When Asia came to consciousness there was a brief moment of panic when she couldn't move a muscle. Her whole body had a weight and stiffness to it that made her feel like it had been dipped in glue and there was this awful smell that ravaged her senses that even briefly managed to distract her from the numbness of her body; and then the pain hit.
Oh, wow did that pain hit. Every scrap of her flesh felt like it was slowly melting. The level of agony ramped up in seconds from merely painful to mind-breaking as she reached for her Twilight Healing the pain intensified until even the process of thinking was agony. A scream left her lips involuntarily and at that instant the door flew open and she lost consciousness.
The next time she woke up it was to a deep throbbing pain, coupled with tiredness. All of her muscles felt like they had been stretched and strained to their limits and her body felt utterly devoid of energy with the exception of a deep continuous burning that seemed to come from some organ in the body that she didn't know she had before today. She weakly opened her eyes, only for the light to sear her retinas. The room she was in was so bright that she could still see with her eyes closed and there was a deafening silence to accompany the light. Every little twitch of sound stung her ears slightly as she tried to get some semblance of order in her head. It felt like she was mostly upright and her back felt like there were a lot of pillows behind it.
"You're awake," Morgan's measured voice punched her ears and she winced causing pangs of pain to shoot through her body at the small movement. "You have Experience Sickness," Morgan said, his voice at a much lower volume now. "Think of this like a teething period. Your bodies undergoing several improvements to help you better absorb or refine Experience. Symptoms include general hypersensitivity, sore/numb muscles and tiredness; any nausea yet?" Morgan asked clinically.
Asia opened her mouth to say something before she felt a wave of dizziness hit her before she felt her head grow light. That was probably the nausea she felt and she suddenly found a bucket in her hands as she suddenly lost last night's meal.
"Easy, easy," Morgan said, his voice not changing as he sat her up straight before rubbing her back. "Just let it out. I'll get you something for your stomach later, but for now you need to stay still and rest. Have you felt any non-corporeal pain; say from a place that you didn't know existed previously?"
Asia opened her mouth to agree with the statement only to back down into the bucket. It was a long few minutes before she managed to get the words out again and she could only mutter an affirmative while pointing to the vague source of the burning.
"Excellent," Morgan said. "Congratulations you have just felt your soul for the first time." Asia froze at that thought. She could feel her soul; what did that mean? She had effectively betrayed the doctrine of the Church already. Did that mean she sold her soul? Somehow with Morgan behind her rubbing her back the thought didn't feel as bad as she thought it would.
"Soul?" she managed to get out opening her eyes despite the light and trying to look at Morgan's face.
"The System flows to all souls passing down power in the form of Experience," Morgan stated. "From then on the soul affects the body reshaping it to become a better instrument. Remember body, soul and mind are the three core concepts that Humans can develop although they do it in different ways. Strength Dexterity and Vitality relate solely to the body and are usually developed first. Intelligence and to some extent Willpower relate to the mind. Charisma and to the remaining extent Willpower relate to the Soul. My longwinded explanations aside your body's just getting ready to train."
"How long?" Asia asked.
"A day or two," Morgan said. "Your symptoms are pretty harsh but all babies have to go through this at least once. No training or strenuous activity for now. We don't want to raise your abilities any more for the moment."
"I must just rest," Asia said.
"I will bring you breakfast," Morgan said nodding. "Don't worry you'll be able to keep this down. I'll be about ten minutes. Try to stay awake until then."
"Okay," Asia said softly closing her eyes again to keep them safe from the harsh light. The pain that was originally unbearable had become manageable albeit barely and as long as she kept still she was generally fine. She had barely closed her eyes when Morgan returned and she smelt something minty. Opening her eyes she looked down to see a black porridge inside a plate.
"Eat," Morgan commanded dipping a spoon into the porridge and bringing it into her lips and she obeyed. The breakfast was tasteless for the most part but there were hints of both mint and meat in the dish giving it a perplexing taste. "You need to keep your strength up even if you're not training."
"What are you going to do today?" Asia asked, she felt a small hope for a particular answer only to be replaced by disappointment when she didn't get it.
"I have to appear at school today," he said. "I've been informed by the devils that they would like to speak to me and while I am loathe appearing as if there words would ever have an effect on me I have to at least scout a bit. If you want I can provide you sleeping pills or I can get some books from the library."
"I think I can sleep on my own," Asia said somewhat put out before she blushed at her own thoughts. She was going to be a soldier of Humanity. She shouldn't get worked up over these little things. "Can you tell me a story about your world?" she asked trying to get just a bit more.
"Sure I have some time," Morgan replied instantly. "What type of story would you like?"
"What about a story about Dragons?" Asia asked. "Do you have them in your world?"
"We do," Morgan admitted. "They're pretty much one of those occupying the top of the pyramid in OUR world," he continued emphasising Asia's inclusion into the species. "They live on a place called Firalam the Fire Star which is very fortunate because their normal body temperature is measured in tens of thousands of degrees. They live in constant battles and the weak are thrown off of the Fire Star where they plunge into our relatively icy world and go mad from the cold. They are seen as meteors of misfortune, dangerous creatures that only the strongest can kill. Even being in the same region as a dragon and you could evaporate from the sheer heat. Think of them as autonomous natural disasters."
"Have you ever seen one?" Asia asked getting a shake of his head.
"No," Morgan admitted. "Just getting into the range of one would make my eyeballs melt. My dad has though."
"Oh," Asia said remembering the confession; his dad the god. Did that make him a god or demigod then?
"We're a meritocracy," Morgan admitted getting a look of bewilderment. "I'm your mentor. I can get impressions through our bond. You haven't got anything because you're untrained at the moment."
"You can read my thoughts," Asia said nervously. Could he read even those thoughts..?
"More like get good impressions," Morgan stated. "The difference isn't obvious until you get your own apprentice. I went through the exact same thoughts as you when training with my Dad. Well maybe not those thoughts," he said causing Asia to blush.
"So Dragons…" Asia said desperately trying to change the subject.
"Turn and run," Morgan stated. "You'll probably die regardless. Praying might help."
"Do we pray to the gods?" Asia asked. He hadn't mentioned that before when he had converted her which was a point that she thought should be very important.
"Only when we want something or wish to report something," Morgan stated. "Otherwise we don't bother them with trivial stuff. Would you like it if people kept bothering you while you are trying to work?"
If she was honest that sounded a lot like her previous occupation in the church but she decided to keep quiet as Morgan fed her the food again. By the time the bowl was empty she was feeling quite sleepy and the pain from her body had calmed down by quite a bit.
"Good luck for your meeting," she said as Morgan patted her head.
"Just relax and try to gain some sleep," he said standing up from his position. "I'll see you again in the afternoon." He paused. "Before I go do you want anything from the shops? Would you like me to bring anything like a TV or a music player or something?"
"No thanks," Asia said. She had never owned one so she had no idea what to ask for. In addition she; she stifled a yawn as that sentence was cut off in her head. She…she couldn't think at the moment as she closed her eyes totally.
"Rest well, Asia," was the last words that she heard before she nodded off.
xxx
When Asia woke up again it was not to the ceiling in her new room to which she was feeling a growing familiarity but to a night sky filled with sparkling lights as if some being had drawn a curtain of lights over the earth. Countless nebulas densely floated above her in greater numbers than she had ever seen before lending an ethereal otherness to the scene. The night was still and calm and Asia found herself transfixed by the sight.
"It's beautiful," she said watching the infinite night sky.
"I believe I do agree with you," a mellow voice sent chills up her spine and Asia turned her head to see a woman sitting on a rock a few metres away from her. She could barely make out her silhouette in the dark but the meagre light from the stars was enough to indicate that the woman was not facing her. Instead she was sitting on a rock holding a stick or spear loosely in her hand.
"Excuse me," Asia said. There was no pain and she found that she was easily able to pick herself up from the sandy ground. "My name is Asia. Can you tell me where I am?"
"You are currently inside the System, Asia Dear," the woman said and once more Asia was hit by the force of her voice. Just her casual words felt like blows against the fabric of reality. The former nun felt her existence unravel as her past, future and present were exposed and dissected nonchalantly by this being in front of her and she lacked even the concept of resistance. With an almost lackadaisical calmness Asia felt her soul take shape in the world in front of her; as if some part that existed only as a concept previously crystallised into existence.
"Who are you?" Asia asked, was permitted to ask, was made to inquire. Everything of her was part of the being in front of her, was controlled by the creature in front of her. Her sense of self was casually displayed in the form of a crystal now resting in the hand of her conversation partner.
"I am the First, Asia Dear," the woman said each of her words burrowing in her mind. She was speaking to a god. She was speaking to the first god. This person was Morgan's many times great boss. How should she address her? She hadn't learnt any etiquette. How did one address a god? Despite her thoughts there were no actual feelings of panic. The woman in front of her was playing both parts of this conversation. In fact Asia had known that since first she had spoken the woman had already finished this conversation.
From the moment she had spoken to her she had immediately taken her soul. From the moment that she had taken her soul she had instantly comprehended everything about her. From the moment she had comprehended everything about her this conversation had then been allowed to play out for Asia's benefit only. The god in front of her paid lip service to the notion of free will and Asia was given the merest glance of her intentions in return.
"You are fixing me, Lady First," Asia stated only for her newly given knowledge to inform her that was the incorrect manner of address. It didn't matter as they would subscribe to some token separation in the matter.
"Just call me First, Asia Dear," the god replied casually touching her soul as she made a million minor adjustments far beyond her ability to understand. "What do you think about the stars," she said making another casual pretence towards the concept of free will.
"They're very beautiful," Asia said as the god in front of her knew she would.
"They are indeed," First replied as the two of them were sitting opposite each other. There was no transition when Asia found herself sitting at the dinner table in her old orphanage. Opposite her sat First or at least the impression of First existed in that spot. She couldn't see the god as her eyes were currently First's hands being adjusted for her new body.
"Eat up," she said as a plate of soup appeared in front of her while the god tinkered with her soul. "Do you think that those stars each have worlds of their own? Vast planets filled with resources out of which a heaven can be built."
"Heaven?" Asia stated. She had tried to not think about Heaven since she had converted. She still prayed to God when she had time and when Morgan was away, she was afraid that he would answer the question that she hadn't asked. Did joining the Human faction mean that she could no longer worship God? That she was no longer a believer? That she would have to worship these new gods? Her new knowledge told her the answer but currently she found herself unable to care as she sat cradled by the First.
"Yes heaven," First stated and Asia regained her sight. Still she couldn't see the god right in front of her; as if her soul refused to entertain the thought. "We used to wonder if every world was much like our own. When Morgan arrived at your Earth we discovered that they were not."
"Our worlds are different?" Asia asked without her mouth that was currently in the hands of First; teeth, tongue and all. It didn't matter; currently the First and her were the same being. She knew exactly what to ask.
"Your technology is amazing, Asia Dear," First stated allowing the hint of her emotions to show. The feeling that she got wasn't a crude envy but a restrained admiration coupled with a sincere desire to adapt and acquire; a calculated value of the worth and application of Earth technology as well as thoughts of the implications on Human culture. She saw the humans of Earth as comparatively soft but also admitted there was worth in their history.
"There's more you aren't telling me," Asia said; this was an audacious act of speaking which was encouraged and permitted by deity.
"There is," First admitted as she returned her mouth and took her hearing and all the associated organs. "Your former planet has left us unprepared with how to confront the situation and as of now you are not yet qualified to participate in the discussions." There was no heat within the words. She was simultaneously acknowledged as the person with the greatest knowledge of Earth and derided as the person with the least knowledge of Humanity.
"What would you have me do?" Asia asked knowing the answer. Separate Asia would have asked this even though she really shouldn't have. The directive that was given to her was no different than that of any other human and for the first time she was able to comprehend the weight behind those words.
"Get stronger," First said simply although from her mouth the words thrummed with an almost irresistible power. For the first time she felt the full force of a command that burned within the veins of every Human; the insatiable drive for improvement and she finally just got it.
"That's why Humans worship you," she stated to the Deity and for the first time since she had arrived she opened her eyes and gazed upon the face of a God. "You're incredible."
Before her lay *First the Soul-Weaver* who built the original system that single-handedly uplifted the Human race. She was a God that had transcended the use of a body with a soul so powerful that all other souls willingly subordinated themselves beneath her. Unhindered by the frailties of the flesh the First God roamed the system unconstrained by space and time. Her power was undeniable and yet incomprehensible to the former nun, her shape similarly formless and distinct. Just the act of seeing the difference between the two of them made Asia want to prostrate herself before the First God in marvel that something could achieve this strength.
"And you're done," First said in reply and in an instant the two were separate and First was beyond her ability to witness her again, and yet as long as she lived she doubted she would ever lose that beautiful sight like it was branded into her brain. Her former faith felt slightly hollow by comparison.
"Thank you," Asia said. She didn't know everything that was done yet but considering the person performing the operation there could be no doubts her full gratitude was warranted.
"You are welcome," she said, her voice bypassing her brain and touching her soul directly. The double meaning showed in that First was accepting her thanks while simultaneously welcoming her to Humanity. "Sleep is the best time for your mind to acclimatize. I am going to give you some rest now."
Asia opened her mouth in thanks or praise or something else but before she could even say a word the world faded to black and she fell into a dreamless sleep.
xxx
Morgan still felt a bit guilty about leaving Asia at home even though his logic told him that she was both safe and that he wouldn't be able to do her any good if he stayed. His movements today were slow but sure as if he was feeling out every movement. His body felt strange and he got the impression that he was about to enter the Integration stage properly soon. He was already aware of what type of magic he would specialise in (space magic) and how he would develop his fighting style (speed based) and now he was just waiting for his body to fully develop so he could start learning some proper magic.
"Hey Morgan," Issei said as he came up to him after the class for the day had ended and people were leaving. "Are you in a better mood today?" Thank god for Cognizant Mind. That reminded him that he would have to research the other prerequisites for True Telekinesis. "You seem like you've been busy lately."
"Yeah I've been busy with the club," Issei said somewhat bashfully before he whispered. "Everybody there is so strong it's unbelievable."
"Is it?" Morgan asked. This world was truly so soft; a paradise for those even mildly strong.
"Yeah I don't even have enough magic to teleport," Issei confessed shamefacedly. "Mind you teleporting looks scary. President was going to teleport us to show me a Stray Devil yesterday and it backfired on her."
"Oh," Morgan said, letting his face betray nothing. "And how is she now."
"Well she looked okay this morning," Issei said sounding a bit worried over the injury to his slave-owner. "But last night there was blood coming out of her eyes and ears and she was having trouble speaking."
"That sounds terrible," Morgan said feigning horror. It was a fairly common symptom of the backlash whenever somebody's magic was subverted. Honestly it was something that he had already experienced more than a few times when he was learning how to control his Will. His dad had subverted his own Will more than a few times allowing him to deal with the consequences and within an hour he was back to training. Actually if he was attempting to learn True Telekinesis then he might have to experience more times in the future. Psionics training always required building ones fortitude against backlash; that was going to be unpleasant.
"Yes it was," Issei said. "I haven't seen President yet today. They uh… they asked me to come and get you."
"Of course they did," Morgan stated. It had been obvious from the first time that he opened his mouth that Issei had something important to say.
"So will you come," Issei said hopefully and Morgan nodded sharply in response. "Great, well you know the way to the ORC. Shall we go now?"
"Might as well get this over with," Morgan stated before he finished shovelling the rest of his school things in his bag and picking up his umbrella. "Let's go."
"So where did you learn magic?" Issei asked as they walked.
"From my dad," Morgan answered curtly trying to give the minimum information away.
"Oh wow that's cool," Issei replied instantly. "I wish that my dad could have taught me magic. You must be pretty experienced with all these things then."
"Depends on what things you are talking about," Morgan replied half-heartedly. "You probably know more about devil culture than I do." His voice was calm with not even a hint that he felt as if bacteria culture was less objectionable.
"I mean like fighting and magic and that," Issei explained. "You must be pretty good at it."
"I might be one of the better ones for my age," Morgan admitted. He was certainly one of the strongest in his age but he was definitely not the strongest unfortunately and in a fight between her and himself he had to struggle to win one battle in ten.
"Good," Issei said before he bowed his head. "Can you please train_?"
"No," Morgan said immediately not even pausing in his steps and leaving the traitor behind. The thought that he would train him was absurd. He should be very lucky that he didn't kill him let alone teaching him the secrets of his species.
"Okay," Issei stated after he caught up. "I just didn't want to see President hurt like that ever again. I'll just have to get stronger my own way."
"You do you," Morgan stated. His words were the empty bluster of the weak and did not bear replying to. Despite his dismissive attitude the naiveté behind the words bugged him. For Humans getting hurt was a part of life and the true measure of a person was how well they could absorb that hurt and give it back. Was he going to try and protect her from every mild little headache like a child carer?
"We're here," Issei said stating the obvious as they finally arrived at the ORC. Morgan acknowledged his statement with a nod but his thoughts were on the inhabitants of the building, more specifically one of the inhabitants. He slowed down for half a second as he adjusted his manner of walking turning it into a casual looking prowl that could switch to a vicious lunge in under a second. His eyes sharpened and his Will stirred ready and anticipating a fight, no a kill. Lastly, he shifted his bag so that it could be discarded in an instant while tightening his grip on his 'umbrella'.
Issei overtook him in the space of that half step, evidently eager to see his beloved President and Morgan gladly allowed him. If the enemy attacked him immediately he could use Issei as a human shield or more likely a distraction. As soon as they entered the building the sound of bickering made itself clear. One voice was the devil princess who he had already met and the other was a masculine voice.
"We're here, President," Issei said as he walked into the room with Morgan following a moment behind. Morgan's eyes slipped over the cat devil, the blonde knight, the fallen angel devil and the red destruction devil before they locked onto another blonde haired devil that he hadn't seen before.
Riser Phenex
Race: pure devil
Age: 23
LV: 456
STR: 312
DEX: 453
ATK: 946
DEF: 1 543
VIT: 3 698
INT: 169
WILL: 736
CHA: 356
Skills- Lesser Fire Magic: LV 99_Devil Magic_LV123_Lesser Magical Resistance: LV 87_Greater Regeneration_LV23
Title: Third Sone of the Phenex Clan
It was a bit better than the woeful abilities of the other peerage but not even enough to make him break a sweat. After a quick glance at the devil he dismissed him before turning to the white haired woman in a maid uniform who was eying him with a similarly appraising look that conveyed that she was taking him very seriously.
Grayfia Lucifuge
Race: pure devil
Age: unknown (greater than 500 years)
LV: 10 371
STR: 24 785
DEX: 23 781
ATK: 63 491
DEF: 76 124
VIT: 25 632
INT: 11 994
WILL: 34 632
CHA: 22 234
Skills- Greater Ice Magic: LV 23_devil Magic_LV402_Medium Magical Resistance: LV 74
Title: Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation
His bag hit the floor to the side as he casually lifted his umbrella and leant against the arm of the nearby sofa. There were shocked looks but there was also an emotion in the eyes of the red-devil that he couldn't place while the new blonde guy was looking at him with clear disdain.
"You invited me here," he said feeling his body prepare to fight. "So what's with the chilly reception," he said grinning in anticipation.
Author Note: Not really much to say here this time.
a good samaritan: Thanks for the advice
Tyrant of The Void: He's already busy training Asia which is a full time job. In addition sometimes having a good heart is not good enough.