Why in the world do they not understand the illogical nature of this? Why subject me to removing my wisdom teeth? “Jordan, we can’t let all those years of braces go to waste. Dr. Jacobsen says it’s best.” Yeah, thanks, Mom. But why throw away your money? Let’s take those bills and make a little fire to watch them burn! Maybe make some S’mores with enough sugar to rot my teeth out!
“Jordan, are you afraid of the surgery?” No, Mom! I have a high enough tolerance for pain, so I’m not worried about a handful of teeth getting yanked. But for some reason, I can’t justify this travesty. I’m going to die, and no one will care how straight my teeth are!
Journal entry of Jordan’s after a fight with his parents
Neither Vadro nor Chasidine escorted me to my new housing. They sent me off with their wishes for my success and left me with a guide. They said, “Follow him,” I quickly did as he left without a word.
He was on theme with the rest of the Arcana people. He wore a simple robe with a hood pulled up, hiding most features of his face. There were no indications of rank or holstered weapons. I tried several times to engage him in conversation. But he never looked at me or said a word.
We took a transport to the planet on a ship with windows allowing me to see our swift movement and landing. A low-orbit shuttle ride to another megacity followed that. After a forty-minute walk, we faced the same gated entrance to the Arcana Academy I’d been guided to by Nicol when I first arrived. Rather than enter the academy, we took a right turn and walked three streets away. There, my guide abruptly spun in place.
“Here is where you will stay. This is your key,” the guide reached out and held a card between thumb and finger. I grabbed it, and it flashed before disappearing. I felt a tingle in my index finger and flipped my hand to look. There was a golden dot like a freckle on my finger. I received an Arcana system message detailing the system lock and access to the entrance of 300 East 1st Boulevard and additional access within.
“You must enter now,” my guide stood there waiting. I got the hint and turned to open the door. As my hand reached for the door, my eyes caught on the top of my hand.
The marbled gold and black of my new…armor? What is it for, anyway?
I almost missed the magic happening right in front of me. A glow illuminated multiple deadbolts unlocking from the door frame, and the door swung in. It moved slowly, like a bank vault rather than a dwelling entrance, but swung silently.
“Good luck,” my guide said, and I turned to see him walking away.
“Come in,” a female voice invited from within the now open passage.
I followed the voice. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the darker interior. I was impressed with the golden-accented interior design. I was greeted by two people standing before a large staircase leading up, curving away to the right and left one story up, perfectly symmetrical.
The dwelling on the outside appeared to be like city blocks in old-earth Barcelona. The one building took up the whole block and wrapped around the corners. It was impossible to see how big the place was from the street we’d approached. The interior felt like a grand Victorian mansion with a dark academia theme but with lots of gold tastefully embellishing various surfaces. Banisters ran up the stairs with grand golden inlays depicting animals along the walls.
My attention drifted back down as I heard a cough from a young, smiling woman.
“Welcome. I will be your assistant. You may call me Felicity,” she formally introduced herself while still hiding a smile. Felicity was a little older than me, probably no older than 25, standing beside a much older man. This here is…” She was cut off as the other man held his hand to stop her. I noticed wrinkled skin on his extended hand and then his scrunched eyes with matching creases and wrinkles. His clothes hung lightly on a slight yet sturdy frame. There was no tremor of age in his hand or voice. He stood tall, and his gaze took me in as he raised his chin, still examining me. His aged look belied a hidden strength. I shuddered for some reason and took a step back. That’s when he smiled.
“You may call me Eld when addressing me,” the old man spoke slowly with a quiet, refined authority. He continued his squinted examination of me; he turned his head from side to side. “Felicity can answer any questions you have. Your training will begin after your dinner. The System willing, something will come of our time together,” the last sentence he said under his breath as he turned away, but I heard it. Felicity remained in place, and I was feeling awkward and tired, so I jumped in.
“I could use a nap. I was told I would stay here for my time at the academy. Is there a place for my things and some time to rest?” I asked as firmly as I dared.
“That is a great idea,” Felicity pointed to the staircase behind her. “Follow me,” She started walking up the stairs as I glanced once more after Eld, only to lock eyes with him as he stood fully facing me in the dark hallway, his squinting glare giving me goosebumps. I quickly averted my eyes, turning and taking a couple of stairs at a time to catch up after Felicity, but I kept wondering what was up with the intense old man. His piercing dark brown eyes burnt into my mind. It was creepy, like he was examining a book he might read. But unsure if the book contained anything worth his time.
I realized I was at the top of two flights of stairs when I bumped into my guide.
“Oh, you seemed lost in thought there,” She lightly laughed as she stepped further back. Here is your room. No one will bother you, but I can come get you for our evening meal if you like?”
“How long till then will that be? I’m not hungry yet.”
“It’s not for another five hours,” She said without looking at a watch or clock. She must have checked her system display rather than a mundane mechanical device.
She turned and pointed at the nearest door.
I was still a little absent and lost in thought, considering my new life here and at the academy. I didn’t notice the less complex lock on my new room unlock as I attempted to reach for the knob out of habit. Only then did I see that there wasn’t a traditional handle. But my hand must have been near enough to initiate it. The door split in the middle upon a previously unseen seam, and each half retracted into the wall on either side of the door frame.
“Wow,” I whispered. The little things continued to baffle me. I just killed someone while under some murder-happy autopilot, and here I stood, impressed by a magic door. I don’t know what’s more humorous, the sweeping changes in my life I can hardly keep up with or Felicity’s impression of me standing wide-eyed, looking at my room’s doorframe.
“You can go in,” Felicity encouraged, “I’ll stop by later, and if you’re hungry, I’ll feed you before your study time. If you need anything, you can come to the door. I’ll know if you enter the hallway.”
I nodded, not at all creeped out. So they are monitoring me? So what if they are? I walked into my room expecting a dorm room. Instead, I got an entryway with a coat rack on my left and a rug for shoes on the right. The hallway’s hardwood carried through for about five feet, then transitioned to a soft carpet. The carpet led down a more extended hallway. I slipped off my shoes, leaving them alongside another two pairs.
Are there more people here, or are those for me?
The door closed behind me, and I proceeded down the hall. It led first to a door on my right. The room contained a large desk with two chairs behind it and a lamp that turned on when I leaned in. The wall had built-in shelving and a few books, but it was mostly empty.
It’s probably where I’ll spend a lot of time, considering I’m at school. Not the college experience I imagined.
I continued down the hall, and the next door was on the right again; it opened into a small guest bathroom.
Not much to see here. But I just realized I need to use it.
A bit later, I continued my self-guided tour. The next branch led to the left, but I was too impatient to check it out. My vision was locked onto where the hall led. The hall after the bathroom opened into a wide but shallow room. It was large enough for one couch on both sides of me that looked out onto a view of the interior of a walled yard. I didn’t bother going onto the balcony. But crashed on the nearest couch and took in the view.
There was a garden, a gazebo, and some sandy squared-shaped spaces. The whole area felt massive for the interior of this mansion. How big was this place? Is the entire building surrounding the park all the same house or luxury apartments? There was enough room for a round track around the outside of the interior space. I would guess it’s probably 400 meters around. It could be for walking around the garden or running.
Cue training montage. I laughed out loud at my joke. But my smile dropped when I envisioned running that oval hundreds of times. I am at an academy for the elite children of the rulers of the System…
I stopped considering the gravity of my new life and settled deeper into the couch. Attempting to take my mind off the thought of endless running around a track being chased by stuck-up young masters, I did what I’d been itching to do since I woke. I pulled up my new System.
There were countless messages. I had dismissed and silenced their notifications at different times, and now I didn’t know where to start. Maybe I could sort and filter them by importance?
I pushed that thought with added desire toward my system. How does my System know when I’m thinking or sending it commands? I’d have to save that question for later. My mind filled with a screen displaying a summary.
PRIORITY NOTIFICATIONS
PRIORITY DESIGNATIONS,
Alerts
Updates
Subclass Options
Class Specific Options.
…
…
The summarized list was long enough I couldn’t see it all on my display. I guess I’ll start with the ones that seem most important.
“System, display priority notifications. Start filtering by your suggested relevance.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
Please specify priority: Arcana or Zancara.
Both, maybe? Yes, both! I thought, no longer seeing the need to speak. Show the headings of the top from each.
PRIORITY NOTIFICATIONS 1 (sorted by relevance)
Arcana: 1
Systems compatibility parameters were altered, and the Zancara System attempted to Synchronize with the Arcana System.
SIM (System Interactive Machine) Hardware is not fully integrated. Synchronization was paused and now requires host input for integration parameters and installation of missing hardware.
Zancara: 1
System Synchronization halted. Zancara system interactive software HOUS (Hierarchy of Unified Software) is insufficient if planning to replace SIM Hardware in synced Arcana Systems.
“Stop!” I shouted to the empty room, halting any additional information to be displayed. I don’t know what this means, and I’m tired of the system names. Just tell me System A or System Z unless it’s necessary to spell it out. Now, explain this more simply and guide me through what I need to do.
A & Z systems require your input to operate in tandem. Previous merger not possible due to insufficient resources. Now showing compatibility if current resources are repurposed.
There is some background explanation necessary for you to make an informed decision.
Traditionally, A-System utilizes hardware called System Interactive Machines or SIM. You would understand them as synthetic structures created via nanotechnology. They serve many functions internally and externally. The advised changes you need to accept will allow them to form additional circuitry in your brain to exceed your biological synaptic limitations.
Additionally, Z-Systems has unique software that runs more akin to magical computing programs. Z systems can utilize Zan energy to process faster than biological limitations. Z-Systems has the ability for your being to better interface with the Source System rather than add to your body physically with nanotech; they use magic to change your body.
The A-System nanotech would like to have the Z-tech software integrated into it. The Z software is also requesting access to the nanotech hardware. They both then wish to make physical changes to your body.
This is a very simplistic explanation, but it should be sufficient for you to authorize the changes.
So, people in each system have different ways to what? Think faster? Are you saying I get the benefits of both?
Yes, typically. You, however, have access to both, and they are not competing to destroy each other. Your initial integration into the A system gave you the SIM tech. It is more of an introductory configuration that needs massive upgrading. Your acquisition of the Z system and the influx of Zan and Arc gave you access to never-before-seen options.
Initial diagnostics show you can use either System A or Z independently, but a hybridization model can work synergistically. The modeled results show significant improvements.
You will need time to learn to use them. You must advance. If you wish to save your planet rather than let others consume it, then you can’t delay.
So, I need to authorize these nanotech machines to be reprogrammed by the Z software and then let them rewire my brain and make new neural synapses? Yes, I know a little about that stuff. I need to know how long that will take and if it will hurt.
If you provide authorization, the nano colony within your armor will begin integrating the updated software and cannibalize those already in your system with the upgrades you need. Your two systems don’t share a mind or the same processing language. But we both believe this will be necessary.
We? Like I’m talking to my Arcana system now? But is another voice, computer, or system in my head, too?
Yes. But we have agreed that your Arc System will communicate for now. In answer to your other concerns, the pain will be severe, but the process will be less than 20 minutes. Your medical history showed severe deterioration of your skeletal system, along with many other systems. Your initial integration reversed the damage by replacing destroyed systems and cells with nanotech. Unfortunately, all of that in your system will need to be destroyed again and used as fuel for the new upgrades.
I caution there will be a lot of blood. Please proceed to the main bathroom in your quarters and sit in a half-filled tub of cold water.
Great! This sounds like it’s going to be fun. A cold bath followed by a brain-wiping lobotomy where my brain drips out my nose into my lap!
You will not bleed out. Your identity and conscience will not change. The changes will alter your perception of reality in many ways. What you define as you will still exist in a new shell. You will be optimized for survival in your academy and the battlefield beyond. You will be more fully integrated into one unified system.
It took me some time to mindlessly wander the rest of my apartment. It was even more expansive than I thought, but I didn’t notice my surroundings until I found a bathroom with a large tub.
How did you know there was a tub? I asked while I tested the water temperature with my hand. And you said it had to be cold water? Are you sure?
We can access the local network even if you can not see through the walls yet. That network permitted us to see all the rooms you can access at this residence and the academy.
Should you be granted permission to more of the residence or academy, I will request detailed maps and layouts. Or, we can hack the local network for that information.
And yes, cold water will be best. You will experience extreme heat, like a severe fever. The cold water will mitigate some of the heat. Either way, the nanotech will heal any damage the process creates.
I wouldn’t say I like ice baths. I groan. No, don’t hack the network. Let’s not try anything that will anger my hosts. But don’t let me forget that if it becomes necessary.
You should disrobe and get into the water before you grant permission for the upgrades.
I dragged my heels as I shuffled around the bathroom. I had made my decision, but flipping the switch wasn’t easy. It was like needing to harm myself to get stronger. And I had to say, “Yes, please dig around my brain to help me think better.” Man, I was feeling dumb for needing to do this.
I stripped and stepped into the uncomfortably cold water. I slowly and reluctantly settled down into the bottom of the tub. The water rose over my legs and submerged my most temperature-sensitive parts. Shivering, I reached to shut off the water, then sat back, braced myself, and held my breath.
Go for it; I approve the upgrade.
The next moment, my body locked up.
Wait, why can’t I move?
Upgrade initiated, movement restricted to avoid drowning and unnecessary movement due to pain. Autonomic biological functions critical to life will operate or be replaced by the upgrades.
Oh great. Can you shut off my pain receptors?
No. Please harden your resolve. There is no stopping the process. We recommend you focus on a goal or dream.
Oh my God! This is happening. I just gave authorization for my own torture session. Okay, twenty minutes. Just twenty minutes. I can endure anything for twenty.
My eyes were open, and I could see the metal over my forearms and hands shimmer. Then I felt a prick, like someone starting an IV under the metal. Then one prick became a dozen and then a hundred. I almost dared to think this wasn’t so bad. But I knew that would curse me for sure.
Focus. What do I want? What do I want to get out of my systems? Out of this new academy, out of my life
I watched the armor seem to liquefy; the shape was the same on my arms, but I saw some gold and black swirl and mix more than before. It became less marbled and more gray with densely packed gold flecks.
Still not too bad. Is this going to use all my armor?
No, the process is using a minor portion of the physical reserves. Hold, processing potential reconfiguration of upgrades.
I can’t hold anything. I’m stuck. My attempt at humor met only silence.
My eyesight clouded. It was like countless floating dots swam in my vision, but they multiplied until I only saw static. I felt my body grow warm.
A sharp headache in the back of my head spread like fuzzy, electrically charged caterpillars chewing through my brain. I think they were scraping along the inside of my skull, and their munching was so loud. I didn’t know the deepest parts of my brain could hurt until now.
The pain ramped up, and tears involuntarily fell from my eyes. Then, a sharp spike of pain hit me like a pick through the base of my skull. I felt my bladder empty, temporarily warming my legs. It was no relief, and I only barely registered it.
Update: Your systems have found additional compatibilities. The upgrade process requires further physiological changes. Anticipated pain is considered psychologically dangerous. Trauma may have a lasting impact. For 10 minutes, pain will exceed normal human thresholds. Complete tolerance will not be possible. Damage expected.
Why…would I…approve? I could barely get my thoughts straight at this level of pain. Is…it…important and necessary?
Yes
Do…it!
The following 20 minutes of my life was an eternity of varying levels of excruciating pain. It was like someone had a dial for my pain that they just let a child hopped up on Cheese Whiz and Mountain Dew mess around with. The intensity varied rapidly from that point on as it cranked up and down like some insane guitar picking. There was no lull, only rapid changes in location and intensity.
I started hallucinating and seeing things growing in my body and hearing voices. They were all-encompassing, and I was stuck in a horror show of pain and delusions, not even able to scream or thrash.
My vision returned about 15 minutes later. I was treated to the sight of a literal bloodbath. The tub was not just tinted red but looked thick with it. My arms, still locked in place resting on my legs, showed much smaller bands, like partial gloves. They were all that remained of the metal armor. But I could see more being used as it poured into my skin. It was hot, like melting wax at the edges, but felt like a blow torch under the skin. My forearms were now covered in blood, but no open sores leaked from the rapid injections. Those were closed and healed by the nanotech. My eyes saw but didn’t comprehend, still caught in webs of delusion and pain.
I had a good idea when the process ended. The pain had been way beyond imagining. But then it eased to level 95 out of 100 and rapidly to a numb tingle all over my body. I still felt feverish, but the pain was gone.
Then, unnoticed in my current state, my system display disappeared as I regained control over my body. I curled into a ball, hugging my knees. I slumped over to my left side and began crying—the sweet relief. Then, unexpectedly, I started laughing.
About 5 minutes later, I uncurled from my ball. I attempted to clear my eyes and only ended up splashing more bloody water over my face. My only thought was only to get out of my torture chamber turned blood soup.
I tested my strength and began to stand. At my attempt, I ended up jumping rather than standing. I felt myself slip, but then faster than I ever had before. I felt muscles in my core activate, and I regained my balance despite the awkwardness of my position. I still was looking through blood-smeared eyes, but I caught a glimpse in the mirror.
Walking over, I saw the new me—things I hadn’t noticed at first. If I had to guess, my body looked stronger in proportions and taller. The most noticeable thing was my skin. There were cracks slowly closing where gold and black spiderwebbed on my naked body. The widest sections were an inch across, but those noticeably shrunk, and the finer lines of cracks disappeared. I stood watching the change as I stepped closer to the mirror over the sink. I quickly washed my face under the faucet and looked back at the mirror. But even after only a handful of seconds, the cracks were gone. I searched and found only the arm guards, changed into two rings, and moved around my index fingers on each hand. The mass of marbled metal was now only present as a gold ring on my left hand and black on my right.
It can’t be healthy to have that much metal, or whatever that stuff is Zan and Arc, inside me, right?
No response came.
Did I break my system completely? Or am I now so brain-damaged I can’t even interact with it? I laughed again, but it sounded a bit panicked and ever so slightly hesitant. I realized my fists were clenched, and I was bracing for more pain.
The pain is gone, I tried to reassure myself. I looked around and saw the shower. It’s an ample tiled space with three walls. I approach it, turn the water as hot as it can, and step under the flow. It’s, of course, ice cold, but I don’t care. I lean my head against the wall and close my eyes.
My mind must have gone blank for a while because the next thing I knew, I looked up, and the entire bathroom was steamed. I know the temperature is hot, but I can’t help but be confused. I feel it, but it seems like it should hurt. Yet it doesn’t.
I hold my hand out and stare uncomprehending for another minute. Finally, my brain catches up again. Did my pain threshold increase, or can my skin now handle higher temperatures?
That was my last thought before I had a seizure. All my muscles fired at once, and I started to fall, but it was in slow motion. When my body hit the ground, time had stopped entirely. My perception either sped to the point that I couldn’t even see the water moving from the shower, or I was stuck in time.
Installation of System Upgrades Complete