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The Watcher - B.2 Chapter 4/51

  -Radiant-

  The train ride was relaxing, and also very productive for me. I took the time during the ride to set up something my future selves had come to create over the years of the ‘loop’. It was something that took up a significant portion of the future memory packet, and I was eager to implement it ever since I saw it, but it required a long period of intense concentration and focus, and this train ride was the ideal time to set it up.

  The train ride took about five hours, despite the staggering speed of the train, and yet I was somewhat scrambling to complete what I started by the end of the ride. Even though all I had to do was set up what was already very clearly laid out in the future memory packet, it was such a complex structure that it took almost the full five hours just to copy it even with my powerful mental capabilities.

  What I set up was something like a crude artificial intelligence system utilizing The Cloud of [Mental Operator]. It wasn’t anything crazy like an artificial spirit would be able to do, it was more like turning a part of [Mental Operator] into a computer that could automatically handle things like requests to search and interact with a database, or run a program with specified parameters.

  Of course, this ‘AI’ was mainly created to help me better use the future message, so other than that it was pretty much useless. But after setting up the AI, (the train ride being basically already over) I was only able to initialize/integrate a couple parts of the future memory files into the AI’s database before we stopped.

  So, I chose what I saw as the most relevant things I would want to more easily access until I had more time to integrate the rest of the files. And the files I chose were the ones on Tri-Heart City, and the much smaller files of training suggestions and tips for Icelated Star and Icicle Lance.

  Unlike most other Human wizards, I didn’t have a Class to hand feed me knowledge and assistance of different spells and other things a wizard like me would want to know. Unfortunately I was like a butterfly without the instincts to fly. Other wizards, after getting their magical physiques, would go and get a Class that complimented their physique and gave them complimenting knowledge and assistance. I, however, had the magical physique but I had to learn the knowledge on my own. Like a butterfly that had to fumble around on its own.

  Frustratingly, I didn’t have a magical Class in my past life either, since the government had chosen my Class for me. And even after I escaped from the government, I couldn’t go to a temple to change it, since I would’ve been recognized by the gods no matter how hard I concealed myself.

  So all the magical knowledge and instincts I had for magic was completely self taught, either through learning in The Archives, or through self experimentation or observation of others.

  And it didn’t seem like this handicap was ever going to go away (for the foreseeable future), unless whatever god/goddess that was hunting me decided to turn a blind eye to me entering a temple, but that didn’t seem likely.

  That is to say, I wanted to learn Icelated Star and Icicle Lance with the help of my new AI. Maybe it would be similar to what others experienced with their Class. But training would have to come later, since it was now time to get off the train.

  Some of the others had fallen asleep during the train ride, so they were taking some time to get up and collect their stuff. So, feeling curious about the outside, I said, “I’m going to get off now. I’ll wait for you on the platform.”

  They all acknowledged me (at least the ones who weren’t still half asleep did), and I excitedly made my way to the doors that led off the fancy train. The train slowly glided to a stop just as I reached the train doors, and the doors split in the middle and slid open with a whisper.

  I followed the few others getting off of the VIP train car, and stepped onto the hard and smooth light green platform. The surface of the platform had faint glowing lines of different colors showing the way to different places in the station, and I could hear the sound of steps flowing onto the platform as passengers disembarked from the train. Looking above, I could see a metallic interlocking hexagonal structure with clear crystal panels allowing the sunlight to shine down, giving the plants scattered around the platform in silver colored pots their necessary energy, adding a touch of nature to the otherwise clean platform.

  As I came to a stop near a lush orange fern not far from the train, I took some time to take in a deep breath, and I could smell the fresh scent of baked goods, probably coming from one of the shops lining the wall of the platform.

  As I stood there taking in the sights, I absentmindedly fired off one of my divination spell crystals out of habit. It was a habit I had to quickly pick up after I first obtained my freedom in my past life. Whenever I was in a place where watchers usually lurked, like public transport or high profile locations, I would use divination to make sure I wasn’t being closely watched or observed, and it had saved me many times in the past.

  I was completely caught off guard when the divination I had so casually sent out came back with a positive response. My mind immediately cleared and became hyper vigilant of my surroundings, but I didn’t show any outward indication that I had noticed anything was off. Quickly booting up the mental program I used to detect differences in my surroundings, I was very obviously overwhelmed by the massive influx of information.

  But that was to be expected, seeing as I was in a public place with a lot of moment to moment change, but my [Adaptive Mind] had long since gotten used to overloads of information in this life, and I was able to swiftly filter out all of the information I would deem irrelevant to what I was looking for.

  As I casually scanned the crowd, I caught notice of someone who was looking my way as they pretended to be looking at their hand held device.

  Seeing this, I secretly casted a sight enhancement spell to try and get a more detailed look at who was observing me. I was very curious who would want to observe me specifically, when I had no previous presence in the city. As my eyesight enhanced, and my visual motor skills temporarily sharpened, I glanced over and saw who was watching me.

  Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

  They must’ve noticed my gaze moving towards them, because when my eyes landed on them they were looking away from my direction while raising their arms over their head like they were stretching. I only looked at them briefly, but with my memory there was no need to look for long.

  And what I saw was just a normal guy: normal shirt, normal pants, no tattoos- no wait, with his arms over his head, his long sleeves had slumped down enough to barely see the sharp outline of the top part of a tattoo peeking out.

  I couldn’t tell what it was, it mostly looked like some sort of monster with horns to me, but my new AI actually chimed in and said, “High probability match for symbol referring to UNKNOWN-6 organization present within Tri-Heart City.”

  UNKNOWN-6? What kind of organization is that?

  My AI responded to my inquiry, “UNKNOWN-6 is one of the major organizations present in Tri-Heart City’s underworld. Not much is publicly known about them, but it has had many secret clashes with all of the city’s major organizations, giving them a high probability of being an independent faction with an unknown goal. Commonly referred to as ‘The Demons’ due to their tattoo’s design.”

  OK then, I guess it’s not related to the god/goddess that’s after me if they’ve clashed with all of the city’s major organizations. That doesn’t completely erase my wariness. However, there’s not much I can currently do to address this situation, so I guess I’ll just try to act normal for now.

  I stood by the orange fern trying to be as uninteresting as possible while waiting for my companions, and it wasn’t long before they all arrived next to me and pulled me along to follow one of the glowing lines on the floor leading to the exit.

  As we walked along, I looked at all of the different shops lining the wall like a normal person. There was a talisman shop, an alchemy shop, an armor/weapon repair shop, and even an artifact shop. All the shops seemed to be catering towards the adventurers that would be going to or coming back from the regional Dungeon, even my companions seemed to be paying attention to the shops.

  All of the different shops had names like ‘Refreshing Repairs’, or ‘Venture Artifacts’, and many of them had advertisements trying to get travelers to stop by their shop. I myself was actually intrigued by one of the vibrant displays showing the words, “Need something to get you out of a pinch? Well come by and take a look at our consumable artifacts, they’ll give you the boost you need when you need them.”

  Seeing my companions' looks, I decided to give them an excuse to shop a bit so I could break line of sight with the watcher. Having seen the intriguing display in front of the artifact shop, I said, “Hey, would you all mind if I took some time to look in that artifact shop? I’m interested in their consumable artifacts.”

  I expected them to be resistant to the idea, since they seemed so intent on reaching the exit, but I shouldn’t have been surprised when they all agreed with me and broke off to head towards the shop named Refreshing Repairs. Recalling how they had all almost died back in the Anti-Magic Forest, it wasn’t a surprise that they needed to get their armor repaired.

  I shook my head and made my way to the artifact shop.

  While walking into the artifact shop, I noticed that there weren’t any customers inside. Perhaps it was just because of the time of day, or maybe because it wasn’t popular. I didn’t know, but it had no effect on me. So I strode confidently into the shop, determined to get a feel for the artifacts in this city.

  Perhaps because of my Ancestry, I got a little intense when it came to artifacts, and the only person within the shop seemed to notice my intensity.

  The man behind the counter sat up straight and welcomed me into the store, “Welcome to Venture Artifacts customer. Are you perhaps looking for something in particular?”

  “No, not really. I was just interested in the ad that said there were consumable artifacts.”

  “Consumable artifacts? Indeed there are such things, but as you know, consumable items like potions are much more in demand than consumable artifacts.” He reaches under the counter and pulls out a catalog. “So there aren’t many people that come looking for them. But if you’re interested, then this catalog will show you what we have. Though I have to warn you that some of the items might not be currently in stock, so you would have to put in an order, or go to the main store, to get them.”

  “That’s no problem. I was mostly coming in here to take a look. Consumable artifacts aren’t as quick and easy to produce as other consumables, so I take any chance I can get to look at them when I see them.”

  “An artifact enthusiast? Though I can understand why a Wizard would be interested in artifacts, especially someone with as much mana regen as you.”

  “Haha, I guess you could say that. Though it’s partially because of my TechnicMorph Ancestry, and I am personally interested as well.”

  “Oh, a TechnicMorph?” He looked at me like he had just recalled something, “Are you using some sort of transformation artifact?”

  “...Uh, I’m definitely a Human.” I forgot that TechnicMorphs are pretty exotic. Too exotic to just pass it off as normal. “It’s more of a trace than an actual bloodline, but I guess it still influences me.”

  “Ah, I get it.” He seemed to somewhat relax, “My parents told me there’s some Aeth in my family tree, though I’ve never thought about what kind of an effect that would have on me in particular.”

  “Yeah, it’s like that for me too.” Good, he bought it.

  “Honestly, if I wasn’t selling artifacts I might not even know what a TechnicMorph is. But I’ve heard from some colleagues about how fierce TechnicMorphs are when it comes to anything artifact related.”

  I talked to the clerk a little more as I browsed through the catalog, and it wasn’t too long before Minex and everyone came along to pick me up. They had dropped off all of the equipment they needed repaired, and now it was time to head off towards the Guild.

  I casually looked around to see if the watcher was still observing me, but they seemed to have disappeared. Much to my relief. Though, as we walked out of the store, I couldn’t help but notice from the edge of my vision the store clerk giving me a subtle look as I left. It was an expression so subtle I almost didn’t catch it, but it held one emotion I was all too familiar with, Greed.

  It was only a hint, but I was almost certain it was because I had mentioned my TechnicMorph Ancestry. I wasn’t exactly sure why there would be greed because of that, but I would have to ask Genesis about it later to make sure it wasn’t anything too crazy, since she was much more informed about social knowledge than I was. And speaking of Genesis, I would have to go through the future message to see what it had about her as well.

  But for now, I had to go along with everyone to get all the Guild and identity preliminary stuff done. So my schedule was looking to be packed not only for the rest of today, but also for tomorrow, since I would have to go around taking care of a few other errands tomorrow.

  In any case, I wasn’t going to have enough free time to go to The Archives for a little while. I was a little bummed out about that. But the fact that not one, not two, but three different people had shown a notable interest in me since exiting the Regional Dungeon, I think that not entering The Archives was the least of my worries.

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