Jack laughed out loud when he felt the weight leave his mind; his obligation was fulfilled. He had a hunch when he first felt the influence as he was preparing his answer. He remembered that Rummi had told him that it was the Origin itself that enforced agreements like the one he had made.

  That clicked in his mind with something Turrel had said when he was struggling with learning the growth ability. He had said that the purpose part of using an ability was linked to the user's perceptions. He had a hunch that the enforcement of the ‘honest’ part would work the same.

  He was very lucky with the question Brandt had asked, likely intentionally. It gave him a lot of wriggle room in which to figure out how this might work. He was beginning to wonder if he gave off injured puppy vibes; even subtly, it seemed everyone he interacted with ended up trying to teach him something.

  In the end, he simply had to flip his way of thinking slightly. He had always assumed he was an unlucky person. When things went wrong for him, they never did so alone; one thing spiraled into two and then two into four. Here though, if you ignored the fact that he almost died the first few times he was exposed to mana, everything since that point had been a series of fortunate events.

  Once he entertained that thought, he tested the words in his mind, and feeling no objection, he spoke.

  Brandt’s smile at Jack’s amusement, however, was thin and forced. Jack reined it in quickly.

  “Sorry, I was just testing a theory. I did plan to say more; I do actually want the third answer if I haven't offended you,” Jack asked tentatively.

  Brandt squinted slightly and, tilting his head, motioned for Jack to continue. Knowing he was on thin ice, he decided to share something he thought might justify his current position.

  “Okay, so yes, luck. But more specifically I am here before my planet has started their induction. About two years early I believe. I also have a prime frequency for amplification.” Jack turned and nodded at Turrel and Monty who were watching him with rapt attention.

  “I was lucky that these two decided to get involved and came up with a plan to help me get through the test without dying. We don’t need detail but my luck struck again during my induction to the Origin. Monty decided to ease my pain a bit and did his little magic healing thing,” Jack pointed at Brandt's newly healed finger as he spoke.

  “Then I guess, lucky timing and a combination of my amplification all combined to push me through a little further than expected…” Jack paused for dramatic effect. He even tentatively glanced over at the two men behind him, hoping to sell this part by adding their stress to the situation to add credibility.

  He knew that technically he didn't have to tell the Overseer anything now; he was out of the deal. The problem was, well, they were in his home and needed his help still. Jack also liked the idea of having friends in high places.

  He knew if he wanted to convince him that what he said was everything, he had to tell something that was true. He had some truth sensing ability supposedly. It also had to be big enough that it would be a reason for his special treatment. It seemed like a big deal to Monty, so he hoped it would suffice here.

  “I don’t know how to explain it fully, but I skipped Tier 0. Straight to Tier 1 with the extra body modification. We tested and I only required one shard to progress to Tier 2.” Jack was watching closely as he spoke. The first part got a slight head tilt, the second had eyes wide.

  Brandt's hand shot out and gripped Jack's shoulder, pulling him forward while Brandt himself hunched to meet Jack's eye level. He stared at Jack, not speaking, not moving. Looking as if he was inspecting something inside him.

  Abruptly he was released as Brandt smoothed his clothes and sat back on the couch again while stroking his chin. Looking past Jack, he stared at Monty and a smile tugged at the edges of his mouth.

  “Hmm, I see. I assume with your lack of knowledge you don’t fully grasp what that means. This all got much more interesting. I have changed my assessment of you, Jack; you have potential, and I mean in the political sense and now power.” He winked at Jack as he said it; more so than anything else so far, that motion put Jack off balance.

  “I could be wrong here, but whatever it is you were trying to mask by throwing that little piece of information out… it is probably less important than what you just shared. Either way, I will let your mentors explain why you should keep that secret at a later date. For now, this itch is frustrating me so let us get your question answered.”

  Brandt paused as he contemplated.

  “So you truthfully have no desire to return to your planet? My advice will be different depending on if you do or not. Do you not have any family? No lovers or wives to return to?” Brandt asked.

  Jack shook his head.

  “Honestly, here or there doesn't matter much to me. I assume I will likely be able to find a way home occasionally no matter what I do if I need to see family. I enjoy my solitude and I didn’t really like my job anyway. It’s a big universe, so maybe no?” Jack thought out loud.

  “Are you sure Jack? I mean with the advantages you have right now, you will be able to go back and be almost untouchable. Do you not desire a little of that power? That prestige and attention alone. It is unfathomable to me… Truly you simply want to hide away and live in peace and solitude?” The Overseer asked incredulously, as if Jack was insulting him by merely suggesting it.

  Chuckling a little, Jack replied.

  “That would be the last thing I would ever want. I don’t want attention or any sort of expectation. Honestly, talking more with Turrel, I would love to just live alone and quietly. Learning new skills and how things work until I get bored or die,” Jack said with a shrug.

  “Are there not even any enemies you want to crush? No one who slighted you growing up?” Shaking his head, Brandt collected himself.

  “Fine, I do not understand it. But if that is what you want, I will answer your question, just know I think your desires will likely change in the future. You are suffering from a mortality shift at the moment; you are already at least Tier 2. If you stay away from combat and dangerous situations, you will likely live for millennia. Solitude will become boring after a few centuries.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  “That aside, you will need money. Money is power, Jack. Money gets you mana and equipment and all the things you need. Without money you have no mana; with no mana… the strongest man in the universe is simply another man.”

  Tilting his head up as he paused, Jack nodded as if accepting sage wisdom. Money and mana were not going to be a problem for him in the future; he might need some tips on mana laundering, but that could wait.

  “Obviously you will need to be stronger. If you want peace, you need to be strong enough to demand it. Others will covet anything you have if they believe they can take it from you. Living alone there will be no one to defend you and no help from the Origin as far as laws go, be aware of that for my next suggestion.

  “Assuming you had those other things, I would probably suggest that you ventured to the mid ring and searched for one of the abandoned dead planets there. Purchase one that suits your needs, terradome a section or work on the whole damn thing; you should have time.”

  Leaning forward, Brandt stretched his neck as he stood from the couch and glanced over behind Monty and Turrel.

  “Those are not the questions I would have asked but the answers I would have gotten. That will suffice and our deal is done.” Brandt sighed slightly as he spoke those words. Jack felt a faint connection between the two of them snap and knew it was over.

  “It seems we have company; take a moment to gather your thoughts. I believe the Zerraians have sent a representative to meet you,” Brandt said as he strode towards the back of the room where his attendant, the silver-skinned Plint, stood.

  Feeling like the whole ending was much more abrupt than he had expected, Jack sat where he was for a moment trying to gather his thoughts. Brandt had managed to answer without answering by being pretty vague, but at least it gave him things to consider. A dead planet sounded scary, but he assumed it meant no life and not full of zombies.

  “Jack. If this is the representative, we need to go over introduction etiquette quickly. They are here to see you; they will introduce themselves first. Name, then title. Then they will bow; the lower the bow, the more respect they are showing. You return the introduction and the bow, for now just match theirs,” Monty said as he walked over and mother-henned Jack’s clothes.

  “...We need to get you some more formal attire. Like we discussed, we want to help them, search and confirm, etc. If you can get her to talk to me to confirm the details, do that, but don’t be forceful or seem disinterested,” Monty quickly whispered as he patted Jack's shoulders.

  Jack shook his head; this was all happening quicker than he wanted. Listen, they bow. Introduce, match bow. Compassion and offload to Monty. He was pretty sure that was all he needed to do. Repeating that to himself he nodded to Monty and stood awkwardly while a tall, yellow-scaled Zerraian entered the room.

  The two men with him ushered away from the couches and towards the entrance where he stood and waited. As the Lizardkin approached, he felt a feminine presence, something about the way the person moved. With a smooth grace that he simply couldn't associate with a man. He hadn't met any Zerraians up close yet and there was something slightly unnerving about it.

  Her eyes had the same stark coloured iris Jack was associating with mana usage. On top of the fact that hers were red, her pupils were vertical slits. His mind struggled to link his understanding of facial expressions and emotions to anything he could see; he felt worried, unprepared, and out of his depth.

  The person he assumed was a she stopped before him and mimicked what he assumed was an attempt at a smile, while inclining her head slightly.

  “My name is Vessara Umbas. Mistress of the World Well. I greet you, honoured protector, and offer our thanks,” Vessara said as she took a deep bow, stopping parallel with the ground.

  Jack had been chanting his instructions in his head, so he knew his part. Introduce, match bow.

  “I am Jack Davies.” He wrestled back the impulse to offer his hand to shake. Losing his train of thought in the struggle he paused, then remembered to match the bow. He bowed the same as she had and struggled with his balance for a second before righting himself.

  From over Vessara’s shoulder he caught a glimpse of Brandt laughing to himself. He hoped the next part was something that was expected from Vessara as he was all out of predone instructions and likely to make a fool of himself.

  He had not expected for her to prostrate herself completely; even her tail stretched taut as she glanced up at him briefly.

  “Please, I have no right to ask, but please I… I beg of you, help us. Close this rift, help us end this terror that my husband's pride has created. We will do anything. Please.” Her body was still as she spoke and Jack had no way to gauge her face for emotion visually. He felt it in her words; there was loss and desperation.

  He felt something bubble inside him as he heard her words and stared at her, desperate and pleading. The struggle against the Yeti and his realisation of what would have happened if that had been an ice elemental instead. For him those feelings were new, temporary. He would be leaving; for her, for nearly everyone on this planet, that wasn't an option. This was their home and they would struggle and fight, but it probably wouldn't be enough.

  He didn’t want that type of expectation or pressure on himself; he felt awkward even now. But another part of him felt excited; he knew Monty and Turrel were on board. It had never seemed like a question of if for them, simply if they were allowed to assist. He could be a part of helping without taking on that responsibility, he liked the idea of that.

  He felt a little shocked at himself for thinking like that right then; there in front of him was someone begging for his aid. He was standing there silently having daydreams of being a hero without doing any work, the entire planet was in danger. Trying to seem more important than he was, he channelled medieval king.

  “Vessara, stand please. We are only here to offer our aid.” He gestured towards Monty as she pulled herself back to a kneeling position with her tail straight behind her.

  “Lord Montarg wanted the chance to discuss the terms of our assistance in detail. But rest assured we will do everything we are able to assist if given the opportunity,” Jack said, trying to make sure he looked only at Vessara; he felt too self-conscious to look at anyone else.

  She looked up at him and in her strange eyes, he sensed something there as she mimicked a smile again. Respect, gratitude, or maybe hatred, he couldn't tell but the look was different. Her head bowed again as she spoke.

  “I thank you, Jack Davies. You and your Lord have the thanks of myself and everyone in Khas-Zera. Please let us discuss, I must ask that we skip formalities in place of expediency. We received word this morning, our sister city Shaz-Zera is under siege. We sent our strongest warriors to assist the city, only hours before our city too came under attack,” Vessara spoke quickly from her kneeling position.

  They struggled with the Yeti because their strongest had been sent to defend another city. He felt bad for assuming everyone was just weak. Still, nothing changed; they needed help, and if something came through again it would be the same situation.

  Jack was about to speak when Brandt stepped forward and spoke first.

  “When did you hear this? Was my office informed?” He seemed agitated but after a glance at his assistant Plint, he bit his lip and his anger faded.

  “Come, Vessara, Montarg. We must discuss this in detail now. I have lines I can’t cross but there is leeway to come to an arrangement.”

  As she stood, Vessara bowed once more to Jack and then turned and followed Brandt who was joined by Monty. They approached Brandt's desk and left Jack standing alone.

  Jack had a feeling things would be moving pretty quickly from this point on; his part had been done and the mental strain of being social was starting to take its toll. Looking over towards the Magitech couch, he wondered if taking a quick power nap would be rude in this situation or not.

  I just wanted to round out the question side of thing and keep us moving forward. I know I said it earlier but that may have been early so for now I think this is more likely the logical "End" of book 1.

  Some point in the next few weeks I might drop to two chapters while I work on polishing and reworking the early chapters and finally putting the edits in place for the other chapters.

  Thanks again for reading