The moon is high in the sky, and as most people sleep resting for the next day, a man in the body of a child stays awake preparing himself for tomorrow.
'I can't believe this is real, I know it is, but... seeing everything just as it was is...'
The man sits on his bed as he finally accepts the reality he is in.
'Now that I have time, I will have to make a plan to defeat The Calamity... but first things first, I need to know the entire conversation that took place before my travel(?) to the past. So... I gotta call him.'
The man closes his eyes and starts reciting the name of who he needs.
"Oh, Death, who was there since the day of my conception. Who follows the living until their last days.
Why should I begrudge it, since during the hours,
when my body gave up,
it was seated there beside me?
O death, I have ended, you see, by respecting you,
because I am certain you will be there for me when my eyes lose their strength.
Because i know that on the day of my final agony, there you will be, lying in my sheets, O Death, for when I cast my last breath... you will take my cold hand and guide it to an eternal paradise"
The man finished reciting the ancient text and waits.
A minute, then 2,then 5, then 10...
'...Why isn't he appearing?'
The man gets nervous as usually when the ancient text is said, Death will appear for a talk.
'...why?...WHY?...WHY ISN'T HE APPEARING?!' The man loses his patience as he gets up and starts walking around his room quickly.
'Dammit DAMMIT why can't things go my way for once?! You send me back in time to leave me just like that?!?!?!'
The man starts growing furious.
'YOU THINK YOU CAN JUST DO THAT?! NOT ONLY YOU FAILED BEFORE BUT YOU FAIL NOW TOO?!?!'
Little by little, he starts breathing slowly, trying to calm himself.
'No...no... calm yourself... being emotional only interrupts rational thought...'
The man finally calms himself.
'...now let's think this slowly...
From how little I remember of the conversation I think it's safe to assume that The Balance isn't allowing him to interfere or even appear, I guess that sending me to the past put all kinds of limitations on him.(he sent me to the past right?...)
If that's the case, then I can't consult him about the full conversation. That's a shame because I have the feeling that something really important was said.
And also that last thing I said... "The world really hates me, huh..." I know that it probably does, but the way I said it was...depressing... more than usual.
Guess I won't know until later. If I think about it there are a few places where I may be able to talk with Death but none of those places are close neither are they accessible at this time so for now it's better to leave this for later.'
The man completed his thoughts about the conversation and left it for later.
'If I can't know the full information, then the next step is...'
The man sits on his bed again and closes his eyes.
'I learned this trick from Lucius. It's not really an ability, but it does feel like one.'
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
-Mental Palace-
Suddenly, the man opens his eyes, and he finds himself in a white void.
'Now, this will help me think.'
The man moves his hands, and with each move, a place or a person appears.
'Let's start planification'
________
'Ok, this took a while but as a quick first steps plan, it should work.
For now, the overall plan is:
1) Gain Reiyo's influence and trust.
2) Using his influence, enter Malsahars Magic Academy.
3) Meet and nurture the Destined Hero. Nurturing other powerful individuals is recommended.
4)Obtain multiple legendary equipment for protection and power.
5) Prepare the world for the Calamity. An alliance between nations and factions is the adequate play.
6) Fight the Calamity.
7) Win. (Hopefully)
'For now, that's what I have. It's a little rough, but it will suffice.
The first step is already in motion. Gaining Reiyo's trust may take a while, but it is possible. Even if that fails, there is a backup plan, but it will consume too much time, so preferably, I go with Reiyo.
If I complete this step calmly, I will be able to start my second step.'
Malsahar's academy is one of the most important academies in the kingdom. It is a prestigious place that has created some of the most legendary heroes and historical people.
It is said that the mage that founded it, Malsahar, was the first ever recorded Destined Hero. And from then on every 100 to 200 years a new Destined Hero is born.
'The Destined Hero... a person who is born blessed by the world itself to stop whatever catastrophe appears.'(why did they fail this time?)
Malsahar being the first ever to appear caused quite the uproar according to ancient scriptures. Many believed he was the descent of the God of Magic due to the power of his spells, others a person who made a deal with the Demon King to gain power.
It was only later that it was discovered this "Destined Hero" phenomenon as it was called. So seeing this Malsahar founded the academy for talented individuals with the hope that the next Hero will assist and learn from it.
That was about 800 years ago. Sadly after he passes away the new directors started changing the academy, little by little. What was once a symbol of hope, now became a place where one goes to establish political connections and obtain powerful allies.
Something that also changed was the method of entry. When before pretty much anyone with a decent amount of talent could enter, now things like titles and payments became necessary. Considering this...
There's 3 possible ways to enter.
1) You are of a powerful royal faction or noble house.
2)The scout group of the academy noticed your magical or swordship abilities and offered you a position.
3) Someone important sends a recommendation letter vouching for your talents.
'Considering the options to enter...
The first option is immediately out of the table.
The second option is possible but extremely difficult. I could try to impress them with a multitude of inventions and potions, but it would only take me so far...(I am not talented enough to replicate what I know)
So that only leaves the third option. Getting a recommendation...
Getting one with Reiyo's influence shouldn't be too difficult. But another problem rises.
He is not the only one who controls the city. Due to it being so apart from the Capital City of the kingdom of Seras, the criminal activity here is notorious(except on this side)'
The city of Mirul is divided into 3 sectors. Each is controlled by a different crime gang.
'Reiyo controls this side, and it is considered the most peaceful of the 3 but also the weakest.
Due to hiding the criminal activity to such a degree, Reiyo doesn't have the most amount of armed muscle to act.
And even if I don't like to do it... I gotta help him control the other 2 sides or at least 1 other.
If I try to get a recommendation, let's say... from the best alchemist in the city, the other 2 sides will hear from it and probably stop it.(nobody wants to deal with random variables) not to mention they will want the person who's recommendation they stopped to work for them.
After all, the peace that currently exist is because if they start a war with another of the gangs, the one that was left will simply wait till its over and destroy what remains of the winner. And attacking both gangs at the same time is stupid in many levels.
So the only solution is to consume one of the gangs or, best case, both. That will give me control of the dirty side of the city but, most importantly, resources and influence. I would be able to get multiple recommendation letters, which even the academy wouldn't ignore. Not to mention the information, bases, minions, and more, I would get controlling the gangs.
But a problem will surge eventually... When I leave, who will take my place?
I will have to leave the city to assist the academy and due to the distance between the two I will have great trouble communicating freely, not to mention that the old bosses or their right hand guys will want to take back what's their.
I would say that I could convince them not to do it, but it's preferable to have a backup plan.
For now, I don't have candidates, so it's a thought saved for later.
Let's get back on track. How to gain Reiyo's trust?
There are multiple ways I could achieve this.
Although... I don't really need Reiyo himself. I could kill him and take over what he has, but too many troubles appear.
For beginners, being the head of a criminal group would surely put a bounty on my head. Second, the moment I leave, my group will lose its morale, and the other groups may make an alliance to take my group out. Third, it would bring too much attention to me, risking the fact that the academy may discover my dealings and kick me out.
There's just too many variables that can happen. But by being in the background it will at least not put a target in my back. Will the academy question me about working with a criminal if they discover it? Sure, but I can save myself. Will the other groups try to contact me? Probably, but if it happens, it will just add value to myself, and as long as I don't directly support any of them, I can sleep with my eyes closed.'
I got off the rails again...
How to gain Reiyo's trust. Don't deviate Kei.
There are multiple ways.
One is to show myself as a talented but naive alchemist who slowly gets corrupted by the want of money, eventually starting to make deals with other criminals. If I leave a few clues for Reiyo to find, then he will probably talk with me, and if I guide the conversation correctly, then we will work together. And little by little... a few incidents here... a few incidents there... he will trust me, and like that, the "expansion of the group" will commence.
Another way is a more direct approach. But sadly, I lack the components to do it.(The mind controlling ring would be such a good thing to have)
Another one is through drugging him. It would be one of the fastest ways. If I make a few "calming" potions, it would leave him extremely susceptible to my control. The problem is how unstable it's "loyalty" would be.(A detoxification spell and it's over)
There are other ways, but they aren't good enough, but if push comes to shove, then they will be used.'
The man takes a breather.
'I know I said that taking his place would be bad, but... what if another person took it? Mhhh...
No, there are... too many variables, but it is worth considering. It should be someone that deep down has the people's interest in mind.
Well, if I see someone like that, I will take note.
I think it's best to leave things like this for now. If I try to plan too much ahead, I will lose sight of what's next.
If I focus too much on the future, I will lose sight of the present.
'...There is a way for the academy to notice me that would guarantee my acceptance, but... it would bring too many eyes and some of them will not be good.'(it will be a last resource in any case)
The man, finally finishing his plans, proceeds to close his eyes again.
After opening them he finds himself in his room again.
'What a day...I am busted, I better go to sleep now or I will arrive late to the store.'
The man proceeds to prepare himself to sleep. As he lays on his bed...
'...can I do this?...'
'...'
'...'
'...'
'...I don't know...'
The man finally sleeps.