Soon we entered the cantina to break our fast; Ruth was already nearly done.

We took our servings and took a seat in a table were she was sitting all alone.

“Hi.” I Said as I sat, and looked at my breakfast.

Warm goat milk with some kind of cereals, and a loaf of bread. Good enough, Maria took a seat too and started her breakfast in silence.

Ruth nodded as we sat.

She made a motion with her hands, it looked like she was writing in a paper and then she made a cut at her throat with her finger.

“I will handle that later, let’s take this day off. You two got tend to your duties, i have a few things I want to check out today.” I said as I finished to break my fast and started to get up.

“Wait… My duty is to keep an eye on you, father’s orders. So…” Maria said as I got up.

“No need. Take the day off, like I said I have things to do and I would rather be alone.” I walked away as I said it.

Walking out of the cantina, I gathered my thoughts as I sat in a bench nearby.

There is definitely something wrong with this body. The wound in my hand isn’t healing naturally and even healing spells are failing. Seth had said that my blood was rotting… I remember Maria saying that she had cast a necromancy spell on Adam. Low level too.

Food didn’t have any effect on me, only making me seemingly heavier for now. So far since I woke up I didn’t have the need to defecate either.

Its rather obvious at this point. I clearly reincarnated on a dead body; mutating into a zombie as times passes. This is highly problematic, the advantages of this condition are few, and the disadvantages are a pain to handle.

I would need to avoid the sun and dry places from now on, otherwise it will make the rotting process progress a lot faster. My wounds won’t heal either; most undead can regenerate, but not at this level.

I also need to constantly leak arcane force into the body. Before the pact, I was doing it subconsciously. But now that I have higher control over my power I stopped it; trying to see what would happen and in cause it almost made me fall over and die. Permanently.

Even thought this body no longer needs sleep; now I have to do it a lot more, my pact will only send me the juice which I need to sustain it when I do, and I have a limit of how much I can store at a time.

So avoiding the use of magic would be ideal.

I can think of a few solutions to this current dilemma.

One would be the most obvious, advancing in my undead rank; becoming a wight or maybe a lich.

The more powerful I would become the less these current problem would bother me, but honestly I’m not into being permanently rotting, a freak or desperate.

And undead are… Indeed foul and meagre creatures.

The second option would be to restore this body’s life force. That would be a real botheration, I would need a lot of resource that are unlikely to exist in this world… a big ritual and a lot of sacrifices to harvest life-force, and that would mean having the means to actually do it.

I can’t bother Seth to go on a never ending errand run. He clearly has enough problems to deal with instead of wasting time babysitting me.

And the third one, the one I will provably go for.

Body swapping. An heinous art and outright forgiven in pretty much all of the existence, it has many disadvantages. Like losing all the power and nurture that I would have gathered into the previous body; and it would also cause a certain degree of damage to the soul, it would also take decades to get used to the new body.

The success rate is very low; leading to death, even final death is possible with these methods.

Death would lose its job in case body swapping became mainstream; or not… someone would have to always die.

But it’s not like swapping shoes.

Many who are desperate for immortality practice this art. Either by not being able to expand their lifespan or by just being rich and crazy enough to not bother with the losses.

As for me; well I happen to have an ace in my sleeve. Back in my castle at hell, the one were Seth used to serve; this particular storeroom where I keep a good chunk of the treasures I gathered and pretty much hoarded random crap; there was something I nabbed during my time in heaven.

A forgiven relic.

These are something that the highest entity in existence… That wretched creator banned. He would gather them and lock them away in a forgotten realm inside his residence. I managed to sneak into there once.

Stealing would be impossible. He made sure of that, but I had tricks that even the almighty wretch couldn’t anticipate. An only use treasure painstakingly invented and created by none other than me back when I was on the road of my pursuit of power; and in defiance of the laws that he had set for the universe.

It’s an one use item. It looks like a fork made of ash; once one stabs it to another object, no matter how powerful or how mundane it was, it would become an exact replica of it.

I invaded that forgiven dimension and ended up stabbing one of the forgiven relics at random. Circumstance back then led time to be short; before getting caught I had no rime to test the hundreds of random heaven defying treasures.

And so, I left it to luck.

Later on; he ended up filling the vault with mundane objects among the relics in way to counter my method. Making the endeavour completely not worth the risk; i would be more likely to stab my fork on a mundane chair than one of the unassuming heaven defying artefacts.

Yes, some of them looked like chairs. Pillows, and such; yet it did not make their powers any less terrifying.

I did spend a good amount of time trying to figure out what that copy that I obtained could do, without wasting it. And well… I managed.

To my despondency, it was just a body swapping tool. Pretty much useless to the me from back then, who was pretty much a perfect being. I ended up just stored it away in some vault inside one of my castles.

And now, thanks to circumstance… I found a use for it, coincidently I even contacted Seth who was at the right place.

I just need to put up with this putrid body long enough for him to send over my dimensional pocket with it inside. And then find a suitable host for my good self.

That’s my current goal. Let’s plan ahead for my convenience so I don’t have to go around stinking wearing this fool’s rotting body for much longer than I need.

I looked around.

Having spent a good amount of time staring into the atmosphere with the most random expressions; I was starting to draw attention from my fellow sorcerers.

Time to get up and meet people, find a good candidate.

But first I am heading to the library, I need to check how much this mirror ‘world’ actually resembles Earth.

That meant studying some of the local history and maybe geography… some terribly beguiling matters of course.

I noticed a short younger boy, maybe fourteen or fifteen? His hair was light brown and he wore a grey robe and was holding a big book between his arms, i rushed over to his side and stared at him.

“Hmm… Excuse me, Adam, sir… Is… Is… There something I can help you with?” He spoke to me awkwardly, it seems this boy is shy or maybe he is just scared. I did cultivate a fine reputation these last two days.

“Show me the way to the library.” I commanded.

“Ma… Ma… Master Adam, your excellency does not know the way to our library?” He asked, stuttering and clearly confused.

“Of course I do! …I just forgot. Now do as I say!” I replied, It wasn’t a lie. Sort of.

“Of…Of Course Sir! I was in my way there!” He immediately answered and started walking at a fast pace.

I followed closely behind and glanced at the boy. Small; and with the shakes. I could see many bruises in his hands and one in his neck, provably he is covered in them.

The most likely cause seems to be bullying, a common occurrence in social circles of the young. Amidst evil priests I suppose that a little prey on the weak isn’t much of a big deal, and the senior members don’t bother to regulate it either.

And it’s alright. The way I see it, the suffering will either make him stronger or get him killed; culling the weak from our midst. But in the future it may cause many problems; like… low loyalty and a waste of manpower in acts such as revenge, in the end of the day it would not be worth to nurture such behaviours.

I followed the boy into the prayer halls.

There were many tall pillars of polished granite spread around like trees from the smooth and polished stone floor, reaching all the way up and disappearing into the shadows of an high vault above. A faint glow of light streamed through several large rose windows, highlighting the intricate stone carvings that decorated the sides of the pillars. A few other priestly sorcerers wandered the halls, quietly muttering their prayers and performing some ritual. The only sound that could be heard was a soft echo of the chanting, and the shuffling of feet as they paced across the cold and solid stone floor.

Most of them were older members that recognized me and nodded towards me. Other younger lads looked at the boy that I was hanging out with some expression or other.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

He guided me towards a corridor in the side that led to a staircase that went underground.

This old staircase that lead further into the darkness was lit only by dim oil lanterns was crumbling and somewhat decrepit, the its ancient stone was cracked and loose. It seemed that it had much use and hardly any maintenance. This ancient stone was stained dirty and grey, the walls too worn to tell any of the history that may have once been written upon them. At the base of the stairs laid an old oak door, its hinges rusted with decay.

The boy knocked on the door casually.

“Who goes there?” A slide on the door opened and an angry old voice came out.

“It’s me, acolyte Torin. Here to deliver a borrowed book to the library by my master, lord Edwyn’s biding.” The boy answered.

“Again? Ed should come down more often. We do miss him… Only masters are allowed entry inside the third floor.” The guard said as he opened the door with a loud bang. “You are lucky that you work in the library… still I’m not allowed to let you pass when you are off duty.”

He was an old man with a bald spotted head and long gray hair in the sides. He was also hunched and smelt of piss.

He looked at me.

I looked at him.

“Acolyte Adam! What a… surprise to see you! Coming here from your own volition, and not being dragged. I heard that you finally got out of your shell!” He talked... To me.

“Move out of my way before I crack yours fool.” I stepped inside right in front of him staring down at his bald spotted head. I was taller.

“Haa…” The old man moved. “I see you really did, don’t let me keep you, on you go. Your lord father is in his personal chamber if that’s what you are looking for.” He said as he grinded his teeth.

I detest porters, telling me where I can and cannot go…

We walked into a long corridor, A long black carpet with engraved flowers extended on ahead, at the sides there were many doors as it went on and on; as we walked in the same grey stone floor and dark walls. This place was also lit only by oil lanterns same as the entrance, there was a great many of them.

There were many more of the same fashioned oak doors from the entrance. As the corridor went on and took its turns, the only differences were the wooden plaques that indicated what was behind each door.

Like one that read ‘Master Coleman’s Chambers’ or the one in the entrance that wrote ‘Portman’s Station’ and ‘Laboratorium’.

I noticed a couple of familiar gazes at my back.

Soon we reached the one that said ‘Library’. I had counted hundreds of doors as we walked.

Funnily enough, not far from the library’s entrance was one of these plaques that read ‘Grand Master’s Chamber.’ and another just below ‘Strictly prohibited to anyone other than Grand Master himself.’

It seems he does enjoy his privacy.

Torin noticed that I was looking towards my father’s chamber and spoke. “Are you planning to go see your father Adam, sir?” He asked, no hesitation in his voice.

“Maybe later. Why do you ask?” I inquired.

“Well… Grand Master Daryle is well, I look up to him a great deal. He is a legend in his own right some even say that he matches Eryzirity herself in the arts. You know the lady creator of our group. I… I saw him only once… from afar. He has been sequestering himself in his chamber so much these last few years. I wonder what is going on with him.” The boy spoke as we entered the library, he had such a great deal of enthusiasm and some worry in his voice.

“He had told me that he had been in the middle of some important research last I saw him.” I muttered loud enough to be heard as I moved my head around taking in the library.

This library is indeed massive! easily a few stories high; i couldn’t believe that we were already so deep in the underground, they were filled from top to bottom with towering rows of bookshelves. The space Is actually quite quiet and dim, a strange green hue pours from the ceiling to illuminate the whole area, creating a ghostly feeling to the space.

The air feels strangely dusty, even more so considering the lack of light to collect dust. There is a strange sense of loneliness to the place, as if we were completely alone in the entire library even though there were many masters and acolytes going on about their business.

Yet even still, the silence is deafening, as if the entire area was watching our every move.

I figured out the power ranking of this cult. At lowest we have the novices; who well… are just kids being inducted and trained into the order.

Then come the apprentices or acolytes; kids that had passed some kind of test and were starting into the path of the sorcerers like Tobin here.

Finally we had the masters, who were mostly the older members all above their thirties and that mean grit about them. Like people who had killed, a lot. Maria was a master somehow; but she doesn’t seem to be the kind to go on about killing.

And of course the Grand Master.

Tobin went over to the reception were a middle aged woman wearing the black master’s robes and a pin of a book in her chest was standing, he delivered the book that he was holding and came back to my side.

“Adam sir, we are here in the library! I spend most of my time here, studying and reading. What kind of book are you looking for? I can help!” He said enthusiastically.

“Tobin, dear boy. Tell me about this library, like what sort of books it holds; and for how long has it been around.” I asked with curiosity, maybe I won’t have to check out the city. This place does seem to possess a lot of knowledge such as the records from the older times.

I’m sure there are some answers somewhere; like where the fuck in this shitty world a place with good attunement could be found.

“Sir… You wound me, it’s not Tobin, it’s Torin!” The boy muttered. “Well there are books about history, magic, many maps, even biography from sorcerers that came before us and if you care to look you might even come across old newspapers and comic books from the outside world. I mean… the one outside the monastery not the huh…” He explained.

“I see.” I answered him as I opened a odd yellow book I picked up from a shelf nearby.

I read one of its parts aloud, so Robin could hear.

“If you lie to me I will slay you with my sword, if you tell me the truth, I will slay you with a spell.- What must you say to stay alive?” I asked him.

He shivered, but then he realized what I was doing and pouted for a while.

“You will slay me with a sword.” He did take a few moments to think, but finally answered.

I re-read the riddle. And decided to give it some thought.

“Good answer. You are not as dumb as you look.” I returned the book to its shelf.

“Thank you Adam sir!” He immediately answered.

“How long has this years has this library been around?” I asked as I closed the book and gently placed it back.

The boy looked around confused. “The library has existed since the creation of our monastery I think. About… Six hundred years ago? I’m not sure.”

“That long… huh.” I walked ahead and took a seat at a table nearby.

“Go fetch me a map of the world; the more recent the better, and a history book that dates back to the earliest times. Take your time, make sure you find the right ones.” I ordered the boy as I laid my head on the table, for a little nap.

I hadn’t had much sleep tonight.

“Right away sir!” He walked off somewhere.

—-

Maria’s FOV

A couple hours earlier.

“No need. Take the day off, like I said I have things to do and I would rather be alone.” He said as he walked off on us.

I have been tasked with keeping an eye on him, and that’s what I intend to do. But after he just revealed earlier, I can’t help but to feel apprehensive. He is dangerous, more dangerous than anything I ever faced.

Possibly even more than father.

I should hold my tongue more often around him. Still, he is clearly a threat to our order; a threat to our home.

Ruth was sitting by my side as we broke our fast together, should I tell her? No… She was very attached to the old Adam, she wouldn’t believe me easily; and the threat he made earlier!?

I shivered at the thought, the one of having a devil who had an archdevil as a slave as my enemy. I should be grateful and just accept the power he granted me, it’s not like I can stand against him.

No… don’t be Maria. You can’t think like this, you know that often the things that cost us more are the ones that were granted to us for free. Father taught you that, and you know best than to ignore his teachings.

While I was spacing out; going through the thoughts in my head. Ruth got up and started walking off.

Without saying a word to me! Sometimes I think she really dislikes me.

Wait… she can’t say anything. Often I forget that.

I rushed over to her side, someone later would clean the table.

“Hey Ruth.” I taped her shoulder as soon as I caught up.

She looked up to me, narrowing her eyes.

“I want to test the new patron, you up for a spar like the old times? We haven’t done so since before I became a master. What do you say?” I asked her.

She looked around seemingly confused but eventually nodded.

We walked together the way to the training grounds, underground.

We used to spare all the time there when we were both younger. Sure we had that age gap, I’m in my one and twenty and her in her ten and seven.

Everyone recognized me as a genius when I became the youngest master over the last century, just last year, most people would only get there when they reached their thirties if they lived long enough. They told me I had talent, that I would accomplish great things, it is fate.

Bullshit.

I got there thanks to nepotism, I recognize that. And thanks to the superior patron that father gave me; while others crawled around in the dirt I got to enjoy learning magic.

I also realise that all my hard work , those sleepless nights reading my tomes amounted to nothing… nothing really. I’m a fool and I never learn.

All these others here would be better than me in everything. I would be like the ones who die in the test to become apprentices if father hadn’t held my hand back then.

Ruth on the other hand. She is the real thing, I have never beaten her in anything. Magic? She is the one I reach for when I hit a wall. Alchemy? Hers are the book I borrow. She is almost half a decade younger than me! How can she be so much better like this?

She is the genius, yet they all believe I am the one. Since I became a master we stopped sparring, I had so much to do since then, duties to attend to. I haven’t had much time really.

I hope she doesn’t resent me for it.

But now with our new patron we are both clueless in what we are capable off, I can do this. This time I will find out what I am actually capable of.

We walked out of the cantina together; into the garden at the centre. At the sides there was the rustic stone hallways were others made their way to their duties.

I breathed in glancing around this old place where I pretty much grew up, playing with my brothers. There was always an air of mystery and intrigue here, hanging about the monastery garden. Its shadowy corners always whispering secrets of hidden pasts.

The thick bushes and tall trees reaching into the air, their leaves casting swirling shadows across the paved paths that twisted and turned through the now overgrown foliage.

The old keeper of the garden passed; now a few months back and the foliage is starting to grow out of the control. Maybe I should start tending to it… or maybe ask father to appoint a new one.

No… He has been too much busy these last few years, bothering him with such trivialities… wouldn't be such good idea.

At the heart of the garden, an old stone statue of a crow stood sentry; its features shrouded in gloom and its presence a mute reminder of the secrets hidden within the monastery’s walls.

I remember back when i was seven, Rob and Dough taught me to climb it. We played make believe that we were pirates. Like in the story books that the master that was in charge of taking care of us had sneaked out of the library to read us to bed.

A few years later in turn I taught and played with Adam and Ruth too.

Those days now feel like a lifetime ago. Another world…

Ruth got lost in her studies, Adam became a creep that rarely came out of his room. Rob and Dough turned into jerks and once I grew up past… they started taking advantage of… I don’t want to think about it. Those times are past, and once father found out they were punished. Never again.

We all grew so far apart. The others in the monastery are either afraid of us because of our father or have malicious ambitions in their minds.

It hurts. Being surrounded by people and yet. Feeling such loneliness all the time. I started isolating myself too.

Only being with her sometimes. The one secret…

Adam yesterday came out of his shell. I thought Rob and Dough had killed him but he came back to us. But it was not him, some wicked creature in his place. Yet I didn’t knew.

He brought Ruth along we went to town. Something I always wanted to do, we met people… and it was… such genuine fun.

And now that I know what he is… And Ruth doesn’t. I’m afraid.

I am so afraid.

We won’t have a happy ending. I know that. With devils there are never happy endings.

My trial to become a master taught me that.

I killed her; It was my choice.

We entered the underground complex. As we went down, suddenly as we went down the stairs we spotted him.

Adam. He was threatening the poor porter, I hid in the shadow along with Ruth. She made a puzzled face but didn’t stop me. I wonder what he is up to.

Is that Torbin by his side? A sharp boy with a sharper tongue. He often got in trouble from what I had heard. He was one of my brother’s Rob and Dough favourite victims those two scum.

They walked in. That’s were the true cult was, only the ones who were officially tested and accepted could enter this place. Only masters, it was the truth of our home and our secrets. Everything above ground was just a farce to show to the outside world.

They granted me a room down here. Which I refused, id rather sleep without the sound of the screams caused… by well the nature of our work; I kept my old surface room. One down here; the third floor of the ‘underdimension’ was exclusive to masters like me; for a fee. And on the second floor only acolytes could have rooms.

Adam wasn’t really allowed down here… Is he using Torbin to pass? Clever…

We followed them through the corridors. They were heading towards father’s room? Maybe the library?

I immediately knew that Adam had noticed us. But he didn’t react, clearly uninterested. Eventually we reached where the training grounds were.

Ruth tugged at me. She wasn’t interested in stalking Adam. She didn’t knew who he was, the danger he posed after all.

I entered along with her. I promised a spar after all.