Chapter 34- A dangerous Proposition

The sun had set, and the forest was now home to the predators of the night. The darkness beneath the trees held promises of death and the sound of the wind whistling through the leaves was the sombre song of the final sleep.

A wolf howled, signalling the start of its hunt and an owl screeched as it took flight. The forest had awoken, and the flurry of activity was visible for all to see if only one had the eyes to spot the signs of life.

But one fact rang true for all the denizens of this place.

There was one place that they all avoided. A beautiful clearing beside a lake that reflected moonlight. One that had become the grave of so many animals, thirsty for a drink of water.

It wasn't the pungent odour of carcasses that warned them off though. No, it was something so much worse. All the animals could feel it. Smell the sense of wrongness that permeated the filthy air there.

They could smell the Shadow…

~Arthur Ward~

Arthur was silent for a long moment, contemplating the questions that Mira had asked him. She stood there in the moonlight, content to simply wait for his answers if and when he finally gave them.

Arthur instead asked a question of his own. “What do you mean what am I?”

“I'm human of course,” Arthur said, surprised she had asked him something so strange. Well, I am still human, aren’t I? Unless that half-breed title is literal. Mira just chuckled before replying.

“You could’ve fooled me. What else explains that dark aura you always give off.”

Not for the first time since this conversation began, Arthur was stumped. He had no idea what she was talking about.

“Aura, what do you mean aura? What the hell is that even?”

Mira inhaled sharply in surprise.

He didn't know what she was talking about. Was he lying or just genuinely stupid?

“I'm talking about that feeling or pressure you sometimes sense surrounding beasts when they’re really strong. You’ve probably never met a human strong enough to give it off, yet. And those that can generally hold a tight leash around it.”

"It's the polite thing to do."

Arthur was getting more and more confused by the minute. He still had no idea what Mira was talking about. Except you do, his inner voice nagged him, but he quickly silenced it. He'd have been blind and deaf to have not overheard all the rumours circulating around the hospital staff. Nonetheless, he doubled down with his apparent ignorance.

“Okay, now you’re just messing with me. I’ve never felt anything like that before, not even when I faced a Rodent King twice my level…”

Arthur trailed off as he recalled the oppressive feeling he’d felt when facing the shadow panther before he’d unlocked the system. It was something he would never forget, the sense of nihilistic despair, something forever engraved onto his status page. That’s what she’s talking about, isn’t it? And I must have absorbed a portion of it with the monster core.

“Nevermind,” Mira replied, shaking her head in exasperation.

She doesn't believe me.

“It doesn't really matter anyway. All I can tell you is that you’re supposed to be much, much stronger than level 39 before having an aura of your own. At least a level of 100, 80 if you’re special.”

Mira stopped talking for a moment, carefully considering how best to ask her next question. She needed to appeal to his emotions.

“Arthur, I know you have a lot of secrets, and you have every right to keep them to yourself. God knows I've got enough of my own, but if we’re going to have any hope of working together, and I hope we will, you’ll have to tell me how you’re so strong. At least something.”

She hesitated for a moment, afraid she’d said too much, genuine desperation leaking into her next words.

“Please. I need to know exactly what you're capable of if we’re going to try and do what I have planned. I'm ready to take a system oath.”

Arthur hesitated for a moment when he saw how earnest the young woman was. He didn't feel like Mira was lying, and if she was being truthful about the fact that she really would die in a month if Arthur didn't help her, he wasn’t sure how he’d be able to live with himself if he turned her away.

Or just fuck it, compartmentalise the useless guilt and forget about her. Like all the other questionable things in my life. And I owe this woman nothing.

The prospect of learning alchemy was certainly enticing.

System User Mira has offered you an oath of Non-Disclosure. She states that she will not reveal the contents of this conversation to a third party via speech, telepathy, writing, indication or otherwise. The penalties of standard Non-Disclosure pacts apply.

Penalty: If broken, Host Mira offers up 75% of her Ether reserves and Ether regeneration to be syphoned off as system property for the next twenty years. This penalty cannot be appealed until a probationary period of six system months elapses {198 days}.

Do you Agree?

YES

NO

Arthur quickly read through the system prompt and whistled. That was one harsh penalty. Arthur mentally noted the duration of a system month. Thirty-three Earth days. Mira was sounding more and more persuasive by the minute. Whilst Arthur didn't like the poison-mage, he didn't despise the woman to the extent that he wished death upon her. That didn't mean he was ready to throw caution to the wind though.

"You've given me no reason to trust you and even less to help you solve your problems. I can't help but note your casual disregard for human life either. You don't seem to care either that you killed all the humans of your tutorial. I'm no saint, but there are lines that I don't cross."

Arthur carefully observed Mira's reaction to his words. Would she try to defend herself? Gaslight him or not care at all.

"Okay, I went about this the wrong way." Mira sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose as if warding off a headache.

"I thought appealing to your emotions would work but I was wrong. You're a bastard. Like me." She smiled. "Let me put all my cards on the table. Hopefully, it'll clear up the air. and make your decisions easier."

"My tutorial genocide. Would you believe me if I said I had no choice in the matter? I don't think you would. Your impressions of me are pretty damn bad, my fault, I admit, but it means you expect the worse of me."

"Affinities are manifested based on a number of factors, primarily amongst them an individual's natural disposition. Whilst no affinity is inherently evil, poison mages aren't exactly paragons of virtue." Her voice was getting louder, spite leaking into her words. "Imagine a tutorial filled with them. Politicians. Criminals. Sociopaths. The only reason I wasn't fucked like the rest of them was because of my third affinity. Dominion"

"I didn't kill everyone. I put down the slaves of one man. It was madness. Insanity. They were dead already. They just didn't know it yet."

Mira took deep breaths, trying to calm herself down, in and out, in and out, until her complexion returned to its usual healthy glow. Arthur didn't say anything.

"Fuck, I don't know why I'm even trying to explain myself to you. Let me get to the point. I act like an airheaded bitch because it's one of the easiest ways to level my dominion skill. I need your help but I can't trust you just as you can't trust me. That doesn't matter so much. You need me just as much as I need you and you don't even know it."

"What do you mean?"

Mira laughed mirthlessly.

"You value your freedom, don't you? You won't tell me but I figure it's why you left the hospital, right? Julia finally pushed too hard, the idiot. This isn't about her though, or even anyone on Earth for that matter."

"You see, our world falls into vassal status by virtue of our location and tier. We're subordinates to the nearest tier 2 planet. What you probably don't know, is that our level one system integration access comes booby-trapped with a compulsion of obedience. Only enforceable by certain nobles of tier three and four worlds, fair enough, but you're still a slave nonetheless. Arthur, you're a puppet with a master that's looking away right now, but they'll pay attention one day. And then you'll dance to their tune."

Arthur felt a yawning chasm open up in his chest as he felt the truth in her words. He didn't know why, but he somehow knew Mira was speaking the truth right now. It's my soul affinity, isn't it? I can feel the chains on my soul. Is that why the skills not working? Is the compulsion preventing me from progressing?

Mira smirked.

"Doesn't feel nice, does it? The realisation that you're on a leash. But there's no reason to panic. The solution to your problem is very simple. Easy actually and I have it in my hands. You just need to get level two system access. The compulsion is no insidious plot that's hidden in the wider universe. The whole world will know of it soon and most will never feel its effects in their entire lives."

"With the weird stench of monster cores on you, however, that's a different story. Obtaining that level 2 freedom will be easier said than done. So how about it Arthur? Looks like you need me just as much as I need you. I'm not asking for much Arthur. Level 2 access means nothing to me but everything to you. How about it? Not a friendship but a partnership. I scratch your back and you scratch mine. Heck, I'll even throw in some potions that'll help get the monster stink off you."

Arthur was left reeling from the deluge of revelations Mira had dumped on him. A slave? No, the compulsion sounds more like a knight of old, tied down to a noble house as a loyal servant, only called upon during times of need. Except I'm the equivalent of a supersoldier. But still, can I trust her?

Taking a leap of faith, he came to a decision. She had been honest with him, and he would reciprocate the favour. He couldn’t keep hiding his abilities forever, now could he; and more importantly, he didn’t want to. They would see the light of day sooner or later and he wanted to be free from any bondage by then. His secrets were starting to weigh down on him and he needed information from a reliable source. That would be Mira.

And the agreement means she won't be so ready to stab me in the back. I'm pretty sure she wants to stay off the radar with her three affinities as well.

Most importantly, the alchemy skill was very appealing.

You have accepted System user: Mira's oath.

Henceforth, everything discussed is protected under this oath.

Arthur got straight to the point.

“I have 4 affinities.”

Silence greeted his statement, a reaction in and of itself. Mira just stood there, stunned as she had been many times since meeting the strange man. She’d come up with a whole host of reasons to explain his strength, from a powerful fruit he might have ingested in the tutorial, to a rare artefact he'd been gifted.

Never in her wildest dreams did she think he’d have four affinities.

The notion was simply absurd.

It grew exponentially rarer to awaken with more than a single affinity with the difference between two and three being one in fifty-seven to the minuscule one in two million chance of awakening with three affinities. Recalling the numbers she’d learned from the booklet she’d received during the tutorial she realised Arthur was probably the only quadra affinity human on the planet.

Mira highly doubted there was another when the chance was one in six billion. It seemed she was extremely lucky to have come across perhaps one of the few people who could help her in the entire world. Kazi Alukai probably, no definitely could, but she highly doubted that he’d make the time to even listen to her plea for assistance.

Trying to get her racing heartbeat under control, Mira finally managed to speak. She gulped nervously. This conversation was not following the script she’d expected.

“Okay, do you mind telling me what they are? I promise I won't disclose your information to anyone no matter the circumstances.”

Mira actually meant that; far more than any system penalty could compel her. As a quadra affinity mage, Arthur was someone she wanted as an ally in the future, and she wouldn't sell him out for anything that could be gained on Earth.

After all, it was just a newly evolved backwater planet, and the quadra-affinity mage was most certainly someone who would be leaving the place soon. It was only a matter of time before the tier-1 planet became too small to host him.

She just hoped that when he did, he wouldn't forget about her and still stay in contact. No, she’d make sure he did.

Arthur hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

“You already know about my healing and water right? My third affinity is shadow magic.''

As he said the last statement, he used a little ether to make his shadow move to prove his point.

“My last affinity is one that I can't use yet, so I don't think there’s any point in telling you about it. It won't be of any use in achieving your goal, whatever that is, so I’ll keep that information to myself.”

Arthur wasn't quite prepared to disclose his soul affinity. Something told him that it was quite a bit rarer than his other magics. After all, it was the main reason why he was forced to remain on Earth when everyone had gone to the tutorial and the main reason Rufeus had shown an interest in him.

Mira was already shocked that he was a quadra-affinity mage. Telling her of his last one might just give her a heart attack. And it might persuade her to turn on me, consequences be damned.

“What the fuck!” Mira exclaimed.

“You're a goddamn shadow mage. Do you even know how rare that is?”

How the hell was he so lucky? Someone with a healing affinity should never have gotten shadow magic. It was like mixing oil and water. The prerequisites required to unlock one directly opposed the tenants of the other. You'd need two souls or something to do it.

She wasn’t far from the truth, and if Arthur had known what she was thinking, he’d be far more nervous than he was now.

These thoughts flitted through her head as Mira thanked any God that might exist that she was fortunate enough to even meet with Arthur. He was a literal goldmine.

She briefly wondered which Academy he was invited to. The monster who'd given her a spot had told her that there was another promising candidate he’d managed to locate in another tutorial.

Mira was wondering if that other candidate was Arthur. She hadn’t heard of many other promising individuals in America besides the man in front of her, and she doubted everyone would keep their abilities quiet as he had done. No, it’d be better if that man didn’t find him. Who knew what he’d do? She couldn’t help but wish that he was the mentioned individual though. She wasn’t sure if she’d survive another meeting with that man alone.

Curious and hopeful, Mira asked the question on her mind.

“Arthur, if you don’t mind me asking, can you please tell me what institute you’ll be going to after you leave Earth?”

Arthur, she observed, looked a little sheepish for some reason when asked the question and he scratched his head. She’d come to learn during the past week that it was a bad habit the young man displayed whenever he was unsure of himself.

Arthur eventually answered.

“Well, I’ve not really decided yet.”

Mira blinked in surprise. She’d been so naive. Of course, someone like Arthur would receive multiple offers. After all, he had the potential to become an absolute monster. Any magical association would want to get their hands on him before he could stand on his own two feet.

Mira felt the small bud of hope bloom in her chest, as she made a decision. She’d do everything she could to persuade Arthur to come to her new academy with her if it was the last thing she did. It was the best institute for light years around, after all, even if it did have a sketchy history.

Mira steeled herself.

She needed Arthur with her the next time she met Rakesh.

“So, Arthur, do you mind telling me which offers you received in the tutorial? Maybe you’ll be able to come to the same school I’ll be going to.”

Arthur’s eyes widened in surprise before immediately narrowing in caution. He was entering dangerous territory here.

Arthur quickly ran several scenarios through his head. So far, he’d told no one about the fact that he’d not been in the tutorial. He didn’t know exactly how strange an anomaly like himself was, and he didn’t want to put anyone in jeopardy, most of all himself, just because he couldn’t keep his mouth shut.

But here was someone who needed his help just to survive till the end of the month. An individual who had a wealth of information and experience that he could get access to if he played his cards right. He’d already told her so much already. One more secret wouldn’t be the end of the world.

Would it?

At least he hoped so. Arthur took a deep breath. He could very well be making one of the biggest mistakes of his life, but his gut was telling him he needed Mira as an ally. And we need trust for that.

“Well, the thing is… “

“I didn’t actually go to the tutorial.” He finished quietly.

Mira just stared at him before exploding into laughter. When Arthur didn’t join in, she realised something was wrong.

“Wait, you’re- you’re actually being serious, aren’t you,” she exclaimed.

Arthur nodded his head gravely in assent.

“Then- then where the hell did you go when everyone was gone?” Mira asked incredulously.

Arthur took a deep steadying breath and prepared himself, hoping that he hadn’t just fucked up by trusting Mira. Hopefully, the penalty keeps her honest.

He began to tell his story.

~Mira~

“So let me get this straight,” Mira asked.

“You died when the system came because your teleport was delayed and the system revived you to make up for its error.”

She frankly didn’t even believe the words she was saying, even as they came out of her mouth. What Arthur had just told her had to be the most unlikely series of events in the history of Earth, no, the galaxy.

Every single thing just went exactly right so that Arthur could somehow gain an extra boost before even levelling up, she thought to herself.

It was almost too perfect, almost as if someone had orchestrated the whole thing, except she knew deep down that the exact same sequence of events could have occurred without anyone's intervention.

And it somehow fucking did.

Chance was a fickle mistress, and it seemed she had favoured a boy named Arthur Ward.

The most important thing to Mira however, was the fact that no tutorial meant that Arthur had been offered no scholarships or apprenticeships whatsoever. He was up for grabs and Mira was determined to get him to go to the same school as her. She needed him.

Still, all of that could wait for later. None of this would matter if she couldn't survive the month and establish a friendship with him.

“So, I’ve been doing most of the speaking here.” He said.

“I think it's about to tell me what you meant when you said you were going to die soon.”

Mira sighed as she was reminded of her impending doom.

“I meant what I said. I really am going to die in a month, probably sooner if I can't do something about my situation.” She answered truthfully. Maybe my token would save me, but I don't think I'd survive its magic.

She had fucked up hard after the tutorial, getting too greedy as she reached for the skies before her wings had even grown. It didn't need to be said that she’d fallen to the ground and she’d crashed hard, almost destroying herself completely. And that was without even really taking off.

Even as she stood there, she could feel her body deteriorating, the cells in her muscles dying and being repaired in a perpetual cycle of growth and decay as her health regeneration tried to combat the poison in her system. A cycle that the side of life was slowly losing.

“You see, I received a special fruit from a powerful man during the tutorial. It's the reason why I was able to evolve to rank F so quickly.”

Arthur nodded his head at Mira's words. He was familiar with evolution after his conversation with Elizabeth last week. He didn't see how that was related to Mira’s imminent death, though.

If such fruit had side effects, Elizabeth hadn’t mentioned them.

Mira noticed the confusion on his face and began to explain. “The thing is, I got too greedy,” she began.

“I already told you that I’m a poison alchemist right?”

Arthur nodded his head. She continued her explanation.

“Well you see, instead of just consuming the fruit like I was supposed to, I used it to create an alchemical elixir to increase its already potent effects.”

Arthur was familiar with the sin of avarice. If he’d been in her position, he might have tried to do something similar.

“My elixir worked,” Mira said, ”Almost too well to be honest.”

“The magical energies it contained were too powerful for my body to handle. I wanted to use the evolution to improve my poison affinity and I was successful. Except I poisoned myself in the process."

"Badly.”

Arthur had followed the conversation with rapt attention, but he didn't see how he could really help the woman. He didn’t think he could heal something like that, at least not at his skill level.

“So, what can I do to even help you? My healing is pretty good but I don't think I can heal what's wrong with your body. It sounds way too advanced.”

Arthur spoke slowly, hoping he wouldn't upset the woman. To answer his uncertainties, Mira pulled out an elixir from her backpack and let Arthur identify it.

Unstable elixir of growth (Rare) - An elixir that upon consumption will triple an individual's level.

Side effects:

The consumer will die within a short span of time.

The resulting strength will be extremely weak (Estimated 29%)

2.5% survival chance

“I need the blood of a level 200 monster,” Mira said.

“This elixir will make me one.”

“I just need you to help me kill it.”