La'ar

(Society Academy Presidents Office)

A thought communique pinged La'ar as he was concluding a conference with the 'Eastern' countries' leaders of Earth. He still had time before the next day to welcome the students and so he was spending his time working on rehabilitating many of the so-called 'Eastern' nations, as their governments collapsed and calls went out for the Livari to come in and govern.

It's amazing how in the mere span of a month, so many humans would prefer alien rule to their own.

Many nations had a strong national identity, however, the identity was rarely tied up with the government, and rather with the people themselves, as well as their customs and culture.

Such a social species, to think that they are so different and alike all in the same breath.

All of this was going on whilst La'ar was still speaking to end the conference. It was a wonder that humans got much done at all with only two hemispheres.

"Thank you, gentlemen, we will continue this discussion in the following weeks, in the meantime, rest assured that your interests will be seen to fairly. Whilst it is our intention to unite the nations of Earth under a Livari-lead coalition, we also understand that the interests of all involved are important, and not all views align. I am certain however that you will come to see that the results we reach will be to the maximum benefit of all. Good day to you." La'ar finished.

A chorus of 'thank you's' and 'Goodbye' ended the conference.

La'ar blew out a breath of air he didn't realize he'd been holding. Truly, these humans were relentless. They couldn't do too many things at once, but when they set their minds to a task together…

Truly, legendary endurance. La'ar mused

He turned one-third of his attention to the thought-communique. A young and vibrant magical thread, inexperienced and bright in color. Tinged with self-doubt, sorrow, and no small amount of anger, the sense he got now was one of intrigue and excitement.

Young Calum is excited, it would seem. Stange, he wouldn't send a communique for just anything.

"My young Calum, how can I help you?" La'ar answered the request gently, though distractedly as he was sorting through tomorrow's official induction.

"Most Excellent La'ar Vitae, I have with me somewhat of an irregularity."

Have? That wasn't a good sign.

"I see, and what might that be?" La'ar asked, his curiosity overriding any nervousness. This planet really was an experience every Cultivator should have the pleasure of enduring.

"Well, I'm on my way to your office right now with one, 'Michael Seagal Baker', and I think you'll want to meet with him" Calum responded cryptically.

La'ar had near-perfect recollection of all he had ever seen or experienced thanks to his extraordinary mind, though there were many Michaels in this world, so why was this supposedly special? He flitted briefly through the current Academy records for active students, though none of them went by that name.

"If you feel you ought to bring him to me, then by all means. I don't see him listed as an active student here, however, so who is he?" La'ar replied pleasantly

Without missing a beat, Calum responded almost giddily.

"He's a Chosen."

All-thirds of La'ar's attention was now solely focused on those words. It all came together, of course. Humans and the shortening of names was such a bizarre habit. It was adopted for the purpose of speeding up conversation instead of acknowledging their full titles. A Chosen remaining awake after a sleep spell, which had been specially looked over by La'ar himself, was technically an impossibility. Not to say, somewhat dangerous for the intended target should he not succumb to sleep. This all pointed to one thing. He sent out a separate and rather insistent thought communique.

"Eris!" His thoughts blazed along the connection.

Separately, he responded to Calum. "You did well to bring him to me, do not delay in bringing him straight here."

"At once sir." Calum responded before the connection went dim once more. At the same time, the powerful and vibrant connection he'd just opened responded.

"Hi La'ar! What's up?" Eris responded informally.

"Did you interfere with your Champion just now? He is supposed to be asleep but is traipsing about the halls instead. You do know how dangerous it is for new Chosen to be in magically saturated environments, yes?" La'ar asked patiently.

Eris sighed across the connection. "Not everything that my Champion does is my fault, you know? I had nothing to do with him not succumbing to your spell." She said defiantly.

"Not directly anyway." She added softly.

La'ar pondered at the implications of what that meant. "You mean to tell me that he naturally resisted a sleep spell, with no prior knowledge or experience? The Champions Gift is potent, yes, but he still shouldn't have natural immunity…" he stated before being interrupted.

"It wasn't a natural immunity," Eris stated matter of factly. "I won't tell you too much more, since I don't have to, but I will say it has to do with his Gift. You can figure the rest out, I'm sure." she said smugly, before closing their connection.

Just then the large Oak doors opened to his rather plush and vast office.

That petulant brat is draining me of my life essence, I swear. La'ar thought, his eyes trailing over the gaudy office he was temporarily inhabiting.

This room is really far too ostentatious. I can't believe that the Elders thought they would be 'rulers' of this world once we came. So sad to see the distortion of their purpose over a mere 200 years. Caretaker turned to Ruler in their books, shepherds to tyrants" La'ar thought distractedly as the two boys entered the room.

Time to see just what Eris' Champion is like.

* * * * *

Mike

(Society Academy Presidents Office)

Mike was beginning to think he'd been teleported back in time. Calum had told him to follow as they walked down into the courtyard of House Zayin and out towards a large building that seemed to be central to the area, as far as he could tell. He felt as though everywhere he looked, Victorian England was on display. Not that Mike was an expert in these things, nor did he think he could tell the difference between European nations' old architectural styles, but the closest reference he had was Pride and Prejudice after all.

Massive manicured lawns, enormous gardens of flowers, rows upon rows of tall green trees, and not a single skyscraper or building taller than a few stories in sight. Simply massive-looking mansions, halls, manors, and now in front of him, a large building that seemed more akin to the White House than a manor. Calum had walked him up the stairs and through the large wooden doors, similar to the ones at his new dorm. They had basically bounded up the stairs after Calum had remarked that the President knew they were coming, and wanted to see Mike as soon as possible.

Calum led them both through the hall on the top floor to the final door, having first been cleared by a Livari secretary, the first Livari Mike had ever met, who had anticipated their arrival. She opened the doors for them and they stepped inside without a word, Mike still gawking before her smirk made him turn decidedly more red for his trouble.

The office of the Academy President was lavish, to say the least. A large fireplace, a side table holding a decanter, and a pair of glasses, as well as plush furniture, gave the impression that this office was designed to almost be a home away from home. To Mike's left, sat the most famous Livari on Earth, the one whose name everybody knew, sitting rather awkwardly behind a large mahogany desk, covered in papers, pens, and various bits of stationery. Lamps and a computer were also placed there, however, for the most part, technology seemed to elude Mike's gaze. When said gaze alighted on the president, however, Mike found himself transfixed, his mouth dry, and what felt like his chin dropping to the floor.

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Welcome, my dear boys. Please, sit." A voice that sounded fit for royalty spoke as La'ar gestured to the furniture by the fireplace. Deep tones, warm cadence, fatherly authority, Mike had expected a figure of authority in La'ar, but this was something else. There was also an undeniable air about him, something that screamed 'powerful' to Mike in a way he couldn't explain. He thought it must at least partially be because La'ar was an alien of course, yet the closest feeling he could equate it to was when he'd been allowed in an elephant enclosure as a boy, along with his parents, and he had touched the elephant's leg. The elephant had ruffled his hair with its trunk and blew out some air in his face. He felt…incredibly small, and he couldn't help but respect the elephant for its enormous power, yet it's restraint in using it. This felt the same, only this time he wasn't a little boy, and the elephant in question felt as big as a planet.

Mike followed Calum over to the sofa and sat down, as La'ar moved out from behind the desk and moved over to sit in a large chair opposite them.

Joe is gonna freak out when he hears about this! The alien who stopped a nuke, brought about world peace, and spoke to 8 Billion people at the exact same time, is our President!? And I'm seeing him personally on the first day too! Mike geeked out internally.

He didn't want to admit it, but ever since the Livari arrived he'd been gobbling up everything anybody knew about them. What did they look like exactly, what was their technology like, what were the geopolitical changes occurring because of them, and were they really as benevolent as they claimed to be? All of these questions had been spinning around inside his head for the last month. However, the biggest secret he kept for himself was that he had begun to see the leader of the Livari, La'ar, as a hero. So naturally, he was freaking out a little bit since La'ar was sitting right in front of him.

Wait, how long has it been quiet? Did he already say something and I just didn't notice? Should I say something?

"Thank you for bringing him, Calum. Michael was it? It's good to meet you in person. I apologize for the lack of fanfare in what I'm about to say but welcome to the Academy. On behalf of the Livari as well as the Commonwealth, we thank you for becoming a Chosen, and contributing to the eventual salvation of our Galaxy." La'ar said with warmth and sincerity.

Salvation of the Galaxy? The Agreement really should have been a little more specific, seriously! Mike thought irritably.

"Thank you, sir. I'm grateful that you wanna see me in person, but I'm a little confused. Apparently, I'm supposed to be asleep? And it's a prank? So is everyone asleep, except me? And, why are people being put to sleep on their first day here?" Mike asked cautiously.

"Yes, I believe I can answer your questions satisfactorily. You are indeed supposed to be asleep, and what was designed initially as a safety measure was turned into a ritual prank. It still serves its purpose nonetheless. Every Chosen that has just arrived is presently sound asleep, save for you. The purpose of the sleep spell is to ensure your bodies adapt to the potent magical environment that is the Academy, without causing undue strain on your bodies. You will come to understand the nuances of your present locale through your studies, however, suffice it to say that were you to expend a sufficient amount of magic before 'acclimating', your body may suffer a seizure, and you would become catatonic, as well as possibly brain-dead." La'ar said with an air of sadness and severity.

"That's why we do the sleep spell, to prevent any unnecessary harm," Calum said next to him. "They will all wake up tomorrow morning as if nothing happened, and make their way to the hall where assembly will begin, as we told you when you just arrived."

"Quite right," La'ar agreed. "There will be absolutely no side effects, apart from perhaps sleeping in some bizarre position, as some are wont to do." he finished with a slight smile.

"Okay…" Mike began slowly. "So then why am I awake? Am I in danger right now?" he asked seriously.

"As long as you don't exercise your Gift needlessly, no. You will be perfectly fine. The measures we take are done so to ensure the best possible outcomes for our students. In the Quest, we can use all the help we can get, and life, for the Livari, is no laughing matter. We take it incredibly seriously." La'ar finished darkly, clearly showing a modicum of disgust for some unseen slight.

"As for you, my dear Michael, I do not have a concrete answer. If you don’t mind, might you tell me what happened when you approached your bed once you arrived in your room?" La'ar said with a sparkle in his eye. Clearly, he was interested, or at least intrigued by Mike's situation.

Phew, at least I'm not in danger. It also seems like this isn't some psycho magic school hell-bent on trying to kill their students to make them stronger. Thank goodness.

"Well, I was admiring my room and kinda worrying I had the wrong one when the bed just kinda felt like it was trying to invite me to sleep in it forever!" Mike said, trying to remember the event before slowing down somewhat.

Do I tell them that I jumped on it? Gosh, I'm so dumb. They can probably read my mind anyway. Honesty is the best policy after all.

"So, uh, then I just dumped everything down, cause that bed looked super amazing, and I kinda jumped onto it and just flopped there. I wanted to stay there forever, but when I flipped over and looked at the roof, I could see it was weirdly colored on one side. After that, it felt like time had shot forward cause I noticed my timer had nearly run out, so I got off the bed and ran to the entrance where I ran into Vice Chairman Calum. That's all." Mike finished lamely.

I sound so dumb! Mike groaned internally. Just then, he noticed a thought tendril prodding his mind.

La'ar's eyes widened ever so slightly. "Ah, I see you've already learned thought communication. No doubt that was her doing, no?" La'ar looked at Mike knowingly."

Mike didn't know what to think, but he decided it best to continue with his honesty policy in front of the most powerful being on Earth.

"Um, if you mean Eris, then yes, she showed it to me one time. Though, I'm not getting her in trouble for that, am I?" Mike swiftly countered.

"None that I haven't already dealt with, no. Fear not, I already knew of this, I only wished to see how you would respond, and I'm pleased not to have been disappointed. Calum, please wait outside, I must discuss something with young Michael here in private." La'ar asked lightly.

Calum glanced at Mike before patting him on the shoulder. "Of course sir, I'll be right outside, see you soon!" he said with a smile, before walking out and closing the door behind him.

Now that they were alone, Mike realized how much calmer Calum's presence had made him feel. Now, all alone with a literal alien magician, Mike was feeling slightly overwhelmed. That was when La'ar pinged against his mind once more, a gentle request for permission to speak mind to mind. Mike looked at La'ar, but La'ars eyes were closed. Clearly, this conversation was not going to be spoken out loud.

Mike closed his eyes and focused on his mind. He almost instantly found himself in the thoughtscape Eris had shown him before. He stepped into his mind, and there, felt the connection La'ar had sent out to him. He prepared to open up and receive it when a thought struck him.

What if he can see my thoughtscape? Won't he find a human brain kinda gross? Eris did say it would change eventually, but can I try it now? No, La'ars waiting, I'll figure this out later.

Mike received La'ars thought thread, and immediately he was shocked.

Mike had only ever used thought communication with Eris before, and also when he practiced speaking to Joe that one time. The only thread of thought he'd received, had seemed like a multicolored stream of light that he was allowing into his mind, and It wasn't overbearing or particularly frightening. Never had it occurred to Mike to see where it was coming from in the first place. With Eris, it felt like it was coming from very very far away. But this time...

"Hello, Michael." La'ar's thoughts reverberated around Mike's mind, threatening to overwhelm his grip on the connection, lest it smash through him and cascade into his mind, laying bare his every thought and intention. That was when Mike saw it. He didn't know whether or not it was because La'ar was right in front of him, but as Mike prepared to respond with a far more normal and less soul-shattering experience, it was as if he could peer outside his mind, as though through a window. He realized that what he was seeing was La'ar's mental presence.

To say it was colossal would be a disservice. It was as if Mike had walked to the edge of the tallest cliff on Earth, and the moon itself had drawn near and extended an infinitesimally small branch of itself all the way down to him in order to say hello. A kind gesture, but no less terrifying for the sheer size and grandeur.

"Hello, sir La'ar." Mike responded politely.

A laugh thundered into his mind, his control of the connection straining under the force, until inexplicably it retreated, allowing Mike the presence of mind to realize that La'ar was also laughing out loud. Mike's eyes flew open, and he realized he was sweating, such was the strain of mere seconds of that experience.

"My my, you are a talented one, dear Michael." La'ar said as he came down from his laughter. "Tell me, would you mind showing me your Status page by any chance?"

Mike was breathing heavily as if he'd just carried a heavy box up 8 flights of stairs. "Sir, I don't mind telling you, but I must ask, what the hell was that just now? If you're trying to test me, at least tell me so I'm prepared. It felt like you were gonna pop my head off at one point." Mike said in exasperation.

This guy isn't trying to hurt me, right?

"No, I'm not trying to hurt you, Michael, far from it. I'm attempting to ascertain your strengths, and perhaps find an answer as to why the spell didn't work on you. As Eris' Champion, hurting you would be the last thing on my mind." La'ar said with certainty and strength that didn't invite doubt.

Mike was taken aback slightly. He hadn't even felt La'ar access his thoughts. A quick look inside his thoughtscape revealed nothing, not a single sensation out of place.

"How did you just do that? I didn't feel a thing!" Mike gawked at La'ar, who smiled disarmingly.

"I used a method that is completely different from thought communication Michael, fret not however, it is unlikely that you will find anyone nearly as skilled as I in magics of the mind in your studies here. I am the First Cultivator after all." La'ar spoke as though Mike ought to understand what that meant. He didn't.

Mike was feeling a little lost, so instead he moved on to the obvious.

"Sorry sir, I don't mean to doubt you, It's just hard not to feel a little defensive when it feels like you're poking and prodding me. You could just ask and I'll tell you. Also..." La'ar's words rang in Mike's mind.

"What do you mean I'm Eris' CHampion?" Mike could feel he was getting closer to an answer to the questions burning in his mind about his weird stats and traits.

La'ar had been smiling all the way as if he was waiting just for this moment. "Oh, I can tell I'm going to enjoy this."