Gaus was silent throughout the lecture, thinking and debating. It was clever for Tyren, who didn't know what he was capable of, to avoid a face-to-face encounter. Tyren wasn't only clever but resourceful and strong. To think he even had a skill that could kill him silently before he even realized he was being attacked. Just thinking about it sent shivers down his spine. It was a narrow escape that was solely a matter of luck. He would doubtlessly be dead now if he didn't choose Gaus's immortality when he specialized.
The seven-day loop wasn't going to end anytime soon. It was caused by Gaus's immortality and only he was aware of it. This was his chance to turn the tide. No matter how strong his opponents were, he could beat them if he used the infinite time and resources provided by the loop correctly.
He picked a pen and put down his plans. He would become an excellent soul mage enough to prevent Tyren or anyone from attacking his soul. He would become proficient enough in mind magic to prevent anyone from reading his thoughts or tampering with his mind. He would become a time mage to fully utilize his affinity for time magic. Enchantment, mana manipulation, taming spirits, elemental manipulation, combat magic, long-distance teleportation... He would learn them all before the seven-day loop was over.
He ran to the market and bought an expensive quill and several practice stones that were smaller than what the teacher gave him the other time. It was time to compress some runes. As usual, the first few stones exploded in his face. At one point, he just woke up in the backstreet. But he didn't give up. After trying for three days straight, he successfully drew all the seven runes on a two centimeter wide stone.
Congratulations, you've learned the skill compression.
Compression has reached level 1.
The higher the tier of a rune the more complex its structure becomes. What happens when you're asked to inscribe multiple runes on a small object? Compression is necessary for any enchanter. Learn to compress runes without destroying them.
Cost: up to 2 MP (increases by leveling up thereby having more access to runes).
Gaus didn't give up just yet. He went on to learn a variation of the skill.
Congratulations, you've learned a variation of compression - advanced compression.
Advanced compression makes compressed runes invisible to the naked eyes.
It's a variant skill, so it'll level up at the same time as compression. The cost is also the same.
The following day, Gaus went to the teacher's office. After making his intentions clear, she asked him to inscribe the seven colors of a rainbow on a small stone. He did it effortlessly.
"Blow it up," she said calmly.
If she thought that would discourage him then she had another thing coming. By now Gaus was an expert in blowing things up.
He just drew all the seven runes and compressed them in reverse. They would blow up once he channeled his mana into them.
The woman gave him a half-hearted smile. "Are you trying to kill yourself? That's not how to draw a bomb. I want you to create an explosion you can control. The runic syllable is..."
She pronounced it.
"Don't you dare ask for an extra class when you can't even make a simple bomb."
Challenge accepted.
He returned to his room and drew the runic syllable on a paper. It was much bigger than all the seven runes of the rainbow colors put together. Just compressing it would take a lot of time. He must also learn its variations that would allow him to control the explosion so it didn't blow up in class or somewhere he didn't want it to. Sure it would take time, but time wasn't a problem when you were trapped in two loops.
In the evening, Gaus was also pursuing other fields of study. He could now levitate two daggers simultaneously. By combining levitation and spinning, he could also object a couple of meters away from him.
Congratulations, you've learned a variation of levitation - multiple levitation.
Multiple levitation allows you to levitate more than one object at the same time, depending on mana.
----------------------------------------
Congratulations, you've learned a variation of spinning - javelin.
Javelin allows you to throw objects like explosives and weapons.
----------------------------------------
All variant skills will level up at the same time as the main skill. The cost is also the same.
For the entire seven days, Gaus focused on training only.
As usual, at the beginning of the next restart, Ariwen was appointed as the new class rep only to be replaced by Gaus a few minutes later. Gaus decided it was time to change it, so he went to Ariwen's room after class.
She was surprised to see him. "You?"
"Yes, me." Gaus forced a smile. After a few seconds of staring, she invited him inside.
"Sorry, I can't," Gaus said, "I just came to tell you I would be returning the class rep seat to you."
She looked at him inquisitively.
"Yes," Gaus nodded, "I'll return it to you. I'm not suited for something like that."
She ran her fingers through her disheveled green hair, smiling knowingly. "What do you want in return?"
"How about you teach me how to defend myself against the dark arts?"
Ariwen laughed. "I have to know something in order to teach it, don't you think?"
She was lying.
"If I were to attack you with cord pulling now, wouldn't you defend against it?" He asked.
"What's cord pulling? What are you even talking about? I'm sure you have the wrong person. Good luck."
She looked at him uninterestedly and closed the door.
***
"Ariwen is your leader and you must obey her as much as you can," said Linc in response to the complaints laid against Ariwen, "besides, she just becomes class rep today, you should wait for a few days before complaining. You're just lucky the academy has decided to appoint Mr. Lake as the new class rep."
"Thank goodness!"
"We're now in good hands."
"It's patriarchy again."
Gaus stood up and faced the class as they rejoiced. "This class is one big family and Ariwen is part of it. She was appointed as the class rep just a few minutes ago, replacing her now would cause unnecessary misunderstandings between us." He turned to Linc. "Sir, unless it's mandatory for me to take her place, I would like to step down and let her rule. I want all of us to support her. She is hard on us but I sincerely believe she means good. Let's succeed together." His face was so convincing that even the teacher believed him.
Linc sighed softly. "It's okay if that's your decision. Just sign this paper and Ariwen will rule in your stead."
Gaus signed the documents despite the pleading looks of his classmates.
As soon as the class was over, Gatan and his clique rushed over to Gaus.
"Why, class rep, we needed you?"
"Can you please reconsider?"
"She's not just 'hard on us', she's trying to kill us. How did she suppose I can come here from the Fifth World in four hours? She didn't even consider how late I start every loop." Raya complained, fuming.
"I stand by my words," was Gaus's response and he left.
Antelina stopped him. "Why would you do that? As if you don't know what the First Worlders are capable of."
Gaus turned around slowly. "Just because she's from the First World doesn't mean she's bad. Besides," he moved closer to her and whispered, "I like her style better."
Antelina frowned. She opened her mouth to curse him but she decided against it and just stomped away.
Gaus shrugged. He went on to his room and barricaded himself inside. Time to train.
Gaus had lost track of time when someone knocked at his door. He waited, expecting the second knock, but it didn't come. He used mana sense before opening the door.
"Ariwen? Is everything ok?"
"Everything's ok," she said. "Wanna grab a drink with me?"
In addition to her usual white robes, she was wearing sparkling earrings. Her hair was divided into two and each half was tied with colorful ribbons. She looked... childish.
"Yeah, I would like to. Wait here."
"Don't keep me waiting."
Gaus went inside and changed into a white tee shirt and pants. He perfumed himself and came out.
She barely even registered his new dress before she turned around and started walking. "Let's go outside. I'm tired of the local restaurants here."
"Do you have anywhere else in mind?"
"Niama."
Sure, why not? It was expensive but he could manage with the help of the loop.
"Niama it is then."
They booked a carriage and went there mostly in silence. Occasionally, Gaus would point out how magnificent the structure of Fydeba was and Ariwen would argue that the First World was better. She even promised to bring him some photos of the First World some other time.
If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.
When they arrived, Gaus looked around a bit dramatically before he moved closer to her and whispered, "do you think we can afford the food in this restaurant? There are other less extravagant places like Jelsa, Dé Parlour, Teem..."
It was meant to be a joke but Ariwen frowned.
"So, you're the one sending my customers away?"
"Your customers?" Gaus blinked four times in a row. There were rumors about Niama and Crisstar hotel belonging to a billionaire from the First World, but everyone was just guessing and nobody knew who they were.
"Not really, it's my father's."
It was at this point one of the waiters saw Ariwen standing outside the restaurant and he shouted something in a foreign tongue. Soon they were surrounded by five workers.
"Princess?" The eldest among them said with respect. "We didn't know you were coming. Please allow me to accompany you to the VIP."
Gaus hadn't seen him before but from the three stars on his uniform, he figured he was their leader.
In but a few minutes, they were seated in an expensive room and surrounded by more food varieties than he could count.
He pointed at the steaming flasks and variety of fruits, most of which weren't edible to earthlings like hin. "You said you were going for a drink."
She smiled. "Will they stop at just a drink even if I told them to?"
Gaus wouldn't understand how the rich did their things, so he just shrugged the question off and focused on his plate and the 'starfish' on it. He should really spend some time on learning the food of this world. Maybe even create his own food encyclopedia. A few days ago he grabbed an edible fruit. It looked and smelled like an apple but it was damn hard. He felt like he was chewing on a rock or something harder. Luckily he didn't lose his teeth.
"Where do you start your loop?" She interrupted his thoughts.
"Here, in this city."
Ariwen sighed. "You're one lucky guy. I start mine on the First World for Dais's sake. I have to climb down to the Seventh World every day. It's damn exhausting. I was shocked when that red-haired girl was complaining about distance. She is coming from the Fifth World. A mere two World's distance."
If Ariwen knew the number of times Gaus was supporting Raya in the previous restarts...
"Do you come by yourself?"
She nodded. "I have to. I can't depend on other people. That's the problem of being the best, you know."
Sigh.
Before she started bragging about her achievements, Gaus quickly changed the topic. "You don't have to worry about Raya and the others. They'll come around."
She sipped the tea in her cup and looked through the window into the garden beyond. "I'll change them. Just wait and see. By the way, Mr. Lake," she stared at him intently, "what do you hope to gain by siding with me?"
"You're rich, smart, and strong. Do I need any more reasons to be your friend? I can always side with Antelina if you prefer that."
Ariwen scratched her temples. She rarely did that. "You know, I drink baby's blood. Do you still want to be my friend?"
Gaus laughed at her remarks. He already knew what she was doing with the babies. "I'll have to see the babies first to believe you."
She shrugged. "I do have babies."
"You do?"
She nodded.
"How?"
She laughed. "Do you want to know how I gave birth to them?"
"No, that won't be necessary."
They stared at each other for a moment.
"How many?" He asked.
"Just two."
"But why do you have to bring them here?"
"To breastfeed them."
She was lying but there was nothing he could do about it. In fact, she was so good at it he couldn't have realized she was lying if he didn't already know.
"Good luck with that." He poured more wine into his cup and the conversation continued in another pointless direction.
She slapped the table, laughing. "I got you there, didn't I? You believe the babies are mine, don't you?"
Gaus rolled his eyes at her and just kept silent.
"They aren't mine. I'm just trying to create a longevity bond."
"A longevity bond?" Gaus frowned. This was the first time he came across the term.
She shook her head, mistaking his frown for disapproval. "It isn't what you think. Longevity bonds are quite different from soul bonds. They don't involve domination or taking over other people's personalities, mana, or skills. I admit they have their own share of a downside but everything is reversible.
Gaus leaned forward, interested. "Tell me about it."
"Longevity bond is quite simple. It creates a temporary connection between people's longevity in order to affect their affinity for time magic. I'm using it for training. Once I'm done I'll break the connection and everything will go back to the way it was. No harm is done to the babies or to me."
"How does it differ from a soul bond?"
Ariwen sighed. "A soul bond forms a permanent bond between two or more people. It's the darkest of all arts that involve total domination and consequently death. The dominant soul will take up the other party's soul and get their skills and mana. Soulbond is generally rejected because of its adverse effects on both the caster and the victim. It has been obsolete for more than two centuries."
"So," Gaus said, shifting uncomfortably in his seat, "you can copy my skills by just binding your soul with mine?"
She nodded. "But if I bond with you then I won't be copying, I'll be taking all your skills and mana as long as the bond is successful."
Shit.
"Dark, indeed. What can man do to protect himself against such arts?"
She shrugged. "That's why we have Defense Against the Dark Arts, right?"
Gaus furrowed his brows. "Linc said it'll take a year or two to start learning that, do we have to remain vulnerable all along?"
"That's what he said, but I can teach you the telltale signs of these skills. You can at least recognize it when you are being targeted."
"Please, do."
Probably, it was because of how desperate he sounded but Ariwen decided to name a steep price for her knowledge. "Show me your watch skill and don't give me the 'I'm blazer' bullshit. I have a skill that can pick pacifists."
Gaus spent several minutes, pretending to be contemplating. There was no point in denying it.
"I'll think about it. Now, tell me."
"Not good enough," she said, "if we're going to be friends then I need to know your watch skill."
"Will you show me yours in return?" Gaus asked.
She shook her head just as he expected.
"It's selfish of you but I'll agree to it. Give me seven days and I'll show you my skill." In seven days she wouldn't remember this conversation.
"Agreed. In seven days, you'll show me your watch skill."
Gaus nodded. "Deal."
After making sure she put down their agreement in writing and stuffing it in her inventory, she explained the process to him.
"Longevity bonds come silently with no warning whatsoever. You won't even know you are being targeted unless you check your affinity for time magic which will be lower than usual by at least twenty percent. Soulbond on the other hand comes with behavioral changes. At first, you'll have a sudden and unnatural predisposition toward things you don't normally care about. Say you don't take beer and then you suddenly want to have several kegs at once. You feel compelled to drink despite not being a drinker. Or maybe you've never liked men and now you do. Something like that. Do you get me?"
Gaus nodded slowly.
"These are the initial signs before your soul starts to dissolve and you begin to lose mana." She added.
Gaus was so absorbed in his thoughts he didn't even register her last sentence. Did that mean his desire for red hair was from a soul bond? Was Tyren trying to bond his soul so he could steal his skills (hoping that would allow him to remain in the loop) and mana?
Everything was suddenly clear. Tyren was secretly trying to bond his soul and in order to prevent it, Gaus's immortality sent him back in time to twenty seconds before the soulbond started. So Tyren actually started soul-bonding him the very next day he arrived at the academy. Even as he sat there his soul was being attacked and he couldn't even notice it. He trembled.
"Are you alright? You look pale." She asked.
Gaus smiled weakly. "I'm fine." For now.
She looked at him suspiciously but didn't say anything. Most of the evening was spent in silence as Gaus became totally incapable of starting any conversation. They went back to the academy together and Gaus escorted her to her room. Then he went to the city library.
"Hey," he greeted Abbas, "I want to have a soul inspection, can you recommend any good practitioners?"
"I.. can, but can you afford it? Soul magic practitioners are expensive," Abbas said, slowly putting the book in his hands on the table.
"Money shouldn't be a problem. Just give me the address."
Abbas gave him the address and he noted the house. He took one loop to make sure the man wasn't a looper before he casually strode to the front door and knocked.
The door opened and a middle-aged man came out.
"Do you offer soul inspection services here?" Gaus asked.
"I used to. How did you even know about this place?"
"I got the address from a friend of mine. He said you'll help."
"This friend of yours, what's his name?"
"Abbas. He often visits the library."
"Abbas...? Oh, that boy. Is he still alive?"
"Why wouldn't he be?"
"He was a sick child. As a child, he lost all his parents and was left alone to tender for himself. It's still a mystery how he becomes a marine."
"He's a marine?"
The man frowned at Gaus. "Guess you don't know much about your friend." He scratched his temples while he scrutinized Gaus. After what seemed like a long time, he let him inside and brought milk as a welcome gesture.
Gaus pushed the keg aside.
The man frowned and pointed at the keg. "Drink. It's not poisoned."
Gaus raised the keg under the close scrutiny of the man and took a gulp of the milk. He barely swallowed it.
"How does it taste?"
"It's sour."
"Haha.." the man laughed. "You probably didn't take much milk as you grow up, that's why you don't savor the taste."
Smiling bitterly, Gaus put the keg down. "I used to sell it, you know."
"You can sell it but still not take it," the man argued.
Gaus was forced to roll his eyes at the man. Just how much cow milk did he take as he grew up? Only God knew.
Minutes later and the man decided to talk about business. "Do you really want to know?"
"Want to know. what" Gaus asked, puzzled.
The man smiled. "Many people want to know how many days they've left, but, trust me, they always regret it. If you want to know how many days you've left then I'll tell you, but don't blame me for the emotional turmoil that will follow."
"What are you talking about?" Gaus asked with a frown. "I'm not here for that."
The man tilted his head in surprise. "Then, why are you here?"
The man was probably used to people coming to him to check their lifespan, but that wasn't why Gaus was there.
"I want a simple soul inspection to make sure my soul is okay," Gaus said.
"Huh? You should have said that earlier. I'm retired but I'll help you just for that kid Abbas." He retrieved a small bottle from the locker behind him and gave it to Gaus.
"Drink this."
Gaus tasted the black liquid. It was bland. He gave the man a curious glare before he swallowed it.
The man retrieved a transparent glass from the locker and carefully examined Gaus through it, starting from the head. "Stay still if you don't want a skewed result," he warned.
Gaus did as he was told and remained still.
A minute later and the man threw the glass aside and took a wooden box from the locker. After five more minutes of inspection through different glasses inside the box, the man asked Gaus to put both his hands on the box.
"No, it's a... No, it's not. I think your soul has been... No, I don't think that's it. There's er..."
"What is it?" Gaus cut him off angrily.
The man raised his head from the readings on the box and looked at Gaus. Even he was confused. "You shouldn't be alive. What kind of dark mage have you fought?"
"I haven't fought any mage."
The man narrowed his eyes. "Did they attack you in your sleep?"
"I don't think so."
The man was silent for several seconds before he closed the box and sighed.
"Joke aside, your soul has been injured and I can't even recognize the nature or extent of the damage. Come back in the evening, at four o'clock, I'll take you to my teacher. He's both wiser and stronger."
"How much will it cost me?" Gaus asked.
"A hundred thousand ayrids, maybe more. It's expensive."
Gaus didn't have the money but he still came back in the evening. A carriage took them to a flat apartment in the western region of the city. Two policemen stood guard at the entrance.
"Welcome, Heinsman," the policemen greeted them.
"Is detective Fredrick home?"
As it happened, detective Fredrick was Heinsman's teacher who was supposed to inspect Gaus's soul.
They waited for him in the guest room until 6 pm. Detective Fredrick was a burly man with big brown eyes and a beard that was dyed red.
"Heinsman?!" Frederick exclaimed upon seeing the man, "long time no see."
Heinsman bowed his head. "I'm sorry for disturbing your peace."
"Uh oh, stop being so formal, Hen, you know I hate that." he turned to Gaus, "who's this young man?"
"He's my client," Heinsman said. "His soul is defective but I don't seem to find the cause."
Fredrick just glanced at Gaus for a few seconds and he already identified the problem. "It's soul bond," he said.
He took a step closer to Gaus and stared silently at his chest. After a minute of silent inspection, he put his hand on Gaus's chest and closed his eyes.
"You can be forgiven for not picking something like this," Fredrick told Heinsman, eyes closed. "For it's subtle, almost imperceptible. The strings have been attached with the greatest care and expertise. Even I will have missed it if I wasn't looking for it. Just who the hell put this on you, little one?" He asked Gaus, finally opening his eyes.
"I don't..."
"Stay quiet if you don't want a skewed figure," he warned.
Gaus frowned but stayed silent.
"I can correct the defect in your soul giving the appropriate time and resources, but you've already lost 20 MP which, I'm afraid, is irreversible," added Fredrick.
Before he asked any questions he opened his status tab and went to his mana.
Mana : 265/285 (0.5/min)
What the hell...
His overall mana was 305 MP, how the hell did he lose 20 MP? Of all his skills only Gaus's immortality was known to have a permanent effect on mana. It was said every usage would cost 5 MP, but he didn't use the skill, not once. All the previous times were errors.
He quickly opened the skill tab.
Gaus's immortality.
Cool down time: 90 days
History
1. Error: cost 5 MP
1. Error: cost 5 MP
1. Error: cost 5 MP
1. Error: cost 5 MP
The cost of the skill remained even if it reported an error. It was clear from the numbering the skill didn't even realize it was sending Gaus back multiple times in a row irrespective of the cool down. But there were consequences. Serious consequences. As it was, he stood to lose all his mana and consequently die when Gaus's immortality couldn't activate due to lack of mana. In other words, the seven-day loop came at an exorbitant price that could hardly be justified. If he remained in it for the next 50 to 60 restarts, he would lose all his mana. His only option was to leave before he was forced to leave. But where was the exit?