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[That does get a raised eyebrow, and his eyes narrowed.]

My. He does care for you.

I'll stick with Cosmo.

[And that is what he writes, neatly. Capping the pen and glancing at the journals.]

You work quickly. I do like that.

I know he does.

[ said with like, zero doubts. He's going to make himself at home and just sit on Cosmo's bed like he own the place ]

These are not nearly as thorough as I would have liked - it's mostly a collection of what I'd already started working on. As a result, it's basic at best and lacking a number of important details. But I figured you would like to at least get an initial idea of what to work on, and the sooner we get started, the better.

Any one of us could be transferred at any time. I will not risk failure due to poor planning on my part.

[ gesturing toward the journals ]

You will find here the full formula I used to time-travel back to my family eight days before the apocalypse. It's not perfect — as I mentioned, the equations were off and as a result, I'm stuck in this body. But I haven't had the chance of revising it.

My siblings powers are covered in details in my sister's book — you will find more information there than I can provide, as I am still recovering my memories. But since the book also does provide irrelevant information about our family life and dear old dad, I've taken care to at least provide a summary through these pages.

Finally, there are a few theories I've taken care to write after studying the material Emet-Selch gave me, regarding how to best combine our powers. They're still nothing more than a bunch of guesses, however, so I expect you will find quite a lot to revise in there.

I have been taking care of transcribing a few pages from the extensive research Noah used to achieve traveling to the First before it was rejoined with the Source. But as it is the work of several people's lifetime, it is taking quite some time.

It is a start and affords me so reading. Work on the rest while you may.

[He looks at the journals again, definitely happy to have things to read.]

Now.

As for your own education there's some I can do outside of dreams, but only theory. And in magic, theory is better understood when you can practice. I feel you'll get much more out of a book on the subject once you have tested the methods first.

But all that is detail. Are you familiar with what Arcanima is? We can begin there.

I'm not an idiot. Obviously I do. We've covered enough theories with Emet-Selch, so if you don't want to waste my time, you'll need to start a little more advanced than that.

Good. Then let us start with the basic formulas. They are by themselves nothing without the enchanted ink and aether to channel through them, but I believe you'll find them familiar enough to grasp.

That's acceptable enough to me. Would you like to start now, or are you busy?

Now is fine.

[He picks up an journal of his own (also stolen from Emet probably) and goes to sit next to Five. There are already formulas written on the pages and he flips it to the first.]

The simplest formula. A direct attack, ruin. [Next page.] Another simple magic. A basic recovery spell, physic by name in the current common. [Page three.] An enfeebling magic, biological warfare made aetheric, and thus deemed bio.

[Page four has a lot more.] And this is the most basic of magical constructs, summoning on a scale too small to be deemed dangerous. A formula to give life to basic aether to aid you as a minion. There are many varieties and more can be created, but the emerald is the most common and easiest to harness for a beginner.

Now.

[He flips back to page one and hands the journal over.]

We will go over what each part of the structure means for each spell. Much like math, the language of the formulas will become apparent as you grasp the components.

[ honestly with the amount of carbuncle plushies the audience gave him, the idea of summoning one is kinda weird. He's an attentive student by default, but obviously he's going to use photographic memory to memorize each of those formulas ]

Makes sense.

[ a pause, and then he adds ]

Did you create the basics of this discipline? Not you specifically - your kind.

Edited 2020-05-26 13:42 (UTC)

[Rip]

You could say in a sense. In the same way that we were the origins of much. But the form I am teaching is one mortals have made quite different.

Simplified, refined, dumbed down and limited to what fractured souls can handle. It is an ideal place to begin. But it does share roots with studies of my time, in its essence.

Do you have other questions before I walk you through the first formulas?

[ there's a sigh ]

The idea you're having to teach me a dumbed down version is rather insulting. Still. I understand I am a beginner, and I've never encountered anything like this. I'm not arrogant enough to believe I'd grasp the original concepts.

You were brilliant.

But no, I don't have questions yet. I'll reserve them for when you do more than showing me your pretty handwriting.

Good. Because the magics we worked cannot be taught in the ways this can. They were... hm. If you cannot even grasp the flow of aether than it is like trying to describe blue to a blind man. Or a symphony to the deaf.

Content yourself with learning arithmetic before you tackle quantum physics. This is your start. Perhaps in time, you'll see in color. Though that remains to be revealed.

Now if you're done being sarcastic...

[He will in fact clearly and concisely go over the meaning of the symbols and sequences for each spell, as well as explaining the basic method of channeling energy through enchanted inked formulas to manifest the affects.]

Edited 2020-05-26 13:57 (UTC)

[ Good news! He really IS a really quick study, and as Lahabrea goes over each topic, he seems to get a better understanding of what he's dealing with. He'll ask questions from time to time, trying to confirm whether he understood something correctly or not, but overall he seems to be getting a good grasp on the theoretical concepts. As he guessed, starting with something that is closer to a field he already excels at is making it easier than trying to understand elements and aether without a solid base that makes sense to him.

He's also clearly fascinated by the subject as a whole, and it's obvious the lecture is genuinely fun to him, despite it technically being work ]

I believe putting these concepts and information in practice is still going to take some trial and error, but I have to admit, it does make it easier to understand.

[He explains or clarifies and confirms as needed, but by the time they've finished the carbuncle construction spell he exhales almost grumpily.

As if he wasn't enjoying himself (he was).]

Of course you'll need practice. And the tools fit to do so. However you do seem exceedingly suited to this, and I would say your grasp of the theory is as sound as it will ever be without experiencing the practical side yourself.

I suppose teaching you isn't a waste of my time, if you intend to keep learning this quickly.

You have an aptitude for this discipline. As I thought. But don't get carried away because you can understand the basic structures. We will not continue theory until you have implemented them to my satisfaction.

I have an aptitude for everything. With enough time and lessons there's nothing I wouldn't be able to grasp.

[ he clarifies immediately like he's OFFENDED he could ever possibly think otherwise. Arrogance is apparently a very key trait ]

You'll see in due time. Needless to say I have every intention of surpassing expectations, so accordingly, do keep them high.

Though I suppose as a teacher you are more capable than I expected.

Edited 2020-05-26 14:26 (UTC)

We are here for knowledge. If you wish to stroke your ego do it in your own time, and with someone more receptive.

Unless you wish to raise my expectations at the peril of my disappointment.

Though as far as things go, that is all I intend to share in the waking world. You might be able to handle more theory but I'd see you perfect the practice first. It will be more taxing then you think.

Conjury relies much on intuition and sensitivity. Arcanima will rely on your precision, control, and focus. And I will not be satisfied with less than perfection.

[He will be running ACT so you better parse pink]

[ pls lahabrea third party tools are not approved!!! ]

Good. I wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than that either — settling for mediocrity would be a terrible way to start our cooperation.

That said, you've already admitted I learn quickly, so you're actually far easier to please than my father ever was. You will not be disappointed, and I will have ample reasons to continue stroking my ego.

Our lessons aside, I'm curious. You haven't asked anything about my actual motivations, and how and why I have decided to help your cause. I admit I expected that to be the first thing you'd be wondering about.

I am not unreasonable, if something is done well it should be acknowledged. Likewise, when done badly, that too must be pointed out.

[He sighs, closing the book and standing.]

Well then, do you intend to tell me those reasons and motives?

Not if you don't care. I don't care either way, if you wish to know I'll say, if not, that's not necessary. But it did strike me as odd that you haven't.

Then again. I suppose it's simply not relevant to you.

[He sets the book down and lifts a hand.]

Go on. Continue the line of thought. Why is it not relevant to me?

Because regardless of my motivations I am already providing my aid, and what expertise I can bring to the table.

You obviously know Emet-Selch trusts me, and I make no mystery that I'm loyal to him. Which means I'm potentially easy to manipulate, if it comes to that. You've also been in my dream, so you can at least take a guess as to why I feel strongly enough on the matter.

You don't need to know any more than that to evaluate whether I have use or not. And as such, it's not relevant.

Edited 2020-05-26 15:00 (UTC)

[The corners of his lips curl in an almost nasty smile.]

Not bad. You are on most points, correct. Whether I get to know you as a person and understand your motives does not matter insofar as your assured cooperation or Emet-Selch's investment in you are concerned.

In that sense, it isn't relevant to me in the least why or for what reason you are involved, the fact of your involvement is already decided.

But you have missed the mark if you assume your reasons entirely irrelevant to me.

Well, I didn't say entirely. But if you had any interest in them why not ask yourself? That's what I'm curious about. Even Emet-Selch found it odd that I so readily accepted your own motivations, you know, given all the mass genocide.

He had to leave the room to take a moment to collect his thoughts.

Quite simple really. I do not and have no reason to trust you.

But here you are. And so I work with what's presented.

In the context, then, there's no reason to ask your motives because I have no particular reason to believe them.

[ there's a laugh at that, and honestly he's just delighted by the turn this conversation is taking ]

Fair enough. I suppose if you're not going to believe me, then you wouldn't care to hear.

Certainly I could ask you to explain to see what you say. And should I ever be convinced of your sincerity then your motives will be most relevant indeed.

But as it stands there's little point beyond gauging your response.

Though I suppose in itself that's a worthy enough reason.

So, in light of my complete distrust, do you feel like enlightening me?

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