Magum stood from where he had been unceremoniously tossed and dusted off his now wrinkled suit.
“The problem isn’t the girl’s age, it's yours.” Magum stated as he began to walk towards me.
I eyed Magum, ready to pounce. “You better no-”
“Yes, Yes, I know. You’re quite scary. Could rip my head off before I respond. Terrifying.”
His complete lack of concern disarmed me… but only for a moment.
“What, exactly, is your role in all of this?”
Magum face twisted, but then fell into resignation.
“Very well... I've been assigned to you by the system... as your mentor."
‘Is that supposed to mean something to me?’ I turned to gauge Lydia’s reaction… Her jaw was agape, and she trembled slightly.
‘Oh good. This only gets better and better. Let’s at least find out if he’s telling the truth.’ I activated Deep Study.
Name: Magnus Percival Conrad
Species: Human
Subspecies: None
Archetype: Mysterious Old Wizard
Place of Origin: ?????
Age: 2512
Level: 173
Skills: ERROR OVERFLOW
Active effects: Benevolent guidance, Secret Keeper.
Mentorship Privileges: 20% Bonus to skill training. 20% Bonus to EXP gained. Evolutionary Guidance.
Inherent Traits: ?????
I focused on the active effects.
Benevolent guidance: System Contractor must fulfill his role by acting in the best interest of the assigned mentee.
Secret Keeper: System Contractor is bound in perpetuity to keep the secrets of the assigned mentee.
I was taken aback. ‘He must keep my secrets… Did he get enslaved by the system… am I enslaved by the system?!?!’
Magum's voice stopped me from spiraling. “Lad, it's rude to pry.”
Regardless of his circumstances, his voice was as grating as ever. “... And it's rude to fuck with someone’s life old man, yet here we are. Now, I believe you are about to begin one hell of an explanation.”
Magum looked at Lydia, who was still wide eyed, then back to me.
“You seem to be taking my identity far more casually than most.”
“You’re my mentor, Hooray. Do you want a fucking parade? The only reason we are having this delightful chat is that you maneuvered me to Jessie, and there is a series of system announcements that require some clarification.”
Magum face twisted and he scrutinized me closer. I felt something connect to my mana.
‘This should be funny.’ I sneered, letting Eldritch Geometry do its work.
“AHHH” Magum screamed, grabbing his head. I chuckled as he severed the connection.
Magum straightened himself and attempted to recapture his dignity. He shook his head and rubbed his eyes. He still looked unnerved before he began talking.
“What the hell was that?”
“Whatever do you mean? Surely, you didn't do something as rude as prying?”
Magum eyes grew sharper. “Fine. It doesn't matter. Now as promised, an explanation. How familiar are you with the archetypes?”
“Let's start with Jesse.” I cut him off.
“You're not interested in the qualifications of the hero?”
“She is the more pressing concern.”
“But she is just a posses-”
“I would watch how you finish that sentence, you fuckin-”
“Listen here, I am old enough to be-
You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.
“My doddering senile grandfather?”
Magum face turned bright red and his teeth clenched.
“WHY ARE YOU SO INFURIATING?”
“MY DEAD STUDENT WAS POSSESSED, ENSLAVED, AND ON SALE AT AN AUCTION THAT YOU SENT ME TO! BE HAPPY YOU STILL HAVE A TONGUE TO GIVE AN EXPLANATION!”
Upon hearing that, Magum stopped shouting. You could practically see gears turning in his head
His voice lowered and steadied. “I suppose that is a lot… but the truth is that I didn't set that up.”
“The fuck you didn't!”
Magum sighed. “I truly did not, young man. Your circumstances were arranged by the system.”
“What the fuck does that even mean?”
“I doubt you’ll believe me, so ask the system.”
I rubbed my temples. “Have I been able to ask the system questions the entire time? I mean, there was the tutorial but…” Fortunately, echoing my thoughts, Lydia chimed in.
“What do you mean ‘ask the system?’ That's not how that- wait, is that how that works!?!?!”
Magum responded in a measured, if beleaguered tone, “It is for a select group of people who have gained access to functions that require informed consent.”
“Higher level functions…” I trailed off.
“Ask the system what a hero is.”
“Umm… Hi system. Wha-”
“In your head.” Magum cut in with exasperation.
I let his annoyance slide. I had to stop arguing if this conversation was going to go anywhere. ‘Uhh… system, what is a Hero?’
A Hero is an advanced Archetype providing benefits to the Hero and his followers. While there are many Sub-Archetypes for Hero, the uniting theme is that they are a figure who stands against the rising tide of evil yelling 'Stop!' at a time when no one else is able or willing to do so.
‘Did you just paraphrase William Buckley?
Checking… No such individual found.
‘Not important.’
Furthermore, a quality of the Hero is circumstance conspiring to put the Hero where he needs to be, when he needs to be there, equipped with what the situation requires.
‘Being a hero is gaining a permanent Deus Ex Machina…’ I turned back to Magum.
“So, the system alters reality to suit some sort of plan?”
“It’s more like a nudge. You can always decline.”
“I’ve seen your status, It doesn’t seem like you're allowed to take a pass.”
Magum grimaced. “I’m not a Hero. A defining trait of the Hero is the decision to fight.”
“... so what is your role in this?”
“The announcements said that you are a hero candidate. Candidates are people whose strength and acts suggest that they could become heroes. Mentors are assigned to them to guide them in that process. And, more pertinently to your question about your friend over there, I am often the tool the system uses to put you where you need to be.”
I paused to allow myself to process everything I was just told.
“And If I refuse to become a hero?”
Magum’s head froze and then tilted back and to the right.
“You don’t want to be a hero…”
“I have no interest in becoming destiny's bitch.”
“But then… how…” Magum paused to gather his thoughts.
“Something wrong?”
“I… don’t think I’ve ever met a candidate before who hesitated for even a moment… so why would the system…” The world behind his eyes continued to churn. A moment later he snapped back to the conversation. “Just how strong are you?”
“Isn’t it rude to pry?”
‘This whole situation is going to become a damn headache.’ I decided to change the topic.
“Let’s get back to Jesse.”
“I hardly thin-”
“We have an unlimited amount of time to discuss the finer points of a job that I don’t want, but only a few hours before she wakes up. If you are here to assist me, then assist.”
Magum appeared ready to argue, but then his head suddenly jerked and looked upward. “Fine, let’s talk about your friend.”’
“You said that the problem wasn’t her, it was me?”
“More specifically, the problem isn’t her age. She exists in the normal flow of time…. you, on the other hand, do not.”
“... I don’t care if your title is Mysterious Old Wizard, I’m going to need you to not be chronically vague.”
Magum sighed, “You’re emitting time spirals.”
“What?”
“How can I say this… all living matter is actually made up of tiny living machines, but those machines are made up of even tinier-”
“I’m familiar with subatomic particles.”
“...How?”
“I’m full of surprises. Now, jump to the relevant part.”
“Fine, a person whose time loses synch with the rest of us begins to spit off a certain type of particle from their body. You are practically glowing with it.”
“Why would that be- oh.”
‘I must have been traveling at relativistic speeds when that ass threw me into the abyss… so… time dilation… and if Jesse got a portal…’
“The real question,” Magum said eyeing with me, “is how you played with time that much without knowing it?”
I deflected. “Well, whenever I interact with you, it feels like an eternity has passed.”
“You are not nearly as amusing as you think you are.”
“That’s what Lydia keeps telling me, but I think she is just jealous of my devastating good looks and boyish charm.”
“...”
At that moment, Jesse’s eyes opened. “FOOLISH MORTALS, YOU THINK YOU CAN-”
I ran over and punched her in the head, returning her to a state of unconsciousness. As I poured more mana into her brain, I looked to Magum. “So, “mentor,” do you know anything about exorcism?”