174 Country of Champions 25 (1/2)

”Dr. Odd is on Alpha Minoris. I don't have the time to explain everything and still keep my deadline schedules. If you call off the firing squad and follow me to the house, I'll give you an explanation as I work or I can call your favorite angel in the whole wide world to give you an intimate breakdown with all your subordinates watching,” Orison said with a saintly smile.

Face going white as a sheet before taking on a faint blush, Jacques said, ”N-no. You're bluffing!”

Orison smiled even more radiantly and said, ”Sammy, sweetheart, the apple of Edom in my eye, could you give us a whiff or those heavenly hand rolled cigars you make? Your buddy, Jacques, seems to have forgotten the savory scent of your affections.”

A husky woman's voice echoed in Orison's spiritual seat, ”Mo than happy to, sugar, but don't be playin round with yo faith juice like dat. It'll bite you in yo a** one day.”

A puff of sweet herb laced cigar smoke rolled under Jacques' nose, sending him into a sneezing fit. Looking like a child wrongfully punished, he followed Orison into the lake house after releasing Planar Response back to their duty stations. As they walked in the door, the young mage started things off by pouring about three shots worth of Ice and Fire into the potted plant that sat between the dining and living room. All the while, he ignored LeStrange's complaint.

While Orison doled out 'medicine' to the teens, Gan and LeStrange with a great deal less camaraderie than he had originally intended, he spun a story of surface truths to placate Jacques. ”Dr. Odd was forced to cross the divide early... The three of you who don't know the whole story, this planet is called Beta Prime and there is another planet from a higher dimension called Alpha Minoris that it is merging with. When the process is done, the new merged planet will finish popping up to the higher dimension or sink back fully into this one.

”No matter which way it goes, it's bad for somebody. If it rises, a lot of things will disappear to make room for things that are more real and the remaining people from this side will become mostly just normal people with a few minor quirks. If it sinks, then this reality will get into a resource tug of war with the higher reality and the outcome isn't as stacked in the higher reality's favor as it would usually be. That equals a lot of death and collateral damage.”

Jacques said, ”The reason why his artifact came to me even though my mentor isn't dead?”

Orison said, ”It's worthless up there. Well, not entirely but close enough... Gan, you and my stingy mentor can finish off what's left of the bottle at whim.”

”Don't have to tell me twice,” Gan said with an irritable look on his face as he saw Jacques grab the bottle and fit as much into his glass as he could.

”Alright, Rio. I have a list of things for you to do. After strutting around for Esme to your heart's content, I've authorized you to sign yourself out of school. You don't have to come home as soon as you finish but if you want to be as much in the loop as you can be, I'd suggest you come back as soon as you can,” Orison added wryly.

Rio slurred agreement before calling up transportation.

Garret said, ”Am I staying again today?”

Orison shrugged. ”I could use an extra pair of hands but it's not in the realm of 'need'.”

As a barrage of invisible echoes continued to merge with him, like they had since the first set, Orison continued surface truth explaining. ”Dr Odd left the artifact and I was allowed to use it. There was an understanding between me and basically everyone that I wouldn't take credit for other's discoveries but I was told to help a few people make their discoveries earlier. So, I'd appreciate it if you would help me clear a few minor red flags that might stop me from doing that.”

Still frowning at the snoring Northlander on the kitchen floor, ”The artifact won't allow itself to be used for selfish reasons but that doesn't mean it couldn't be used with good AND selfish reasons... I need a daily report from you for ALL the things you're going to do that day and if you deviate, I'll have you put under protective custody until I can get Aurora to read your truth.”

Orison said, ”I don't care that you're an acting Triumvir. I won't hesitate to pull supernatural rank on you if you keep me from handling personal business I don't feel like sharing... Keeper of oaths and seer of all things within your domain, by the stone that possesses your blessing and power, I swear to commit no crime or take what rightfully belongs to someone else with the knowledge of that future I have seen.”

The artifact hidden underneath Jacques shirt glowed a peaceful blue for a moment and Orison added, ”That's my compromise. As long as you don't block my activities, I won't get in your way or cause you anymore problems than you'd already be dealing with.”

It took a great deal more skirting around the dangerous full truth to convince LeStrange and the young mage knew full well that he'd be under watchful eyes moving forward but he didn't care. ”It's going to be nonstop hectic for the next couple of weeks til the turn of the month. I'd like your three diamond passes.”

Jacques snorted. ”I'm sure you would.”

”I already gave you almost a third of a bottle of Ice and Fire. What more do you want from me!? Damn cheapskate!” Orison asked with an aggrieved face.

Seeing a way to get some revenge, Jacques leered and said, ”You're the one wanting something. Make an offer.”

Narrowing his eyes, Orison said, ”Stop eyeballing the last shot in the small bottle. With as much Ice and Fire as you've drank in the last few years, it wouldn't do anything for you except make you a little numb for a couple of minutes... On top of not telling anyone how much supplement you just wasted for personal pleasure and how you offered me nothing for it, I won't uninvite you to my party tomorrow.”

Refusing to back down too much and still angle, Jacques said, ”That earns you one 'unloaded' diamond pass. What about the rest you asked for?”

Orison sneered. ”Just 'load' it and the other two with the merits you've conveniently forgotten to pay out to my account. And before you decide to go down that road, I've knowledge of the future training you plan on giving me and how much you got for those materials. I dare you to lie to me about it with that medallion hanging around your neck.”

A sore loser, LeStrange revved up to defend his position when Orison added, ”The 'barely' part of 'barely not extortion' and 'barely not theft' is so paper thin it's a form of shame in itself. Since I've already received your overpriced training, I'll concede that half but if I had known how you would treat me, I assure you, I would have never trusted you with my merits. UTF right wing extremists are more charitable than you.”

While the sound of three notifications ringing out on the young mage's touchscreen, Jacques said angrily, ”Since you've received all the training, get ready to prove it. I've scheduled your defense of B-class privileges two weeks from now.”

Orison gave a saintly smile. ”Oh, so the earliest you could make it... If you can MAKE IT to the party with that chip off your shoulder, I won't slip you mixto made with bottom shelf mezcal.”

Wide eyed, Jacques looked at Orison like he was the devil. ”You wouldn't dare!”

The young mage sighed. ”Bury the hatchet with me, mentor. A student and his teacher should be like father and son, not bickering merchants. I am thankful for... all you would have done, miserly inclinations aside.”

Snorting impressively, Jacques said, ”I'm bringing my wife, mistress and my two children.”