Unlike the first time he woke up in this foreign bed, he felt refreshed. The increase in vitality and constitution made a huge difference. He didn’t know how long he slept but his dreams were quite esoteric and abstract. ‘It’s most likely because I spent so much time in my soul palace yesterday.’ He stretched his body and rubbed his eyes. Once again his eyes were assailed with the overzealous, golden light of the system. Which reminded him of a cell phone with the brightness turned all the way up.

“I wish there was dark mode on this thing.” He said and focused on the new notification from the system.

Kinslayer

Hello?

Veric raised his eyebrows and realised that something was definitely not right. “Wasn’t this always blank? What is going on?”

Kinslayer

Hello? Can you hear me?

After a few seconds of utter confusion, Veric replied “Hello? I can’t hear you. But I can see what you are writing. Who are you?”

Kinslayer

I am Veric. Who are you?

‘Is this the child whose body I reincarnated into?’ He thought and pinched himself in order to check whether he was still dreaming.

“I am…” The question was very difficult to answer. He had memories of both Veric and Thomas while occupying the body of the former. The mind of the latter on the other hand was definitely dominant. He had many more years of complete memories as Thomas. In addition as Veric, he had only access to veric’s thoughts and experiences but didn’t have the access to his emotions. That is why it was easy for him to separate from Veric on a more fundamental level.

“I am the ship of Theseus.” he mumbled once he had the opportunity to somewhat process his predicament.

Kinslayer

You are a ship? I don’t think I understand.

“I am sorry. I mean I am Veric and yet not Veric. I… It’s hard to explain. I think I was reincarnated into your body after you died.”

Kinslayer

…

After a moment of awkward silence followed by the realisation that he had just told a child that they died, Veric took a deep breath and asked. “Are you ok?”

Kinslayer

I think you are right. I am dead… I remember feeling so tired and then slowly my consciousness started fading out but I wasn't completely gone it was like a dark dream. A few hours later I thought I finally woke up but I couldn't see, or hear anything…

Kinslayer

Then there was a huge surge of energy. I never felt so energised before! I was so overwhelmed. It was like being inside of a tornado or being a tornado. So many images rushed into my head.

Kinslayer

A few moments later I felt… free. Before I couldn’t move but then I became unbound, but I had nowhere to go till I found this… place.

Kinslayer

The strangest part of it all is that I wasn’t afraid. I am not afraid. I am not scared or lonely. I am not happy… I think I am dead.

It was very hard to gauge what was Veric’s mental state because his words were purely in text form “I am sorry I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.”

Kinslayer

Why are you sorry?

He didn’t know how to answer that question. He felt guilty like he owed Veric something. “I feel like I took this life from you.”

The screen disappeared, however, after a few moments of silence the screen reappeared.

Kinslayer

I tried looking through your recent memories and It seems that you are not responsible. From your memories, it seems that you have died prematurely in your world too. Therefore you have nothing to blame yourself for.

The revelation that old Veric is capable of looking through his memories made him feel somewhat violated which made him even more uncomfortable considering he looked through old Veric’s.

“Is there anything you would like me to do?”

Kinslayer

No. I don’t want nor feel anything.

“Would you like me to bring you back to life?” he asked knowing about the existence of necromancy. He wanted to explore all magic, maybe even dabble in that forbidden art.

Kinslayer

No. I didn’t enjoy living much. I don’t want to start over. There is only one thing I will ask of you. Please, always come to Dara’s and Elora’s aid and treat them well. I know that it is a selfish request but since you feel an urge to repay me this is the only thing I ask of you. But in the end, it is all up to you.

“I promise I will.” He replied instantly. It didn’t feel like talking to a child, it felt like talking to a machine.

“Will you pass on soon?” He asked, hoping that the boy would move on.

Kinslayer

I do not know. I am dead but somehow a piece of my soul remained. It is quite ironic that the title that has tortured me while I was alive is capable of storing my ego after I die.

“Are you capable of influencing other titles or skills?”

Kinslayer

No, it seems I am confined within this one however, a one-way stream of information from the soul palace has remained. I am capable of looking through your memories but that is all. My thinking speed and memory have improved compared to when I was alive. I do not know whether it is due to [ Eidetic Memory II ] and [ Accelerated Mind II ] skills affecting me too or whether a mind without a brain is no longer constrained by the limitations of the living. In addition, while your mana core was being formed I could see some information contained within the mana you have absorbed.

“What type of information?” He asked immediately, intrigued by the idea of mana containing information. While ignoring the potential privacy violations.

Kinslayer

Sometimes full images, sometimes colours, sometimes images were black and white. It is difficult to explain I think i will take me some time to understand what I saw myself. I think that mana has a form of innate memory. If anything interacts with it it leaves an imprint on it altering It’s form in a minor way.

“I would like to perform an experiment if you don’t mind.”

Kinslayer

Go ahead.

Veric jumped off the bed and walked over to a glass of water he hovered his hand over the rim and released a gentle stream of mana into the water. The water was resisting the mana at first but over time the mana started to permeate the liquid. The glass seemed even more resilient to absorbing mana than water. The process was slow but in a few minutes water became infused with mana.

Once the process of infusing water with mana was completed Veric took hold of the mana again and started to pull it back towards himself. It was a lot easier to pull out mana from water than to push it inside. Once all of it was out he absorbed the mana back into his core.

“Can you see some information from the mana?”

Kinslayer

Yes.

“Could you try and give me as much information about the water as you can?”

Kinslayer

It is impossible to show the colour red to a blind person however, I shall try. I will go through your memories in detail and correlate the information from mana to the type of knowledge you are familiar with. It might take a while.

“Take your time.”

‘Hmm, this is interesting. Both the behaviour of mana and Kinslayer. Mana seems to be unperturbed by physical matter while it is in the ambient form however once it is absorbed by my core and processed it seems to have a hard time penetrating denser objects, when I was casting the [Gentle Mana Push] spell and it took some time for the mana to leave my body, I assumed that it was due to [Minor Mana Manipulation] being low level but it was oddly similar to when water is resisting mana. I wonder if that is why it takes so long for it to travel through my body? And also do certain materials block the flow of mana entirely?’ He thought and walked over to the wardrobe.

It was quite early in the morning and he didn’t expect Dara to come in for at least an hour, giving him some time to experiment with both mana and Kinsalyer. He started to get dressed while thinking about the consequences of his discovery.

“It is quite strange indeed. When I was casting the spell with the scroll, the spell seemed to ignore me, it didn’t freeze me at all. I have assumed that the mana that belongs to me will not hurt me. However, this might not be the case. If the flow of mana is somewhat impeded by my body it means it interacts with my body. So if I learn a dangerous spell it might hurt me too. I should be more cautious with spells in the future.”

Veric finished getting dressed into simple brown linen clothing fitting a poor merchant at best more than a son of a baron. However Veric didn’t mind it, he was never a fashionista in either previous or this life. The notification from Kinslayer appeared seconds later.

Kinslayer

[Water]

Water is an inorganic, transparent, tasteless, odourless, and nearly colourless chemical substance.

Chemical composition: H2O

State: liquid phase

Temperature: 24.2oC

Volume: 231 ml

Mass: 231 g

Density: 997 kg/m³

pH: 7.5

Contains trace amounts of other elements such as magnesium, calcium, sodium and others.

There is not enough data to determine the exact amounts of each element.

There is not enough data to determine the presence of elements below a certain amount.

There is not enough data to perform a full analysis.

Data cannot be extrapolated to determine its behaviour under different conditions.

Information outside of your scope of knowledge is untranslatable.

“This is absolutely amazing. Does that mean you can only display the information I am capable of understanding?”

Kinslayer

Affirmative, otherwise neither I or you will be able to understand it. Additionally, you can ask me specific questions about the substance. The data I am able to go through is very extensive. For the purpose of saving time, I would suggest making requests very specific.

“You sound very robotic.” ‘It’s creeping me out.’ He finished in his head hoping that Kinslayer doesn’t have access to his thoughts.

Kinslayer

I have assumed that it would make you more at ease. Think of me more as a computer program from your world than a person.

“Are you sure it feels quite reductive and inconsiderate? why do you want to help me?”

Kinslayer

I am dead. It makes no difference to me whether I am inactive or helping you. It makes no difference how you address or speak to me.

I assumed that treating me like something you are familiar with would be easiest. Before I died I always wanted to explore the world. Due to my bloodline, I was too weak to leave the castle.

It might be a residual need, a leftover from when I was still alive. Just like caring for Dara and Elora. If I can help you to gather information, thus making you more powerful the chances of you exploring the world increase.

In addition, while you were looking out of the window yesterday I sensed your longing for adventure and exploration. Our goals align thus I shall help and not remain inactive.

“Very well. I shall treat you like a program if that is what you prefer. Can you read my thoughts?”

Kinslayer

Affirmative. However, I decided to ignore those as they are not directed at me.

“I am sorry for calling you creepy.”He said with honest remorse.

Kinslayer

No need. You can’t hurt what is already dead.

After a moment of silence, Veric asked. “What would you like me to call you? Would you like me to keep calling you Veric? Calling you Kinslayer doesn’t seem appropriate”

Kinslayer

No, Veric Martel died and now you shall bear the burden of carrying that name. You can decide to call me whatever you want.

Veric raised his eyebrows at the doom and gloom. ‘What would be a fitting name? Skynet? No, a bit too pessimistic, also I don’t want him to get any bad ideas. Colossus? It was the first large scale electronic computer. He did want me to treat him like a computer after all. However, I don’t think it fits him. What about Prometheus? In the Greek religion, he was the supreme trickster and the titan of fire. Responsible for creating humanity. The meaning of the name fits as well considering he will help me with understanding this world better “the Forethinker”.’

“I shall call you Prometheus from now on.”

Kinslayer

OK.

“You could at least tell me whether you like it or not?”

Kinslayer

IT IS SO AMAZING! YOU ARE SO CREATIVE! THANK YOU FOR THE WONDERFUL NAME!

( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°)

“Wow, I get it. Sarcasm cuts deeper than a sword, you know? Are you trying to tell me that you don’t care?”

Kinslayer

Affirmative.

“Ok, so from now on you shall be called Prometheus.” He said while trying to regain some dignity. ‘Even though Prometheus doesn’t have emotions or feel anything he sure does have a personality. But it might just be me being stupid. Trying to treat a computer like a human being.’

“Let’s do some more testing shall we?” Veric said. Prometheus did not reply.

Veric brought his hands together and started to release mana from each hand very slowly, he didn’t want to repeat the [Mild Mana Vortex] instead, he wanted the mana to slowly move past itself in order to study it. The mana coalesced and separated into two clouds. He then reabsorbed the two halves and asked.

“Could you analyse mana itself?”

Kinslayer

No.

“Why not. Please give me more detail.”

Kinslayer

Can you use photons to look at photons? Additionally, your own mana doesn’t interact with itself.

“I see what you mean. But when I collided with mana yesterday mana reacted quite violently creating [Mild Mana Vortex]. So mana has to interact with itself.”

Kinslayer

Incorrect.

“Incorrect? That’s it? Will you not give me an answer if you know it?”

Kinslayer

I think that you have all information necessary to answer that question. Giving you an answer to everything will atrophy your brain. Brains are important to mages. You should use it.

Veric rolled his eyes and closed them. He knew that there was no point arguing with a computer. ‘They are even more heartless than bureaucrats.’ He thought and relived all of the instances when his code would not run properly even when there were no bugs. He shivered slightly thinking back to those morbid days as an undergraduate student triple-checking 12 thousand lines of code for hours.

He shook his head and started thinking back to every instance he used mana. ‘Mana seems to be acting like a fluid. However, it is not matter but energy personified. Like a physical representation of energy. That is how it felt while inside of my soul palace. When I pushed paper around it was flying around the room and when I infused water with it mana seemed to stick to it. When I was compressing it and my hands started shaking I have accidentally created a Vortex. But if it doesn’t interact with itself then why would it explode in such a fashion. It behaved so much as a gas… Wait a second. I am really stupid.’

“The mana created [Mild Mana Vortex] because what I was compressing was not mana but air. The air attached itself to mana and it was air interacting with itself. Once the pressure was great enough and my control over mana lessensed it exploded while gaining rotational force from my hands shaking.” ‘ I can not believe I forgot about the existence of air.’

Kinslayer

Correct.

“Based on this information. Could we assume that you could compress an infinite amount of mana into an infinitesimal space? A bit like energy did before the big bang. Could my world be mana based like this world?”

Kinslayer

Answer to the first question: Possibly, further testing is needed.

Answer to the Second question: Untestifiable.

“You are right I should not focus on the past but on the present. Let’s continue testing then.”

Veric closed his eyes again and released the mana from his mana core and started to circulate it around his body. The process was slow and laborious, the mana was clearly moving very slowly inside of his body. After a while, he re-absorbed the mana. “Could you give me as much information about my body as possible?”

Kinslayer

No. Your mana doesn’t interact with your body.

“So why does it move so slowly when I push it through my body?”

Kinslayer

I will tell you because you don’t have an access to a bigger picture. I think that the problem is mostly psychosomatic. I am sure you know this because I have learned from your memories that humans are only capable of exerting about 70% of their maximum strength. This limit is imposed so that people don’t shatter their bones while punching or snap their tendons when they lift heavy objects. This limitation is lifted through adrenaline and desperation.

I think that your subconscious brain is imposing a similar limit on mana. You are scared of mana because you don’t understand it fully. Thus moving it a lot slower through your body.

Even though it is the main reason I don’t think it is the only one.

“Hmmm, so what is the second one.”

Kinslayer

I am not certain. I need to spend more time processing the data. I don’t want to influence your thoughts with my half baked ideas. It can only lead to tunnel vision and problems further down the line.

‘Prometheus sounds more like an emotionless version of me than a computer. Which would make sense.’ Veric though while agreeing with Prometheus.

Veric wanted to continue testing. However, he heard a knock on the door.