Chapter 5: The second discussion

Chapter 5: The second discussion

It turns out that Davrar does not reward lying to inanimate objects. That was fair. And included golems as inanimate.

Not long after hed finished failing to convince the wall that it really was in fact, made of small particles of silica and was not a contiguous solid, the door had opened and a golem had walked through, carrying a plate of roasted vegetables.

Nathan had done his best to act like a confused world-traveler with no knowledge of how he had gotten there, asking random questions starting with Where am I, moving on to who are you and ending with what is this place. The golem had ignored him, placing the food on the table and removing the now-empty bowl of fruit. When Nathan made a halfhearted move toward the door the golem had sped up, quickly moving to the door before closing and barring it.

Nathan inspected the meal, and was quite pleased to note that the roasted zucchini? had come with a fork. A two-tonged fork where the tongs were nearly an inch and a half apart, but still a metal utensil. Huzzah! He sat down on his side of the table and quickly scratched three words in small text into the side that faced him. Youve been neuralized was pretty close to Youve been mindwiped but the extra level of obfuscation through pop reference seemed like it could only help. Added to his terrible handwriting and potentially unknown language, it was unlikely Taeol could read it even if he found it. Unless there was a [Translate] spell that worked on cultural references. Man, magic was bullshit. The kind of bullshit Nathan badly wanted to be able to do, but that was looking less likely as his plans firmed up.

He sat down to munch on the plate of grilled green veggies. They werent bad - cold and a little soggy, but naturally a bit peppery in a way that combined nicely with the crisped edges. Nathan could only hope it didnt contain allergens that would cause his throat to close up. He was almost done with the plate when he heard the door being unbarred again.

Nathan did his best to look up in a hopeful and confused manner when Taeol entered the room, the golem a stride behind. Taeol was in another orange robe, this one decorated with shiny stones around the hems and sleeves. As he was sliding into the chair, Nathan asked Can you please tell me what is going on?

Taeol looked gravely at Nathan. My boy, I do apologize but I must be clear as flawless gems with you. First, allow me an introduction. Im Taeol dho Droxol, a researcher at the Ascendent academy. You find yourself in a new world. As much as it twists my thumb to admit, my understanding of what occurred is limited. I believe that some cosmic force moved you across dimensions to this world. I was conducting an experiment to probe dimensional quasi-resonance and my utter harmonic went out of control. Entirely beyond expectation, and much expensive equipment was destroyed. But right where the primary phase-resonator had broken I found you, lying on the secondary tuning rod. And before we continue, may I ask your name?

That sounded to Nathan like techno-babble intended to confuse him. Magi-babble? Regardless, it seemed like Taeol was trying to sell Nathan a story where hed appeared here by chance, and destroyed valuable equipment in the process. He had to pretend to believe it and play into the effect that Taeol was going for. He wished he could take back telling his name to Taeol earlier in case it gave him some magical advantage, but hed done it while trying to stall Taeol before the memory purge.

Oh, that is a lot to take in. My name is Nathan Lark. Thank you for the answer, but Im still so confused. Im sorry to hear that I destroyed some valuable equipment. This is all a big shock for me, I was going mad with panic earlier trying to figure out what was going on. I have a lot of questions. You must have incredible technology to be working on something like dimensional science

Taeol seemed satisfied with the answer, and smiled gently. He gestured with a hand, and Nathan saw the spell coming before the word left Taeols mouth.

[Charm]

Nathan let his eyes go unfocused for a moment, the same way it had happened the first time. He took a long blink, focusing his thoughts to notice and banish the seductive foreign thoughts as they flowed into him with a prickling sensation.

Low-tier Focused Mind Rank 3 achieved!

No my friend Nathan, we do not use technology. In this world, we use magic to bend the world to our will. I take it from your response that your world does not have magic? Would you like to learn magic?

Taeol conjured a floating ball of smooth orange light over one hand, and his smile had changed into something predatory. He knew what Nathan wanted, and was leveraging it and his mental magic to gain leverage. Nathan knew what the right response was. Luckily, it wasnt hard to channel his excitement for magic. He didnt have to try hard to make his eyes bug out at one of the first visual displays of magic hed seen.

Magic! Thats incredible! I can learn it? How does it work? Where does the energy come from? Is that an easy spell to learn? How long will it take before I could cast it? He pointed to the orb of light, doing his best to seem like hed forgotten his misgivings and was entirely excited about learning magic. Pretty much the same as the first time hed learned about magic from Taeol.

Pending utility skill: Low-tier Earnestness

You have done a good job conveying seriousness and honesty to a suspicious observer. This skill will help you portray your intense conviction and honesty when you speak to people. Cannot compel actions beyond what natural speech could, and cannot fool truth spells or skills.

Not exactly what Nathan had in mind, but beggars couldnt be choosers and it seemed like it would help here. He accepted the skill.

Congratulations, you have accepted the Low-tier Earnestness utility skill. It will become a part of your status and rank up as you use it. It starts at rank 1 and becomes more effective as it ranks up. Think about how you use your skill to aid in skill development at rank 10

Those messages were getting a little repetitive. While hed been considering it, Taeol had started talking.

... forgive that, and I would be sure as a good glove that you can learn magic. Id like to get you started on a mage class soon. With my enormous guidance we could have you casting light spells such as this by weeks end. But if you have no magic, I would love to hear how your people do things! This technology sounds fascinating, and I would love to hear all of it I could. If your people have no classes, how do you accomplish anything?

Nathan nodded, noticing Taeols slip - he hadnt told Taeol he didnt have a class yet. Im sorry, but classes? Do you mean something like educational degrees? Taeol flushed a bit in response, so it was probably a mistake, and not Taeol trying to draw Nathan out in a slip. He rushed to explain classes again, this time omitting the mention of less civilized thinking beings that had tipped Nathan off the first time. Then he closed by saying But Talents, classes and skills are essential to all we do. My civilization - no civilization - could long survive without them against the monsters and Endings of this world. Then, I ask you, even if your world has no monsters, no Endings, how do you accomplish anything?

Endings?

Something to ask about later. For now, Nathan had an opening to convince Taeol of his usefulness as a thinking, free agent. I have dedicated my life to furthering our technology, and had nearly attained the highest education my world offers before he gestured around the room. Knowledge is shared freely in my world. We have a saying among my people, if I see further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants. It means that even though I may not be as wise or as smart as my predecessors, I can learn all they discovered and then surpass them in knowledge. Nathan spread his hands, as though laying his secrets upon the table.

Low-tier Earnestness Rank 2 achieved!

Taeol had his hands tightly clasped together, and was listening to Nathan with slightly teary eyes. Amazing. When we lose a titan, their Skills and Talents die with them. When you lose one, their skills and knowledge are taught to the next generation. What a grand world that must be. Ah, but can we make it real here? My people hoard insight like dragons, only to be dispensed to their trusted heirs, if at all. Only a fist of steel, one armed with advantage and insight beyond all others, could break that culture. Will you give me the strength of your fist in this, Nathan? Together we could raise the banner of knowledge, to take what is best of your world and use it in this one. He raised his hands dramatically with that, gesturing with one hand in a now-familiar gesture.

[Charm]

It was a remarkably persuasive argument, Nathan had to admit. But as the spell washed around him and passed by, Nathan reminded himself of Taeols past actions. He was not the beacon of knowledge and truth that he pretended. Taeol dho Droxol was a scheming man convinced his own superiority justified any means necessary to get his way. Hed thrown away any chance of Nathan ever willingly cooperating with him the first time hed cast [Charm]. Looking up, Nathan saw Taeol watching carefully to see his reaction. Then he gestured again, his voice louder, more insistent, and the glow from his mouth stronger.

[Charm]

The spell was clearly cast with more strength, meant to overcome any resistance, and Nathan allowed his eyes to go unfocused for a moment. He bent his will to overcoming the spell, sucking the tingling feeling into the bones of his skull as it sought to latch onto his brain. After a moment, the spell broke.

High-Tier Magic Resistance Rank 5 achieved!

You have leveled up to level 5! Congratulations, you have resisted your opponents attempts to persuade you! It will be harder to level up as you gain a higher level

Nathan smiled, and Taeol smiled with him. Then Nathan gave the only answer that Taeol would accept, mimicking Taeols speech patterns as best he could. Of course I will help you. This is a much grander path than I expected to walk, and I would be honored to walk it with you. But please, I have so much to learn about this world before I know what we are about. Could you please tell me where we are? Can you tell me of your government and society, and to learn what my place is within it? I dont want to disgrace you if I should meet another prominent member of your academy. Nathan could feel his Earnestness skill activating, guiding his voice and face to express honest curiosity and sincerity as he tried to pump Taeol for information.

Low-tier Earnestness Rank 3 achieved!

The boxes vanished, revealing Taeols face, wide eyed and staring at the snapped chain links. He was standing to Nathans right and was holding a spike capped with a green gem in one hand and a small hammer in the other, poised to drive the spike into Nathans solar plexus. Nathans left hand came up across his body, and his hips and shoulders twisted as he drove a palm into Taeols face.

Or, at least tried to. Nathans palm skated off a barrier of slick force a few inches in front of Taeol. The orange-robed man staggered back a few steps from surprise, though the force of the blow seemed to affect him not at all. Nathan sat up, pulling away from jeweled and engraved metal arms folded across his forehead. He tugged at the last few chains around his ankles as Taeol took further steps back, pointing at Nathan with the spike. You how? What kind of toxic power do you have? Nathan replied by shutting his eyes again, frantically pulling on the strings of the remaining chains. They fell away in moments, and he pushed himself up, and towards Taeol.

The mage had backed up until he ran into the workbench, and his eyes flicked to the door. Nathan sprung at him, and Taeol cast just as quickly as last time.

[Paralysis]

Nathan was ready this time. He saw the gesture coming and balanced himself so he wouldnt immediately fall. Then, he drained the feeling out of his muscles nearly as fast as it came in, staggering but not falling. Taeols eyes bugged out further, and he reflexively held his hands out in front of him. Nathan charged into him a moment later, relying on momentum to get through the defense spell, or at least knock Taeol over. The barrier flexed as Nathan hit it, but he bounced off as if hed shoulder-checked a padded bag, and Taeol wasnt pushed back in the slightest.

Magic is bullshit. Conservation of momentum is a core physical law!

At least Taeol seemed to be panicking. He stared at Nathans face like a man with a hundred hammers seeing a screw for the first time. Nathan loomed over Taeol and wrapped his arms around the smaller man, feeling the barrier a few inches above Taeols skin all over. It flexed under his arms, but didnt break. Then Nathan dug his fingers into the barrier behind Taeols shoulders and pulled as hard as he could, trying to rip the barrier apart. It cracked and tore, a brief blast of force pushing Nathan a few steps back. Taeols lips were moving, and Nathan could feel the mana of the spell he was weaving from feet away. It was more powerful than anything Nathan had felt Taeol cast before. Nathan raised his hands protectively in front of him.

[D-d-d-DISINTEGRATE]

A thin beam of pale green light shot from Taeols pointing finger and hit Nathans left palm. Taeols face pulled into a satisfied rictus as Nathans left hand fell apart. Pain blasted through him as first his wrist, then his forearm turned to black dust. He screamed.

High-Tier Magic Resistance Rank 8 achieved!

The wave of magic swept down Nathans arm and he felt his Talent fight the spell consuming his inherently magic-resistant flesh. Nathan clutched his left arm with his right hand, unable to do anything but watch and feel his arm slowly disintegrate. The advancing wave of mana felt like a hungry void, a consuming pit that would never be sated.

High-Tier Magic Resistance Rank 9 achieved!

Nathan tried to push back, he tried to arrest the advancing tide of entropy. Not with any clever ideas, just with frantic desperation. And maybe it made a difference, as the spell passed his elbow and slowed to a crawl. Both Taeol and Nathans eyes were glued to the advancing black line. Then, a few inches from his shoulder and with one final notification, it stopped.

High-Tier Magic Resistance Rank 10 achieved! Congratulations, you have maxed out this talent! It cannot be improved any further. You must achieve insight into this talent to develop it to the next level. As it is high-tier, the kind of insight will affect how it develops.

Nathan fixed tear-filled eyes on Taeol, whose victorious expression paled into terror. Nathan stalked forward.

[Paralysis]

Nathan barely stumbled, overcoming the spell with sheer rage and desire to beat Taeols face in. Taeol started gathering magic for another powerful spell, but Nathan took a long step and pivoted his entire body, smashing his right elbow into Taeols nose. Nathan felt cartilage pulping under the blow, and continued his turn, stomping on Taeols left knee with his right foot. The knee folded with an unpleasant popping sound and Taeol dropped to the ground with a whimper past bloody lips.

Nathans left arm hurt, and he tried to cradle it as he turned to the door. Time to get out of this place. Especially before the golem came back. He stumbled to the door, pushed it open and was ten steps down the hall before he paused and turned around.

I hurt him, but he wont die. I need to kill him. Hes tried to do worse to me. He deserves to die. Hes a powerful, vengeful mage and if I dont kill him now hell come for me.

Hes also a man named Taeol dho Droxol, who seeks knowledge. If I kill him, I kill a story, and all of the potential he could have.

Nathans face hardened, and he walked back to the door into the Golem creation room.

A potential for great evil. Fucker took my arm. Kill him now, think about it later.

He turned the corner, and Taeol looked up at him from across the room, pulped lips stuttering.

[t-t-Teleport]

And with an orange flash, he was gone.

You have leveled up to level 9! Congratulations, you have forced a powerful and deadly opponent to flee! Please choose a class from the following list to continue leveling, as you have unlocked a higher level than 9!

Potential classes: Student: You have spent decades learning knowledge from books and teachers. This class will enhance your capability to learn knowledge, offering skills to improve memory, comprehension and intellect. It may develop into classes focused on discovering new knowledge, or teaching, recording and using already existing knowledge. Scientist: You have spent years engaged in pursuit of knowledge via careful scientific experimentation. This class will focus on discovery through experimentation, offering skills to improve your intellect, precision and luck. It may develop into classes further focused on discovering new or lost knowledge, or classes focused on using or communicating your discoveries. Rebel: You have struck a blow against the Giantsrest Dominion and escaped their custody. This class will make you capable of striking back, offering skills for disguise, sabotage and combat. It may develop into classes focused on assassination, rabble-rousing or political subterfuge. Martial Monk: You have trained in hand-to-hand combat techniques as well as meditation and focusing your mind. This class will focus on mental discipline and using it to enhance hand-to-hand combat prowess, offering skills to improve mental focus, combat capability and heightened awareness. It may develop into classes further specialized in combat, guiding others or achieving enlightenment. Explorer: You have explored forbidding lands far from home, journeying across continents to see natural wonders and foreign cultures. This class will focus on travel into new lands, offering skills for increasing travel speed, adapting to new societies and surviving in the wild. It may develop into classes focused on unearthing lost ruins, information gathering or trade and diplomacy. Disciple of Magic: You can sense and manipulate flows of mana untrained, even if you have not yet cast a spell. This class will make you better able to sense and direct mana, offering skills for understanding magic as well as sensing and manipulating mana. It may develop into a more powerful spellcasting class, or a class which lets you subvert the magic of others more easily. Conman: You have lied to a prominent member of the Dominion and gotten away with it. This class will enable you to continue deceiving people, offering skills on disguise, deception and manipulation. It may develop into classes focused on information-gathering, assasination or thievery. Antimagic Brawler: You have hand-to-hand combat training and neutralized a powerful mage and his magic with your bare fists. This class will make you tougher in combat, offering skills to improve combat, toughness and antimagic capability. It may develop into classes further focused on hand-to-hand combat or suppressing magic

Status of Nathan Lark:

Permanent Talent 1: High-Tier Magic Resistance 10

Talent 2: None

Talent 3: None

Class: None, level 9+

Utility skills:

Low-tier Focused Mind 5

Low-tier Earnestness 3