Jennifer walked through the entrance of the Academy, her steps brisk as she made her way up the slight incline toward the academy. It'd been three days since her visit at the church. Since the disquieting meeting with the priests Jennifer had spent her time training with [Eternity] and looking into the Ostiri caravan. And when she wasn't training or investigating, she was looking up measures to counteract shapeshifting demons and monsters.

So far, nothing conclusive. Certainly no mention of creatures with the ability to gain people’s memories. So it’s probably safe to assume that whatever Mark it has is related to shapeshifting.

Jennifer paused for a moment, when she saw Livian walking by. The boy spotted her as well, giving her a wave which she returned with a smaller one of her own. She’d been avoiding him ever since the Hydra incident. Part of her was guilty at how she’d gotten him killed, and the other saw no use in sticking around when he’d forget her anyways.

Well, no point in avoiding him if he approaches me. Which he always seems to do.

Jennifer let out a thankful sigh when Livian turned around, returning to whatever he was doing. Straightening out her clothes, she continued on her way her hand seeking out her Apprentice Mage card in case anyone wanted to stop her.

By now, she was familiar with the Academy’s layout allowing her to bypass the crowded main thoroughfares to swiftly make her way to the room where she was supposed to meet Nathaniel. She touched her card against the inscription on the door, the wards on the room lifting as she opened the door and walked in.

Jennifer paused when she saw Nathaniel already sitting on his chair, drinking a cup of tea.

“You’re Jennifer, I assume?” Nathaniel asked.

“Yes, that's me. Apologies for being late, Magus,” Jennifer said, dipping her head slightly.

“Not to worry, you're on time. I just happened to be early. Take a seat,” Nathaniel said, gesturing for her to sit. Jennifer followed along, sitting down on the chair as she studied him, wondering how different their interactions would be this time.

“I’m curious, Jennifer, why did you choose me to apprentice under? I’m not even a part of the Academy staff. Not to mention the fact that you claim to have picked up one of my techniques..”

Jennifer paused for a moment, as she looked at the mage. “I was taught the method by you, actually.” Folding her hands in her lap, she waited for Nathaniel’s reaction.

“And how did I teach you anything, when this is the first time I’ve met you?” Nathaniel asked, quirking his eyebrow.

Jennifer drew in a deep breath. “It’s my Mark’s ability."

A wave of magic pulsed over her as Jennifer felt Nathaniel’s aura flare. For the first time, she saw just why he was a gold plate at his age. Compounded, complex magic, and a deep sated strength pulsed over Jennifer. There was an edge to the aura, not as strong as the Sand Mage’s, but far more refined and skilled in its application. She could barely see all the threads of mana running through the spells he snapped into place around them, held on the boundary of activation.

Jennifer lifted her hand, her mark turning visible as she freed its presence. She knew Nathaniel couldn't feel it but the Magic within the mark was obvious and there was no better proof.

She watched Nathaniel turn his eyes towards her, and she could practically see the gears shifting.

“When did you gain it?” Nathaniel asked, still keeping his spells at ready.

Jennifer breathed out a sigh of relief as she didn’t see any hints of magic from the demon. She met his gaze as she replied. “About three and a half months ago. Around a week ago in this reset.”

“This reset?” he asked, staring at her.

“My Mark lets me go back in time when I die. I’ve lived this month four times. Almost five if I count the very first one.”

Nathaniel sat there for a moment, his eyes fixated on her. A few moments later, he spoke up once more. “Why come to me in such a roundabout method? An immortal Mark? And a child? If what you say is true, how can I believe that you are who you claim? Aside from your obviously low level, but that can easily be faked.”

Glancing to the side, Jenn took a moment. She'd been considering what to say for the last day. And now the moment was here, she didn't know whether it would be enough on its own. But she'd considered that too. “Because you need to trust me. Because I don’t want to see everyone die again. Because I don't know any other way to prevent the things about to happen. I can verify it with a truth spell.”

Nathaniel stared at her, his fingers twitching as she felt a spell form, it's threads reaching out to link them together.

Binding Spell of Truth

Tier: 4

Target: Nathaniel Serfield and Jennifer Laine.

Do you agree to this?

Yes.

"Go ahead," Nathaniel prompted as he leaned back as the threads tightened around her, the spell taking hold.

“There’s an invasion that will happen at the end of the month. Well, the third of the next month, actually. A Dungeon Break will disrupt our defences as the demons invade. One of the demons has a Mark that allows him to steal the forms of people, and even some of their memories. It’s hiding in the guild. And in one of the resets, the teleportation network was used for a Mass teleport spell, summoning the demons directly into the guild.” Jennifer paused for breath as she looked at Nathaniel’s eyes growing wide.

“Are you subverting the spell? But the components are all working-”

Jennifer interrupted him, as she continued. “One of the Marks is Xar, a spider from the dungeon. He has the Mark of Psyche and he’s adorable. The Demon mark has him. I have a bond to Xar, I can- I could feel his presence before. But the bond broke when I died and he’s been captured by the demon somehow. I think Xar remembers the past resets as well. And if the demon can get that information out of him, it’d be a lot harder to prevent the oncoming invasion.”

Nathaniel frowned, and Jennifer waited for the mage to continue.

“[Clear Thought]” Nathaniel intoned, taking a deep breath in. “Let me get this straight. You can travel in time. A spider has a Mark and is intelligent. The Ostiri are going to attack with the demons and each have a Mark of their own."

Pausing Nathaniel stared at her again for a few seconds before shaking his head. "Elphion damn me. I still sense no lies. I’d rather believe it's your Mark’s ability to distort spells, and change their nature. But why? The child-like appearance is no guise. All my skills tell me this is true, and that terrifies me." Nathaniel paused, staring her in the eye.

"Who are you Jennifer?”

Jennifer sighed, as she leaned back on her chair. She looked at Nathaniel, and the deep frown etched onto his brows. “Just a tired time-looping [Enchanter].”

Nathaniel paused to stare at her for a second. “I need to let Viel know. No, I need to tell Zaress and the guild heads as well and then I have to-”

Holding up her hand, Jenn cut him off. “How can you tell if the Demon won’t be there? It was able to access the teleportation network, and it seems capable of gaining memories as well. I went to the guild before, and the invasion just happened earlier. They knew our plans and worked around them. None of it was enough.”

“Why did you come to me?” Nathaniel asked.

“I’ve known you across the past few resets. Like I said, you were the one who's been teaching me magic. So I called you here using the same method I used before. It seems unlikely the Demon would come into an unknown location where a trap could be waiting. Escaping would be difficult if I found out who it was. It's a calculated risk.” Jennifer stared at Nathaniel for a moment, pausing for a moment as she steadied herself.

Jennifer extended her hand, her mark pulsing. “Can you shake my hand for a second?” she asked, keeping a tight grip on her kill switch.

Nathaniel looked at her hand, hesitating for a moment before he wrapped his own much larger fingers around hers. Jennifer let her Mark's presence expand, enveloping Nathaniel completely. She tried to find another Mark’s presence. Nothing came back, no sensation, no presence. She sighed as she let go of his hand.

“Well, that removes any doubt. I was pretty sure you weren’t that monster. I would’ve felt something being this close,” Jennifer reassured herself as she smiled.

“You have no idea how relieving it is to talk to people freely again. It’s been eating at me since forever. I’d gotten used to pretending I didn’t know you, and all that. Well, I suppose you don’t, even now. I’m pretty much a stranger,” Jennifer said, with a slight smile. “Anyways, I need your help. There's a spell component that was attached to the Ostiri people. And it was going into the dungeon. The mark from the Ostiri was there too, already in the city. I think that may be how they breach the walls. I also need your help to reach out to Irwys, and Prince Laiken. I have something from Prince Laiken, which will help me get their help.”

She turned towards Nathaniel who still stared at her. “This is all quite sudden. But, it would be foolish to dismiss you. I'll need time. And I suppose I can't even talk to my uncle."

“Speaking of your uncle, I want you to bind an Oath with me. You can't reveal anything to anyone until we’ve confirmed without a shred of doubt that the person isn't the shapeshifting demon.” Jennifer said, waiting as Nathaniel narrowed his eyes. She knew he could easily refute her, and she’d have no way to stop him. But having known him for almost three months now, she suspected he'd cooperate.

“Very well. [Binding Oath]. I Nathaniel Serfield agree to not mention anything that has been shared in this room to anyone until Jennifer Laine is able to confirm they're not the demon Mark,” Nathaniel said, his words reverberating with power.

She felt the words nestle up against her soul, pressing on her to share in the commitment. “I swear that everything I have said, is true to the best of my knowledge," she said out loud as the oath bound them together.

[Binding Oath] applied!

Jennifer felt a wave of relief as she sat, looking at another ally she'd regained at last. She turned towards Nathaniel, her smile threatening to split her face. “Thank you.”

“I think both of us have a lot to do," Nathaniel said as he pushed out of his chair. "And I have plenty to think about. I’ll keep in touch Jennifer."

“You’ll know where I am with the Oath,” she said with a grin.

“So that was intentional then. I will take your extension of trust, to allow me to be the Oath maker. But by all gods do I hope that everything you said is wrong.”

“Me too, Nathaniel. Me too.”

Jennifer watched Nathaniel leave as she slunk in her chair, feeling exhaustion overcome her. She had Nathaniel now. And a way of reaching Irwys to finally get some answers. She stared up at the ceiling, nodding to herself as she squared her shoulders and pushed out of the chair.

I can do this. I can prevent the invasion. I’ll save you too, Xar. Just you wait.