Chapter 65
A Breach of Contract
As one might expect, the auditors did not know the answer to just how dangerous the Crossroads were. Given that I, well my Simulacrum was a living breathing person and still forced to stay at the Crossroads for a full year to quote unquote “prove myself as a true healer.” I was doing surprisingly well.
Chime.
Four nearly instantaneous bells began ringing. At once the team of four auditors paused, and then looked down at their waists to the source of the odd chimes and realized that their pocket watches were going off, letting them know it was time once again to take another dose of their spiritual immunity potions.
“Oh, one second.” Trista said, as she paused, and then reached into her pocket to remove an odd purple potion that seemed to glow in the dark slightly as it rose.
For me, I got the experience of seeing it twice. The first was through my Simulacrum’s eyes. The second was through my own eyes, well through my Angel’s Sight, which gave me an overlay. This was one of my first times seeing such an odd overlap. I saw the power of the potion directly, while also being able to compare the power of the potion to others I had experienced. Overall I was not impressed with the power of the potions being used, to give some reason as to why, some of the books that were available to Zero to read glowed brighter than these vials. Of course, Zero was nowhere near these glowing books yet, but that didn’t matter. What mattered was that he would eventually get there, so for now I bided my time and waited.
Although, Zero had not been idle with his time, as he had gone through a number of books.
Daily Repeatable Quest (Cassiopeia Spiritlight): Quest for Knowledge: You are rather young for your intended position and the recent prestige you have garnered for yourself. To help make up for your perceived shortcomings, you must read at least one book from the Mage’s Guild Library’s Restricted section each day. Rewards: Experience (10), Skills.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Experience Gained: 5/5.
Yes, six more books had been flipped through, for a total of 30 more experience points, meaning I was now halfway through leveling my first level as a Simulacrum Master. So ten more books, to put it in perspective Zero has gone through a total of twelve books at this time, and would need to nearly finish off this one shelving unit to level my secondary class. In comparison I was now only 530 books away from reaching level 28 as a Void Healer.
Glug.
“Ah.” Trista said, as she tried to seem like she enjoyed the whole ordeal, but rather couldn’t. Then after a few seconds of grimacing as if she just swallowed a lemon, Trista straightened up and then turned back to me, well to my Simulacrum, before asking, “I’m sorry what were we talking about again?”
“Oh, I was just wondering how dangerous the Crossroads is, you know, especially as a mortal being forced to live here for suboptimal pay.” My Simulacrum poses, and in a stroke of brilliance she brought it back, we had gone on to another point. But seeing them take that potion, she saw a moment of weakness and then pressed.
“I mean, those look like they are important to you all. Did the guild provide those for you?” My Simulacrum asks, pointing to the now empty spirit resistance potions that each of the auditors now wielded.
At that all four pause, as they look down at the vials in their hands, then look back at my Simulacrum.
“Oh my gosh, you are right. Do you have any? Do you have enough?” Trista asks.
At that my Simulacrum just shakes her head and presses, “I didn’t even know the Guild would provide such potions. Is that for real members only? Or just special auditors on a hardship assignment?”
Wow, I can almost hear the tiny violins playing the sympathy music in the background at the way her little body and voice crack at that question.
“One second.” Trista says, as again she waves her hand in the air. This time once again casting Bureaucracy Magic, again part of me is thrilled that such a thing exists, while another part of me feels that Bureaucracy Magic should be in the dark and forbidden arts section of the magical schools. Again, though it is sadly easy and seemingly beneficial, just as a demonic possession might seem to provide enhanced strength, speed, and durability, at first.
Requisition forms (19): Crossroads Mages Guild.
Request for Spirit Resistance Potion (X100) for Cassiopeia Spiritlight.
Reason: This is a mortal mage in good standing that has been assigned to live in the Mage’s Guild Hall for over a year in the recently opened Arcanarus Tower, location: Spiritual Plane.
Status: Declined. Rationale: As noted in previous requests, cost of shipment and storage would prove costly for such a minor Guild Branch.
Seeing the message, I feel slightly at ease. I, well the Guild Master, could technically have been called out for not attempting to perform such a request. Not only did he try once, but he tried a total of nineteen times, each time it was seemingly denied. I pause, as I wonder what the guild master would have done with the potions on hand. Then I realize they could have been sold on the black market, not that I know where such a market would exist. Or at least I don’t, until I realize there is likely a line of people waiting outside this tower that would love to have extra potions. Then in a shock, I wonder if the Guild Master didn’t put so many orders in for me, but for my possible living patients that would come to me and seek out help. With a supply of potions we could heal people up, send them on a train and get them out of the tower before the potion wore off. Wow, if that was the case, and I honestly hope it was, then the guild Master truly was a good person, even if they were terrible at crafting their own magical spells.
“One second.” Trista said, as she saw the form, which of course she first printed off, and then copied it in triplicate for each of the other auditors with her. Again, so cool how she could create facts from just the area. I was thinking it was an advanced form of Psychometry, or the gathering of the residual past, that was then altered to make it read out as a fact, rather than as an interpretation of past events. At that, I get another shudder runs down my back, as I wonder if Bureaucracy magic is somehow more powerful than Psychometry and some of the other mental arts.
Then after copying the requisition forms for everyone, Trista then casts another Bureaucracy spell, I can tell as it glows with the same brown color of the other magics being used. Then in a minute my details come to life.
Name: Cassiopeia Spiritlight
Age: 13
Primary Class: Void Healer
Status: Active Guild Member
Time with the Guild: 6 years, 3 Months, 21 Days…
Position In the Guild: Guild Healer (Crossroads)
Time in Position: 2 Months, 16 Days…
Next of Kin: None.
Guild Sponsor: None.
Oh wow, seeing that, I remember joining the Mage’s guild within my first week here. Looking back on it, I have been a member of the Mage’s Guild since my first few times here. In fact, if it hadn’t been for the Mage’s Guild I don’t think I would be where I am today. My random encounter with Mallory due to having read the one dirty professor reading and then rereading Rahul and the Maiden. My attending Arcanarus University, my class, this position. I mean I was leveling slowly, but it wasn’t terribly so, especially as I was having fun every day while here. Each day was a new challenge that I thoroughly enjoyed.
All four auditors seem to pause for a second, looking at the information before them, then back at me. At their movement, I am drawn away from my own personal musings and brought back to the moment. Seeing that my attention was now on all of them, they pause.
“You joined at six years old?” The bulky male auditor from the back asked. Apparently, he was bad at math, though to be fair I was fairly certain Mathematics wasn’t a true skill of the game. Just as the general Science wasn’t a skill, rather everything seemed to require a focus, like Geometry, Applied Physics, and so on.
You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.
“When I was seven, well seven years old and a week.” I reply, trying to remember how long it took me to get to Maltese in the first place. I know I stood for over a day in the same spot training, just trying to get my Attributes over one.
They all pause as they take that in, finally Trista breaks the silence.
“You joined when you were seven and have managed to pay for yourself. I see that you don’t have a sponsor, is there any reason why?”
I just shrug. “No one wanted to sponsor a kid with no known magical talents at the time. Then when my magical abilities had awakened, I was already out exploring the world, that is when I found my class and this tower. Well, I found the university first, then the tower, but same thing.”
I am so immersed with my own personal connection to my Simulacrum, that only after a second do I realize that I wasn’t actually answering the questions, rather I was sharing my consciousness with the Simulacrum. That is the moment I receive a new skill.
New Skill Gained: Twin Consciousness has reached level 1. Skill Twin Consciousness is a Personality, Sociability, Perception, Intelligence, and Willpower based skill.
At that, I realize why I was suddenly able to think and process like my Simulacrum for a moment, as I could literally feel their thoughts and emotions as if they were my own, which they were, but just slightly off. Looking back, I could see that my earlier theory was right, that the only reason why Simulacrum Cass was pushing so hard, was for me, as she knew she was just a Simulacrum, but she still wanted me to succeed. There was also the self-serving effect that the better I did, the better she did, but that was not really as much of a factor as I might have expected. Honestly, I was a little choked up by the sentimentality of the whole thing.
Before I could say or do anything, one of the male auditors steps forward and then bows towards me, well to my Simulacrum, who I am a bit more easily able to sink into the mindset of.
“You are an inspiration to the guild. Joined early on, before your talents showed, no sponsorship, no backing. You come out here, to one of the hardest guild posts, and rather than crumpling due to increased expectations, lack of resources, or any real oversight, you thrive. Not just thrive, but seemingly go about revolutionizing the whole magical community.” The auditor says, as they step forward and looks like they are about to reach out and touch me.
In a moment I remember my new bloodline flaw, Children of a Magical Destiny, the one where I will be sought after by Magic users and the like. I also remember the flaw that started this whole chain of events, the one where I can improve the magical tier rating of anyone who touches me up by two tiers up to tier IX. Remembering the flaw, and seeing the approach, I take a reflexive step back, or at least my Simulacrum does. I don’t know if the Simulacrum can exert this portion of my bloodline, but given how accurate it is to most other parts of me, I think it is a fair bet that my Simulacrum could exert the flaw, or at least part of it, and that was something I did not need right now. More interest in me from auditors who became more powerful all the sudden, and then might have a reason to come back. Seeing my discomfort, Trista steps forward and blocks the male auditor from advancing. Seeing the fact that he stopped, I let out a sigh, at the same time that my Simulacrum does as well.
“Inspiration or not, we still have a lot to uncover about the day to day operations here.” Trista says, stopping her fellow auditor, before turning back to my Simulacrum and stating. “You have given us a lot to think about, I promise you, your concerns are valid and will be looked into.”
“What concerns?” The male auditor asks.
“Incomplete contractual obligations, unsafe working conditions, lack of adequate supplies, improper treatment of a highly talented individual. What we came here for was to look at why the guild master provided such favorable conditions to his subordinates. You in particular were flagged due to the rate you seemed to have completed your quests, but it seems now that the Guild Master should be lauded for their unconventional thinking and out of the box tactics to keep you satisfied with suboptimal conditions.” Trista said.
“Suboptimal? This place looks almost brand new.” Another auditor stated.
“It does, but if you look, this wasn’t done by the guild. As no requisition forms were filed. And those that were filed were subsequently rejected. Isn’t that right, Ms. Spiritlight?” Trista asks.
At this, my Simulacrum gives an academy award performance. Looking shy and meek she lowers her head and rubs her hand nervously against her wrist. If I wasn’t connected to her mind, seeing that she was planning all of this to get an even bigger reaction, I might have been drawn in too, as she was too much. As it was, all I could do was sit back and watch the show.
“That’s true. At first we had so many patients, that out of a want for necessity, we hung up sheets to separate the beds. Eventually a few of the towns people saw this, and went about building up these stalls that you see. I wanted to pay them, but I am only paid a pittance, and even then, my salary is strictly handled and scrutinized by the staff.” Cass says, and my heart just bleeds for her.
I almost want to cue my own sympathetic waterworks for this, but I can’t as I realize this is all a cold and calculating ploy. Then to push it even further, my Simulacrum doubles down on the guilt. “Please don’t make me tear it down. I know I didn’t pay them, but they all seemed so willing to help, and it really meant a lot to me. They said that ‘even though the Mage’s Guild didn’t care if I was here, they did.’”
Of course, no such thing was said. While they did say similar things and this was the overall sentiment of gratitude that I got, clearly my Simulacrum had taken some liberties with the truth, a truth that was now being pushed. But rather than call her on it, Trista lets a small tear roll down her eye.
“No dear, you won’t have to. In fact, you can keep it up as long as you like. I will see if we can get you some more furnishings. Clearly your equipment is sub optimal. Is there anything we can approve for you?”
At that, my Simulacrum timidly shakes her head. “I don’t want to cause too many issues. I mean you all have already done so much by just listening to my selfish complaints that I couldn’t possibly ask for more.”
“Come on, we see the rejected forms. Forms that were denied due to perceived lack of use. But given the workload you all are pulling here, it might seem like that assumption was way off base.” Trista says, once again casting her spells and generating even more denied requisition forms. Again this former Guild Master must have been amazing as he asked for things like clockwork.
With that the team goes back and looks at the different rooms and their disgusted expressions speak volumes.
“You are forced to work through this?” They ask.
“We do what we can, but I guess the guild has higher priorities rather than us.” My Simulacrum says.
“Well we have the beds, sheets, office furniture, but what would you want? Is there anything you might require?” Trista asks.
“Noo…” My Simulacrum says in a sheepish voice that clearly hints that she would like something, but clearly is too afraid to ask.
“Go on, tells us. We will let you know if it is unreasonable.” Trista said, as I could see her filling out her own item requisition form for me. Seeing that, I felt a slight hint of pride. We were finally going to get new beds and make this place look decent, which now that I could see with real eyes, was a must as this place was depressing to look at normally.
“Well, I was wondering if I could get a stethoscope, and other mana scanning tools.” My Simulacrum asks, these are completely unnecessary, as my normal Angel’s Sight is far more than enough for this, and my Simulacrum knows this, so I am left wondering why she brought this up, when.
“You don’t even have the basics? What happened to them? Were you robbed?” The other male auditor asks.
“Not quite. Dr. Kiren, the doctor who trained me, he had them on him when he…when he…” At this my Simulacrum started crying uncontrollably.
I pause, wondering why, I mean, it had been a shock at the time, but then I realize my Simulacrum is really selling this hard. For a moment, I can see her pulling details of an insurance scam I had to do when I was younger. I had failed the scam at the time, but this time my Simulacrum was pulling it off handedly.
Seeing this, Trista first looks sad, then before I can react she runs forward and hugs me, well my Simulacrum. I pause for a moment, wondering if I am going to see the message about increasing her magical ability, when nothing happens. Either she is already at Tier IX of Bureaucracy magic, or my Simulacrum can’t transfer that capability, regardless of the reason, I fortunately am safe from having to explain that one to an auditor. “Don’t worry child. What you have been through is horrific. In fact, normally I would wait for this, wait until a proper report can be filed, but I am going to go ahead and end your servitude here and now.”
“What?” My Simulacrum asks, suddenly frightened. I am too, this will ruin everything, so much hard work, my access to the Mage Guild library. While I do need to go on to the rest of the Tower, that can wait.
“I can’t in good consciousness allow you, a rising star of the Mage Guild to be struck down this terrible contract that will just leave you a shell of the beautiful person you are. Tell me honestly, did you plan on going to the main Mage’s Guild Hall after this tour was over?”
“No.” My Simulacrum answers the thought that was on both of our minds. We both planned on leaving here and exploring the Tower.
“Do you ever plan on going back to be a healer for the Mages Guild? Not just as a fallback in case things don’t work out, but as a real career?”
At that, my Simulacrum looks a little embarrassed as she looks away. I wouldn’t be able to answer the question either, I mean I liked Trista, I thought she genuinely had my best interest at heart, which is kind of scarry as she has a lot of sway over my entire career.
“Please don’t make me leave. I’ve tried really hard. I passed the examination, I’ve read every book on healing within our small library, I’ve done so many things to stay here. Please don’t kick me out.” My Simulacrum says, with so much emotion, that I can almost see those tiny violins playing, my heart gently weeps, in the background.
“No, child. We won’t force you to leave. Nor will we force you to be a slave to a one sided contract that is clearly skewed in the Guild’s favor so much so that after a year’s time you will leave and not think about coming back. And honestly, I don’t blame you.” Trista said, as she peered back to look my Simulacrum in the eyes.
“Thank you. I really am trying here, I just…” My Simulacrum says, and once again she is on it with those crocodile tears. With everything our Acting skill is at well over 140, and it shows in how well she is able to pull off the emotions so flawlessly.
“Don’t worry. For now, you are free. I still need to…” Trista states, but is cut off by the noisy male auditor, again.
“On what grounds?”
“Hazardous work environment, predatory terms, lack of proper equipment, deal made to exploit an exceptional minor, you name it, they all apply.”
Quest Terminated-Complete: Crossroad’s Mage’s Guildhall Healer: Your exemplary service earned you the chance to become the full-time lead Healer for the Crossroad Mage’s Guild. You have met all requirements for this quest to be considered completed at an exceptional rate. Rewards: Experience, Skills (already obtained), Continued Daily Quests, Badge*, Access to the Mage’s Guild Library (full access).
Experience Gained: 250/250.
Ding.
Level Up.
Your level in Simulacrum Master has reached level 2.
Your level in Simulacrum Master has reached level 3.
With that, I felt the message pop up twice, once for my simulacrum and again for me, and I couldn’t help but wonder what this meant exactly.
“For the time being, we ask that you stay here while we work out a new contract. Until then, I will make a temporary repeating contract for you, until we can get out the true cost of what you are worth to the guild as a whole. But please accept this for now.” Trista said, and with that I was offered a new quest line.
Daily Repeatable Non-Binding Quest: A More Deserving Contract: You were asked to fill in a much-needed role within the Mage’s Guild, as Healer. Not only have you met all expectations, but you have exceeded all expectations despite poor working conditions, lack of recognition of accomplishments, and a hazardous working environment. Barring all of that, you have been asked to stay on as the healer for the Mage’s Guild until either an adequate replacement could be identified, or a more befitting personal contract can be reached. This is an optional, non-binding quest that can be cancelled by you at any time. Rewards: Experience (500 experience per day), money (1 silver per day).
Seeing that, my eyes bulged a bit, as I tried to make sure I was counting the zeros correctly. The Mage’s Guild, the guild that audited me for handing out ten experience quests, that same guild not only audited me, but then rewarded me with even more quests? This time make it so I was in a non-binding quest, meaning I could cancel at any time, otherwise I would earn experience and a pittance of money.
I pause for a moment, wondering if this is real, Trista for her part interprets my hesitation for something else.
“I am sorry about the money, but I am not really in charge of that. While we can reward you in experience equal to your worth, it seems your age prohibits such exceptions. The idea being that you might suffer from affluenza, which is particularly terrible when acquired at a young age.” Trista said.
At that, I just shook my head. Affluenza my foot, that was so because of my Broke flaw, but I didn’t care, that experience was more than I had been making daily. In fact it was so much that with everything I could easily expect to make close to over one thousand total experience per day, or roughly 500 experience per class per day, which would be exceptional. Seeing as I had nothing to lose by such a deal, I gladly accepted.
“Thank you. You don’t know how much this means to me.” My Simulacrum says, hugging Trista again in a way that Academy Award winners would want to take notes from.
“No, it is I who should be thanking you for staying through this. I will make this right, I promise.” Trista says, as she pushes me away. “But first, we need to complete our inspection of the rest of this guild branch.”
Then just like that, my heart rate begins to rise, as I realize I am next. Well, I am next after they talk to Lowiski and Hilda both, before they get to me. This is going to be a long wait, I think to myself as I watch in agony how the four auditors leave me, well my Simulacrum, and then begin making their rounds around the rest of the hall.
I knew it was going too smoothly, this is where they catch me, it almost has to be, I think to myself as I wait for my appointment with destiny.