ã€ŠThe Summonã€‹


 Prologue 1 Jonathan

    The school bell rang. Jonathan collected his things and left school, while he was walking, Jonathan was reminiscing about the tour he did with his dad until yesterday.

    He had a good laugh today while unpacking his books, his mushroom guide was in the backpack. In the morning he put his school things into the closest one and it was his hiking backpack. This made the thing much heavier than he had accounted for in the morning, in retrospect Jonathan could have seen this much earlier, because of this.

    But he was familiar with it, the last two weeks during the summer holidays were fun. Trekking through the Alps and living, for a time at least, without most modern amenities was something he could easily do.

    Mind you, he would not want to do this for a longer period of time and at least they did have a phone and access to the internet, as well as supplies from some villages, but making his own food as well as sleeping in tents on unprepared sites could be done.

    He shuddered as he remembered a night where they were so tired that they did without the sleeping mat, which was awful because they felt every small stone under the tent.

    But mostly they found a good camping spot before they were so tired. Because of this they often had time to read. Because of their power banks as well as their solar-powered charging stations they always had enough electricity for their phones as well as Jonathans E-Reader. He mostly read scientific works, because lastly he did not find any interesting science fiction or fantasy, and other genres might be interesting to others, but they were not his cup of tea. And it is never bad to know how the world works, at least this was his philosophy.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    He was nearing his home, only two minutes left, at least to his estimation.

    Suddenly a light appeared out of nowhere. It seemed like it engulfed him totally. He only saw white. Soon thereafter he saw a black nothingness.

    He asked himself if he was sleeping and pinched himself. But this did not bring the result he was hoping for. He did not wake up.

    So he assessed the situation. He was in a black nothingness, had no real ground beneath his feet, it seemed like he was floating there. He had everything he had on him at the time the light engulfed him. The backpack, his clothes as well as everything in the backpack and his pockets.

    Slowly another light emerged. He tried going in this direction, and to his surprise, it worked if he thought about it. As he reached the light, he was assaulted by a case of vertigo. His sight went white again.

    But as he could see once more, he saw a dark room without windows, lit by candles and torches. The walls were stone. He could make out a door out of wood, closed and secured by a bolt. There was a bit of furniture that he could see.

    But he could hear mumbling in an unknown language, growing louder and more excited the longer he stood there, behind him. He turned and saw to humanoid figures, clad in heavy robes.

    One of them, talking calmly to the other, seemed to be an older man, and the other had the voice of a teenage girl.

    Then he felt a sudden pain in the head, growing worse by the second. He cried out of pain. After a few seconds, no more than thirty, but which felt like hours went by, he fell unconscious.

 Prologue 2 Elise

    A few hours earlier.

    Elise woke up. She was excited. Together with one of her teachers here at the Royal School of Magic in the Kingdom of Theron will she summon a familiar, with the help of an old spell she discovered in the library of the school. While familiar summoning is not a restricted magic at all, the spells needed are often the secrets of noble households.

    The spell she found was a lengthy and powerful ritual spell, as her general magic teacher Mage Lukas Fizzlewood explained to her. He also volunteered to help her at the attempt.

    Elise hopes that she will get something good, at least an intelligent animal like a dog or a cat. Nobles, with their powerful, over generations improved, spells might get a magic animal, like a talking animal or a monster. Rarely will they get a mystic animal, a type of highly intelligent monster, able to talk. She does not even dare to dream that she will have such luck.

    Today is a free day for the pupils and teachers, in celebration of the birthday of his Royal Highness King Eduard III of Theron. The entirety of the morning will be needed to prepare the ritual, which is arguably a bit over what she can do. But she does have large natural mana reserves, and Mage Fizzlewood will help her, so she sees no real problem.

    After she brushed her teeth and clothed herself in the robes of a pupil of the Royal School of Magic, she went to the ritual chamber of Mage Fizzlewood. With her, she brought her spell book in which she copied the ritual, as well as some needed accessories.

    As she entered the windowless chamber, she saw that Mage Fizzlewood was already there. The room was lit with mage lights, small lightballs that do not need much mana to keep active. Torches were in their positions, unlit. The reason for this is that any other magic being actively used could harm the ritual.

    Fizzlewood greeted her warmly and showed her a small table with breakfast ingredients on it. Both sat down before it on a thick carpet that covered the area the table stood on. After eating they began preparing the ritual. They drew lines on the ground, preplaced components, put candles in the right positions. After they were finished they put the table in an adjourning room, as well as the carpet and other things they did not need anymore.

    After this, they lighted the torches and Mage Fizzlewood did away with the mage lights. Then everything was ready.If you encounter this tale on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Elise began chanting the words, which were a help in building the spell, in calling up the mana and beginning to shape it. The ritual itself, the lines they drew shaped the mana further and parts of it changed the aspects of it.

    Then something happened. A point of white light formed in the air, in the middle of the ritual. The light, while difficult to see, was dim enough to make out a shape. A shape without a defined form, growing into a three-dimensional shape with elliptic contours. Then, suddenly the light ended and a humanoid figure, which staggered, was seen.

    The figure had its backside to Elise and Fizzlewood. Both could see a big, black backpack, made out of an unknown material on its back. Elise was in shock. To summon a humanoid being was not unprecedented, but extremely rare.

    While it was not unlikely that a powerful summon might be later able to take such form, this as a natural form meant that this was a powerful familiar. The nobles might scream foul play and try to take her familiar away and she had nobody, not really, who could and would defend her.

    But Fizzlewood did not seem fazed of her thoughts, even after she told him this. Then he told her something she did not realize until then, the familiar bond of the ritual was not breakable at all, at least not without banishing the familiar into the void.

    Then the familiar turned. It was not an it, it was an older human teenage boy. He wore strange clothes.

    Suddenly the boy began screaming. Fizzlewood reacted instantly, stopping the beginning of a fall. He carefully lowered the boy unto the ground while the unknown boy was screaming.

    While Elise¡¯s panic was increasing, the boy fell unconscious and stopped screaming. Fizzlewood stood up and told her that the pain, in which the boy obviously had been, came from adapting to this world and will be over now. He asked her to take the carpet out of the adjourning room and put the boy on it.

    He will search for the headmaster of the school and bring him here. While he spoke he recast the mage lights and let them stay in the room while he left.

    While Lukas Fizzlewood was away, Elise did as she was told, during this time she put the backpack he had on him to the side. A while after she was finished, no more than twenty minutes as the humans of Jonathan¡¯s world measured time, Archmage Heinrich Tablos, the headmaster of the school, entered the ritual chamber.

    He looked at the boy, lying on the carpet and mumbled a few spells, which Elise identified as analysis spells, as well as one other she could only identify as harmless.

    Then he confirmed the conclusions of Fizzlewood that his pain came from adapting to this world. He also told them both that the boy will wake up soon. Elise asked him afterwards if the bond was really as unbreakable as Mage Lukas Fizzlewood had told her, and Tablos answered with a resounding yes. The familiar could not be traded in any form, it might not be entirely possible to even banish him back into the void or wherever he came from.

    Elise wanted to ask him what the last spell did, but then suddenly, the boy woke up with a scream.

 Chapter 1 - Waking up

    Jonathan

    ¡°Oh, my head hurts.¡± This was the first thing Jonathan thought as he woke up. He screamed of pain.

    Now there were three persons in the room. One seemed ancient, the other two were the ones he first saw, before the headache.

    The oldest of the three came closer and asked friendly: ¡°is everything good now?¡±

    Jonathan had problems understanding. On one hand, he understood clearly, but he also spoke a foreign tongue, he never heard.

    He tried to answer in his language, but it did not work. Out came his words in this foreign tongue as he said: ¡°What is this for a language you are speaking or I for that matter? How is this possible, where am I, who are you?¡±

    The old man chuckled a little at Jonathan¡¯s questions and answered: ¡°I am Archmage Heinrich Tablos, headmaster of the Royal School of Magic in the Kingdom of Theron, which is also where you are. This one¡±, he pointed his finger at the other man, ¡°is Mage Lukas Fizzlewood, one of the teachers here the school. The girl is Elise, no surname, your summoner.¡± He held his hand up: ¡°I see you have many questions, but please let me finish.¡±

    After a short break he continued: ¡°Yes, she has summoned you. I will have to analyse the exact spell used, to find out how this will affect you. Elise, please create a copy for me, give it to me after we are finished here.¡±

    While the Archmage did a short break between his words, Elise confirmed this order and set to work.

    Afterwards, Tablos continued: ¡°You are now in this world and you are bonded to Elise. I can already tell you that this will not change. I will try to help you cope with the situation. While summoning a human is not entirely unprecedented it happens incredibly rarely, so I have no information about how this normally affects the summoned as well as the summoner. What I do know is that you must now live with it. I also know that you came from a world different from this one, your pain shows us this. But now you are adapted to this world, so the pain should recede soon. Now on to the language. You are speaking it because of a translation spell¡±, in the background Elise mutters: ¡°Oh, that¡¯s what it was.¡±, but Tablos continued unfazed: ¡°that allows you to understand us and allows you to speak our tongue. It has difficulties with idioms and concepts unknown to us or you, so it would be for the best if we find a way for you to really learn this language.¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    At hearing this Jonathan groaned and said that he really hated learning new languages, after hearing this the Archmage seemed to understand his plight and asked him what his name was. Jonathan answered with his name, Jonathan Maier.

    Tablos continued after this exchange and answered another question of Jonathan: ¡°This world has magic. If I analysed the effects of the familiar summon correctly, your world does not have any magic or only a little. The spell also gave you the ability to work magic, but I do not know how good you can become. Something like this would need a more in-depth analysis, for which we do not have the materials ready. I do know other worlds exist, also I have read some theories on the topic, but you can at least confirm some of those. Many think that life needs magic to develop. I think that it might help the development of life, not that it is a necessary ingredient. But this is a debate for another time. Let¡¯s find you a place to sleep and live, afterwards, we can search for a permanent solution.¡±

    After Archmage Heinrich Tablos finished, Jonathan asked where his backpack was. Elise could answer this question and showed him the backpack. She also had already copied the ritual and gave the copy to Tablos.

    Afterwards, all followed the Archmage. Lukas Fizzlewood at taken it upon himself to carry the backpack. After they reached a chamber, they entered it.

    In it were a bed, a table as well as one chair and a few cabinets. A door in the chamber went to a small bathroom, where he had a toilet as well as a sink with attached faucets. In one corner something similar to a shower was standing.

    Jonathan asked Heinrich Tablos how this worked and the Archmage answered that it would work with magic.

    In the sink was a small mana crystal, as the Archmage explained it seemed to work similarly to a battery or an accumulator, which a pupil could recharge easily. The same was in the shower. Down in the bottom of the toilet and the sink as well in the shower was a banishing spell, which could be deactivated and banished water.

    Jonathan did not even try to understand the explanation, he wanted to sleep. The summon had tired him immensely. After he told the others this, Elise went first out of the room, followed by Fizzlewood and Tablos. Instantly, after they left the room, did he empty his pockets and laid to sleep.

 Chapter 2 - The Spell

    Heinrich Tablos

    Archmage Heinrich Tablos studied the ritual. He sighed, it was a complex piece of spellware. It was still inside the skill, to perform the ritual, of a second-year student like Elise, but only barely.

    The real problem was the power needed to execute the ritual. He knew that she had a relatively high amount of natural mana, but this was absurd.

    He thought about it and then put it into his calendar to speak at the next staff meeting about it. She should get much more help than she is getting and most of her teachers mispresented her power. He remembered that Mage Fizzlewood had tried to tell him how powerful she really was, but the other mage was just too junior to take seriously if every other mage said that her power was less.

    That would teach him, he thought, in not looking into things. But how could he have known that some of his subordinates would not tell him something this important.

    But now he must go back to his task, figuring out what exactly the summoning spell did. And while he was at it, he could also task someone with finding out how the hell this spell was in the public part of the library.

    He called his secretary, Ione Geron, a non-mage to him and gave her the task to investigate this as well as to take the spell book out of circulation, at least for now.

    Afterwards, Archmage Tablos continued with his work. The first thing that he realized was that while this was in the binding parts a normal familiar summon spell, in the part that summoned the being it was far, far away from being normal. It first reached into the void, so far it was normal.

    But then it did something strange. Many, if not most, worlds had small, natural portals into the void. Normal summoning spells either used these portals to get access to beings on other worlds or took denizens of the void itself.

    But this one forced a portal into a different world, than the one where it was cast, open, and even scanned something before it did this. The scan searched for something Tablos could not identify, and only if this something was found the portal was opened to a useful size.

    One thing the scan did was clear. It detected if on the other side, practically in the portal was a usable being. There was some evidence of the portal being able to move. This being would not be able to flee and would instantly be sucked into the void.

    Shortly thereafter another portal would open into the void, near the exit point of the first, the endpoint of this one would be in the middle of the ritual.

    The summon would see a subtle compulsion to move into the new portal, after which the bindings of the spell would properly engage.

    While the bindings were done the spell did at least two additional things. The first one was already known to the Archmage and relatively standard for summoning spells. It was checking if the summon could even survive in this world and if no, using the energy of the void, still clinging to the summoned being to change the being to be able to survive in its new world.

    The second also used the same energy to do more changes. What these changes did precisely was unknown to Heinrich Tablos, but they did seem harmless, and likely were in some part helpful to the summoned being or its summoner.The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

    The bond was pretty much standard, but some parts were a bit stricter or looser than normal. The summon was forced to be near the summoner, so far so standard. But the definition of near for the spell was more than a distance of around 40000 km, and for the imperial nutjobs 24854,85 miles, as Jonathan''s old world defines things. Certainly an extremely loose binding.

    The summon also did not lose free will, something that was wildly used because of the advantages it gave to have a summons that could do things without the direction of the summoner, even if it did cause the odd little problem sometimes.

    To circumvent most of the possible problems a few restrictions were normally included in the spell. The restrictions, in this case, were that while the summon could argue as much as it wanted and it was impossible for the summoner to forbid this, the summon could not go against orders that told him to do physical things like moving from one end of a room to another.

    Funnily enough, Jonathan could either use magic or not use magic, as the Elise in this situation wished, but specific magics were beyond the spell to affect.

    Also, the summon was not forced to always tell the truth to its summoner, but the summoner could force the issue, if only for a short period of time per day. How long exactly this period of forced truthfulness would last, Tablos could not say.

    He realized that Elise would need the cooperation of Jonathan, without it things would get difficult quickly. Also, it would be for the best if Jonathan would learn to trust Elise fast, as well as getting a good foundation for magic so that he could understand what he was seeing.

    It would also be a good idea to find a way to bring him the cultural and basic political landscape of his new home nearer.

    After he worked for a bit longer on the problem, he decided that it was enough and he gleaned everything he could from the spell, at least for now. That did not mean his work was finished right now.

    Now Tablos must organize what will happen with Jonathan and prevent any stupid ideas by some of the more decadent nobles. Those could be really unbearable and thought that because of their status they were entitled to really everything.

    Some of them would want the control of Jonathan, which was luckily impossible, but a few of them would not take a no as an answer and simply not believe him.

    He thought for a bit what to do now. After a while, he began composing a list of what must be done. The first thing on this list was the need for Jonathan¡¯s education.

    Also, Elise would need a bit of education on how to work with a familiar in general and how to work with Jonathan in specific terms as well.

    Secondly, the need to protect Elise from pressure from the nobles. This would need a few words to Elise and maybe the Kings assistance. At least King Eduard III would likely be at least a bit sympathetic.

    But he would want to meet Elise and Jonathan before he endorses the bond officially. Maybe Jonathan could give him something he wanted?

    If Tablos remembered correctly, the King wanted to increase the scientific knowledge and Jonathan came from a world without magic, maybe he had a few insights into the topic.

    His backpack was made out of such a finely woven material, only magic could do something like it. But it was nearly certain that his world had not enough magic to create something like this. Maybe he could tell the king the secret of this?

    This could be potentially dangerous, the noble family of Tangren would not want to lose its dominance in the trade with clothes, and if such good cloth could be produced by non-mages, this would hurt them dearly, but maybe it would not come to that.

    Maybe he knew a secret that did not infringe on any of the noble families fields of competence. Maybe he knew of a way to get power that those would not assume possible¡­ Archmage Heinrich Tablos chastised himself, he divagated already. This really happened to easy, he thought. After this episode, he continued making plans.

    In the end, it came down to first speaking with Jonathan and getting him an education in the things he would need in this world and after that speaking with the king.

    He began to work on this plan, at least his secretary was back. After a short question, he found out that she could not finish the task today, but set everything in motion. He entrusted her in building a schedule for Jonathan to get his education. Afterwards, he called it a day and went to bed.

 Chapter 3 - The next Day

    Jonathan

    Jonathan woke up in an unfamiliar bed, in an unfamiliar room.

    He wondered where he was, and how he came to be there. But after a short time, he remembered.

    ¡°So, it was not a dream.¡± This he thought to himself.

    He sighed and did his morning routine, as far as he was able to do. He brushed his teeth with the toothbrush as well as toothpaste, which he had from his camping supplies, which were still in his backpack. After he was finished cleaning himself, he did not know what to do now.

    So he began to check what he had. The first thing, which he was happy to discover that the solar charging station for his iPhone and Kindle E-Reader was still there. This would mean that the knowledge saved on those gadgets was still readable for him, at least for the foreseeable future.

    It was not a permanent solution, but it was the beginning of one. He also had a book on mushrooms with him, which was not necessarily wrong, but most likely not completely right either. The reason that some information in it could be correct was pretty simple. Humans, while with magical abilities were here, so that meant that other things from his world could be in this world as well.

    He also had a bottle of water in his backpack as well as other assorted things.

    In his pockets, which contents lied on the table, was among other things his purse. This thing was now more or less worthless, at least if one assumed that the civilization he was in did not use paper money. It could hold a few coins, but not enough to really matter.

    Also, his ID as well as other plastic cards a modern human has in his purse were worthless, while his money likely had only material worth, even if maybe a collector might be interested in it.

    He wore a T-Shirt as well as a Jeans when he was summoned, both things were still on him. His shoes were near the bed.

    He had a change of clothing in his backpack, now he was really beginning to wonder how he could have missed that this was not his schoolbag, but it was good for him, so he was happy. Of course, there were his materials for school, his books, his folder, as well as his pencil case with everything that went with it. He also had his compasses with him.

    A shampoo, as well as shaving utensils, were in his possession as well, but they were only short-term viable.

    He also found his food supplies as well as some seeds he bought while on the tour or shortly before getting home because he and his father wanted to grow a few things. While some of those seeds were meant to be grown in earnest, some of them he had mostly bought for the fun of it, and because he wanted to try them out.

    He would need help to grow them, but he would have a series of crops of his world. They might have problems growing in this world because of magic, but maybe they had also been changed by the summoning and were hopefully still edible.

    He arranged his things on the table or in one of the cabinets, in relation to what made sense, at least to him.

    After that, he waited, and after a short period of time passed, his door opened.

    This Archmage Heinrich Tablos came through. Jonathan used this to make a few observations. Firstly Archmage seemed to be a title, not a part of his name. He saw it as likely that Heinrich was the Archmage¡¯s first name and Tablos was some kind of either surname or Family name. This might be similar, but not exactly identical. A surname was a method to distinguish between multiple Heinrich¡¯s, a Family name was a way to show that one was part of a specific faction, mostly controlled by one group of relatives.

    Tablos cleared his throat and asked: ¡°I hope you slept well this night, Johnathan?¡±

    Johnathan answered visibly enraged: ¡°I have been ported into another world away from my family and you idiot want to ask me if I slept well?! I have no goddam idea what the future will bring to me and I have no idea how I will fit into a society that is likely completely different from my own and you idiot wants to know if I have slept well, of course not!¡±

    But after a short period of time, during which Tablos said nothing, Johnathan relented and told the Archmage that he had slept soundly, but restricted this admission with adding that he was too tired to do anything else than to sleep.

    After this Tablos asked Jonathan: ¡°Are you finished now?¡±

    At which Jonathan answered that, for now, he was finished. Not happy, mind you, but he could stop being vocal about it.

    Then Heinrich Tablos began to speak: ¡°We need to decide how we will go on from here. Fact is that I am unable to send you back. The good news is that while you are bound to Elise, you can operate independently of her, at least in some ways. Most familiars can only move about 1818.5 yards.¡±The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

    While Tablos paused, Jonathan did some quick calculations in his head. With the historic yard being generally between 50 and 60 cm this would be on the lower end a bit more than 900 to at the other end 1000 odd meters.

    He decided to begin understanding the system of measurement that they used. He went to his pencil case, opened it and picked his triangle ruler up.

    Then he asked the most important question of them all: ¡°Do you have a standardized set of measurements? And if yes, how far is their reach for certain, how exactly are they, and how far away are they generally similar?¡±

    The Archmage pondered the question. Then he answered: ¡°The Kingdom per se has no standardized measurements. But the Royal School of Magic has some. And sometimes nobles, like the king, buy large amounts of measurements from us, the mages that create them. Then they put those on central places in a village and decree that all trading is done in this city shall use this set of measurements. Of course, this is not perfect, but that makes these measurements pretty similar to each other, which does facilitate trade. The measurements produced here are pretty much identical, variations are as thin as the width of a human hair.¡±

    At this point, Jonathan steps in and asks which colour of hair. After this, the Archmage wonders why and answers the hair of the mage that produces the measurement. Jonathan answered to this that blond hair is thinner than for example black hair. Tablos did not know this, but accepted it as true for now, even as he silently wondered what for society would measure things like this.

    Then he asked what the thing in Jonathan''s hand was and why he asked about these standards of measurement.

    Jonathan answered to this: ¡°This is a so-called triangular ruler. It is a pretty exact type of measuring device, if not perfect, but it is good enough to get a comparison between your set of measurements and mine going. Look, here, do you see these shapes beneath the lines, here? These are numbers. We use a measurement called metre. The space between two of those lines is one-hundredth of one metre, a so-called centimetre. The distance between two lines on this side is called a millimetre, which is a one-thousandths of a metre or a one-tenth of a centimetre. So you can bring whatever you are using to measure distances and we can find out how the metric system generally measures up against your system. Also, I do not know which other measurements you are using, but it might be a good idea to change to the metric system or a similar one. But this is a discussion for the future.¡±

    After a while, they had measured the yard out and got: That the length of the thing was a bit less than 55 centimetres.

    After this Jonathan remembered what they had spoken about, before he interrupted Tablos, and they restarted their conversation. Tablos continued were he had left off: ¡°You remember how I said that normal familiars can only move about one of your kilometres, with less than 100 metres off variation, away from their master? Now, you can move about 40000 times as far as that from your summoner.¡±

    Jonathan broke into Tablos monologue at that point: ¡°Are you certain that I can move about 40000 km from Elise? If this world is somewhat like my own, this could be a pretty specific and important number especially if familiar bonds must go around large bodies of matter, like a mountain.¡±

    ¡°How did you know that this might be a problem of the familiar bond?¡± asked the astonished Archmage.

    The answer of Jonathan was simple: ¡°Because, if this world is somewhat similar to my world, it is a sphere. The circumference of my world is around 40000 km long. So after knowing this fact, it could make sense this way. But I could also have been wrong and still can be. Right now I assume that this world is extremely similar to mine, but it might operate due to a series of completely different laws and so it could be completely different. It might not even be a world, as I think of the concept behind this word. But right now we go into speculation I cannot prove or disprove in an acceptable period of time. Or has anyone circumnavigated the world until now?¡±

    Tablos laughed at Jonathan''s question and told him that something like this was inconceivable. While scholars knew that this world was a globe, everybody knew that such a voyage could not be survived, due to simple distance. This was because mages cannot spawn food or water. They could, of course, help catch fish, and some could extract the salt out of the water, but this makes the water poisonous out of some reason.

    The reason for this was known to Jonathan and he described it to the Archmage. Without any salt, the water will get to much water in locations where it should not be. While too much salt caused the places where water should be loose the water.

    ¡°Of course¡±, Jonathan added: ¡°This is a dumbed down explanation of something I do not understand completely, and which is part of a much more complex topic.¡±

    Then he laughed and continued: ¡°And we have gotten sidetracked again already. So please continue with where we have left off.¡±

    Tablos followed the summons¡¯s wish: ¡°There are a few things you should know. First of all, there are political implications in your existence. Those are pretty complex, but there are a few ambiguous laws, which are used by some nobles to argument a few things, like every familiar of a commoner is rightly the familiar of a noble, based on a few rules. The good thing is that this problem is not really relevant. It is there and it must be addressed, but because your bond cannot be broken or traded they can do nothing at all. One of the reasons why this might be important despite this is the rarity of humanoid familiars generally and human familiars specifically, this makes you incredibly valuable. But enough of this, let¡¯s continue with other topics. Familiars have multiple roles and not all familiars have the same ability to fulfil every role. One of the main roles for a familiar is to serve as a mana reservoir. Mana is what you use to cast spells if you did not know that. They also can help to channel magic. To understand this better, you need more knowledge about magic.¡±

    At this point, Jonathan interrupted the Archmage: ¡°You know what, I am hungry. Is there any chance that we can continue our dialogue over breakfast? I also have a few things I want to ask you after we have found a solution to my situation.¡±

    Tablos agreed that this might be a sensible idea and lead Jonathan out of the room, over several hallways and stairs to a relatively small room, where between three and five people could sit on a table and eat. Then a maid came and took orders from the Archmage.

 Chapter 4 - Breakfast and Magic

    Jonathan

    After a short wait, in which no discussion was initiated, multiple servants came with food. They brought bread, butter, cheese, a few kinds of marmalade, a few kinds of fruit, a can of milk as well as a few slices of ham. Also, they brought cutlery.

    Jonathan chooses to eat a piece of bread with butter and cheese, the Archmage choose a slice of bread with marmalade and an apple, at least for now.

    Then Tablos began to talk: ¡°So, there are a few things that are important for magic. The first one is the maximum amount of mana someone can channel in sort of a burst. A familiar can help with that. Second is the amount of mana someone can channel without resting. To this there is another thing, then the amount can vary in relation to the speed someone channels. A slower speed means a greater amount of channelling. So another information is important to discover the worth of a magician. This is the maximum rate someone can channel at without reducing the maximum someone can channel on that day. As you can assume a familiar can help with that, even if that can easily get extremely difficult and complex. Thirdly, there is the amount of mana someone can store. All channelling speed is not useful if you do not have the mana to use it. This is the thing were the familiar can most easily help and the way a familiar is mostly used, as sort of a container for mana. These are the bases for every kind of magic. Having a high burst speed makes you into a good battlemage because they must set their spells free fast. This does not mean that one without a high burst speed cannot become a good battlemage, but it is generally more difficult. Having a high channelling speed, the one where you do not reduce the maximum you can channel in one day makes you into a good healer or similar jobs, where a high amount of magic must be used over a longer period of time. Practically everyone who has a high channelling speed also needs to have a high maximum of mana one can channel over the course of a day. Having high reserves of mana and the ability to recharge them, which is normally a given, because the recharge rate is in relation to the maximum mana one possesses, is always good, but not necessarily needed. There are a few workarounds, for example, some kinds of fruit give mana after eating or there are potions that have concentrated mana in them, treated to make it save. Of course, there are also familiars for this sort of thing. First off, one can put mana in oneself¡¯s familiar and take it away later. This mana goes into a second mana pool every familiar has, to which the familiar has no access to. But some familiars also have their own mana pool they can recharge themselves and also use. The master of the familiar also can access this pool, at least in most kinds of binding. In your case, it is also possible, but you must give your permission.¡±

    Jonathan swallowed the bite of bread he had in his mouth and answered: ¡°This is great, at least I think so.¡±

    After this, the Archmage continued: ¡°So with having this out of the way we must speak about the different types of magic one can control. We generally think of them as elements and us having affinities for those, even if that explanation is in my humble opinion not entirely correct. I generally see them as types of magic, and you are not hindered at learning multiple types, but it is already difficult to learn one type in a lifetime, and it is generally considered impossible to master one, so there is that. But let¡¯s get first to why everybody seems to think magic is affinities based, which it is not, even if one part of it is. But the thing there is that it can be pretty easy to increase one''s affinities or create new ones, but it is generally not advisable, because it is difficult. Yes, you will be able to do multiple things, but you never can do anything well.¡±If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    Jonathan put a stop to Tablos rambling and asked him what the different types of magic were, alongside a short explanation. If he had questions after that he could answer them, but more likely they should consider those another day. The Archmage began to explain it more structured than before. Jonathans take from his answer amounted to that there are four different types of magic.

    The first was the one most considered to be magic and the best understood one and many related the findings of this one to the other ones. This was the so-called elemental magic. It was based around a series of affinities, getting more and more specific each round. The more specific the more you could do with it, but you could affectless. Not all affinities were known, every so often a new one would be discovered or, for example in old books, rediscovered. He also mentioned that the elements seemed to be, especially the most basic elements, also called core elements, more spiritual concepts instead of based in the real, natural world. Most, but not all, magic that dealt with different dimensions was rooted in elemental magic. The core elements, which were the most important ones and everybody should be able to use at least one, if he wanted to use elemental magic, also basically every magician out there. These core elements consisted of the four physical elements, being Water, Earth, Fire, and Wind. Then there were the six spiritual elements, Tablos laughed a bit at this name, consisting of Void, Life, Creation, Destruction, Existence and Death. Almost every non-core element can be created through the use of a special combination of those elements. Some researcher¡¯s think that the ones impossible are either falsely classified core elements or the combination simply has not been found until today. Which is not impossible as Tablos admits, because the connection is not always logical, or following one logic for every element.

    The second type of magic is the, in the Archmage¡¯s opinion, ably named corruption magic. Mostly considered a special part of elemental magic, the spells are too different for this to be the case. It is a dangerous kind of magic, with a high probability of killing oneself if using it. It also tended to kill everything around it, for a short time and sometimes for longer periods of time. It could take centuries for a restabilizing of the local life, including the lifespan of human settlers in such an area. Health problems were common for the mages practising this as well as their environment. For these reasons, it is an incredibly bad understood type of magic.

    The third type was called spiritual magic. This magic works in offering an entity mana or other resources to use specific spells. Incredibly inflexible, but in the right situations unbelievable powerful, especially if the entity that is used is powerful. Also informal called religious or demonic magic, which are subtypes of this type. If you are using religious magic, you are asking for the help of an entity generally considered a god or goddess, and, logically, if you are using demonic magic, you call for the gifts of an entity considered to be a demon or demoness. Tablos added that what was a demon and what was a god occasionally changed, sometimes already after going into another country.

    The fourth and last type of magic was often misunderstood to be a part of elemental magic, but because of the same reason as corruption magic, it was certainly not so. With this magic, you could move certain kinds of stone or fluids. No one is entirely certain how it worked and what it does, so it was often named pseudo-elemental magic.

    Also, there were different ways of casting magic. Ritual magic and spellworking were only two, if the two most often used ones.

    After hearing Tablos explanations, Jonathan was especially interested in the pseudo-elemental magic but held himself back before asking. He first needed to figure out a way to test his suspicion.

 Chapter 5 - Gardening and Plans

    Jonathan

    Jonathan finished the bread he was eating right now, reclined, as far as it was possible with his non-reclining chair and asked Tablos: ¡°Can I ask you a question?¡±

    The Archmage answered amused: ¡°You did right now¡­ but yes, what is your question?¡±

    ¡°I have a few seeds with me. Could they still be usable after the transport?¡±

    Heinrich Tablos was still for a while and put his hand under his chin. Then he answered: ¡°It might well be possible. But I would be forced to ask one of the few mages that specialize in that direction.¡±

    ¡°This could be a great idea. Hey, how would you consider this: I go into my room and await you there while you bring the mage to it?¡±

    Tablos thought for a while and answered then that this might be a good idea and asked if Jonathan did still remember the way or if he should send one of the maids with him. Jonathan agreed that this would certainly be a good idea.

    One of the maids helped Jonathan find his room, which he opened and began to put the packs of seeds, as well as the four big potatoes he had, on the table. Then he waited until the door opened and two men entered his room.

    He looked at them and said his greetings, which were returned.

    Then he showed both of them the seeds. Tablos wondered, loudly, how these pictures were possible, he was especially interested in the writing.

    Jonathan looked at the other mage and then questioningly at the Archmage. Tablos needed a second or two to understand what Jonathan wanted and then gave his acceptance to speak about Jonathan¡¯s origins, he already had informed the mage.

    He answered Tablos and the unknown person that this was normality in his world. They had machines, complex instruments that were able to do things like that. How exactly they did that he did not know, he was forced to admit.

    But they were here to speak about the seeds. The pictures, as Jonathan explained further, were a show of the final fruit or, in some cases, plant. The unknown mage considered this for a while and then began abruptly to introduce himself because everyone had forgotten that in the heat of the moment.

    He was called Heras Hager, a full-fledged mage with a speciality for life magic. Tablos corrected him, but it was clear that most simply considered elemental magic to be magic. In fact, he specialized in caring for plants. He was especially interested in strange, difficult plants and new many tricks to turn a small population into a large one.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.

    Jonathan asked his questions if certain things were possible. Hager¡¯s answers drew a certain picture. While he had no idea of genetics, he knew of a problem that could happen with too small populations and a great many generations of plants. He had one spell which was an answer to this problem.

    After Jonathan heard this, he explained that this happened with most organisms if the population was too small. Even to humans. There was a number that showed how big the starting population must be, suppositional that the members of the starting population were not direct relatives, to be viable long term.

    As far as Jonathan knew, in his world, this number was for humans around 5000, but he could also be wrong. So to be on the safe side, he concluded, that the spell should be activated for every one of these seeds if used. Also, it might be useful, if there were spells to rapidly increase the starting population of certain crops, especially the potatoes.

    Hager confirmed that there was a spell like this and that it might be useful to use it. But he, as well as Tablos, also wanted to know what this was exactly and some of the uses of the crops as well.

    Jonathan began explaining. Beginning with his four potatoes, he explained that those were useful stable food and could also be used as an animal feedstuff. He continued in explaining various usages in human consumption, and after that, he explained how they must be grown.

    Hager had a spell active that put this information into a notebook.

    After that, he took the first pack of seeds. It was tomatoes. Those, he explained, were mostly used as a base for sauces, but could also be consumed raw. This specific ones that would grow out of these seeds were quite large. He then dictated what was written on the backside of the pack.

    After that Jonathan explained this for cucumbers, zucchinis, bell peppers, sunflowers, carrots as well as pumpkins. It became soon clear that cucumbers and carrots, even if there were differences, were known to Mage Hager.

    But he went up, packed all of the seeds together and wanted to begin growing these as soon as possible, which would not be a big problem, because it was spring.

    After the mage left, Tablos began speaking with Jonathan about a plan to give him a basic education in magic, as well as in the political and sociological in this world.

    After a phase of discussion, they came to the conclusion that for a period of time, Jonathan would be getting privately tutored in everything a normal student on this school would learn, as well as on some specific topics, which would be of interest to Jonathan, like basic economy, how to behave in certain situations, formal as well as informal, how the politic system works, who is who in the kingdom and of course, the thing Jonathan wanted to have, how society uses technology and magic in everyday tasks.

    After this period was over, most of the specific topics would be phased out, and he would be included in normal coursework soon after. In what for a class he would come was not clear right now, it would depend on the level he would be reached when, at the end of summer, the new classes¡¯ started.

    Jonathan also found out that before all this could happen, he would be introduced to the king. Tablos would organize this today. Tomorrow he would begin coming to terms with his summoner or at least find out where he stands in relation to her. As Jonathan thought about it, he was not certain what he should consider her.

 Chapter 6 - Talk with Elise

    Jonathan

    Jonathan woke up.

    He thought about yesterday. After Tablos had left, he had considered how he really felt about his situation.

    On one hand, this might be a great adventure. On the other hand, he has lost his family, likely forever. He misses his dog.

    Also, even though here might be magic, illness could be a serious problem. Sanitation might not really exist in the wider world, he is really happy that there is a somewhat functional toilet here. Also, that there is a shower is a great sign for personal hygiene. But of course, there would always be the question of what they would be using for soap if anything.

    But there is also the question of what happens in the wider world.

    ¡°Why is there a shower and is a shower a luxury item or a common one?¡± asked Jonathan himself.

    So right now he was content with his lot in life, but this could change quite rapidly in the near future when he found out more about the living conditions of the population.

    Not only might sanitation be a major problem, but also illness. Even with great sanitation, many illnesses are a big problem, and only modern medicine makes them controllable.

    One of the greatest things to stop dangerous illnesses were vaccines. But if they were missing vaccines, the basics were simple, and some of the earliest and, admittedly, most dangerous ones, were easily replicated with his knowledge.

    But sanitation and medical care were not the only advantages of living in modern society. Some of these were not readily seen by most people. A relatively stable government that could not work without approval or at least greater acceptance of the people is a norm.

    Old monarchies were often not quite up to the stable part, but the other part they could do, and they were good at it. But this does not mean that the people lived in good conditions, even for the standards of the time. But the governments were always careful to prevent the conditions from going so bad that the people felt they had nothing to lose anymore.

    This did not always work, and what is too bad of a condition to live in, changes over time.

    The failure to adapt to this was one of the reasons for the age of revolutions, beginning with a mixture of the American War for Independence and the French Revolution and ending after world war one, at least in the western world.

    But with magic, because which conditions were acceptable and which not, had always to do with the available force to the governing power, this could mean that the gross of the population lived in abhorrent conditions, in relation to how rare mages were.

    If they were often, the living conditions might even be quite good, especially if mages did not need much training to destroy a castle or two, but if they were rare and needed the training to become dangerous, this changes to the worse.If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    While Jonathan thought about the implications of his new circumstances, he did his morning wash and prepared to receive Elise or Tablos.

    While he waited, he checked his phone. While he had a fairly large power bank and the solar powered charger, there was no sun, and the light in his room was not useful for charging either. So he was stuck with his full power bank and the charge of the phone for the foreseeable future. Because of how little he had used it in the past two days, it was still at 60% charge.

    He opened his notes app and began compiling a few facts he did not think he had in other, electronic form. He was, of course, happy that the phone worked, and no data seemed to be lost, the same on his reader, but if you thought about it, the only real danger for the devices was the transport.

    The natural laws should be similar enough, if not he would have died before the change to his physiology happened. Also, he assumed that this change mostly adapted him to magic and maybe gave his immune system a few advantages so that the next cold would not kill him.

    After maybe an hour of working on low brightness levels on his phone, sitting on his bed, Tablos opened the door and came in with Elise.

    Jonathan motioned both to sit down, even if there were not many places to do so. Tablos sat on the bed, next to Jonathan, while Elise took the chair and changed its heading so that she looked at him. Tablos position was between them.

    After a short but uncomfortable silence, Tablos raised to take the word.

    He asked Elise to tell Jonathan how she thought about the situation, and Elise began talking: ¡°I am not sure if I like it. On one hand, it gives me an advantage, you are a powerful summon, I can fell that, but on the other hand, you also bring many problems with you. There are the nobles that will want to have you, which is, thanks to the gods, impossible, but also the difficulties in working with you, because of how the spell worked, it is definitively a with you and not an against you. Also, there is this matter of you having feelings and being torn out of your home. I do not even know if your living conditions increased or decreased, even if I cannot imagine how they could have decreased, only the most powerful of archmages might have better-living conditions than this. But I also cannot imagine what this tool in your hand is, with the moving symbols on it, which right now is only black on the surface with the pictures on. I am also scared. I am scared that you hate me. That we might never manage to really work together. I cannot force you to do things, not really. I can force you to speak the truth for a short but unknown period of time per day, but I cannot force you to speak at all during this time period, so this is most interesting to check facts and nothing else. I can stop you from using magic, but I cannot tell you how to use your magic when I allow it to be used by you. You can even harm me, even if this should be a bad idea for you because of the danger it poses to you.¡±

    Tablos interjected with saying that, should Elise be killed, Jonathan would most likely be banished to the void.

    After this, Elise continued: ¡°I do not think we can be friends immediately. But I do think we can and should respect each other. I think you should begin your studies and hopefully help me with magic if you are ready for it.¡±

    Jonathan thought for a while. Elise was reasonable, and honestly, it was not like he had another choice. So he answered: ¡°I also hope this. As far as I can see to this date, my living conditions went down a lot. I come from a society where there are things, I think are unbelievable to you two. I hope after I found out a few more things about your society that we can sit down and talk about them. Tablos, could you give me a book or an account about this pseudo elemental magic? I have a theory about it I want to test, but first I want to check if it is even viable.¡±

    Tablos accepted this and said he would look into it. He also confirmed, unasked, that the translation spell also worked for the reading material, even if there might be greater understanding problems due to different writing systems used.

    On that note, Elise and Tablos left Jonathan''s room, and a few hours later a maid came in with food and a large book.

 Chapter 7 -Meeting the King

    Jonathan

    Jonathan ate and, after another maid took his eating utensils away, began to read the book. Sometimes he checked a few things with the help of the books on his E-Reader, but generally, this was not needed.

    Later this evening, he got more food, ate it and began to make himself ready for bed. Then he went to sleep.

    He awoke due to somebody hitting his door hard. After a short while, he was still groggy from sleeping, he realized that somebody knocked against his door.

    He stood up and went to the door, opening it.

    Tablos greeted him and seemed to be in a bit of a haste. The Archmage was out of breath and practically yelled at Jonathan.

    After a while, Jonathan raised his hand and asked Tablos to tell him slowly what was going on.

    Tablos began to breathe slowly and gathered himself. Then he began talking: ¡°The king has found out about you, and he wants to meet you today. I had hoped to let some more time pass before this happens, but we do not have another choice. I have sent a tailor to you, he will come soon, who will give you a mage robe, simply because as a familiar you technically have the right to wear one and also they are easy to adjust. Elise will also be forced to come, but I already send Mage Fizzlewood to her, and she will use her Mage Apprentice robes as formal wear. Now, I will tell you what you must do and how to act in the presence of his majesty, King Eduard the third of Theron. The first thing you will do is to bow before the king, let me show you.¡±

    And Tablos showed Jonathan exactly how to bow as well as which other rituals were needed to greet the king. They trained this step for a while until someone knocked at the door.

    Tablos opened the door and greeted the tailor, who seemed to be named Janus Searwind. The Tailor had a robe on his arm and let Jonathan put it on. He took some measurements, while the Archmage told Jonathan what would be expected of him as well as where the discussion might go.

    After this, and after the tailor had left, they both went and ate, all while they continued their discussion.

    Then they met Elise with Lukas Fizzlewood and got each other on the same page.

    After waiting a few hours, they began moving out of the school. This was the first time that Jonathan had left the building or had even seen the outside world. It seemed similar enough, some kinds of trees were identifiable by him such as oaks or birches.

    They went to a carriage and then it began moving over a cobblestone road. Jonathan then realized that the carriage had no suspension and began thinking the entirety of the trip about how to build one because this was not comfortable.

    Then, finally, they were there. He had already seen it from afar, a stone castle which seemed to be fairly large. They went inside the courtyard and left the carriage.

    Then they went into the keep. After moving for a while, the group reached the throne room, where they were announced.

    Jonathan followed the steps that he was told by Tablos and then the king began to talk. After a short period of greeting and setting some facts straight, the king asked how the world was, from which Jonathan came.

    And Jonathan answered: ¡°It is much different from what I have seen from this world. First of all, to my knowledge, there is no magic in my world. Also, while there are still nobles and even kings or queens as head of state, they generally only have representative power and no real power. At least in the most powerful nations of my world, this is the case. Even though we have no magic or technological advancements allow us to do incredible things. We can travel vast distances fast and we can trade perishable foodstuffs all over the entire world. Some of the militaries of my world have weapons so horrifying as well as or so powerful that war between these powers must be avoided at all cost. A direct war that is. The main reason used for war is not the chance at a territorial gain or a perceived slight against the nation or its head of state, but for spreading an ideology. Of course, this is seldom the only or even the most important reason, but it is the one told to the public. The populations of the nations of my world are counted in millions, and nations with under a hundred thousand inhabitants are remnants of a past that is over for about a century, an era that itself is a remnant of a past from even farther back in time. But let¡¯s not talk about war, but about the normal life. People are regularly flying to other nations, which may lie on another continent, flights that can take anything between 30 minutes or a day. We communicate with each other in my world without delay, even if we live apart, and we do this in our daily life, without really thinking about that. I know that books are expensive in this world, but in my world, they are plenty and inexpensive. We play games I cannot describe here, and for these games, which generally have a big playing field, you must not leave the room. We have materials I think your people will find incredible and many of those are inexpensive parts of our daily lives. I have seen only a few panels of glass in my journey to this place. In my world, you will see buildings, that seem to be built entirely out of glass, which of course is not true, fairly regularly, if you go to one of the big cities, generally with over 500,000 inhabitants. But I know of cities with populations of over twenty million people. But back to glass. Most buildings in my world, especially in the so-called developed world, which is a group of countries that are generally relatively rich and have huge manufacturing capabilities as well as a well-developed infrastructure, are made out of glass. I ask you, your majesty, and all who are here, do you have any specific questions about my world? But please remember, we generally do not know how our technology works. We know how to use it, but not how to build it. Many of us are specialists, which can build part of it, but they normally need a tool from another specialist to do it.¡±This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    After Jonathan¡¯s speech, it was quit in the room. After a short period of time, most of the persons in the room made known that they did not believe him, which the king stopped.

    He wanted that the summon would meet him for a private lunch in an adjourning room, a high honour for the guest.

    After they went into the room, and the maids brought the food, the king asked him one thing right away, not even touching his food, which meant that Jonathan also was not allowed to dig in: ¡°Do you know why books are so inexpensive in your world?¡±

    Jonathan answered immediately: ¡°It comes down to two factors. The first is a tool, developed around five hundred years ago and refined over the ages, the printing press. The second is mass production. The printing press makes, in its original form the cost of one written page more expensive than writing it per hand. But much of the cost is an initial investment. If you produce enough books, you can recoup these investments. Let¡¯s say, a scribe needs six months to produce one book. But for some reason, you want five hundred copies of the same book. If you let this scribe work on this project, it would be extremely expensive and he would need around 250 years. Not exactly ideal. But let¡¯s use the printing press. Because of the steps included, the printing press needs around a year to create a copy. But, while this sound worse, the printing press has one special ability. It can create a high amount of copies of one page in not much more time than it takes to make it ready. So you create five hundred copies of every page, after that, you must bind the books, and you have finished 500 copies of the same book in under two years. The operation of a printing press is scalable and can be made even more efficient because two printing presses can work on the same book, while this is difficult for two scribes to do.¡±

    The king seemed to be in deep thought. And then he asked if Jonathan would be able to build a printing press.

    Jonathan''s answer was no, but he knew how to create one if he would get a smith, who should be able to work with relatively thin objects as well as a wine press and a woodworker. The king seemed to be intrigued and began to eat.

 Chapter 8 - First Lesson

    Jonathan

    After the conversation with the king, Jonathan waited in an adjourning room, while Elise and Tablos spoke to the king and then they left the castle.

    They drove all the way back to school and during this, Tablos let it known that tomorrow Jonathan would be woken early and brought to his first lesson, which would be in economics.

    Jonathan found out that while there was no formal way of studying economics, there were theories of how trade worked that were generally accepted and which were used in day to day affairs, especially by rulers.

    The one who would help Jonathan was the kingdoms own Minister of Commerce, a Lord Gerard Wertin.

    After they arrived at school, Jonathan began thinking about what was important about the economy that he knew. He did not know much, but he knew enough to know that their system might be fundamentally different than the system he grew up with.

    One of the main aspects that would likely be different is the codification of certain processes and tools. They likely exist in a sense that they either happen or are being used, but nobody knows much about how the fit in.

    He ate his dinner, which he got brought to his room and went to bed.

    He awoke, suddenly. This time not due to knocking at the door, but due to a strange noise. His alarm on his phone had gone on, which he thought impossible.

    After a bit of furious tipping, realizing that the battery was nearly empty, he found out that it was an alarm he thought he deactivated around a week ago. He powered the phone with the power bank and began his morning rituals. He began stretches and solved little equations he made up.

    After around an hour of waiting, someone knocked at the door.

    An older man, who wore a white beard, came into the room after he opened the door.

    He was positively surprised that Jonathan was already clothed in a robe he had gotten yesterday. In fact, he had gotten an entirely new wardrobe from Tablos, not only the formal robe.

    The man introduced himself as Lord Minister Gerard Wertin, which was often shortened to Lord Wertin. They went and got breakfast at the kitchens, which Jonathan had not seen to this point.Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

    It was a large medieval kitchen, at least as Jonathan imagined a medieval kitchen to be.

    Afterwards, they went to an unoccupied classroom, which was designed for up to 10 pupils. Then they sat down, made their food ready and began to talk.

    Lord Wertin thought for a while and asked Jonathan after this: ¡°What do you want to know?¡±

    Jonathan thought about this for a while and answered: ¡°I am interested in your currency, on what it is based as well how much one unit is worth. I would be interested to know what you think about trade as well.¡±

    The Minister thought for a moment, gathered himself and answered: ¡°We use, as everybody does, silver and gold coins as our currency. We have Pecunas, which are small silver coins and the smallest generally used coin. But, because it is the material worth that counts, one can break apart a coin if something is less expensive than the worth of one coin. The advantage of the coins is that they are somewhat standardized. They have a bit less silver in them than their net worth, but they do have a magical signature on them due to which the kingdom backs them. Because this signature fails if the coin takes excessive damage, to produce the broken apart coins, normally foreign coins are used. The next denomination would be the Secanus. It is worth seven Pecunas. After that, we have the first golden coin, the Guldon. It is worth 24 Secanus, also 168 Pecunas. The last coin that is used and produced, apart from a few special coins, generally produced for one specific transaction, is the Guldomus. It is used for sizeable exchanges and the effect of less material worth is really pronounced in them. They are worth 12 Guldons, which means that they have the same worth as 2856 of the smallest denomination. Did you understand everything?¡±

    Jonathan negated this and asked: ¡°Do you have a writing instrument as well as a sheet of paper, parchment or something similar? I think I need to note this down.¡±

    Lord Wertin was surprised by this and asked him if he was literate because this was rare outside trained mages and parts of the nobility.

    Jonathan answered to this question: ¡°In my country, nearly everybody is literate. Everybody must learn how to read and write in compulsory education. We also learn basic mathematics, and later on, if we stay at school, more complex mathematical problems. But these are not the only things we learn, but the rest is mostly uninteresting for this world, or not relevant right now.¡±

    Lord Wertin laughed, clearly not believing him that such a thing might be possible, thinking that Jonathan must have come from a rich aristocratic family, and stood up and went to a cabinet on the wall, where he took a class of ink as well as a sharpened feather and a sheet of parchment.

    All of this he gave Jonathan, who, to his surprise, asked him for instructions on how to use these tools. But while he did, Jonathan explained to him that back home they used completely different writing utensils, which tended to make much less of a mess than these that are used here.

    After he had written everything down, he asked how money lending worked in this world, as well as how banks functioned.

    Wertin explained that banks functioned in protecting the money, of course against a modest fee. Modest being around 10 times the annular income of a peasant, which lied around 13 Secanus.

    Money lenders were generally disliked and expected regularly a 50% return on their investment. But everybody could become a money lender or a banker. They generally expected to get the money back over a period of 10 years, with assurances in case of death. After this they spoke for a time about other matters in this direction and then Jonathan was sent to lunch.

 Chapter 9 - Alchemy

    Jonathan

    The next day, Jonathan was woken early and, after the standard procedure, he followed his next teacher, Mage Samuel Kyreikon to another room.

    There were many strange apparatuses in the new room, a kettle was boiling over what seemed to be a glowing stone plate.

    As Jonathan saw this, he asked: ¡°I assume that this stone plate heats the kettle. How does it work and how common are these?¡±

    Mage Kyreikon answered promptly: ¡°These stones have been developed by me and I have not spread the idea. They work due to a difficult heat spell in a chamber beneath the plate that heats the air in this chamber up. Because of this and the uniformity of the stone the plate gives out an even heat, if difficult and time-consuming to adjust.¡±

    Jonathan thought for a moment and then answered: ¡°I have a few ideas on how you could reduce the loss of heat as well as how to increase the uniformity of the heat. But I do not know much about magic and its possibilities, so I cannot say how feasible these ideas are.¡±

    Samuel laughed and said: ¡°Just say it. I am always open to new ideas and even if it does not work out, it might give me more ideas. You are from a world with no or little magic, right?¡±

    Jonathan nodded as he heard this, and the Alchemist continued: ¡°This gives you a unique perspective and the people in your world will have done many things differently. Maybe simple things from your daily life could be useful, things you do not even consider worth mentioning. So tell me everything!¡±

    Jonathan was slightly shocked that this nice, if somewhat strange mage now seemed to become a bit manic, but he did not show it and instead answered: ¡°Have you considered putting water into the container? It will take more energy to heat up, but it also heats up more uniform, especially if you manage to create a current. To combat heat loss in the container you could put isolation around it, a material that generally does not goes hot in the sun. A pretty effective isolation is the total absence of air, which might be difficult to achieve, but it works. Also, try to put pressure on the water. It increases the amount of heat it can take before boiling. For regulation purposes, you could physically put the container and the stone plate away from each other and use small tubes, filled with water beneath the stone plate, connected to the tank. Around these tubes could be another series of tubes in which a coolant, for example, colder water, is and which comes from a second tank. You could try to cool this water and put it back into the second tank. I am not sure of the engineering behind such a construction, but this would likely work.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    Samuel thought for a while and answered: ¡°Your ideas seem fascinating. I would like to understand how these ideas of your work, but we have other things to do right now. So, let¡¯s start with the basics of alchemy.¡±

    He went to a cupboard on the wall and took out some containers, which he placed on a table near the kettle with the boiling fluid inside, which Jonathan now realized was water.

    Mage Kyreikon showed Jonathan one of the containers, which was filled with a red powder: ¡°This is one of the basic ingredients in alchemy. Almost always this or something similar, maybe of higher quality, will be the base of your alchemical solution. This is powdered crystalized mana. You should know the following. There are three types of mana in solid form. The first, and most common, is this. Crystalized mana is produced through a fairly simple, but complex and time-consuming spell, which practically eats mana. Due to that, crystalized mana can be fairly cheap, especially if it is of lower quality. Lower qualities can form if elemental magic is included in the casting. If they are light blue, they are perfect, every other colour means that they have an impurity. Be careful about certain water element affinities, those can look quite different. But there are a few ways to discover these. The second type is mana crystals, which form pretty regular in nature, in areas where there is much natural mana. Also, some types of monsters produce them, even if those are generally smaller ones. Here the quality is indicated by the size. The larger, the higher the quality. Those are much more powerful than crystalized mana and are generally used to power enchantments, which is nearly impossible with crystalized mana, because of reasons that are not perfectly understood. The last, and rarest type of solidified mana are mana stones. These are extremely rarely used, generally in powerful artefacts. The same as mana crystals, these can be charged again, but they do not disappear if they are empty for a time. There are documented cases of these stones being empty for more than a thousand years, much beyond that is often pure speculation! How exactly they form is unclear, they are sometimes considered relicts of the gods. They are often found in dungeons, which I do not understand and which are a topic for another time.¡±

    Jonathan asked a few clarifying questions, after which Samuel continued his explanation about alchemy: ¡°When creating something with alchemy, you must first decide what it will be. This here will be a simple solution, which is often used to create temporary enchantments. For this, we only need these crystals¡­¡±

    Samuel Kyreikon explained how exactly this worked, as well as a few other things. At the end of the lesson, Jonathan was able to somewhat replicate this enchantment base, he still could not work magic, but he had hope that this would change tomorrow.

 Chapter 10 - Affinity Test

    Jonathan

    He woke up. Over the last few days had Jonathan a few Lesions, in etiquette as well as in law studies.

    Today was a big day for him, he was so excited. They would test what elemental magic he had. How would this work? He did not know, but it surely was something special.

    Or not, he heard that this was done all over the world, even in poor little villages, so it should not be expensive. But it also meant that the tools used were easy to work with, so that help could be trained fast and inexpensively.

    So maybe it was not exciting at all, but it was magic.

    ¡°Calm down, Jonathan, calm down¡±, said Jonathan to himself. When someone knocked at his door, he could only barely contain his excitement, and, after he breathed deeply, he opened the door.

    Tablos came into his room, looked at him and said: ¡°This is a completely normal procedure, which will not hurt or do anything you will feel. I know you come from a world without magic and this is strange for you, as well that you might have a few fantasies how it will work, but ready yourself to be disappointed. Nothing much will happen, the most that can happen is excitement over your results.¡±

    He grinned and went on to eat breakfast with Jonathan, after which they spoke a fair bit about Jonathan''s world, the Archmage was especially impressed with the mention of gigantic, over 30-meter long flying metal tubes with wings. But these wings were not normal, no, they did not even move.

    Jonathan was not really good at explaining how these so-called airplanes worked, but it also was not important.

    After breakfast, the time for the test was near. As Jonathan entered the room where the test would commence, he saw a few people he recognized.

    Gerard Wertin, his teacher in all things financially, the life mage, Heras Hager, his alchemy teacher Samuel Kyreikon and of course Elise and Mage Fizzlewood.

    There also were a few persons he did not recognize. One of them introduced herself as Ione Geron, secretary of Heinrich Tablos. She would activate the testing device, an enchanted mirror, which was nowhere to be seen right now.

    The other unknowns were not introduced, but Tablos did not seem happy to have them included, as well as Minister Gerard Wertin.

    In fact, Wertin seemed angry at them being included and muttered to himself angrily, even if Jonathan could not make out what was being said.

    After a short while and a few formalities, the secretary took a mirror from somewhere, Jonathan had not been attentive enough to see it.

    The mirror was silver coloured, but there was no glass above it.

    Jonathan surmised that it likely was a polished piece of iron or steel. The frame was relatively thick but had a few strange features. On one end of the rectangular frame was a small indention, large enough to fit a finger like a forefinger. On the long sides were two arrows, made out of a bronze coloured material, the rest of the frame was wooden. On the other end of the frame was another indention, but a larger one, in which a crystal was fit, likely a mana crystal.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    After Ione Geron pushed onto the crystal, the mirror began to glow in a crescendo of colours. After a short while, this ended, and the mirror became normal again.

    Then Jonathan was asked to put his forefinger into the free indention. A short while after he did this the mirror began to glow again, but now in white colour.

    Slowly, ever so slowly coloured bars began to form, some small, some not so small. After a short while, Jonathan had difficulties to suppress a laugh, because what he saw was the formation of a simple bar chart.

    Then it was over and a few symbols showed themselves. Geron explained that these Symbols were numbers and only because this specific testing device was used in the school and one could be certain to find someone who could read there, these were added.

    She then explained that this, what was shown on this page where his core elemental affinities. But before he was told what exactly his affinities were, he learned that the numbers, going from one to one hundred meant how much mana he was forced to put into a spell to achieve a certain effect.

    And this was all in relation to one hundred. So it was a pretty simple formula. Base cost of the spell multiplied with one hundred minus the affinity value (Base cost * (100 ¨C Affinity value)).

    This meant that these were simply percentage numbers.

    But this was not set in stone. First, there were multiple ways to increase one''s affinity, but one could also study a spell with a certain method, which would decrease the cost by a certain modifier, which could change under specific circumstances (Base cost * (100 ¨C Affinity value) / Modifier).

    The modifier could reach pretty high numbers, but, especially for beginner spells the returns of increasing the modifier diminished fast.

    After this was out of the way, Geron explained what the bars meant.

    Ten of the eleven bars shown meant the core affinities of elemental magic, the eleventh bar simply said how many affinities over ten he had in this type of magic.

    Before he found out how many affinities he had and how good they were, he was told that an affinity over 30 generally was considered great and over 50 was practically unheard of.

    The highest documented affinity and this happened after much training, was only 86, an Archmage, who specialized in this one element had this affinity after more than three centuries of life, which generally was the age a powerful mage could reach.

    Also, another important information was, that while affinities could be measured precisely, mana could not. The base cost of spells, which had been mentioned was different for everybody. It was thought that it generally was similar, but even this was not certain. But finally, he got to know his affinities:

    Elemental magic: 136 measurable (known affinities) over ten points

    Water: 4

    Earth: 24

    Fire: 67

    Wind: 45

    Void: 100

    Life: 7

    Creation: 19

    Destruction: 12

    Existence: 2

    Death: 13

    These were shocking points, especially his void, fire and wind affinities.

    But it was not over yet.

    This testing device, designed by Tablos, could find out how good he would likely be in the other types of magic. Because not much was really known about them, it was a short breakdown.

    To see this, Geron was forced to push one of the arrows, which, as Jonathan understood them, were used to navigate the testing device.

    The affinities here were likely not universal, and, despite every page having only one bar on them, everything needed his own page for reasons Jonathan did not totally understand. Maybe to future proof the thing?

    Irrelevant, after a few more waits he knew what his affinities in the other types of magic where:

    Corruption: 58

    Spiritual: 100

    Pseudo-Elemental: 76

    These were shocking high numbers, again, especially the spiritual affinity, for the others there were no real comparisons because they generally were not tested.

    But Tablos found an explanation that was acceptable to all: ¡°Maybe his high spiritual affinity, a special type of magic that priest should know well, comes from the strange summoning spell used. Maybe he connects him to his summoner similar to how a holy magic user is connected to a holy creature. To make this go as fluent as possible, the spell might use the void to give him a more powerful spiritual affinity and also chooses somebody who already has a high spiritual affinity.¡±

    On this note, everyone left the room, besides Elise, Gerard Wertin, Heras Hager, the Archmage as well as Jonathan.

 Chapter 11 - Political Nightmares and Plants

    Jonathan

    Tablos sighed: ¡°We must discuss what we saw there. Also, you will certainly have realized that the math says that void element magic should be without cost for you, as well as maybe spiritual magic. Why maybe? Because we do not know enough about it to say how affinities affect spiritual magic. But it almost certainly won¡¯t be without cost, as well as void elemental magic. The reason for this is, that with the training modifier you will hit a threshold when you cannot lower the cost of a spell. It would only be logical if this also applies to affinities. You will be able to cast even powerful spells quite often, but not without pause¡­¡±

    Jonathan interrupted him abruptly: ¡°How do you even know these forms? You have no idea about these base costs because you cannot measure them, you are unable to measure the amount of mana someone can store and yet you have incredible precise data for this one point? It does seem unlikely if not impossible! So where do you have this information from that you accept it as the absolute truth?¡±

    Tablos was quiet for a minute or two. After that he began speaking: ¡°This information comes from the void. Some creatures of it travelled a long time ago to this world and spread this information. Or this is how the story goes. But while we are unable to test if this is correct, we also cannot test if it is incorrect. So we generally accept it as truth. But we wanted to speak about other things, can we get back to them?¡±

    He looked around, saw no dissent with his decision and continued: ¡°As I said, you will only get the cost of casting a spell down to a certain threshold, which is also individual for every person, at least we assume it is. I will train you in magic, at least at first. But now to something completely different. You have noticed these strange men that have spectated as you got tested?¡±

    Jonathan affirmed this and also mentioned that he thought that the Archmage, as well as the Minister of Commerce, did not like this circumstance.

    Tablos looked unhappy and answered sarcastically: ¡°Yes, about that. A few of the more powerful nobles already tried to get you transferred to them, citing that they can help you more and, if you get powerful, which of course would be impossible without them, you could really help the kingdom. They also tried to use some obscure laws to try to make the king do their bidding. But, luckily, most of what they are trying is impossible. Unfortunately, one is dangerous. He is the one from which¡¯s territory Elise comes.¡±

    Elise seemed distraught by this news and exclaimed: ¡°Oh no, what does this pig want?¡±

    Tablos sighed and answered: ¡°He says that you are still his subject, at least until you graduated from school. This statement affects a grey area, and the honourable Mage Lord Trison Wagred uses all his influence to try to make this an undeniable fact.¡±

    Jonathan looked at the Archmage and asked: ¡°What is his goal? I do not know how much control a Lord has over his subjects, but I see no real long term advantage in this behaviour.¡±

    Gerard Wertin answered, which surprised Jonathan, he thought Tablos would continue speaking about this: ¡°He wants to force Elise to marry his son. Theoretically, this is possible, but it is difficult. Then he could try to force a bad marriage contract onto her, which would make Elise basically a slave of his son, and would put you under his control through his son and Elise.¡±Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    Jonathan laughed: ¡°I do not think it would work quite as he imagines it would. I am not really forced to follow Elise¡¯s commands, she only has a small bit of influence over me. But I also do not like persons like this Lord.¡± He began mumbling to himself: ¡°Is it too early to introduce a revolution? Should I? No, bad idea, I do not know enough to pull it off¡­¡±

    Wertin asked suddenly: ¡°What did you say at the end?¡±

    Jonathan answered innocently: ¡°Oh, nothing, nothing. I only thought loudly if this world is ready for the introduction of a few concepts of my world. But I decided that I do not have enough information to decide if this is the case, so I will let it go.¡±

    Wertin looked at him suspiciously: ¡°I hope you plan nothing that could damage the kingdom. We must find a solution to this problem. Do you have any ideas? You do have a fresh perspective, so this is not impossible.¡±

    Jonathan thought and asked: ¡°Why is this possible. What can he do to force Elise into this marriage?¡±

    Gerard sighed: ¡°As the Lord of her parents and herself he can ask for her hand in marriage as tax. The contract could be written by him, without input from anyone, because it is his tax.¡±

    The boy thought for a while and asked: ¡°What is her worth? How much of the tax would she replace? One would assume that the tax is bound to the amount of land her parents are tilling. Because the other Lords make me and with it, her, seem incredibly powerful, also valuable, this could easily exceed any amount of tax he could levy without being completely obvious about that this is trying to get someone to be someone else¡¯s slave.¡±

    Tablos answered: ¡°But it is not as easy as that. Because she has no value on the open market, and she cannot have one because she is a human being, he can choose her worth completely arbitrary. Because of another obscure law, there is a minimum worth, but it is not much, not enough to argue with the scenario you mentioned right now.¡±

    ¡°Hm, we cannot marry her to someone else, or can we?¡±

    ¡°Not in time. Even if we would find an acceptable partner, Elise would accept him and we would be able to draft the marriage contract, because of how he plans to do it, we cannot get her safe in time, but good idea, I had not thought of it until now.¡±, answered Wertin.

    ¡°This is a problem, in so many ways. I assume we cannot relieve him of his power easily?¡±

    Tablos laughed and answered: ¡°No, it is impossible to relieve him of his power. And killing him would create too many problems. Also, before you ask, we are unable to make Elise nobility on such a short notice without¡­¡± Tablos stumbled. Was that possible?

    He asked: ¡°without her having accomplished something worthy of being raised to the nobility. It must not be an important title, any title at all would be enough, but this is still difficult.¡±

    ¡°What would be needed to get such a title? Would an invention, work?¡±

    ¡°Maybe. If the invention is important enough or could be made look important enough that the king, who is very much on our side, has enough of a pretence to give her a title, it would, why?¡±

    ¡°I have seen no stirrups. They are pretty easy to produce and have revolutionized many things in my world, not least of all warfare. I do not think they will have an impact as great as they had in my world here, but they should have an impact.¡±

    After they spoke for a while it was clear that in this world no stirrups existed. It was decided that Elise¡¯s name would stand behind the invention, somewhat financed by Tablos with a credit that would be paid back over time, until the interest-free credit was paid back, Tablos would get a small share of the profits. Jonathan would also get a permanent share of the profits.

    In the next week or two, everything would be managed, so that the marriage contract, which the honourable Lord Trison Wagred planned to finalize in two months¡¯ time could never happen. At least that is the plan.

    Before everyone left the room, Heras Hager began to speak: ¡°The plants are growing well. I used the help of a void mage to get a pocket of space where time is accelerated, so I could already harvest the first batch. I used everything to replant. I also reduced a bit the amount of magic used, so it will take a bit longer this time. Let¡¯s see what they taste like in a month, Ok?¡± Jonathan laughed and answered with a resounding yes.

 Chapter 12 - Light Show

    Jonathan

    After this was over, Elise, Jonathan and Tablos went to another room.

    There Tablos turned himself to look at both and said: ¡°Before we begin with your magic training, it might be a good idea that we test if Elise can use your mana in her spells. You will see how it is done and likely feel your mana, which will be helpful in your eventual training. What do you think?¡±

    Jonathan thought about that for a while and answered: ¡°While I do want to try out magic, your likely right that this is a better thing to start of with. Mainly because you have many years of experience and are hopefully using them to give me a good education in magic. So, what should I do?¡±

    #Tablos answered his question with the following words: ¡°First, sit on the chair over there. Try to think of nothing at all. Maybe think of how the void was? But I digress, while you are doing this, Elise will try to draw in power from you to power an easy spell, a specially designed light spell that is just beautiful to look at, if I am allowed to say so myself.¡±

    Elise looked at a piece of paper that Tablos gave her after praising the spell and said: ¡°Thanks for a spell created by someone as powerful and well known as yourself, Archmage Tablos.¡±

    An exchange which Jonathan found funny followed. But after a bit more banter, finally, everything was ready.

    Elise began casting the spell, but instead of using her own, internal mana reserves, she tried using Jonathans. But nothing happened.

    She asked Tablos if she did something wrong, and after testing a few things, the Archmage figured out that she first was forced to send a strange spell at Jonathan.

    The spell had been included in the summoning spell and after she cast it, Jonathan felt something strange.

    A sort of warmth that filled his whole being. He also felt as if something was asking for his permission to do something. After thinking for a while about that, he began understanding the feeling. Giving his permission would give parts of this warmth to someone or somewhere else. He also understood, deep down in his logical mind that this was Elise trying to use his magic. He allowed it and opened his eyes.Stolen story; please report.

    He saw and incredible fireworks in the gloomy room.

    Jonathan had not realized or dark it was in the room until now, because of how badly lighted most rooms were. There were some rooms that were better lighted than others, his own was one of the better ones at that aspect, but this here was even one of the darkest rooms he had seen until now.

    But back to the fireworks he saw. There were many bright, coloured stars around here. At least it seemed like that. They moved, it seemed a bit like there were playing with each other.

    Elise stood in the middle of the room and seemed happy. Tablos instead stood I one of the corners of the room and looked like he had found something really great.

    While Jonathan took all that in, he felt a flow of this warmth moving, in the direction where Elise stood. And suddenly he also could see it. It was a pale blue stream that behaved similarly to a body of water.

    Oh, of course only if gravity were weird. It had holes in it but it was without a doubt a three-dimensional construct. But then the lights began to fade and he lost less and less of his warmth.

    And then, even if it was to be expected, suddenly, it was over.

    The room was again dark, and now it looked even darker because of the light that filled it just moments before.

    Tablos said, after every glimmer of the supernatural light had been extinguished: ¡°You are a mana seer, even if one who can only see his own mana. Maybe you can train to see mana that comes from other persons or even is simply in the environment, but that is not necessary for now. This will certainly help with your training as a mage. As I thought Elise cannot use your mana whenever she wants and of course is able to do it, but instead must ask you first. It was your decision, you answered that spell, right?¡±

    ¡°That is absolutely correct. Is it only me or is it normal that mana gives out a feeling of warmth if it is being used?¡±

    Elise answered this question: ¡°For me, it feels like a muscle. It gives out a feeling of warmth if you are actively using it, but it is not a feeling of warmth from the beginning.¡±

    Tablos added: ¡°I would guess that you are losing some of this warmth when you are using mana. This is normal. There are a few main types of how someone can feel the mana in their body. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages, and they cannot be changed. Yours, for example, is excellent for measuring how much mana is left in your body but it makes really finely controlled spells difficult. Elise¡¯s is the most common. It gives a series of indicators of how much mana you have left, but it also makes mana relatively easy to form finely. It is difficult to give off a big blast of mana with this form of feeling mana. On that note, there is also your ability to see mana. It gives many advantages for fine control, so it offsets the disadvantages of your version of working with your mana. But it still will be hard work.¡±

    They talked for a while, discussed what they had seen and then some maids brought in lunch.

 Chapter 13 - Getting Outside

    Jonathan

    After eating, Tablos decided that Jonathan should spend a while outside, sitting in the sun.

    He knew, from experience, that people who only lived indoors and never got outside developed a number of health issues over time.

    Besides, he thought he could send him to the life mage Heras Hager so that Jonathan would do some work, and Heras could pester him with questions about the plants in his world.

    So, after a short walk, they found Mage Hager, to whom Tablos explained the situation. After this, the Archmage left.

    Hager gave Jonathan a few tasks to help with weeding and similar things. Jonathan did acceptable, at least for a novice, but certainly not great. But he did not grumble, something which the mage found great.

    Then Hager asked: ¡°What do you think of your life here? Now that you have been here for a bit more than a week, you certainly have some frame of reference.¡±

    ¡°I do not know for certain for now. Fact is, my living standard decreased, in fact, it decreased substantially. Magic is, of course, something we did not have, but can it replace everything I have lost? One question: How high is the literacy rate in this country, for over 18-year-olds?¡±

    ¡°I do not know for certain, but I would guess not over 5%, why?¡±

    ¡°The answer is simple: The literacy rate in my country in the mentioned age group should be above 99%. So you can basically assume that everyone can read. Can you imagine how something as simple, at least for me, as to be able to read and write can change your life? Can you imagine how it could change a society if everyone can do it? The ability to read and write gives you two main abilities, outside of the simple fact that you are able to do that. And these are pretty simple: On one hand, you are able to store and structure information, on the other hand, you can easily convey information to others, if they can read that is, even without being there. Also, it has an impact on legal or religious matters. If these have books, documents from which the laws or rules are being pulled, when only a small elite can read, they can say what is written in there, even if what they are telling you is not what is written in there word for word, but an interpretation of what is written down, or even direct falsehoods. If you are able to read, you can check their work. If everyone can read, it is much more difficult to keep the truth concealed. This, of course, might not change anything, but it is a step into a certain direction, which I think would be the right direction.¡±The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Hager paused for a minute or so to think about what he heard right now: ¡°The direction you are speaking about is, how you think our political system should develop? But there is no other way. Everyone does it this way. Oh, maybe restructure the power of the nobles in the realm, but nothing really different. How would you imagine our society should look like?¡±

    ¡°First of, you must understand that society and political system are two different things. Similar societies can have totally different political systems, accounting for the small differences you have mentioned. But the second thing you must understand is that I have not been born into a monarchy. In fact, my country had a monarchy, but it was abolished a while ago. I never lived under any kind of monarch. The political system of the county I come from is extremely complex, and I am not an expert at it. It is a so-called democracy, which comes from two very old words and basically means rule by the people. The people of a country have the power, and not one random person who had a lucky birth. I will not speak about it anymore, I cannot give you even the hint of an idea, at least not in such a short amount of time, without having writing utensils at hand, how something like this really works and how powerful it is. But I will give you a short list of advantages both have over one another.¡±

    He groaned as he moved a heavy piece of deadwood out of the way and lifted it onto a cart. Then he continued: ¡°Democracies tend to have a high turnover of rulers as well as a series of checks and balances to a rulers power. This means that a bad ruler is unable to do much damage. Also, rulers have a higher tendency to search for expert as helpers and not pure political nominees. In war, a democracy, especially if it is on the defending side, has an easier time to keep morale up, which means more recruits and less grumbling when rationing becomes an issue. Also, resistance movements could develop real fast if necessary. Monarchies have longer periods where they have the same ruler, which does give them higher stability, especially if the monarch is good. They also can do more than a democratic ruler, because a monarch tends to not have as many emergency checks as one of these has. He also can react faster if a disaster strikes the nation.¡±

    Hager looked at him and said: ¡°This is all pretty interesting, but you do know that it will not make you many friends if you plan to abolish the monarchy? At least not in the ruling caste. In the poorer parts of the country I fear your ideas would gather more traction, but I also think those are not the perfect base for this democracy thing¡­¡± Hager¡¯s voice faded out in the end.

    Jonathan answered slyly: ¡°This is why it isn¡¯t my plan, at least for now. Let¡¯s continue with this flowerbed over there, shall we?¡± Hager laughed and nodded, after which both pulled the wagon into a better position near the other bed.

 Chapter 14 - Evolution

    Jonathan

    After a bit more work, Mage Hager asked Jonathan: ¡°I do know some of your plants. But the similarities are small and extremely difficult to find. I found them in some cases only because my magic said these were of the same species. Other plants from you I do not know at all. How is this possible?¡±

    Jonathan paused for a while to gather his thoughts. Then he answered: ¡°First you must understand one thing. I do not know why at least parts of the plant and animal life seem or are similar to my world. Even assuming your world is identical to my world, only with mana added, this would be extremely unlikely. Hell, even without mana added, this would not be likely. Not impossible, mind you, but unlikely. But assuming there are infinite worlds, there will, because of how infinite works, certainly be infinite worlds where this happened. So having this out of the way, I want to introduce the concept of evolution to you. You almost certainly have used it yourself, or have seen others use it purposefully, without knowing precisely what it is what you are doing. Evolution, in its most basic form, are the natural differences between a parent and its child. For example, we have a blue thing as a parent. To uncomplicate matters, we take something that only needs one parent to reproduce. In our example, the child is differing somehow from its parent. Let¡¯s say, it is red instead of blue. What are the things that could have happened? First off, somewhere in the past, the blue parent thing could have had a red ancestor. The information needed for the red colour could have been dormant. The information I speak of is called DNA, which is short for deoxyribonucleic acid. What exactly this is, I honestly do not know, and the things I do know would be nearly impossible to teach you without a few hours of preparation. Important is that this acid stores all information needed to build one of us. Every human has this acid, this code in them, as well as most, if not all living things. We get from each of our parents part of the code. But it also can be damaged. Most of the time, this damage does not do anything at all. If it does change something, it might be something important, which certainly would be a problem, but not always is. Sometimes it changes something non-vital, like for example eye colour. But that would be a major change, which is pretty unlikely. Did you understand everything until now?¡±

    Heras Hager had a strange notebook before him, in which a ghostly feather wrote things down. He thought for a moment and then answered with a resounding yes.

    Jonathan continued: ¡°So the DNA had been damaged, and the change did not kill the affected or was bad for it. So now there are multiple scenarios that can happen. First off, it could be killed or die early in any other way. The mutation dies out, for now. The thing could be to different from the rest of its group or species and does not find a mate. The mutation dies out because it is not propagated through offspring. The thing finds a mate, the mutation propagates and maybe, sometime in the future, every individuum in a population will have this mutation. This is especially likely if the mutation gives the individuum any kind of advantage, but not necessarily so. This is the basis of evolution. But there is another complication that is important to know. Not everything we have written in our DNA is active. And sometimes these dormant parts can be reawakened. This is what most major differences between a child and its parents are. They might have originally formed over a long time and they have been dormant, or they have changed while being dormant because of incremental change. But then there is something else that can happen, and this is important. In my world, and likely in this world, there are natural processes that can rapidly damage large parts of the DNA. You will not survive if it is too much, but if you are lucky, you can survive smaller doses, without changing or developing a dangerous disease. Your children might be changed if that happens. Most likely for the worse, because there is so much that can go wrong, but sometimes for the better or at least in an interesting new way.¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    ¡°If I understood you correctly, every time a crossbred two of the same kind of plant I am trying to create a specific mutation, or am I wrong?¡±

    ¡°Not entirely, but what you are really trying is to get a mutation that is already present in one plant to be present in both plants. Generally, you are trying to mix two specific, already present, characteristics together. One hint for the future: not every information in the DNA behaves the same way. Somewhere I have the information written down, but honestly, I do not know where. Important to know is that some of this information tends to linger and reappear after multiple generations and others disappear easily for basically forever. So back to your original question. It boils down to two things. The first would be a change in natural evolution. The other is selective breeding and maybe a bit of so-called genetic engineering. That is the process of influencing living things to create certain mutations, but here I am also basically at the end of my knowledge.¡±

    ¡°This was a fascinating discussion, thank you for that.¡±

    ¡°I too thank you for being such a good listener. Let¡¯s continue with our work, shall we?¡±

    Heras Hager laughed and answered: ¡°Sure. Could you help me with that bush over there? It is dead and must be torn out. ¡°

    ¡°Of course, where is the shovel?¡±

    They continued to work until it was night. T

    hen the Mage brought Jonathan back to his room and said goodnight to him. Jonathan showered, noticing that he was really dirty from a day¡¯s work with the plants. The water seemed as if it were black, at least in the beginning. Then he lied down on his bed and was asleep fast.

 Chapter 15 - Heinrich Tablos

    Heinrich Tablos

    Someone knocked at the door of his study. He looked at the important administrative work he was doing, then at the door and back.

    He fought with himself, on one hand, what he was doing was important on the other hand, whoever came also might bring important news. Also, he did not like doing this, and maybe it would be a nice distraction.

    So he pushed magic out of his hand and opened the door with it. Before the door stood Mage Hager, who went inside, closed the door and bowed: ¡°I bring news about Elise¡¯s summon, Lord Archmage.¡±

    Tablos sighed and asked what he did this time.

    Hager answered: ¡°He told me that his nation did not have a king or queen. Their rulers are chosen by the people, and while he said that he did not plan to reproduce their political system here right now, he did hint that this was his end goal.¡±

    Tablos thought for a moment and asked: ¡°Do you know what he wants to do right now?¡±

    ¡°No, I do not. He was very adamant about not telling. But he thinks that a political system where the peasants choose the ruler is generally superior to one with hereditary leaders. Absurd, I tell you, absurd!¡±

    ¡°This is absurd, Mage Hager, but if he had been born in such a society, maybe he had been brainwashed into believing that. But no matter. I will keep an eye on him and make certain that he does not try something stupid.¡±

    ¡°I have told you what I knew. If you do not need anything more from me, I will take my leave.¡±

    The Archmage answered simply: ¡°Ok, then I must return to this important work. How many bushels of rye did we need last year again?¡± Tablos got quitter as he said that last part, after which Hager left the room and closed the door behind him.

    A few hours later, Heinrich was finally finished with the acquisitions and logistics report, as well as allowing a certain budget for needed repairs of the school building, of which he hoped that it was enough and that he did not make any mistake in his calculations.

    He stood up and went to another room. In this room, there were multiple maps. One of these maps showed the nation of Theron, as well as its immediate neighbours.This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Theron had access to the coast, which of course was useful for trade, but because of the dominance of a series of other nations, one of which had a border with Theron, it only ¡ähad a small fleet. Most of the rest where flatlands, and then there was the river that was the most important trade route in the nation itself.

    Theron was relatively small, but so were its neighbours. It was not the most prosperous county, but it was certainly not poor.

    He thought about the danger posed by another of Theron¡¯s neighbours, one who wanted to have free access to the ocean and saw Theron as an easy target. But while this country was larger and had more men, it generally had worse mages. But the hiring of mercenaries or similar things could clear this problem, for both sides.

    But enough of this, he thought and, before he went to bed, he looked at the most expensive and biggest map in this room. A map that was in his personal possession which showed the entirety of the world, or at least of the known world.

    It was beautifully made, but he also knew that it was not completely accurate. Some parts of it were incredibly detailed, for example, the coasts of the southern lands, but others, especially those far away, where big blobs with a general shape.

    He thought back to something Jonathan had said, his world was round and had a circumference of 40000 of his kilometres. This was also with this world. Some mages had researched this extensively and so they found that answer.

    ¡°What would Jonathan think if he knew that these facts about both of their worlds were identical?¡±, asked the Archmage to himself.

    Maybe he should ask him tomorrow. ¡°Hm, that might not be a bad idea,¡±, muttered Tablos to himself: ¡°tomorrow he will learn about the geography of this world, so it would fit right into his curriculum. Also, I am certain that Jack Miller will be happy to see an invitation to the map room. It would be excellent for both of them, and maybe interesting for me.¡±

    The more he thought about it, the more enamoured he became with this idea. So he called for Ione Geron to set everything up.

    Ione Geron was not exactly happy with the task, she had already too much on her plate, but she did accept it, if not without making her displeasure known, and went back to work.

    After this, Tablos went to another study of his, where he continued working at the project that should free Elise from Lord Wagred.

    Stirrup production in itself was not exactly complicated, and riding with the few existing prototypes was certainly easier, but it did need some training.

    He thought about asking Jonathan if he could at least give them pointers, but while discussing them, he was adamant about not being able to ride, which Lord Wertin had found preposterous, how would one of high status, and someone of Jonathans knowledge was certainly of high status go from one place to another without being to ride?

    If he were a woman this would have been more understandable, but as things stood, how could he have never learned to ride.

    Tablos knew a bit of the things Jonathan had told the king, understood that the thing with a lighted surface was not magic, but something mundane and thought that maybe they had found a better way of transportation.

    A way that had advantages over riding on horseback or being carried by a carriage. He also remembered that Jonathan really hated the carriage, so they were certainly not the preferred way of movement, because it was practically impossible to make them more comfortable. But he stopped his train of thought and went to bed.

 Chapter 16 - Maps

    Jonathan

    It was noon as Jonathan stepped into the room. Archmage Tablos waited in it, as well as an elderly mage.

    The mage introduced himself as Jack Miller, which Jonathan answered with an introduction from himself, even if it was mostly only a formality.

    Then Jack Miller began talking about the geography of the Kingdom of Theron and its direct neighbours.

    Theron had formed around an old trade city, which had lost a significant part of its old dominance in the seagoing trade over time. But it was still an important trading hub for inland routes, especially if they wanted to get to the see because of the good inland connections over rivers.

    The capital city of Theron was called Godanrahe, which was, by the way, the city in which the school was, after an old king which had once upon a time conquered the settlement, but who had been wounded mortally in the battle. The new rulers renamed the city, at that point still mostly a larger town, to honour their fallen leader.

    Jonathan found this interesting, but not particular important. Also, it happened around a thousand years ago.

    But much more interesting were the powerful trading kingdoms, which also seemed to have many quite accomplished fighters which were the main power in the region. Good for anyone besides them, they were no unified force, in fact, infighting was quite common between those.

    But Jonathan could of course not be certain for how precise this information was, especially considering that Miller did not really seem like them. There might even be a sliver of hate in his voice when speaking about these.

    But while some of these trading kingdoms would love to get their hands on Godanrahe, Theron¡¯s military would be able to deal with anyone individually, especially while defending. And because of the importance of Theron, an alliance to take it was unlikely, to say the least.

    While Jonathan understood relatively fast why this was, and made that clear, Mage Miller still gave an extended explanation: ¡°You see, while every one of those trading kingdoms would love to get Godanrahe, both small and large, they also do not want their rivals to have it. This means that an alliance, especially consisting out of multiple of the larger factions, would break when the spoils are finally divided. The war leader could get himself into an advantageous position and betray the other participants or one of those could manage to somehow betray the others, for example by holding a significant chunk of his forces back and tacking the others homelands. This is another reason why no one is able to attack us, for fear that their rivals would use that chance to take the enemies homelands, or they could even help us directly. The trading kingdoms are unable to unify, even if there are signs that if they do not manage to do that in the next century or two, they will disappear into oblivion.¡±This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

    Mage Miller stopped after that sentence, and while Jonathan would have loved to find out more about the reason for that, Jack Miller did not explain his statement at all.

    Afterwards, he mentioned an enemy to the southeast, the kingdom of Sarian, which was incredibly powerful and a much greater threat to Theron¡¯s continued existence. The other nations that bordered the kingdom of Theron were relatively unimportant. Small, basically no army and generally poor.

    Here the Archmage interjected: ¡°Yes, while these are individually weak, a coalition out of them could be extremely dangerous, especially if it would attack at an opportune moment, for example when the kingdom of Sarian has declared war on us. Which everyone is assuming will happen in the near future. But enough of this here, telling how the situation stands right now, does help, but looking at some real maps might be interesting as well. Follow me.¡±

    They left the room and entered after a short walk another. Many maps were in this room.

    First off, Tablos pointed out some fantastically made local maps. While some, if not all of them were barely useful, they had great artistic value. Certainly, those shoed rarely elevation, and if they showed it, it was in the form of a painted on hill.

    Also, the field of view was most of the time extremely different from what Jonathan had expected from a map. These maps mostly seemed almost to be paintings or sketches of an area made from an advantage point. All of these aspects reduced their use.

    Another thing that he could introduce, Jonathan thought, modern standards for maps like the lines representing elevation, the top-down view as well as other things like that.

    But then Tablos showed another map. He was full of pride as he unveiled it. It was a world map, or at least how an early version of one might have looked like. This map had a top-down view, and while some elements were still designed artistically, there were standards in the map how certain elements were represented.

    The map seemed similar to something, thought Jonathan, but he was not quite certain what it was.

    Tablos explained some parts of the map, and one phrase, in particular, caught Jonathan¡¯s ear: ¡°You see, this is the city of Heranum, once the capital city of a gigantic empire, one of the largest empires in all time. While it lost most of its glory after the fall of its empire around five hundred years ago, it is still pretty important. But this map had been drawn at the end of its reign, and the artist was a citizen, so he chooses Heranum as the centre of his map.¡±

    Then Jonathan saw something fascinating. Heranum was on an island, attached to something he thought he recognized. Could it be, he wondered?

 Chapter 17 - A fascinating Discovery

    Jonathan

    Heranum¡¯s island, Jonathan reminiscented, was attached to something someone could call a boot. At least if that someone had a bit of fantasy and thought about a boot stretched in interesting ways.

    ¡°Yes, this was the way to put it¡±, thought Jonathan after thinking about if the word boot could be used for the so-called ¡°Italian Boot¡±, ¡°But that is not important. Is Heranum located on the island of Sicily? OK, it is possible that a dominant ancient empire formed there, it is central for trade, but this also has other implications.¡±

    Suddenly, he heard Tablos voice: ¡°Is everything Ok? You became incredibly quiet here right now.¡±

    Jonathan answered: ¡°I must check some things. Can you please tell me what the geography is in this area?¡± Jonathan indicated a part in the map that was where the Alps would be if that was not an incredible coincidence.

    Before Jack Miller, who set out to answer the question could do so, Jonathan added: ¡°I want detailed information. Not about demographics and similar things, also not about trade and economics, but about elevation. Are there mountains? And if yes, how high do they get. Please answer how many of these doors must be stacked on one another to get to the real height¡±, he pointed at the door that closed the entrance to this room, which was approximately 1,8 metres tall, and continued: ¡°I do not understand your measuring systems well enough to make me a picture of it, if done with those. Also, please add the point of reference used, also the point from which you begin measuring the height..¡±

    Heras Hager thought for a moment. He at least thought that there would be mountains, and he was correct in that thought, and he was oddly specific about which information he wanted to know about those. What was going on there?

    But He set out to answer the question: ¡°So, as you somehow thought, there are mountains. The Mountains also go pretty high up into the sky, the highest I know of, even if I think there might be a few higher ones farther south. The mountains have been measured up by magic, even if this kind of magic is not the most precise way of measurement. The highest peak known is around 2640 door heights high.¡±, Shortly before saying the height, he worked some kind of spell, likely something to help with mathematical functions. Somethings to consider for the future thought Jonathan.

    But Miller was not finished: ¡°The measurements are taken from an approximation of the sea level, because it looks so uniform, even if it seems to have a slight curve in it. I wonder where that comes from?¡±This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

    Jonathan thought for a moment and said: ¡°You use the sea level? That is perfect. We use it too because water is a fluid. And fluids have a peculiar characteristic: They tend to form an even surface. This can be used to have a common point of reference all over the world, even if it is a ball. The sea level is the same everywhere. Important is, that for this to be true, every ocean used as a reference must be connected. And they are no waterfalls or similar things allowed in that connection. 2640 door heights are approximately 1.8 times 2640, which we can round down to 1.8 times 2600¡­¡±

    Jonathan¡¯s voice got quiet at the end, while he thought about how high this peak was. He was already sure that it was a pretty high peak, likely at the upper end of the range in the Alps. The question was only if the peak was still in the range, considering the mistakes in the used spell and the two transformations needed. In the end, he got to a result. 4,680 metres. Considering that the Mount Blanc was over 4800 metres high, he thought that this could be about right

    . What were other geographic features he knew about, which also were near enough Heranum that they would be presented correctly in the map? Maybe Scandinavia he answered his question. Another possibility would be the British Isles, or the Iberian Peninsula as well as Corsica and Sardinia.

    So he looked for these features. About Scandinavia, he could only say that above Denmark things became difficult to be certain of, but Denmark seemed to be represented well.

    The British Isles were a different matter. While they were there, both of them even, they became more and more obscure the farther one got away from the coastline pointed at modern-day France. Where he also found the Bretagne, which he had not even considered until now, in surprising detail.

    Then he looked at where the Iberian Peninsula should be. The somewhat square form was there, but in the middle of it, at the location where Madrid would be in his world, was a gigantic lake.

    He asked Tablos how this lake had formed, and surprisingly enough he answered: ¡°There was a battle between multiple powerful mages. That was about a thousand years ago. The water is at least in part there due to magic.¡±

    This answer made it, of course, possible that his theory, that this was an earth were magic existed and due to that the timeline had changed, likely massively, was still correct.

    So he looked at the last bit. And those two islands where, where they should be.

    So he dropped his bombshell: ¡°I think that geographically my world is the same as yours. Likely the only difference is magic and how it affected the environment.¡±

    After that, they discussed how he got to his conclusion, but Tablos was forced to restrain Jack Miller from asking questions because he figured out from Jonathan¡¯s explanation that cartography was much more advanced in Jonathan¡¯s world than in this.

    Because of this Tablos decided that tempers should cool down and Miller should write down which questions he had, then he, Tablos would make sure that Jonathan would get those that were not too trivial and then make sure that they also would be answered.

    So everyone left and continued on with their day.

 Chapter 18 - Strange Happenings

    Jonathan

    Jonathan fell asleep. Or did he? He was sure that he fell asleep.

    But why was he standing here, conscious of his surroundings? Not that the surroundings were much to look at. Just black nothingness, just like the void.

    Just like the void? Was he back at that strange and scary place? Was there a way out?

    Jonathan was panicking, but he found nothing, just the black nothingness of the void. By now he was almost certain that he was back at that place. How was this possible, he asked himself. But how could this be?

    He remembered going to bed and falling asleep and then being here.

    Ok, do not panic, he said to himself, consider what happened. Could this only be a dream?

    But it felt so real.

    First, after the revelation that this was not a new world, but instead an alternative development of his old world, possible at another point in time, even if this was not necessarily so, he went into his room and thought about what this would mean for him.

    First of was, of course, the question of how much they actually knew about their planet. Did they know about the American continents? Had they discovered Australia? But even if the answers were no, he would still be forced to consider things. First off, the Europeans of this world were technologically less advanced as the Europeans who discovered these continents.

    Also, the natives could be farther along in either magical or technological development. But these things were not important right now.

    After he thought about these things, as well as after he had eaten and brushed his teeth, he had showered. Then he went to bed and was asleep fast.

    Normally a rare happenstance for him, but it happened more often in this world. Maybe because he was more tired here? Or was it something in the air or a spell? Either way, it was not important for his situation right now, even if it might be interesting later on in his adventures in the new world.

    If he managed to get back, he reminded himself sharply. Or did he want to get back?

    He knew that he would not want to stay in this black nothingness, but if he had the ability to choose, would he return to his old world, or would he stay in the new world?Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

    His old world was certainly more comfortable, as well as safer. At least in developed, democratic countries, some random bloke had no power over whom you could marry! And he came from such a country.

    But his new world had the promise of magic! How cool was that? Ok, he did not know how cool it was, but that would change and hopefully soon. But of course, there were the health risks to consider. They had magic, but how long did the average citizen live? Also, would he be able to integrate into society? He planned to start a revolution from above, but would that be feasible?

    Also, while he had a constitution on his E-Reader, he did not have the adjourning legal texts necessary to make it work. And how much of it was even applicable to his new world, which parts were missing?

    But back to the topic at hand. Where was he? Ah, when he fell asleep.

    After that, he knew nothing more and awoke in this strange place.

    Then he heard a voice: ¡°Hello Jonathan, it is nice to meet you.¡±

    Jonathan answered, fear evident in his voice: ¡°Who are you, how can I even hear you? I thought in this place, there was no air? But if that is the case how can I breathe and speak and hear?¡±

    He fell silent after this, dealing with these revelations.

    The voice laughed: ¡°You must not think about this, this is normal in this place¡±

    Jonathan, who forced himself to act as if he had calmed down, even if the opposite was the case, asked: ¡°What is this place, where we are? The void or something else?¡±

    The voice was quiet for a moment and sighed: ¡°You do not know? Ah, of course, you do not know. A human like you could never know. But have no panic, you cannot die in this place.¡±

    Then, in a nearly unhearable voice, it added: ¡°But that does not mean you cannot be hurt in this place. And pain can cause death if it continues on after you are in another place. And that it can, that it certainly can.¡±

    After this, the voice laughed, a strange, scary laugh.

    Jonathan asked, now even more scared, with a broken voice: ¡°Who are you, what is your name, what are you? Show yourself!¡±

    The being considered the questions for a moment and answered then: ¡°Who I am is not important, not important at all. You can call me Benedict, Yes you can call me that way, but only if you want. What I am, does not concern you, at least not right now. Yes, it does not concern you, it is not important to you. And I will not show myself to you, at least not now, not at this time. Maybe we will meet again and then I will do these things, but not now, not here!¡±

    Jonathan considered the answers for a moment and asked then: ¡°Can you tell me why I am here and why we speak?¡±

    The voice laughed, but it was not as creepy this time and answered: ¡°Better, much better. You are here because of reasons unknown, and I am here because you are interesting. But maybe this will change in the future, I do not know. But know that magic is powerful, even if it is not almighty. Never forget where you came from, and never forget dangers you know of. Do not repeat the mistakes your kind did, find a better way. More I cannot say, goodbye.¡±

    And with these words, silence returned to this black nothingness and Jonathan was alone again.

    But was that bad, he asked himself and came to the conclusion that it was bad, being alone in an unknown place, without knowing how to return home. Whatever his home might be, and in which world it might lie.

 Chapter 19 - Back Home

    Suddenly the world changed. From the black nothingness of the void into something else.

    He considered for a moment where he was, but he could only make out general shapes. The sudden light had overwhelmed his eyes.

    But after a while and much blinking, he could make out more than general shapes. Colour and details where no there to be spectated.

    Jonathan was elated, but before he could do happy exclamations, he began looking for danger.

    After he did not see any obvious danger, he thought about where he was.

    He was slow on the uptake, but after a while, he found out why some, no all, of the objects in this room, seemed familiar.

    It was his own room, in the magical variant of earth.

    As he was thinking about this, he considered that he actually did not know how the natives called their world. A question for later, to be sure, if not an important one.

    Because nobody knocked at the door or was standing in his room, he thought that not too much time could have passed. He felt refreshed, even if he did not know why exactly.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

    One would think that whatever happened to him should have exhausted him, but that was not the case.

    He went to the bathroom to brush his teeth and to go to the toilet. He realized that this was a really important action. Not the brushing of the teeth, even if that was not unimportant to keep his health, especially in a world where he did not know how good the dentists were, but the going to the toilet.

    He realized this while brushing his teeth, and decided it was the wiser curse of action to drop the toothbrush into the basin and to go to the toilet to let some water out.

    While he was sitting there, he thought about what happened in the night, after he fell asleep. First of he was back in the void and then there was something else. He could not remember, irrelevant of how hard he tried. But he knew that there was a warning about something. But he could not remember.

    After this he considered something. Had he really be transported back into the void? Or was it all a dream?

    Considering he tended to never remember any of the dreams, if he had any, it was not impossible that this was a dream. Unlikely, yes, but not impossible. Maybe this was how dreams worked?

    But of course it could also have been a real transport into the void, but surely the mages in this building would have found out about this?

    He would need to question someone. Likely Heinrich Tablos, but he was not sure if he would have the necessary information. But he would surely be able to point him to someone who could answer the question if this was a dream or if this could have been real. He likely would never know for certain, but who knew what the future would bring?

 Chapter 20 - An Invitation from the King

    Eduard III

    Yesterday he managed to get Elise ennobled. Hopefully, this would clear up that unfortunate matter.

    He also used his prerogative as the king to start a long and arduous process to bring an end to that particular loophole. Maybe his nobles would not be obstructive in what they would see as an attack on their ancestral rights.

    He snorted at that thought and said to himself: ¡°Yeah, right. Almost everything else would be more likely¡­¡±

    He thought about Jonathan. His ideas were certainly fascinating, especially his talk about a technological device that could easily produce many copies of one book.

    How had he called it again? Ah, now he remembered, printing press.

    A fascinating and likely descriptive name. Printing might be how to make the words appear on the pages and press, which might be another part to it.

    What did he say he would need to recreate one? A smith, a winepress of all things and a woodworker? Maybe the translation spell made a mistake, he might have meant carpenter.

    He would need to speak with Jonathan about that. Written books which were much less expensive? He would really like that.

    So he ordered a servant to extend an invitation to Jonathan so that they could talk in detail about that.

    <hr>

    Jonathan did not know how to feel.

    After he spoke to Archmage Tablos, he found out that the mages would not necessarily have realized what happened. If anything happened at all.

    He also found out during that conversation that he would meet the king in a few days.

    That was three days ago.

    Today was the day he would meet the king.

    In fact, he stood before the door to a closed study, waiting until the king invited him inside. This happened after no more than five minutes.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    Pretty fast for a world where precise timekeeping was possible but prohibitively expensive and only usable on a small scale. Which made it useless for appointments.

    Mages could use them, especially alchemists and the ones who followed similar professions.

    After he was invited in and had accomplished the greeting, which he still found strange, they were alone in that room, for god¡¯s sake, the king got directly to the business, for which Jonathan was thankful, even if he did not show it.

    King Eduard III of Theron began to speak: ¡°So, you said that you would be able to create a printing press if you had help. So, what would you need, and how long would it take?¡±

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered: ¡°I am not sure honestly. I know the concept behind a printing press, but I thought a bit over the issue. I am certain that I can get people thinking into the right direction, but I am honestly not sure what good it would do. We will need an inexpensive material to write on, to even consider using the printing press. It is a tool for mass production, everything else does not make sense. In my world, we used a material called paper. I know out of what it is produced, and I am pretty sure I could create, with a bit of help and much trial and error, a passable paper, but the real problems start after this. And it is the question of how your writing system is structured. It does not affect if it is possible, but it does affect the start-up cost, as well as the speed. Also, it can make it much more difficult, especially if you have very filigree symbols or some which are very similar. Problems that can be overcome, certainly, but they add time to the development process. It is not important right now, but something to consider. What would I need to start? A source of paper or a material that can be used instead, a smith, a goldsmith would be optimal, a carpenter and a wine press. If no source of paper is in reach, I will be forced to develop that too, but for this, to start, those should be enough people. Material wise I would also need a certain amount of lead. For now, the weight of a sword should be enough, but only to test. The smith would certainly be able to give more precise amount after the first round of testing. Another problem will be the ink. I know enough about it to get started, but somebody who produces ink would be much help.¡±

    They spoke a while longer and then the king began preparations. He would send everything to the school, where the Archmage would ready a place to work.

    Also, Jonathan found out during the rest of the conversation that they still used vellum and paper was completely unknown, as were any materials that could replace its role.

    The king made clear that the development of paper alone would be a revolutionary development.

    Especially if Jonathan managed to build a program which would increase the literacy rate of the population considerably.

    Also, a scribe would be a helper for the project, which not only took care of the ink problem but also of a problem Jonathan had not considered until now.

    He could not read nor write the letters of the alphabet in this corner of the world. The scribe was able to do that and more.

    After they set all this into motion, Jonathan was sent back to school, where he fell asleep as soon as he was on his bed.

    Who would have thought that planning could be so exhausting?

 Chapter 21 - Introductions and Paper

    The next morning, Jonathan met the helpers the king promised him for the first time.

    Not one of those had magical powers or relatives with magical powers, and no one was noble, not even the scribe. This, Jonathan thought, was likely not by accident.

    They convened in a large area on the school grounds, it even had a roof. No walls, but that was easily fixed if it became necessary.

    As soon as everyone was there, Introductions began.

    The carpenter, Mr Timothy Lignum, was an older man, at least forty years old, who seemed to find the project interesting.

    Marcus Aurum was a goldsmith, a good one in fact. He did not really think about the challenge and seemed to be disinterested in everything.

    The last person, who would form his core team, but not the least, was Scribe Julius Atramento. He was a young man, barely in his twenties if Jonathan''s guess was correct, but he seemed competent and had an open mind. Like the carpenter, he was ready for work, in fact, he seemed downright enthusiastic about the project, even if it was designed to put him out of his job, which Jonathan found strange.

    Not unwelcome, but strange. One would assume that people would not try to abolish their main source of income and also be happy about it!

    After the introductions were over, Jonathan began to speak: ¡°So, we have two tasks to fulfil. The first task is to produce paper. I will come back to the specifics later, but the second task is arguably more important, even if somewhat useless without paper or replacement material. That second task is the production of a machine called, at least in my world, printing press. The name is descriptive but unimportant for now. Back to our first task. The production of paper is possible on a massive scale, and it should be pretty easy to make it economically viable, but we must first find out how to produce the stuff. I do not know the specifics of this. I will tell you what I do know and then we need to experiment. I do not think that we will succeed on the first, second or even fifth try. There is too much that can go wrong. So let¡¯s begin with the things I know about paper production for absolute certainty. I know that modern paper is made almost entirely out of wood, processed in a way I do not know. Practically every sheet of paper besides that is produced out of old paper, in a process we call recycling. The next thing I know is that paper is normally decoloured, but I do not know if that is an aesthetic choice or a necessity. I also know how the process of producing paper is called, or at least how a part of it is called. It is called to draw paper. Another thing I know is that you need a special sieve to do that. I once had a small paper making set for kids, an experiment that is not dangerous at all, you understand, and I will try to use that knowledge to create the sieve. What we use as base materials is sadly not applicable, because that set used paper scraps as the base material. Another thing that I know for certain is that we need to use water. The base materials must be dissolved, or at least as near that, in water. Also, after we drew the paper, we need to get the fluid out of the mass. Pressure will be used for that, out of several reasons, as well as time. Now we come to the things where I am not entirely certain. The first of those are the base materials. I have read somewhere that even textiles were used for a time, but they fell out of favour for a reason unknown to me. I think the fibres are important in the base materials, so we should look for materials with those, but I am not certain. I am certain that they must be pre-processed in some way, but I do not know how exactly. What I have with me,¡± Jonathan reached into a pocket of his robe and pulled out a small piece of unused graph paper: ¡°is not the thing we want to achieve. It is something that was developed at least centuries after what we need and want to achieve. But it will give us a starting point, and maybe someone has an idea after seeing the real thing.¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    He gave the sheet of paper around and continued speaking: ¡°But keep in mind that we only need a cheap to produce material on which you can write. So if you manage to find that, even if it is not paper, I am happy and I am hoping that you will be, too.¡±

    The others agreed and then Jonathan continued: ¡°Marcus Aurum, your task will be to produce the sieves. Timothy Lignum will help you with the frame. Julius Atramento, you will help me think about how the rest of the process should look like, and what machines we need." After this, they all went to work.

 Chapter 22 - The School and another Miscellaneous Situation

    Elise

    Elise yawned. It was early in the morning, and she had one of her free days.

    Why did she wake up right now?

    She did not know and cursed her sleep rhythm. She could have slept in! How unfair was that?

    But no matter, she was awake and did not think that going to sleep a second time would work.

    So she stood up and, after a short while, she was refreshed and was wearing her student robes.

    She thought about searching for Jonathan, her familiar, whom she saw rarely enough. But decided against it, it would not be good if he learned to hate her. It would be better, if he searched her out, not the other way around.

    But that did not mean that she could not keep an eye on him and ask someone, like Archmage Tablos, how her familiar was doing.

    She went to eat breakfast. Even if she already lived here for three years and would graduate as a Mage Apprentice in another five, she was still shocked about all the luxuries the school gave its pupils, completely for free.

    Or mostly for free, she reminisced, because the king, who made that possible, wanted in return that trained mages did not leave the kingdom.

    This of course was utopian, with such demands only those that could not go somewhere else would stay. Sadly, she was part of this group, but most mages or prospective mages were not. So the king instead demanded that she stayed either in the kingdom or in the king''s direct service, two years for every year of schooling she did receive. If she decided to end her schooling on the king¡¯s dime after she reached the status of a Mage Apprentice, she would need to stay in the kingdom or serve the king for sixteen years.

    This was much, but acceptable. But it was unlikely that she would decide that way, and instead decide to stay another ten years at school, to graduate as a full-fledged Mage. After that, she would need to stay thirty-six years in the Kingdom of Theron, but while this was a long period, it also was an acceptable one, because mages tended to live up to 200 years.

    While she would indeed spend 18 years in school, starting on her 13<sup>th</sup> birthday, and then serve another 36 years in Theron or Theron itself, she would only have lived around a third of her life, and maybe she could find something she liked around here. But that was the future, the far future.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Then, after her breakfast, she moved to the Archmages room, and knocked respectfully at the door. After a short period of time, the door opened. The Archmage gestured her to come into the room and, after she did that, to sit on the expensive-looking chair.

    Sometime later, Tablos began to speak: ¡°I see, you are still fearful of me. You look at me with reverence and seem to think that I am a god. I know where it comes from, Archmages, true Archmages, such as I am are rare, but we are still human, and, to the best of my knowledge, mortal. I would hope that you would stop that. Respect is good, reverence is not. The reason for that is simple. It makes it easy to think that the target of your reverence has all the answers and is infallible. This is, unfortunately, not true. I too would like if it were so, but as I said, I am no god or even immortal. I know much and can find more information easily, but this presupposes that I know where to look for the information, or even that I have to look for that information. But let¡¯s get to the reason why you are here. It can only be two things. The first would be your studies, but you respect me too much to bore me, or at least that would be what you would presume, with unimportant things like the studies of one student of over 200, so that means that you are here for the second thing.¡±

    He paused for a moment and sorted some paper on his desk: ¡°So you are here for the second possibility. You want to know about Jonathan and his progress, right?¡±

    Elise nodded respectfully and said, hesitantly: ¡°Yes, I wanted to ask about him and how he is doing. I know that it would be unwise to pressure him and that he should come to me, but he is still my familiar and,¡± her voice broke, and, after some failed attempts at continuing, during which she sobbed a bit, she finally managed to continue her sentence: ¡°and I feel guilty. I have basically kidnapped him from his family, his friends, and his world!¡±

    She yelled the last word, and then twitched and began to apologise for her outbreak.

    But Heinrich Tablos understood. She was thrown into a situation that even he found difficult, and he was far older than her and less involved.

    He could always say: ¡°I am not responsible. I must help, but I am not the one who did that.¡± This knowledge helped.

    But he also knew that Jonathan planned something and he had a feeling that they would have difficulties of even finding out what, because it was massively outside their experiences.

    While he said to Hager that he knew what was going on, he still found it strange. A government without a king, where the head of government was voted into office by the people? Preposterous.

    But Jonathan seemed to think that that was possible.

    But this all was not important right now, he should soothe the crying, panicked teenager in his office.

    He thought for a while and began: ¡°You could not have known that this would have happened. Hell, I looked at the spell and nothing I have seen indicated this possibility. But besides that, he seems to have accepted his situation. He even got a mission of the king to create a so-called printing press. He seems happy with the challenge, and he made clear, multiple times, that he only knows the basic principle of one. You should not feel so guilty.¡±

    He spoke with her for over an hour after this, but he did not concentrate on the conversation as well as he should have.

    He thought about the printing press. Something told him that Jonathan had some plans with it, and he did not think they could figure them out before they went into effect, simply because they were beyond their experiences.

 Chapter 23 - Musings on the New World

    Jonathan

    Jonathan paused suddenly. It was late, and he thought about the materials that might be used in papermaking, as well as about how to process them.

    He realized that he was in a shower. Next to him was a pretty modern looking toilet. He knew of course, that the toilet and everything else here was powered by magic, but it was pretty modern looking.

    The art style, at least the parts of it that he had seen until now, looked like they were out of the European medieval ages.

    This was all things considered, pretty unlikely.

    Also, the ancient Empire of Heranum seemed a bit like the Roman Empire. But it was not in the same place.

    The languages were drastically different, as well as the writing system used by the inhabitants of this region of his new world, but this was how it should be.

    Even if the starting conditions of an entire world were only slightly different, something totally different should happen, especially considering that the change happened, with utmost certainty, multiple millennials ago, at the very least.

    And the change was not minor. It was at least the addendum of magic to the world. He already knew that mages could change landscapes dramatically, so it also should twist history into an unrecognizable something. But much stayed identical.

    Of course, some parts of it were practicability. There are only so many ways architecture can develop without certain materials and tools. But while some parts of the architecture might be recognizable, the culture around it is more of a stretch.

    There were multiple things that influenced the culture in his world that should not have a real equivalent in this world. Jesus and the rise of the Christian religion would come into Jonathan''s mind first.

    The main reason why Christianity managed to rise was that it had been persecuted for centuries beforehand. And the reason for that was the monotheistic nature of Christianity. It had survived due to a combination of factors, but he did not know enough to be certain about more.

    And that was beside the point.

    The culture was incredibly similar, eerily so, in fact.

    As he considered this, he asked himself how cultures form, and how they can dominate such large swathes of land.

    The answer to the first question was on one hand incredibly simple and on the other hand unbelievable complex. So complex in fact that it is often impossible to find out what started a certain part of the culture. Some parts of the culture are pretty simple to find out, at least in a very general way. Others are not.Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    Cultures start when groups of more than three people live together. Everyone knows about these small family traditions. Maybe your family sings a certain song every time a family member has a birthday, maybe you begin lunch or dinner around the same time every day, or your family always eats breakfast together.

    Many of these traditions are part of the daily life of those that follow them, but some are for special occasions.

    If these traditions are not only in your generation or the direct adherent to yours, they are part of a family culture.

    Traditions can stand outside culture, but culture is always a string of traditions. And if those traditions spread beyond your immediate family, the culture spreads as well.

    Culture, as he knew it, was an amalgamation of many small traditions, combined into a gigantic whole. Even a small change when a culture starts could massively change it, after just a few centuries or even only decades.

    So how where they so eerily similar to the medieval culture he knew? It was certainly possible but unlikely.

    In fact, it would have been more likely if they would have used the same language that was spoken in this region in the middle ages.

    He did not know too much about the early forms of german, but that was not it, of this, he was almost certain.

    It was a puzzle, and a puzzle that he felt would need an answer.

    He reminisced about how he thought that cultures spread beyond a community. There were multiple easy forms of spreading to consider. The first and, in his mind, the most obvious was warfare and conquest.

    This was closely followed by colonization. If your culture group were the first in the area, your culture would likely be the dominant there. Of course, there was always the possibility that the culture in that region changed, which was especially likely if the environmental conditions were drastically different, as well as if the colony was not anywhere new the centre of your culture.

    But besides these methods, there was another big method. Some might argue it was the one method of how culture spreads and changes that had the most influence over all cultures in the modern world.

    And this method was trade. If someone has access to goods you need, you want to accommodate him, sometimes to make the trade even possible, sometimes to get a better deal for yourself.

    And so you will change parts of your behaviour to match the culture of the other party. And sometimes these changes will swap over into your culture.

    And that trade is possible over truly massive distances for millennials, has been known for a really long time. And not only sporadic trade, there is evidence of trade networks, that were used regularly, which span hundreds of kilometres, and that in the bronze age of Europe.

    In areas where stone tools were just going out of fashion.

    These trade routes were also used to exchange genetic material through marriage, or at least that is the presumption.

    Or at least he thought so, it was a bit since he read the article.

    During his musings, he had clothed himself and was now ready to go to bed.

    While it might be interesting to know how this was possible, he would certainly not answer that question while being tired and in his room.

    Maybe there were some convenient documents just lying around which hold all the answers?

    Jonathan snorted at that thought: ¡°Now, that is an unlikely theory. But who knows, maybe there is an explanation known to the inhabitants of my new world, and I must only ask the right questions.¡±

    After this sentence, he added, in a nearly unhearable voice: ¡°That is even more unlikely¡­¡± The rest of that sentence was unhearable and Jonathan did not know if he even said something after his voice faded out.

 Chapter 24 â€“ Preparations

    Jonathan

    ¡°Julius Atramento, I have thought a bit about what might have been used in the past of my world. I know that cellulose is the material we are after and that cellulose easily forms long fibres. So, do you have any idea where something like that is being used? I think clothing or rope-making might be candidates, but I am not sure.¡± Said Jonathan after waking up the next morning.

    Atramento thought for a moment and answered: ¡°You might be right. I do not know what is used, but I will inquire. I do not think it will take until midday.¡±

    After answering, Julius disappeared from the workshop.

    Jonathan then searched for the Smith: ¡°Hello Mr Aurum and Mr Lignum, how does the work on the sieve go?¡±

    Marcus did not deem that question worth an answer. Instead, Timothy Lignum told him: ¡°It goes very well, I think. We are right now creating some small testing pieces, to find out which size of mesh works best. Also, we are using copper for the mesh, because it is relatively cheap and does not rust immediately. Or so I think, the honourable Mr Aurum was not a good conservationist on the matter, or in general.¡±

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered: ¡°Great idea. About the mesh size, it should be relatively small, maybe even as small as possible without using a sheet of metal. So ditch every size were you can put a corn of rye through. That should work. Also, Mr Lignum, do you have any kind of container? It must be able to hold water and should be large enough for our paper production. In fact, now that I think about it, let¡¯s make that two, and one of them should be able to resist blunt damage fairly well.¡±

    Lignum was silent for a time and answered: ¡°I would be certainly able to organize something like that, but why do we need one of the containers able to withstand impacts?¡±

    ¡°Because we need a very thin paste. And the easiest way to create something like that is hitting the feedstock while it is soaking in water, or any kind of fluid, really. But we need to soak the stuff in water no matter what, so water seems like the best idea, also, it should be really cheap around here, or am I wrong?¡±

    Lignum laughed: ¡°No, you are not mistaken, water is basically unlimited. There are some laws regarding its usage, but most are simply do the stinking stuff on the side of the lord¡¯s castle that is in its wind shadow. I think there is a word for that, but I cannot seem to remember it, regardless of how hard I am trying.¡±

    ¡°I know that feeling. But I understand. The good news is that it should not stink, at least if we are doing everything correctly. Also, do you have any idea where we can get mats that soak up water, something like felt if that exists here.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    Lignum thought for a while and said: ¡°Felt does exist, so getting a mat should not be too difficult. How many felt mats do we need?¡±

    ¡°We need many, many mats. I think at least one more mat than the amount of paper we want to produce in one go. Let¡¯s say eleven and go from there. Also, they should be a fair bit larger than our final paper, and I so want to stay at the same size as that sheet of paper I showed around. But that is for later. If you need to I can give you one sheet of paper as a measurement tool. Make certain that on each side at least half of the shorter side stands over for the size we want of the felt. Did you understand my desperate attempt at communicating that simple information, in a really stupid way?¡±

    Lignum thought for a moment and answered: ¡°I think I got it. You want sheets of felt that are a fair bit larger than the sheets of paper you plan to create right now. But do you not think that this is a bit too large for a book? I have the feeling that this could be difficult to handle, but I am not a reader, in fact, I am unable to read, so what do I know?¡±

    ¡°You are not wrong, at least not totally. But there is a reason why I want to use the same standard as the one developed in my world. For one, it should have been built after many years, and it hopefully was not chosen totally arbitrarily, but it also has a neat system for other sizes built-in. While that sheet of paper is for a significant amount of books to large, especially for the ones you want to carry with you all the time, one that is folded this way,¡± He took the sheet of paper he had with him when they first met out of his pocket, and first unfolded it and after that folded it horizontally: ¡°Is large enough to put a significant amount of readable letter on it, while being of a size you can transport comfortably. For short texts, just fold it again, but this time vertically. In fact, the original is not the largest size of that standard. It is the fifth iteration to be precise, but that is not important for now. We are not trying our hand at mass production or real production at all, we want a proof of concept.¡±

    After speaking, Jonathan gave his sheet of paper to Timothy, who was on his way directly after that.

    Soon enough, Atramento returned from his task and convened with Jonathan to report his findings: ¡°Hemp is used for both cloth-making as well as rope making. Other than that...¡±

    Jonathan stopped him at that point: ¡°Hemp? Hemp might be the way to go. Is there a source of cheap, white hemp cloth? While this is an experiment, we still should keep it cheap.¡±

    ¡°Not necessarily white, but is slight decolourization a problem?¡±

    ¡°No, not really. For high quality, perfectly white paper, they would be a problem, but as long as it is white enough to see black ink on it, it is good enough for now. For special paper, used for status symbols that might be a different matter, but that is something really easy to remedy with just a bit of extra cash, I presume?¡±

    Atramento laughed: ¡°Maybe more than just a bit more, but I understand your point. How much do we need?¡±

    ¡°For now? I honestly have no idea. Enough to make multiple sheets of paper in the size Aurum has chosen for his first run of test sieves? Bring as much as you are able to over the course of three days without raising the prize significantly, I think. Then we will make our first attempt."

 Chapter 25 - Hopefully Paper

    Jonathan

    Three days later, Jonathan was looking at a pile of old, white looking hemp clothes.

    They were not the cheapest things available, but they were optimal, or at least Jonathan hoped they were, for making a useful paper. They had more than a kilogram of material, which would almost certainly be enough.

    But now they would need to begin the process of turning the raw material into paper.

    First, they needed to figure out how to turn the hemp cloth into useable feedstock for paper making. They wanted small fibres, and if cloth consisted out of anything, it where woven fibres. Those fibres consisted of more fibres, but that was not important right now.

    Instead, it was important to figure out how to free the fibres and get them out of the cloth.

    One of the advantages of buying older clothes was how cheap it was. A disadvantage were the already woven fibres.

    Buying yarn directly would ease some of the steps, but it would also increase the costs.

    Besides that, most fabrics were dyed after they were woven into a cloth, which meant that they would get a browner colour in their final paper.

    It might still be a cheaper way of doing it, but that was for another time to consider.

    ¡°So how do we get the fibres out of the cloth?¡±, Lignum asked after Jonathan explained all of this: ¡°You have a solution or?¡±

    ¡°Yes, or at least I think I have one. Do you know what is happening when you cut cloth? It tends to disintegrate, especially if you did something horribly wrong, or right, in our case, I assume. So we will cut the cloth to get it fraying as much as possible in the shortest amount of time. We should, of course, consider how difficult it would be for the person doing the job because what we need is mass production. SO it should be easy and repeatable. For a really long time repeatable. Being able to do this for multiple hours without tiring would be the goal, but optimization comes after we managed to get it going in the first place. The next step would be untangling the now freed fibres. Here I am hoping that we can get that done through soaking the cloth, but it might be that we need to bring movement into the water. I am hoping that, if that¡¯s the case, blunt force is enough, but if not, we will need to think. I must remind you that this is an experiment. I am pretty sure that we will make a mistake, or more likely, multiple mistakes, but we cannot change this.¡±If you encounter this narrative on Amazon, note that it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    They got to work. The scribe suggested that they first should try cutting the cloth in half and see if that would be enough. Everyone agreed and sat down, grumbling to get to work. It would not be easy, or fast, but hopefully, they could get it done by noon.

    <hr>

    Jonathan was bored.

    The task everyone was doing right now was not too difficult, as they had access to pretty sharp blades, but it was tiring and this was dangerous. They had sharp blades, and being tired whilst handling such objects was not the smartest idea in the best of times, but it was an especially bad idea if you were doing a monotonous task with those blades.

    It increased the chance for mistakes, and mistakes could hurt, maybe even cripple.

    Jonathan decided for himself, that if this worked, the blades needed to be not as sharp.

    Experimentation would show how blunt they could make the blades, but that was for later.

    He grabbed to the place next to him where he put all of the cloth he should prepare and grab air. He searched a bit, blindly, but found nothing. He looked and he was finished. He looked at the others and they had at most three or four pieces left.

    He stood up and began preparing the next step, with the help of Timothy, who had finished before him. They filled a container with water and began throwing in the feedstock.

    While they were doing this, all others finished their work and helped. After everything was in the container they began to stir the mass of wet cloth.

    It worked, but not great. But hitting it had an interesting effect.

    It forced the fibres away from each other. Normally that is not a problem, but with the damaged threads it helped tremendously. But the force needed was big and because of the nature of what they were dealing with, that was not a fast process.

    They got some help from day labourers, which worked, but automation was certainly needed.

    A problem for later, Jonathan decided, he wanted to finally have paper, so that he had a working process to present to the king. His hope was to then give it to other craftsmen so that they would make the optimization happening.

    This process took more than two days of work, but he knew that this could be made much faster, and if they managed to industrialize it with for example water power, this could be no problem.

    Then they tried the sieves.

    First, they had some problems with the technique which needed to be used, but after some tries, and jousting Jonathan¡¯s memory, it worked.

    The biggest sieves had problems. They were too big. It could be done, but not with any kind of speed.

    The smallest sieves had a different problem. They were so small that the water could not really flow out, which made them useless.

    The middle ones worked best.

    After that was done they carefully put the feedstock onto the felt pieces, one at the bottom, one at the top, next piece of paper, and began pilling heave things on top. Water flowed out, at the beginning in great amounts, but later only a dribble, until nothing seemed to come out.

    Jonathan decided to let it sit until tomorrow and then look at it.

 Chapter 26 - Paper

    Jonathan

    The next morning, Jonathan touched the felt and he realized that it was still slightly wet, especially the lower sitting pieces.

    He took the three driest pieces of paper, with their felt, carefully from the top and then lied them out. While he managed to carefully remove them from each other, they seemed to need help to stay stable, so he let them attached to one piece of felt.

    He waited until the others where there and then showed them the finished pieces of paper. These were not usable, because they disintegrated as soon as one tried to remove them from the felt. They were only lightly attached to the felt, so this was not the problem, but the paper was internally really weak attached to itself.

    ¡°We need something to increase the bounds. The slightly brown colour is usable, but this small problem there, with it breaking apart as soon as you just look at it the wrong way, is not. Does anyone have any ideas to fight this problem? Please keep in mind that I am pretty sure that everything else worked, for the most part. Lignum, I need something from you, please follow me.¡±

    After he walked for a few meters, he turned around and gestured Lignum to stop. Then he sat down on the grass.

    The carpenter followed his actions and asked: ¡°What do you need from me?¡±

    Jonathan sighed: ¡°I have realized that we might need more pressure. It will not alleviate the problem we have right now, but it will ease a few things and might prevent other problems. I want a press that we can use to press the water out of our pieces of paper. Besides this, it might be useful to think of something we can use to reduce the amount of work we put into preparing the feedstock. For the first step I see no real alternative, but for the second one, I see the possibility to automate it. It is a really uncomplicated movement, so it should be possible to simulate it. For that, we would need power. Do you know if water wheels are used somewhere near here?¡±

    Lignum thought for a moment: ¡°Building a press or buying one and then modifying it should not be too difficult, especially considering the budget the king gave us. I think there are some water wheels used upstream in this direction, still in the bounds of Theron¡¯s borders, but they only rotate, how is that useful?¡±

    ¡°Gears can do many things, believe me. It will not be easy, and I know almost nothing about it, but I think we should be able to get it done. Let¡¯s keep that in mind, for after we have a working recipe. Also, if you buy a press, please buy a second one at the same time, after we got that done, I will be so happy, we will need it, believe me.¡±

    Lignum accepted the task and was on his way.Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

    After this, Jonathan reconvened with Atramento and Aurum: ¡°I sent Mr Lignum out to buy us a press to help with the last step. Does anyone of you two have any ideas already?¡±

    Marcus Aurum answered: ¡°No, we have no ideas already. I think best if I have something to do. Do you need anything done, for the future? There must be a reason why you requested me, and it was not the sieves. What was it?¡±

    Jonathan sighed and answered: ¡°Letters. They should be sized as letters are normally sized, maybe a bit bigger, but not by much. But the really difficult part is that they need to be made wrong in a really specific way. Here, let me explain what we want to do with the letters, which should be made out of lead or an alloy with lead as its main ingredient. We will use the letters by painting them with ink, lying a piece of paper on them, and then pressing down with the help of a press. After that, we will take the pressure away, take the paper away and then let the paper dry. The letters can be reused again and again. Did you understand what is needed of you?¡±

    ¡°I think so. I need letters which go in a way that they will appear correct when applied to the paper.¡±

    ¡°Yes, exactly,¡± Jonathan answered excitedly: ¡°Also before I forget, the letters should all have the same size or a really similar size. For the beginning, it will be enough to do the entire alpha¡­¡± Jonathan paused. He forgot a vital piece of information, then he continued: ¡°Atramento, how many letters does your alphabet have?¡±

    Atramento answered almost instantly: ¡°107, why?¡±

    ¡°Ok, that is not too bad. The alphabet I am used to has 26 to 52 if you count in a certain way. Might even be higher if you factor in regional irregularities. That reminds me, do you have capital letters?¡±

    ¡°Yes, but not every letter has a capital letter equivalent.¡±

    ¡°Great. So that amount of letters is usable. Aurum, please work with Atramento to manage this task, and please test the letters in some way before making them. Also, consider mass production. We will need multiple complete sets in the end, even if we will not need the same amount of every letter. In my native language, there is a small group of letters that come up in disproportionate amounts.¡±

    Aurum and Atramento got on with their tasks, while Jonathan began to think about what they could use to keep the paper together. Maybe a glue was the answer? He would discuss that idea latter with the others.

    <hr>

    Later that day, they sat together and discussed how their day went, as well as the ideas they had to alleviate the problem with the papermaking process.

    All of them thought glue or something similar was the way to go.

    Jonathan summarized: ¡°We need a glue. It should dissolve in water, but it should also be able to keep its properties, at least after the water had been dried off. So the glue should be based on water. Does anyone have ideas where we find a glue like that?¡±

    Lignum raised his hand and answered: ¡°Carpenters like I use water-based glue. And better yet, it is for wood or similar things. It should work for clothes as well, I think.¡±

    ¡°You might be right, I think I remember that this kind of glue was also used for the making of cloth armour in my world,¡± Jonathan answered: ¡°We will need to test out different kinds of glue and also the dosage, but I hope, no, think we have a solution.¡±

    <hr>

    A week later, after multiple fails or substandard produce, they finally had paper. The press that Timothy Lignum had bought certainly speed up the process and made that final product a bit better, as well. Jonathan looked at the slightly discoloured piece, which had some welts in it as if it were perfect. And for now, it was.

 Chapter 27 - An Audience with the King

    King Eduard III

    Jonathan asked a few days ago for an audience.

    He accepted, mainly because he was interested in what they had achieved, and what he wanted from him.

    He hoped that he would not be greedy, but you could never no.

    Soon enough, Jonathan was in his study, and began speaking, after all the formalities had been done: ¡°We managed to create our first paper. It is of an acceptable, but improvable quality.¡±

    He sat his bag, which the king had noticed earlier, but thought he was using it to transport documents to underscore his points, down and took out a sheet of mostly white material. Then, Jonathan lied it on the table. It had some wilts in it, but it was mostly flat.

    Then he continued speaking: ¡°This is one of the 7 sheets of paper we produced to this day. I admit openly that it is the flattest one, but the colour and feel of the others is basically the same. On one of the other sheets of paper, we have written down the cost to produce the paper, and how much it would cost if one would scale the production up. But much more interesting than that is what we have written on the other side of the same sheet of paper.¡±

    He took another sheet of the material, which the king now realized was paper, out of his bag. This sheet of paper had been written on in the beautiful and very readable script of Julius Atramento.

    ¡°As you can read here, the cost of production, even taking mass production into account is not exactly cheap. It is cheaper than vellum, but still not usable for our task. But let¡¯s look at every prize point individually. The material cost can be changed with some experimentation and if one would set up specific demand for it. In fact, most of the cost of the material was not the acquisition itself but instead finding out who would have significant amounts of the material. Streamlining the process, for example through laws, could decrease this cost significantly. But it is not the biggest point on our list. The biggest point is labour cost. We have three sub-points there. The first one is the preparation of the bought material, which, if I forgot to mention it, is old white cloth. It is not important if it is totally white, but to get a white colour it should be mostly white. Searching for brown cloth might be cheaper, but the quality of the paper would suffer, but for certain tasks, this would be a trade-off one could easily accept. Now, back to the cost of labour in that instance. We can streamline the process, and develop better tools to reduce the time needed per cloth, but I do not think we could get more than 10 to 20 per cent of cost reduction out of it. While the upfront of a new manufacture plant would be higher if we do this, I still think it would end up being worth it. But the next step is where it gets interesting. It is preparing the feedstock out of which the paper is made in the end. Here we could use watermills to speed up the process and reduce or even eliminate the labour needed. But there is a catch.¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The king stopped Jonathan from continuing: ¡°You are really bad at explaining this. So get to the point. Why are you here?¡±

    Jonathan thought for a while and then answered: ¡°I have created the paper. And while I can optimize the process, this would not be an optimal use of my time, especially considering that everything I know about paper, I have used. I want to hand that process of optimization of to someone else. I have some ideas that might be worth following, but not much knowledge of how the process actually would work.¡±

    ¡°So, you want to build this printing press now?¡±

    ¡°Exactly. One of the persons who get that mission should know how to design and build a water mill because it is certainly possible to optimize that second labour part with a water mill.¡±

    ¡°I must think about it. Meet me again tomorrow.¡± With that, the audience ended.

 Chapter 28 - Decision

    King Eduard III

    After Jonathan had left the room, he began to study the document Jonathan left behind.

    It was much better structured and had all the relevant information written on it. This was, without a doubt, Atramento¡¯s influence.

    The ideas Jonathan had to make the process less expensive were still structured, but sometimes not entirely coherent. He seemed to have assumed a certain standard of knowledge. But, while he did not understand everything, he did understand enough to know that Jonathan was completely out of his depth.

    He considered the situation.

    On one hand, Jonathan likely could not bring much more knowledge to the task, but on the other hand, in the end, it could be ideas which he had because of knowledge that was not totally applicable which could help to bring the cost down.

    But he could not forget that what he delivered was much more impressive than what Jonathan presented it as. One sheet of paper in his unoptimized process cost only a bit more than a quarter of the prize of a piece of vellum.

    That was made even more pronounced when one considered the ease with which the production volume could be increased.

    And then there were the very simple to implement ideas that Jonathan already gave for real production.

    He considered again.

    Right now, with how high the price was, a printing press likely would not really be able to turn a profit. There might be some few special tasks it could do better, and with the price of paper right now, those tasks could be expanded, but they would still be small scale and could be dealt with in another way, easily.Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    But if the price of paper managed to drop by another 50 or 60 per cent, the story would begin to look different. And he might just have an idea who to give that task.

    The hint that Jonathan mentioned was very fascinating. He said that a water mill might help with one of the steps. He could not imagine how that could work, but he also was no expert in water mills.

    He decided to let Jonathan design and build the printing press and give the task of optimization to somebody else. But it would not be becoming of him to decide that so quickly, and demonstrating his power in a way that was not harmful could prevent Jonathan from getting ideas.

    So he sent a missive to the summoned, in which he gave him the task to create a drawing of what he imagined to do with a water mill.

    <hr>

    Three days later, a messenger brought Jonathans answer to him.

    Jonathan had used a bit more paper to create his answer, which the king found interesting on two points.

    The first was showing him the thing he created, demonstrating that the process worked, even if there were still some problems to be addressed.

    The second was maybe not his priority, but the paper was much less expensive than vellum, and as such he might not always need the most expensive thing, just because it was expensive.

    What the king did not know, could not know where the advantages of paper Jonathan did not mention but was aware of.

    Paper was safer. While the ink on vellum could be removed, that could not happen with paper, at least not without chemicals that were not invented yet, and which did not work with every ink.

    In fact, Jonathan was reasonably certain that his coal-based ink could not be erased.

    Also, he simply liked to write on paper more, even if it had not the same feeling that modern paper had.

    The king looked at the papers and found that the one lying on top had been written on.

    It was basically a warning from Jonathan that, while he knew that it was possible, he had basically no idea how it would work.

    Anything showed there was to be taken with a grain of salt.

    The king looked at the other pieces.

    Those had sketches on them, which had sloppy writing near them, in handwriting, he could not identify. He assumed it was Jonathans.

    The pictures where interesting, but they were not a coherent whole, but instead ideas about specific parts of the final whole.

    More than enough to get someone started, but not enough to build one of these things only following the information provided.

    He then started preparations for the handoff, and decided that Jonathan would begin working on the printing press in a week.

 Chapter 29 â€“ A Dog Alone

    Unknown

    He waited.

    But the one he waited for did not come. So he waited some more.

    As it got dark, the woman who always gave him food called him inside. But he was waiting. So he refused to go inside.

    But the woman did not relent. When he did not come, she took him inside, forcefully.

    He whined, and she spoke to him. He did not understand the noise she made, but he could feel that she was sad as well.

    He was allowed to sleep in the same bed as the woman. He was happy until he remembered that he did not come home.

    <hr>

    The next morning, he woke up.

    He saw that he was in the room where the woman normally slept.

    But then he remembered that he did not come home. He was sad again instantly and began to whine again.

    The woman woke up after this, and, after some angry noises, caressed him and spoke to him.

    He stood up after a while and went to the door of his room.

    He hit it with his paw and the woman came after him, spoke something in her sad voice and opened the door for him. He jumped through the room, to the bed of the one he is still waiting for, but he was not there.

    He began to whine again and lied down on the bed, sad and angry.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

    How dare he to not come home? That should not be allowed.

    His friend had been gone before for so long, but he had been at least in that strange and interesting place.

    But now he was home, and he, who he had waited for, his friend, had gone to that strange place where he was not allowed to.

    Where every one of the smaller members of his family went to, and often seemed to not like going to.

    After he ate and drank, he only now realised how hungry and thirsty he had been, he lied down in the same place, where he had waited for his friend yesterday.

    But he still had not come.

    After he lied there for a while, before the others came home, the woman brought water and food outside and lied it down before him. When the others of his family, his pack, besides that older one, of course, came home, his dearest pack member still was not home.

    Now he began worrying if he did not want him anymore. He began to whine again. The smallest member of his pack came to him and caressed him as he spoke softly, but with sadness to him. He could not understand anything, but he could appreciate it.

    When the evening came, he, who he waited for, still was not there.

    The next day, the same happened.

    But, soon after the sun was at its highest point, some strange men came to his place. He did his duty as protector of the pack, but they were not deterred to invade his territory.

    The woman came to him and greeted them. So they were friends. He waged his tail and jumped around them. One of the two stroked him on the head.

    After a short while, he went back to the place where he had waited and still waits.

 Chapter 30 â€“ Printing Press Mistakes Found

    Jonathan

    It was finally time.

    Now they could officially begin working on the printing press.

    They had begun with some preparations already.

    They had created a template and test run for the letters they would use in this printing press. Also, they had bought a wine press, which would be modified to work as a printing press.

    During the time they had waited for the king¡¯s command, they had created more paper so that they would be able to test their creation when it was finished.

    In the morning, Jonathan called for a meeting of everybody: ¡°Mr Atramento, your first mission will be to create ink. In fact, we want multiple ink types. You will get one of the letters that Mr Aurum already created as a test object, to see if you can transfer the ink to the letter and then upon the paper. Mr Aurum, you will need to create more letters, I am afraid, but how many I will leave to your jurisdiction. And you, Mr Lignum, will help me in modifying the press we have.¡±

    Everyone went to work.

    When Jonathan and Timothy reached the press, Jonathan said: ¡°You will likely need to do most of the actual work, the last time I did anything with wood is around ten years ago. And that was connecting two random pieces of wood for fun. Our goal is modifying this press to work for our purposes. We need a place where the letters will sit on, and we need even pressure from above. In fact, this is likely the most likely point of failure. Do you have any idea how we can reach this goal?¡±

    ¡°I have some ideas. We need to make the plate on which the letters sit and the plate which pushes downward evenly and in alignment. At the same time, it will be very important that the ground on which the press itself stands is even. At least we got some even stonework in the time it took the king to decide if we are allowed to begin working on this. Our press will likely work from the start, but we will need to modify the plates. Do we need anything special for the plate holding the letters?¡±This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.

    Jonathan looked at the press for a while answered: ¡°It might be useful to have a mechanism with which we can prevent the letters from shifting. Besides that, I am not sure what would be necessary. Right now I plan to apply ink to the letters in some way, no idea how, then lie a piece of paper on that, and then apply pressure from above. Then I want to bring the press into starting position again and take the piece of paper away. If needed, the letters would then be inked again a piece of paper would be put there and then the same thing happens again. When we have enough copies, we would need to remove the letters and bring them into a new order.¡±

    ¡°This is fascinating, but I think you might have missed some implications of the processes required. Let¡¯s go through them one by one.¡±

    Jonathan answered: ¡°What do you mean? But I agree. If you think I missed something, it would be for the best to make that clear now, before we have done all that work.¡±

    ¡°First off, we need to get the letters under the press. The higher we bring the starting position, the longer one step will take. So we need to find a solution to that problem. We either find a way to move the letters, or we need to be able to ease some aspects of the lowering or rising in some way.¡±

    ¡°I agree, I totally missed that. Moving means we need to find a way to ascertain that we get it into a mostly centred position over and over again, multiple times per day, finding a way to extend the starting position would likely increase the risk of damaging the important parts of the press. But moving is also a risk of damage, so we cannot forget that. Let me write that down, please.¡±

    He took one of the new pieces of paper and a ballpoint pen and created a small note that only he could decipher.

    Timothy then continued: ¡°The same problem applies to the paper, but that might not be so important. The applying of the ink though does not give us many options. We need, most likely space for that, which means we must be able to remove the plate on which the letters will lie. So, let us begin planning, what do you think?¡±

    ¡°You are absolutely right. We might even find problems before they become ones when we do that!¡±

 Chapter 31 - Printing Press

    Jonathan

    A few days later, they had finalised the plan to modify the winepress.

    After this, it was another few days of work, but they finally had managed it.

    After their test runs worked, they invited the king over to demonstrate it.

    Of course, during the waiting time for him to respond and the date the king set, they tested more things and experimented.

    While at the beginning they used brushes to apply the ink, Jonathan remembered that in his world strange balls had been used, so they began experimenting with these, but, while they saw results, it became clear that this would be much faster, but would also need much more training.

    It also might be slightly more efficient in its use of the ink.

    For the ink, Julius Atramento came up with an oil and soot based ink.

    They had some other inks in the beginning, but these inks were much superior, especially because of their low cost.

    For different colours, new inks would need to be designed, but that was not important for now. Especially because using multiple colours of ink might make the process more expensive than just one colour.

    What was feasible was the use of a mostly printed document where such things were manually added in a second step.

    At the beginning they used different levels of viscosity in their inks, to find out which worked best. Experimentation led them to too two different ones.

    For using a brush a more fluid ink was preferable, but with the balls, a more viscous one could be used.

    This was preferable because it prevented that the ink spread onto the paper in ways unwanted.

    When the king came, and after the greetings, Jonathan began to speak: ¡°This here is the printing press. Mr Atramento will explain everything when we use it, but I will say that there are certainly problems we have not discovered yet and one glaring issue we know the answer for, but are unable to implement it right now. If you have any questions, your Majesty, you should feel free to ask them at any time, and we will do our best of answering them. Shall we begin?¡±

    The king paused a moment before he answered, but it was clear that this pause was for melodramatic effect: ¡°You shall begin and I hope you manage to impress me.¡±

    Jonathan gestured to Julius Atramento and said: ¡°You have heard the order of our king. Begin your work.¡±

    Julius gestured to a plate, with some markings on it and began to provide commentary: ¡°This here is the place where the letters will be assembled. Do you want to have anything specific printed, your Majesty, or should I use something we prepared? Please keep it short, because assembling the letters is not fast if you want to do it correctly.¡±Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

    The King thought for a moment and stated: ¡°We shall use the motto of my dynasty as the first thing printed in my presence!¡±

    ¡°This is acceptable and should not take long. He opened a box, standing on a nearby table and pulled out several letters, which he began to assemble in the middle of the plate. Around this, fixed in place by pins that were in the boundary markings, he placed a small series of fixing. The empty room in that boundary was filled with metal scraps, which were not as high as the letters.

    During that, he explained: ¡°As you can see, this is mostly unreadable. You can read it, especially with the right training, but it is not easy. The reason for this is that we made the letters wrong, in a special, purposeful way. These boundaries and the metal scraps fit the letters in place and prevented them from shifting, which can happen. We are still thinking about if it might be a good idea to make the boundaries permanent or let them be. Both have advantages and disadvantages. The greatest advantage of the approach we are using right now is that we can change the size of the boundaries, but it adds a step of work and makes things sometimes more difficult. In the end, it likely will come down to use and personal preference.¡±

    After this he moved on to something weird sticking out to the front, or side, depending how you look at it.

    ¡°This here is the place we put the paper into. It took a few tries until we decided we need something like this and then a few more to get a workable design. This helps us to keep the paper always in the position we want it in and to remove it without sliding it over the ink, producing smeared pieces of paper, which we do not want. And now onto the step, we have the most problems with, applying the ink. We have found two workable methods that work, but we already know which one is the one that will be used in the end, outside of speciality tasks. The problem is that the second, better method needs training, which we do not have right now. So the results might not be totally representative. So I ask you, your majesty, if you want us to show you both methods, or only one, and if only one, which one. We plan to show you first the better working method and then the other one, demonstrating the main advantage of the printing press in the meantime.¡±

    The king answered: ¡°Show both, also, the assembly of the letters took fairly long. This is not advantageous at all, as I see it right now!¡±

    Jonathan answered at that remark: ¡°I never said that it was advantageous in producing single copies of one thing. I said that it was better for mass production. But you will see.¡±

    During that interlude, Julius had taken out a pot of ink and a brush and began to carefully apply it to the letters.

    He commented: ¡°This method is slow and not sustainable. For speciality tasks, it might be useful, but this would need more experimentation.¡±

    He then, after finishing, proceeded to lower the thing the paper was mounted into, onto the letters and then used a sliding mechanism to get the whole construction under an only slightly modified wine press.

    For example, it had now a bit less give, which made the process faster and a bigger plate that would press downward.

    He then proceeded to turn the handle, and, after a short while turned it again into the other direction.

    After this, he slid the whole construction outward again, carefully raised the part in which the paper was and removed it, lying it to the side.

    He then used a piece of fabric to wipe the ink of the letters, while saying: ¡°Normally, this would not be necessary. It might be necessary to wash them regularly, but for that, we need more data. The reason I am doing it right now is to prevent interference with this fluid ink. For several reasons, you normally would not want to use it.

    He then pulled out a box with a much more viscous ink as well as a small ball with a handle.

    Julius then proceeded to rub the ball in the ink and then spread the ink with that implement over the letters: ¡°You can see that we still need to figure out how exactly this works, but it shows promise, and Jonathan remembers that such implements were used for a long time in his world. So we are simply assuming that it is a good method.¡±

    He then put in another sheet of paper and proceeded with the printing process.

    After he was finished, he had a pretty clean print, where the words ¡°The Power of Magic can do anything but Rule¡± was clearly readable.

 Chapter 32 â€“ The King has a Good Idea

    The king wanted to say something, but Atramento was not quite finished with his demonstration.

    He took a new sheet of paper, added ink to the letters and printed it again.

    He then showed the new piece of paper to the king and said, proudly: ¡°As you can see, your Majesty, these two sheets of paper are nearly identical. This process, without changing the letters can be repeated multiple hundred times. But the letters do wear out and must be replaced. The cost of that is, while relevant, considering the number of times they can be used, not too high. What do you think of our creation now?¡±

    The king thought for a moment and answered: ¡°Impressive, certainly impressive. Besides your problem with the ink, how could this printing press be improved upon?¡±

    Jonathan answered: ¡°On one hand, I have not a single clue. On the other hand, I do know how they look like a bit more than 500 years after their original invention. The problem is that the iteration I know is a very complex piece of technology, and I do not know how they created it. What I do know is that most of the development is fairly recent in my world, which basically means that significant parts of the so-called industrial revolution are a prerequisite in developing this very much improved version.¡±

    ¡°Are you unable to create this industrial revolution? Revolution, what a vile word, why call something after it?¡±

    Jonathan laughed and then continued to speak: ¡°First of, revolution only means rapid, abrupt change. And the industrial revolution brought massive changes with it, especially considering how the production of many things was altered, likely forever. And recreating the industrial revolution? I can maybe, and I do want to try, start it, but I cannot go through it far enough to create a modern printer. Or even an electrical grid. Even if I would like to, I know my limits. But maybe I can lead you down the right paths and maybe, just maybe, I will see the first electrical light created in my lifetime. And please do not ask what that means, because that is not important and I would mostly be unable to explain.¡±Stolen novel; please report.

    The king considered this and asked, after a while: ¡°How would you continue? What is the next thing you want to bring to my country?¡±

    The king could see some profit with the printing press and massive profits with paper, but he wanted a military advantage.

    Something that could help to equip his non-mage armies, a technique to preserve food better and cheaper for example or something that made his peasants farm more food in the summer.

    Jonathan saw the greed in the eyes of the king and laughed silently.

    He recognized that he did not see the true potential of this invention and began to answer: ¡°I am only a student. I will need to do resear¡­¡±

    Suddenly a loud, booming voice interrupted him: ¡°Greetings your Majesty. A eautiful day today, no? And my dear pupil, your projects were fascinating to watch, but your magical education should not be ignored.¡±

    The king did not know what to say, and Jonathan also was surprised.

    Both waited until the man, whose voice they had heard could be seen, and it was Archmage Tablos.

    Before the king could say anything Tablos continued to speak: ¡°I think, your Majesty, it would be best if the summoned continued to train in magic. I can see that this project helped him, but he needs to learn so that no one can take advantage of him, if he does not want that.¡±

    The king thought a bit over this statement, and answered then, wisely: ¡°You are of course correct. Please train him well, and I would like to see him again, soon.¡±

 Chapter 33 - Guiding Magic

    ¡°You need to be able to feel your magic. In our lessons, until now you came near that, but you never quite managed it. You have an advantage over all other students. Someone can move your magic for you. Do you understand why this is such a large advantage?¡±, Tablos asked.

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered then: ¡°Because this changes how the magic feels in my body. If it would not move, I would basically be forced to guess what the magic is, likely a feeling I would have had for my entire life. In my case, this is a bit different, most likely, but there might be interference from the summoning spell that balances it out. But back to your question. The human mind is drawn to change. It realises change quite fast. This is the reason why changing something makes it easier to find. If you are trying to hide, for example, you try to stay still, even if moving might get you a more advantageous position, but it would also make you easier to discover.¡±

    Tablos clapped: ¡°Good, good. Great answer. So Elise, let us begin.¡±

    Elise nodded and began a simple light spell, drawing on Jonathan¡¯s power.

    Jonathan allowed her request for power and tried to fell for his magic.

    He felt the warmth he was now accustomed to and tried to feel it more, tried to grab it, but not to move it.This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

    He was not sure what effects moving the warmth, his magic would have.

    But he could not manage. Maybe he needed another approach? The one he used right now did obviously not work, but what could he do differently?

    What if he did not try to grab it, but instead guide it? Not control it, but build channels for it to follow?

    He tried to build a smaller channel around the path the magic was already taking.

    He did not realise that Tablos began to be alarmed and warned Elise: ¡°I think the flow of magic will soon increase, compensate, get more out and spread the light around, now!¡±

    But Jonathan could not hear Tablos.

    Tablos did not intervene, because it would not be dangerous, at least if Elise managed to compensate for the faster flow of magic.

    The warmth speed up.

    He felt it flowing and he felt the flow increase.

    This could be problematic, but it should not be, he thought, because it was still used up at the same rate it came.

    The flow only sped up, the mass of magic had not been increased, reasoned Jonathan and stopped.

    He had managed to guide his magic.

    He was not certain if that was the right thing to do, but it was at least a beginning.

    He opened his eyes.

    The room was filled with a dim light.

    Then, when Tablos saw that and realised that Jonathan did not try anything else, he motioned the summoner to stop.

    After they all sat down, Tablos began to speak: ¡°Fascinating, truly fascinating. You did not manage to do what I wanted you to do, but instead did something that is normally considered much more difficult, and even on the first try, nonetheless. Let¡¯s eat, we can discuss during our meal the implications of that, and then continue.¡±

 Chapter 34 - The Most Useless Useful Ability

    Jonathan

    After they sat down on the lunch table, and the lunch had been served, the honourable Archmage Heinrich Tablos began to speak: ¡°As I said, what you did is incredibly difficult. It is something that is considered normally the realm of the Archmages, and not all of us have managed this feat. But what does that means exactly, you might ask. And the answer to that is surprisingly easy and complex at the same time. You see, when you are normally casting a spell, you first expend power to provide the amount of power the spell needs, for all of its tasks. For example, if you want to throw that flashy, mostly useless, attack spell fireball, the spell would first expend energy to form itself, second to keep itself together and hot, and third to move to the target. All of that energy is provided by you initially. After that, you have a mass of energy, which does basically nothing. So you must tell it what to do. And if you guessed that cost even more energy, you guessed right. Ok, normally that amount of energy is not relevant, because the spell is already eating so much of it. If you want an example, the basic fireball spell used in Theron uses around 98% of the energy provided, and only 2% are used to form it. The ability you achieved, makes it possible to form a spell without incurring an additional mana cost. But it is not easy, and generally needs more time. Oh, you look like you want to say something, so speak, but let me just add this, you need to be able to cast magic the normal way before working with his ability, as well as truly massive amounts of theoretical knowledge. But now, let¡¯s speak, my student!¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    ¡°So, if I understood it correctly, normally it would not make sense to form a basic attack spell that way, the possible savings of mana are less important than the time lost due to forming it this way. But when considering an already expensive strategic spell, especially if a significant portion of its cost is forming it, or an extremely cheap spell, where time is not an issue, this method is superior. Hereby I assume that the forming cost has a minimum, without one, the cheap spells likely would not be viable.¡±

    ¡°Fascinating, truly fascinating. Where would you place such cheap spells that still need an Archmage to execute them?¡±

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered: ¡°In the medical sector, there should be some tasks, which are extremely difficult and need a significant amount of experience, but which also are not hard on your mana reserves. Some of them might be to time-critical, but saving mana, for example in a field hospital, sounds like a brilliant idea. Other cheap spells might be highly specialised attack spells which might need to be perfectly targeted, so you are already forced to slow down. But I am not sure how magic works and how much is possible, so I could just be talking nonsense.¡±

    Tablos clapped and looked at Elise: ¡°The comment from Jonathan was great. He spoke about very fascinating things, in fact, I know that there are these spells he talked about, but they are trade secrets of certain Archmages, and he was not shy to admit that he only had some ideas, maybe based on the technological knowledge of his world. Truly impressive, do you not think?¡±

    Elise answered: ¡°Yes, whatever you say, honourable Archmage. Can we soon continue the lesson?¡±

    ¡°Yes, let me finish eating an then we will continue.¡±, answered Tablos.

 Chapter 35 - Magic

    Jonathan sighed.

    For multiple hours, at least he thought it was multiple hours, the Archmage had driven him to try and control his magic the normal way.

    He just was not able to do that, he slowly began to think. It was just plain impossible to do what Tablos said.

    Yes, he had certainly only the best intentions, but he did not seem to understand the problems that plagued Jonathan. He also could see that Elise was slowly but certainly getting bored with the charade.

    Tablos seemed to be oblivious of this.

    He tried and failed, Tablos gave both of them a short pause, no more than a minute or two, and then called them to begin again.

    He tried it, he really did, but he just could not manage it.

    Then, suddenly, the Archmage sighed and told them: ¡°This is not working. Normally I would say that is completely fine and normal, because, to be honest, it is. Elise, how long did you need to manage to call your magic?¡±

    Elise thought for a moment and answered then: ¡°I think it was around two weeks, maybe a bit more?¡±

    ¡°Yes, and that is pretty much the average time needed. But the problem is that normally you could already see evidence of slight fluctuations in the magic, which are completely absent, even in the few tries that Jonathan did without you, Elise. This is worrying on multiple levels, especially because we know that Jonathan does possess magic and is able to channel it, even more so, to guide it, which is far more difficult. So what is going on?¡±Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

    Jonathan, while finding the conversation interesting and happy that finally, something was happening, tuned out and looked in himself at his magic, again.

    He could feel it, see it, even if in a strange way, as well as try to grab it, but something was resisting when he was doing that. Could he force through that resistance?

    He tried. It was hard, but he managed to get a small sliver of magic under his control, after what seemed like an eternity.

    He then lost promptly control of that sliver of magic again, but not because of the resistance, but instead because of something far simpler.

    He had used so much force that was the best word for it that he could not hold that tiny sliver of magic and it catapulted itself away from him.

    The result was explosive. Luckily for everyone in the room, Heinrich Tablos realized what happened in the blink of an eye and managed to contain the blast in a shield.

    Then he began to shout: ¡°What in the name of whatever gods exist did you do right now, and more importantly, how did you do it?!¡±

    Jonathan answered meekly: ¡°I realized that there was a resistance to my attempts at controlling the magic, so I tried to overpower it. It worked, but the force I used flung the magic out from me, and then it exploded. No idea why, but I also do not know anything about magic, so that is not a surprise.¡±, he looked to the side were Elise sat, or should have sat: ¡°Hey, Tablos, what is with Elise, do you know why she lies on the ground, seemingly without movement?¡±

    Tablos swore and went to feel Elise¡¯s pulse.

    He exhaled a breath of relief. She was only unconscious.

    What had happened to her, he asked himself silently.

    He was sure that he managed to contain the blast completely.

 Chapter 36 - Answers

    Chapter 36 - Answers

    ¡±Mr Tablos, what can we do with Elise? We cannot let her lie here, especially because she is unconscious. Where can we get medical help for her?¡±

    Tablos thought for a moment and then decided to answer: ¡±The good news is that I am an Archmage. While not a focus of my training, it is a requirement for every Archmage to have basic medical skills. I have already checked her, and she is fine. The big question now is why she became unconscious. I already have an idea about what has happened to cause this, but please reiterate what you did to cause the explosion of pure magical energy."

    "if you wish so, Mr Tablos, I will do so. While you began realizing that this was going nowhere, I was bored and tried again. I finally realized that I was able to grab the magic, at least theoretical, but there was a strange, unnatural feeling resistance against this. So I decided to try to overpower it. That worked, even if it was not easy. Not easy at all. Because of the force I used, ...¡±

    The Archmage interrupted Jonathan: ¡±This is enough. I am pretty sure I know what happened, now. Damn, I could have, no I should have realized it earlier. Especially because I studied the damn spell. The summoner cannot control the summons magic, but the magic of the summon can be blocked by the summoner. It is one of the very few ways she can exert her power over you in a real and realistic way. While you are bound to her location, the distance involved is mind-boggling, to say the least. But I digress. So the way the summoner controls if you are able to use magic or not is quite simple. She can decide to either allow it and then it is allowed until she disallows it. Of course, the other way around works the same. So what happened? It is one of two things. Either that you cannot use magic is the default setting of that part of the summoning spell, or Elise forbid you magic unconsciously. I assume it is the first, because if it were that easy, she would have reversed, because, in the end, she wanted you cast something as she became tired of that charade. So it is the default option, and she never managed to change it.¡±If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

    ¡±But I was able to overpower it. With the right training, I likely would be able to cast magic somewhat normally, even if I am not allowed to use it at the time.¡±

    Tablos laughed: ¡±You are not totally wrong, but also not totally right. First off, let us answer the question of how you where able to overpower the spell. The thing is, it tries to restrict your magic. But it also needs your magic, to keep the spell going without major problems, and even if that were not the case, you need a bit of magic in your body to protect yourself. One of the worst ways to die for a mage is total mana exhaustion. It is not pretty, that is all I will say about that. So it must leave some magic in a usable state. So you are not totally unable to cast, but most of your magic is unaccessible to you. Did you understand this?¡±

    ¡±Yes, I think I did. But what happened to Elise?¡±

    ¡±Oh, that is simple. You triggered a strange safety in the spell, no idea why it is in there. But I also do not understand most of the spell, so there is that. Let''s wait for her to wake up, shall we?¡±

    ¡±If we must.¡±

 Chapter 37 - An Ancient Awakens

    The being was still. It had been still, unmoving, for a very long time. It had not moved since the humans of this specific world, on which she slept, had discovered fire.

    And then she had only blinked, gave the development a mental shrug and went back to sleep.

    But now something happened. An intelligent being, capable of communicating with the inhabitants from a world without mana had found its way here.

    That should not have been possible. It knew that steps had been taken to prevent something like that from happening.

    It began to move, for the first time in aeons. It was a laugh, a mirthful laugh, directed at those that once upon a time took those steps.

    ¡±Fools. They wanted that non-intelligent beings could travel between those worlds, to act as familiars. But that had gone hilariously wrong. And now, it went fatally wrong. But something was not right here. The denizen of that other world should never have been able to get here, even if the barriers were already falling.¡±

    But she also could not see any interference from an outside source.

    ¡±Wait¡±, she thought, ¡±no interference from an outside source?¡±Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

    That was strange. The barriers should have interfered, but they did not.

    ¡±That means someone got the bright idea to prevent any interference, but that also makes no sense. Why should anyone do this?¡±

    This was great. The being loved riddles, and this was a very fascinating one. And it was a riddle that could affect the multiverse and in turn her in a real way. Exciting.

    In another place someone swore. This being had made a mistake, and the rules prevented it from correcting it. Maybe it could influence things to correct this problem? If it did not manage that, it was screwed, and even if it managed it, it''s future would not be the greatest, at least in the next few millennium or so.

    Benedict laughed. The mistake that had been made was now realized. He asked himself if they had realized that even though the conditions for the problem to occur came from their actions, that he helped that it happened? It was irrelevant. But it would not do for them to move even somewhat openly, through agents heavily influenced. No, that would not do decided the old immortal being, older than most realized.

    Times change always. Society changes, languages change and technology or arcane knowledge advanced. It was rare for technology or arcane knowledge to even stall in progress, not to speak of losing knowledge at all. Certainly, as new ways replace the old, the old might be mostly forgotten, but often the fundamentals of them are still there, even taught, even if the specifics are lost to time. Losing technology can happen, but generally, only through catastrophes. Technology stalling completely never happens without something strange going on. That can be a dictatorship, certainly, but it also can be other things. But is it only natural that basically only magical research happens, or is something more sinister going on?

 Chapter 38 â€“ Recovery

    Elise

    She woke up.

    Everything was spinning, and it felt like she lost her balance, even though she lied in a bed, which was strange, because she could not remember getting into bed.

    As a matter of fact, she could not remember going to sleep, either.

    She had been training with Jonathan and the Archmage to activate Jonathan¡¯s magic, and then¡­ Something must have happened, but what?

    She could not remember what that might have been.

    Suddenly, she realised that somebody was talking, but for the love of Magic, she was unable to even distinguish between words, and understanding the meaning of what had been said was something she did not even try.

    She shook her head in a futile attempt at understanding the situation, or at the very least the words that were spoken, which would almost certainly help with the first situation.

    She tried to sit instead of lying, but, after she managed to get her upper body up from the bed, all her strength left her, and she fell back down.

    Luckily, someone helped her to get back into her original position, or that might have ended with her rolling off the bed, and by now she was certain that it was raised above the ground.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    Raise, such a strange word and so similar to raze, at least from the sound. She giggled at herself, a silly thought, but that was her mind right now, full of silly, at least in part nonsensical and off-topic thoughts.

    But slowly, ever so slowly, her grip at reality began to affirm itself, until it finally was completely back and in charge.

    She still was not feeling well, but she was feeling better than before, as well as finally being able to understand the spoken word again.

    This felt like a massive improvement in relation to her situation before, so she took it happily. But now, she decided, to move unto a more pressing need: ¡°Can I please have a glass of water? My mouth feels dry.¡±

    Her voice came out raspy, which helped underscore her question, but also nearly unintelligible, which almost certainly did not help in transporting the question to the voices she still could not identify and understand.

    Oh, she did understand a word or two in every sentence they were saying, but combined with the addled state of her mind that could have been very easily nothing at all because it was not enough to pull a general meaning out of what amounted to thin air, or more precisely, hot air.

    Hot, moving air.

    What was she now thinking about, she asked herself.

    No matter, she decided and continued to try to understand the words that were being said.

    Suddenly, someone gave her a glass of water, which shocked her, until she remembered that she asked for one.

    If she were more coherent, she would have found her addled mind funny, but if she were coherent that would not have been an issue, so there was that.

    But because she was not coherent, she thought about how strange it was that asking for a glass of water was second nature to her by now, considering how expensive they were.

    Admittedly, many glasses at the school were not in the best shape which most nobles would tend to use, but experiments of certain kinds of magical students.

    But it was still impressively clear and expensive.

    She finally identified the voices as the Archmage and her summon, Jonathan.

 Chapter 39 - We have not done that

    While Elise had managed to identify the voices, she still was unable to understand what they were saying.

    But she became better and better at identifying single words and getting a more and more coherent meaning out of them.

    She took another sip from her glass of water. While the first gulp she took helped with an immediate need, because of how dry her mouth had been, it had not been refreshing. But this one was. Oh, it was glorious, as the cold water slid down her throat. After she recovered from how refreshing this was, as well as after she emptied the glass, she reconcetrated to the task at hand.

    Of course, this task was understanding what the Archmage and her summon where saying. This was also strange, why where they here?

    Jonathan was at least somewhat understandable, he was her summon, but he did not like her very much, so there was that.

    But the Archmage should have far better and more important things to do than sitting in that room, seemingly waiting for her to not only wake up, but also to become coherent enough to hold a conversation with him.

    At least that was what she thought, but she might be wrong. For all she knew, the Archmage was sitting there to funnel magic into some device and wanted to speak with Jonathan about the summon¡¯s home, and Jonathan, for some strange reason was waiting for her to wake up.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    But that was very unlikely, for several reasons. So why were they here?

    She would not find that out while not understanding a word, so she continued to try and decipher what was being spoken.

    After some time passed, did she ask for another glass of water, her voice sounding far clearer this time around.

    But she also realized something strange. While she could not understand much of what the Archmage and Jonathan were speaking about, she could clearly speak herself, and if she could trust her senses and memory, which was not a given, admittedly, clearly.

    But after some more time, she finally managed to understand a whole sentence. And soon thereafter, she managed to understand them more and more clearly, until she had, finally no trouble at decoding the spoken word anymore.

    Jonathan and Heinrich Tablos were speaking about how great the wheel was, of all things they could talk about.

    After a while of listening, she finally decided to interrupt: ¡±Does anyone here know what happened to me? And where am I exactly? I am pretty sure that this is not my room.¡±

    Tablos laughed and answered: ¡±Special kind of magical feedback loop, we forgot a few things about the summoning spell. The good news about that is that we have finally found out what was wrong with Jonathan, and fixing that is not to difficult, we believe at least. The details of that can come later. You are in the school hospital. The reason for that is not the best. We thought you would wake up pretty soon after you fell unconscious, but after around three course began to become concerned and brought you here. You slept for nearly 20 hours by now, so we are happy that you are awake and coherent. What do you want to eat?¡±

    Elise did not know what to say? But she did realize something very interesting, Jonathan was not happy about what the Archmage was talking about, especially whenever the word ¡±we¡± had been said by the aforementioned.

 Chapter 40 - Understanding Jonathans Anger

    After that first conversation, Elise needed several hours to really understand the situation and Jonathan''s strange anger.

    Of course, some of Jonathan''s anger was easy enough to understand, at least some of it was hate, stemming from her basically kidnapping him, and him not even having a shimmer of hope of seeing his home again, or at least his world, because, even if they somehow managed to return him to his world, it was unlikely that they would manage to get him back to where he came from.

    Of course, Elise did not know, could not know, how connected Jonathans world was and that a safe return of him was at the very least possible, if not likely.

    There were regions in the world where that was not the case, but as soon as he would have found a major population centre, someone should be able to show him the way to the next embassy of his country and maybe even open communications with it, which then would make his return, while not easy, a relatively simple process, most likely.

    But that was not important, as well as this information was not known to the summoner.

    But back to the original topic. Besides that totally natural and understandable anger, there was something else as well.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.

    This was strange, because while Jonathan often assumed things, and generally looked down at some people because they did not understand things that nobody understood, or at least not in this way, but Jonathan seemed to think we''re absolutely basic stuff.

    After a few more pleasantries with the Archmage, Elise decided to ask him, after Jonathan left the room to go to the toilet: ¡±Jonathan seems to be strangely angry at me. Some of it I understand, but there seems to be another factor at play. Do you, honorable Archmage, have any idea what that might be?¡±

    Heinrich Tablos was quiet for a small moment, but then decided to answer the question: ¡±I have already told you that Jonathan''s problems with magic were connected to the summoning spell. And that is true. The default setting of the magic control part of the spell is that the summoned being is unable to use magic. This, of course, was the entire problem. Where I lied was in that the problem is fixed. In fact, I only know how to fix it, but for that I do need your cooperation. It is not difficult, only a very small ritual that you will need to perform. Do not panic, I will help you with the set up and dry training, at least as far as something like that is possible with such a ritual. Do you understand?¡±

    ¡±I do. Is there something else I should look out for, concerning that ritual?¡±

    Tablos thought for a moment and then answered: ¡±You need to look into yourself, because the ritual will only work if you want Jonathan to have magic...¡±

    He suddenly stopped, and only a few moments later, it became obvious why. Jonathan entered the room, coming back from his bathroom break.

 Chapter 41 - A Question of Trust

    After a bit more of meaningless communication, and after Elise was found healthy enough to leave permanent care, she went to her room, and began to think.

    She stood before a dilemma.

    On one hand, it was obvious that she should give Jonathan his magic. It was one of the few things that might better his situation, not only in practical ways, but also in his perception of the same situation.

    On the other hand, she was not sure how much she could trust him. She knew that he had plans that she would most likely not like, she knew that he thought different about many things than someone borne on this world.

    Of course, at most of his way of thinking seemed, on one hand, more humane, and on the other as naive stupidity. She wondered how his world, his society needed to be, to work, to understand how someone could show such naivete.

    A society so rich that nobody needed to fear for his basic needs, such an utopia could not exist, but it was the only think she could imagine that might inspire this into her summon.

    Of course, in reality Jonathans society was not naive as a whole, but more scared of war. In fact, this kind of moral as a way to live is fairly young and comes from a few factors, at least in the developed world.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

    The two factors that shape much of that actively is that most persons in such countries will not need to fear if they are able to get food and clean water at the end of the day, which helps to reduce some factors for crime, but also makes it possible to look at the things that control Elise¡¯s live from a distance.

    The other reason goes into the opposite direction.

    In some basic way, almost every human in Jonathans world, and practically everyone who is older than ten years in the developed countries, knows that the world could end in under an hour if just one of multiple powerful persons makes a decision many would call stupid, or if some instruments show the wrong thing and nobody has the guts to say that the instruments are malfunctioning and hanging the existence of everything he or she knows and loves at that.

    Because just a few minutes of warning might give the loved ones time to flee far enough, or deep enough, to survive just a bit longer, and one can be certain that the enemy will not like the response.

    But Elise did not know anything of that but she did need an answer for her question.

    Is she ready to give Jonathan magic?

    Magic might make him far more dangerous, making him able to threaten her loved ones in the future.

    Was she ready to bet everything on him being moral enough to not do something like that?

    Was she ready to let Jonathan get the equivalent of a nuclear weapon, even though she did not know what that was?

 Chapter 42 - A Necessary Answer

    Elise woke up.

    She had slept well and was glad for how good she could live because of her magic.

    But then she remembered the problem with Jonathan and his lack of access to his magic.

    She still was not sure how to deal with that problem, but she promised herself to find the answer before the evening came along.

    After she showered and brushed her teeth, she went outside her room to grab something to eat.

    Almost directly after she finished eating a series of glowing letters appeared on her empty plate, reading: ¡±Please come into my office, Heinrich Tablos.¡±

    Elise was shocked, she was not important enough for such a feat of magic, and the timing was suspicious enough that she was almost certain that he watched her magical for at least a short while.

    Of course she went to the Archmage¡¯s office immediately, or almost immediately at least.

    First she brought her plate to a gathering space for used dishes.

    Soon thereafter she stood before Tablos office and, before she could knock, the door opened, which made her loose her balance for a short time.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

    She yelled out in indignation, but caught herself basically in an instant.

    The Archmage laughed quietly at the scene and gestured her to come into the room.

    After she cleared the door, it, of course, closed immediately.

    Elise could only sigh at that.

    Then Tablos began to speak: ¡±Good morning to you, Elise.¡±

    There was a pause. After a short while Elise realized that the Archmage wanted an answer, but what could he want to hear.

    She thought for a moment and then answered: ¡±Good morning to you, as well, Lord Tablos.¡±

    After a short moment after that the aforementioned Archmage clapped and answered: ¡±You really need to learn to assert yourself in the presence of powerful people. But that was not why I wanted to speak with you. Did you look into yourself and realized if you are ready to give magic to your summon?¡±

    Elise thought for a moment and then answered: ¡±I did and I came to a conclusion. The problem is, that I am not certain what should be the answer this conclusion alludes to.¡±

    Tablos looked at her almost as if her where her grandfather and had all the time in the world to help her find the answer for her question and asked: ¡±And what is the conclusion you have reached? The only wrong answer here is no answer, please remember that.¡±

    Elise gathered her thoughts for a moment and then, she began to speak: ¡±On one hand, access to his magic might help Jonathan deal with his imprisonment in this world and how caged he is to me. On the other hand, I am almost certain that Jonathan has plans that, while he might not think this, might destroy our way of living. Besides that, while he has not shown a particular violent nature by himself, he has shown that he likes to change this society into a particular direction, if necessary with the force of arms.¡±

    Tablos answered to the unspoken question: ¡±It is simple, really. I have an eye on Jonathan, he will not manage something particularly stupid. And you cannot think that I will be unable go stop him, can you?¡±

    Elise answered finally: ¡±Jonathan should have his magic.¡±

 Chapter 43 - A Ritual

    Elise was ready for the ritual.

    At least she thought she was.

    So she moved down the corridor, at which entrance she had waited to encourage herself.

    Then she ended up before an old Archmage, who for some absurd reason decided to leave his uniform, his right to power behind and instead of wearing robes like every other Archmage with even a hint of self-esteem he wore a strange, colourful shirt, which looked a bit like the clothes poorer people would wear, only more refined.

    It was a purple shirt, which normally would not affordable, not even for an Archmage such as him, but there was evidence that the entire colouring was an illusion, so that was not important.

    On the height of the old Archmage¡¯s breast was a strangely surreal looking old man with a large, pointy hat and wild flowing robes. In his hand that figure held a short stick, on top of which a seemingly glowing star had been mounted. Out of that stick came a showering of multicoloured sparks. The robes of the figure where blue with yellow stars spattered across.

    Beneath that where black symbols, which seemed to be writing in Jonathans native language.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

    What Elise could not know was that those symbols, which were in fact Latin letters could be read as: ¡±Every sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. - But the opposite is also true!¡±

    Jonathan had not told what the figure on that shirt was supposed to be representing, but at least the writing on it was not totally embarrassing.

    After Elise had recovered from the shock of seeing Tablos in such strange clothing, especially because he was also wearing these strange ¡±Jeans¡± that Jonathan was so fond of, she asked the Archmage if they could begin with the preparations for the ritual.

    Instead of responding, Heinrich Tablos opened the door. In the room, which could now be seen by Elise was a ritual circle already premade, in fact, it was the correct one.

    Tablos simply gestures her to go into the circle and then proceeded to align a few things, to lit candles and connect a few lines that could trigger an accidental mana explosion if left unsupervised for to long. Elise went into the middle of the ritual circle and placed herself as she had learned.

    Tablos then gave her a small series of commands, which mostly consisted out of minor corrections, where she had either misremembered something, or had interpreted the unique structure of the spell formula incorrectly.

    A few of them were strange, but nothing to crazy. She would need to move multiple candles during the ritual, but that was not difficult.

    Soon thereafter, the ritual was ready, as was she. Tablos ordered her to began, and so she did. In all honesty, the ritual that followed was anticlimactic.

    Oh, it was strange in places, mostly because it was old, ancient even, but it was a short ritual, as simple as it could be made by the people who designed it originally.

    Jonathan was now able to use magic.

 Chapter 44 - A mysterious Force

    Jonathan sat in the room. It was boring, but he had promised to wait for Tablos in it.

    He did not know what Tablos wanted to speak with him about.

    He knew that his magic now worked, but Tablos had not let him use it for the last week.

    He did not understand why. He began to think about home. While he had many conveniences, especially in relation to what the average human had on this world, against modern conveniences this was nothing at all.

    He was bored. And that he wanted to be home, in his original world, did not improve the situation.

    He looked around and saw a bookshelf. Tablos had helped him learn the written word of this world, mostly through a spell.So he decided to look what these books where.

    They were, unsurprising, books about magic.

    He looked at the books, one by one, and they all seemed boring.

    But then one of them captured his attention.

    It was titled: ¡±A Treatise on the Dangers and Powers of the Magic of Corruption¡±.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.

    A book about corruption magic, something where they had only told him to stay far away from, because it would kill him.

    But why would it kill him, he asked himself.

    So he began to read: ¡±Beware reader, because the magic of corruption is no force to be trifled with. It¡¯s powers are not well understood as are it''s dangers. But here, reader, you will find not necessarily answers,but at least all knowledge I have gathered.¡±

    Beneath this was a year and a man written, both things did not help Jonathan, because he was missing context. He began to read the book and understood why they where so horrified of the magic.

    First, they did not understand it.

    Not a bit.

    They knew that bad things happened if the magic was used, but those where never perfectly repeatable, and the caster almost always suffered those fates.

    There was no way to protect oneself. Then he read another scene.

    It was chilling, but it provided him with answers: ¡±If one experiments with it and manages to survive these experiments, they often become sick, of a peculiar kind. Sometimes they recover, but it is not totally clear under which circumstances this happens. The ill become nauseous and sometimes they vomit. They may not want to eat. After this, some recover, at least mostly, but most of those recover and all that do not develop more severe symptoms. Often after several days, maybe even weeks, more severe symptoms were cropping up. The afflicted bleed, and some loose hair. Even if they survive, they often will die early, and almost never make full recovery.¡±

    Jonathan thought about this.

    He did not know what to make out of this.

    But he knew, if what he suspected was true, this corruption magic was a far bigger problem then what they already thought it was.

    He certainly was not stupid enough to play with a force that deadly, that destructive, at least not without knowing exactly what he was doing.

 Chapter 45 - Tabloss Warning

    Tablos hurried to the room were Jonathan waited for him.

    He had wanted to be there a over an hour ago, but the king wanted to know something about basic magical rules, which every student could have answered.

    He was still angry about that, when he opened the door to the room, where Jonathan waited for him.

    And as soon as he entered, he was shocked. Jonathan had grabbed a book, and not one of the harmless ones about elemental magic, no, he needed to take one about corruption magic.

    Extremely dangerous, absolutely evil, at least in his mind, using that magic, or even thinking about it, was always a bad idea.

    In fact, it was generally accepted, that it was not only a bad idea, but a catastrophic instead.

    There where cases, where life needed years upon years to return to places, where it had been used, and then there where at least two known places in the world, where after over a hundred years, the harmful effects have not gone away.

    Understandable therefore, at least in the Archmage''s mind, he called panicked to Jonathan: ¡±Why are you reading about that abomination of magic?¡±You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

    Jonathan looked at him, seemingly thinking about something, and answered then: ¡±I do understand why you are scared of this kind of magic, in fact, I also do not see a surefire way to prevent the problems from happening, but you seem to think that this magic is evil. That is, in my opinion, simply not true. While it is dangerous, and difficult to deal with, I am pretty sure I know what is happening, when this magic is used. But in a way, you are correct. Leave sleeping Lions sleep and so on.¡±

    Tablos wondered about what Jonathan had said. He seemed to think, most shockingly, that what had been observed until now, were not, in fact, the most dangerous effects of corruption magic.

    But what could be worse than what had been observed?

    But instead of following that disturbing train of thought any further, he asked Jonathan: ¡±Why are you saying that it is not evil? It destroys our bodies and sometimes turns us into mockeries of our selves, at least if we are affected!¡±

    Jonathan sighed audibly and answered: ¡±Be happy about that. I can already see that, in the future, admittedly and hopefully, one far away from today, this kind of magic will be one of the most important. Elemental magic, like it is practiced today, might only loose influence, maybe even significantly, but it might become obscure. Fact is, corruption magic and pseudo-elemental magic are the future, at least if I am correct about what those two magics are. But enough of that. Do we want to begin my magical education now?¡±

    Tablos was stunned. Jonathan''s commentary explained everything and nothing at the same time.

    Why did he think like he did? It was impossible to understand.

    But that did not mean that he was incorrect, and in one point he was correct: ¡±You are right. It is time go begin your magical education, again.¡±

 Chapter 46 - Stupid People are Stupid

    Jonathan stood in the room.

    He stood there for over an hour already, and for the outside observer, it looked like he might be in trance. And in some ways, the outside observer would have been right.

    He looked at his magic, and tried to figure out how he cast that light spell. It was a difficult task, but one he wanted to complete.

    A few meters away, Heinrich Tablos, the most powerful archmage for 10 days by foot, sat bored.

    Ten minutes after Jonathan begun with his task, he had magicked a few documents into the room, which he was working on by now.

    Elise was not in the room, she needed to attend her studies. Tablos, trying to ignore his job, thought about how happy Jonathan was after he had managed that light spell completely by himself.

    Still, it was strange, that after that, he tried to find out, how exactly he did it.

    But it was no matter, and even great, especially because he remembered an old proverb his mentor liked to tell: ¡±Only an inquisitive mind can become great at magic. It does not matter how powerful you are, how much magic you posses, as long as you do not have an inquisitive mind, you will not become a great mage.¡±

    There was truth in that sentence, but he always liked to add something to it: ¡±If you have an inquisitive mind, you can offset some disadvantages in raw magical power and talent.¡±Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

    So while Jonathans action might have destroyed his teaching plans for today, so far, it did not bother him.

    Suddenly, his wards alarmed him.

    This was strange, an attack to this time was unlikely. He instantly activated his defenses, as well as those of the school and then looked into the specifics of the warning he received.

    He realized, without needing much time, that it was a fundamentally new part of his network, which was strange, he did not remember adding something too the attack warnings.

    So what exactly had happened?

    Then he realized what the problem was and decided instantly to teleport to the location of the attack.

    There Elise lied on the ground, surrounded by children of the more powerful nobles, who were kicking her.

    Tablos looked around, searching for the teachers, which should be nearby.

    What he found shocked him to the core. At least one teacher was actively encouraging the perpetrators, and two more stood by differently to the situation.

    But one teacher, who should be in this area was absent. Tablos noted it down, so that he will find out where that teacher was, and why he derelicted his duties.

    But now he really should deal with the matter at hand.

    So he decided to make an unnecessarily flashy entrance and asked loudly, in a demonic voice: ¡±What is going on here? I demand answers, and if I do not get them now, you will pay the price.¡±

    One of the boys, the child of the noble who had already tried to attack Elise earlier, Tablos did not bother to remember the name, had the gall to answer: ¡±We are only giving that bitch a lesson in proper etiquette...¡±

    Most of the other in that room begun to laugh.

    Tablos, not at all amused, answered: ¡±Is that so? If so, I think I need to teach you how to behave in magical society.¡±

 Chapter 47 - Bullies

    ¡±So you all here think that she needs to be shown her place in society?¡± Heinrich Tablos shook his head: ¡±You are disgusting. But that is something that could be dealt with. What is not, is that you are also extremely stupid. What is the one thing that governs the magical society at an apprentice level? You, over there, tell me that you know the answer.¡±

    The boy the Archmage was pointing at visible shuddered and went white.

    He seemed, to Tablos at least, as someone who simply tried to stay in high social standing to some of the more nobly born children, who seemed like the instigators of the whole thing.

    He also had realized, that Tablos was not only angry, but that they did something that might have serious consequences that could not be dealt with by changing the school.

    So he carefully answered the Archmages question: ¡±Honourable Archmage, it is power. Talent is not considered to important until the later stages of training, when the future mage has already gained the status of a Junior Mage.¡±

    Tablos continued: ¡±Great and correct answer. But you seem to have not grasped the implications of that. Admittedly, most of yeh others here where even worse with grasping that, and more importantly, grasping what it actually means. But I will help you understand. The most powerful, in relation to raw magical power, even if the familiar can be, in certain circumstances, be counted towards that total, is the one everyone else should now to. Even if we do not count Jonathan to her total, and every single one of your familiars to yours, she still would be more powerful than you. I fact, you are damn lucky that she did not instinctively attack you, because she has more raw power than you all combined. I am the only one in this area right now, who is able to gather enough power to defeat her in a pure power duel. And I find it likely that this will soon change. And she is able to access the affinities of her familiar. One of those is for corruption magic. Do you want to have nearly my power in corruption magic in your face?¡±This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    The last question was meant for the teachers, which got smaller and smaller as Tablos monologue continued.

    Tablos was quite happy with himself. Although it was fairly unlikely that Elise would have been able to access the corruption magic of Jonathan, especially because she needed her familiars permission for that, it was still fairly possible, that she might kill them all with a massive fireball or something, especially considering that he needed more than five minutes to realize that something was wrong and the only reason, why he realized that was the beginning buildup of raw mana in Elises system.

    Because of her power, he installed a ward that warned him if she would ever use more than a tiny fraction of her true power.

    He sighed internally. He really hoped that the school concept would work out if opened for commoners, but it did not seem like it.

    But before he took her as his personal apprentice, which would bring some problems with it, he still needed to decide what to do with everyone here.

 Chapter 48 - Penalties

    ¡±Your actions have brought only shame upon this School and the kingdom it is located in. This is more than just unacceptable. It is a disgrace to all mages that have ever been trained here, as well as those, who have reached here. So let it be said only once, you will bear the consequences of your actions, and you will bear them without comment. If I hear about even one complaint, you will not only be banned from this school, but also stripped of your magic. I will not repeat myself, so here is your only chance to begin listening. Did you understand that?¡±

    Tablos paused, even if only for the dramatic effect. He did not care even a little bit if his listeners had came over their shock.

    The only person in this room, which he cared about was Elise, and she was under a protective barrier, which induced her into a natural sleep, while also healing her.

    So she was utterly save, and the Archmage had more than enough time to deal with the others in the room. ¡±Let us begin deciding how your penalties will look like. Hm, first of, it is clear that you see yourself as entitled. This needs to change. How do we do this? Ah, I know. First of all, the cleaning staff will not work in your rooms anymore. Their will be regularly check-ups, and if you miss those, good-bye magic. Also, one day a week, you will replace the kitchen staff, doing all their work. I hope those things will teach you, all of you, even the teachers, a bit of necessary humility. But your attack has gone to far. You need to have a penalty that really brings that home. Please, has anyone of you ideas what penalty might be fair? No? That''s ok, I honestly do not care for your opinions right now. But I also know, that every one of you is guilty to a different degree of that horrible action of directly attacking a fellow student. So the penalty should be at least a little personalized. So let''s begin with the teachers. Every single one of you in this room will loose the political rank of one of your mage ranks. This will be in effect until an Archmage with comparable power to me, or I rescind it. Of course, a more powerful Archmage is also acceptable. For the rest of the teachers, well, I will look into it. Now, let us look at the one''s who you all followed. They are disgusting pigs, who do not deserve any kind of mercy. But I am an old man, and I do love giving out some mercy, so why not. They will be stripped of half of there pure magical power. This will teach them that power is not everything, and hopefully make them into better mages. If I decide, that by the end of their schooling, they have redeemed themselves, I will return their magic. After that, I will destroy the part of it, which I will take before the sun sets. The others, while stupid and evil will get away far lighter. They will lose just five percent of their magic with the same conditions attached, as well as being forced to work the next year for three hours a week in an job I will decide over the next month. All happy? Good.¡±This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

 Chapter 49 - Plans and Succeses

    After Tablos had suddenly teleported out of the room, nothing happened in it.

    Jonathan still continued and did not want to see the outside world for now.

    But somewhere else in the world someone very old decided that it might be a good idea to meet his old friend Tablos. But this was not all that happened on this day.

    Several powerful nobles of the kingdom found out, that Tablos had basically crushed the futures of their children, and for what? For some random farmers daughter. This was a disgrace!

    This could not, would not be allowed.

    So how could one take some petty revenge?

    To attack Tablos was out of the picture, he had more magical ability and power than everyone else in the kingdom combined, at least as far as those nobles knew, but something needed to be done.

    It was soon decided that the parents of that peasant girl needed to die, and the influence her familiar had on the king needed to end.

    Maybe another shot at getting the familiar bound to one of them?If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

    But that would need to be covered in future talks, when one would make the plans.

    On a completely unrelated note, there was some evidence that the harvest would be bad. And not only here, but also everywhere that is generally traded with.

    Some of the more intelligent Archmages and rulers looked at the situation fearful, but most ignored the warnings of those few, mostly because they were based on the comments of the peasants. What did those know about farming anyway?

    Tablos looked at Elise, sleeping in the bed at the hospital. She was far worse hurt than he originally thought, but this still was not a problem for magical healing.

    Maybe he should have more strict with the perpetrators, but irrelevant.

    He had found out where that teacher had gone to. Because he had been closed out of the network by a group of other teachers, he had searched for him manually.

    Of course the access of that teacher had been restored, and that of any other teacher destroyed, for now.

    There still was a decision needed what exactly to do with them.

    The Archmage looked after Jonathan.

    Suddenly, Jonathan threw is fist upward and exclaimed: ¡±Yes!¡± Tablos, after teleporting back into the room asked him what had happened, and Jonathan answered, that he had figured it out.

    Of course Tablos had forgotten what Jonathan was doing after all that excitement, and so asked him what he had figured out, tactfully of course, in a way that hopefully did not betray the Archmages lack of knowledge.

    But Jonathan did not realize that slight, and happily explained about his light spell, and that he had figured out how exactly he had cast it.

    But he also said that he had an idea how it might interact with the laws of physics he knew about, but of course with the big caveat, that it was unclear if the laws of physics still worked the same.

 Chapter 50 - Time

    Time is something strange.

    On one hand, everyone, every being knows what time is, sees it''s passing, feels it''s affects, but on the other hand, who really understands time?

    Can time change in the speed of it''s passing, or only in the perception of the speed of it''s passing?

    Can one change the flow of time, and if yes, what would be the effects of such thing?

    All good questions, but none who really get to the matter of what time is.

    Is there a base time, the speed of time that could be considered standard, even if the speed of time can only be perceived differently?

    Time is strange, not many things are stranger.

    The passing of time can Mark something great, but also horrible.

    <hr>

    For more than three months Jonathan was now in another world, with different laws of physics. Would general relativity also play a role here?

    Jonathan laughed to himself, it was very unlikely that he would ever have to concern himself with that.

    It mostly played only a role for satellites and the research of other stars and galaxies.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.

    He thought for a moment.

    <hr>

    Elise had been bullied, no, that was too weak of a word for what really happened, she had been attacked by jealous, small minded, idiots.

    He did not like her, but he also had no respect of those particularly stupid human beings. After that Tablos had made Elise his apprentice, which meant that he was also technically the Archmages apprentice.

    Magic was a great thing, but was it enough to replace his home as well as all the modern amenities?

    He regularly asked himself the question and knew, that if he lived basically anywhere else in at least this kingdom if not the world, the answer would be a resounding and very clear no.

    This school had versions of most of the amenities that he mostly needed for his bathroom routine, but still, no internet or computers. No electricity, only magic.

    Magic was able to replace most of the large and simple electronics, for example light bulbs, but anything of complexity was unlikely to exist, and anything approaching the complexity of a computer, even an old one, was simply not there.

    It was fascinating, that the inhabitants of this world we''re able to produce some very finely machined parts, even if not on a truly industrial scale, but still, a single person could create multiple a day.

    The parts could be machined to a precision that should be enough to create some very early computers, if he only knew how they were build.

    He had knowledge, he had books, but for a true back from the basics, even if the basics we''re the middle ages with a hint of precision manufacture thrown in, his knowledge was not enough.

    He was pretty sure that he had most, if not all, of the basic theories, but he did not know how to apply them.

    Who cares how exactly the first computer had been build? It is more interesting what theories it had followed.

    He thought there was something with vacuum tubes, but that was a particular useless piece of information, considering that the people here had no concept of what a vacuum was.

    <hr>

    Oh, well, said Jonathannto himself and returned to muse on the concept of time itself.

 Christmas Special

    Jonathan sat before a window. It was cold, snow could be seen everywhere. He estimated at least 30 centimetres or around one foot for those that still followed a hopelessly outdated measuring system of snow lying around outside. He sighed and leaned back. He had prepared the last few weeks for that, and his smartphone, which right now he could only use sparingly, said that it was Chrismas today. He began the spell. Soon glitter could be seen in the air around him, forming into an old man with a red suit. Outside of the school building, a sled and reindeers were forming. The old man laughed in a strange way, sat down in the sled and began to move through the world. Elise came along the corridor and asked: "I felt you using magic. Why? And what did you do, that was not an insubstantial amount of mana you used there?" Jonathan laughed and answered: "Oh, I only invoked something from my world, do not worry, it is not dangerous:" Elise loudly wondered: "But your world has no magic, so what could you invoke through magic?" Jonathan did not answer that question. When Elise went back to her room, there was a box, with a red wrap around it. On it written were the words: "You did good this year. Santa Claus". If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.

 Chapter 51 - A Lively Discussion

    Someone yelled: "This is an outrage, and should not be accepted. He needs to face consequences!¡±

    The king sighed. Ever since Tablos got the glorious idea to give the sons of his most powerful nobles various penalties for their actions against a fellow student, even if she was not a noble but a commoner instead, they wanted him to do something about it.

    He laughed quitely at that.

    Preposterous! Why should he anger a goddammned Archmage, just because they were unable to teach their children that mobbing might not be the best idea, and their rights as nobles did not, in fact, take precedence before the rights of someone with larger magical potential, especially in the eyes of an Arcchmage.

    But still, they could not be ignored.

    While they knew that it was futile, even dangerous to trouble the Archmage, he, their king was fair game.

    The situation certainly was not helped by his relatively weak magical abilities.

    He could not simply ignore them, he risked a rebellion if he did that.

    He needed something he could give them, so that at least a majority was on his side, the military side the Archmage already promised him to handle.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.

    But he still would need them to realize the errors of their ways, so that he had enough nobles left to keep the government consistent.

    He thought about a not to dangerous bone to throw them.

    Some were easy, they had already realized that the Archmage would not be happy, if they continued making trouble.

    Those metioned to him, privately and quitely, that they wanted a small series of ceremonious titles, so that they could tell their families that they righted the wrong.

    But the others were difficult. He did not need that many nobles more on his side, but he did need a few.

    Some of those were clearly opportunists, but that was to dangerous for some. And how much would he need to give to get enough was another question. He also wanted to make it clear that this kind of action was not acceptable in any way.

    He sighed.

    Then he had an idea: "I hereby degre that those hurt by the degree of the Archmage arehereby absolved of any wrongdoing in the eyes of the kingdom. But I also degree that the ruling of the Archmage is still in effect, because while the kingdome sees it as a heavyhanded reaction, it was still legitimate. But the Archmage is hereby penalized by ten percent of the yearly income of the affected children, to be paid to their familities, as a sign of his good will."

    <hr>

    Somewhere else the Archmage Heinrich Tablos laughed quietly.

    While the children of nobles did technically have an income as soon as they came to the school, most of their money came from gifts of the family.

    He needed to pay less than a month of his wages, which he mostly got to keep up appearences. He had, in fact no need for that money. "Well played, my dear king, well played".

 Chapter 52 - How to Reduce the Power of the Nobles?

    Edward III,  His Majesty the King of the mighty, or maybe not so mighty, nation of Theron sat down.

    Most of the nobles had accepted that they were in the wrong and the compensation was enough, but not all.

    Those had decided to declare independence, so technically his realm was in a state of civil war right now. But with the mioght of the Archmage behind him, the defeat of his troops seemed unlikely, to say the least.

    But something like that should not happen, how could such idiots have so mujch power in his realm?

    Of course, he choose to ignore that technically he was also on of those idiots, but there was one vital difference in his mind: He was actually intelligent.

    He had called for Jonathan, mayb e he had an idea how to prevent something like this from happening again.

    <hr>

    Jonathan sighed. What would the king want from him, he wondered?

    He had some ideas, which would need the cooperation of the king, but the printing press did not have any major effect to this date.

    No wonder, it would take decades at least to have a significant impact, but still, he had some plans for it. He could at least lie the groundwork, straight up copy some of the more important works of the enlightnment, maybe with some slight modifications through the power of hindsight, and so beginn the transformation into strong democratic regimes.

    Hopefully without a french-style revolution, but that, he thought, was unlikely. Maybe if he were still alive at that point he could prevent some of the worst excesses, which were likely, but even then, he would guess that that would be impossible.Stolen novel; please report.

    He reached the room where he last spoke with the king, knocked, and after an acknowledgement, entered.

    Then, after the greetings were sufficiently exchanged, the king began to speak: "Jonathan, you might know that the kingdom is in a state of civil war right now. The reason for that was the immense power of the nobles and how little ability I have to reign them in. I need some way to reduce that problem, do you have an idea?"

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered: "Yes, I do have a way. In fact, I have already lied the groundwork. In my world, one of the most important states is a so-called constitutional monarchy. To transform your kingdom intop something like this would massively depower the nobles, but the thing is, it would also take away power from you and your descendants. Constitutional monarchs have gnerally only representative power, and now active political power. But nobles loose even much of their represantative role, which lets you have more power then them."

    "Why should I do something that limits my power?"

    "The answer for that is very simple, your majesty. The power of your position will be limited either way in the next 300 years at the latest, I would guess. It is your desicion if you want it and the one occupying it at that point to survive, or not. The constitutional monarchy would let your office survive, in some form. It likely will loose even more power when this worlds age of revolutions happens, but I have another reason to want a peaceful change here."

    "And what would be that reason, Jonathan? I honestly do not think the situation is as bad as you make it out to be, but let''s assume I believe you."

    Jonathan sighed and answered in a low voice: "The age of revoutions in my world was a bloodbath of immense proportions. It generally is not as good idea to give the reigns of governmen into thse completely unprepared for that, who are also panicked idealists. Having a good, working example of a basic government structure and a power able to send advisors might reduce those problems. But some things will happen regardless, peaceful transition of power will not happen everywhere. And some of the mopre important and more difficult developments, I likely will not live to see. We speak here about centuries, in which small changes in society will happen. Maybe the presence of a constitutional monarchy will speed things up, but maybe not."

    The king looked at Jonathan and said: "Gooutside around the castle or something, I need to think about what you said."

    Jonathan complied.

 Chapter 53 - What Can the Revolution do for You?

    After a while a servant came to Jonathan and motioned him to follow him. After a short walk, they reached the study of the king, and, after Jonathan entered the room, the servant left.

    After the door had been closed by Jonathan, the king began to speak, forgoing the need of greetings: ?How certain are you, that there will be an ?Age of Revolutions¡°?¡°

    Jonathan thought for a moment and answered then: ?Relatively certain. There are already the signs that the necessary circumstances begin to develop, but it will take long. The Age of Revolutions in my world happened after a long time of setting up the basic ideas for it, and then only through some very specific circumstances, it began. Those circumstances are, broken down to the basics relatively common, if not exactly in the same way as for that country. The basic gist of it was a famine, coupled with a bankrupt government which decided to tax the farmers more instead of those that still were able to feed themselves at this point. This, coupled with some rumors that were likely untrue or taken completely out of context and a government that decided that this is a great time to built some monuments for pleasure was a recipe for desaster. But honestly, most of what happened could have happened without that last part.¡°

    The King thought for a moment about that statement and answered then: ?You are very adamant about these plans. What would they bring, in your opinion?¡°

    Jonathan answered almost instantly: ?The first major advantage of this s very simple. A System, in which merit means something important. This does not mean that the old elites loose all of their power, but it does mean, that they loose a significant chunk of their power and it is far more important for them to be at least competent in what they are doing if they do not want to loose even more power and influence. Another fascinating advantage is, that it will speed up scientific research. The wonders in my world I mentioned? All are results of scientific research. Admittedly multiple centuries of it, but still. It also allows the recruitment of better and larger armies. The morale of your soldiers would be higher as well. Do you know what the basic tactic any modern army uses on my world?¡°This book''s true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

    ?No, I do not know that. But I am sure you will tell me that soon. But please, first explain why the armies will be better and larger¡°

    ?Better. The armies of your realm will be better because they will fight for something that means something for them and not only you. This will first drive recruitment, allowing you to be pickier with your soldiers, and, especially important in this age, you can arm your civilians without fearing an uprising too much. This means your raw recruits might already have some training. In my world, that is not important anymore, but for a series of reasons that would be complicated to get into right now. Now onto larger. Basically an expansion of the earlier point, but coupled with the fact that your civilians will be more ready to endure hardships, and actively help the war effort. Building weapons, financing the realm with their own money, such things. So you will not only be able to field a larger army, but also to keep it in the field for longer. The higher morale of your men I should not need to explain. So back to my question. the answer for this question is simple. Modern armies function with independent action. At least on a small scale. Small units get orders that consists out of their goals and their rules. The way the fullfill it is their job to find out. Not all missions work that way, but many do.¡°

    The king sat down. Jonathan just might be right about those advantages. But what would the disadvantages be?

 Chapter 54 - Disadvantages and Choices

    The king sighed and, after a short moment of thought, began to speak again: ¡°Let¡¯s assume I believe you, and this is in fact so advantageous. What are the disadvantages? And do not try to tell me there are none, because there always are some. They might be less than the advantages, especially under certain circumstances, but there will be some. So answer me!¡±

    At the end, the king got very loud.

    Jonathan thought for a moment and then began to answer carefully: ¡°A democracy means that the old elite will loose at least some power and privileges. If they are intelligent they just might loose the privileges, and could hang on to their power pretty well, but over time it is almost guaranteed that others will gain power, at a cost to those old elites, of which you personally are a part of. So those might make problems, which could end in a civil war, which would be problematic, especially if most of the mages take the side of the old power, fearing for their own positions. Still, if implemented carefully, this might not necessarily happen. Outside powers are of course a problem as well, a democracy directly at their borders might set an unwanted precedent. But one of the biggest problems that democracies tend to have is their readiness to go to war. Because of this and because the leaders of a democracy need to conform to the wishes of the people in at least some capacity, democracies do not tend to have a large standing army, especially if there is not an active threat. Do not make the mistake of assuming them to be militarily weak because of that, they can easily have their people¡¯s trained and the arms stored away. Their active forces are always only meant to hold until the reserve can be activated. And, while the reserve of this country right now consists of even more untrained levies, the reserve of a democracy consists of people who are well trained, and, to top it all of, also get a small refresher if the situation permits it. In fact, in most modern democracies, there are two types of reserve forces. The official reserve forces, who are regularly trained and are part of existing units, even if they might consist completely out of members of the reserve, which can thus be activated very quickly, and persons who already went through basic training of some form, maybe as part of a short mandatory training period and then go one with their lives as normal. Even though, in my era, especially the latter kind looses importance, because of the threat of weapons, which can destroy the world. If you are forced to call those units up, the situation might already be hopeless, so why not go out in a bang and hope that death will be painless?¡±Love what you''re reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on.

    The king nodded to that.

    Not necessarily what he would have thought, but still not necessarily stupid. Humans were egoistical beings.

    He thought for a moment and then answered: ¡°You want this. I understand, you have never known something else, and you think that monarchies are something that did not work particularly well. And when I look at how my nobles behave, then I understand that sentiment. But still, even though I should be against democracies, I see no other choice but to begin that process. We need to begin to plan how exactly it will look like, and I will, of course try to keep as much power in my hands as possible, but I want to enact at least some reforms!¡±

 Chapter 55 - Constitution

    After a moment of silence, Jonathan began to speak: ¡°First, to enact reforms is nothing one can do over night, even if one has an idea of how they shall look like. Also, I am certainly not qualified to really design those reforms. I can say, in very broad terms, what worked and what did not work, but some of those ideas are very circumstantial. So, the first question to answer would be what form the parliament will take, because there needs to be at least one. I personally would push for two, one for regions or nobles or something in that direction, to appease the old guard and one for the people. The thing is, the most important decision is the power each parliament has, as well as the amount of power that is left in your hands. The region or noble parliament should have some significant powers, but should never be able to blockade the governments ability to act, in my opinion. The people¡¯s parliament should have some power over the purse, but the power of the military should stay, at least for now, in your hands, even though that power should be delegated down to capable generals. But let¡¯s leave it at that. The second most important thing is how the vote for the people¡¯s parliament is cast, as well as who is allowed to vote and other such rules.... ¡°

    Jonathan paused to pull out a small book out of a pocket and opened it at a page he obviously marked beforehand, after that he continued: ¡°the vote should be cast in general, direct, free, equal and secret vote. At least that is the accepted way in my world. Mind you, at least in the beginning the parliament needs not to be to powerful, but if it shall not become a farce that might even be worse than no parliament at all, those statements should be true.¡°If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    The king thought for a moment and then he asked: ¡°What is this for a book in your hand?¡±

    Jonathan laughed and put the book away and answered: ¡°This is the constitution of the country I live in. Mind you, not every law is written down here, but the most important laws are, and to change those laws is difficult. Not impossible, that would be the stupidest thing ever, but difficult, so that even a single majority is not enough to do it, I believe. It could guide us, but many things written down there assume things that are not true right now, and are only really possible after more than two centuries of rapid social development. Still, it might give us a few ideas how to proceed.¡±

    ¡°I understand. Is there a king in that book at all?¡±

    ¡°No, but there is a person that could easily be made into a powerless king, simply make the position hereditary, and add all the succession laws of the kingdom of Theron on top. But I do not believe that would be a good idea, at least for now. In a Century? Maybe.¡±

 Chapter 56 - Peace and Quit

    Jonathan sighed. It was a long day, and he was happy to be finally back, ready to go to sleep.

    But he was sure, that soon the king or one of his most trusted advisors would come by to pick his brain for any kind of useful information.

    But please, he prayed, please let that soon be tomorrow, where he was at least rested.

    A quit, long night, where he could sleep long, until his body¡¯s own clock said that it was time to wake up, sounded great.

    After he went to sleep, he dreamt.

    He dreamt of a constitutional monarchy that respected human rights and managed to bring peace and prosperity to its citizens. Was this possible? Would he be able to do it? The dream changed.

    Centuries of war against reactionary, conservative forces had bled the constitutional monarchy, where the king only had a representative role, as well as the lofty ideals of its founders. This was something that should not, could not happen, Jonathan swore to himself.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

    The dream, no vision, changed again. This time the constitutional monarchy was leading in the fields of science, an uneasy state of peace existent with many of its neighbors. It was clear it was the hegemon, no single power could defeat it, but the enemies alliances were large.

    Only a new discovery could bring victory in the coming war.

    Anything could spark it, and most wanted it to begin. All were hoping that discovery would be made by them.

    The vision turned into the future of that timeline.

    Two versions were showed. One where planes were something developed during the war, the other where armored vehicles, able to cross trenches where the discovery that broke the stalemate.

    A different version of World War One. How would the tanks of this world be called, wondered Jonathan idly.

    But the vision changed yet again.

    This time, a gigantic meteorite destroyed the fledgling constitutional monarchy, as well as most of the world. It showed that everything might be fleeting, could end at any time.

    The next showed a landing on the moon, by someone.

    Jonathan realized his knowledge might be even more important than he thought when he saw an uncontrolled nuclear reaction happening in a laboratory, while a mage was experimenting with corruption magic.

    Looking back, it was clear that it was pure luck that something like it had never happened before, or had it and nobody new?

    Nuclear explosions where devastating, yes, but one could survive them, and there must have been someone who connected the dots, or?

    Finally the nightmare was over.

    Jonathan awoke, looking into a hopefully bright future.

 Chapter 57 - In the Classroom

    Everything was great.

    Jonathan had woken up naturally, no one had knocked on his door demanding that he share his knowledge with his Majesty or the Archmage, but then, suddenly Tablos decided to teleport into his room, while he was dressing.

    After that embarrassment had been sorted out, the venerable Archmage had forgotten to check if he was sufficiently clothed before using his magic, Jonathan found out that it had been decided that he would join the evening classes about minor magic and its applications today.

    No warning at all, which was not good on Jonathan¡¯s already fragile mental space, beginning with his kidnapping which he still had not sufficiently accepted, and ending with the constantly changing schedule he needed to ensure, while he was someone who needed constants to work.

    But there was no changing about that, so he would grumble, but not shout in anger.

    Later that day, Jonathan was sitting in a room with around ten more students.This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author''s consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

    After a while, the teacher, a young man with a friendly face came into the room: ¡°Today we will look at some of the simplest spells, which generally are looked down upon because a real mage would not use them. The problem with that stemmet is, that in the hands of a real mage, they can become either extremely helpful or surprisingly devastating. Their greatest advantage is their low cost in terms of mana, their second greatest their low complexity. Easy to cast, as well as easy to remember is always a useful trait in a spell. If it can also be cast quickly, you have something truly helpful...¡±

    Then the teacher wandered around a while in front of the students, preparing a few things, and all around making himself at home.

    He then showed the first spell. It was a simple spell, able to cleanse water from invisible contamination.

    Jonathan thought a while on the exact explanation and was reasonable certain that either all biological matter under a specific size was meant or all bacteria, maybe including viruses.

    A powerful spell already, and extremely important.

    Something like that could save lives if used in great numbers, but that was not the case. Jonathan noted down to bring it up with the Archmage or the king.

    The surprising application the mage mentioned was its ability to kill certain magical plagues, which was not to surprising to Jonathan.

 Chapter 58 - Learning Can Be Interesting And Horrifying

    After a while, Jonathan decided to ask: ¡°How often is this spell being used to cleanse water? And in which situations?¡±

    The teacher thought for a moment and then answered: ¡°It generally is used in areas where necromancers and other plague spreaders are active. It sometimes is used when there is suspicion that a water source might be contaminated. All in all, it is one of the most used spells you will learn in this course.¡±

    Jonathan was horrified. If he had just understood what he said was that most persons alive could learn this spell and cast it quite often during a day, and that it was known that it stopped the spread of diseases in some circumstances, but it was only used when the situation is dire?This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.

    Jonathan did not know what to think about that.

    But he most certainly knew what he would talk about the next time he saw either Tablos or the king. Survival of the serfs was considered to be less important than to keep all magical knowledge central, even if this knowledge was just in the application, in a common, easy application of a simple, well known spell, which could just Safe their lives if they knew about that.

    Horrifying.

    Especially because he already knew that magic did not work well against plagues.

    Yes, it could heal them, but doing that did not immunize the human body, he was pretty certain, considering that healed ones got the same illness, sometimes just days later, again.

    Why would they open themselves to such risk? Pure stupidity or did something more sinister stood behind that?

 Chapter 59 - Cost-Benefit Calculation

    Empires and legacies can be interesting.

    Sometimes simple things can either create or destroy such things.

    One of the things most often responsible for such is an illness.

    Which illness?

    Any works.

    Illness can create a famine, through either killing or weakening the farmers, or by affecting the crops.

    It could kill an important general before a battle and thus demoralize one army as well as preventing effective leadership.Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on the original website.

    It can prevent a messenger from reaching the recipient. Illness is evil, most would say.

    Illness is to be eradicated, most would say.

    But the truth is, many of the powerful men who say this, have an illness to thank for everything they have. One convenient act of god.

    How much of it was truly not preventable, one must ask themselves, how much has not been prevented because of plain, old stupidity?

    And how much has not been prevented because of maliciousness, knowingly hunting for-profit and expending many lives in the process?

    How important is the life of a peasant truly, when his death could bring money into the pockets of a noble or mage?

    The answer was sadly quite often not that important.

    A being in the void looked at Jonathan.

    Full of ideals and advanced knowledge, how many deaths would he willingly expend to reach his goals, and would those goals in the end be worth the expenditure?

 Epilogue

    Jonathan was in the classroom, together with Elise. Tablos had just left. They trained together, and although Jonathan did not like Elise for the entire kidnapping thing, he was at least able to stand her enough to prevent a fight from breaking out as soon as the authority figure left the room.

    Suddenly, a light shone from a corner of the room, and something barked from inside it. The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    The light developed gravity and Jonathan and Elise where forced in it.

    Tablos suddnly reappeared, tried to pull them out, but it did not work.

    As soon as Elise and Jonathan were completely in the light, their world changed. They saw a small dog, which was immediately identified by Jonathan, who happily greeted them.

    The light, no the portal, closed behind them.

    Jonathan looked at Elise and said: "Welcome in my world".