ManaTech: A System of Magic And Technology

Pitstop

I didn’t see anyone as I was walking through whatever apartment building or complex that I had woken up in, though it got me thinking about the kind of life forms I might expect to find during my new life. 

“Are there many humans on this world?” I asked as I walked. 

[Uh, a few here and there,] The AI replied, [Though it’s probably best to warn you in advance that humans aren’t exactly most species' favourite lifeform in the galaxy.]

“Oh, why not?” I asked, a feeling of dread creeping into my belly, “This isn’t going to cause any problems, is it?” 

The AI was silent for a moment, [A war between the wider galaxy and the rest of the human race came to a close around fifty years ago. There are still some hard feelings here and there, but for the most part, you should be fine.]

It was an explanation that left me feeling considerably uneasy, and not even the resplendent view of the glittering city that I was treated to upon entering a glass lift at the end of the corridor I had been walking down was enough to shake the sensation. 

I could only hope that the AI was correct and that opinions of the human race had softened enough over time to make my presence at least bearable. 

As my elevator slid further and further down the side of the building more of the city became obfuscated, hidden behind a heavy stone wall made up of gigantic pieces of rock that even people on my modern-day Earth would have had trouble moving around. 

Even with that being the case, there were still plenty of impressive sights to gawk at. Mainly in the form of all the different alien species walking around the plaza where the elevator dropped me off at. 

Some of them were quadrupeds with four strong legs and torsos that sat atop their bodies like that of a centaur. Some slithered around on tentacles, with their many limbs whipping to and fro in an array of patterns that were so intricate it seemed impossible that they were able to keep it straight in their heads. 

Other species weren’t walking at all. They hovered around cross-legged with bottom limbs that were so withered and decrepit that I could imagine they’d never been used at all. 

Some had three arms, others and four, and a few had no arms at all. 

The plaza was a melting pot of species from across the galaxy, and it was probably a story that was repeated across the city as a whole. 

Oh, and all of them definitely looked as though they could pick me up and snap me in half in a fight if they wanted to. 

[Oh sure, they all look so strong,] The AI in my head snorted, [But if you had access to your full power you wouldn’t just be able to snap them in half, you’d be able to erase them from existence entirely without even breaking a sweat.]

I shook my head slightly as I began to walk again. 

It was going to take a while for me to get to grips with the idea that I had the future potential to bend any one of the aliens around me over my knee and rip them apart if I really wanted to. 

The blinking blue line on the ground led me through the central space of the plaza and over to an array of shops that had seemingly been built directly into the wall itself, and while I didn’t recognise any of the food on offer in the glass cabinets of the stalls they all smelled delicious. 

[I’d recommend going with the pastry place,] My AI advised, [You should be compatible with most food on offer, but I’d suggest taking it slow with something that’s basically universally the same. You can’t go wrong with wheat… unless you have a gluten intolerance, I guess.]

I hummed in agreement and approached the stall the AI had indicated. 

There weren’t any lifeforms, human or otherwise, working behind the counter but I’d seen how the stalls worked already thanks to other aliens coming and going from them. 

Much like the cupboard in my bedroom, I placed my hand on the glass panel of one of the pastry boxes, with a slight tingle it disappeared in a shower of blue motes and I was able to pick up the food that I’d set my sights on. 

In the corner of my vision, a money reader popped up, I’d been granted a thousand credits and that had subtracted one of them. 

I took a cautious bite of the pastry, nothing more than a careful nibble just in case I didn’t like it, but was immediately delighted to find that it tasted and had the texture of something very similar to a french croissant. 

“That’s pretty good,” I said after swallowing, “Solid advice, thank you.” 

The AI didn’t respond, but I felt a sense of smug satisfaction from the back of my mind. The blue line sprung up again, this time it wanted me to head over to the far side of the plaza and toward what I could only imagine was the area where the so-called trials were going to take place. 

“I’ve still got time,” I remarked, “I’m gonna sit here for a while, just sort of take things in. It’s not every day that you get reincarnated in a new world, you know.” 

[Fine, just don’t make us late,] The AI replied, [I’ll get you moving if you spend too much time sitting around doing nothing, mark my words.]

I rolled my eyes and sat down on a wooden bench before resuming my breakfast. 

A lot had changed in a very short period of time and I had no doubt that things were going to get even weirder and even stranger before the day was done. 

I needed a moment to relax, to take in the new world, and for the AI to explain just exactly what I was capable of now.