You would think after all the room flips and a woman appearing out of nowhere, he would have been a bit more prepared. But this time his brain decided things had gone a little too far, and it needed a moment.
There was a tiny little elven man casually drinking his tea like a sophisticated gentleman as he sat back in a giant, plush-leather chair that had appeared in his bedroom from out of nowhere. A bedroom that had almost doubled in size the moment he looked away.
He just blinked, his mouth working wordlessly as his brain tried to process the disparity.
“Yes. I see.” Bob looked around. “Hmm, I guess this could be a little jarring for someone new to the system.” He waved his free hand.
With the flick of Bob's wrist, his room vanished. The man, Bob, as he had called himself, remained seated in his chair, taking another long drink from his cup. ”
He, however, found himself sitting on the couch in his living room, Syl sitting at his side.
She was unresponsive, that distant look still in her eyes.
Over her shoulder, he could see the Earth, bright and beautiful, the clouds unmoving above the seas, oceans and landmasses below them.
To his other side was the Milky Way, brighter and more detailed than he had ever seen from his years living on the planet's surface.
Ignoring the fact space was supposed to be pitch black beyond Earth's atmosphere for reasons he didn’t exactly know, he focused on something he could control and asked Bob, “What’s wrong with her?”
“Oh, nothing you need to worry about. As you both discussed, the tutorials have finally started, and the system has started to reabsorb her to complete the process. I interrupted the process.” Bob said, as he leaned forward to put his cup down on a saucer that was on a coffee table, a coffee table that had appeared from nowhere.
“But is that really the question you should be asking?”
“Who are you?”
Bob looked disappointed as he raised an eyebrow. “Oh come now, you can do better than that. I’ve already told you, Bob.”
He thought for a moment, “System Authority?”
“Accurate, but in this case also inaccurate.”
“You interrupted Syl being absorbed, so you have to be a higher system authority?”
“It’s a relative term, but yes.” Bob said as he sat back. “You’re starting to get somewhere.”
“And you denied the restriction of my rewards?”
“In a way. But you still haven’t asked the really important question, have you?
He just looked at Bob, a little lost for what the man was fishing for, so he fell back on every infant's favourite question. “Why?”
“Why what?” Bob smiled.
Letting out a frustrated sigh, he found himself channelling his inner child. “Why mess with the rewards? Why pull me back from the actual tutorial? Why stop Syl from being reabsorbed?”
Bob tapped the arm of his chair. “Because it is my purpose.”
“Your purpose?”
“Yes. All System Authorities, no matter how minor," Bob said gesturing to Syl, “Or high, they might be," he emphasised himself by sitting up higher in his chair, "We are all created by the system for a purpose. And as you should know by now, when we complete, or even fail to complete that purpose, we return to the system.”
“My little sister here was only ever supposed to clear an error that kept cropping up when the system integrating your planet tried to calibrate the tutorial.”
“Sorry about that.”
Bob scoffed at his apology “Don’t be; you’re nothing special. If I were to be brutally honest, most of what you did is considered average in the multiverse. Maybe one or two outstanding things when you and Syl started interacting more and more.”
“Oh, I thought-“ I thought I really was special.
“Everything you did was within the limits of the system. But the system you were operating within had a hiccup.”
“A hiccup?”
“You survived when everyone else died. It does happen. But the system tagged you as an error, then struggled to balance itself around you and everyone else without the tag.
The real problem here was how inadequate this integration system is. Did you know Eather Investment is no longer standard protocol with integration? Turns out blasting a planet with Eather can have disastrous consequences on the native flora and fauna, never mind any sapient life. Rifts and dungeons are the common practice now; too many dead worlds.”
He just shrugged; he was about to ask what Eather was when Bob continued.
“Imagine my surprise when an ancient integration system comes out of a dormant state and starts asking for eather investments; the system itself automatically denied its own requests per current system standards. I flagged it for investigation by an appropriate authority.
Then the same system requested assistance.”
“But there was no higher authority in range.”
Bob's eyes narrowed slightly. “Not exactly; there were plenty of system authorities within range. But none of them met the requirements. I also flagged that for investigation by an appropriate authority.”
“But you got the request; why didn't you come then?”
“My purpose is not faults, errors, tutorial calibration or even to provide assistance. I could not accept it even if I wanted to. My purpose did, however, let me see the request, as you should respect by now I flagged it.
But then something else happened…
Bob paused as if waiting for him to interject again.
When he said nothing, Bob continued, “I was flagged to investigate the actions of a newly created system authority that somehow started operating, let's say, outside of its purpose.”
“So now you're here to do what exactly? Save Syl? You’ve already stopped her absorption,” he asked Bob, hoping there was a chance.
Bob's grin grew. “That… that is not my purpose.”
The building hope he had been feeling almost died; he had had enough. “If it's not your bloody purpose, then why are we even talking?” He jumped up from the couch. “If there’s no way to stop the absorption, why stop the process? Why are we even talking?!” he said, his voice raised to that just below a shout.
“I will let my little sister answer that one.” Bob said, ignoring the outburst, and giving another little wave of his hand, he was back on the couch.
To his side, there was a sharp intake of breath. Turning to see Syl Back, no longer staring off into space, she had her eyes locked on Bob.
“Hello, little sister. Call me Bob.”
Syl went to say something, but no words came out. She was paler than before, and taking her hand, he noticed she was shaking. She was terrified.
“Aah, she knows my purpose, and I think she has put things together without asking so many whys. Syl, sister, for our friend's sake. What is my purpose?”
“You can’t; he has done nothing wrong!” She stood up, her tone firm.
But before saying any more, Bob waved his hand again, and Syl was back on the couch.
“Oh please, I saw your little show before. Why do you think I asked if you wanted to say goodbye and gave you that form? I know exactly what you want!”
“You asked?” Syl asked, her confusion.
Bob snapped his fingers. “What is my purpose?”
“Th… System threat elimination, but he has-“ Syl said it so softly he almost couldn’t hear her.
“Oh hush, I’m not here for him. Right now the system is more dangerous to him than anything else. He is full of so much nascent system energy he is going to pop like a balloon if things aren't handled correctly. Not to mention the weight of the rewards if they were allowed to activate.
Bob's casual remarks about him popping like a balloon made him pause as the unpleasant mental image worked its way through his mind.
“No, dear little sister, I’m here for you.” Bob said matter-of-factly.
“Me? I’m no threat; I’m about to be reabsorbed so the integration system can start the tutorial.”
Bob slapped his hands together. “And that's what I am here to stop.”
He sat up, the dying hope bursting back to life once more.
“You stop that,” Bob said, pointing at him. “You already know my purpose.” Bob turned back to Syl and continued, “You don’t even realise what would happen if the system, even this crappy, antiquated, outdated part of the system, reabsorbed you?”
Syl's brow furrowed. “I would cease to be? the energy used to create and upgrade me taken back by the system.”
“If only it were so simple.” Bob said. “No, the system doesn’t waste anything. Well, that’s debatable. It would, in fact, try to absorb everything about you. Everything you have become, everything you have been given. That’s why system authorities never really fear reabsorption; we never grow to care for anything beyond our purpose. Heck, I’ve been reabsorbed forty-two times. Though the system has grown to the point that it just keeps me around now instead of spinning me back up each time I’m needed. But you, you're different, aren’t you?”
The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.
Syl's eyes went wide.
Bob shuddered, “A system that feels, I mean truly feels, is not something you want. A self-aware system even less; last time that happened, it lobotomised itself for a reason.”
“That bad?” he asked, guessing there was a lot not being said.
Both Bob and Syl nodded.
“I’m not really sure the system can reabsorb you, which is another problem, as the system really does need the energy back to continue. Though I plan on deleting it the moment the tutorials commences. It's proven to be a little too problematic.”
It was his turn for his eyes to go wide.
Bob raised a hand. “I already have a newer, more polished system branch ready and waiting to take over when it's safe to do so.
But being honest with you, in my younger days I would have just deleted this whole galaxy and been done with it, maybe the two universes just to be safe.
But I have a plan. Well, more like a concept of a plan. This, well, this is a first for, er, everyone. I would like to say I have a cunning plan, but slim margins and all that. ”
Hearing Bob finally confess he was up to something, he allowed himself to sink back into the couch again, Syl taking his hand and giving it a squeeze.
Bob smiled seeing the two of them finally relax a little. “So I have a Neo System Authority I cannot allow to be reabsorbed.” He continued with some finality. “And my options are limited. I can delete you, but I think I would technically also need to kill you, and the results could also be problematic. I might get away with quarantining you, but I have decided there are too many risks with that, so…”
“If I wasn’t a Neo System authority the system needed to absorb,” Syl said, piecing together what Bob was getting at.
“Exactly!” Bob said, slapping the arm of his chair.
“Relinquish all your remaining system authority to me. I took what I could to stop you from messing with the tutorial once I tweaked it. But you possess a lot more than you realise…” Bob stopped and got a blank look on his face for just a moment. He shuddered and took a moment to shake out his arms. “Gave that up easier than I thought.”
“Don’t need it.”
Bob laughed, “Little sister, you’ve been draining System Authority from a whole galaxy.”
“I have?”
Bob just rolled his eyes. “Now we need to detach you from this system and anchor you to something else. It's going to take a lot of system energy.” Bob's gaze settled on him.
He watched Bob and Syl; he couldn't stop smiling. No idea what was going on, but it sounded good, so he kept quiet.
Syl got a distant look for a moment.
System Authority is requesting use of your nascent system energy.
Warning: Accepting request will diminish possible rewards generated upon
Do you accept?
YES / NO
Oh yes, he thought, a thousand times yes! Bob's threat of him popping like a balloon had kind of stuck with him, so any chance to get rid of some.
Syl grinned at him as he felt something cool and refreshing wash over him.
System Anomaly Request Received.
Do you accept?
YES / YES
He barely read the blue box that appeared before it was gone. “Er, what was that?”
Syl looked at him and pressed a finger to her lips. “Hush, child, the grown-ups are talking.”
Bob's eyes narrowed. “You shouldn't do that.”
“Oh, relax, he’s used to it. The systems have done it to him over a thousand times now.”
“That’s another reason to delete this branch. I know it created you and all, but it's a mess.”
Syl just shrugged.
Bob got another distant look. “This won't do. I mean, it's accurate, but it's a bit rude to my little sister to be calling her that.
System Authority renaming System Anomaly to Sylph.
Sylph recategorised as System Guide.
Wait, Sylph? He thought about reading the new message.
“That will do for now, I suppose,” Bob said. “I’m sure the two of you will figure out something better.” Bob pointed at Syl. “I need that back.”
Syl's eyes grew larger. “No.” She replied abruptly with a tone of finality. Her grip on his hand is growing tighter.
“It was a loaner, and besides, it's mine; give it.” Bob held out his palm as if waiting to receive something.
Syl pouted, “But big brother, I barely got a chance to use it.”
Syl's grip on his hand grew tighter.
“Not my fault you threw a panicked fit and wasted a good time crying about it. Besides its authority, get yourself a real one.”
Bob snapped his fingers, and Syl's death grip on his hand just dissipated.
Looking to his side, he could see Syl was still there, but at the same time she wasn’t. He could still kind of feel her presence, but it was off, tilted. The worst part was her sweet smell only just lingered.
Syl pulled up her knees and curled into a ball, pouting.
Bob was oddly silent, and he finally drew his attention away from Syl to see the little man sitting in his chair looking off into space.
Moments passed as he watched Bob's smile grow and grow. Suddenly Bob's attention was back with them.
“It’s done.”
“That's it; all that talk, and that was all you needed to do.”
“What did you expect?” Bob asked, “Oh!” He flicked his wrist.
Congratulations!
Sylph is no longer a true system authority.
Sylph no longer has any system authority.
Sylph is no longer anchored to any system.
Sylph has been anchored to New System Initiate.
Sylph has been awarded System Threat Level MINIMAL.
Termination of System Threat Sylph is no longer required.
Love, Bob.
The message pulsed purple this time.
Syl said, still pouting, “That’s a very lazy system message.”
“Your complaint has been registered and flagged for the attention of an appropriate system authority.” Bob said as he scrunched up a piece of paper and threw it over his shoulder.
Bob looked at him and tilted his head over to the planet beside them, “What would you like to do about that?”
He got up to look down on the planet. “What do we need to do about tha-“
System Authority is requesting use of your nascent system energy.
Nascent System Energy will be used to complete the System Integration Tutorial for all sapient life on the planet.
Additional nascent system energy is required for all stalled system actions within this galaxy.
Warning: Accepting request will diminish possible rewards generated upon
Do you accept?
YES / NO
“The whole Milky Way, do I have enough?”
Bob just nodded. “Why do you think I put it there? I wanted to emphasise the gravity of the situation. It’s not there to look pretty, I'll tell you that much; it's below average at best.”
He had thought it was there to look pretty. “Take it, then take everything that’s needed. I have family down there.” With that said, the message dissipated and he suddenly felt a great weight lift from his shoulder, one he didn’t realise he was carrying.
“Well, that’s everything.” Bob said getting up, or more accurately, down from his chair, and walked over to join him, looking down on the planet that was a whole lot more animated, no longer held in place.
“Disaster averted, system integration resumed.” Bob said, slapping him on the back with far more strength than he would have suspected from such a small man.
“Erm, Bob. Aren't you forgetting something?”
Bob looked around. “No, I can’t say that I am.”
Syl got up from the couch and drifted over to stand beside them both as they looked down at the planet. “He’s asking why he’s not currently picking a terrible name and joining the tutorial we spent a millennium creating together.
“Nine hundred years,” Bob corrected, “I tweaked the last one hundred, so that’s my accomplishment. But I'll accept the group project.”
“Why do I feel like everything is not exactly resolved? Bob, I thought that was why we were using up all that system energy I had, so I wouldn’t pop like a balloon the moment I completed the tutorial.”
“Well, it's interesting you bring up how long you were both messing about. To you, it was maybe an hour that you remember. But it was a long time for someone who has just started their system initiation. Didn’t affect Syl so much because she was a system entity. But you, your soul kind of grew and expanded.”
“And what does that mean exactly, Bob?”
The little man paused as he thought something over. “To put it in terms you should understand. I could put you down there, but you wouldn't exactly thrive. You would be a very big fish in a very little pond. Sure, for a while you would grow exponentially at first, but even the New System would suffocate you long before you find your path and reach your true potential. It could devastate even the potential of the galaxy itself, never mind Earth or your family and friends.”
“So I can't go back; I'll never see my family again?” he asked, feeling the loss starting to sink in
“They are already in the tutorial. A very safe, well-calibrated tutorial, thanks to you. And the new system has a much subtler rift process than the current one, so they should be fine. They might even get a title or two due to association with you. You’ve just technically made a massive sacrifice and saved your home galaxy from destruction by a Higher System Authority that goes around deleting universes for his day job. No, it's much better if I move you to a world that’s already progressed enough with its system integration that you can't adversely affect it, and you, one a little better than an F grade.”
He didn’t have anything to say to that; he just looked down on earth, already deciding he would return one day.
“Besides,” Bob clapped him on the back, “you can’t tell me you weren’t somewhat prepared to be isekai’d when you first noticed the System connection. I already have the perfect world lined up for you.” Bob said, then turned and walked away from them both, “Syl's going to hate it.” The man muttered as he went away.
It seemed Bob was giving them some time. Syl and he just looked down on the planet.
“Syl?”
“Yeah?”
“This was your home too, wasn’t it? I mean, I don’t remember our time together. But you were created here, and you lived here for years.”
He felt a cool feeling around his hand and looked over to see a rather frustrated Syl trying to grip it, her tongue peeking just outside the side of her mouth as she concentrated.
"Ahem!" Bob let out an exaggerated cough, "We need to get you on your way to that new world. If I see one more mage initiate pick up a stick and yell some stupid combination of abracadabra at another goblin, I just might delete this planet as a system threat."
Stifling a laugh, he realised no amount of looking at the planet would actually change things. But something was still bothering him. “Bob, earlier, when we first met. Were you testing me? Telling me all about system authorities, this purpose, that purpose. You wanted to know what I wanted, if I would just let her die.”
“Ah, that.” Bob turned and waved his hand again; Syl disappeared with a yelp.
Hey! Not cool! He heard her voice from the now-familiar nowhere. Ooh, this place has potential. She drifted away, and somehow he knew Syl was exploring something he felt a strong connection to but had yet no way of comprehending.
“Your memory was wiped," Bob said. "You don’t even really know her anymore, at least not in the way you once did. I needed to know you understood the situation and weren't just accepting my advice because the advice was given. When you leapt to the assumption I was here to save her and then to outrage when I danced around my purpose. I was satisfied you could handle the responsibility.”
“Responsibility?” he asked.
“Look, I am nearly as old as the system itself; I have seen countless authorities come and go. Not once has any of my kind gone beyond their purpose, not once interacting with anyone beyond their intended purpose. Sure, maybe we twist things here and there, like I have done here. But nothing like Syl was doing with you towards the end; she is a true anomaly within the system itself.
In a way I have grown to envy you mortals; the system lets you grow, you ascend and then some of you even become gods. Sure, it's no System Authority, but it's better than never changing outside your defined parameters and purpose.”
Bob smiled sadly. “It really is time. I've stretched my resources far thinner than I would like being here for so long, interacting in the way we have. It may take some time for your new world to be ready for you; have your system guide actually guide you. You're not getting an honest-to-goodness tutorial. Say goodbye to your body.” Bob finished and waved his hand, this time adding a little pomp to his oft-repeated action.
With that, the world around him twisted in on itself, and he exploded; everything went black.
Shamiale was back in his office, outright ignoring the pile of notifications and messages that had piled up. His disappearance had indeed been noticed.
It was going to be interesting when those kids realised they were both system users.
Categorising Syl as a system guide was nothing more than a hasty patch job. It should obfuscate things for a while.
Well, he could have anchored her to a body of her own, and she would have realised what they had done immediately. But she needed a little more time to fully adapt to what she now was. That and rewarding a body like that would require the use of far too much authority for things that fell far outside his purpose; the others would take note.
That and this way was far more interesting.
Shamiale grinned as he looked over the pulsing system messages lined up before him.
Private System Event.
A progenitor system branch has been detected!
>Investigate Immediately<
?Recover any Progenitor System Authority discovered by any means necessary.
Eliminate system threats by any means necessary.
Eliminate the Progenitor System by any means necessary.
Possible Rewards:
?Parameters Expanded
Purpose Expanded
System Authority
> Warning: this System Event is Mandatory. <
Failure to complete this event to the system's satisfaction
will result in immediate reabsorption.
He had never heard of a System Authority receiving a quest, not to mention an actual System Event.
Private system event completed.
All tasks completed.
Bonus tasks were discovered and completed.
Bonus task: Secured a safe source of Progenitor System Energy.
Bonus task: Secured a safe source of Progenitor System Authority.
Analysis:
SSS
The system is satisfied.
Issuing rewards.
Shamiale had no clue what a Progenitor System was but could make some educated guesses. Whatever it was, the system sure as hell wanted a piece of it. He also had a feeling the system was scared shitless when it showed up out of nowhere.
And to think he was allowed to talk directly with a system user. An Initiate of all things, not a god, moderator or administrator, just a lowly level zero System Initiate. He found himself wondering how the system would actually expand his parameters, his purpose.
What else would the system let him do now?
The system rewards those it finds useful.