Chapter 2: Jane's Teacher Really Was a Witch

Jane completed her morning like many others before. She dressed in an unassuming pair of black slacks and white blouse. Over the years, Jane had found that this was best for going unnoticed. Probably one of the reasons that restaurants around the world chose the combination. Combined with her simple hair put in a ponytail and her glasses with regular glass lenses, she was set for the part of plain jane with no fashion sense.

She arrived at the breakfast table at 15 minutes after 7. The people claiming to be her parents were just finishing their meal as she had ran late. Above their heads were two interesting sets of information.

Olivia Hillcrest Blackthorne > >

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John Blackthorne > >

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Hmm, maybe they are my parents. Their last names wouldn't be the same as mine if they kidnapped me, right? Or, maybe I was taken before I could be officially named by my real parents. Jane pondered this new information as she scanned the rest of the available listings. It appears that I don't have the requirements to see anything but their titles. At least I can be sure that they are involved in the supernatural world. Maybe that's also why I was noticed by The Council.

Sitting down, Jane decided to break tradition and feel out information. Reaching out for the box of cereal and milk, she began pouring into her bowl while starting off. "Mom, Dad, I'm glad I caught you before you left for work!"

Startled, they looked at their usually quiet daughter. "What is it honey? Usually you're so quiet in the mornings."

Nodding, she decided to get the first question out of the way before her follow up. With luck, her mother would either forget the first question or let something slip for the second. "Two things. I've been thinking about my figure. I know I have been pretty adamant about not joining you on your runs or at the gym, Mom. I think I'd like to start."

Wide-eyed, Olivia slowly began to grin. "Really, honey? That's great. We can go shopping for some cute outfits to wear when working out, and--"

Jane cut her off, "That's great, Mom. We can discuss that if I stick with it. I have another question, though. I was curious about some names I've heard about. What do you guys know about 'Seductive Harlot' and "Roguish Pirate'? I've been meaning to ask, but keep forgetting. I'm out of fantasy books to read and decided to try a different genre. I thought you might have some suggestions when I run by the library."

Olivia sat open-mouthed for a moment before looking at her husband and then back to her daughter. John saved her from the silence by asking, "Sweety, sometimes when two people who love each other--"

"John!" Olivia exclaimed while blushing. "Honey, you shouldn't listen in when your father and I are talking in private. Pet names aren't to be repeated."

Blinking, Jane decided to let the issue go. "Right, sorry." Suddenly, she wasn't that hungry. "I'm going to be late, I'll see you tonight."

Dumping her breakfast in the trash after draining the milk, she quickly headed for school.

~*~

Jane found her classes much more interesting now that she could see random bits of information about her peers. Suzie, a cheerleader that would often let slip scathing comments about Jane's lack of style in non-directed ways as she walked past had the title, 'Diet Pill Junkie'.

How many pills and at what consistency does it take to get such a title? She wasn't sure how she planned to use this information, but she filed it away for later. At the very least, Suzie might find an anonymous note with the information, and pictures if she could manage, left in the head of the school newspaper's locker. Jane would wear gloves when preparing the note and leaving it, of course. Now that she knows there are supernaturals around, one might have the ability to trace her for bullying based on sweat or skin cells. Best to be careful until she learns more.

In her Chemistry class, Jane became aware of how astute her desire to wear gloves was. Her teacher, whom she always thought had to be a witch based on her choice of shoes and demeanor had a very telling set of information above her head.

Alicia Winters > >

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This realization was followed by what Jane was sure a sarcastic sense of humor by the system.

[table=white]Wisdom +1

Luck +1[/table]

Still, she wasn't going to begrudge the system for giving her free stats. Especially in Luck.

Ms. Winters wasn't your stereotypical witch. However, she had that new-aged feel. She only joked to herself at first that she was a witch because she was always grumpy and looked down her nose at people. Her shoes were also no-heel leather with pointy toes. Which did not match her classy dresses and blouses in vibrant colors.

Jane was quite curious how Ms. Winters obtained her class. Are witches born with magic, or is it something they learn and develop which somehow triggers the system into giving them access to the supernatural profile? Jane wasn't going to go out of her way to inquire. A Keeper of the Lore title must represent some degree of status with her group. Ms. Winters was only in her mid-thirties. Historically, and in the fantasy she had read, Elders are in charge of traditions and lore for whatever organization they are involved with. Ms. Winters had to be quite knowledgeable. At least in regards to research and memorization, since her level wasn't that high.

Which raised another question, How is level calculated? Is it based on combat ability or stat percentage in relation to those at base stats at level one? Jane was still level 1 and had higher stats than most her level. This is assuming that everyone has a base 10 for each stat at level 1. Out of 6 stats, you should have 60 points. She had 74, now that she had gotten 4 additional points this morning. That put her at 23% higher than others. Or maybe it's through combat experience. Jane hadn't fought anyone. She'll know as she raises her stats, because she doesn't plan on fighting anyone just yet.

Jane focused back on the lesson. She still was going through with her plan to graduate early and with ample college or university credit, giving her a foothold for future opportunities. Knowing her stats just gave her another means to gauge progress.

By the end of the class, Jane was quite happy. Not only did she get new questions to study about the system, she gained a level in Dexterity since the class was a lab. Handling the delicate vials and beakers without breaking them seemed to be a form of training. Although, given her measly 8 points at the time, Jane was sure the 24 points in Luck played a part. If this really were a game, she should be clumsy. So, the two extra points earned this morning, plus the 10 stat bonus from having access to the system was basically doubling what she had the day before.

[table=white]Intelligence +1[/table]

Frowning, Jane shook her head as she packed up her books. The system was definitely listening to her thoughts and having fun with her. She wasn't going to scare it off, though. Stat points had to start slowing down in their gains at some point, and she didn't want to hurry it along. Especially for Intelligence, Wisdom, and Luck. Those featured heavily in determining success in any area of life.

Chemistry was Jane's second class of the day and the one just before her lunch break. It was also Ms. Winter's start of her free period. Jane didn't want to let on she was anything but a normal and unassuming person, but she wanted to know if she could get some answers as well. Now, when the room was empty was most likely to be the best time.

Her advanced placement History class was after lunch and they just so happened to be covering medieval times. Jane had previously no intention of writing a paper on witches for her mid-terms, but she had read enough history books to do it if needed. She decided if she was going to peak Ms. Winters interest she would need to use that angle, but in such a way it wouldn't be the standard and overly-done one. She might even tie it in with the new-age concept that Ms. Winters seemed to play up.

Walking to her desk, Jane stood and waited for the woman to take notice. Time ticked on and Jane was secretly cursing how effective she hid in plain sight. After five minutes, Jane decided to clear her throat.

Looking up from her papers, Ms. Winters looked startled. "Oh, sorry...I didn't see you were there. Did you need something?"

Jane caught the slip. She doesn't even remember my face. Well, this could be good as well. If it goes badly, she might not even remember me on Monday. This is Friday, after all. "Yes, I remembered that you had a free period and was hoping you might have some spare time to discuss, or at least offer some suggestions for me to look into, a project I'm doing for my history class."

Listening to that long-winded answer from a student who was obviously nervous, Ms. Winters nodded along. She was always willing to help a student who did proper research. History wasn't her area, so this student must have obviously been hunting for facts to support their project. "I could spare a few minutes. What is your project?"

Twisting her fingers in her hand, Jane gave a relieved look and carried on with her plan. "I'm in the AP History class and we're discussing projects for the medieval period. I've read a lot of books on history and nearly all of them cover that aspect the same. So, I decided to take a different angle. With your help, I think I could give it some credibility if I do the proper research. I just need sources to look into."

Scrunching her eyebrows together, Ms. Winters asked, "This does have to do with chemistry, right? Are you looking to recreate some invention?"

"Yes and no. With your background, I thought you might be able to recommend me some sources. I decided to try and put a different spin on the witch hunts. I realize this is going to be controversial, but anything that discusses them is bland. As long as I offer firm facts and sources, I should technically be able to write my paper on anything as long as I meet all the technical requirements. I don't plan on writing anything outlandish, but I do want to do something interesting for once." Jane said in a pleading tone.

Ms. Winters blinked for a few moments during Jane's explanation. "With my background...I'm a chemistry teacher. What are you looking for, exactly?" Her tone was firmer with the question.

"Basically anything that could explain how people could think that there was magic. The textbooks all point to superstitions and other people using the hysteria at the time to accuse people they didn't like for those burnings. I'm sure it was mostly that. However, there had to be some fledgling chemists in whatever form that made those people think something could be magic." Jane stopped to see if her teacher was following before she continued.

"Maybe it was a rustic recipe passed down for generations that cured a cough better than the primitive doctors at the time. Or maybe it was some knowledge of astronomy and soil that helped farmers get better crop yields. If you're studying chemistry to the graduate level, I was hoping you might have come across something that could point me in the right direction."

Ms. Winters let out a slow breath. Jane was curious just what she had thought she was going to ask. Maybe she isn't as discreet as I plan to be, Jane thought. I'll remember this for the future. "I'm not sure about the soil. You'd have to do some digging, no pun intended, into geological records of the area and time. They weren't too concerned with that back then. I'm sure any local crop tallies for tax purposes would have been discarded by now as well that could even give a hint of yields. As for rustic medicine, I could give you a few titles to look into. They are fairly obscure, however. Might even be out of print, since I went to a university on the other coast. This is a small village, after all."

Jane nodded. She didn't expect anything dealing with the occult, after all. "I'd appreciate any help. I might be able to find electronically scanned copies. Maybe I could place a request with your university." Ms. Winters nodded at this in agreement. Clearly this wasn't related to her Lore that she was Keeping.

"Also, and this is going to seem even less credible, I was thinking of doing some comparison with today's culture."

"How do you mean?" Ms. Winters asked.

"I realize you're not a physics teacher," Jane paused. "And really, this was only something I've been thinking of adding after not really finding anything for my first angle. So this was more to bulk up the paper. So I decided to compare the current new-aged culture with Wicca and Energy Workers and people's reactions with the past."

Ms. Winters gave a disgusted look. "And you think I can help you with that?"

"Oh, no. You never struck me as the type of person who would be into that sort of stuff. Simply giving me possible avenues to explore in proving the possibility that culture might have some semblance of credibility would be enough. For instance, I have read that thought is a form of energy. Since energy can only be shifted from one form to another, could there really be some type of healing done with energy by laying your hands on someone? If I had some way of proving this with science then I could link it back with medieval times and compare and contrast the people's reactions." Jane stopped after she said this, she was rather proud of how she pulled all of that together.

Maybe it was the increase in Intelligence, Wisdom, and Luck that pulled those bits of information from her mind and tied it in with an offhanded comment she remembered from The Council's introductory notification about how she became a candidate for uplifting. Whatever it was, it left Ms. Winters speechless.

"You're...interested in this?" She said slowly.

"I think it would certainly provide credible basis for my paper. Even if it proves fruitless, at least I'd have something to argue with over drinks later in life when discussing philosophy." Jane smiled. "We're a month into the semester, this is why I'm starting early. A week or two looking into this would still give me plenty of time to try something else."

Ms. Winters smiled in chagrin. "I get the feeling that you would. You remind me of a friend I met in university with comments like that. She was always searching for the truth behind religion." Ms. Winters shook her head and sighed.

Jane raised an eyebrow. "Did she find it?"

"No. She decided that God or whatever higher power was a myth." Ms. Winters sighed.

"She discovered this through philosophy or doing scientific experiments on energy?"

"Experiments. She was doing her graduate work on how effective a religious service was based on emotional resonance that was created during key points of a person's sermon. She set up a bunch of electronic equipment to measure changes in the room in various locations. She'd measure each church over four weeks and move on to another. They'd record all the services held that day to get the reactions based on crowd changes as well."

Jane was intrigued. "What did she find?"

"She never mentioned it in her thesis, but she was hoping to see if some energy changes entered the room based on a certain amount of harmonious resonance with the group. This would likely indicate an entity picking up on their heightened frequencies that the body was giving off as the sermon progressed. This could be God listening. All she cold prove was that there was a certain amount of group-think and how emotional appeal could be calculated based on a set of common words and phrases that all preachers seemed to use." Ms. Winters said sadly.

"Entity?" Jane stated, surprised.

Ms. Winters cringed. "Caught that, did you? It's one of those new-aged terms when some people are discussing a being that doesn't have a physical form like us."

"Really? I've not heard of this."

"It's not really been measured or defined with science. As you can tell, and will likely learn later in university, students research all kinds of things." Ms. Winters said, covering previous slip.

"So, do you think I could have access to your friend's research? It sounds like it might be related to energy healing. It at least statistically showed changes to people's mood. And maybe...you could point out the literature that your friend was using to base her thesis on?" Jane asked timidly.

Ms. Winters shook her head. "I doubt you'd find anything to help with your project."

Later, Jane walked out with a few numbers to call and book titles to research. None of which dealt with magic, but at least gave her something to look into. Physics and Chemistry had to lead somewhere, right?

[table=white]New Skill: Acting - Beginner 1Through the use of emotional manipulation, body language, and tone of voice you have shown you have what it takes to sway hearts and minds. With each level increase your lies become 1% more believable, even if they are poorly constructed.[/table]

"Really?" Jane muttered as she went to get something to for lunch.