The New World
Copyright© 2024 by Dark Apostle
Chapter 40: Graduation
Fan Fiction Sex Story: Chapter 40: Graduation - The story follows James Smith, a man who dies and finds himself in a surreal afterlife courtroom, where his life is judged as "zero sum"—neither good nor evil, just utterly average. Dissatisfied with being consigned to eternal mediocrity, he manipulates the cosmic bureaucracy into granting him a second chance in a new world, where he is reincarnated as a child with his memories intact and perks... - edited by my lovely Steven.
Caution: This Fan Fiction Sex Story contains strong sexual content, including Ma/Fa Ma/ft Mult Coercion NonConsensual Reluctant Slavery Lesbian BiSexual Heterosexual Fan Fiction Farming High Fantasy Rags To Riches Restart Alternate History DoOver Extra Sensory Perception Body Swap Furry Magic Incest Mother Sister Politics Royalty Violence
The next morning, James left Anna’s and returned to the tavern. Walking in, he saw Kael at a table eating breakfast. ‘Finally,’ James thought.
James went up to Kael and sat down. Freya brought him breakfast and a mug of tea. “It is good to see you, mage Kael.”
“Mathin has provided me with a status on all of your activities while I was gone. I expected the continual practice. I did not expect the town to drag you into a fight with a cave bear. Well done.”
“Thank you. I surprised myself,” James admitted.
“I want you to tell me every single action you performed in the search and battle with the cave bear.”
For the next hour, James detailed the entire episode, from the guard finding him to the return to Castletown. Several times, Kael stopped him and made him walk through the casting of the spells and where he encountered problems. Finally, Kael was satisfied.
“For a talented novice, you did well. When we return to the field, I will help you with the parts you faltered on. You must have a solid base to build upon before we move to the higher-level offensive spells. I must leave in three weeks, just before the tourney. And if I return, it will not be for at least a year.” Kael informed him.
“Why so long an absence?”
“There is a war brewing. The king has commanded me to investigate. He is sending me with a small band of adventurers. They will be my decoy, and I will present myself as a hedge mage. To maintain the deception, we will have to travel as poor wayfarers using what modes of transport we can scrounge.”
During your training, I will explain the way of the world. But I have known about this assignment for a year, which is why Mathin tested you.”
“To be honest, I felt offended that he kept testing me.”
“This is Isekai, you are always tested! If not by the gods or monsters, then by men with more power, either magical or temporal. All you can do is maintain your integrity. As you gain power, many will wish to join with you, whether to use your abilities to further their goals or as an acolyte. When you were just a muscle-bound barbarian, you offered little value. Add in a little magic, and the lord of the city convinces you to risk your life for nothing except praise. Not coins or titles, just a thank you, and you are dismissed.”
“I never considered it that way. But when you lay it out, you are correct. My only pay was the opportunity to pay for a dinner with his daughter,” James mused.
“When you are a mundane, a web of mutual help is vital. But you are moving beyond that. Every use of magic has a cost. Before you take an adventure, think of the options: Is this the best use of my time and resources? What am I missing to do this? What is the long term impact? Your analysis will help shape your life as a battlemage.
I am undertaking the king’s quest because of an oath I made forty years ago. Had I thought about the adventure then, I would be at home in my retirement. Instead, I will be on mules, foot, and the billage of old scows.”
“Is there a spell that I can use to predict the future? That would be helpful to plan my life.” James asked.
“The gods may have one. But I do not know. When you meet one, ask.”
“I will put that on my list.”
“I have never met a god, but I have seen their meddling as I traveled. They are indifferent to people’s suffering, carless to their damage to the kingdom and the world. They follow one principle—might makes right. Oftentimes, fights between the gods use humans as pawns. One god prevails, and they move on, never caring about the pawn. You should avoid any entanglement with them.”
“I do not plan on seeking out one of the gods, but if they seek me, what are my options?”
“Realistlcly few. You can bargain for personal gain—coins, spells, magical devices or weapons, whatever. But how can you enforce the bargain? If they renege, then you would have wasted your effort and time. There are many tales of the gods not keeping their bargain.
“I intended to train you to be the greatest battlemage. But we only have three weeks. During that time, we will work day and night.”
“Not that I am complaining, but why are you training me?”
“This is my finger in the eye to the gods. They will see you as a skilled but naïve mage and should descend upon you with temptations and guile. To them, you would be a trained practitioner without the loyalty gained through an apprenticeship. Once you have agreed to their offer, they can use you as a tool against the king and civilization.”
“I see why you and Mathin subjected me to the tests. I proved my integrity is intact.”
“Mathin was also concerned that the slaver’s spell might still linger. But neither of us could detect its presence. That is why we continued with your training.”
The two men walked to the field. There, Kael remarked, “Based on your description, the failure to tame the bear was a combination of lack of confidence, poor planning to provide you with backup, and poor tactical position.”
“What do you mean?”
Kael continued, “These are all intertwined. Had you more men, they could have distracted the bear to allow time for taming. Instead, you shielded them. This is the reverse of the proper use of troops. They are easily replaced; you are not. Had you used Lift to raise yourself into the branches of a tall tree, this would have provided you with enough physical separation to provide time for the taming. Or if you had practiced on dangerous animals instead of deer, you would have had the confidence to tame the bear on the first attempt.
The takeaway from this battle was that you did not plan it properly, which endangered everyone there.”
“In hindsight, you are correct.” James agreed.
“Before we train you on a new spell, I will teach you the most important lesson—planning. Captain Kenneth played you. He rushed you into a battle where you were not prepared. He took advantage of your natural inclination to be helpful and risked everything.
Here is what should have happened. When he came to you, you needed to immediately determine the challenge ahead of you, decide on the resources that were needed, and then take real control. Instead, Kenneth announced the enemy, decided on the resources, and pushed you to go before you were ready.
You thought it was a cave bear based on the reports from a few frightened villagers. But instead of stopping to plan, gather resources, both weapons and food, and scout the battlefield, you jumped in with both feet, barely prevailing. Kenneth’s urgency drove the battle, and you complied. He did not know your capabilities versus the bear and brought nothing to assist.
Here is what you will do next time. You will gather information, including scouting the battlefield. Based upon this information, you will requisition the necessary resources and demand complete control. This does not mean instructing the men; it means that their officers will instantly obey you.”
“What happens if they won’t?” James asked, “I am not royalty or even a knight.”
“No, you are much more. They need you, which allows you to set the terms. Kenneth set the terms, and you might have died. Now listen. There are few battlemages on this world, all who gained power through will, determination, and study. There are many more who picked their parents wisely and became royalty. Know your value.
Now, back to the battle. The bear attacked at night and did not return to the village on the second day. So there was no great urgency. Think back to the first bear hunt you saw when you were eight. They had armored knights, a careful plan, a prepared battlefield, and enough men to provide two avenues of attack with more as backup. What did you have, James?”
“I had a willing fool ready to jump in over my his head.”
“Exactly. Now here is the final thing. You needed to be paid. If they do not want to pay you, then the task is not important. The act of giving you coins shows they understand your worth and that the task is vital. The coins are a way of focusing their mind so when you demand resources to be successful, they will comply.
You have established a thought in Mallow’s mind that you are on his beck and call, and all the reward you need require is a meal at the castle. Was the food that good?”
“I serve better,” James said.
But enough of this, let us start with new spells. When you Lift, you are the fulcrum. Grab provides the anchor, and then Lift moves in relation to the anchor. With this next spell, you are the anchor, and the spell acts to lift the target and drain them of any magical energy. The components are the Tap spell that you use to top off your reservoir, and this new one, Force.”
Handing James a parchment, Kael continued, “This is the spell that Ari used on Fel. He used the same one on you, only without the Tap. Once you have learned this, you will use Force without the tap until you have mastered it. Then we will seek out a magical creature for you to practice.”
“Will this allow me to break the spell if I am entrapped?” James asked.
“No, that is tomorrow’s spell. Now, get to work.”
As James practiced, Kael gave him pointers and demonstrated how the spell could be used for construction. “Between Grab and Force, you can move boulders or trees to create a quick camp or obstacles to slow down an enemy. Do not categorize the spells as single-use. A good mage can cast these spells. A great one can adapt them to accomplish many tasks.”
“Where will we find a magical creature to use the other part of the spell on? I have not seen any in this area.” James asked.
“I will teach you summoning tomorrow. You can practice on the beast when it is called. But let’s stop. Our lunch is here.”
James turned and saw several of the town guards being followed by a several pack mules. He watched silently as two of the guards started erecting a pavilion tent in the clearing. Another set up camp chairs, and another one started unloading supplies into the pavilion. The leader came up to Kael and bowed his head. “Lord Mallow sends his compliments. We will bring food every morning for you and Master James.”
“Give my thanks to Lord Mallow,” Kael replied.
After the guard left, James asked, “How did you arrange that?”
“I walked into the castle, and they immediately took me to Mallow. Being a battlemage does have its advantages. I pointed out how poorly they treated you and suggested there were ways to make up for the insult.” Kael then swept his arm at the new pavilion. “Let’s eat and then more practice.”
For the next two days, Kael worked James day and night. “You can sleep when you are dead. Do you think you can call a timeout for a nap in the middle of battle?” Kael thundered. “You must be able to function flawlessly, no matter how tired you are. Sleep is for losers.”
Slowly, surely, James mastered one spell component after another. After 24 hours of non-stop training, Kael called for a rest. “You are fortunate that you have good strength. This type of effort is a hurdle most mages cannot meet. Now, dinner a meal and sleep. Then tomorrow, a test.”