“But I already have a Class.”

Michael was really not interested in gaining another Class. Would he level up slower if he did? That’s the way games usually went. And what kind of Class could interest him anyway?

Well, maybe if it was something cool, like |Spellslinger|. Or |Warlock|.

…or if I got to be a |Warrior| and got the best of both worlds.

Maybe the Classes would even unite down the line!

Ok, so as it turns out, Michael wasn’t all that opposed to gaining a new Class, it just depended on what it was. But given that the mages themselves had no idea…

“Oh, don’t you worry. A Primer would not automatically assign you a new Class. Not unless you were very weak willed. You’re not week willed, are you Michael?”

“Uhm, no sir, I don’t think so.”

“Splendid!”

“Might I ask why I have been chosen for this… test?”

“Oh, I needed help with this task and Regitris was kind enough to inform me he knew of the perfect individual for this. And by ‘perfect’ I mean, strong willed, gifted and with a reactionary type of internal magic. You see, Regitris explained his little test on you. If your magic reacts to the forces pressed on you, then you are the perfect individual to test the Primer. Not only is the chance of you gaining a new Class against your will minimal, but your natural adaptiveness gives you the best chance at remembering what was actually written inside.”

“Do normal readers not usually remember, sir?”

“Not usually. After the epiphany is over, most mages who were touches by such artifacts remember only bits and pieces. And a sense of awe. Only high-Leveled individuals of certain Classes can actually read Primers. Well, them and those with magic like yourself.”

“I think you may be selling me a little high, sir.”

“Nonsense.” The centaur laughed. “Besides, I don’t need you to remember every tidbit. Just the Class it provided. Everything else is a welcome bonus.”

Michael thought about it. There was some risk to it all, but it didn’t sound dangerous. Certainly less dangerous than monster fighting. And working with such a rare magical artifact might allow him to Level up. That being said, he still didn’t like the risk to reward ratio.

“I just might take you up on this offer, sir. But first I must ask, what will I receive?”

Narh’s face split into a wide grin at hearing at.

“Always on the lookout for the pay, right m’boy? Good thinking. Well, I’ll tell you this. Other than getting into my good graces, the prize lies in the book as well. You see, Primer’s don’t just confer a Class, because they are a book, not a recipient. When one writes about a Class, it is impossible to reference that Class without writing about it in detail. Without describing what it would make you skilled at. About its focus points. Its Skills. Therefore, assuming you keep your wits about you and actually remember what you read, you might even come out of it with a fresh Skill to show for it.”

“I… didn’t know you could get Skills outside leveling. Not like that, surely.”

“It’s not widely known. Treat it as a secret, yes? One you can barter with.”

“I will sir.”

“Good. Then, I take it that you accept?”

I started this trip with the aim of getting better. No way I’m tripping here of all places.

“Yes, sir.” Michael grinned.

“Perfect.” The centaur grinned back.

What followed next was a quick preparation. Michael would take a seat, sitting down in the circle of mages already encircling the artifact. Narh would supervise. They would then ‘activate’ the artifact, basically by pushing a large amount of mana into it, which would make the book open right in front of Michael. He will then attempt to read the pages as they flowed in front of his eyes and most importantly, he would attempt to remember what was written down. The entire experience shouldn’t take more than a couple of minutes. Perhaps even under one minute. Time was subjective when under so much magical stress, Michael learned. Then, assuming everything went according to plan, he would tell the centaur of what he had learned.

Assuming.

Still, there was no time like the present. So, Michael sat down and completed the circle of mages.

“Alright, everyone.” The centaur said. “Get ready. In three, two, one, now!”

Michael felt a pulse of magic and the book literally flashed for a moment. Then, time seemed to slow down. He saw the golden medallion on the cover of the book open. Intricate pieces slid over each other to reveal an… eye. A slit eye, like a snake’s eye, looking very much alive. It quickly took in the room, before focusing on Michael.

He didn’t know why, but he thought he could feel glee coming from it.

Then the book opened, the pages full of ancient flowing script started to flow before his eyes and Michael’s entire world opened up and swallowed him whole. When he came back to his senses, he found that he was sitting down in some kind of a swamp.

Great. That’s two teleportations in one day.

He saw, felt and smelled the damp earth he was sitting on, while the greenery rustled under a gentle wind. He had no idea what happened, but he figured simply staring ahead wasn’t the way to go.

“Stand down, human boy.” A voice hissed. “This is not your world. Moving might affect your image.”

Michael looked around and saw… a shape appear. It looked like one of his teachers, only it was a male. Half a man was connected to half a colossal snake. A gorgon. Yet this one carried no subtle, human-like features. He was bare chested, but even his human skin had traces of scales. His hair was long, but it wasn’t hair. Instead, his mane was composed of tents, if not hundreds, of writhing snakes. At the moment a vast number of them were currently pointed at him. And his eyes. Slitted and dark green. The same eye that peered at him from behind the medallion.

“You are not of this world.” The being hissed.

“Well, no. I’m a student at Gnosis.”

“I talk not of the academy of mages, human child. That fortress exists, even in my time. Though I see that those who’ll come after me will separate it from the world. No, that is not of what I speak.”

Great. Of course, he had to speak funny.

“I do not speak your tongue, boy. It is but the magic of the tome.” The being said, before grinning. “You are now but a construct, made by the magic of the tome. While I am its owner and creator. To not presume I can hear everything you think while inside… foolish.”

“My apologies, uhm, maker of the Primer.”

“Primer… ah, I see what the fat horse has told you. Yes, that piece of magic is known to me. Not of interest. No, child, this is not a… Primer.”

“Wait, so this book can’t give me a new Class? Or Skills?” Michael asked.

“No! You meet a legend of a forgotten era and this is what you think of?” the man hissed.

Michael drew back a bit. It seems he had managed to offend the being. And given how he had a policy of not dying, that was really not something he wished to do again.

“Why would I hurt you, child?” the gorgon hissed. “When you are so interesting.”

“How so? Sir?”

“Spare me the pleasantries of your race. My name is Sharaz’Ad. Call me as such. As for the how and why, I have told you. You are not of this world.”

Michael panicked, before remembering he was in a book. His secret was out, but that didn’t mean everyone would find out. He hoped.

“I see no reason to tell of your secret. But my kind are known for our bargains.” The being smiled.

“The mind-reading is new for me.” Michael said. “But please, if you already know… have your heard of others like me? Individuals that got to your world from others? Transported against their will?”

“Of course.”

“Really?!”

“I do not speak lies.” Sharaz’Ad hissed. “Yet such stories are legend, even in my time. Perhaps with access to great works, great knowledge… I might find our more.”

And that was when the coin dropped. Powerful magical being? Check. Trapped in an object? Check. Owning useful and needed knowledge? Check. Hints at getting out? Also check. Yeah, Michael heard this story before. It wasn’t even original.

“Good mind.” He laughed, hissing. “You are no fool, not huge fool at least. That means we may bargain. Good. A bargain with a fool is more dangerous than no bargain at all. But know this. I spoke not the truth about other realms. Even in my time, long before yours I suspect, tales of other worlds were legends. Some Classes, high Level, strong in magic, summon things. But not what I see in your mind. Not of… Earth. This is truth.”

“And the lie?” Michael asked.

“It is not my… focus.” The gorgon languidly shrugged. “Access to knowledge, information. Still could not find. Not what I am. And I am not alive, though I sense you fear otherwise.”

“Then… can I ask what you are?”

“I am but a remnant of me. Of Sharaz’Ad. I am memories and will, but not life and soul. No Class and Levels. And only very little magic.”

“Why did you do this? To survive?”

The gorgon hacked out a laugh, snake-hair hissing in tandem.

“You see this as life, human child? Then you are bigger fool than I feared. No, I do this for my kind. For my people. I write down my essence in order to help other gorgons. Knowledge fades. Levels stop. I see this, I see the future of my race. I see the elves conquer all. So, I prepare. I take all that I am and put in in one place. Inside a book.”

“But why did it look like a Primer?”

“My kin are like the very forest from which we hail, human child.” The gorgon smiled. “Deceptive. I took cover from dwarven… Primer. And added it to own book. Dwarven fools. Made book too good. Magic too strong. None suspect what is inside. No danger.”

“But your book has just been found out. By me. I know. I know I shouldn’t be pointing this out, but since you can already read my mind…”

“Worry not, child. Your death will only attract suspicion. You are safe. And I have been discovered before, by others not of my kind. And as before I will do again. I will bargain.”

“Bargain for what? Keeping your secret?”

“That. And bringing me to one of my own. I see one in your mind. …Sinestra… Perhaps she is worthy. Perhaps she is not. I will judge.”

“Worthy of what? I’m not opposed to deals with the devil, but I don’t want any grand magic unleashed inside the academy. I’ve still got five more years here. At least.”

The man laughed, loud and long.

“I like your spirit, human child. And your wisdom. No, not worthy of anything dangerous to you. Worthy to learn. Worthy of being my keeper. If not, she will hand me to another. Of that, I will make sure.”

That… was kind of interesting. It was a relatively sure way of making ensuring your own kind has the knowledge of old. It showed forward thinking and… a kind of selflessness.

“Perhaps.” The gorgon said, sounding somewhat sad. “This not an existence I wish to others. But for my own, I endure.”

“Ok. Say I do this. How do I know you or Sinestra will keep my secret? Or that I get to keep something out of this? Why not just ignore me or blackmail me after receiving the book?”

“You are under the wing of the academy’s leader, are you not? You are not without influence of your own. And you would be entrusted with a secret too.”

“Then why not just kill me afterwards?” Michael simply asked.

“True.” He said, pondering. “Then, this seems I need to use what little magic I have remaining. I will place a magical |Oath| on you. Like a |Geas|, but more. It will hold this memory of me, this Sinestra and whoever else this tome is handed to, to a set of rules. Rules about keeping your secret. Rules about obtaining what you name as your price.”

“And I’m supposed to just trust that?”

“This not simple magic, human child. You will feel the control. Feel in your soul. If still you not like, then you are free to refuse.”

Michael thought about it for a minute, or for however much time passed outside in the real world.

“You drive a hard bargain, Sharaz’Ad. But I accept.”

“Good, Michael child. Now, allow me to show you what a ‘hard bargain’ is.”