Rise of the Godking

By the time the elf stopped speaking, Alex was looking at him as if he was a stranger.

Magic. It had been such a common thing back on Angaria, where even those without any background could get tested, and accepted as apprentices…although their means of improvement, from then on, might be limited when compared to those born with sufficient background.

Here, everything was different. Magic was something forbidden, at least in these islands, but as it was one of the most potent weapons in his quiver, he had done everything to sharpen it to its previous strength once more…and had been discovered in this manner by the member of an ancient species.

He sighed, as if fighting with the idea of revealing something so important about him. Yes, he did trust his companions much more than before due to what they had just done, but that didn't mean that he could entrust them with secrets that could mean their deaths, as well as his if they were known to anyone on the mainland.

While taking the pause that he knew he deserved, he asked in his mind, 'System, have you prepared what I asked you last time?"

In Athwarf, right when he had met the elf, he had seen that there might come a situation in the future where the mistake he had made then could not be repeated.

At that moment, he had meant it more as a precaution against other members of his species…and although he was loath to use it on someone who had been ready to sacrifice his own life for him, he knew that he might just have no choice.

The man could sniff out lies. Even if Daneel tried to tell him something close to the truth, he would find that there was too much hidden. To satisfy him, Daneel would have to speak about the system, which was something he hadn't done even with those who had been his family…so right now, there was no other option but to lie, and lie well.

[Affirmative. Detection is based on one's connection with one's surroundings, and an instinctive study of the consciousness of the one that the target is speaking to. Both can be changed so that the target will not know that host is lying. However, for best effect, it is recommended that host should make the decision to hide memories of everything but what pertains to the answer that host is the give.]

The system's answer made him feel even more awe for these elves, who were definitely so different from those back on Angaria that there almost seemed to be no relation. A consciousness was one's innermost personality, one's very soul that was meant to be secretive by nature, itself. Even those containing great power that might border on that of a God could not easily break into a consciousness, so the fact that these elves could simply read it in this matter…was truly incredible.

Right before he let it hide away his memories, though, he got a small idea that was based on everything he had heard about elves, and had seen from his friend so far. It seemed so absurd that at first glance, it was as if there was no way that it would come to be, but still, he kept the thought firmly in mind and told the system to temporarily delete everything else.

[Affirmative. Cognition module will reinstate memories when the situation is deemed to be right. Editing present memories to conform with host's answer. Temporary deletion commencing in five, four…]

When the counter ended, it felt as if a bright light had suddenly come out of nowhere in front of him, blinding him and his mind. By the time it faded away, confusion was the only thing he felt for a few moments, and then, his memories flooded back to him.

It was almost as if there were certain holes inside them, but try as he might, he couldn't figure out whether he was imagining this. Once again, he became the Daniel from Graiton, but with no memory of the cheat that he had awakened with, and after shrugging away the doubt that he might be something else and even forgetting that he had had it in the first place, he answered the elf.

"You saw correctly, Mors. I did use a spell to deal with that woman. Magic. I know nothing about it except legends that I heard in my hometown. You can imagine how startling it was to see you cast a spell. Even at that moment, when you made the doppelganger, I tried observing what you were doing…but all I understood was that there was so much skill involved that I wanted, no, needed to learn. I wanted to ask you…but I thought that that would push you away. I never wanted to benefit from keeping you close, and stealing away everything that you did in my presence. In fact, I was even a bit relieved that I couldn't understand what you were doing as if I did and if I didn't tell you, it would be a breach of the bond that is between us. I do want to learn. I wish it with all my being! But I know that at the moment, it is impossible. As for how I'm even capable of it…it has something to do with a secret that I cannot expose. However...because I trust more than almost anyone else that I know, I will tell you this: it is related to the Will of where I was born. I only understood this later; in fact, the way that it started was that I bumped my head on a wall…and suddenly, I could see dots of light around crystals! I was fascinated. I did experiments…and when I found out that I could actually absorb energy from them, I was ecstatic! But so far, that's all I've been able to find out, though. I also know that they are somehow related to the dots that you brought into being to cast a spell…but that's it. One day I will learn it all, though. And on that day…maybe I'll even surprise you with my prowess!"

He meant the last part as a joke, to lighten the mood, but the elf only looked at him with complicated eyes. Truly, seeing the being who was always so merry and unconcerned about everything in such a serious state was jarring, but with growing impatience, he simply waited to see what would happen.

As for Alex, he had stopped his observation of Daneel and begun to brood over something almost like the elf from before. Later, he decided to find out what the thief was thinking about, and whether he was connecting what Daneel had said with any more prophecies…but for now, all he was concerned about was the elf, whom he wished would still stay by his side.

When Mors finally spoke, Daneel did a doubletake, sure that he had definitely heard wrong.

"If you could learn magic, if you could learn enough, at least, to help you on your quest…would you take the chance? Even if it meant that you would be doing it in exchange for a favor that I will ask of you, one day? A favor that you must not refuse, no matter what it is. Think before you answer."

A bevy of confused thought suddenly filled his mind. Half were rejoicing as they seemed to be happy about a guess of his that had come true, while the other half were warning him, as he didn't really like how a favor with no limits sounded.

In the end, his curiosity about this incredible force one out. He did think about the favor seriously, though, but because he had the utmost confidence in his own capacity to measure someone, he assured himself that whatever it would be, his decision now would not bring him any regrets.

He gave his answer in the form of a nod, and standing up, the elf spoke in a grand tone for the first time. Each word of his reverberated over the empty island, and when he was done, he put out his hand with the palm facing the ground, and at that moment, all three of them stood frozen as if they were statues depicting a legendary event.

"Very well. I do know that I am breaking norms that have been set down thousands of years ago…but I don't care. Our rules are strict about elven magic, yes; but they say nothing about human magic that I happen to have learned, at least until the level of a Tyro. I am ready to impart you this knowledge I have gathered with no little effort…because you are someone whom I count as a true companion in my life, and also because I oppose the idea of magic, the force that is supposed to be accessible to all those who live in this wonderful world, being hidden away from such a large portion of people. If you're sure in your decision, touch my hand with the back of years, and you shall be my disciple. The first human disciple of an elf in millenia...and maybe even the only one, for many millennia more."