"You're telling me, you ran, let alone jogged, 144 kilometres in under 8 hours?"
"I alternated jogging and the use of Magic. Yes, I did."
"Did you hit your head on the way here?"
"I did somewhat."
"Hoh! Then you must have lost some IQ on the way."
A full-on chuckle by the three of them.
The 3rd Magestrial behind spoke up.
"Magic? Seriously? How can we not laugh? We Magesterials are trained to remain stoic in the presence of visitors, but you're a first. When people like you come around every once in a while, is it so refreshing, haha."
'Ey?! Fuck you, man. What's your damn issue?'
Is what I REALLY want to say.
Can they not believe I used Magic? Has such a great alteration in the original narrative occurred, so much so that the use of Magic is rare?
"I'm sorry. Have I done something wrong?"
The laughter dies down. Allowing the second to speak.
"Yes, you have."
"Confusing fiction with reality. Seriously? If you keep deluding real life with fiction, then you should depart from us. What are you? I got reincarnated into another world with schizophrenia?"
They roar with laughter.
Isaac, terrified, takes a step back.
It would be impossible for a character of so little narrative importance to know the immediate entrance of a transmigrator.
Yet, here he ponders.
What… Do they know I'm not an entity of this world?
How? Is everyone like ḫ̴̡̨̛̹̲͎̫̹͇͙͕̯͙̫̻̃́̊̒̔̋̓̅͗̑̑͒̕͜͝͝͝ȋ̸͍̪͔̽̑̐̄̎͛̒̊̇̓̿͊̚͠m̸̡̜͈̖̙̹̤̯͇̙̥̮̜̭̺̰̀͆̉̾̇́̊̆̎̆̋̊̍͜͝?
How. Genuinely How.
No.
He's not hostile yet. I'm sure if they saw a foreigners who treated them as mere NPCs, they would have a stronger reaction.
I can gather information from him.
"How do you know?"
"Know what? An insane person?"
HUH?
"Wait. Wait. I'm sorry, but how am I insane?"
The lead guard takes over again.
"How? How do I know someone who's taking a fictional concept of a story and claiming they have used it to travel ONE HUNDRED FORTY-FOUR Kilometres in 7 hours is not schizophrenic? You tell me."
Hmmm. I see. Interesting.
Magic is a thing in this world, yes. Yet people call it fictional. How can that be?
Option One? I used Magic in a Magicless world, while there is an evil, sentient wizard that can use it too. Option Two? Magic is used to describe fictional powers in this world, just as it is on Earth. With this world's 'Magic' being called something else.
In that vein of logic, option two is the most probable due to me using a 'Magical' force and the existence of those Esoteric Kabbalists.
If that is so, then simply naming a Spell should clear up the misconception, seeing as the Magic in this world responded to my incantation of 'Wind Walker'.
"It is true, sir. Believe me. I utilized 'Wind Walker' to travel the 144 kilometres in intervals of 30 minutes and 1 hour of jogging."
"Oh? If you have used 'Wind Walker', then why are you referring to supernatural abilities?"
And to confuse the situation even more, the other just had to add that:
"And also please get with the times, man! I'm sorry, we may not know where you originate from, but I'm sure the textbooks of Noësis are up to date. Did you come out of a cave as a caveman by any chance?"
They could not hold back their laughter.
But Isaac was perplexed.
Noësis??? Up to date??? What fucking shit are you three spewing???
"Is 'Wind Walker' not Magic?"
"No! Of course not! Are you out of your mind?! It is as real as can be! How could Noësis be supernatural when every Wave Binder can In-Thread it, in real life? Doesn't make sense, right?"
"Right. Fair enough. To me personally, it really did feel quite magical."
…
WHAT?! DID?! YOU?! JUST?! SAY?!
"Is that so? You have In-thread the Clause-Construct 'Wind Walk-' Ahem… 'T.A.S.S' multiple times to reach here?"
"Yes, that's right. My apologies."
Humbly divert.
T.A.S.S?
What the fuck is T.A.S.S?
Ts (This shit) is the ASS!
Never mind the rest first. I really just need to get in as soon as possible.
"But. Back to business, Sir. May I be allowed inside the capital?"
"No."
Bro…
"It is impossible to believe someone who just awoke, as you said you have, could In-Thread such a complex Clause-Construct."
Sigh~
Nevermind. I understand it now.
Let me guess…
Magic in this world is called Noësis. Mages are called Wave Binders. In-Threading is this world's substitute for Casting. A Clause-Construct is a Spell. T.A.S.S is the replacement incantation for 'Wind Walker'.
What weird fucking names. Just keep it simple and classy.
If that's the case, I do wonder what the other magical terminologies are, though.
How do Esoteric Kabbalists play a role in this? Are they the Alchemists of this world?
Don't think so.
Eh… Probably will find out later either way…
"How should I prove myself then? Would you like me to perform a similar or lower Clause-Construct as proof?"
"Hmmm… That would be ideal, actually. Do it. In-Thread the Wind Clause-Construction 'A.S.A'".
He scoffs.
"A.S.A?"
"Oh, right, my bad. Uh… Back in the 7th Century, I think it was called… Lacerate?"
One of the other Magestrials nods in affirmation.
"Yeah. In-Thread the Clause-Construct Lacerate, if you can."
"Pfft, easily."
7th Century? Excuse me?
'Lacerate' becomes 'A.S.A'?
Bruh… Why?
Even if the words were different, the 'olden' process was the same as he performed before.
Isaac recalled his hours remembering the Spell descriptions.
Intent.
Lacerate was described as a faster and improved version of 'Wind Slash' that causes multiple cuts.
The 3-Star variant of it basically.
So same concept, the image of a crescent arc in my mind, but as thin as possible, with multiple other arcs forming a collective.
Next, the incantation calls upon the wind to cut:
"Lacerate." Isaac exhaled.
And third, the flick of my entire wrist.
The air rumbles. But not like it did before. Instead, out of Isaac's fingers flew multiple, silent slivers of green, fast and deadly towards the Lead Magestrial.
Remaining MP: 85/300 |
Perfec一
TING!
As he predicted before.
With a smooth upward arc, the Lead Magestrial's weapon parries Isaac's Clause-Construct perfectly before immediately returning into his sheath.
The draw and the sheath were practically invisible to Isaac.
Wow~ Flexing on me, huh?
The very weakest of a true Mana Swordsman stationed as a mere guard can easily deflect 3-Star Spells without me even seeing the movement.
Very good to know…
Yet, their faces displayed an impressed look.
"Hmmm. He really can In-Thread using outdated slang… Not the best by any margin, but a great demonstration nonetheless. To think someone with no Noësical background can In-Thread a Clause-Construct higher than the Intermediate-Class. Let alone a fairly decent one. How did you learn to In-thread?"
He walks up to Isaac with a smile.
"To be honest, I came across a book left in the village that described the Clause-Construct."
"Then you're talented. Give it be, you're learning an outdated version of modern Noësis, it is still impressive that you, a mere teenager from what it seems, did not learn from traditions and passings of knowledge by face-to-face teaching, that is one thing. But to learn from a book?"
Oh my days… Noësis this, Noësis that. Shut up and let me in already!
A sigh.
"Although I cannot fully believe your story. I will permit you to enter. Seeing as your reason to do so does not seem malicious. Michael! Prep' the gates! "
"Thank you, sir, I will!"
Finally.
"Ah, but before you enter. Could you give us a direction on the exact location of the village and who was inhabiting it? It is concerning that a random off-skirt village in the Southern Rotshade Canopy has developed such interest in Noësis. We would like to visit them before they attempt any Clause-Constructs that may stray."
"Ah, yes. The inhabitants were Estoeric Kabbalists. Specifically, their titles were Ritualist. As for location," Isaac points to the general location of the village. "It's just over the一"
"Did. You. Say. Esoteric Kabbalist?"
Killing intent. Hostile intent. One that drowns people in fear and despair. That's what Isaac was feeling right now. Out of all the fear he had come across in this world.
This was the second greatest. From a once smiling human.
"Y-yes, I did. Is there somethi一"
The lead guard gives a single nod.
"Allow this wanderer into the Capital. Seal the doors immediately and prepare 10 more Magestrials at once!"
He turns back and faces Isaac, finishing his welcoming speech hastily.
"Thank you for the information. Please enjoy your stay at the Capital of the World. And, as now we are familiar with one another, do visit the national library and familiarize yourself with the modern-day Clause-Construct terminology, you wouldn't want to seem like a weirdo, ya? See you!"
And the rest of them immediately In-Threaded their Claue Constructs.
"P.K.A!"
"T.A.S.S!"
"H.C.L!"
Fire. Wind. Water.
All of them take off in the immediate direction of where Isaac had pointed out.
P.K.A is a Fire Spell.
T.A.S.S is 'Wind Walker'.
H.C.L is a Water Spell.
What the fuck?
Ah shit… My lie caused them to be so riled up. Is it wrong for an Esoteric Kabbalist to practise Magic?
More concerningly so.
Isaac hears a ripple pass through the Capital's walls, not of deference, but something colder.
A mechanical groan of the gates coming to life.
"Huh?"
Wrong… All wrong...
What is this?
In EAA, Elenos' gates were open on threads of Magical Technology, a seamless parting of metal and stone.
This is a carcass of machinery. It's MagiTech, but worse.
The cogs scream, chains thicker than Isaac's torso ratchet taut with irony. The entire structure shudders, not with 'magical' elegance, but with the convulsions of something being forcibly reanimated.
"You may enter, Isaac," a fourth says. "Please obey the rules of the capital."
"I will. Thank you."
How much has the story deviated… This isn't accurate to the game at all. First, the final boss's appearance, then the terminology change, and now even the technology changed?
What are the unabbreviated Spells then?
P.K.A = ?
T.A.S.S = ?
H.C.L = ?
Oh my days… My head fucking hurts.
But finally. Isaac enters.
The gates groaned shut behind him, sealing with a loud finality that betrayed the original narrative. Isaac worried about this impiclations, and the weight of it eclipsed everything else.
Unfortunately so.
The Capital's 'defence' shuddered under a direct impact—force propagated through stone and air alike, its dissipated ripples violent enough to throw the running Magestrials from their footing, tumbling on the ground.
It was a knock from someone who wishes to enter as well…
'Naturally', Isaac was oblivious to all of this.
He was much more interested in the architecture of the city to ensure no further changes had taken place.
At least, from first glance, nothing inside has seemed to change.
Okay. That's good.
I knew the world-building in EAA was good, but like… I mean, the typical wall around the city is still there, but to see such a divergence from typical fantasy cities' tropes in person?
Another Instagram-worthy shot.
…
Fuck… I really should go buy a MagiTech Phone or something.
Elenos' capital sprawled ahead, the axiom of Thaumitonic Studies and apparently machinery. A beautiful city-state of Noësical supremacy and technology.
Can't imagine the welfare of this place… If only my country had this level of GDP.
Each pillar that surrounds the city was etched with luminescent conduits that pulsed with light. The streets, filled with pavement that illuminated a path cast over a royal triad of white, gold, and cerulean.
Colours that mirror the Elenos crest.
Isaac walks by it.
A twisted rectangular strip, a half-twist and joining its ends, creating a surface with only one side and one edge. Its continuous, one-sided structure defies conventional orientation, making it a mathematical and philosophical symbol of infinity and paradox.
When the fuck was the crest of Elenos a Mobius Strip?
I mean, good… The unity of the nation and its citizens that forge a path towards tomorrow using the past or something similar, but when did the inhabitants of this world place so much emphasis on scientific stuff?
The architecture transcends mere grandeur. Beaux-Arts facades fused with Catalyxical Engineered Creations boast colossal statues of Catalyxi that founded the fundamental principles of Noësis in this world.
Damn, they're just like me, fr.
They couldn't keep their hands off the Stormbreak Spiral.
Isaac notices the pillars and the ground below him. Below, subterranean cables converged beneath the Spiral and channelled the raw energy of continuous lightning into the city's core. Whereas typical fantasy worlds had a lack of electricity in the world, EAA had an abundance.
Although. Extremely outdated.
For Isaac to walk this nation was for him to witness living history and opulence.
Cool. Very cool.
This wasn't the orderly academy-city from the lore. This is a literal nation breathing, being chaotic and alive with all of its secrets. I'll see if I remember all the easter eggs so I can cheat my way into becoming OP faster.
Fuck… If I can remember…
See first.
Though… I really feel like an imposter…
Eh… It's super cool thou—
"Fresh warhawk eggs, 20% off!" "Feathers as solid as steel!"
Hawker stalls that could be mistaken for fine-dining poultry stores lined up beyond Isaac's sight, all promoting unique products he deemed alien body parts.
EW… What the fuck are those? I'm not shoving that shit in my mouth even if I cook it. Uh… Look at the size, though… Imagine all the protein… Shit… I'll study the biology of this world another day.
He shakes his head and humbly bows.
For now…
Isaac follows along the Four Stoicharterion Elenosar, elemental arteries that spanned the entire Capital. All etched into the Capital by the Institute's founders, each a testament to their respective Resonance Archetype.
Four roads, Four Main Elements. The fundamental elemental forces are made accessible to all. What a good democracy… Come to think of it… Maybe the wall around the capital wasn't made to keep immigrants out.
Logi Mind: A molten river of stones and metals that perpetually ripples, trailing embers that bloom into ephemeral roses before dissolving.
Rán's Spine: A canal of ultrapure water similar to Super Kamiokande. The water is filtered through multiple stages daily to prevent bacteria buildup. Hell. It could be used to detect neutrinos.
Jörð Gut: A winding path of shifting geodes with the crystalline masses grind and slide within a breathing rhythm.
And finally,
Kári's Breath: A tunnel of ariel currents where the atmosphere coils and hurls its passengers forward, amplifying flights and sprints into a surge of velocity like a bullet.
This will be the path Isaac takes.
If possible, I'll try registering as a student. But it would be a laughable notion, really. I have no noble patronage. No legacy nor academic record. I'm some homeless bum without even a national ID.
Legit, all I have is future knowledge, even if it's limited as shit, and all the shit I studied before I died. Damn… It's the equivalent of an F Student applying for Oxbridge.
Well… Screw it.
I wanna live.
With a steadying breath. Isaac prepares himself.
A campus of 2 kilometres, as such 73 kilometres from me and it. Not impossible, just 30 minutes plus of 'Wind Walker'.
No problem, right?
The current of Kári's Breath hums beneath his feet. The energy to launch him like a projectile coiled around Isaac. He's done it so many times that it might as well be second nature.
Therefore,
"Wind Walker."
He takes off in a sprint; fast is the only description of the experience.
But now, relaxed. Isaac finally begins letting his guard down as he travels East, contrary to the beat, he whistles.
Stayin still, eyes closed. Let the world just pass me by~
I swear there better be a student discount for Spotify here.
.
.
.
After nearly an hour of twists and turns, Isaac darted past other citizens and weaved through the tunnel's passages. Isaac arrives, emerging at the foot of the academy. The most reputable and prestigious Institute for Thaumitonic Theory education in the world. The heart of the main story.
Yet, the home of his brightest joys and deepest regrets.
Elenos' Institute of Magical Academics (EIMA). Or I suppose now being called Elenos' Institute of Noësical Academics (EINA). Actually… Much more elegant of a name, I like it.
I wish I could snap a pic.
Who would've thought?
Noësis = Magic…
It's gonna be hard to adapt to the slang.
With no buildup of tension, Isaac immediately snaps his head around.
He appears like a programmed interaction.
The pressure comes first. All-enforcing pressure.
The Apex of Information and the Martyr to end all Martyrs.
Headmaster Orthellius Sol Tharis.
How the fuck is he behind me?
What follows occurs in less than 1.37 seconds.
Under his breath, Isaac utters.
"T-temporal A-anchor, inhabitant in line of sight."
Name: Orthellius Sol Tharis
Class: Paragoned-Class Mage
Title: Unreadable, your difference is too great
Age: 42 (Biological Age). ??? (Mental Age)
Stats:
- Strength: Unreadable, your difference is too great
- Vitality: Unreadable, your difference is too great
- Agility: Unreadable, your difference is too great
- Intellect: Unreadable, your difference is too great
- Stamina: Unreadable, your difference is too great
Attributes:
- Unreadable, your difference is too great
Element Affinity:
- Unreadable, your difference is too great
Mana Remaining: Unreadable, your difference is too great.
Everything is 'Unreadable, your difference is too great'…
Ah… Shib— (Fuc—)