The blacked-out SUV sped down the highway, and from the back seat, I watched the scenery whip past. Seeing without seeing. The last few days played out in my mind over and over like a movie. Sean's hospitalization, my attack on Sturm, the Vish enforcers, and finally telling my family about the System. About magic. At least a couple of those things had gone much better than I had any right to expect, and I was thankful for that. There were also problems that still had to be dealt with, however. Some of them are external and others are internal. Now that I had the chance to be calm and, if not relax, then something close to it, I couldn't help but examine my feelings about all that had happened.

  I killed people.

  Cut their lives short.

  The end of all possibilities.

  And I felt nothing.

  Deep in my bones, I had known it would be this way, had known it for a long, long time. I knew I didn't connect with people the way others did, didn't really see them as people to tell the truth. At least not until I formed some sort of connection with someone; until then, they were little more than walking, talking meat suits. Or obstacles, obstacles that needed to be crushed. It was disconcerting to have one of the worries I'd carried most of my life be so deeply confirmed, but beyond that, it didn't bother me much.

  There were no nightmares, no faces haunting my dreams.

  Nothing.

  Nothing that I thought I should feel in response to taking a life.

  I let out a sigh, mentally shelving that worry. There was nothing I could do about it, and therapy would likely just scare the therapist. I chuckled at the thought as I turned my mind to the problems I could actually do something about, namely the objective I was being driven towards currently. The White Banner facility.

  I'd been in their archives once already and found it to be an enlightening experience. I had come away with a great many ideas on how I could shore up my weaknesses and enhance my strengths. Fortunately, the Banner was willing to provide an environment where I could work on growing stronger and improving my Skills, though I had a feeling I would end up having to bargain with David to improve what I had access to. That was fine, I didn't think I'd need much from the Banner beyond continued access to the archives, though I wouldn't turn down access to a trainer for ritual magic or physical combat if I could wrangle it out of the man.

  The SUV slowed as we passed through the checkpoint and entered the facility grounds. It seemed there was no need to stop and be ID'd, probably something to do with all the scans and procedures I'd subjected myself to the last time I was here. I had no doubts whatsoever that there was a camera pointed in my direction that had scanned me with facial recognition and whatever else the Banner had cooked up to identify people. The facility looked much the same as it had every other time I'd been here, that is to say, it looked like a military base, or at least what I imagined one would look like, at any rate.

  David Giffle met me at the elevator, his calm demeanour a stark contrast to the tumultuous thoughts swirling in my mind. "Aiden," he greeted me with a nod.

  “David, good to see you. Means I don’t have to go looking for you now.” I chuckled.

  “Ah, I see. Something you wished to discuss?”

  "Just a couple of things I want to bargain for, that's all." I shrugged. "If you're waiting here for me, I assume there's something you'd like to discuss as well."

  David's eyes crinkled slightly at the corners, the barest hint of amusement crossing his face. "Indeed. Though perhaps we should move this conversation to a more private setting."

  I nodded, following him into the elevator. As the doors closed, I felt the familiar sensation of mana barriers activating around us. David pressed his palm against a seemingly blank panel, and the elevator began its descent.

  "I've reviewed the reports from your recent... encounters," David said, his tone carefully neutral. "The Banner is impressed with your handling of the situation, particularly given your relative inexperience."

  I raised an eyebrow. "But?"

  "But," David continued, "there are concerns about the attention you may have drawn or will draw in the future. The Vish aren't known for their forgiveness, and your actions have likely put you on their radar. We have our own concerns as well."

  The elevator doors opened, revealing a sleek conference room. As we stepped out, I considered David's words. "I figured as much. So, what exactly does your Banner want?"

  David gestured for me to take a seat at the polished conference table. As I settled into the plush chair, he remained standing, his hands clasped behind his back.

  "The Banner wants to offer you a more... structured arrangement," David said, his blue eyes studying my reaction. "We believe your potential is significant, but unchecked, it could lead to complications for all involved."

  I leaned back, crossing my arms. I already wasn’t a fan of where this conversation was headed. It felt too much like the Banner, through David, was going to try to drag me into their ranks. Willingly or not. I was willing to hear it out only because David had dealt with me fairly so far. "Go on."

  David nodded, sensing my wariness. "We're not looking to conscript you, Aiden. The Banner respects your independence. What we're proposing is more of a partnership. We provide you with resources, training, and protection. In return, you assist us with certain... situations that arise."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Situations? You mean like the dungeon I cleared?"

  "Similar, yes, but not always so straightforward," David replied. He finally took a seat across from me, leaning forward slightly. "There are times when we need someone with your particular set of skills and... moral flexibility."

  The implication hung in the air between us. They wanted me as a problem solver, an assassin. I bristled at the idea of being anyone's attack dog. I recognized the benefits that such an arrangement might bring me, but also that it would subject me to the Banner's politics.

  "And what exactly would I get out of this arrangement?" I asked, keeping my voice level. As of right now, I had no intention of accepting such an arrangement, but it didn't hurt to hear David out.

  David's lips quirked in a small smile. "Access to our full archives, for one. Not just the general sections you've seen so far. Advanced combat training, both magical and physical. Resources to further develop your abilities. And, of course, a degree of protection from other factions who might take issue with your actions.”

  I leaned back, considering. There was very little reason for me to accept such an offer currently. Anything I wanted, I could bargain for, and if the Banner wouldn't give me what I wanted, I was able to shop around. There was little doubt in my mind that The Unseen, through Argyle and Isabella, would be willing to barter with me for almost anything I could want.

  "Sorry, David, but no. I value my independence too highly to walk myself willingly into the Banner's pocket like that." I gave him a pointed look, "And I have no desire to get more tangled in your internal politics than I already am." I shrugged, "That being said, any jobs like you mentioned can be brought to me as normal. I'll consider them the same as any other job." It wouldn't do me any favours here to alienate the Banner by refusing outright.

  David's expression remained neutral, but I caught a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. He nodded slowly, accepting my decision. "I understand, Aiden. Your independence is... admirable. And concerning, in equal measure."

  I couldn't help but smirk. "Concerning for the Banner, you mean."

  "For all of us," David countered, his tone serious. "The magical world is a delicate balance. Lone actors can upset that balance in ways they don't always foresee."

  I leaned forward, meeting his gaze. "I'm not interested in upsetting any balances, David. I just want to grow stronger and carve out my own place. If that place happens to be outside the Banner's direct control, well..." I shrugged.

  David sighed, running a hand through his short blond hair. "Very well. We'll continue as we have been. Now, you mentioned you had some things you wanted to bargain for?"

  I nodded, glad to move on to more productive matters. "Yes. Primarily just for training. I need to work on my physical combat in human form, as well as my ritual magic.”

  David waved a hand, as if that was a simple matter. "That's easily done. I can authorize that for a simple deal concerning your next dungeon run on our behalf." David fell silent with a focused look on his face, as if he were running the numbers through his mind to make sure they all lined up. "We'll call it 30% of the mana crystals from your next two dungeons, and we'll provide a trainer for both close combat and ritual magic. As well as the space to practice in."

  I was silent for a moment as I considered. There were pros and cons there. 30% wasn't a small amount, Con. Trainers would help me accelerate my training quite a lot, Pro. These trainers would be reporting on my capabilities to the Banner, Con. They controlled the facilities as well, so they would likely have every instrument they could manage pointed in my direction while I trained, Con.

  "For thirty percent, I'd like my privacy; your trainers can report whatever they like to the Banner, but I don't want you taking readings and such while I'm training."

  David considered my counteroffer for a moment, his blue eyes studying me intently. Finally, he nodded. "Acceptable. We'll ensure your privacy during training sessions. The trainers will report only on your progress, not the specifics of your abilities. We'll assign a training room for you to use as well."

  I nodded and moved to stand. It seemed like we were done with the wheeling and dealing. David held up a hand, and I stilled as I moved to rise from the chair. He pulled out a slim object, silver and glinting in the light. His thumb depressed a button, and the room was filled with a low hum. I could feel a faint trace of magic emanating from it, activating [Auric Vision] confirmed the object was magical, as it held a very faint aura, though I couldn't be sure of what it did.

  This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

  "There we go, no one listening in now. Apologies for that, Aiden, I have my own bosses I must appease from time to time." David let out a sigh. "Politics, ever the same and ever a pain."

  I settled back into my chair, eyeing David warily. "Alright, you've got my attention. What's this about?"

  David leaned forward, his voice low despite the privacy device. "The Banner isn't as unified as we'd like the world to believe. There are factions within factions, and some of them are... concerned about your rapid growth and independence. You saw some of that after your dungeon clear."

  I couldn't help but snort. "You don't say. They weren’t exactly subtle about it."

  David's lips twitched in a brief smile. "Indeed. Some of them are pushing to bring you to heel after your altercation with the Vish." David said with a deep frown. "They're saying you're too unpredictable, too wild, to be left to your own devices. There are several loud voices calling for you to be brought under thumb, by force if necessary."

  I felt my muscles tense, a low growl building in my throat. "And you're telling me this why, exactly?"

  David held up a placating hand. "Because I disagree with them, Aiden. I believe your independence could be an asset, not a liability. But you need to understand the precarious position you're in."

  I leaned back, forcing myself to relax. "So what's your play here, David? Warning me out of the goodness of your heart?"

  He shook his head, a wry smile on his face. "Hardly. I'm proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement. One that keeps you independent while giving me some... influence."

  "I'm listening," I said cautiously.

  "I can run interference for you within the Banner. While my own faction doesn't choose to intervene in the politics of the Banner normally, we are not inconsequential. We would keep the more aggressive factions at bay. In return, I'd like you to consider me your primary point of contact. Any jobs, any information you need - you come to me first."

  I mulled it over. It wasn't a bad deal, all things considered. David had proven himself relatively trustworthy so far, and having an ally within the Banner could be invaluable.

  "And what do you get out of this?" I asked. I could guess, probably even make a pretty solid one too. Politics was not my forte, however.

  David leaned back, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Influence and leverage, primarily. My faction within the Banner, the Abstainer faction, believes in a more hands-off approach when it comes to independent operators like yourself. Having you as an ally, even informally, strengthens our position."

  I nodded slowly, piecing it together. "And if you can show that your approach works with me..."

  "Then it lends credence to our philosophy," David finished. "It also gives us a powerful asset that isn't directly under Banner control, which can be... useful in certain situations."

  I couldn't help but smirk. "Situations where the Banner can't officially get involved, you mean."

  "I can neither confirm nor deny such implications." David's eyes crinkled slightly. "There is also the leverage such an arrangement provides, both for myself and my faction. You're a powerful, unpredictable element in a world that thrives on control and balance. By aligning myself with you, I gain influence within the Banner. It strengthens my faction's position."

  I nodded slowly, understanding dawning. "And if you can show you can 'manage' me, it proves your worth to the other factions."

  "Precisely," David confirmed with a slight smile. "Though I have no illusions about managing you. This is a partnership, not a leash."

  I considered his words carefully. It was a tempting offer, one that could provide me with a measure of protection without sacrificing my independence. Still, I couldn't shake the feeling that I was stepping onto a precarious ledge.

  I chuckled, then grew serious again. "And what happens if I refuse?"

  David's expression sobered. "Then I'll do what I can to protect you, but my influence will be limited. The more aggressive factions may eventually get their way, and you'll find yourself with far fewer options." David seemed to be honest; it didn't seem like he was attempting to corner me into a deal. His aura was calm, devoid of the fluctuations that would indicate nervousness or a lie. He believed what he was saying. It helped that I was much more confident in my ability to read an aura after a couple of weeks of practice. By this point, I was reading the aura of everyone in my surroundings by reflex.

  ——-

  Well, I certainly hadn't expected to be making major deals first thing this morning. Yet that is what had been done. I'd spent another hour with David hammering out some of the details. While he couldn't provide me with more access to certain Banner resources, he could provide me with resources his faction controlled, which were not insubstantial. It would also help with the inevitable problems that would come from having my family brought in on the 'Secret', the protection David's faction offered me, would extend to them as well. I figured it was likely they would make their own separate attempts to recruit my family. That was fine. I saw no need to intervene with such a thing until it put them in harm's way. Then we'd see how the dice rolled.

  I made my way through the basement halls on my way back to the archive. I had a lot of things to go over today. By tomorrow, I would have a training room assigned to me, one with a terminal of my own to use. I would be able to begin training in earnest. For now, more research was the best thing I could do. I waved to the doctor on my way to a terminal. I could see her working away through the glass; she sat at her terminal in her office. Her fingers flew over the keyboard with a speed and dexterity that immediately spoke of a Skill being at play to me. I certainly couldn't type that fast, even with my high Dexterity.

  I turned away from Doctor Voss' office and headed directly to the terminal I'd used the last time I was here. Opening up my previous session, I dove right back in. This time, however, I had a different goal. Last time I wanted general information, I needed a solid foundation of knowledge that I could build from.

  Now my focus was on the Skills themselves. On finding things that I could add to my arsenal that would give me more punch, or make me harder to kill. Either would suit my purposes just fine.

  I settled into the chair at the terminal, fingers flying across the keyboard as I accessed the database of Skills. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, but I had a clear goal in mind. I needed Skills that would give me an edge in combat, both offensively and defensively.

  My eyes scanned through lists of Skills, categorized by type and known prerequisites. Fire manipulation, enhanced reflexes, mana shielding - the possibilities seemed endless. But I knew I needed to be selective. Each Skill I chose to pursue would take time and effort to develop, and I couldn't afford to spread myself too thin.

  A particular entry caught my eye: [Kinetic Redirection]. The description read: "Allows the user to absorb and redirect kinetic energy from incoming attacks. Requires high Dexterity and the ability to manipulate mana, Skill, Manual, or otherwise." It seemed perfect for my needs - a defensive skill that could also be used offensively. The problem was the prerequisite. Mana manipulation. It wasn’t something I had right now, and I had no idea how hard it would be to obtain, or if I could get it at all. That sent me off on a tear through the database to find Skills that would let me manipulate mana directly. It didn’t take long to find.

  [Mana manipulation] - Manipulate mana directly through visualization and force of will.

  Prerequisites: At least 40 points in one mental Attribute.

  Training Method: Meditation and visualization exercises.

  There was a file attached to the entry, and it was filled with mental exercises. I quickly set about memorizing a few, suddenly very grateful for my enhanced intelligence stat. It made retaining information like this significantly easier. My working memory had never been great previously, and it was something I had struggled with at various points in my life; with the advent of the System in my life, that was a thing of the past.

  Leaning back in my chair, I let my mind go slack, trying to empty out all the thoughts that had filled it only moments before. Deep breathing helped, but my mind wanted to latch onto things and run away with them. Wanted to run in circles with all the information I'd shoved into it recently. After several long minutes, I gave up entirely on the idea of getting my mind to be silent and serene. That form of meditation wasn't likely to work for me. Hardly surprising. Instead, I dove into visualization.

  What did I think Mana looked like?

  How did it fill my body?

  How did it flow and move?

  In my mind, I saw an image of my body. It wasn't right. It wasn't enough. Something deep inside me knew that to be true. A flicker of thought and channels overlaid my body, filled with vibrant blue that pulsed and crackled with energy. I dove into them, shaping them, inspired by years of games and fantasy media, alongside a passing surface knowledge of Ki and energy pathways in ancient medicine. It still wasn't enough, wasn't right. I stared at the mental image for a long time. Minutes ticking by into hours as I turned the image this way and that. Poking, prodding, changing and adjusting. Several times, I fell out of the visualization, growling with frustration. I was missing something, something important. It was like I was trying to design a circuit without a power source or without a function. That was when an idea that had been drifting in the back of my mind clicked into place.

  My Skills were part of me, and so was my Bloodline. They had to be part of this. Mana was the energy that fueled them. It was magic itself. Of course, it wouldn't be complete until it was connected to something. Channels for the mana to flow through were the circuits; the Skills were the devices that those circuits fueled. Converting energy to action.

  The image of connected nodes I had envisioned back in the Soul-Sheer came to the forefront of my mind, overlaid over the image in my mind. It felt much correct, more in line with what it should be. A surge of excitement tore through me, and I renewed my work with vigour. I attempted endless combinations. Placing individual nodes over certain body parts, connecting and disconnecting at random. I threw every possibility I could think of at the board, just to see what might stick. I couldn't shake the feeling that there was still something missing, however. Some key piece that I simply wasn't seeing.

  I fell into a deep contemplation as I stared at my mental image of myself. Of my Stats, my Skills, my mana. Everything that made me, me, to the system at least. I fell deeper, slipping into the mental world, similar to how I had envisioned Node space previously. It was no longer just an image. It was both a place and not, an image and yet more. A concept, if a hollow one.

  My mind stuttered to a halt, like a train grinding down the rails, its brakes screaming in protest.

  But that isn't really me, is it? That isn't all that I am.

  Changes occurred rapidly, as fast as thought could carry them out. The mental image of myself shifted; it was superimposed over an image of my spider form.

  I was one and I was two. I was both.

  The bright points of light that represented my Skills flowed like living constellations to surround the combined image. I thought of my Class [Auramancer] as I watched the pieces fall into place. It still wasn’t quite right, not whole, complete. There was still a missing piece. My Class was an intrinsic part of my being, but what did it mean?

  It’s the soul.

  Simple and clean, that was the missing piece. The aura was an expression of the soul. My mental image was filled and surrounded with a bloom of colourless energy that encompassed the image, stretching out to reach the points of light that were my Skills, my Bloodline, and my familiar. It was all connected, connected to a single point.

  Me.

  I was the Lynch pin that held it all together. My soul was what connected it all, the foundation upon which it was all built. For a moment, I was stunned, staring at the image. There was a depth to it now, a rightness that I could feel. It left me with questions, so many questions. This was not the time for them, however. I could feel the System demanding my attention in the back of my mind. Something had changed fundamentally. I had no doubt there would be a Skill or something waiting for me. It wasn't what I had started this process for, though, and I was bound and determined to get what I wanted.

  I focused on the channels, the pathways I had crafted that flowed with the blue energy, with mana. I drifted closer to my mental images as if floating through space by will alone. Will? Was that the answer here? Did Mana respond to Will? Focusing on the blue energy, the mana, I willed it to speed up, to flow faster, like a raging river.

  At first, nothing happened. The mana continued to flow steadily through the channels I had visualized. But I refused to give up. I redoubled my focus, as if my will had a weight, as if it were a metaphysical force that could act on the mana in my channels. Pouring all of my concentration and willpower into making the mana move.

  It came suddenly, and I felt a shift. The blue energy began to pulse, picking up speed. The first snowflake had begun to roll down the mountain, gathering speed; it was working! Excitement surged through me as I watched the mana flow faster and faster through the pathways I had created. I pushed further, harder, willing the mana to not just flow, but to gather. I imagined it pooling in my hands, forming a swirling sphere of energy. To my amazement, I could feel a tingling sensation in my palms outside of the strange mental space I found myself in, as if the mana was responding to my mental commands.

  Opening my eyes, I half-expected to see a glowing orb of energy. Instead, I saw only my empty hands. But the tingling remained, a phantom sensation that told me I was on the right track. Frustration flashed through my mind for barely a moment, like a flash of lightning. Brilliant and bright, but it faded quickly under the surge of determination.

  I closed my eyes again, diving back into the visualization. This time, I tried to direct the mana outward, pushing it beyond the confines of my body. In my mind's eye, I saw tendrils of blue energy extending from my fingertips, reaching out into the space around me.

  A sudden ping from the System interrupted my concentration. I opened my eyes, blinking away the afterimages of my visualization. A notification hovered in my field of vision:

  I froze, staring at the System notification for my new Skills. Everything was as expected with [Mana Manipulation]. It was exactly as described by the database. It would do what it said on the packaging. What held my attention was the second Skill. [Constellation of Soul]. Its rarity was listed as (Unique). I'd never seen that before, nor had it appeared in the Banner's database. What was more intriguing and worrying was the text that was below it.

  A soul of stars, stars that form a soul. A world of opportunities and challenges, shape your constellation.

  It could mean anything, but what I was sure of was that it meant there was more depth to this Skill than any I'd gained previously. As always, the System wasn't very forthcoming with information.

  It didn't matter; this was enough for one day. There would be plenty of time in the future. Checking the time, I found I'd once again been sitting here much longer than I thought. My stomach announced that fact with a growl. I shook my head in disbelief before shrugging.

  "Whatever, a problem for another day," I muttered as I powered down the terminal.