LIGHTNOVELONLINE Side Story: Always Two, There Are
Tess was waiting in the shadows near the Tutorial obelisk for the next arrival. She had just sent off another earlier that day and the respawn clock was about to tick over. Timekeeper was counting down the last few seconds.
“Three, two, one.”
The runes on the obelisk lit up and the stone archways flashed through various scenes as the magic searched for the next… victim? Target? She really needed to come up with a better word for those who were brought here other than arrival. As the scene stabilized within the archways, she saw a gathering of people. Some wore robes of browns and tans while others wore blacks. Each was waving around a colored stick like a sword, with those in black having almost exclusively red while the others had a variety of colors. The final flash occurred and one of the brown cloaked individuals stood there, his green colored stick glowing in the darkness.
“Greetings,” Tess called out as she stepped forwards.
The man turned towards her.
“Wait. Where am I? What just happened?”
“You’re in the Tutorial? You were just summoned here via magic.”
“Magic? Man, I was really hoping for a future based isekai if I got one. And why did it have to be during the convention?”
Tess shrugged. There had been so many who passed through that reactions had varied from severe denial to joyful acceptance. This was somewhere in the middle.
“So is there like an RPG mechanic to this?” he asked.
“Oh, yes. Let me show you,” Tess started, and began to explain the System.
Several days later she stood at the obelisk again. Today she wore a black set of robes, similar to that which she had seen within the archways upon Michael’s arrival. No, it was Lord Imminent now.
“There is nothing else I can teach you, Lord Imminent,” Tess said, making her voice sound raspy and hoarse.
“My Master, there is much I can still learn from you.”
“But why would I let you in on all the secrets I have knowledge of? No. You are no longer my apprentice. But do not worry, I’m not going to kill you. I have other uses for you.”
Tess cackled menacingly, throwing a few lightning spells to either side of Imminent.
“It shall be as you say, My Master.”
“Go. Show your power to those who would dare defy you.”
Imminent rose from the kneeling position.
“Thank you, Tess.”
“You’re welcome, Michael.”
He turned and went to the obelisk. A flash of magical light later and he was gone.
Tess marveled at the various ingenuity that many who passed through possessed. Lightning magic, telekinesis, telepathy, sword fighting, and enchanting magic had been the core of Michael’s build. It was a unique blend that she had never seen before. Hopefully he enjoyed himself.