Zack took another deep breath and let it out slowly as he tried to shake the pressing implications of Paxton’s words. Paxton got up and poured another cup of tea as Zack stretched his legs. After a few moments of silence Paxton spoke up. “Mind if I change the subject for just a moment?

Zack looked over to see Paxton back at his chair sipping his tea. He said with a nervous chuckle, “Anything to avoid the pressing reality of my forced integration!”

Paxton gave a polite smile and continued, “Zack, I am kind of fascinated you have not asked more about the “system” and how magic works.”

Zack responded, “This might seem very strange to you but, I think I have a basic idea of what and how the system works. Weirdly enough we have a growing body of literature back home called ‘LitRPG’ which stands for Literary Role-Playing Game. It is genre of fantasy novels where the main characters are trapped in a magical system very similar to what you have described.”

Paxton replied, “Have you read many of these ‘LitRPG’ books?” Saying LitRPG like he was trying it on for size.

Zack replied, “I think I have read almost all of them.” Zack then gave a rye smile and said, “It’s kind of my thing.”

Paxton looked at Zack quizzically and asked, “Tell me what you know of system magic.”

Zack replied, “I don’t know if I have a good grasp of what system magic means in this world. I doubt that the specifics are the same. But I have a basic idea of what it may mean so it was not a burning question for me.”

Zack took a sip of tea and continued, “My understanding, from fantasy books, is that system magic creates a character sheet for each person. It endows them with a basic set of skills. Their preferences may play a role in how those skills are conferred upon a person. Usually there is a tiered system for advancement. Some of the books go into great detail describing a very complicated system with almost infinite possibilities. Others just describe in basic system and detail how one advances through the tiers.”

Paxton nodded and said, “That at a very basic level is correct. The systems magic here is a tiered system based on experience, skill, expertise, and frankly random chance.”

Zack asked, “How are the tiers divided?”

Paxton responded, “Everyone who comes into the system starts as a basic stone element rank. Stone rank just means you are in the process of learning the basics of system magic. Once you progress by actually using magic you evolve to Iron rank. Iron rank is where you learn all the basics of casting magic and start to use it on a regular basis. Iron rank is the real beginning of using system magic. It transitions you as a magic user to the metal element rankings. Once in the metal element ranks you move from Iron to copper, bronze, silver, and gold. 90% of system magic users end up at gold rank or lower.”

Zack nodded, “Your description basically mirrors what I have read. Is gold the highest tier of system magic?”

Paxton responded, “Like I said, gold is the highest tier for the vast majority of system magic users. However, for a talented few, the tiers do continue. After gold a magic user evolves to diamond. Much like basic stone tier transitions a person from non-magical to magical. Diamond is a precious stone tier stone and transitions the system mage to higher tiers known as spirit tiers. So far, three more tiers have been discovered. They are the ethereal tier, the phoenix tier, and the celestial tier.”

Zack looked in astonishment, “Whoa, that is kind of new to me. Often when people reached beyond the tier you call diamond, they reach a supernatural god like state.”

Paxton nodded, “That is the same here. The last three tiers are spiritually tempering tiers. At least that is the prevailing theory. The magic you use and the world you live in drastically changes. Most people that make the evolution to spirit tiers fundamentally change who they are as their core. We believe it is because their gaze or perspective of reality is broadened.”

Zack stopped mid sip as something occurred to him, “Wait, wait, wait…you said ‘so far’ when describing the last three tiers. What do you mean so far?”

Paxton coughed and said, “Uh yeah, it is a bit embarrassing to admit and a personally very frustrating. Frankly, it is a bit of a mystery. We really don’t know how high up the tiers system goes. We have had exactly 4 people reach the Celestial tier. In each case, within a month of evolving to the Celestial tier they simply disappeared. In all four cases the person involved removed themselves from society and simply stopped interacting with other people.”

Zack replied, “Wow, that is weird. Like, no one talked with them? Did they just avoid people all together?”

Paxton replied, “Pretty much. We have a few sparse records of interactions with Celestial Tier mages. But not much is known of them.”

Zack pondered Paxton’s words and asked, “How does a natural wizard stack up against the various tiers of system mages?”

Paxton contemplated his answer for a long moment, sighed and said, “It is really hard to say. It depends on several factors. In theory a strong wizard with their wits about them and prepared for battle should be as strong as any spirit tier mage user. However, it is hard to assess a wizard’s strength in magic use.”

Zack sat back in wonder as he realized he had a stronger grasp of system magic than he did of natural wizard magic. He asked, “Why is it so hard to compare and assess wizards? If wizards are so much stronger how did the Acolytes of the System wipe out the few remaining wizards?”

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Paxton replied, “That is two different questions. First, they are hard to compare because their approaches to magic are so fundamentally different. System mages need to practice and hone their skills as well as grow their magic or mana pools to use magic. They must cultivate, store and then use their magic via clear and precise rituals, movements, and or language. When done correctly they are very powerful indeed. On the other hand, natural wizards simply need to use their will to channel the magic or mana of the world to execute their will. A wizard’s strength is not in knowing spells or rituals to harness and control magic. A wizards strength comes from their ability to clearly connect and control the ambient mana and perhaps more importantly their desire to inflict their will on the world.”

Zack nodded in understanding, “That is exactly how it felt when I killed the duke and his men. Like my desire manifesting in the world.”

Paxton quickly added, “It is quite amazing you were able to inflict your will so powerfully. You desire must have been strong.”

Zack shuddered as he remembered the moment and how horrifyingly good it felt to express his will.

Paxton continued, “The power of wizards comes from two important parts. One that is completely out of the wizards control and the other one hundred percent based on the wizard’s ability to focus and desire.”

Zack asked, “Which part is out of the wizards control?”

Paton replied, “I have been studying wizards since I first used magic. My studies evolved to be the leading edge of wizard and magic research. I symbolically stand on the shoulders of wizard scholars who came before me. In all the past research I have studied and the research I have conducted the result is conclusive. We have no idea why one person has a strong affinity to magic and the next does not. Not only that, but we have no idea why the connection to magic cannot be changed. That is, it cannot be made stronger or weaker. Each person is born with a set affinity to magic.”

Zack replied, “So if wizards are so all powerful how did the Acolytes of the System defeat them?”

Paxton gave a rueful smile, “Because I helped them. The strength of system mages is their ability to plan several steps in advance. I knew how the remaining wizards fought and what it would take to defeat them. If you have enough system mages you can accomplish almost anything. To be fair, the remaining wizards were exhausted by the last wizard war, and they were suffering with severe PTSD. Frankly, by the end, their hearts were just not in the fight anymore.”

Paxton gave a long sigh and said, “A wizard who is on his game and expecting a fight would be very difficult to defeat by the system mages.”

Zack thought he could see a small amount of guilt in Paxton’s eyes as he thought about the past. He asked, “Do you feel guilty for playing a role in eliminating the wizards?”

Paxton sat for a long while before responding, “Yes and no, yes because some of them used to be my friends. It is sad to see them destroyed. However, ultimately no, because they were rotted to the core by the love of power and the inherent privilege of being a wizard. They were at the top of the food chain for centuries and became the worst humanity had to offer. My hope was by giving the use of magic to all people we could create a sense of equality. Do away with the super powerful. Give the average person a chance to progress and live a full life without oppression.”

Paxton scoffed as he threw his teacup against the wall. “I was so foolish to not see the real problem we were facing. While the wizards were for sure out of control, they were not the real problem. Our inability to handle power responsibly is the real problem.”

Zack nodded in approval and said, “If it make you feel any better your world is not unique. It is a problem that has long plagued my world as well.”

Paxton looked at Zack in appreciation, “Thank you for saying that, but it doesn’t change the fact that here we are right back where we started from. Powerful mages consolidating power at the expense of the weak. This time there is no one that can stand in their way. They are on a path to repeat the tragedies and wars of wizards past.”

Zack stared at the ceiling of the castle. He saw the heroic images that played out across the glass. Famous wizards fighting giant beasts in fantastic magical battles.

Paxton looked at Zack with a smile on his face, “What I said was true up until about two weeks ago.”

Zack looked at Paxton and exclaimed, “Whoa wait, you think I am the answer to this problem. I want to go home and see my family. I have a life to live there.”

Paxton replied, “Sometimes we don’t get to choose the challenges we have to face. I get it seems like a lot considering your background. But you must see the unbelievable synchronicity going on here. As our world faces decay and the powerful begin to restart the cycle of war and death, you show up. You show up with an amazing gift, an affinity for magic I have not seen in thousands of years. You, Zack Tighe, are here for a reason. Whether it turns out system mages summoned you, by other unknown actors’ schemes, or random chance, I believe you are here to be a champion for the weak and the desperate. Heck, you have already championed and saved an entire town from certain extermination.”

Zack grimaced at the idea he was going to be a champion of anything. He thought, this was not his world, and this was not his fight. The more he thought about it the angrier he became. What Paxton told him was way too much to process. Zack fumed; I have no desire to be anyone’s hero. Being a hero responsible for the world is too much. I am not trained or even remotely prepared for that kind of role. I don’t want to kill or hurt anyone. I just wanted to fish and break up with my cheating fiancé.

He turned to Paxton and said hotly, “Listen, I am willing to acknowledge that you might be a wizard and I certainly cannot explain many of the things that have happened to me or even things that apparently, I am able to do. Seeing this reality is difficult and that is all I can handle. The idea that I will become a champion and solve other peoples or a whole societies problem, is ridiculous. I can barely manage my own problems.”

Then he looked away as emotion welled up in his chest. He looked back with rage and desperation in his eyes and yelled, “Fucking barely manage my own shit. Your shit, this fucked up magical worlds shit is not my problem. The only problem I am focused on his how to get home. Period, end of discussion.”

Paxton gave a calming smile which just made Zack madder as he said, “I get it, this is a lot, a fucking whole lot of shit to take in. All you just said is valid and reasonable. I would be trying to find a way home as well. That does not change the reality of the situation. Sometimes in life we have to solve problems. Sometimes in life we have to solve problem we did not create to have the life we want. I am sorry you are here and possibly burdened with this reality. But I can only deal in the facts. The fact is you are here. The fact is our world is in danger of moving backwards to dark times. The fact is you have a gift that is probably unique from anyone else on this planet. The fact is you have a responsibility to those who do not have your gift.”

Zack gritted his teeth, “I do not have a responsibility to anyone here. I have a responsibility to my family and my life back home. I am going back to my cabin and finding a way out of this crazy nightmare.”

As Zack got up to leave Paxton said in a soft voice, “The last fact is, you have to choose your path. I cannot make you, no one can. If you choose a different path that is on you. I hope you will change your mind. When you do, I will be here to help.”

Zack looked back at the wizard and shook his head as he walked out of the room, down the mountain side to his cabin.