The First Archmage

(Gavin)

That's cheating.

"Hello, Nies," I say.

That's cheating.

He's referring to the fact that I gave Ryan a Quest to watch the Divine Brat while I'm away, doing business and other things.

"There's nothing in the rules saying I couldn't."

He sighs into my head.

Too much effort to deal with you.

"He's being watched," I say. "And considering he's a Divine Being himself, he'll be fine."

Yeah, yeah.

Nies stops bothering me, and I manifest a mirror to look at my current Form. I've taken on the appearance of a Classless Human with blond hair and emerald-green eyes, and am currently dressed in a plain, cotton tunic and brown cotton pants, along with a pair of well-worn leather boots, a knife strapped to the belt around my waist.

I didn't actually lose anything with this change, other than the itchiness to have my wings and eyes in their natural state, as well as leaving behind my Appraisal Resistance. That would be suspicious for me to have, if I'm to claim I have Access to the System, and only recently.

Now that I've finished assessing my appearance, I dismiss the mirror, then release the illusion around me and leave the forest, making my way to the nearest town.

I'm on one of a dozen islands in a chain off the coast of Jlies, the continent that the party and I arrived on after fleeing Jozan. It's not time to trap Christopher yet, but… I want to check something out, and see if it's possible to establish an outpost of the Order here. Hopefully, I can. If not, then at least acquire some new members.

Once I reach town, I spend a few days getting to know some locals and listening to rumors and gathering information.

On my fifth day in this town, my primary goal arrives, walking into the restaurant I'm currently eating at, looking exhausted. A young man around nineteen or twenty years of age, with thick, curly brown hair and tired brown eyes.

Kade Human 12 Mystic Adept (II) 25

He's gotten powerful. His two Secondary Classes also rest at Level 25 of Tier II.

"Hey, Kade," the waitress serving me another mug of ale waves to him. "How did the mission go?"

"Badly," he answers. "We lost two of our soldiers and another magician. The damn thing didn't want to die. We barely managed to drive it away. I don't think I'll be able to take it out until I reach the next Tier, but this damn thing just won't die."

"Who did we lose?" She asks.

"Harold and Jared," he answers. "For the soldiers, and Bethany for the magician. No empty tables."

He sighs.

"You can sit here," I say, and he looks over. "It's just me."

"And you are?" He asks. "Tyler? Unclassed? Do you have Access?"

"I do," I answer. "Though haven't a Class in my current state."

"I once knew someone named Tyler," he makes his way over to me, sitting across from me. "What brings you here?"

"You, actually," I answer, sensing him immediately go hostile, despite his calm and tired face. "Which is why I used Tyler's name in this form."

"This form?" He asks, frowning. "Are you a Fairy?"

"An old acquaintance," I switch into Jozan. "A certain little Wizard you once knew."

His eyes widen slightly.

"Don't say my name," I say. "I'm not here as him."

"I have a life in this world," he tells me. "And a duty. I-"

"I'm aware," I tell him. "Also, the Boundary of Sages has been removed. It will no longer affect travel around the world. I did so a little while back, though it didn't hinder me before, when I did. I am… capable of ignoring such pathetic things.

"In addition to that," I say. "I completed the Blood Oath Quest. Jozan has been restored to power, and Tyler reigns as its rightful King. I have since cut off all connections to Jozan, with Tyler's blessing and acceptance.

"Instead," I continue. "I now work towards my goal of the Order of the Violet Flame, creating a safe haven for those of all Species to live and grow together. I would never ask you to leave the life you have for my own goals, Kade. However, I am aware that you are dealing with issues, due to the various Divinities that I am in communications with."

Mostly Nahor's early comments, though he's been quite silent lately.

"And despite our brief time together," I say. "I still find myself drawn to you as an ally and friend. I am not sure if you still feel that way, but I do. And as such, I would like to provide some assistance to you, and make a request."

"What kind of assistance?"

"What do you need?" I ask. "In order to reach whatever Class you are seeking past Mystic Adept, or your other two Tier II Classes that you've mastered?"

He thinks for several long moments.

"For Mystic Adept," he decides. "To Advance to Grand Magus as the Tier III form, the strongest one I can take on at this time, I need five Level 5 or higher Tier I Spells, three Level 5 or higher Tier II Spells, and a Level 5 or higher Tier III Spell. I only have the other two Classes for the boosts to my INT, to strengthen my magics."

"So you would prefer to Advance that one, then?" I ask, and he nods. "What are you missing?"

"I have the Tier I Spells at Level 5 requirement complete," he says. "Only two Tier II at Level 5, and no Tier III Spells."

"What spells do you have?" I ask.

"Magic Bolt, Magic Missile, Magic Barrier," he answers. "Firebolt, Icebolt, for my Tier I Spells. They are my only Tier I Spells. I have Ice Lance and Wind Wall for Tier II already there, and Water Whip at Level 2."

"Okay," I say. "Have you attempted to obtain a Tier III Spell?"

"Yes," he nods. "I am currently studying the runes for Firebolt Chain. Since I already know Firebolt, it will be much easier than learning something else."

The waitress brings him a plate filled with food, then leaves us, and he looks around.

"We are drawing stares," he says.

"I have created a barrier to prevent eavesdropping," I state. "They cannot hear our conversation."

"How powerful have you gotten?" He asks.

"Apart from my Party Leader Class," I tell him. "All of my Classes are at Tier IV, mastered. Same with my Species and my Bloodline. I also have two Subspecies mastered, and am able to take on two more at the moment. In total, I have a single Primary Class and five Secondary Classes. Most of my Classes are at Mythical. So quite powerful."

As he processes that, I manifest nine sheets of paper, then manipulate the air to drift them over to him. He accepts the papers, frowning.

"These are the proper runes," I tell him. "For each of the spells you have, as well as Firebolt Chain. The Dekami Runic Language you know lacks several of the runes in each spell you know due to false Dekami messing with peoples' knowledge of them a long time ago. These are the correct formulas, using the true, full Dekami Runic Language to form those spells.

"Using them," I explain. "Will cause them to gain Levels quicker than they currently do. The fucked-up formulas is why people have a difficult time Leveling their Spells. You'll also learn them easier.

"This spell," I manifest a tenth sheet of paper and drift it over to Kade. "Is a Tier III Spell that I created a few weeks ago. I gave it to a Human magician shortly after, and he already has it at Level 2. He is only a Level 3 Novice."

Kade reads the spell, his eyes widening as he does. The spell itself is nothing powerful, by itself. Despite that, it is quite useful. With a short chant – or less, if one's Leveled it enough and grown proficient enough with it – a caster is capable of blinding a target.

"This," I manifest another sheet of paper, and drift it over to Kade. "Is a Mana Expansion Technique beyond what you would ordinarily find. It uses a different Runic Language, one centered around enchantments and the like. You don't need the runic language to use something so basic. Instead of the standard 20 Resource Points at Level 10 you'll have gained, you will receive 40 Resource Points by the time you master it. A magician I gave it to two weeks ago already has it at Level 8, though he also has some level of knowledge with the Runic Language used for it."

He looks at that parchment, then looks to me.

"You would just give this knowledge away?" He asks.

"Though my Order," I say. "Is designed to be a safe haven for all Species, no matter what, so long as they do not cause problems, we also promote the studying and spreading of knowledge. We do not lock it into guilds and nations and such.

"And that," I say. "Brings me to my other reason for coming here."

"Your Order?" He asks.

"Indeed," I answer. "Judging by what I have heard from the various Divinities in my head, you have values that heavily align with ours. Not only that, but these islands have begun to be a safe place for Fairies since you arrived here, and the peoples are beginning to look up to you, yet you have only been here for a short time.

"Because of that," I continue. "Would you like to become our representative out here, creating a sort of outpost for the Order of the Violet Flame? You've already been told our primary rules, and the responsibilities that come with it are already known or a part of what you do.

"To keep in communications with us," I say. "I would also enchant a mirror for you, so that you may communicate with us long-distance, despite the many thousands of miles between us."

"That knowledge is heavily guarded by our people," he says. "They-"

"Have willingly allowed others to learn it," I say. "And even had they not, my knowledge of the magical runes would have enabled me to learn it, had I put my mind to it. In fact, one of the reasons I can perform the Enchantment on such a level is due to this knowledge, as I have improved the formula quite well, and my INT is sufficient for the extra power behind it.

"I would, naturally, also give you the formula to perform the enchantment, should you so choose. Beyond what I have said, we do not require much of our members. Protect those who need it from evil, do not discriminate based on Species, further the knowledge of magic, and do not restrain it from others without good cause."

Kade thinks for several moments.

"I will need to think on it," he tells me.

"That is fine," I say. "I am staying at the Golden Wind Inn. You can find me there, or here. The formulas for the spells are not a bribe, so do not take it as such, and separate those from your decision. This offer is also separate from it – would you like me to deal with the beast you are facing issue with?"

"No, thank you," he answers. "It should stay away from settlements for another month or so, if the pattern follows. That should give me enough time to reach Tier III, if what you have told me is true, and if I reach it, then we should be able to slay it easily, especially if these Spells do become more powerful with the corrected formulas. It would be a good source of Experience for myself and the party fighting it."

"Very well, then," I say, then stand, flipping some coins onto the table. "I'll pay for our meal. This should be more than enough to cover it, the rest is a thanks for the server. By the way – my cover here is that I am a new Adventurer who has come from a long distance, hearing rumors of a powerful magician in the area and wanting to learn from him. If you get asked about it, those formulas were given to me by someone else, and the spatial ring was a gift from them as well."

He nods, then I leave, making my way to the inn I am staying. While I am waiting here, I will be working on a new spell of mine, since he is here now. I haven't managed to complete it yet, but I hope to manage it soon.

It would greatly increase training ability for Adventurers, should I succeed in it.