[Year 10]
Lazarus, the first of his kind. He looks like a young healthy man. He appeared in an orange light that died slowly. Giving him such a dashing entrance that ever graced the mortal realm. I looked around and it seems that Lazarus is famous.
"Woah…"
Everyone looked at Lazarus, who had an orange pupil for his eyes. It wasn't ember, it wasn't blue or brown. But his eye colour is orange.
"Oh my, Lazarus, it seems I forgot to give you clothes."
"O-oh… yeah this is embarrassing." Lazarus covered himself with a flustered face.
The villagers didn't just stand there though, they could see Lazarus so they helped him, giving him clothing to cover himself up.
I seem to have given him too much SE, not of my own will. This is exactly what would happen if I made a weapon, it would materialise like Lazarus. Though at this time I do not intend to do so.
I sighed, anyway, he's still an Aiden, my Aiden. I created him for a purpose.
"Lazarus."
"Yes, creator?"
"No, don't call me creator, just call me anything but that."
I want a proper, formal greeting rather than just a dull impersonal title like creator. If I got called creator by a sentient being fully capable of making decisions by itself I would rather be called by something else it does not sit right with me.
Lazarus stared at me, for others, it would be staring in the air, the people whose gaze had landed on Lazarus it seemed like he was talking to a ghost.
"Then, Father?" Lazarus spoke questioningly.
"Hmm…" It's not technically wrong, but it's far better than being called Creator "Let's go with that. Anyways, I have a task for you."
"I will heed your command."
"Check up with the village chief and record all the names, their abilities and what they could do. Then report back to me.“
Scouting talents would be easier with the help of an Aiden, should I give Lazarus another Aiden for his tasks? I mean that would make things easier and I have the Marshland Village to attend to as well.
"Your will, will be done."
"No, no. Lazarus. You reply with 'Yes, Father.' you're my son so be one for me. Could you do that?"
Lazarus scratched his cheek with a blush, then smiled and nodded. What a cute boy. Anyway, I created another Aiden and named him Magnus.
"Magnus, that is your name."
Now I did it right. It didn't suck the SE out of me like a vacuum so the Aiden in front of me is only of the immaterial consciousness. An image of a man with the same features as Lazarus, an orange eye with an atomic symbol as its pupil.
Well, the outer features differ from Lazarus. A young man, mostly transitioning from an adult but with sharp features. Magnus.
"Thank you for—"
"I will be preferred and called with the honorific: father."
"Thank you, Father," Magnus replied with his head tilted.
"Anyways. Follow me." I flew towards the Marshland village. Magnus followed after.
***
Lazarus looked around, he had basic instincts after becoming physically materialized. Sense of survival, sense of danger, sense of hunger, etc.
He had been tasked to keep an eye on the villagers. So he has to abide.
"Are you the creation of Hadro himself?"
However, it is proving to be difficult as the villagers seem to be unable to do their own thing as they're looking at him like an animal in a zoo. His eyes were simply alluring.
"Yes, I have some tasks provided by Father, where's the chief?"
Lazarus was then led to the village chief's mud house, Mari, and Kasha were particularly talking about how convenient it is to have a person who could directly talk to Hadro.
"I wonder what more there is to math?! I've been stagnant for years!" Mari exclaimed.
Mari was one of the first few which Hadro blessed with skill, and thanks to that she has progressed in the art of mathematics. However, addition, subtraction, division and multiplication are the only things she has ever known. Division and multiplication are ones she discovered by herself.
It was helpful in the village actually, a pseudo-logistics was created thanks to her. A mud house solely for extra items was made since it's all recorded, this was also thanks to Kasha, since she's the one who created the lettering system they could record which is which and how many it is. All of the items in the mud house are recorded on a wooden tablet.
Lazarus has been introduced to the village chief, the village chief is a tall stout man named Kal he was a Yak farmer before becoming chief. Just like Imai, he was chosen via democracy(voting).
"Hello, Lazarus." Kal politely greeted
"Greetings, Kal." Lazarus returned the greeting.
"What has our Patron God tasked you with?"
"It's quite simple, I need to have all of the villagers' names and their profession," Lazarus spoke with a smile.
The two had chatted for a while, Kal invited Lazarus for a tour around the village, introducing them to each villager first-hand. It was an eventful trip to Lazarus. He learned a lot from the Villagers' traditions and taboos, and he became a full-fledged citizen of the village after the tour.
Lazarus was led to a mud house used by none, it's quite old, evident by the cracks on the wall. The roof which was made of dried branches and leaves from a palm tree was due for maintenance as well.
"I apologize for letting you stay at an old house, but this is the only place we could give you." Kal apologetically said.
"It's alright, we could make this better once there's a sun above us."
Kal nodded and excused himself, Lazarus planned to at least work in the village if he was going to stay, he was physically capable, and staying still would be fine but it would be shameful to do so.
His father has been continuously working, so why wouldn't he? He was about to enter the mud house when he started hearing footsteps. Someone in a hurry, running.
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"Wait!!!"
Mari stopped right in front of Lazarus with sparkling eyes. She was enthusiastic as she could finally get an answer after years she had been asking.
"Can I ask if there are more maths problems?"
"What?"
"I mean, does our god patron have more mathematical problems for me to solve? It's been years since he gave me a task."
Lazarus was a bit surprised about Mari’s enthusiasm. However, he was curious as he is no different from a newborn.
"I have not received any tasks to help you as of yet. Nor do I have any knowledge of any mathematical problems for you to solve. I'm sorry."
"No, no it's fine! I'll just have to wait since our patron God is back, he'll definitely remember these things!" Mari's cheerful attitude seems to have leeched to Lazarus.
"I'll be sure to remind him if I get the chance," Lazarus replied with a smile.
"That would be great! Thank you!" Mari smiled and then ran off.
Lazarus was frozen in place, his gaze planted on Mari's back as she ran off, what a peculiar mortal.
***
The marshland village is a low populated land, the reason being that the previous deity was very harsh and cruel, though thankfully a majority of the village's populace which are the children and elderly were saved by the Foreline village.
The children came back to the family and the elderly settled down. Some even made new families for themselves.
The Marshland village had a different set of cultures themselves. Their homes are huts, cone-shaped thanks to their peculiar structure. A straight stick in the middle and with a large weaved Yak fur placed atop it, the edges being tied down to the ground with a wooden pike.
Their language vastly differs from the Foreline village as well. But that was changing, the migrating tribe learned the Foreline village's language and added their own, and slang became apparent and overused that it became a part of Kasha's [wikipedia] as a normal word.
Overall, the children and some families that reconnected to the Marshland Village started speaking the Foreline language but thanks to the Migrating tribe going back to the marshland and being the ones to teach the language they never fully learned the precise pronunciation, hence the accent.
"Wahie! Get'yer husband and have'd the offering ready!"
It was bizarre. For me, it is very bizarre. I understand their language because I am a god, no further explanation. But for these people, they started adding Foreline language to their Marshland language giving it some words and accents that make sense to others but not to the progenitors of the language.
The only one who spoke proper Foreline language was Imai, the old lady. These people have different tongues. Not that I blame them.
After watching the people offer me a basket of fish I moved on, Magnus floating back to me from the report he finished. There are only 4 noteworthy to have my attention he placed unto.
4 of them are fishermen, and since they're fishing in shallow waters with spears, I decided to give them [{F} Fish Spearer] they have the best skill as well so they'll make full use of this ability.
What else am I supposed to do? I have Magnus who will oversee the village. I could leave this place and attend to matters that need my attention.
First I compiled things that I must've forgotten. I could make my things given enough SE. I have a clock… What else do I need?
Well, considering that I wanted the name, the number of the populace and their abilities I added another screen to my system. I'll call it the [Follower Panel.]
When opened it will show the village names, if expanded the entire populace of that village will be shown, their names and their abilities and skills. I could expand the names as well to profiles, it includes their Systems and the information of course.
This way I could check up on the Villagers who need a blessing, ah, since I'm at it I also placed a marker on the profile panel of the Villagers to indicate where they are. Making my life easy.
After scouting the Marshland Village I went to find Magnus, it was easy as his location was always being relayed to me, like a radar after a pulse of sound was sent and returned.
"Magnus."
"Father?"
"I assign you to be responsible for this Village, you have free reign to bless someone with a skill and in general will be the one who'll report on the events relating to the Village."
"Your will—"
"Ah, ah." I waved my hand "Just say, Yes Father."
Magnus hesitated with his words first before complying "Then, Yes Father."
"Well, I'll be going now. If something dangerous comes up, inform me."
I went back to the Foreline village, the sun painting the skies orange as it set for another day to rise. I searched for Lazarus and he seemed to be resting in a mud house. It seems to be an old one, I remember this mud house, this is the same mud house that Farza used.
Though she seems to be… ah, yes she seems nowhere to be found. I checked my Follower panel and Farza is nowhere there as well, rest in peace Farza.
"Lazarus," I called.
"Yes, Father?"
"How was your time here? Did you finish the task I assigned you?”
"I'm fine, the villagers are friendly and yes, I have finished my task."
Lazarus' job was scouting since I wouldn't always be there in person to witness the villagers in action for their show of ability. I made an Aiden in which Lazarus was born.
Lazarus smiled and waited for my response, why is he like this?
"Is there something in your mind?"
"Ah, yes. A villager asked if you could give her more mathematical questions."
"Ah! Mari. Right, thank you for reminding me."
"it is of no—"
"Lazarus. A simple 'you're welcome' is enough." I gently spoke.
Lazarus nodded "You're welcome, Father."
I nodded in satisfaction, although our relationship is that of creation and creator I plan to make it that much more platonic. Lazarus was a piece of me therefore he is my child, families are not bound by flesh but by bond.
"Alright, do whatever you want in your free time."
"Really?" Lazarus seemed lost
"...Of course" I just patted him on the head somehow. “Is something plaguing your mind?”
“What do I do? I have no idea what to do in my spare time.”
I smiled and gave him an Idea.”Theres plenty of work in the village Lazarus, learning them won't hurt.”
Lazarus nodded. “Thank you, I think I have an idea what to do.”
I went to the big three as I dubbed it. Mari, Kasha and Kavo. I first visited Mari who was good with numbers. To my surprise, of course, she discovered division and multiplication on her own. I guess I was gone for way too long.
Especially since [Mathematician F] is just a passive skill that allows Mari to mentally solve problems faster. I checked her profile in my [Follower Panel]
Name: Mari
Species: Human
God patron: Hadro
Titles: [The first to be Blessed.]
~0~0~0~
Str: 4
Agi: 6
Int: 22
Spirit: 4
Luck: 3
Skills:
[Mathematician -D]
Rank [-D]?! She didn't slack in doing mental calculations, what was she even calculating in all of those 10 years? She upgraded her rank for 2 whole ranks ignoring the sub-ranks. Her diligence is something to be rewarded, and since she's asking for more things to solve, I decided to give her a full arithmetic subject to play on.
I wanted to give her an introduction to Fractions, Place Values, Decimals, and Negative and Positive numbers. The only thing she lacked, however, was I can't just give her something directly, that would be… cheating. So I decided to round something up.
***
Mari gave herself a mental problem, not by numbers directly but by a question. If there are 15 berries on a basket and were left out for 7 days, how many would be left?
The answer is 15, none is taken out. Even though things like this are boring Mari finds it intriguing, counting numbers is easy, and adding or multiplying them is easy. So how come nobody ever really wanted to dig into how deep the mathematical rabbit hole is?
When Mari was about to sleep, the awakened part of her system grew orange, an indication of a task being given. Mari was excited, it had been a while and now she was getting attention from their god patron, she wondered what new stuff would be given.
With an enthusiastic squeal, Mari looked at her panel.
[Quest]
[Harder Arithmetics]
-Offer Hadro a piece of mathematical question.
Reward: [Learning Packet: Arithmetic.]
[Basic Mathematic]
-Answer the following question:
2/4+5/4
-42+77
32.172+18.187
11,847•2/4
Reward: [Arithmetic F]
[Learning Packet: Arithmetic.]
Desc: a compilation of information about Arithmetic, for the user to understand the subject a panel is given breaking down the topics of arithmetic. Addition and subtraction, division and multiplication, fractions, decimals and place value.
[Arithmeric F]
Desc: Arithmetic problems are calculated faster.
~
When Mari was finished reading the quest board on her screen she immediately squealed and ran around her mud house expressing her joy just to quickly go back inside, revealing how embarrassed she was.
"Okay, okay."
She looked around, trying to find an item to write on. The mud house isn't that empty, with a roll of strewn leaves for bedding, and a wooden short table. And a strewn basket filled with miscellaneous items.
Mari went to the basket, trying to find anything to write on. She took out a tiny piece of wood, something that only fits in her palm, however, its surface is wide enough to write something on.
She scoured the basket once more, finding a stick, a dead stem connected to a long piece of leaf. She looked around for something to write on before having an idea that she placed the leaf back in the basket.
She went to the nearest bonfire that the whole village has. It's still running because some elders are talking about what to do for the next day.
One of them noticed Mari and spoke up to her.
"Mari! What are you doing here? The moon has already risen, why not go to sleep?*
"I have something to do! Hadro had given me a task!"
"A task?"
That certainly got the attention of the elders, after all, it has been years since one was given a task.
"Yep! Something about my skill!"
They nodded and left her alone, they wouldn't bother someone eager to finish their task. Mari grabbed a stick and pulled out a charcoal in the middle of the bonfire, pulling it out with a stick until it was out of its circle.
She grabbed the charcoal and immediately started writing. She didn't want the question to be simple, it would mean she thought of Hadro so lowly that he only needed basic questions to answer.
Instead, she devised a question, one that kids would certainly come up with. A question that would go to hundreds of millions and a chain of multiplication and divisions, additions and subtractions.
Mari doesn't know what PEMDAS is, her answering method is calculating from left to right and whatever the answer comes out is the answer.
She thought that the answer to this equation was already easily answered and that hers and Hadro's would be the same.
She stepped up to the altar and placed the piece of wood. Feeling that she got a great job she waited for the piece of wood to glow, only for the answer to her question to be answered.
***
I kept watching Mari as she went ahead and made her question to finish her first in-line quest. I could see her smug, I only made that quest for her to get the learning packet.
Learning packets, they're a new thing I made so that I could give Mari the proper sequence like this in the piece of wood.
It says 1,173,234+192,354×19,102,353-1,173,255÷12,183,193. I answered the wood directly by carving in it. I used SE in the process but the look of surprise in Mari made me amused.
I let her take the learning packet, the learning packet is a separate panel from the Quest panel in her system. Let's call it a Learning Panel, I made this so her gaps in knowledge such as Pemdas could be solved.
And I need a place for the Learning packet to go anyway.
The moment the panel appeared on Mari's screen she was howling in the joy that the elders near the fire reprimanded her. She went back to the mud house, lying down along with her parents on their strewn mats.
I hummed, going to the other two on the list, next was Kavo.