Chapter 324. The Proposition (Patreon)

[ slightly short chap but the previous ones have been longish. enjoy. i have two more days after today to finish book 6. let's goooo~ ]

After conversing idly for a few minutes, our teacups are empty. Half the time was filled with a description of the tea’s exotic origin. It’s a good thing that my persona, Mr. Black, is supposed to be inscrutable and aloof, rather than excitable and friendly. Simply nodding and humming along to Achemiss’s explanation while sipping the beverage is enough to muddle through.

Maybe he’s jabbering because he’s nervous, Maria posits.

Which means that he hasn’t seen through me. Until now, I held onto a small kernel of worry that Achemiss had marked me when he gave me the gift of soul sight. His obsequious behavior suggests that no such mark exists–or at least the false Achemiss before me doesn’t have the means to see it.

Maria, I’m going to try something different than what we discussed with Karanos. Based on what I’ve observed since arriving here, this new plan’s chance of success is significantly higher.

If that’s true, why are you asking for my opinion? If you’re looking for advice, I can give it, but I get the sense that you’re just hoping for me to give me approval. That’s silly–I trust you. Trust yourself.

“Achemiss,” I say, seizing upon a lull in the one-sided conversation. “It’s time to discuss my reason for coming here.”

“You need me to make an artifact,” Achemiss replies matter-of-factly.

“Not exactly. You know that the back faction is closely monitoring your movements. I didn’t want them to know my real reasons for seeing you and used that as a convenient excuse.”

Achemiss’s expression remains mild. “I suspected misdirection, but I thought you really did need me to create an artifact. Otherwise, I can’t think of a reason for you to visit in person. I’ll be disappointed if I cannot at least study the artifact you showed to me in your recording–the one that can transform and soul bind objects.”

He's referring to the Blade of Revelation, whose “soul binding capabilities” are nonexistent. I oversold the dagger knowing that Achemiss needed a way to bind artifacts to himself that could persist after death. It would be a strong defensive measure against thieves–or a greedy, treacherous faction.

“For now, the blade is inconsequential,” I tell him. “The real reason I’m here is for you.”

His expression still does not crack. From what I’ve observed thus far, it’s likely that Achemiss is mentally inhabiting the body double before us. He should be controlling the body and carefully choosing what emotions to reveal.

I incline my head. “Your information network is extensive; you probably know that I left seclusion recently after awakening my third affinity. You may not know, but each successive awakening is significantly harder than the one before.”

Achemiss smiles coldly. “Oh, I am aware.”

I clasp my fingers. “Good. I didn’t think I was wrong about you.” I pause, gathering my thoughts. “If I’m not mistaken, you have been trying to awaken a third affinity on your own–without success.”

“Yes,” Achemiss says. “How did you guess?”

Achemiss plays the role of the collector and artificer who stays locked inside his workshop to avoid enemies, but his extreme paranoia over showing his true body is unusual. Karanos previously voiced his suspicions about it to me, but I couldn’t confirm anything without asking. There’s no way to tell if someone is trying to become an ancient unless they tell you.

“Correct me if anything I say is wrong, but you came to Eternity a thousand years ago and have made ripples from the beginning. You will go to any lengths to further your craft–even if others condemn you. You have ambition to rival my own.” I circulate the energy of my affinities into my eyes, causing them to scintillate with a prismatic light. “You have the avarice of an ancient.”

I can tell that Achemiss is forcing his heart rate to remain steady–it’s too regular.

“That’s… all correct,” Achemiss replies.

He really has no shame agreeing that he “has the avarice of an ancient,” Maria thinks. He sounds like Zilverna when he was twelve.

“I don’t like to beat around the bush. I have a proposition for you. Become my protégé, and I’ll help you take the next step.”

Ian, what are you doing?

I’m telling Achemiss everything that he’s ever hoped to hear.

Don’t drag this out. Euryphel and the others are waiting in anticipation for your return. You can’t masquerade as his mentor for too long.

“And because an ancient’s avarice is never satisfied, you will also help me surpass my current limits,” I continue. “I’ll provide you protection from the meddlesome black and white factions, of course–not that they’ll be able to find us.”

“How can I help you?” he asks, raising an eyebrow, his lips still curled in a polite smile.

Dealing with Death practitioners is so annoying, I mentally grumble. I can’t read his reactions.

Oh, the irony, Maria sasses back.

“The next affinity I’ve chosen for myself is the Dark affinity,” I explain. “It’s easier to gain a new affinity with a powerful teacher at your side. We can teach one another.”

“Before I ascended, I was the head of my own school,” Achemiss says. “It’s been a long time since then, however. I’m not sure I’ll be up to the task.”

He suspects, Maria notes with alarm.

He’s right to. Why would I go through so much effort to meet with him and take him as my protégé if all I really need is just an ambitious Dark practitioner? It wouldn’t be hard to find someone suitable.

Just as long as you’re aware, Maria thinks. I don’t know why I worry anymore, now that you have a Beginning affinity.

I tamp down on the urge to crack a smile. “Don’t be modest,” I chide Achemiss. “Besides, that’s not the only reason I have chosen you. I have an interesting problem for you to crack–for us to crack.”

“What problem?”

“When some of us are too extraordinary, Eternity responds by giving us harsher challenges. It’s not bad­–with great tribulations come greater opportunities.”

Achemiss rubs his cat’s chin, the feline’s spines twitching in time to the scratches. He nods. “That’s how I’ve gotten to where I am today.”

“There’s a special challenge that Eternity has for those who become ancients too quickly. I’ve already found a way around it, but if our collaboration is successful, you’ll be beset by the same problem.”

I’m lying between my teeth–there’s no way Achemiss would be beset by the same problem. Unfortunately for him, he doesn’t have any other ancients around to confirm or deny my statements.

Achemiss’s eyes narrow. “It can’t be too great a challenge if you’ve found a way to handle it so soon after breaking through. Why should I be concerned?”

“I have a temporary workaround, but haven't yet found a true solution to the problem. Luckily, it’s a matter pertaining to the soul, and we’re both necromancers of great skill. If you’re serious about becoming my protégé, help me solve this problem. At the very least, you’ll be helping your future self.”

“Then I agree.” His eyes are full of zeal.

That was fast, Maria remarks, suspiciously fast. Is this response within expectations?

I’m convinced he really is trying to gain a third affinity and that I’m the first ancient to visit him. This opportunity is too valuable for him to pass up. He’s paranoid, but also an opportunist, otherwise he never would have obtained the game-breaking artifact that allows him to send constructs beyond Eternity. He doesn’t trust me, but he’ll try to gain as much as he can from the relationship. The likelihood that he intends to make me into an enemy in miniscule.

He already has enough of those, doesn’t he? Maria thinks. Look–I know you’re trying to solve this problem as soon as possible because of me. I know how it guilts you, forcing me to transform into your regalia so you can live without constant weakness and falling unconscious. But we have time.

I know, I insist. I have a greater plan, Maria. This one makes the most sense–I’m not choosing it out of misplaced guilt. We need to get to Achemiss’s true body for the return beacon to take effect. There’s only one reason he would need to reveal his real body rather than a near perfect facsimile.

I sense her realization. Because he needs to use his soul to perform necromancy.

Now you get it.

This plan… it’s pretty sinister. Ancient Ash would be proud.

Thank you?

It’s not a compliment, just an observation, Maria clarifies. I hope that in the future, you won’t need to scheme. It doesn’t suit you.

What do you mean­–I’m the big, bad necromancer. Ancient Black looks like he eats children.

But you aren’t Ancient Black. You’re Ian Dunai.

At this point, Maria, I think I’m both.