American Isekai - Chapter 183 (Patreon)

May 8, 624

The rail slowed into the terminal. 

I stood from my seat, stepping up to the doors as they started to open. 

I couldn’t help the bright smile when I saw the familiar terminal of the Capital. It was summer and I could feel that nice warm breeze warm my face, heating up the cold atmosphere the rail carried from Stronghold Charlie. 

I stepped out. 

“Man FUCK the snow! I didn’t realize how much I could miss warm weather…”

I took in a deep breath, expelling the air of the Rail and filling my lungs with that familiar scent of a magical city. 

“John.”

I heard my name, turning to the one person able to greet me at the terminal. 

Unfortunately it wasn’t the person I wanted to see most. 

I pressed down those angering thoughts before they could surface, waving to Maxwell. He was dressed in his normal royal blue robes gilded with golden trinkets and symbols. It was probably a powerful clothing piece. 

“Heyo! Long time no see.”

“Indeed. You look like you’ve aged a decade.”

“Well you certainly aren’t looking youthful yourself.”

“Hm. I trust the military has treated you well?”

“Better than the Magisterium, which is saying a lot.”

The two of us started walking together, Maxwell already having prepared a carriage for us. It drove us to the Black Spider Hotel. 

Along the way, I looked off into the distance, finding that golden barrier on the horizon, ever present no matter where I went. 

I decided to ask the same questions I asked Jasmine. 

“Hey Maxwell, what’s that giant golden wall way off in the distance.”

“Golden wall?”

We looked at each other, his eyes wide like an owl. 

“Is it tall? On the horizon?”

“Yes. It appeared a little while ago, always out there no matter where I go.”

“I can’t believe it…”

He massaged his forehead with a groan. 

“You aren’t messing with me, right? This is not a joking matter.”

“No, I’m not. It’s not like I can prove it to you though.”

“I understand that. More than anyone. What you’re seeing is called the Great Barrier. It’s a literal barrier to higher power…”

He said the same things Jasmine said regarding its limitations. But then, he spilled a couple other details. 

“Before I lost my power, I had been attempting to break past that barrier. I almost succeeded, but… God did not have those plans in store for me. Regardless, no summoner has ever broken past the Great Barrier. Because of that, it’s much more difficult to break through than normal. The first time is always the hardest. However, if you’re seeing it before you’ve even reached Authority 6…”

His wisened old eyes pointed straight into my soul. 

“You may just be able to. So long as you don’t die, you’ll have the time. I’ve already given you the tools necessary, and the nature of your Summons makes you suited toward doing it. The only factor left is Aura, but I feel like that’ll be less of a worry for you, having seen Anarchy.”

“How exactly do you break past the Great Barrier?”

“Well, there’s no certain way. All we know is that the Great Barrier requires one to overcome all of their weaknesses. It can’t simply be broken down with one’s strengths. That’s why you’ll never see an Authority 12 with a weakness. They may have aspects that lack compared to others, but what they’ll never have is a weakness.”

“So, what, does it require Summoners to be as strong or resilient as knights?”

“Not necessarily. However, it may require your summons to be. Regardless, that’s why Aura will become so important. It can make up for your weaknesses, even if it doesn’t truly solve the problem.”

We arrived before the Hotel, Maxwell stopping me right before entering. 

“Don’t go blabbing about all this. Especially to the Key Master.”

“Why? I trust the Key Master.”

“He’s obviously not what he looks like. He’s a very powerful individual, and even I have yet to ever discover his true identity, so if you don’t have to, don’t flap your lips. It’ll extend your lifespan.”

“Fine, fine.”

I agreed as we walked into the lobby, smiling when I saw the Key Master. 

“Key Master! It’s been a year!”

“Ah, John! It’s good to see you well. You as well, Sir Albarain.”

“Key Master.”

Maxwell gave a nod, standing to the side as I approached the desk. I shook the Key Master’s gloved hand before leaning on the edge. 

“How does it feel to be back in the city, Major Cooper?”

“So you’ve heard. It honestly feels pretty damn good. It’s weird though. I usually have so much to do. It feels off, not working on something.”

“I think that’s a sign of overwork. Unfortunately, that’s often the indicator for competence in the military. At least I know you’re doing well.”

“I am. And I assume everything is as usual here in the Capital?”

“Generally, yes. The only thing that’s changed in recent times is the King’s appearance. He’s been making rounds to various noble houses. Some are agitated, and others are getting bold.”

My brows raised. 

“The King? You know, I’ve never thought much about him since he’s hardly ever talked about. For some time I almost thought he didn’t exist. Since he’s real though, would he be the strongest person in the Kingdom of Dragon Tongue?”

“Hoh, far from it.”

The Key Master chuckled as if that were a joke. 

“King Distrion Jealven Alphon is an Authority 11 warlock and, according to the hushed but prevailing opinion, is nothing but a puppet to the nobility. The Royal Family has been in decline for decades now, propped up only through inducting other stronger noble bloodlines through marriage. However, their wealth and heritage are indeed among the deepest in the Kingdom and a major reason why they are still the Royal Family.”

“Huh. I wonder what they have stashed away, seeing as it keeps the other noble houses in check.”

“Well, the Kingdom’s name should give you some hints.”

“They have Dragon tongues stashed away?”

“Among other things.”

“Interesting. Maybe this Kingdom is built on Dragon corpses, considering they’re no longer around.”

“...”

The Key Master and Maxwell were silent. I glanced between them, surprised. 

“Did I guess right?”

“Boy, stop guessing the darkest secrets of the Kingdom. It’ll shorten your lifespan.”

“Hey, I can’t help the fact that I’m a genius. Even then, I seem to learn something new everytime I talk to you, Key Master.”

“I aim to please.”

The man bowed a bit, making me smile. 

“Well, it was good talking to you. Now, I get to go advance.”

“Authority 6 is here so soon?”

“Rather than soon, it felt like an eternity trying to figure out that formation.”

“A year is very good time.”

“I suppose. I feel like I don’t have that time though.”

“I can understand that. Then I wish you a successful advancement.”

“Thank you.”

We said our goodbyes, Maxwell and I walking off and heading to his place in the Polaris Family headquarters. 

Once inside his office, Maxwell sighed. 

“It baffles me that you two talk like old friends.”

“He’s a cool guy. I bet you’ve never held a conversation with him before.”

“I have. Let’s just say he’s not that hospitable to everyone. Now, before we get on with your advancement, we need to discuss the Mind Palace technique.”

He sat down behind his desk, on top of which was a larger than normal Orb. I sat down nearby, not far away being the tempering chair used during my last advancements. 

He activated the projection cradle under the Orb, sending a few dozen images of formations into the air. 

“I’ve developed a few prototype formations for arranging what you’ve described to be the Mind Palace. I quite like the idea. In fact, one might think it excessive. Summoners like us already have a vast capacity for both fast and thorough thought. To bring it all together under one technique would amplify those strengths further, even more than what your next advancements will provide. However, a technique this complex will require the reformations that Authority 6 through 10 provides. It will require you to reshape your mind alongside the normal changes my Call will impart.”

He looked up at me. 

“Unfortunately, I can’t test this technique myself. You’ll have to do it. Didn’t you say that you had already started working on it?”

“Yes. I’ve already reformed the stars in my mind a bit while making those connections between them. I’m figuring out how to reshape my mind using the advancement formation and certain visualization formations. We can compare notes.”

I brought out my own Orb, handing it to Maxwell for him to peruse. 

He nodded. 

“Indeed. They aren’t too different from my own. The technique is relatively simple considering the benefits it provides. In fact, what we’re doing with these formations could be considered forcing quick changes that would otherwise come through long term training. It’s all about reshaping the mind, making information access easier and using memory associations to multiply thinking efforts. That means that it won’t necessarily take too long to implement this. How confident are you in making some of these changes during this advancement?”

“Somewhat? It’s not like its a finished product, but I know what I’m going for. I’ve already started working toward that end.”

“Good. Then we’ll sharpen up the technique, divide the formations into different levels, and then have you implement them…”

He rubbed his chin, looking at me for a few seconds silently before waving. 

“Come.”

I followed him into another side room of the office, one I had never been in before. Inside, there was but a single table with a chair next to it. 

It was a bit dusty inside, Maxwell wiping off the table a bit before activating it. 

The table glowed, formations glowing atop its surface before thousands of runic lines were projected into the air. I saw a few impossibly complex formations, ones I couldn’t quite fathom trying to figure out. 

“This is my research desk. Don’t mess with anything you don’t understand. Now, work with me on these Mind Palace formations.”

“Alright.”

I walked over and lifted my hands above the table. It was enchanted with runic work that condensed the Psyka above it, making it incredibly easy to use Aura and draw formations. IT was like an Orb, but instead of writing the information into the Orb itself, we could just draw them into the air above the table and everything would be saved all the same. 

It was really convenient, especially when I saw some of the tools. Copy and paste functions, testing functions. You could even reprogram it to make corrections on its own, supposing you yourself had the knowledge to reprogram it in the first place. 

I quickly got used to everything as Maxwell and I started developing these technique formations properly. I had developed scattered formations and he had done the same, just to a further degree. But we needed to bring it under one definitive system, one that could not just be used to help me, but that anybody else could use from start to finish. 

It became clear at some point though that Maxwell had put a lot of work into this on his end. I hadn’t realized that we would have a working technique anytime soon. I thought I’d be working things together as I went, but after a handful of hours, we almost had a finished product. 

I gazed at the stacks of formation circles and runes above the table, my eyes a bit bloodshot. Another thing I realized was how powerful Maxwell’s mind was. Despite being far from his prime, he could easily outclass me in thinking ability. He was faster, smarter, and generally more oriented. He seemed to already see the end goal and was just working toward it while I was still figuring some things out in my mind. 

It was rather amazing watching him work, but at some point, he had to slow down. 

“Alright, let’s stop here for today.”

He shut down the table, staring at its blank surface for some time before blinking and pulling his gaze away. 

I could recognize the signs of mental fatigue and a nasty headache when I saw it. I had been subject to those constantly at the Treehouse. Maxwell wasn’t young and spry anymore though. He couldn’t stress himself so much. 

“We’ll come back tomorrow, finish this, and then start your advancement. Go rest for now.”

“Sure.”

I was a bit tired as well. This week would be a short period where I could get good sleep, so intended to take advantage of it. 

With that we wrapped up and I went back to the Hotel. A quick wave to the Key Master and I was up in my room. 

I took a deep breath inside. I suddenly felt like living alone sucked, even though the room was wonderfully familiar and comfortable. I wanted Umara here. 

Unfortunately, though it pissed both of us off to no end, she wasn’t able to get her leave approved. Neither of us knew why but we had ideas, especially if the mother wasn’t keen on letting us have a reunion without supervision. 

With a loud sigh I went and took a bath, deciding to thoroughly enjoy the luxuries I had lacked for so long. 

After a bath was a dinner from the Hotel, which was delicious as always. Then it was bed time. 

I threw all my nice blankets onto the huge bed and jumped in, laughing a bit as I felt the heavenly comfort of an actual mattress. 

It didn’t take me long to fall asleep after that. 

……

14 hours later I finally crawled out of bed. From then on, I was working with Maxwell. 

It took us the first half of the day to finalize the Mind Palace technique. It was unrecognizable compared to anything I had initially developed for it, composed of 4 different layered formations across 4 different levels, meant to be utilized during advancements and while cultivating a complete advancement formation, taking advantage of the malleability it provided. 

It was tailored to where I was currently, which was Authority 5 going into 6. Given  few more advancements I would develop it fully, starting wiith this one. 

However, this technique wouldn’t be entirely uncompleted just because I was only on the first or second level. No, it would be a functional technique and would merely have its effects upgraded as I progressed. 

That meant that after this advancement, the technique would be active. I was a bit excited to see the improvements it gave. 

With that, it came time to finally get to Authority 6. 

I sat down in Maxwell’s tempering chair, surrounded by three Authority 8 White Crystals. 

Over the days prior to arriving in the Captial, I had alreadya accumulated as much power as I needed. Now, I merely needed to conclude the effects of the advancement formation and break into the 6th Star. 

“You know, my time at Authority 5 felt relatively underwhelming. I feel like I’ve been doing nothing but desk work for the past year. I hardly got to use my summons and fight.”

“You’re a summoner. Such things should’ve been expected, especially if you’ve been as competent as you’ve told me.”

“Yes, I’m apparently really good at my job. I like fighting though.”

“You’re crazy, so do yourself a favor and stick to the safe jobs until you can hold your own against at least Authority 8s.”

Maxwell activated the chair, the White Crystals glowing as Magika condensed around me, forming a visible fog. I could feel the pressure on my mind, like I was deep in an ocean of Psyka. 

“Begin.”

“Alright.”

I closed my eyes, the advancement formation manifesting within my mind. 

With its direction, Psyka started to flow. It’s power was supplemented by the incredibly dense Magika around me, amplifying its effects further. 

By now, all the stars within my mind, those kernels of memory and being, had all been connected to each other with a vast spiderweb of lines and runes. However, when I started morphing everything according to the new Mind Palace Technique, the stars, previously in the mere brief shape of a palace, began to morph. 

My Spark sped up, operating the technique in my mind’s stead. It became the center of the technique, all the stars comglomerating around it, my mind’s power being concentrated into that area. 

Then, something more than just darkness, stars, and my Spark appeared in that space. 

I started seeing things. Not just magicka energy flows, but tangible objects. 

Walls were constructed from the spiderwebbed stars, hexagonal patterns taking form over its surface and composed of pure Psyka. A foundation was constructed in tandem, made not of stone, but of solid diamond, the hardest material I could conjure. 

The Palace was massive, spanning almost my entire Mind Space. I felt tiny standing within it, not that the emptiness was helpful. 

So with a thought, I began to reshape things. 

I closed off the Palace. It was more than just some pretty building. It was a fortress. This would be the structure that both stored all of my memories and protected them. It couldn’t have gaps. It had to be made of the strongest materials I could think of and armed with my most core aspects to combat anything that might attempt to hijack my own mind. 

Case in point, Anarchy. 

On the roof of the Palace, an image was carved in the diamond and Psyka. There I inscribed Anarchy, or more specifically, my triumph over it. I may not be able to kill that monstrous being but I was able to conquer the influence it had on my mind. I was able to overcome it. 

The image depicted this victory of mind in a most grand fashion, a knight overcoming that monstrous beast with spear and shield, skewering it through the chest as it screamed helplessly. 

Once it was finished, I nodded and moved on. 

The inside of the Palace was renovated, looking a bit more comprehensible than a structure made out of solid diamond and Psyka. After all, this was the palace my memories had to be visualized and stored. By imagining things I was familiar with, the technique would become more effective. 

So the palace morphed into a home. Not just any home, but the home I had spent the longest time in, my home on Earth. 

It was a sizable house with two stories and a rustic theme. Automatically, it was filled with everything I remembered, from the living room to my siblings bedrooms. 

But I wanted the master bedroom and didn’t care for filling this place with my other siblings’ things, so I swept through the place and got rid of things that weren’t mine. 

This place was mine and mine alone. Although it had to be familiar, it wasn’t like other people would be taking a tour. I tailored it specifically to me. 

Like that, the general shape of the home was kept while the main bedroom was made to look similar to my room at the Black Spider Hotel. It had become my new home, and was arguably the most impactful place in my life, the one place I find refuge in this brand new world. 

After filling it as well with some small pieces of furniture and stuff to match what I knew, I started forming the other facilities. 

A grand library was created in the central part of the Palace. In there, I stored all of the miscellaneous knowledge in books and papers. Thousands of books floated to their shelves, categorized according to a thrown together organizational system, filled with pictures and other facts that I knew of. 

It took some time to do this. I was reshaping my memories, after all. It wasn’t a quick process since I had to go through them all. While it was getting close, my mind had yet to become infallible. I still couldn’t recall every small and insignificant detail of my life. 

I could get damn close though. That’s what ths library was for. A store of my knowledge. However, I also had aspects of my mind that couldn’t be categorized as simple knowledge. Certain philosophies and principles and such that I had formed my being around. 

With a thought I created another room in the center of the grand library. In there, I manifested my Spark. 

After it appeared I felt a pulse of power go through the entire Mind Space. Not only had my Psyka reached a tipping point, primed to break through to the 6th Authority, but all of the stars that composed my Mind Palace suddenly twinkled, their spiderwebbed lines all forming connected to the Grand Library and, most important, the Spark that served as the core of this entire Palace. 

The room around the Spark flashed with countless lines and runes. I could see formations manifest along the walls, floors, and ceiling. I didn’t really create them. They simply formed based on my knowledge, a natural occurrence taking place as if it were simply breathing. 

Speaking, or thinking, in this language of runes had become generally natural for me. That meant I could whip up any formation I wanted to suit my purposes. I simply had no reason to until now. 

Thus, throughout the entire Grand Library, thousands of formations engraved themselves on the structure, every shelf and table and chair covered in these runes. I could feel all of my knowledge connecting seamlessly, as if it hadn’t already been before. 

And the core of it all was the Spark. A pedestal was raised underneath it, cradling the precious crystal of pure Psyka and intellect. Along the pedestal, tens of thousands of those runic lines traveled up, connecting to the Spark and thereby connecting it to the entire Palace. 

I felt all my thoughts become coherent. It was a full transformation, my entire mind completely restructured around this Palace. My mind contained the Palace and the Palace was my mind. At some point I didn’t even have to think anymore. All of my knowledge and memories were simply cataloged into the Grand Library. It composed a vast majority of the Palace by the time everything had been logged. 

Then, my accumulated Psyka reached the threshold. Up in the sky, beyond the transparent rooftop of the Palace, I could see the 13 Stars of my Crest. The first 5 Stars had been opened, leading to the dimensions. Now though, the 6th was broken down. 

I could feel that barrier shatter like a thin pane of glass. My power had become so overwhelming that it was hardly a challenge to reach Authority 6. 

I peeked into the next dimension, curiosity overtaking me. 

The sight of those weapons, many of which were familiar, filled me with glee. 

This next dimension wouldn’t simply provide me with better weapons. 

Nay, when I returned, I would thoroughly enjoy introducing the Scourge to the concept of modern warfare. 

Of course, I’d have to get myself on some missions, but that should be easy enough. I was involved in forming many of them, after all. There was no reason I couldn’t simply put myself out there, especially if things were going to get as hectic as I thought they were. 

With my 6th Star open, power flooded my mind. It solidified my Mind Palace. It was no longer so open to change, but that was alright. It was generally complete. It was a proper visualization of what a Mind Palace should be, even if relatively bare bones. 

I opened my eyes, suddenly feeling the condensed Magika around me seeping into my body. I could feel some Mana and Vigor take root. It was a slight amount but I couldn’t complain. All of it would amplify my capabilities further, and I always appreciated extra boosts in physical power. 

At some point, when my body could no longer be saturated, Maxwell shut down the tempering chair. I felt the dense energy disperse, my body and mind feeling extraordinary. 

Maxwell nodded. 

“Congratulations.”