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“So, what do you have for me?” Seraphiel asked the guide that reminded her so much of her brother.

"To start, I should clarify that as a Guide, my job is to help you make informed choices. Taking into account your past, you've qualified for just shy of every Class in the System. There's no point in me listing them all unless you absolutely want to become a Chef or a Farmer?” He looked at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Maybe next time.” She replied with a slight smile.

“With that in mind, let’s establish some ground rules. I’m only going to show you the ones I think you'll likely want to start with. If you do want something else, you can just tell me. There’s no point in showing you non-combat Classes if you’re looking to fulfil your role as a Champion. Not to say you can’t take one as a fourth Class or something of course, just that it would likely be a good idea to have these first two be combat related.” Lucifer explained. Her brother had always been surprisingly patient when it came to a topic he was interested in.

“Acceptable. I assume you’re not going to sell any trap Classes to me either. I should probably start with something I know well, instead of trying something new and novel. Something that I’ve done in the past.” She was now probing. “Also, I’ve heard several times that the System rewards specialization. How true is that?”

Lucifer bobbed his head side to side a little uncertainly. “It is true that those that specialize tend to grow stronger faster. Let’s say, completely randomly, that you decide to take two psyker-related Classes. With two Classes feeding the same stats to you, you’ll become stronger faster. Specialization is always going to give you advantages. Some Skills will also likely overlap and merge, and you can combine Skills from two Classes to reach the best effect. And since you have fewer places to spend your stats, those stats tend to be higher. That said, there are advantages to versatility. In your case though, you have such a wide breadth of knowledge with your old powers that you have versatility even with a single Class."

“Alright. Show me what you’ve got. Give me the Classes you think would be the best and that I would choose.” She suggested.

Lucifer pulled out a deck of cards and dealt the top three cards to her, which all had the explanations for the Classes offered.

[Path of the Seer – Acolyte – Rank A-??? Elements: Varied - Stat Classification: Psionic. Aeldari have trod the path of the Seer since their inception and the Seers are the most potent form of Aeldari psykers. Those that pursue the discipline are said to walk down a ruinous path as their own powers can be their undoing. Yet they are the mightiest psykers of an already inherently psychic race. Seers can become Farseers that read the twines of fate, Spiritseers that support their kind on the battlefield in a myriad of ways, or Warlocks that specialize in the combat application of their powers, relying on their specially crafted Witchblades. Stats: Free Stat Points: 60]

[Path of the Biotic – Trainee – Rank S-??? Elements: Gravity – Stat Classification: Psionic. Biotics is the ability to create mass effect fields to rend their enemies or empower themselves. Biotics can manipulate and throw their enemies around, create gravitational vortices to tear obstacles or enemies apart or create protective and empowering barriers. From Human Vanguards to Asari Matriarchs and Krogan Battlemasters, biotics can offer varied benefits to the wielder. Stats: Strength 5, Vitality 5, Agility 5, Perception 5, Psionic Power 10, Psionic Control 10, Tolerance 20, Psi 10, Free Stat Points: 0]

[Shinmei-ryū Kamigoroshi – Apprentice – Rank SS-??? Elements: Dark, Time, Lightning, Destruction, Hard-Light - Stat Classification: Psionic. A school of swordsmanship originally created to combat magic users and demons. The original style has been improved and perfected by a being that has slain gods and is now more widely applicable. Stats: Strength 5, Vitality 5, Agility 10, Perception 10, Psionic Power 5, Psionic Control 10, Tolerance 5, Psi 5, Free Stat Points: 25]

“I can’t help but notice a trend here. And now I know for sure that you got to analyse my abilities somehow. Otherwise, that last Class wouldn’t be there.” She pointed out.

“I told you so. And these three were not chosen by accident. As I said, I know what decisions Champions make on matters like this most of the time. I suspect you might prefer specialization. I also know that you miss your abilities as a Farseer. They’ve been with you since the first universe you were exiled into. Honestly, they’re your most used abilities, after the sword style. I mostly added the biotic option just to show you that you had other powerful possibilities. You can achieve most of what Biotics can do as a Farseer. Yet, we both know what you were going to choose. It’s partially why I gave you two Classes from the start. Or am I wrong? Would you like to be a mage or a paladin instead?” The grin on his face made it even more unbearable that he was so right.

“I might be curious. I was fairly powerful as a mage.” She argued mostly just to avoid giving him the satisfaction straight away.

“True, and you would become powerful as a mage. But we both know you’re not going to choose that. Maybe as your third Class. You can access the third Class at level 100 anyway, just like others get their second Class.” He was right. Again.

She looked at the three cards she had been given. “It galls me a bit that the Path of the Seer is the lowest ranked.” She muttered.

“Ah, to be fair, A is already pretty much top tier for starting Classes. The rank goes up pretty quickly as the Class evolves. A beginning Class like Squire or an Acolyte can’t match the power of a more evolved Class without being seriously overpowered in comparison. Biotics got a higher rank mostly because of the immediate power that comes from ease of use, and you know why the sword style is so high. If you were to pick a mage, you’d be starting at C or B at best. Same with paladins.”

“Well, we both know I’m going to pick Shinmei-ryū, since I need a physical Class anyway, and the Path of the Seer compensates nicely. I can focus that Class more on the Psionic stats.” She voiced her thoughts.

“Correction. You -want- a physical Class. You can't bear the thought of others dominating you in that arena." Lucifer was grinning at her. He wasn't wrong though. "I do want to remind you that you'll still get Racial Stats when your highest Class levels, and angels, in general, are quite balanced, so you would get Physical Stats anyway. In fact, you’ll be getting more stats from that than any Class you choose. But I digress.”

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“I’m happy with my choices anyway.” She stuck to her guns. He was right. She’d known what she would choose even before coming here. If she had been forced to choose just one, she would’ve gone with the sword school. It was just too powerful and useful, and it was the amalgamation of many of her previous visits to other universes. Turns out you can copy many of the useful abilities of other power systems with psionics if you tried hard enough.

“Alright then. We’re going to have to talk about Skills next.” The third card with the biotic class disappeared while the other two turned into glitters that surrounded her and seemed to sink into her skin. It felt a little weird but not painful.

“What about them? I thought they would start appearing after I wake up?” She was a little confused.

"In general, yes. The only exception comes from the Racial Skills. You will of course get the Skill to change your appearance like all the angels. Can't really avoid that one. Every time you take on the appearance of a new race, you'll get assigned a form. The higher your Skill level, the more changes you can make to the new form, and the more often and more quickly you can use it. Angels also get a flight Skill. You don’t really need it as you can fly without, but you can keep it until you find something more useful. It will speed up your flying. Most angels drop the Skill once their stats grow high enough to make it redundant.” They both also knew that as a Celestial her expertise with her wings was already sublime anyway and stats and Skills only boosted what was already there.

“I’m assuming my Gifts are the sticking point?” She realized.

“Exactly. Gift of Tongues is something I’ll give you for free. The rest will require a Skill slot though. Gift of Knowledge is basically just a souped-up version of Appraisal, so that one is relatively simple. Gift of Adaptability is somewhat already covered by the System, so instead I will combine it with a Skill most of the Champions get, which basically improves their experience gain with Skills they already know, and leveling in general. The higher the Skill, the bigger the bonus. It might seem miniscule at first, but you’ll really love the difference it makes at higher levels. Also seeing as you’ve already done almost everything, the Skill applies to almost everything you might choose to do.“

“The problem is the Gift of Permanence. Immortality is fine, as many races when helped with stats are functionally ageless. The problem is the invulnerability part. We just can't have that. It's not fun or interesting for everyone else. So, instead, I'm going to convert it into a Skill that boosts the effects of your Vitality. The bonus will be very high initially, but higher-ranked races and weapons will reduce the bonus drastically. However, it should still protect you almost as well against natural hazards. You don't really have to fear natural cold, heat, or diseases. Unnatural ones, however…"

“I get the gist. Don’t stand in unnatural fire. I was somewhat expecting it. I can’t say it’s been fun getting used to simple things like muscle cramps, but I’m managing.” This didn’t come as a shock to her. “I’ll have to adapt my fighting style slightly to compensate.”

“You’ll still be a great tank, don’t worry about that. You just won’t be functionally invulnerable anymore.” He reassured her, getting up to pour them more drinks. She wasn’t quite sure when she had emptied the first glass. The wine tasted excellent and brought back great memories.

“How much of a hurry am I in?” She asked suddenly while Lucifer was handing her the glass.

“What do you mean?” He asked, a little caught off guard.

“Well, I’m always brought to different universes for a reason. I assume the same applies here. I simply want to know the timeframe I’m working with.” She expanded.

"You don't have a timetable per se. Your summoner would prefer faster action, but in the end, you have not been given a timeframe this time as the reason you were summoned isn’t time sensitive.” Luci explained.

“Uh-huh. And when will Father yank me away? We both know my summoner doesn’t get a vote.” She wasn’t having any of it.

“I was actually given assurances that this time you can take your time. This could be considered a reward of sorts as well. A chance to unwind and live a little.” He grinned and waggled his eyebrows. “I know you like that as much as I do.”

“I certainly wouldn’t mind the opportunity.” She admitted freely.

“On that note. You are aware that you’re cursed, right?” He asked suddenly.

“Yes, I’m acutely aware.” She gave a long-suffering sigh. “It’s ironic. Father exiled me because deep down He worried that I might kill Him. And the very first universe I was sent to, I was forced to kill a god. Well, you can’t kill a god without consequences.”

“I’m assuming you’re aware that we self-actualize.” Lucifer pointed out, heavily implying that she was only cursed because she thought she was. Or that because she thought she should be.

“Oh, I’m well aware. I was there when that was put in place after all. This isn’t one of those cases though. Or...I simply think I deserve it deep down.” She shrugged.

"Deserve it, or enjoy it? I can't help but note that there are some potentially positive aspects to the curse when seen from a certain point of view." Lucifer suggested.

“Either way, the result is the same.” She didn’t bother quibbling about it.

“Well, here the curse will have to be given an actual Systemic and mechanical effect.” He pointed out again.

“I was wondering why you were bringing it up.” She made a ‘hmmph’ sound. “What kind of effect?”

“You will have to find out.” He noticed how her face shifted. “Now, now! This time I’m not just keeping things for fun. I’m quite literally forbidden from telling you. You’ll have to find someone to identify the curse for you. The same applies to any other Champion. You’d be surprised how many heroes and villains bear some sort of a curse placed on them by fates or hostile forces.”

“Fate’s way of making them face adversity, triumph, and grow stronger. Or fail and fall by the wayside, proving they didn’t have what it takes.” She pointed out the all too familiar pattern.

“It IS kind of interesting how the universe seeds Father throws around tend to travel down similar paths.” He noted, playing up his Lucifer persona again. Even knowing the entity in front of her wasn’t really her brother, it was sometimes hard to remember that.

She relaxed into the seat properly, laying back and taking another long swig of the drink. “Do you think he blames me?” She asked.

“Who, Father?” The being in front of her asked, looking a little flummoxed.

“No, Lucifer. You told me you’re made up of my memories of him, so you might know the answer. Does he blame me for his banishment?” This was something that had bothered her on occasion.

“I’m almost certain he doesn’t.” His words acknowledging the existence of another Lucifer. “We rebelled together. It might have been your presence that got Father so worried, but we acted together, wanting to see change. We had no way of knowing He would react like that. I do not believe He would’ve taken it well without your participation either.”

“I suppose…” She half-heartedly agreed.

"What's this? Since when has my most noble sister been such a worrier?" He asked with a cheery attitude. "Look, I can't speak for the other Lucifer, but you know him. He's not the type. He doesn't exactly keep his grudges a secret, and you've met him a couple of times since then. Do you think he would've kept quiet?"

“It’s just…I’ve had a lot of time to think. To worry. To blame myself. I’m not the type to worry about others blaming me, but this is one of the few things that worries me. Or has worried me in the past at least.” She explained. Her relationship with Lucifer had always been a bit special, as proven by her Guide taking his form.

He played with his drink for a moment. "We all have that one thing we can't let go, don't we?" He drained the glass in a single gulp. "However, you're about to start a whole new existence, and I sincerely wish it will be a glorious one. And I know, and you know, that your brother would wish the same. If nothing else, both he and I wish things to be entertaining."

“That’s true at least. Entertainment was always high on his list of priorities.” She nodded with a small smile playing on her lips.

“Our, sister. High on our list of priorities. Don’t talk as if you weren’t just like me in that regard. The others might have thought of you as a serious person, but we both knew better.” Luci wasn’t going to allow her to get away with things.

“Am I going to be seeing you often then?” She asked.

“Well, you will come back here every time you hit a Class evolution point, or gain a new Class, but outside that not really. That doesn’t mean we won’t be interacting though, as I am your contact point with the System. I won’t be talking with you directly, but that doesn’t mean I won’t be watching or that there won’t be any communication.”

“Fine. If that was everything, then send me back. The longer I stay here, the more I get disconnected from my new body. And the more I remember all the fun I can’t have for many years yet.” She grimaced.

“Are you sure? I could let you borrow the place for a while and let you work out some frustrations with my toys?” Luci suggested with a teasing voice.

“Oh, fuck you. You know what you did. It’s not going to be fun to experience puberty. I’m not going to give you the satisfaction. Send me back.” She decided, and suddenly she was gone.

Luci remained reclining back on the sofa. He’d been completely honest when he’d told her that it was the people that gave the System intelligence. What he didn’t mention was that the intelligence didn’t just go back in the box when the people were not around. He rather enjoyed this new form he’d been given and was going to have a lot of fun with it. There were so many fun things he could get involved with…