set of wands inside.
Several students gasped and murmurs spread through the crowd. The wands were unmistakably the stolen ones.
"That''s my wand!" A student shouted, pointing towards the chest.
The sudden accusation set off a chain reaction of anger and distrust among the students. "They must have stolen them!" One student accused, while others began to chant in agreement.
As tensions mounted, a fiery projectile was launched toward the queen. Her expression turned icy and she raised a barrier of Abjuration magic to deflect the attack. "How dare you attack me!" She roared, her eyes flashing with fury. "I came in good faith, seeking peace, and you responded with violence! Guards, defend yourselves!"
The courtyard was in complete disarray as spells and weapons flew in every direction. I turned to Colette, determined to put an end to the chaos. "I think I might be able to put a stop to this. Can you create a distraction?" I asked her.
She smiled, showing that she had a trick up her sleeve. "You''re not the only one with a family spell. Go ahead, I''ll take care of things here," she said confidently.
I quickly sprinted forward, with Colette''s chant fading in the background. After a while, I caught a glimpse of the elven queen, but before I could make a move, an ear-piercing screech echoed throughout the courtyard. I turned around to see Colette standing atop a massive, 20-foot-tall demonic creature with crimson skin.
"They dare summon a demon against me!" the queen roared, her voice thick with fury. "Conjurers, summon the King at once!"
I run forward and kneel before Eladriel, ¡°Please my queen let me explain,¡±
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¡°There is nothing to explain,¡± She yelled back,
¡°You found those wands correct?¡± She stopped moving, ¡°They were planted by an anti-elf group that had stolen all of the students'' wands.¡± I tried to kneel even lower, ¡°I know their actions were unexcusable, but please try to forgive them,¡±
I heard another roar, I looked up to see a large red dragon coming out of a portal.
¡°I am sorry human,¡± The queen said, ¡°But it is too late now,¡±
I looked at the dragon, ¡°If I defeat the dragon, will you call off the attack?¡±
She scoffed, ¡°You would need an army of tier 10 mages to defeat that thing,¡±
I felt some of Alexander¡¯s confidence take over me, ¡°I don¡¯t need an army, I have an Alexander,¡±
I ran towards the dragon, feeling Alexander''s energy surging through me. "Are you sure you want to do this?" Alexander asked. "There''s no going back once it''s started."
"I''m ready," I replied, feeling more determined than ever.
I take a deep breath and we both yell out at the same time, ¡°Soul Summon!¡±
I stop running as I feel Alexander forcing himself out of my soul. In front of me stands a tall man, about 21 years old, with short brown hair and piercing silver eyes that shine with the glee of a kid in a candy shop. He wears a white polo shirt that accentuates his chiseled physique. He balls up a fist and a smirk forms on his lips as he looks at me.
"I guess it really does bring me back to my prime," Alexander said with a laugh. "Time to have a little fun." He looked towards the dragon. "It''s just one dragon. Maybe they have another. That might make this fair."
***
(Alexander¡¯s POV)
As much as I would like to enjoy this fight to its fullest, I can¡¯t. I need to end this as fast as possible. I dash toward the dragon, as I run I recite something I memorized as a child.
"A D-Police Officer never goes into battle unprepared," I feel the weight of my sword appears in my hand, "A D-Police Officer always fights for what is right, no matter the cost," I dodge a bolt of fire from the dragon, "A D-Police Officer never gives up, even in the face of overwhelming odds."
I focus all of my D-Force on my sword. The energy flowing through me is almost overwhelming compared to Quinn. With a fierce battle cry, I swing my sword toward the dragon. A powerful blast of energy shoots out of the blade, striking the dragon''s leg and causing it to fall to the ground in agony.
"You think that''s all I got?" I taunt the dragon, "Just wait until I really get started."
I effortlessly absorbed my energy back from the air. For most people, this would be an impossible feat, but for me, it was second nature. However, I knew that I couldn''t afford to waste any time playing around. I needed to finish this battle as quickly as possible. I decided to use one of the stronger techniques that Kierra had taught me, and I couldn''t forget how Jay had set up all the practice dummies for me to perfect it.
I leaped into the air, and as I looked down at the dragon, I felt a smirk form on my lips. "Infinite Cutting Blades!" I yelled as I swung my sword continuously, unleashing a torrent of energy that erupted from the blade. The technique sent multiple, razor-sharp energy blades raining down on the dragon. It roared in agony as it tried to dodge the attacks but to no avail.
The dragon fell, dead before me. But I fell as well, I had used too much energy in that attack, and I could feel myself fading by the second. But still I smiled, maybe Jay and Kierra would come, hopefully they¡¯ll wait a week. My soul began to return to Quinn''s body, and I knew that my time as an independent entity was coming to an end.
Elven Embassy(2)
As Alexander left my soul, I felt an unexpected sense of unease. The world around me began to look distorted, with purple hues clouding my vision. But that wasn''t the worst of it - the cacophony of voices that flooded my mind was almost unbearable. Each voice was distinct, but they all shared a common message.
¡°Kill them! This is boring!¡±
¡°He¡¯s gone! We¡¯re free!¡±
¡°Don¡¯t ignore us! Let out your rage!¡±
It was becoming increasingly difficult to control myself. The pain in my head was throbbing, and I felt like I was losing control. I clutched my head, trying to make sense of what was happening to me. I felt my mind beginning to snap, the voices in my head becoming louder and more insistent. Panic rose in my chest as I struggled to maintain control. I looked up at the queen and begged her to get away from me, my voice shaking with fear and desperation.
But it was too late. My body was no longer my own, and I watched in horror as if from a distance as I stood up and retrieved my ''X'' mask from my cloak. With shaking hands, I carefully placed the mask on my face, feeling its cold surface against my skin.
I looked around until my eyes settled on Henry, and without a second thought, I dashed toward him, my mind consumed by madness. I lifted him by the neck, heedless of the battle raging around us.
"Who are you?" he choked out, his eyes wide with fear.
"Who am I?" I laughed, my voice sounding unhinged. "Actually, that''s a good question. I''m not quite Quinn, but I''m also not X. Hmm, I''m not all that creative. Call me... Y!"
I tightened my grip around Henry''s neck, reveling in the power I felt coursing through me. The voices in my head were egging me on, urging me to give in to my rage and kill him.
"Y, please," Henry gasped, his face turning red. "You don''t have to do this. We can talk, we can figure something out."
But I was beyond reason. I had surrendered to the madness that had taken hold of me, and nothing he could say would stop me from carrying out my dark desires.
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"Talk? What is there to talk about?" I sneered. "You are the enemy, and I am the executioner. It''s that simple."
I saw Colette and Sun appear out of the corner of my eye.
¡°Quinn!¡± Colette yelled out, ¡°What are you doing? He isn¡¯t the enemy!¡±
¡°Even if he is the enemy,¡± Sun yelled out after her, ¡°This isn¡¯t you Quinn!¡±
¡°You are right, this isn¡¯t Quinn,¡± I smiled wickedly, ¡°I¡¯m simply another being existing in her fractured soul, it¡¯s honestly getting quite crowded,¡± Then I looked directly at Sun, ¡°But you aren¡¯t one to talk. You have been keeping a big secret from us haven¡¯t you,¡±
¡°What are you talking about?¡± Colette said.
I could see Sun trembling and I continued my taunts, ¡°You aren¡¯t one of us, you are a¨C¡± Everything went dark, the last thing I heard was Colette yelling my name.
A fractured soul¡ Crowded¡ X¡ Y¡ Sun not human¡ The world isn¡¯t as simple as I thought it was.
***
(Dimension 911)
Two figures sat hunched over a computer screen. The first, a woman in her mid-twenties, with long, sleek black hair that was braided, the other was a masculine figure with neatly combed short blond hair. They were Jay and Kierra, the only remaining members of Team Alpha, the strongest squad in the D-Police.
Jay spoke up, "There was a D-Force sighting in Dimension 372, and it was at the Seraphim rank. Alexander''s sword also disappeared from the vault."
Kierra sighed in disbelief. "For his sword to be summoned, it would have to be by a direct descendant."
Jay nodded thoughtfully. "Did you two ever... you know." Jay made an obscene gesture with their hands.
Kierra blushed and slapped Jay''s hands away. "Shut up, Jay! And no, we didn''t."
Jay grinned. "Ah, that must be why you broke up with him."
"We didn''t break up, he died!" Kierra said, laughing despite the somber topic.
Jay turned serious. "Maybe he didn''t. Aside from us, there are only two other people at the Seraphim rank, and none of us were in Dimension 372."
Kierra''s eyes widened in shock. "This is insane! We need to head out there tomorrow."
Jay frowned. "Sorry, can''t make it tomorrow. It''s my dad''s birthday... Maybe Wynsan?"
"No, can''t do Wynsan. It''s my niece''s birthday," Kierra replied, thinking. "And Synsan is the anniversary of Alexander''s death, so we should wait until after that."
They both nodded in agreement. "It''s settled then, next week," Jay said firmly.
They shared a moment of silence before Kierra spoke up. "It''s what Alexander would have wanted."
Time For X-Planations
When I regained consciousness, the world spun around me. The throbbing pain in my head was almost unbearable. I tried to move, but my body was held captive by cold, metal chains that clinked together with every attempt. Panic crept up inside me, and I couldn''t help but wonder what was going on.
Colette cautiously entered the room, her eyes fixed on me. Her appearance was a far cry from her usual poised and put-together self. Instead, she looked tired and worn-out, as if she hadn''t slept in days. She held a cup of water in her hand and approached me with a small smile.
"Sorry about the chains," she muttered as she handed me the cup. "We just have to be cautious after what happened."
It all came rushing back to me then - the fight, the darkness, the madness. I took a long sip of the water, grateful for its coolness.
"How long have I been out?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"About two days," Colette replied. "Do you need anything else?"
I shook my head slowly, the pain dissipating slightly with Colette''s presence.
"Can I ask you a few questions?" she said softly. I nodded, and she continued, "Did you know anything about the other you? What she said, about fractured souls?"
"I knew that someone else was in my soul, but they seemed to be benevolent, unlike Y," I replied. "And I had no knowledge of fractured souls before she mentioned it."
Colette''s words lingered in my mind as she walked away, and I couldn''t help but feel grateful for her concern. However, the pain that had dissipated earlier started to return as she got further away. I didn''t want to be selfish and ask her to stay, so I simply thanked her and urged her to rest.
In what felt like days, I drifted in and out of consciousness, the passing of time seeming distorted and slow. But eventually, I woke to find Colette and her sister Elise at my bedside. Though I recognized Elise from our previous encounters, I felt strangely uncomfortable in her presence.
As if on instinct, I reached for my mask, feeling a gentle guiding sensation that I could resist if I tried. This was different from Y''s takeover, which was absolute and overpowering. However, I was too weak to resist this time.
Colette noticed my movement and quickly stepped in to block her sister from getting too close to me. With the mask now in place, I stood up, feeling the pain and discomfort completely gone from my mind. I greeted Elise with a bow, "Miss Winnr, it''s great to see you again."
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Elise stared at me in confusion before finally saying my name, "X?"
"The one and only," I said, smirking.
Colette''s eyes widened, but she kept her blocking arm in place. "How do we know you are not Y pretending to be someone else?" she asked.
"Y?" I said, confused. "Gods above, she was not supposed to take control." I turned to Colette. "Though you have no reason to believe me, I can guarantee I am not that monster." Then I muttered to myself, "I could have sworn Mr. Gramble was holding her back."
I took a seat, and Elise walked up to me. "Y mentioned something about fractured souls. What do you know about that?"
"Quite a bit," I said, smiling. "Tell me what you know, and I''ll fill in some of the blanks."
Elise nodded. "Fractured souls are a rare occurrence that is generally correlated to some sort of trauma, but I do not know of any cases where it resulted in three separate personalities. Most cases of it that I have found are more like two aspects of a person separated."
"I see," I said. "You are quite knowledgeable, Miss Winnr. What you just described is the standard case of a Fractured Soul. However, Quinn''s case is more complicated. By all accounts, she should not be alive. And neither should any of the people in her soul." I motioned to Colette. "I''m sure you noticed that one day, Quinn started acting different."
Colette nodded. "Yes, I did find that strange. Is that related?"
"That day, the Quinn you knew died," I said solemnly.
Elise furrows her brow in confusion, "Died? But you''re still here."
I sigh and pluck a strand of my hair, ¡°You are not thinking of it right,¡± I pull the hair so that it is taut, ¡°Most people view time just like this strand of hair, where time moves linearly. That is not at all the case, time is more like the entire head of hair. There are interwoven timelines, some that fray out and other metaphorical things I don¡¯t have time to think about,¡± I sigh, ¡°This strand of hair is your timeline, the New Quinn as well as me and Y come from different strands. When the old Quinn almost died, it was because her soul died, we filled her soul.¡±
Elise listens intently, trying to grasp the concept. "So, you''re saying that there are different timelines, and the old Quinn''s timeline ended when her soul died. And you and Y came from different timelines and filled her soul, creating a new timeline?"
I nod, "Exactly. The old Quinn''s timeline ended, and a new one began with the birth of the new Quinn, who is a fusion of the three souls that now reside in her body. We are all different aspects of Quinn, and we each have our own memories and experiences."
Colette speaks up, "So, what does this mean for Quinn now? Is she in danger?"
I shake my head, "No, she''s not in danger. But she needs to learn how to manage and control the different personalities within her. That''s why we need your help, Miss Winnr. You''re the closest thing we have to an expert on fractured souls, and we need your guidance."
Elise nods, "I''ll do what I can to help. But it won''t be easy. Fractured souls are extremely rare, and there''s not much research on how to treat them. We''ll have to work together and come up with a plan."
I smile, relieved. "Thank you, Miss Winnr. We appreciate your help more than you know."
"I will be taking my leave now," I say, reaching up to remove the mask that concealed my identity. But as soon as I do, a wave of dizziness overcomes me and my legs give way. I stumble and fall, and the world goes dark as I collapse into Colette''s waiting arms.
Dreams
I was wandering the cold, dark streets of my city, the only place I could truly call home. With my full-face mask on, no one could know who I was or what I was capable of. As I strolled, my senses were heightened, and I kept an eye out for any signs of trouble.
Suddenly, I stumbled upon two armed men robbing a helpless woman in an alleyway. Perfect for a warm-up at night. I sprinted toward them, catching them off guard.
"On a beautiful night like this, shouldn''t you two be rotting in Hel?" I spoke up, capturing their attention.
The man with the gun pointed it at me, "Look at this, Gus. She thinks she can stop us."
Without hesitation, I moved faster than any human could see, wrenching the gun from his grasp and striking him over the head with it. A simple tune escaped my lips as I turned to the next target, who was stumbling back in fear.
¡°W-what are you?¡± He stuttered
"Good question. I''m certainly not human," I quipped before knocking him out.
The woman was frozen in fear, but I gave her a choice, "You may leave, unless you want to find some way to repay me." With a smirk, she ran away.
I clicked a button on my mask, which revealed only my mouth. I bent down to the unconscious man and bit his neck, draining him of his blood.
The rush of power and energy surged through my body as I stood up, feeling stronger than ever before. I wiped the blood from my mouth with a gloved hand and slipped the gun into my waistband. As I continued on my walk, I couldn''t shake the feeling of satisfaction that came with being a predator, the hunter instead of the hunted.
But I knew I couldn''t let myself get carried away. I had a mission, a goal to achieve. And it didn''t involve mindlessly killing those who crossed my path. My purpose was much greater than that.
***
I live in a modest suburban town, where every corner seems to harbor secrets and potential danger. My calling is to uncover the truth and bring justice to those who break the law. Donning my trusty trench coat, I kissed my girlfriend goodbye and set out to start my day.
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As I stepped into the dimly lit office, the familiar sight of my partner and best friend, John Rose, greeted me. He flashed a crooked grin and brushed a stray lock of brown hair from his eyes. "Morning, Quinn. Ready to tackle whatever comes our way today?"
I flashed a reassuring smile at John and replied, "Absolutely. Jillian reported a break-in at her store last night."
As we entered the convenience store, I took a quick scan of the disarrayed shelves and scattered items. I could tell that Jillian had done her best to preserve the scene, and I was grateful for her attention to detail.
I methodically worked my way around the store, taking note of the missing items and their original locations. As I leaned down to inspect a pile of dirt on the floor, I pieced together a profile of our suspect.
"Our perpetrator is likely a child, between the ages of eight and ten, and below average height," I mused aloud. "Judging by the missing items, they have a sweet tooth and live near the river."
John scribbled furiously in his notebook, capturing every detail as I spoke. I turned to Jillian, a knowing look in my eye. "Does this description ring a bell?"
Jillian''s eyes widened in recognition, and she nodded. "There''s a group of kids who live by the river and are always hanging out near the store. They''re always buying candy and snacks."
I nodded, a sense of satisfaction settling over me. "We''ll check it out. Thanks, Jillian."
As we left the store, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement. Every case was a new challenge, a new opportunity to bring justice to our town. And with John by my side, I knew we could handle anything that came our way.
***
I woke up in a cold sweat, my mind racing with questions. What was the meaning behind those dreams? They were clearly related to X and Y, but one of them was a vampire - a concept that didn''t exist in my world. How did those dreams even appear? Were they events from my fragmented soul''s past? I had never experienced such vivid dreams before. Perhaps my body was in some sort of distress, causing our memories to merge together. But what about X and Y? Did they have similar experiences? Did they even sleep?
My thoughts were interrupted by a movement in the corner of my eye. Was that Sun standing over me? I was bewildered as to why he was there. As I began to open my mouth to ask why he was there, he spoke quickly and quietly, interrupting my thoughts.
¡°How does she know my secret?¡± Sun asked in a hushed tone.
I rubbed my eyes, trying to clear the sleep from them. "What secret?" I asked groggily. "You mean that you''re a Beastmen? I thought everyone knew that."
Sun''s eyes widened in surprise. "How do you know?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
¡°Um, I¡¯m not an idiot,¡± I sat up in bed, leaning against the headboard. "You''re described as unnaturally strong by the other people in the dueling club," I explained. "And you eat like a ravenous animal. It sounds a lot like a Beastman."
He let out a sigh, ¡°I guess it was silly to think I could stay hidden forever,¡± and headed towards my open window as though he was going to jump out. Just before he jumped, he turned to me and said, ¡°You were a great friend, Quinn.¡±
D-Police
On the sixth day, Colette finally deemed it safe enough to remove the chains. As soon as she gave me the signal, I began to chant a spell that effortlessly broke the chains. Colette looked at me in astonishment.
"You could have done that the whole time?" she asked incredulously.
"Indeed, it''s a Tier 2 evocation spell," I replied calmly, rising to my feet and rubbing my wrists. "But I understood that you didn''t trust me. If I had broken out, you would have only trusted me less." I paused, ¡°Is Sun gone?¡±
¡°He disappeared without a trace a few days ago,¡± She replied her tone somber,
I nodded, I guess that is just one more thing added to my ever-growing to-do list. At one point Colette had told me that the Elven Embassy wanted to stay both to continue their peace talks and so they could meet me. Then there were the preparations for the looming threat of the D-Police, Alexander said they would be after me now so I needed to be prepared. To do that I needed to get stronger, and to do that I needed to go get more spell books, and to do that¡ Well, you get the point.
I immediately headed to visit the Queen of the Elves. Queen Eladriel had rented out the best hotel in town for her and her men to sleep in. Upon entering the hotel, two guards and Queen Eladriel greeted me. She rushed up to me, grasping my hands in excitement before returning to her elegant manner.
¡°Quinn, I wish to offer my deepest thanks to you,¡± She did a small courtesy, ¡°With your help, we were able to avoid an all-out war. Is there anything I can provide for you to repay you? I can offer you the finest elven husband or wife,¡±
I chuckled, ¡°As tempting as that is, there are more pressing matters at hand. Do you happen to have a royal library?¡±
She nodded, ¡°We do, but I''m afraid I cannot repay you in that manner. It is taboo to let a human read our books or take them outside of our borders.¡±
I smiled, ¡°What if I only wanted to touch the books? I possess a special ability that allows me to absorb the contents of a book merely by touching it. No one would know that I had read anything.¡±
Queen Eladriel raised an eyebrow, impressed and intrigued. "I see, that is quite an unusual ability. Very well, I can allow you to touch the books in our royal library, but only under one condition," she said, her tone serious.
"What is it?" I asked, eager to get my hands on those books.
"You must promise to never reveal or share any of the information you absorb from our books. Our knowledge is sacred and should not be taken lightly," she said firmly.
I nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation. "I promise to never reveal or share any of the knowledge I gain from your library," I assured her.
¡°Good,¡± She nods, ¡°When we return to the Elven Continent you may come with us and stay for two days to visit the library,¡±
That got rid of two tasks in one. I would have to solve the mystery of Sun¡¯s whereabouts when I returned from the Elven Continent. Of course, I could not forget about the D-Police, but that would have to wait.
***
I awoke to the familiar voice of Alexander in my mind, and hearing his kind voice brought a sense of comfort.
¡°Whoo,¡± he took a deep breath, ¡°By the Director, that was terrible. What did I miss?¡±
I proceeded to inform him of everything that had happened, leaving out no detail. As I finished recounting the events, I heard him let out a sigh.
"Wow, I guess I can''t even leave your soul for a minute before things start to go wrong," he said.
I shrugged. "I did the best I could under the circumstances."
¡°I don¡¯t think attempted murder while being possessed counts as handling things well," Alexander remarked.
Then something strange happened. Alexander, whose voice was usually calm and collected, sounded afraid. "Quinn, they''re here. I can feel their presence," he said urgently.
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I began to panic. "What are we going to do?" I asked.
Alexander''s breathing was heavy. "This might sound counterproductive, but it''s our best chance. We need to head towards them," he said.
Normally, I would have argued with Alexander, but this was not a normal situation. He used to work for these people, so it made sense that he would know more than I did. I followed his instructions, which led me to a small clearing in the forest. There, I saw two people, a masculine figure and a woman.
The woman was stunningly beautiful, with black hair braided neatly behind her back. She had two long swords on her waist and smiled at the other person with her. "Jay, have you found anything yet?" she asked.
"Stop rushing me!" Jay yelled back.
Jay was neater in appearance compared to the woman. Their blond hair was neatly combed, and they had a few papers poking out of their jacket, but that was the only sign of clutter on them. They had a bow strapped to their back, with a quiver on their side, but they seemed uncomfortable with the weapon.
"You positive they don''t have rifles in this dimension?" They asked.
The woman groaned. "For the hundredth time, yes!" She paused and looked right at me. "You sense that?" she said.
I took this moment to reveal myself, my heart racing with fear. ¡°I¡¯m so sorry,¡± I said, ¡°I was just wandering around the forest,¡±
¡°Alright,¡± the woman, Kierra, said, ¡°No worries, you may leave.¡±
But Jay interrupted, ¡°She knows more than she''s letting on. We were able to say ''dimension'' near her.¡±
¡°You¡¯re right, but she''s not even at the level,¡± Kierra shrugged and began to unsheathe her swords, ¡°Guess we''ll have to kill her.¡±
I could feel Alexander''s fear and urgency in my mind as he spoke to me, "Recite my words exactly, Quinn. ''Kierra ''The Blade'' Domos, Jay ''Longshot'' Nguyen, stand down.''"
I took a deep breath and repeated the words'' word for word, "Kierra ''The Blade'' Domos, Jay ''Longshot'' Nguyen, stand down."
Kierra and Jay hesitated for a moment before lowering their weapons.
Their expressions were hard to read. Was it sadness or joy?
¡°Alexander?¡± Kierra said, ¡°Is that you?¡±
¡°Yes and no,¡± I said, still repeating Alexander. ¡°I live in this girl¡¯s soul now. I have died twice, and this will be my home until she dies.¡±
Kierra seemed to have more questions, but she pushed them aside as she ran up to hug me.
¡°It¡¯s not the same,¡± she sighed. ¡°You¡¯re the biggest idiot ever. How did you manage to die twice?¡± She laughed and pulled away from the hug. ¡°But you¡¯re my idiot.¡±
¡°Sorry to interrupt,¡± Jay said. ¡°I missed him just as much as you did, but that still doesn¡¯t tell us where the D-Force reading came from.¡±
¡°Oh, I can answer that,¡± I said, not speaking for Alexander. ¡°We performed a soul summon to fight a dragon.¡±
¡°Wow,¡± Jay laughed. ¡°He needed that much D-Force to kill a single dragon!¡± Jay almost fell over in laughter.
¡°Hey!¡± Alexander yelled in my mind. ¡°I¡¯d like to see them try to kill a dragon after not being in their own body for four years. They¡¯re so lucky I¡¯m not in my body right now; otherwise, I would¡ª¡±
Alexander continued his rant, but I ignored him. ¡°Alexander really missed your sense of humor,¡± I lied.
This made Kierra join Jay in laughter. ¡°By the director! He¡¯s probably going on some rant right now!¡±
¡°He¡¯s probably going to mention that time he fought an army by himself at least four times,¡± Jay laughed.
¡°So what are you going to do to me?¡± I asked once they had finished laughing,
Jay smiled, ¡°Well at least a small portion of you is Alexander, so we won¡¯t take you into custody,¡±
I sighed, finally some good news. Then they continued,
¡°We will be staying in this dimension for a little bit, we need to catch up with Alexander,¡± Jay then frowned at a new thought appearing in their mind, ¡°You don¡¯t happen to have a place for us to stay, do you?¡±
I sigh, ¡°Not immediately, I might be able to work something out though,¡±
I began to walk them to the hotel where the Elf Queen was staying, hoping they would allow my friends to stay there. As we walked, Jay and Kierra bombarded me with questions, most of them about Alexander. By the time we arrived at the hotel, I was on the verge of bursting from the constant barrage. I walked up to the guards and bowed respectfully, and they immediately recognized me.
"Excuse me," I asked, "Do you mind letting my friends stay with you?"
The first guard hesitated. "We have no problem letting you stay, as you are a friend of the Queen," he said, "But we have no knowledge of these people you bring with you. What is your relationship to them?"
Before I could say anything, Kierra interrupted. "We are her parents," she lied, flashing a smile. "I am Kierra Noir, and this is Jay Noir."
The guards immediately changed their attitudes, their posture now respectful and accommodating.
"Well, as the parents of the Queen''s friend, of course, you can stay here," said the first guard, nodding in agreement.
The second guard chimed in, "And I must add, I would have believed you if you said you were Lady Noir''s sister. You two bear a striking resemblance."
Kierra grinned, "Oh, you flatter me," she said, playfully fanning herself.
Journey To The West(1)
I am Sun Wukong, the fourth son of King Leonin Wukong, and I was on a mission to the Kohica continent to assess the feasibility of war against humans. However, I failed in my mission, and now I must return home to Lycus.
It has been several days since I boarded this boat, and there are still two or three more days left until we reach Lycus. I''ve spent most of my time below deck, not only because of the occasional bouts of seasickness but also due to the overwhelming guilt I feel. Argh, I don''t want to dwell on that right now!
Fortunately, my thoughts were interrupted by a looming shadow. It was Macau, my elder half-brother, who always had a flair for dramatic entrances. I remained unmoving and replied, "Macau, I don''t know how you managed to find me here, but I really don''t want to deal with you right now."
He gasped dramatically, playing up the role of the offended elder brother. "Is that any way to treat your elder brother, Sun?"
I couldn''t help but roll my eyes at his theatrics. With a sigh, I retorted, "Macau, you''re barely a year older than me. Don''t exaggerate your seniority."
He shrugged dismissively. "Alright then. Anyways, I thought you were a mage now. Can''t you just teleport home?"
I shot him a glare. "Oh sure, let me, a tier 4 mage, attempt a tier 7 spell to transport myself home. That''s brilliant. I thought you were the smart one."
Macau laughed, seemingly amused by my response. "Well, I don''t understand human magic, but tier 4 does sound quite weak for a prince." He settled down next to me. "So, aside from being discovered, how did it go?"
I let out a sigh, feeling a sense of comfort as his wing wrapped around me. "There''s this girl," I began, and he immediately gasped in response.
"Brother, no!" he exclaimed, clearly assuming the worst.
I pushed him away gently. "No, it''s not like that. Let me finish. She''s incredibly strong. Given a few more months, she could easily decimate one of our battalions single-handedly."
Macau seemed taken aback. "Then we won''t give her a few months. We should attack immediately," he suggested, his tone filled with determination.
I shook my head. "Her mentor is also present. He single-handedly defeated the Elven King Dragon."
Macau coughed, clearly astonished. "You must be joking. Please tell me you''re joking."
I met his gaze seriously. "I''m not. This is a much more serious situation than we anticipated."
He let out a deep sigh. "I suppose you''re right. It''s not worth risking an attack in light of these new developments."
***
Macau departed shortly after our conversation, leaving me alone with my thoughts once again. The two days flew by, and before I knew it, the ship had reached the docks of Lycus. As I stepped out, I was greeted with cheers and colorful banners.
"Prince Sun is back!" someone shouted with excitement.
"I bet he''s even stronger now!" another voice chimed in.
"Yeah, he''s probably surpassed his brothers in strength!" someone countered.
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A smile played on my lips, feeling a sense of belonging. "Good morning, everyone! It''s wonderful to be back in our magnificent country," I addressed the crowd with a smirk. "Thank you for the warm welcome, my friends."
The crowd respectfully made way for me as I made my way forward, following the standard protocol. However, I was taken aback when I noticed my three brothers standing near the front of the crowd, awaiting my arrival.
Colt Wukong, the eldest among us and the ideal candidate for the crown prince exuded regal charm. Towering even among beastmen, he possessed an imposing stature. His neatly groomed black hair and beard complimented his appearance. He adorned himself in traditional long blue robes, befitting the nobility of our nation.
On the other hand, Artair, the second eldest, was the complete opposite of Colt. Despite his shorter stature, he had a muscular build that could rival anyones. Artair boasted about the thick brown hair covering his body, although I had never bothered to confirm it. He always wore tight-fitting shirts to showcase his bulging muscles, emphasizing his physical strength.
Lastly, there was Macau, a rare beastman who consistently displayed one of his animal traits. His large brown wings protruded from his back, and unlike other beastmen, he refused to retract them. Macau had sleek black hair, similar to Colt''s but without a beard. He preferred the attire of a scholar, donning white robes that were more fitted compared to the loose noble garments.
"Sun," Colt addressed me with a cold tone, his gaze scrutinizing me for any signs of weakness. "We have been assigned the task of bringing you before the king."
Not an ideal situation, but I won''t voice my concerns aloud. While Colt may hold the title of Crown Prince and Artair may be the Warrior Prince, I earned the moniker of the People''s Prince for a reason. With a smirk, I casually stretched my arms behind my head. "Sounds like a fun time."
Colt''s stern expression remained unchanged as he motioned for us to follow him. The four of us made our way through the bustling streets of Lycus, the capital city of our kingdom. The citizens paused their activities to watch our procession, offering bows and expressions of respect as we passed by.
As we arrived at the grand palace, the guards at the entrance snapped to attention, their gaze fixed upon us. They opened the massive doors, revealing the majestic interior adorned with intricate designs and opulent decorations. We walked through the vast halls, the echoes of our footsteps resonating in the silence.
Finally, we reached the throne room, where our father, King Leonin Wukong, sat on his golden throne. His regal presence commanded respect, and his lion-like features conveyed strength and authority. He looked at me with a mix of curiosity and disappointment, as if he already knew about my failed mission.
"Sun Wukong, the prodigal son returns," King Leonin spoke with a deep voice that reverberated throughout the room. "Tell me, why have you come back empty-handed?"
I took a deep breath, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor. "Father, I have returned because the situation in the Kohica continent is far more complicated than we anticipated. The humans have become a force to be reckoned with, and engaging in a war with them would be a grave mistake."
The king''s brows furrowed, a glimmer of anger flashing in his eyes. "You dare speak against my orders? The humans have long been a thorn in our side, and it is our duty to crush them!"
"Father, I have witnessed their power firsthand," I continued, undeterred. "They possess formidable warriors and mages, capable of matching and surpassing our own strength. It would be reckless to underestimate them."
Artair stepped forward, his muscular frame imposing. "Sun, have you lost your spirit? We are beastmen, the rightful rulers of these lands. We should not fear humans; we should dominate them!"
I locked eyes with Artair, my voice filled with determination. "It is not about fear, brother. It is about strategy and understanding our enemy. Blind aggression will only lead to unnecessary bloodshed and loss of life."
Macau, always the voice of reason, stepped forward, his wings slightly fluttering. "Sun has a point. We must reevaluate our approach and find alternative means to secure our kingdom''s future."
The room fell into an uneasy silence as our words hung in the air. King Leonin leaned back on his throne, contemplating our words. After a tense moment, he spoke again, his voice softer this time. "Very well, my sons. I will consider your counsel and reassess our plans. But know this, the humans will not go unchallenged."
I made my way back to my quarters within the palace, the weight of the upcoming conflict heavy on my mind. I didn''t want to engage in battle with Quinn; I couldn''t bear the thought of her getting hurt. It wasn''t just Quinn, though. I had formed strong bonds with other friends at the academy, and the idea of them suffering as well pained me deeply. While I hoped to persuade my brothers to consider diplomatic solutions, I knew my father held a deep-rooted grudge that he wouldn''t easily let go of.
Journey To The West(2)
As I woke up in the morning, a note caught my attention on the nightstand. It was a message from Artair, requesting a meeting at the training grounds. Curiosity piqued, I decided to oblige and make my way there. The training grounds, a sprawling expanse of open fields and well-equipped arenas, hummed with the energy of warriors honing their skills.
Artair greeted me with a warm smile, revealing his eagerness. "Brother, I want to see firsthand the skills you''ve acquired during your time at the academy," he expressed.
Returning his smile, I replied, "Certainly, it''s been too long since I''ve truly unleashed. Mind if I go all out?"
Chuckling, he replied, "You better, because I won''t hold back!"
With a nod, I initiated my transformation, feeling the surge of power as my golden fur emerged, my face and forearms taking on their familiar simian appearance, and my tail gracefully swaying behind me. Being in my true form once again filled me with a sense of exhilaration.
We charged at each other with intense fervor, Artair''s rage echoing through his scream while I chanted the incantation for the spell . As expected, four golden-illuminated copies of myself materialized, joining me in a synchronized dash. One of the clones leaped forward, intercepting Artair''s punch, only to dissipate into a golden mist upon impact. With a coordinated effort, my remaining clones and I leaped into the air, encircling my brother. Swinging our collective might, we unleashed a barrage of attacks. In a roar of defiance, Artair unleashed a powerful strike that sent me and the clones soaring backward. I managed to regain my footing, but the rest of my clones vanished into thin air.
Artair''s voice reverberated with a challenge, "Quit relying on these cheap tricks and fight me head-on!"
I couldn''t help but laugh, relishing the moment, "If that''s what you want, just be prepared for defeat." Summoning a wooden staff into my hands, I skillfully twirled it, readying myself for the next phase of our encounter.
"With every strike, you''ll understand why I earned the title of ''Great Mage Equal to Heaven'' at the academy," I smirked confidently and swiftly dashed towards him once again.
Closing the distance between us, my staff whirled through the air with astonishing speed, tracing dazzling arcs and expert parries. Artair, a formidable warrior in his own right, adeptly met my relentless onslaught with a mix of agility and sheer strength. Despite his best efforts, my strikes were skillfully deflected by his muscular forearms. However, as he saw an opening and lunged forward with a powerful punch, I anticipated his move and swiftly conjured the spell, warding off his attack.
Recasting , I leaped up to launch a joint attack with Artair, fueled by our combined might. However, just before the strike, all of the clones vanished into thin air, leaving me off balance and falling flat on my face. A cold voice abruptly interrupted our skirmish.
"Stop this nonsense at once!" Colt''s voice echoed, disappointment lacing his words. "I would expect this behavior from you, Artair, but Sun... I expected better from you," he chastised, striding away with an air of authority, expecting us to follow suit.
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Artair protested, "Hey! Why did you intervene? I was about to win!"
Colt let out a weary sigh. "Oh, please. If Sun weren''t holding back all the time, you would never defeat him."
I chuckled, attempting to lighten the mood. "Come on, Colt, don''t completely shatter his hopes."
Artair appeared taken aback. "You''ve been holding back all these years?"
With a sigh and a sheepish rub of my neck, I confessed, "Kind of. It''s not really that enjoyable for me if I unleash my full power. I''ve never utilized my innate magic against anyone yet."
Artair''s expression turned crestfallen. "You don''t think I''m worth your best effort," he growled, his gaze fixated on the ground. "I understand now. I get it when I''m not wanted." And with those words, he abruptly turned and ran off.
Colt''s frown deepened. "Great, you''ve gone and upset the brute. Now what am I going to tell father?"
Chuckling, I replied, "Why would father care if Artair is upset? He hardly pays attention to us."
"He does when he has a mission for us," Colt retorted, glaring at me. "That''s why I sought you out. Father wants the four of us to embark on a diplomatic mission to the Elven continent of Reodone." He sighed, his frustration evident. "You need to mend the brute''s feelings, even if it''s just temporary, before we embark on this journey." With that, he turned to leave. "Get him a cake or something," he suggested before walking away.
I ventured through the silent training grounds, my steps were cautious and deliberate. Artair sat alone on a bench, his posture defeated, as if carrying the weight of his perceived inadequacies. I approached him gently, aware of the delicate nature of the situation.
"Artair," I called out softly, my voice carrying a mix of concern and sincerity, "can we talk?"
He looked up, his eyes filled with a cocktail of emotions. Resentment and sadness lingered in his gaze. "What is there to talk about, Sun? You''ve shown me that I''m not worth your best effort."
Taking a seat beside him, I carefully considered my words. "It''s not about worth, Artair. Unleashing my full power is a responsibility I''ve wrestled with for a long time. It''s a part of me that I''ve learned to control, for the sake of everyone around me."
His gaze met mine, searching for understanding. "But why hold back? Aren''t we warriors? Shouldn''t we give it our all?"
Sighing, I shared the depth of my inner struggle. "It''s a complex matter, Artair. When I unleash my full power, it becomes overwhelming. It''s like a tempest raging within me, a force that I fear losing control over. I''ve always been afraid of causing harm to those I care about."
Artair''s voice quivered, his vulnerability palpable. "I know I''m not as skilled or talented as you, Colt, or Macau. I''ll never excel in matters of diplomacy like Colt or possess the intellect of Macau. But when it comes to you and me, I thought we were equals," he sighed, his self-doubt creeping in. "I''m the older brother, Sun. I shouldn''t burden you with this. I shouldn''t be telling you all of this."
Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, I reassured him. "Artair, your worth is not defined by comparison. True strength isn''t solely measured by physical prowess or magical abilities. It''s rooted in determination, in the unwavering will to do whatever is necessary. You''ve shown that strength in your unwavering loyalty and dedication to our family and kingdom."
A faint smile tugged at the corners of Artair''s lips, a glimmer of hope emerging. "Thank you, Sun. I needed to hear that."
I nod. "We should go meet with Colt now. Father has a mission for us."
Y Not
It was time to check on Mr. Moon and assess the progress with the secret cult situation while also addressing any suspicions he might have about me. I donned the X mask, realizing how easily she had taken control of my body. It was surprising that I hadn''t noticed it before.
Approaching Mr. Moon with a smile, I found him immersed in paperwork at his desk. It was evident that he had been sleep-deprived since my disappearance.
"Moon," I greeted him, "Can you update me on the situation?"
He smiled back, "Leila''s trial went smoothly, and she''s now locked up." His smile faded, "Unfortunately, most of the Evil Book Club members escaped without a trace."
"I see. That complicates things," I replied, preparing to search for clues. "I''ll continue my investigation then."
"Wait," he called out, "I have a few questions as well."
I turned to him, feeling slightly annoyed. "Make it quick, Moon."
He stammered, "I saw you threatening Henry. What were you doing?"
Ah, that. I sighed and lied, "That was another one of my sisters. Her name is Y."
He chuckled lightly, "Your family does seem to favor single-letter names."
I smirked, seizing the opportunity. "You reminded me¡ªdo you happen to have a mask similar to mine? I want to give one to Y, so people can easily differentiate between us."
He nodded and retrieved another plain white mask from his drawer. With a marker, he drew a large "Y" on the front of the mask before handing it to me.
"Thank you, Moon," I expressed my gratitude as I prepared to leave. "I appreciate all that you do for me." I placed the mask in my trench coat pocket and headed toward my dorm room.
***
Across from me, Colette sat studying, and I couldn''t help but smile. I began devising a plan to solve the case at hand. First and foremost, I needed to interview Leila. She likely held valuable information regarding their potential whereabouts. I would follow the proper channels to schedule an interview and brainstorm ways to persuade her to tell the truth.
Suddenly, my arm started moving against my will. No! Why did it have to happen now? With my free hand, I desperately grabbed the arm that Y had taken control of.
"Colette, get away from me," I urged urgently.
Colette quickly stood up, but instead of running, she remained in place. I could no longer resist Y''s control. She seized the new mask from my pocket and put it on. I gently touched Colette''s cheek with my hand, attempting to reassure her.
"It''s okay, darling. There''s no need to run. I would never harm someone as beautiful as you," I said, struggling with the words.
Colette recoiled from my touch. "What are you doing?" she demanded.
"Just what needs to be done, darling," I replied, looking down at my attire. "Gods above, this is terrible. I need to change immediately." I began to remove my shirt. Oh my god! Why is Y making me do this? If I had control over my body, I would be blushing right now, although it seems Colette is blushing enough for both of us.
She covered her red face. "This is practically assault!"
I smirked. "I''m just changing. Have you never seen a girl change before?" I started taking off my pants.
The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
In her embarrassment, she blurted out a series of unintelligible words, peering through a crack in her hands. "This isn''t your body!" she pointed out. "I bet Quinn doesn''t want you to do this!"
I shrugged as I made my way toward the closet. "That''s a fair point, I suppose. But technically, it isn''t her body either," I retorted. Opening the closet, I continued, "Am I some sort of cartoon character with only one outfit?"
"I don''t know what a cartoon is, but you better put some clothes on right now!" Colette yelled.
"Okay, okay!" I raised my hands in surrender. "Odin''s beard, you''re no fun." I chanted a spell, and clothes materialized in my hand. I put on a sports bra and jeans of a similar color. "Is this better?" I sighed.
Colette began to uncover her face, only to quickly cover it again. "No! That is very improper!"
"For the love of Baldr, stop being such a prude!" I exclaimed, starting to walk away. "I''m leaving, darling."
"You can''t leave like that!" she protested, but I continued on my way, disregarding her plea.
As I distanced myself from Colette, her frustrated and concerned voice echoed behind me. It pained me to witness her distress, knowing that I had no control over my own actions. Y had taken over, and I could only hope that Colette would comprehend and forgive me once this ordeal reached its end.
With a sense of urgency, I swiftly located Leila''s confinement, slipping in unnoticed. Stepping into the dimly lit cell, I could perceive everything clearly despite the scarce illumination. Leila smirked, her vision likely limited to my silhouette, yet it was enough for her to recognize me.
"X, I see you''ve come crawling back," she taunted.
Gripping her neck effortlessly, I pressed her against the cold wall. "I''m not X; I''m far more ruthless," I asserted, increasing the pressure and causing a slight indent in the wall. "Now, you will tell me what I want to know, or you will meet your demise."
Desperately clutching my hands, she struggled to breathe. "Ca... n''t... bre... athe..." she gasped.
"What was that?" I feigned turning my head, seeking clarity. "I can''t quite hear you."
"I''ll... talk..."
A smirk adorned my face as I released my grip, letting her collapse to the ground. "Good. Now, start talking."
Gasping for air, she placed a hand on her chest. "Give me a second. I don''t even know what you want," she weakly replied.
¡°Let¡¯s say that little cult of yours¨C¡±
¡°Not a cult,¡± She interjected
¡°Don¡¯t interrupt me.¡± I growled, ¡°Let¡¯s say they were discovered and need to get away. Where would they go?¡±
She let out a weary sigh, "Only the highest-ranking members would possess that knowledge. Honestly, I have no idea."
Lowering myself to her level, I locked my gaze with hers, a sense of determination in my eyes. "Don''t play games with me. I won''t hesitate to take the necessary measures."
She trembled under my intense stare. "Honestly, I have no idea!" She raised her hands defensively. "I swear, I wasn''t of a high enough rank to be privy to such information."
"Then you are worthless," I uttered coldly. In one swift motion, I delivered a fatal kick, ending her life. The guilt and revulsion overwhelmed me. Y maintained control until I returned to the dorm room.
Collapsed on my knees, and the mask slipped off my face. Now that I regained control, tears streamed down my cheeks, a testament to the horror of my actions. Colette rushed to my side, kneeling in front of me. With utmost tenderness, she cradled my face in her hands, placing her forehead against mine.
"Quinn, please assure me that it''s you right now," she pleaded, her voice filled with hope.
"It is," I assured her.
She gently wiped away my tears and hugged me. "This must be terrifying for you."
Clutching onto Colette, her embrace providing a much-needed anchor, I sought comfort in her presence. Her unwavering support reminded me that amidst the chaos, I still had an identity to hold onto. Resting my head against her shoulder, I gathered my strength to speak, my voice filled with remorse and regret.
"I''m sorry. I''m so sorry. I didn''t mean to do it. I had no control. I never wanted to harm anyone."
"I know, Quinn," she reassured me, holding me tighter. "I understand that everything you did was under the influence of Y. You didn''t cause any harm."
"But I killed Leila. No, Y killed Leila. I was powerless to stop it," I confessed, the weight of that truth crashing down on me.
Colette momentarily released me from her embrace, her face flushed with realization. "Okay, I wasn''t aware of that. Nevertheless, it still wasn''t you."
I nodded, wiping away my tears. "I''m going to uncover more about Y. If I can gain a deeper understanding of her, perhaps I''ll be better equipped to anticipate her actions."
¡°You won¡¯t be doing it alone. I¡¯ll help you,¡± Colette smiled.
Dreams(2)
For the past four years, I''ve existed as a perpetual 16-year-old, trapped in the life of a Draugr. Initially, I mistook myself for a vampire due to the whole immortality and blood-drinking aspect. However, I soon discovered that Draugrs and vampires were two sides of the same coin when I joined an organization known as "The Orphans." This group comprised supernatural beings like me who had been abandoned by their parents.
The memory of my transformation into a Draugr remains vivid. It happened on my 16th birthday while my mother and I were simply at home, watching TV. My father was away, fortunate enough to be out working. Suddenly, the house became engulfed in flames, and I was the sole "survivor." In a desperate attempt to return to my father, I was met with rejection and harsh words. He labeled me a demon, refusing me entry into our home.
Left with no choice, I endured a year of homelessness, navigating the unforgiving streets. It was during this challenging period that I crossed paths with Vincent, the vampire leader of The Orphans. He became my guide, helping me make sense of the bewildering world I had been thrust into. He became my mentor, teaching me about the realm of gods, the intricacies of magic, and the diverse array of supernatural creatures that inhabited our world. For four years, his guidance forged a deep bond between us, and we became as close as true friends could be.
Perched atop a roof, a vantage point I frequently assumed, I observed the bustling streets below. My heightened senses allowed me to catch snippets of a distressing scene unfolding: a girl, approximately fourteen years old, being pursued by two older boys, perhaps around seventeen. Their voices carried traces of malice, and the girl''s fear was evident with every breath.
Without hesitation, I leaped down from the rooftop, positioning myself before the boys. A low growl rumbled in my throat as I confronted them. "Cease," I commanded.
"What the hell are you?" one of the boys stammered.
"I am your worst nightmare," I replied with a smug smirk, "and I suggest you flee before my companions arrive."
Panicked, the boys quickly retreated, their voices echoing threats of return. Turning my attention to the girl, I greeted her with a warm smile. "It''s a pleasure to meet you. I''m Quinn Noir, a Draugr." Extending my hand, I offered a handshake.
The girl straightened her posture, attempting to exude confidence. "I am Liv Thordottor!"
Placing a reassuring hand on her back, I began leading her toward our base. "It''s been quite some time since a Demi visited The Orphans. You''re most welcome here," I assured her.
The Orphans had become my sanctuary, a place I called home, and I yearned for it to offer the same refuge to Liv. Unfortunately, that hope was destined to remain unfulfilled, as The Orphans would be disbanded later that very same week.
***
Startled by yet another vivid dream concerning Y''s enigmatic past, I jolted awake, my body drenched in a cold sweat. However, before I could fully process the implications of the dream, the urgent reason for my awakening unfolded before me. A series of forceful poundings reverberated through the walls, drawing my curiosity toward our front door.
"Colette Adilene Winnr! Open this door right now!" a commanding voice bellowed from behind the door.
Driven by both intrigue and a sense of responsibility, I made my way to the source of the commotion. Colette, displaying remarkable swiftness, hastened to unlock and swing open the door. Standing before us were two individuals, whom I presumed to be Colette''s parents, accompanied by her sister Elise. Colette''s mother bore a striking resemblance to both Colette and Elise, with long blonde hair and penetrating gray eyes that seemed capable of peering into one''s very soul. However, a palpable contrast emanated from her, as her aura exuded an air of cold detachment and indifference.
This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.Colette''s father, in stark contrast, sported an infectious smile that stretched across his face. His disheveled black hair appeared greasy as if it hadn''t been washed for days. Behind his large, blocky glasses, his green eyes twinkled with intellectual curiosity. Clutching a sizable notebook, he seemed engrossed in jotting down notes.
Colette, displaying her usual grace, curtseyed before her mother and inquired, "I apologize for the wait, mother. To what do I owe the pleasure?"
Her mother, brimming with condescension, scoffed and replied, "Elise has informed me about the situation with your roommate. A deranged commoner, really? You deserve better. I''ve already arranged for you to change rooms immediately."
Adding his perspective, Colette''s father chimed in, "Although I must admit, I would love to meet this roommate of yours. She sounds quite fascinating."
Sensing the opportune moment, I stepped forward and addressed them, "Anastasia and Konan Winnr, I presume?" Anastasia appeared taken aback by the mention of her name, but I redirected my attention to Konan. "Your thesis on the application of Conjuration in Magitech was truly enlightening."
"You really think so?" he beamed, his smile growing wider. "I wish more young people appreciated scholarly pursuits. But if you''re looking for something truly illuminating, you should take a gander at my research on the Light spell." He chuckled at his clever jest, embracing the joy of intellectual banter.
Colette''s mother, Anastasia, shot a withering glare at her husband before redirecting her disdainful gaze toward me. Her voice dripped with contempt as she asked, "And who might you be?"
Apologizing for the oversight, I maintained a composed demeanor and replied politely, "I apologize for not introducing myself earlier. I am Quinn Noir, a fellow student at the academy and Colette''s friend and roommate."
Colette intervened, speaking slowly and choosing her words carefully, "Mother, I assure you Quinn is not deranged. Yes, she has her struggles, but don''t we all?"
With a sarcastic tone, Anastasia retorted, "Sure, we all have our issues. But my issues don''t involve transforming into a psychopath and nearly killing someone. Nor do they involve spouting deranged explanations about time like a lunatic."
Interjecting with enthusiasm, Konan raised his pen, eager to discuss his research, "Actually, I''m currently working on a research paper on Chronomancy. It''s a fascinating topic that hasn''t been explored yet, but I believe there''s a genuine¡ª"
Anastasia''s piercing glare silenced him abruptly. "Not now, Konan. Colette, there''s no point in arguing. You will be changing rooms immediately," she declared adamantly, dismissing any further discussion.
Colette let out a resigned sigh and lowered her gaze to the ground. "Yes, mother," she conceded defeatedly.
"Good. Now pack your belongings, and we can leave," Anastasia concluded, ending the conversation abruptly.
As Colette prepared to depart, she suddenly turned back and enveloped me in a heartfelt hug. "I''ll miss you," she whispered.
Nodding in agreement, I managed a bittersweet smile. "I''ll miss you too,"
The Ship
As the ship rocked beneath me, I experienced an entirely foreign sensation. In my previous life, I had never had the opportunity to set foot on a boat, and now, in my second life, I was finally getting that chance. However, the unfamiliar motion of the ship proved to be a challenge for me. I found myself sitting below deck, desperately attempting to stave off the overwhelming urge to vomit. It was not working.
I had embarked on this ship with a singular purpose: to reach Reodone and fulfill the promise the queen had made to me¡ªa visit to the library. I knew that if I could keep my focus on the prospect of exploring books and expanding my knowledge, it might help distract me from the relentless swaying of the vessel. But alas, my mind kept returning to the nauseating motion that surrounded me. Even my attempt to retreat into my Mind Sanctum, a place of solace and mental refuge, was futile, as the relentless swaying disrupted my concentration at every turn.
From the corner of my eye, I noticed a young woman approaching me, seemingly around my age. Given the nature of the ship we were on, it was highly likely that she was an elf, as evidenced by her ethereally pale complexion. Her long, flowing hair was a mesmerizing shade of light blue, cascading behind her as if perpetually caught in a gentle breeze. Her vibrant eyes locked onto mine with a gleeful expression, and she exuded an undeniable aura of joy. Dressed in a light pink jacket, white shorts, and complementing light blue leggings, she embodied a sense of vibrancy.
Her smile widened as she extended her hand toward me. "Hi! I''m Aella Craze!"
Letting out a sigh, I gathered my shaky resolve and slowly rose to my feet. Why did every girl in this dimension have to be so attractive?! I reached out and shook her hand, trying my best to steady myself.
"Quinn Noir," I introduced myself.
"I know who you are, silly!" Aella giggled, her joy infectious. "Every elf on this ship is aware of the human who has caught the queen''s attention."
"Oh," I coughed slightly, regaining my balance. "My apologies. You seem to know so much about me, yet I know nothing about you."
She tilted her head, a playful expression on her face. "Well, there isn''t much to know about me!" Aella smiled, her eyes sparkling. "I specialize in Evocation magic, and that''s pretty much it." She raised a finger in emphasis. "Oh, wait! The queen wanted me to let you know that me and another elf will be joining you at the academy when you return!"
A smile formed on my lips as I contemplated the significance of this development. "I see," I replied, my voice filled with enthusiasm. "A foreign exchange program designed to foster the reunion of our societies. That''s an excellent idea!"
She smiled, her eyes bright with excitement. "I''ll definitely pass on your words to the queen," Aella said cheerfully.
Curiosity piqued, I inquired further, "Who is this other student? I would be delighted to meet them."
Aella''s expression turned slightly uncertain. "I don''t think that''s been decided yet," she replied. But her smile quickly returned as she reassured me, "However, I''d be happy to answer any other questions you have!"
Returning her smile, I seized the opportunity to learn more about the Royal Library, the main reason for my visit. "Can you tell me more about the Royal Library? It is my main reason for visiting."
Aella''s laughter tinkled in the air. "Oh, it''s huge!" she exclaimed. "There must be at least 10,000 books inside! But most of them are just history stuff, you know. And they say you need to be super rich or have a special invitation to gain access." As the boat rocked, threatening to unsteady me, Aella remained oblivious to my struggle.
The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.Jay, who had joined me in my journey along with Kierra, gently placed their hand on Aella''s shoulder. Their voice was calm and reassuring, they addressed Aella, "I apologize, but I think my daughter needs some rest."
The pretense of Jay and Kierra being my parents worked like a charm, and Aella bowed, apologizing before quickly departing. Finally, I could take a seat and catch my breath.
Jay''s smile warmed my heart as they looked down at me. "You''re really excited about visiting this library, aren''t you?"
I couldn''t contain my enthusiasm. "Absolutely! All that knowledge in one place¡ªit''s like winning the ultimate academic jackpot!"
Chuckling, Jay let out a sigh. "Well, let''s hope you never get invited to Dimension 2000. I have a feeling you might just pass out."
Curiosity piqued, I asked, "Okay, besides the fact that I''ve just discovered there are more than four dimensions, what exactly is Dimension 2000?"
Jay chuckled again, sensing my eagerness. "It''s called The Library. And it contains every single book from across the multiverse."
Excitement surged through me, causing me to jump up before swiftly losing my balance and falling back down. "How do I get in? And is there a time limit on how long I can stay there?" I took a deep breath. "Oh, and are there any female librarians? And-"
Jay interrupted my rapid-fire questions, holding up a finger in a shushing motion. "There''s no point in overthinking it. You can only gain entry through invitation," they explained. Anticipating my next question, they continued, "And to receive an invitation, you have to be ranked among the smartest individuals in the entire multiverse."
My eyes widened at the magnitude of this accomplishment. "The smartest individuals in the entire multiverse?" I repeated in awe. "That sounds... incredible."
Jay nodded, their smile carrying a hint of wistfulness. "To my knowledge, there are currently only ten people granted the rank of Librarian, who can come and go from The Library as they please. I''ve always dreamt of being one of them," they sighed. "Sadly, I''m only ranked as the 15th smartest in the multiverse, so no version of me is getting in."
"15th smartest?" I questioned, my curiosity piqued. "How does this ranking system actually work?"
Jay bounced up on their heels slightly, a glimmer of excitement in their eyes. "Well, no one knows the exact workings of the system. It was created by a Librarian. But essentially, the system runs a test on every version of a person and calculates an average score," they explained, their bouncing continuing. "These scores are called SIRs, which stands for Standard Intelligence Rating. For instance, my score is 1020," they sighed again. "So, as you can imagine, all the Librarians are incredibly intelligent individuals."
The rocking motion of the ship became a mere backdrop to my thoughts. With newfound determination, I steadied myself and focused on the upcoming days at the academy, where I would have the opportunity to learn and grow alongside the other students. The thought of meeting the mysterious elf who would be joining me in this exchange program added to my excitement.
Reodone
Eventually, the ship docked in Reodone, and I eagerly disembarked. As I stepped onto the bustling dock, my eyes widened at the sight before me. The city of Reodone sprawled out with grandeur and architectural marvels that reached toward the sky. Tall spires and ornate buildings adorned the streets, showcasing the city''s rich history and artistic prowess.
Colorful banners fluttered in the gentle breeze, displaying symbols of knowledge and wisdom. The streets were alive with a diverse array of people, each engrossed in their own pursuits. Scholars rushed by with stacks of books in hand, students huddled together discussing intellectual matters, and magical energy crackled in the air, hinting at the enchantments woven into the city''s fabric.
Quaint bookshops and enchanting cafes lined the cobblestone streets, beckoning me with their allure. The aroma of freshly brewed potions mingled with the scent of parchment and ink, creating a unique olfactory experience that hinted at the knowledge waiting to be explored.
As I ventured deeper into the city, I couldn''t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. The Royal Library, my destination, stood tall and majestic at the heart of Reodone. Its grand facade showcased the wisdom and accumulated knowledge of countless generations.
The queen gracefully walked by my side, her regal presence commanding respect and admiration. As we strolled through the bustling streets, a hush fell over the crowd, and all eyes turned toward us. Whispers and murmurs filled the air, carrying both judgment and hope. I heard mummers about how the queen shouldn¡¯t associate with someone like me, but at the same time, I also heard mummers about what a big step toward peace this was.
***
As we stepped into the library, my excitement reached overwhelming levels. The sight before me was a bibliophile''s paradise, exactly as Aella had described. Countless shelves lined the expansive halls, stretching as far as the eye could see. Books of all shapes and sizes adorned the shelves, ranging from classic hardcovers to delicate scrolls. The atmosphere was filled with the scent of aged parchment and the promise of boundless knowledge.
Overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the collection, I couldn''t contain my enthusiasm. Bursting with energy, I sprinted down the halls, my eyes darting from one book to another. With each book and scroll I encountered, I absorbed its contents into my Mind Sanctum, feeling a sense of fulfillment and joy.
Twirling and cheering, I couldn''t help but express my unadulterated delight. It was as if I had been granted access to a treasure trove beyond my wildest dreams. The queen, sharing in my excitement, chuckled warmly, appreciating the unfiltered expression of my passion.
However, amidst our lighthearted laughter, my attention was drawn to a girl who seemed less amused. Balancing a towering stack of books in her arms, she scowled disapprovingly in my direction. Her presence exuded an air of scholarly nobility, accentuated by her carefully chosen attire. She wore an elegant gown in deep blue, adorned with intricate embroidery and accompanied by a matching velvet cloak. Her white hair cascaded down her back, accentuating her sharp features and cold, piercing purple eyes.
¡°Mother,¡± The girl said, ¡°What is this filthy mongrel doing in OUR Royal Library?¡±
The queen''s laughter was instantly gone, ¡°Melanie please, that is no way to refer to our guest,¡±
¡°Since when was the Queen of the Elves consorting with the humans?¡± She scoffed, ¡°A human has no right to be in our library,¡± She glared at me, ¡°You disgust me,¡±
Despite her disdain, I stepped forward, wearing a calm smile, determined to rise above her hostility. "I apologize if my presence causes you such discomfort," I spoke with measured sincerity, bowing respectfully. "An elf as strikingly beautiful as you should never have to lay eyes upon someone as ''lowly'' as myself."
As I rose from the bow, a smug smirk tugged at the corners of my lips, hinting at a subtle playfulness. "Rest assured, I have no intention of sharing the knowledge I acquire within this library with anyone," I assured her, my words carrying an undercurrent of intrigue.
Stolen novel; please report.
Melanie''s haughty demeanor faltered for a brief moment, her head tilting upward in surprise. A faint blush graced her cheeks, caught off guard by my unexpected response. "Mother," she addressed the queen, her voice betraying a hint of confusion, "the... ''mongrel'' is addressing me."
The queen''s eyes sparkled with amusement as she observed the interaction between Melanie and me. Her voice exuded gentle authority as she spoke, acknowledging my way with words and quick wit. "Indeed, my dear," she responded, her tone carrying a hint of pride. "It appears that our guest possesses linguistic prowess as well as her sharp intellect."
Melanie, clearly unimpressed, huffed and turned to leave, but not before uttering something in a language unfamiliar to me. The words flowed from her lips like a melodic chant, ethereal and captivating, yet with a subtle British accent intertwined. Intrigued, I turned to the queen as Melanie exited the room.
Curiosity evident in my voice, I inquired, "What did she say?"
The queen sighed, a touch of regret evident in her expression. "I apologize, Quinn. I just realized that you don''t understand Elvish," she confessed, her voice tinged with genuine concern.
It dawned on me then¡ªthe realization that all the books in this magnificent library were written in Elvish. A sudden surge of determination propelled me towards a nearby shelf, where I hastily plucked a book from its resting place. Opening it, I gazed at the elegant script, finding striking similarities to the Russian language I had once mastered in my previous life, one of my many aliases was Russian.
Pointing at a word on the page, I turned to the queen and asked, "What word is this?"
With her otherworldly yet enchanting voice, she pronounced the word before providing its translation in the human tongue. "It means ''continent''," she replied, her eyes filled with a mixture of curiosity and intrigue.
The significance of her response struck me deeply. The word''s meaning aligned with my expectations, yet the ethereal sound that accompanied its pronunciation defied my assumptions. Elvish, it seemed, shared a close relationship with Russian, but with subtle tonal differences that gave it a mesmerizing quality.
In a moment of unabashed curiosity, I blurted out, "Can I examine your mouth?"
The queen''s surprise was palpable, her eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "I beg your pardon?" she queried, clearly taken aback by my unexpected request.
Quickly regaining my composure, I explained, "Forgive my directness. As a linguist and one who dabbles in humanoid biology, I am fascinated by the relationship between languages and the physical structures of our vocal cords. Given my fluency in Elvish, it puzzles me why I struggle to comprehend your spoken words. I thought examining the structures of our vocal cords might offer valuable insights."
Although "dabble" was a modest description of my expertise. In my past life, I had a Ph.D. in Biological Anthropology, though technically that degree belonged to ¡°Harley Holmes.¡± Of course, in my old dimension, Quinn Noir died long before I actually did. Harley Holmes was just one of many identities I used to hide my true self from the world.
The queen regarded me with a mixture of surprise and intrigue, her regal composure momentarily wavering under the weight of my request. After a brief pause, she nodded, recognizing the sincerity and curiosity behind my words.
"I must admit, Quinn Noir, your inquisitive nature is quite refreshing," she replied, her voice laced with a hint of fascination. "Very well, if it helps in unraveling the mysteries of language, I shall grant you permission."
With a composed yet cautious demeanor, the queen inclined her head slightly, permitting me to proceed. I approached her, my eyes focused on the subtle movements of her mouth and throat as she spoke. It was a delicate balance, as I needed to be respectful of her personal space while also gaining the necessary observations.
As I carefully observed the queen''s vocal mechanisms, I couldn''t help but marvel at the intricate precision and elegance of her elven physiology. The subtle movements of her lips, the placement of her tongue, and the vibrations resonating within her throat were all distinct from the human vocal apparatus I was familiar with.
I mentally made note of every detail, comparing and contrasting it with my knowledge of human anatomy and linguistics. The differences I observed would undoubtedly aid in deciphering the peculiarities of the Elvish language and its pronunciation.
After a few moments, I stepped back, giving the queen her space once again. "Thank you, Your Highness. Your willingness to indulge my curiosity is greatly appreciated," I expressed sincerely, my eyes gleaming with newfound determination. "I believe these observations will greatly contribute to my study of the Elvish language."
She smiled, ¡°I am glad Quinn,¡±
I Have Done Nothing But Read For The Past 24 Hours
After absorbing every single book and scroll in the library that I could, a sense of accomplishment washed over me. With eager anticipation, I settled down and entered the sanctuary of my Mind Sanctum. As the doors opened, revealing a realm of boundless knowledge, a giddy smile adorned my face. The once barren shelves now teemed with a vast array of books and scrolls, waiting to be explored.
Alexander approached me, a knowing smile playing on his lips. "You''ve certainly been busy," he chuckled. "I assume you will start reading now?"
I nodded enthusiastically, my eyes scanning the titles adorning the spines of the books. History Of Reodone, Secrets Of Mana Purity, The Mythos Of Elves, The Flora of Reodone, The Fauna of Reodone... the possibilities seemed endless. While I could delve into a passionate discourse about each of these captivating subjects, I realize it might be best to spare you the rambling and dive straight into my pursuit of knowledge.
Although I couldn''t find any spellbooks in the library that were suitable for my needs (not that it stopped me from searching!), I stumbled upon a book dedicated to the Flora of Reodone, which delved into the alchemical properties of the plants. It sparked an idea in my mind¡ªI should pay a visit to the apothecary as soon as I finished absorbing the knowledge from this current book!
The Mythos of Elves turned out to be a moderately interesting read, although I didn''t come across anything particularly useful for my purposes. However, the History of Reodone proved to be an absolute treasure trove of information! It contained excerpts from primary sources dating back thousands of years to the founding of the kingdom! My excitement got the better of me there, I apologize for my exuberance.
Another captivating book was Secrets of Mana Purity. It shed light on the unique criteria by which elves evaluate their mages. Elves are assigned two scores based on a test, and their Tier is determined by the average of those scores. The first score measures the number of spells known, with 20 spells being the threshold for Tier 1, and it increases from there. However, the other test focuses on the purity of one''s mana. This book contained numerous methods for enhancing mana purity. I made a mental note to have my mana purity tested after I visited the apothecary. I read quite a few more books after that, but none worth mentioning.
With my mind buzzing with newfound knowledge and a clear plan forming in my head, I closed the Secrets of Mana Purity book, eager to explore the potential enhancements it offered. The allure of the apothecary beckoned me, promising further discoveries and a chance to delve into the alchemical properties described in the Flora of Reodone. I couldn''t contain my excitement to unlock the hidden secrets within.
Exiting the Mind Sanctum, I gracefully navigated the winding corridors of the royal library. The grand architecture and flickering candlelight added an air of enchantment to the surroundings as if the library itself held ancient wisdom and whispered its secrets to those who sought them.
Suddenly, a loud explosion reached my ears, accompanied by a distinct scent of failed potion brewing. Intrigued, I calmly entered the room to find Melanie''s face covered in black soot, standing over a cauldron. Ignoring her hostility, I approached her with a smile.
"What are you working on?" I asked curiously.
If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
"None of your business, filthy mongrel," she growled in response.
Undeterred by her comment, I surveyed the table and quickly formed a theory. "Ah! A potion to increase Mana Purity, fascinating," I exclaimed.
Her eyes widened, "How could you tell that?" she questioned.
"Just read a couple of books," I shrugged nonchalantly. Wafting the smoke, I caught a whiff of the potion and wrinkled my nose slightly. "Ugh. Your issue seems to be the impurity of the mana you''re using to charge the potion," I remarked. She frowned and looked down.
"Judging by your reaction, I''d say you have a Mana Deficiency," I continued. She nodded slightly. "Well, I see two ways to solve this. First, you could seek assistance from someone with high mana purity¨C"
Melanie scoffed dismissively, "As if, a Moondown never asks for help from anyone," she retorted, glaring even harder. "Especially not a human."
"Human... that''s an improvement from ''filthy mongrel''," I remarked with a shrug. "In that case, I''d recommend obtaining Moon Flower petals and some crystals. Grind the petals and crystals separately, then mix the two until the mixture glows. Add it to your potion," I offered my advice before preparing to leave for the apothecary.
Just as I was about to depart, I heard Melanie call out, "I-I didn''t need your help, filthy mongrel!"
***
The elderly elf in the apothecary had a long gray beard and grumbled something in Elvish as soon as he laid eyes on me. Putting on an obviously fake smile, he greeted me, "Good afternoon, what can I do for you today?"
Returning the smile, I replied, "I was wondering if you have a way to test mana purity here?"
"Give me a moment," he said, turning around and grumbling about humans and their intrusion into elven secrets. He returned with a small crystal ball in his hand and handed it to me. "Hold this and charge it with a bit of your mana," he instructed, adding slyly, "This test will cost you 200 credits."
I had anticipated the cost, so I was prepared to dip into my funds. I took hold of the crystal ball and infused it with a small amount of my mana. Colors swirled within the orb, and suddenly a notification appeared in my system.
The crystal began rapidly changing colors: green, yellow, red, purple, and blue. And then, the ball shattered in my hand. The man''s eyes widened, and his smile vanished. I bent down to pick up the shards.
"No!" he blurted out. "I mean, let me handle it." He rushed over with a broom to sweep up the shards. "I apologize for the way I was treating you. I had no idea¨C" He shuddered.
"I am truly sorry I broke your orb," I said, "Should I pay double so you can replace it?"
"Heavens, no!" he exclaimed. "You broke it simply because you were too powerful for my orb. I will not, no, I cannot let you pay for a test that simply did not work!"
"I understand," I replied as he returned to his place behind the counter. I handed him a slip of paper. "Do you happen to have any of these ingredients?"
He scanned the list I gave him. "This is a peculiar assortment of ingredients. May I ask what they are for?"
"I''m working on a couple of experimental potions," I explained, cautious not to reveal too much. "Though I shouldn''t delve into too many details."
He nodded knowingly. "A powerful mage and an intelligent alchemist. I would expect no less from the human adored by the queen. It''ll be 1000 credits. If that''s agreeable to you, I will fetch the ingredients immediately."
I nodded in agreement. "That''ll be fine."
Now it was time to create my magnum opus.
Magnum Opus
I entered the Alchemy lab, where Melanie was engrossed in her potion-making. She was grinding the flower petals, following my earlier suggestion, and seemed to be making decent progress. Pointing to the unused half of the lab, I asked, "Do you mind if I borrow this side for a moment?"
She let out a mocking laugh. "As if I would ever let a filthy mongrel like you use my lab!"
I chose to ignore her and simply replied, "Thanks," before walking over to the vacant area and gathering the ingredients I needed.
"Hey!" she complained. "I didn''t say you could do that!"
Continuing to disregard her protests, I focused on the task at hand. Months of anticipation had led to this moment, and I was determined not to fail. Working with precision and efficiency, I immersed myself in the brewing process, which seemed to momentarily silence Melanie''s interruptions.
The process involved careful mixing, heating, and extracting essences from the various ingredients. It was a delicate dance of proportions and timings, each step crucial to achieving the desired outcome. The bubbling and steaming concoction gradually transformed, releasing intoxicating scents that filled the air, a tantalizing aroma that defied description.
Finally, as the potion reached its peak, a notification flashed on my screen:
I had done it. I grabbed a small flask and carefully filled it with the warm, rich liquid. Bringing it close to my nose, I took a deep breath, inhaling the perfect scent that emanated from it, capturing notes of earthiness, warmth, and invigoration. It was exactly what I had been patiently awaiting for all those months.
With a satisfied smile, I typed "Coffee" on my screen.
Melanie approached me cautiously and gestured towards the still-full cauldron. "What exactly is this?" she asked, her tone skeptical.
"Something I just invented," I smirked, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I call it Coffee! It''s a potion that, in simple terms, increases your energy."
She stared at me with a deadpan expression. "So it''s like a Stamina Regen Potion."
"Well, um," I stumbled over my words, trying to find a better explanation. "It''s more about boosting your overall energy levels and helping you sustain them for a while," I clarified. "And it tastes much better than your average potion."
Curiosity piqued, Melanie reached for her flask and took a small sip of the liquid. Almost immediately, she spat it out, wearing a look of utter disgust. "This is the worst thing I have ever tasted," she exclaimed.
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I chuckled at Melanie''s reaction, finding some satisfaction in her distaste for my creation. "Well, it''s an acquired taste," I responded, trying to hide my amusement. "Not everyone appreciates the complex flavors of Coffee."
Melanie scowled at me, clearly unimpressed. "Acquired taste or not, this is undrinkable," she retorted. "I have no idea why you would waste your time creating such a concoction."
I shrugged, undeterred by her criticism. "Different strokes for different folks, I suppose. Not everyone can appreciate the brilliance of a new invention." I held up the flask, admiring the dark liquid inside. "But mark my words, Melanie, one day, the world will recognize the value of Coffee."
She rolled her eyes dismissively and turned away. "I highly doubt that. Just remember, not everything that''s new is necessarily valuable or worth pursuing."
I took a moment to savor the victory of creating Coffee, even if Melanie failed to appreciate it. I carefully placed the flask in my bag, knowing that I had achieved something significant. Perhaps someday, others would come to understand the allure of my creation.
***
(3rd Person POV)
Sun Wukong and his three brothers were a mere few hours away from reaching the continent of Reodone. Aware of their proximity to their objective, Colt organized a meeting to reassess their mission objectives. He placed his hands on the table where his brothers were seated.
"Remember, this is a diplomatic mission," Colt reminded them. "Our aim is to persuade the Elves to join forces with us in the war against humans. Any strategies?"
Artair eagerly chimed in, his voice brimming with enthusiasm. "I say we enter with swords drawn, forcing them to comply with our demands!"
Colt interjected, urging caution. "Let''s set that as Plan Z for now. Any other ideas?"
Macau offered a different perspective. "I propose leading the discussion by highlighting the fact that a human was responsible for killing the Elven King Dragon. We can leverage this to depict humans as a threat that requires our united forces to deal with."
Colt''s smile affirmed Macau''s suggestion. "That''s a brilliant idea, as expected from you, Macau." He turned his attention to Sun. "You''ve been rather quiet. Do you have any ideas?"
Sun jolted upright from his previously slouched position. "Hmm? I think we should focus on engaging the civilian population first. By stirring them up, we can corner the queen into making a decision."
"Great idea, Sun," Colt smiled approvingly. "We''ll begin by meeting with the queen, but if she doesn''t agree immediately, we''ll implement your plan."
Sun couldn''t help but feel a twinge of concern. "I hope Quinn is safe," he pondered silently.
***
At the academy, Colette entered her new dorm room only to find a peculiar man inside. He sported an unconventional green vest-like suit, unlike anything she had ever seen. His tousled brown hair resembled the result of rubbing a balloon against his head. In his carefully gloved hand, he twirled a semi-translucent cube, revealing something mysterious within. The man leaned forward, scrutinizing the bee that fluttered inside the cube.
"Fascinating," he muttered, his voice filled with intrigue. "I have never seen wing patterns like this in any dimension."
Demanding answers, Colette confronted the man. "Who are you? What are you doing in my room? And what is that in your hand?"
The man straightened himself up, adjusting his vest with meticulous precision. "Me? I''m a librarian. Because I''m a librarian," he emphasized each mention of the word, causing waves of magical energy to emanate from his voice. "And this," he said, presenting the cube, "is a creation of a librarian."
Colette''s eyes, once filled with fear and anger, momentarily glazed over before returning to normal. "Oh, alright," she shrugged, seemingly unfazed. "What do you need?"
A mischievous smirk spread across the man''s face. "My boss has sent me on a retrieval mission. Have you ever had the pleasure of meeting a certain Harley Holmes?"