"What are you?"

"What I am is a the protector of the Earthers." I proclaimed. "Who I am is Pixel. I am a superhero, and I wish to become an official Archmage of Wistram." I stood next to Archmage Feor, who was still sitting in the chair I'd helped him into after my successful ambush.

It wasn't the best introduction, perhaps. I was certainly on the back foot as far as reputation went - even if I no longer had a system that showed me such things. Archmage Feor was still radiating confusion, shock, and surprise. It was vital for me to keep that from turning into too much resentment and hatred.

That... was going to be an uphill battle, even at the best of times. The fact that I'd literally just stabbed him in the back would certainly make things more difficult. At least it wasn't a figurative back-stab... I mean, there was no betrayal in my actions.

I continued to keep Rapid Regeneration applied to Feor. I'd withdrawn the Laser Trident from him, but he still needed immediate medial attention. His wounds would already have closed up except that my Mega Buster was more potent than before. The mana that infused it let me pierce his defenses - which, admittedly, hadn't been at their peak. Additionally, the damage it caused was more akin to acid than anything else, and so my Perk needed to repair all the tissue around the wound instead of just knitting the flesh back together.

**Teura is angry.
**Teura is nervous.
**Teura is scared.

"Teura." I let my helmet flow away from my face. "I'm not here to harm anyone." I pointed at the Homunculus in the chair. "I am just protecting Vincent from spells that he would find objectionable." It was technically the truth, even though I was purposely misleading her. My actions were directly related to protecting him and the other Earthers - despite the fact that he wasn't physically here. I didn't think she knew a truth-telling [Spell] - few people did. Most relied on truth stones. Even if she did, she probably wouldn't have it cast right now.

Still, better safe than sorry, and I didn't want to spend the mana on my Babel Perks if I didn't have to. The situation was still evolving, and I might need every single point.

"Okay." She swallowed. "Fine." She looked over at 'Vincent'. "Boxer, did you know about this? Is that why you were confrontational?"

I had Vincent stand up and cross his arms. "Yeah. I knew." He looked at Feor. "Fact is dat this whole thing was a trap. Pixel wanted to see how you'd react."

"[Calm Emotions]." Feor's face went still for a moment as he cast a [Spell] on himself.

**Feor is calm.

He took a deep breath, and the paleness in his face faded.

**Feor is surprised.
**Feor is amused.
**Feor is relieved.

The Archmage chuckled. "It was a test, and we failed." He shook his head. "I should've known. Boxer clearly had assistance. His level was too high, even accounting for how quickly the rest of the Earthers are advancing." He looked up at me. "That implied that an unknown force was helping him." He smiled ruefully. "And, of course, the most obvious person would be the 'Pixel' that he and the others spoke of." He looked over at the other half-elf. "Terua, put away your wand and have a seat." He stood up and began slowly walking back towards his desk. "I think this is going to be a long conversation."

She bowed her head. "Of course, Archmage." She then gracefully sat down in one of the chairs to the side. I could see why Aaron was so flustered by her. The way she moved was nearly as effortless as Sibby.

I had Vincent sit back in his chair, while I un-Inventoried one of my own. It wasn't JUST a casual display of power designed to hint at what I was capable of. The chair also contained one of Uppercrust's forcefield generators that had been upgraded by Dragon, along with my Physical Resistance and Babel Perks.

It wasn't the ultimate defense that it once was, since it did not incorporate any mana. Still, it would allow me to do any number of impressive things. Plus, staying immobile allowed Expansion to kick in.

"You seem to be taking this better than I had feared, Archmage." I looked at Feor and made sure to use his title.

**Feor is angry.
**Feor is happy.
**Feor is satisfied.
**Feor is smug.

"While the recent experience was certainly harrowing..." His long fingers probed his chest. "I have experienced Blighted Diplomacy before." He glanced down. "Though, I must admit, it usually starts with property destruction that is subsequently replaced. Being struck a mortal blow and healed from it is a novelty."

**Terua is angry.
**Terua is scared.
**Terua is in shock.

"I cannot believe how brazen you are." She looked at me with narrowed eyes. "To assault an Archmage in his own quarters before expecting to calmly talk about it!"

"And what choice did I have?" I turned my head to face her. "Or are you saying that you wouldn't mind having the spell that was about to be cast on Vincent placed on yourself?"

**Terua is angry.
**Terua is scared.
**Terua is defiant.

She didn't respond.

"You'll have to for-" Feor started speaking, but I cut him off.

"You do have it on you, don't cha?" It was better for Vincent to come off as abrasive. He glared at the female half-elf. "Someone made it so you can't speak about certain things! 'Specially not the [Spell] that's been placed on ya!"

"Such a thing is necessary for my closest confidants." Feor interjected. "Some secrets must be kept at all costs. It is for her own protection."

**Feor is angry.
**Feor is calm.
**Feor is confident.
**Feor is assured.

Well, he was either telling the truth, or had a [Spell] that masked his emotions - beyond the one I'd just seen him cast. I could only detect [Calm Emotions]' effects due to the sporadic calm notifications. It didn't seem to be as... heavy handed as Gamer's Mind was in quashing things. I tended towards the 'telling the truth' explanation. That generally matched up with being confident and assured. The simmering anger that persisted worried me though. "Is that true, Terua? Are you bound of your own free will?"

**Terua is indignant.
**Terua is annoyed.
**Terua is angry.

"Anything that happens to me in Wistram is of my own choosing!" She crossed her arms. "No one forces me to do things that I don't want. A [Binding] spell is a perfectly reasonable precaution for dangerous secrets."

"Reasonable to us, dear." Feor steepled his fingers. "It obviously is not so for Vincent and Pixel." He paused. "Or dare I say, any Earther for that matter. It is clearly a cultural taboo where they come from... which is odd." He tilted his head. "You do not have magic to actually do such things, so why do you feel so strongly about it."

"Why? WHY?!" Vincent's voice rose.

"Allow me to explain." I interrupted myself. "One of the first things you must understand is that I come from a different world than Blackmage or Vincent. In my world there ARE people who bend the wills of others to their own purposes, and they ARE among the most despised of individuals." I gestured with a hand. "Such things are only speculative fiction for Vincent, or were, at least, before he arrived at this world. However," I raised a finger. "That does not mean that such abuses of power do not exist. You need not use a [Spell] to compel someone to act in a certain way. Power, money, and societal influences can repress people all the same."

And that was far more common on Earth Bet than parahumans like Heartbreaker had been. It was just that supervillains got the spotlight for being such... pieces of shit.

"I understand." Feor nodded at Vincent. "I will not attempt to do such a thing to you in the future, but you must also realize that you are not prepared for the world outside of Wistram. From what you've told us of Earth, it might not be a paradise planet, but it is far less dangerous. It is all too common for experienced travelers here to fall victim to monsters, [Bandits], or other such filth. Leaving our protection is ill-advised." He turned to look at me. "Well, at least for most of you. I don't think that Pixel would find things quite so threatening."

Odd. He was mostly telling the truth from what I could tell. He wasn't guilty or more nervous than before. Of course, that didn't mean that his actions weren't also self-serving. It could be that he both sought to keep Vincent safe as well as gain more control of a valuable resource. It was next to impossible to discern a singular motivation when such things twisted around each other and merged.

I bet even Feor, himself, couldn't say for certain.

"Regardless of the potential consequences, I must insist that anyone who comes to Wistram is to be free of any magic or [Skills] that would interfere with their abilities to make their own decisions." I interlaced my fingers. "Furthermore, any Earther shall be allowed to leave if that is what they wish."

"So you say." Feor's eyes narrowed. "And that is why you wish to be recognized as an Archmage? So that you may impose such policies through force?" He shook his head. "While power alone is the main obstacle to gain such a rank, it is not the only thing."

"Oh?" I smiled as widely as I could. "Have we reached an impasse already?"

**Feor is angry.
**Feor is nervous.
**Feor is tense.
**Feor is afraid.

**Terua is nervous.
**Terua is anxious.
**Terua is afraid.

Feor coughed into his fist. "I didn't say that. It's just that one must be a [Mage] in order to be an Archmage." He shrugged. "While you are no doubt a very high level [Super Hero], Wistram is built and ruled by spell-casters."

"Is that so?" I raised a hand. "[Light]." A glowing orb appeared in my palm. "While my main class is [Artificer], I am not unskilled in other such areas either. Besides," I dismissed the [Spell] and motioned to my armor. "I can construct items that are equal or exceed the greatest of artifacts."

**Feor is angry.
**Feor is surprised.
**Feor is confused.
**Feor is suspicious.

"Still..." He looked me up and down. "You also need support. One cannot hope to be elevated to the highest ranks of Wistram without... providing some benefit."

"Such as?" I asked him.

"There are numerous ways." He shrugged. "Providing resources. Teaching students. Researching [Spells]. Crafting items. There are many ways in which a [Mage] of Wistram earns their place here. Archmages are held to an even higher level."

"Is that so?" I regarded him and Teura. My [Light] spell had gotten an odd reaction from him, but not from her. What had he seen? Had I made a mistake in casting the [Spell]? That... wasn't a good thing - especially since it had cost me a third of my mana. I was now at less than half of my maximum capacity. "Then, how about this?" I gestured towards him while un-Inventorying a glass vial filled with one of my healing potions to the top of his desk. "A gift." I smiled. "Far stronger than a potion of healing, or even a potion of regeneration. It can repair nearly any wound, regrow limbs, and even undo the ravages of time." I paused as the shocked notifications appeared before continuing. "I made it myself."

Feor sat in his room alone.

...Or was he really alone?

Was Pixel watching him right now? Was the otherworlder planning on ambushing him again if he did something that he found 'offensive'?

He clenched his hands tightly before forcing them open and relaxed. He couldn't show such signs. He hadn't played such games since he'd first been recognized as an Archmage. The constant paranoia that one of his rivals was planning to steal, slander, or attack him was not welcome.

It invaded his mind none the less.

To think that the Earth children had such an... ally? Feor shuddered. Pixel had done the impossible. What's more, he'd done it several times.

Eavesdropping on an Archmage's conversations.

Teleporting into an Archmage's quarters, or using illusion magic to mask himself.

Piercing his defensive ward.

Healing a mortal blow.

As much as it galled him, Pixel had real power. The eavesdropping today could be explained by giving Vincent a speaking stone. It would take a potent one to pierce the wards in his room, but it could be done. Teleportation should be impossible from the outside. The wards should have redirected such a thing.

Or was it more likely that he'd done a single impossible thing and had been with them, but unseen, the whole time?

Dead gods, could this be an elaborate power grab by the Ullsinoi?

No.

No, no, no.

Feor felt at his chest. The [Light Blade] that had pierced him had been real. The holes in his robes were proof of that. He would need to resume using the hard illusion counters. [Dust] spells were tedious to both cast and to clean up afterwards, but a thorough sweep of all possible spaces could defeat even the highest level [Rogue].

...So what should he do next?

Killing Pixel was the obvious choice, but was he actually capable of doing it?

Feor felt at his chest again and remembered the burning pain...

No. No, he would not risk such a thing. If perhaps he had the other Archmages on his side, then they could ambush him. They'd done it with Amerys.

...Which was exactly why it would fail. They'd captured Amerys only because they'd ambushed her, and because [Greater Lightning Ward] forced her to get creative. Viltach was away and Nailihuaile was a flighty ally at best. The three of them could doubtlessly overcome Pixel.

...If they could ambush him, and if Feor could convince them to join him.

Doing the first would be difficult, but not impossible. If Pixel was to be recognized as an 'Archmage', he'd have to appear before the council, and be available to others in Wistram.

Where was he staying anyways? Feor made a mental note that Pixel probably had access to spacial magic. That would be difficult to defend against.

The larger problem would be convincing his fellow Archmages to act. True, they'd come together against Amerys. Everyone still feared the King of Destruction. Gaining their cooperation against Pixel would be far more difficult. Telling them he'd ambushed him would only elevate the Earther in their eyes.

Feor looked down at the object on his desk he'd been ignoring.

A potion of [Regeneration], or possibly [Youthfulness]. Or rather, a combination of the two. Its worth was incalculable. And Pixel could make them!

Feor wasn't as naive as to take such bold claims at face value, but... He probed his chest again, and then cracked his neck from side to side. No scarring. No tenderness. No sign of the fatal wound at all! Besides that, the stiffness in his neck was gone.

He felt ten years younger - which wasn't that much for a half-elf, but the fact that it was noticeable?

No. That was all the proof he needed.

To have this power at his fingertips. To be able to save himself from anything short of death. To be able to turn back the clock...

Feor wasn't as old as he acted. His beard would still be mostly yellow if he didn't dye it. However, even half-elves feared growing old. Ever since Saliss of Lights had revealed he'd been able to create [Potions of Youthfulness], the thought of acquiring one had been in the back of his mind.

Not seriously. Feor still had centuries left. But getting one before Saliss himself died in some war or something... that was on his list.

The prices of such things could bankrupt smaller nations, and Pixel had just handed one over!

Feor took a deep breath and tried to banish the fear and anger. He wouldn't be opposed to Pixel dying, but his benefit far outweighed everything else. He would ally with him and cooperate to the best of his abilities. That was worth more than his current grievances, which would fade in time.

Such was life in Wistram.

Nailihuaile slithered into the council chamber. "Hey! Vandross! How are you doing? Sally! Marthe! Wayhe!" She cheerfully greeted members of other factions. There were just so many! Sure, lots of [Mages] belonged to more than one faction, which led to an increased number of them.

Factions, that was, not [Mages].

Nailihuaile, herself, was a member of no less than fifteen! Of course, fourteen of those weren't THAT important. Take the Brunch Alliance. They had banded together to try and get food served more-or-less constantly before noon. It was just so hard to wake up some days! Or so easy to get carried away in a conversation! Honestly! Would it be THAT much more work for the [Cooks]?

As an Archmage (not an [Archmage]), she lent a certain... gravitas to any faction she joined. As such, it was no wonder sooooo many people were interested in her. She preened under their attention. Lizardfolk were sociable creatures, and as a Star Lamia, Nailihuaile felt even more comfortable the more eyes that were on her. She adjusted her jewelry, and hoped someone would comment on it.

"Nailihuaile." A dry voice greeted her. She glanced in that direction, but then turned her head. She would not associate or acknowledge people in the Isolationist faction. Some things were more important than socializing!

The idiots that were members weren't worth the mana they absorbed. They were the natural enemy of her most potent faction: the Revivalists. How anyone could come up with such a backwards theory that the way to restore Wistram to its greatness was to have LESS students? It was complete Garbichug Revolter dung!

The obvious correct way to gain MORE power was to have MORE students!

She gripped the Serkonian Lance that she always carried with her and thought about killing each and every Isolationist. Not that she would, of course, but it still felt nice to imagine it.

Well, perhaps one or two...

"Nailihuaile." Another dry voice spoke her name. "I'm glad you could come on such short notice."

She looked over. "Oh, hello, Feor." Speaking of factions, the only other Archmage currently at Wistram was leader of the Centralists. They got on well enough. Nailihuaile didn't think that their goal of making every [Mage] in the world join Wistram and elevating the school into a proper country was a bad idea. She didn't think it was a good idea either. However, it would lead to more students, so the Centralists were a natural ally of the Revivalists. "You are looking well today." She paused, but the half-elf didn't return her compliment. "Do you know why the counsel has been convened?"

"As a matter of fact, I do." Feor stroked his beard. "I was the one who called it to gather."

"Oh?" Her eyes gleamed. That was a juicy minor secret. She'd probably be able to trade it for someone to deliver her some food. The secret would spoil long before the food did. "And why is that?" It was about the Earthers she bet. It had to be about the Earthers.

"It's about the Earthers." Yes! "And about recognizing another Archmage." What?

"A new Archmage?" Nailihuaile rose up on her tail and looked over the assembled [Mages]. "Who is it? It can't be Wayhe, he's still not even level forty." She didn't see any red hair. "Your protege isn't here either, so it's not her." She frowned. "I don't see anyone that looks that important." She lowered herself. "Besides, no one is really high enough level to join, are they?"

"Not from within Wistram, no." Feor shook his head. "However, I can personally vouch for the applicant's power." A pained look crossed his face as he reached into his robes and pulled out a vial. "In fact, the future Archmage gave me this to give you to prove his credentials."

Nailihuaile reached out and took it, and briefly wrestled with the half-elf. "You seem reluctant to part with a present for ME!" She yanked the potion from his hands. "It must be valuable."

"More tha-" Feor straightened his robes and stroked his beard. "Yes. Yes, it is."

"And you didn't squirrel away some of it for yourself, did you?" She eyed the level of the fluid... The strangely blocky fluid.

"I would never!" Nailihuaile didn't need a truth [Spell] to see through THAT lie. "I mean to say." Feor took a deep breath. "I already have one of my own."

Nailihuaile chuckled. "That doesn't mean you wouldn't want any more. [Light]." She held the vial up to the glowing orb. "The texture looks strange. Not the slop of a lower level potion maker, but not liquid. Gelatinous? The color is good, solid. [Safe Scent]." She flicked her tongue out. Her [Spell] didn't need the stopper removed to work - which was why it was a good spell. All manner of bad things could happen when you opened an unknown potion. "No scent at all!" She blinked. "That IS odd!" She slid the potion into a pocket on her vest. "So what does it do?"

Feor let out a sigh. "It's a potion of superior regeneration... and youthfulness."

"Oh!" She smiled. "That IS a nice bribe!" A very, VERY nice bribe!

"To test it... it has been suggested that you offer some of it to one of your faction's members that's missing a limb or digit."

"Why is that?" She blinked.

Feor sighed again. "Because it wasn't made by an [Alchemist], and one might not be able to identify it properly."

"Who made it? Was it the applicant? It has to be the applicant, right? Why else would it be so strange? And why is someone who's re-discovered how to make potions of regeneration want to join Wistram? It will be great to have someone like that here, is it Saliss of Lights? I bet it's Saliss of Lights! He's the one that discovered how to make potions of youth, right? Having someone like that join is great! But why would he? He's a drake through-and-through. He wouldn't leave his own city for Fissival, why would he leave it for Wistram?" A chime rung, and the assembled [Mages] began moving towards their seats. Nailihuaile followed Feor. "If it's not Saliss, then that's even bigger news! I can understand why we would be considering naming a non-[Mage] as 'Archmage'. It's odd, no doubt about that, but talent is talent. Alchemy isn't all that different from Enchanting, y'know? We both make things. It's just that I do it directly, while [Alchemists] have to use outside tools!" Feor sat down, but she continued talking. "It's a pretty big distinction, even if you don't take into account everything else I can do that they can't. Although..." She paused to take a breath. "They DO work faster. I mean, they'd have to, right? Otherwise what would be the point? Healing, I guess. No matter how good an [Enchanter] is, they can't make healing potions. Or mana potions for that matter. And there's the use factor. It's super easy to drink a potion, but resonance limits how many enchanted items a person can carry. But it's sooo hard to limit that! You know that I've made a discovery on that front, right? See, the secret is... well, I can't tell you the secret, but it's really quite remarkable-"

"Nailihuaile." Feor spoke through clenched teeth. "The applicant is entering."

"Oh!" She glanced around, and saw that she was the only one still standing - for a given definition of 'standing'. Star Lamias didn't have legs, so it was more like raised up and slouching instead of standing and sitting. "Right." She slithered to her seat, and caught the tail-end of what the [Scribe] was announcing.

"-duce, Pixel. From Earth!" The door opened to the lower section and a beautiful golem walked though it.

Nailihuaile looked it up and down and smiled. So pretty! Such bright colors! And the tiny scales that it was made of were marvelously uniform! They way they shifted as it moved was so seamless!

...Wait. The [Scribe] had clearly said 'from Earth'. Nailihuaile had been keeping abreast with their otherworldly visitors, and she knew that Earth didn't have any magic, much less golems. Were they saying that 'Pixel' had made that beautiful servant?

Where was he anyways? Nailihuaile didn't see anyone entering after the golem.

"Greetings, [Mages] of Wistram's high counsel." The golem smoothly bowed. "My name is Pixel, and I am from Earth." Oh! HE was Pixel? "But, not the same Earth as the other visitors." The scales on his head flowed away to reveal a young human. So it was armor. Masterfully enchanted armor! "I have come here to pool my resources, so that we can work together to protect the otherworldly innocents, and find a way to return them home!"

"Such cooperation can exist without us granting you a leadership position in Wistram." Feor's voice rang out. No doubt a scripted exchange. "Why do you seek the title of Archmage, and why should we grant it?"

"While it is true that I am an [Artificer] rather than a [Mage], can anyone look at my work and claim it's non-magical?" His armor, which had been mainly orange, red, and yellow, folded in on itself somehow and then expanded. Pixel was then encased in a brilliant white suit that must have been at least ten feet tall. Magnificent translucent wings spread from his back and lit up with a blue light. "You all have heard about Earth, and its technology. Devices that can accomplish things that even your magic cannot. Believe me when I tell you that the items I make are as far beyond that level of achievement as an [Archmage] is to a [Peasant]!"

"That explains why you consider yourself equal to an Archmage, but not why you should be part of Wistram."

Pixel nodded his head, and his armor's scales reverted to their previous form. "It is true. Power does not equate to authority. However!" His voice rose. "I need to have both if I am to help! On my world, I was a being of great renown. I saved my Earth from forces that could destroy it multiple times! As such, I am well aware of what is needed from a leader, and in turn what authority is necessary. If we are to cooperate, then my voice needs to carry weight!"

"Cooperate?"

"Yes! Cooperate!" Pixel spread his arms wide. "I am not a lost child. I need not be sheltered. I bring far more to the table than trinkets or stories of another world!" He held up a hand and a vial appeared in it that contained a bright red liquid. Nailihuaile glanced at her own potion. They looked identical.

"What is that?"

"It is a healing potion." Pixel smirked. "But one far more potent than you have ever seen before." Nailihuaile supposed that was true for most of the other [Mages] in the room. "This vial can bring people back from the edge of death! It can regrow entire limbs! It can undo the ravages of time and age!"

Feor's scripted response was drowned out as the members of the counsel began loudly speaking all at once.

"Quiet! Quiet!"

"How can we know it works?" Some [Mage] to the side shouted.

Pixel blinked in surprise before smiling. "Its effects are quite dramatic. If I could have a volunteer, I will remove a limb, or a digit, and you can all see it work with your own eyes!"

That led to an even louder and longer discussion before the counsel calmed down.

"You want to chop off one of our arms to prove you can regrow it? Seriously?" An incredulous [Mage] on the other side of the room shouted.

"Yes." Pixel nodded. "Exceptional claims require exceptional evidence. It will be painful, but you will come out of it healthier than ever."

"If it's so good for you, then why don't you drink it?!" Another voice rang out, and caused everyone else to fall silent. Nailihuaile thought that was a very good question, and the rest of the counsel must've too.

Pixel rubbed his chin with the scaled hand that did not hold the potion. "A fair point. I am willing to endure such pain for a demonstration. Indeed, it's far more fitting that I shoulder such a burden." He held his arm out to his side, and his armor flowed away - revealing a muscular, pink arm. "If any of you can succeed in chopping off my arm, then I will drink my potion to prove its effectiveness."

Nailihuaile eyes gleamed as she watched the commotion. She had no doubt that Pixel's potion would work, or that he'd be granted the rank of Archmage. He had far too much confidence in his creation for it to fail, and Feor had, apparently, seen it in work as well. Someone that could produce such a thing was certainly worthy of being an [Archmage], much less an Archmage.

Besides, the title itself held little power. Wistram wasn't ruled by its highest level [Mages], no matter what some factions endorsed. Being an Archmage would not actually grant Pixel power... just respect. But, one could lead to the other. It would remain to be seen if he could build up a faction of his own. If he tried, he'd likely succeed. Access to such... potent potions was a strong incentive.

No. Nailihuaile smiled. That part of the meeting was as good as set in stone. She rose up to get a better view. What she was curious about was if someone COULD cut off so much as a singular one of Pixel's fingers.

She recognized the confidence of a high-level [Enchanter]. She'd issued such challenges to others in the past as well. Strengthening the body was a specialty of hers. Her mind was already making plans. Pixel wouldn't offer the BEST items he could produce right away. His techniques might be completely foreign, but she was certain that she could learn from them.

Besides, he really was quite fetching in his scaled armor.

Bios:

Nailihuaile - The Archmage of Baleros. A Star Lamia. Not an [Archmage]. Called 'Naili' to her friends. She's a high-level [Enchanter], and is skilled with enchanting herself. Has an erratic, scattered, and cheerful personality, but also holds grudges. Wields the Serkonian Lance, which is a relic-class Artifact and treasure of the Lizardfolk.