The Primordial Record

Mira burst into laughter when she saw his face, "I'm joking, it's been two months, but that is two months too long, the Limit Breakers have all missed you, and it was with careful maneuvering we were able to make this meeting possible. Come let's sit down and I will tell you everything that has happened as far as we know while you slept. I am sure when you pick your master, they will tell you every other thing you need to know."

Without waiting for him she skipped over and jumped on the bed, sighing with pleasure at how comfortable it was.

Andar frowned, "Pick a master? Mira, I failed to Engrave my Meditation Art on my Spirit Matrix!" his voice was forlorn.

Her face went dull and her eyes carried a look of intense pity, but Mira's face then brightened, "I know that, but it seems all hope is not lost because you were given the title of Number One Under Heaven! This title does not only apply to the Black Tower but in every Great Tower, can you imagine that? The entire universe is going crazy!"

"Is that so?" Andar's voice became low, "What sort of title is that?"

Perhaps if he was an ordinary candidate, he might not have known the truth about what happened that day, but he knew he did not make any mistakes or was not capable enough. Andar knew he had been sabotaged, and the thought of them celebrating his genius while stabbing him in the back began to stoke the embers of his fury.

Andar had no quarrels with the World of Mages, and he wanted to become an intrinsic part of their culture, but once again he was reminded of the deep rot that pervaded places of power, and as the weaker party, it was not surprising that he had been run over.

Mira did not detect his thoughts as she excitedly rambled on, "It's a unique title that as far as I know has never been given to anyone, like ever. I mean you failed in Engraving the Supreme Meditation Art but your attempt has been the greatest ever recorded."

Andar sighed, "Huh, I tried and failed, that is nothing to be lauded over. I am surprised I was not given the title of the greatest failure under heaven!"

Mira frowned and tapped his nose with her index finger, "Oh don't be so glum about it, I heard the Archmages of the Black Tower nearly went to war against Archmages from other Great Towers that wanted to poach you for themselves, that is not the attention a failure deserves. I don't think anyone else could have achieved what you were able to do. Information about you is being requested and sold for exorbitant amounts, you are the hottest news in the entire galaxy. I had a hunch that you might be feeling down, so I brought the only thing you would need during this period."

Mira brought out a large tray and placed it on the bed, she began bringing out items from her spatial ring, and this reminded Andar to look for his own.

He did not have to check for long and he saw it at the top of his bed, he scooted over and retrieved it, he looked inside to check its contents and everything was as it should be, except for a blinking communication amulet. He would check that when he was alone, he recognized the flashing symbol, it was from the Alchemist, his master.

He also looked at his left arm to see the condition of the Aegis Script and he was happy to see that it was still in good condition, except it was now dull, it would be necessary to touch up the Script before it malfunctions, thankfully the Cloud Whale was still doing fine, although it was a little lean, it had consumed all the Aether Andar had given to him, and he was faintly surprised to feel a warm surge of Aether flow out from the Aegis Script into his body.

It would appear that the Cloud Whale had been feeding him Aether while he slept, Andar smiled and urged it to stop. His recovery may have been accelerated because of its actions, and he was grateful.

Smelling something delicious, he followed his nose and turned to locate the items that Mira brought for him and it was all pastries. Pies, tarts, donuts, croissants, Danishes, scones, and more extravagant-looking pastries he did not recognize.

Andar's stomach rumbled but it was overshadowed by the rumbling coming from Mira's own, she looked away while swallowing, "It's all yours, now eat up while I talk. This is my recipe for when things go bad, and a pick me up is needed."

Andar could not help but smile, the depression hanging over him seemed to clear up a bit, he picked one pastry at random and bit into it, a surprising moan of pleasure shot from his mouth, and Andar forgot everything and lost himself in bliss.

Another growl from Mira's stomach made him pause, and he tapped the bed beside him, hinting for her to join him, but she looked away again.

With annoyance, he picked a particularly large pie and stuffed it into her mouth, her eyes went wide in surprise and anger, but it soon devolved into pleasure as she gobbled up the pie, Andar had to quickly retract his hand or she might have bitten him.

As the two gluttons devoured their sugary treats, Mira began to talk, "This section of the Black Tower is called the Body Farm, it's an area where the Aether has been filtered to near zero. Every six months the degree of Aether in the surroundings is drastically elevated, and you would have to quickly elevate your ranking as an Acolyte, else… well there is a reason this is called the Body Farm."

"Oh, then I have four months to become an Acolyte. What would happen to me if I fail?"

"Well, you begin to hallucinate, and your symptoms will slowly grow worse until you devolve into madness as your brain fries like an egg in a hot pan, but I'm sure that would not happen to you, before now, your body contained enough Aether to rival a Mage, and such punishments does not work for Spirit Bodies like us."

Mira sighed, "I don't know what happened to you when you were receiving your Meditation Art, but I can feel it, your Spirit Matrix is in Chaos…"