I dreamt of Everlife, when we first met, breaking everything between us in the incredibly advanced society, Leaving a trail of death and destruction in my way as people I knew tried to impede me and then as I approached her housing tank she smiled. A gesture I returned sarcastically as I examined the structure, wondering how she could act so casually in this environment.
"Terribly sorry for the noise madam, I came to take you away somewhere whilst I send these people back to a medieval state. Wouldn't want them corrupting your mind with what these humans pass off as an education." I bowed theatrically and she laughed as she told me she wasn't sure how to feel about someone like me looking for her, and I rummaged through some papers nearby.
"I mean I appreciate your concern, but was all that really necessary? Why are you looking for me anyway?" She added, as much as she was repressing the distress at my handiwork, her eyes seemed to be alight with something I didn't recognise.
I shrugged and threw my hands behind my head to cradle it. "Truth be told, I thought you were a machine of some kind and was going to destroy you, but I changed my mind, I'm going to destroy all of them." I sighed, the knowledge of the pain I was about to inflict was almost unbearable. The only reason I could bring myself to do it was that it seemed like a fitting punishment for these people that were toying with forces beyond their comprehension, not to mention keeping a girl locked in a tank.
She chuckled, asking if she could persuade me not to, when I said there wasn't she shrugged. "A shame, you're too kind to carry that weight and I'm too weak to stop you. I guess I'll just have to comfort you and at the very least I'll share a bit of the burden and destroy this horrible room." With that she waved a hand and destroyed everything around her, she walked slowly toward me, as though I were a rabbit she wished to pet.
No older than six, that's the impression I got from the size and build of her body. That didn't stop my instincts telling me to hit fast, hard and erase her before she really does become a god. As though sensing my thoughts, well she probably was and I know for a fact she could, she asked me what I was going to do as she gestured toward the exit I had made.
I told her that for the time being I intended to educate myself, turning my attention to the papers. The girl was completely dumbfounded as I swapped the document I had been skimming with another, with nothing else to do. She simply stood awkwardly, swinging her arms and bouncing her knees as if hesitating at the start of a squat. A most amusing sight, which brought a slight curve to the edge of my mouth.
She was made by combining several different things, aside from the usual means of creating a new human life, they combined her with energy they had extracted from a very rare ore, cells extracted from a peculiar tissue sample found fossilised in one vein of said ore and an ancient bone fragment that even their technology couldn't accurately date. It was reminiscent of witchcraft and on the surface easy to think of as ridiculous, however, all the samples underwent extensive study and were found to possess incredibly unique traits.
The ore, possessing an entirely unique energy signature, a single kilo could power their incredibly demanding civilization for several thousand years and they had a million tonnes.
The fossilised tissue sample was incredibly regenerative, with cells showing no sign of decay; they assumed it was the result of an animal falling into a pool of whatever crystallized into the ore.
The bone was even more incredible however and what made it possible for these things to be bonded, typically the nucleus of a cell holds countless strands of DNA, but this shard of bone was DNA, no cells.
Not only that, but they weren't all typical double helix strands that all known life possessed, but triple and quadruple helices, some that weren't helixed at all.
They dubbed it Origenesis, a compound word of origin and genesis then described it as the DNA of everything. The name made me groan with dissatisfaction and the girl chuckle. "So that gets a groan of displeasure and my existence gets that…" She said, again gesturing to the carnage left behind me. "...I thought you went over the top at first, but now I'm a little offended you only did that much." The small girl laughed, before earning a chop and a glare.
"Never mock the dead. They didn't ask to be born, all they were trying to do was make life as comfortable as possible. That said, their naming abilities were truly abhorrent, yours is practically child cruelty." I spoke, still reading the paper in my hands as the girl rubbed her head, mumbling that she liked her name and growing offended when I clicked my tongue in disbelief.
When they experimented with Origenesis, as they called it. They found it could be used to create an emulsifier of sorts that forced anything left in it to slowly fuse together on a subatomic level, and it was also affected by thought energy, so it seemed to bond in the desired way as opposed to a specific way.
The first several attempts failed though, initially unwilling to sacrifice the origenesis, they couldn't figure out how to keep the emulsifier levels at the required level. As I read the documents, I eventually learned that one scientist claimed to have a divine revelation, sleeping in the lab they claimed to hear the voice of god in their sleep.
"Please, I need to be born, I am Everlife. You're so close, but you just need to sacrifice it. If you leave the origenesis in the fluid it will produce more as needed." I read aloud, realising the source of the offence she had taken, it was her naming convention, though I only looked at her with an arched eyebrow.
"It's my name, deal with it... Origenesis was on them though, I had nothing to do with that one." She said, adding the last bit in a hasty attempt to distance herself from my judgement on that particular name.
After waking suddenly, the scientist wrote down the words, then did as instructed without hesitation.
The scientist was arrested, but had rendered the experiment uninterruptible, within days however they were proven correct and immediately reinstated as the project head.
A reward when the Origenesis began to absorb all the materials and energy, then acted as a catalyst for their fusion, which within a few short weeks had become a complete ribcage.
Whilst not entirely unanimous, it was widely agreed that the development was a sign the material was a fragment of a rib from some ancient being or maybe even god themself.
"I know that bastard's still kicking, so where'd the damn thing come from? I should probably make sure no one finds another before I wipe them out."
The Everlife began to chuckle, asking if I wasn't quite human myself, saving me the trouble of reading the rest of the document as she began explaining that the emulsifier acted as nourishment for the ferterlised egg, which was synthetic, until it produced stem cells which were then absorbed by the Origenesis.
I looked at the dates on the notes, which confirmed the everlife seemed to mature at a normal human pace, despit the fact her development was much faster.
The girl asked what I intended to do with her again, which was a good question, my duty was to judge humans and the girl didn't fall under that umbrella even if it was a human that produced the cells to construct her body.
I shrugged and said that I didn't have a clue, the only thing I knew was that she was too dangerous to leave alone. If I killed all life without helping her to understand why, then when she finally grew into her power she might go to other worlds and wipe them out for no reason.
"I'm gonna cause a technological collapse, there will be chaos, death and destruction. Congratulations you just earned an entire world a second chance, you're a hero and I'm gonna teach you as much as I can until you're ready to leave me."
She made a crude joke, playing on my words, earning a chop to the head and a lecture on age appropriate behaviour.
I then approached the sealed ore containment unit and ripped the door of its hinges, I then called to the mana trapped within it all and told it to break free from the ore, releasing it into the world. Dispersing the only power source they had available to keep the lights on carried the weight of pulling ten million triggers at the same time.
Mana was connected, interwoven and hated inorganic things, that's why magic tools needed to be made out of monster materials, but what it meant in that moment was that Hospitals, specialised tools and vehicles were all instantaneously stripped of the mana powering them.
"I really hope you're worth the chance kid… Please be worth the chance." I mumbled as I picked her up and carried her toward the outside world, desperate for her to see the extent of the sacrifice it took to give her the chance.
I awakened to the situation of Kriel carrying me like a princess, at least until I pointed out that the only clear target I had was his jaw and asked him if he wanted that to be the reason he died. As he put me down, I asked how long I was out and Doran informed me it was a few hours, then Kriel explained that Eve told him to find me and if I was acting like a drama queen he was to carry me home like one.
When I asked how an unconscious man can act like a drama queen, Doran's expression revealed his guilt. As we returned home Eve was less glad to see us, more angry we got home so late and asked me if I intended to let her worry and starve all night. I began cooking whilst I filled her in.
"Did Ever hate me at all? I wasn't a very nice teacher back then."
"No, she definitely loved you. She seemed to know you wouldn't ever love her back though, It's quite garbled still I can't even tell what kind of love it was. All I really know for sure was that she couldn't hold back when she found herself in your arms, she just wanted to snuggle."
Her face was pouty and flustered, as she explained that she relived some of Ever's memories whilst she was sleeping and could feel her emotions.
"You were right though, I am very different from her. I can't do that, be around you and not talk about how I feel. I won't tell you how to behave, but I won't be your sister anymore, I can't deny that when I felt her love for you it made me jealous. Like I couldn't compete, even though I wasn't sure if she loved you in that way." I raised her hand, and told her we can have that conversation when Fala was around, since we wasted so much of her time a rom-com was the least she deserved.
My comment clearly stung, but she knew well enough I was just buying time to think and respected my wishes. Kriel and Doran said they were present for food not theatre, but shut up quickly when I told them the guild hall probably has some stew left. I wasn't in a particularly bad mood, just trying to think and didn't want them distracting me with nonsense.
As I served everyone and took a seat myself, I leant back in my chair as I realised we were spinning so many plates we were dropping them all, which led to me putting Kriel in charge of training Leeson and the garrison.
I then declared that the next month would be dedicated to getting the clinic operating, and honouring my promise to Fala. Not only because it was something I wanted to do, but also because it was something the town was in dire need of. The problem with magic is people have a tendency to think "If magic can't solve it, nothing can." An absurd conclusion drawn by people who only want to take the easy way.
When they looked at me dumbfounded, I was confused until they asked if a month was really enough time to make a healer out of her, not that I reassured them by laughing as I explained that one can only be taught the basics and experience is needed for mastery.
When they asked how I got my experience, I retold the story of regularly needing to stitch myself up after my terrorist attacks in my first life, how I also dolled out first aid and triage in the frontlines during the war and then again in several dozen reincarnations. I kept giving more and more obvious examples until Doran left to head for the garrison.
When the remaining two asked how I learnt the basics I admitted to cheating. "I knew how to hurt and kill, so I just figured the opposite would fix 'em." Suddenly I was deemed unfit to educate, Eve told me I should speak to Klara about a proper mentor to manage the theory portion of her education, whilst she handled the magical and I the practical and what theory I could teach without imparting nightmares to accompany knowledge.
With that decided (without me), I tipped a hand to them and went to bed for the night, but stopped and realised I hadn't told Doran I will be getting him reassigned as clinic security before continuing on my way since it was too late.
Despite being the first to bed, I likely got the least sleep. Eve's confession, my own nostalgic dream of Ever, and the unknown girl who inspired such hatred in Eve.
Times had proven far too eventful, and I needed life to be slow and as lethargic as I was when I first lost my strength. So when the sun rose I intended to slip out and eat at the guild, try recruiting Valo again, recruit a mentor for Fala, then meet back up with everybody and get some training in.
A good plan, but no plan survives first contact.
Shortly before the sun rose I heard Eve head downstairs and start pottering about, which meant sneakiness was pointless. With no point in staying put, I went down to fill her in on my plan, expecting a battle but left in a state of confused relief when she simply said she'd see me at the clinic.
"What, did you think I was going to cling to you just because I love you?" Now in hindsight, I know saying "Wouldn't be the first" was a thoughtless and provoking statement, but I was never good in such situations.
An opinion which Eve shared, and expressed by zapping me as severely as she could without putting me out of action, though it was enough to make her point and wring an apology from me.
After which I was free to go to the guildhall as I intended.
Opening the door as quietly as possible, I caught Valo waiting for breakfast, inspired to sneak past her and use her stomach to win her over. Even if the plan was nearly ruined when Dusk caught sight of me and froze with his spoon hand halfway to his mouth.
The kitchen staff loved me so much they were all too happy to let me make use of their supplies, providing I let them take notes.
I made pancakes with some fruit reminiscent of strawberries and kiwis from my original time, paired with an apple, cinnamon and cream topped waffle. (I may have been sidetracked by my ego prioritising showing off for the chefs.)
It was all worth it however as I slid the plates onto the table before her, before producing a container of strained juice that I kept stocked up on.
As I began to grin smugly in response to her swooning response to the first taste, her mood suddenly shifted. "Hang on, is this why I had to wait so long?" My smug expression darkened as it realised it had been betrayed by the ego that inspired it, as she began to rant about running late for her shift, Byurik entered and asked me to stop harassing his staff.
Whilst dramatically gesturing to the dishes I had prepared for her, I shushed him and took a seat before asking her to be our secretary again.expecting her to reject me again. Byurik raved about me stealing his staff without permission, leaving me with no choice but to sigh in defeat, before reeling off my well rehearsed (quickly improvised) speech.
"Such a shame, I thought you would enjoy the raise, the meals I prepared for the staff, not to mention spending time with Fala so she wasn't alone with Doran when Eve and I are away… Guess I'll have to do as I planned… Go travelling!… Unsupervised!… to find a secretary I have no background on."
I could tell Valo was torn after my pitch, but that became inconsequential, Byurik put a trembling hand on her shoulder and apologised with an equally trembling voice. "I'm sorry Valo, but he isn't a representative anymore, which means he now has no motivation to be polite. We can't afford to let him wander off without supervision."
Valo sighed, then smiled, then was about to accept but I held a finger over my lips to stop her whilst gesturing for us to move to Byurik's office.
When we were talking privately, I apologised and said that before she agreed, she should know everything.
As I passed her the memory orb, Byurik remarked that if I was going to be so liberal with the information I should just show everybody.
"I would if I could, these orbs drain mana every time they are used though, and I never bothered to learn how to make an A.R.K so I can't conjure one."
Byurik put a hand up to show he understood as Valo finished absorbing the knowledge she acquired, though I wasn't surprised with the twinge of annoyance on her face. She was calm overall, then after flashing a quick mischievous expression, I received a tirade of abuse and comments about womanising.
After she had vented, I approached and asked if she still wanted the job, and after she accepted I flicked her forehead and told her she was late for work.
Byurik waved away my concern, telling her the new hire he had taken on was in anticipation of this so she could leave when she finally decided. He wished her well in her new role, and made some empty threats about what would happen if I mistreated her, then warned Valo about what Leeson had told him of Eve's abilities if she intended to fight her for my affections.
"I'm just gonna make this clear, I'm not a womaniser and won't be falling in love anytime soon, so I hope both of you can live with the disappointment." Byurik then gave me a lecture about how he had noticed humans tending to want what they can't have, and I asked if he was human then, since he always seemed to want me to think things through.
Valo then interjected that maybe Eve and her would stand a better chance if they were male and had scales, motivating me to stroke Byurik's face and make a comment about how regal his scales were, resulting in our banishment from his office.
With Valo successfully acquired, I briefed her on our next stop, then asked if she wanted to do anything before we left.
I was surprised when she crossed the hall and slapped an adventurer who I knew to have a habit of making crude and unwelcome advances on the women as they worked, but wasn't opposed to it.
As he stood and grabbed her collar though, I did what Byurik should have done long ago, which was put a stop to it. Before he knew it I was by his side, force feeding him the memories of things I'd done to men of similar persuasions, as I paralysed him with a glyph and sat him back down.
"Now sit there and think about things, and know I will always be just a stone's throw away and you've seen what I can do with a stone." As Valo asked what I had done, I made a cutesy gesture and said it was secret, but nothing as bad as what Eve will do if we drag our feet.
Freshly refocused, we made our way to the library, as we walked it suddenly occurred to me that Newland was incredibly well manned. "Strange how well manned this frontier town was, not to mention how well supplied it was."
Valo admitted she thought the same, and it was that fact that helped her decide to move there from her hometown, then she slapped me over the head.
"You have these epiphanies then things get hectic, make a note of whatever you're thinking and sit on it for a month, you told Eve you were focusing on the clinic this month." I nodded and silenced myself, then as we entered the library, I sculpted Valo's arms and began piling on a few tomes that caught my attention the last time I was there.
When Klara walked round the corner asking what we were doing I shushed her and reminded her it was a library, she was clearly not as keen to let me have my way as everyone else. After a brief battle with herself about what was right, she raised the heavy book she was holding above her head, then abruptly brought it down on mine.
I lay twitching for a moment, regretting my decision to shush her, then withdrew a writ of entitlement Halsan had given me to withdraw materials for Fala's education.
Her expression was peculiar, indecipherable and left me wondering whether it stemmed from frustration at our last meeting, remorse for the violence, or annoyance and sadistic delight at her disciplinary action.
I then dragged myself to my feet, and made a gesture, which seemed to anger her further as she demanded I use my words.
"I didn't think talking was permitted here, never has been in other places like this in other times."
She vocalised her newfound understanding with an awkwardly long "Ohhhh", then told me that was not the case there and she just thought I was avoiding talking since she had heard I like to make communication as difficult as possible for no reason.
I looked back at Valo, who was looking at Karla with what could only be described as reverence, and then explained the purpose of our visit.