Rank 5 spells are too rare in the lower dimensions.

I'll need to go to a higher dimension.

There are seven dimensions.

Level 0: Where mortals are born.

Level 1: Rank 1's are born here.

Level 2: Rank 2's are born here.

This pattern repeats all the way to level 6.

Where rank 6's are born.

Since it isn't a requirement to breakthrough.

Even if I search the soul of a rank 5. It's not guaranteed that they have a level 5 spell.

Since rank 5's don't get their own passive spells.

The main problem with going to a higher dimension is waiting for the gateway to open up.

I travel to the gateway location.

There is a rank 4 guarding the area.

I freeze time and go pass him to the gateway.

Using my knowledge of formations I walk through it and end up in a level 2 dimension.

The world tries to restrict me.

But I have the brand Gaia gave me.

So my power level does not drop.

So I'm quite a bit stronger then other rank 4's in this dimension.

Rank 2 is the new acolyte level here.

I use soul search on a random passerby.

"Hey!"

"Did you not read the sign?"

"What sign?"

A man points to a sign that shows a circle with a slash on it.

In the circle is a simple drawing of a man searching another mans soul.

"Oh. My bad."

"You're under arrest!"

"What?"

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

A rank 5 pulls my arms behind my back and cuffs me.

I can feel the flow of my magic cut off.

Even the brand Gaia left me doesn't stop this restriction.

"Interesting... Magic sealing cuffs I suppose."

I could use nanites to vaporize the cuffs.

But I notice the man has a tablet out.

It has all my information on it.

I would be a fugitive if I escaped from here.

That could get annoying.

Being hunted down.

I'm brought downtown and put in a jail cell.

A few days later I'm brought before a judge.

"Zero #119. Age 1127+. Orphan. No past criminal history."

"You have broken the law by unauthorized use of a soul searching spell."

"Do you plead guilty or innocent?"

"I had no idea it was against the law!"

"You think yourself above the law?"

Yes!

I'm a Paradox!

"No..."

"It is a felony to search someone's soul without permission."

"Why did you do it?"

"To find out the general information of this dimension..."

"You could have just looked that up online."

"..."

"Since this is your first offense. I will give you a lighter sentence."

"Time served is based on your level."

They strip me of my clothes.

And take off my ring that conceals my level.

And take my I.D

"Rank 4."

"Typical Lifespan 1280."

"We will sentence you to 400 years in prison."

"That's a light sentence!?"

"It is for you Zero. The Immortal."

"Oh looky here."

"Unauthorized use of a dimensional gateway."

I begin to become a little nervous.

"You crossed to this dimension illegally."

"That is another felony."

"Given this is your 2nd offense. We will be sentencing you with an additional 400 years."

"That's Bullshit! I was never aware of any laws regulating travel between dimensions!"

"Then why did you go through the proper procedures when traveling from dimension 0 to dimension 1?"

"..."

"We would deport you. But that is impossible. So you will just have to serve your time here."

They put a slave collar on me.

I feel my magic become even more restricted.

"What do we have here?"

As they inspect my naked body for any possible hidden contraband.

"He has a formation tattooed on his wrist!"

"Good catch. If he got access to a magic crystal he may have been able to open a portal to escape from prison."

"..."

They destroy the formation on my wrist.

I don't care.

I can easily recreate it using nanites.

I'm contemplating telling the judge to go fuck themselves and breaking out of these restrictions.

But I calm myself.

"Are you alright Zero? Your eyes are twitching."

"I'm alright..."

The judge clicks their tongue.

"It says here that you killed over a hundred men in a war between sects?"

"Is that also another felony?"

"That was in dimension 1. It's outside the scope that I work with. But what it does tell me is that you are a dangerous man. I'm contemplating keeping you in solitary confinement the entire time you serve."

"I'm fine with that."

"..."

"On second thought. I will keep you in general population."

What a coincidence...

"Ok."

So began my journey as a prisoner.

They gave me a orange set of clothes to wear.

They took my old clothes as well as my shoes and ring and put it in storage.

I was told I would get them back when I was released.

I was also told my sentence could shorten or lengthen depending on my behavior.

Good behavior and I could get out early.

Bad behavior and I may never leave.

Probably due to my connection with the antimagic realm.

Or just due to the laws I have comprehended

But my passives are active even with the magic restricting collar on.

They take off my cuffs after driving me to the prison on a bus.

On the ride there somebody tells me they are in for murder.

I tell them I'm in for illegally crossing dimensions.

As well as searching someones soul.

They scoot away from me.

I suppose I am a murderer as well.

Who would have thought that Owtz world would have such a 'competent' police force.

I didn't even know there was a justice system!

I would have waited for the gateway to open up if I did...