Transformation (Battle Mage Farmer #5)

by Seth Ring

“This is not a discussion, John. We don’t abandon family, ever. I will be fine here in the valley. I have Ferdie, Sigvald, Thomas, and Rebya. If need be, we’ll all retreat into the Shadow Tower and Rebya can protect us. Even if multiple sages show up, they won’t be able to breach the tower. As for the other threats, the beast wave is nowhere to be seen, Allera has been crushed, and the Mages are in hiding. However, if you don’t go now, you’re going to miss your chance. Every moment you delay is a moment that Katrine is alone and suffering. You have to go.”

“You must be Boro,” he said, gesturing with the metal apple to the Mage as he glanced at the giant. “But I don’t know who you are.” “You can call me Gor,” the giant rumbled, his expression fierce. “Nice to meet you, Gor,” John said, taking another chunk out of the apple. Again, silence fell over the room as John casually finished the metal apple, eating the entire thing and swallowing it down without any sign of effort. Picking at his teeth, as if he had gotten something stuck in between them, he looked at Mauvrik. “Time’s up. Pick your path.” Shaking slightly, Mauvrik had never been so scared before in his life. The complete disregard John showed for the powerful gang members who surrounded him set his nerves on edge, and the horrifying sound of John’s chewing still seemed to ring in his ears. Though he hated to believe it, a part of his mind was screaming at him that he was only a hair’s breadth from death, and if he didn’t choose wisely, he would find himself in a terrible position. However, the thing that really sealed the deal was that Pia, one of his most loyal subordinates, was nowhere to be seen. When he realized she hadn’t entered the room with the others, Mauvrik’s decision was made.

[Player John Sutton is mistaken. Your skill level is not equivalent to the amount of knowledge you possess. She is an old woman who has lived for hundreds of years. You have lived for almost thirty. It’s no surprise that she would know more. Think of your skills as a combination of how easily you learn new information, deduce correct information, and act on information you have. She may know more than you currently, but that will not last if you continue to study the subject.] You know, all of this would have been very helpful to know before. Like, when I first arrived. [Unfortunately, until I spoke with the world spirit of Candle Scholar Tower, I didn’t know any of this either.]

Ellie’s question stunned John, so much so that his anger drained away and a mix of fear and anticipation replaced it. In that moment, John felt like he had gotten a slight glimpse of what it meant to be loved, and the feeling terrified him. Up until this point, John knew that Ellie liked him, and their mutual attraction had clearly been growing, but the look in her eyes was something else entirely. Noticing his reaction, Ellie’s slight smile grew and she grabbed his shirt, pulling him close. “Rebya, will doing this increase my lifespan?” In the silence that followed Ellie’s question, John’s mind spun, his thoughts going wild as he realized what Ellie was asking. Clearly Rebya also understood Ellie’s line of thinking, because she floated closer, a happy smile on her face. “Indeed. Most beasts are functionally immortal.

“You like making deals, right?” John said, his expression steely. “Lend me your strength, and you can have my arm.” Amused, Farroutef smiled like a shark that had just smelled the scent of blood. “You are right, I do love making deals. And I love making these sorts of deals the most. You trade me your mental strength, and what sort of strength do you want in return?” “I want your physical strength and endurance,” John said. “Fine! Our deal is made. A pleasure, John.”

Watching over her, Rebya saw that Ellie had stabilized and let out a sigh of relief. She had not spoken the whole truth to Ellie but had instead taken a gamble, trusting that the most powerful feelings and memories that Ellie had would carry her through. Rather than saying that one could create an image to guide their adaptations, it was better to say that the most powerful identity they held would manifest their adaptations. While this approach carried a risk of manifesting the ugliness hidden in the hearts and minds of both man and beasts, it also carried the potential to transform individuals positively.

Oh FFS.... Really?????

“See, that’s just part of being human. We come as a wild mix of good, bad, indifferent. Not like you dragons. You’re evil through and through, and from everything I’ve learned about you, you aren’t able to change. You couldn’t be altruistic or kind or merciful, or anything, apart from selfish and evil. That’s strange to me, but helpful to know, since it means that everything you do is aimed at undercutting me and promoting yourself. But me? I’m different. No matter how many evil things I’ve done, no matter how close I get to becoming you, I always have the choice.

“You pretend that you made me, that you saved me, but that’s not true at all, is it? I don’t know why I’m surprised that everything that comes out of your lips is a lie, considering that even your own people call you the Deceiver. You didn’t save me. I saved you. I don’t know why you were about to die, or why you decided it would be a good idea to bind yourself to me, but you did, and now you get to pay the cost for hitching a ride all these years.