Countless magicians have experimented with artifacts to find out the mechanism that makes them work. The one who cracks the code will instantly become a hero for all those who come after him.

― Soren K., “Meditations on Magical Rationale,” book II, chapter 2

Asteria

There’s a common saying that “plans are useless but planning is essential.” My current predicament shows the wisdom of preparation, but also the uselessness of planning a specific course of action.

I’d finished putting the credits, weapons, and artifacts into their proper places. The three commanders had cleared Bornholm Pass for me, and I’d placed a cache at a high ledge that was unreachable without the use of an advanced wind spell. I’d also teleported to Skjoldhojkilen swamp and successfully planted a bag of items inside the trunk of a rotted swamp tree.

I'd finished the preparations so I was free to celebrate my coming of age. I was having lots of fun at my glow party. Katja and I were both in white glow mini skirts and crop tops. I’d chickened out by wearing tights with mine, but it’s not like people would even look at me when I was with Katja. I wanted to wear a glowing blue wig, too, but Sariel said it made me look like a clown.

Several men had looked like they wanted to approach me or Katja, but they’d all backed away when they saw who we were with.

Sariel, who had been the most skeptical about my blacklight party, had gone all in. His entire body was covered in multicolored swirls and stripes of glow paint. Even his bald head was speckled with blue glow paint. The only clothing he was wearing were shorts and boots.

Uriel had likewise had his body painted, half as a skeleton and half as a flayed man with exposed muscles and tendons. It was shocking and provocative. At least, unlike Sariel, he was wearing pants. They were made of leather and tight enough that Uriel was attracting female attention like honey attracts ants.

Seraphiel had declined to be painted and was wearing his usual casual attire, black jeans, and a black T-shirt. I’d persuaded him to let me paint his T-shirt, but Sariel had made me paint over the poop emoji I’d originally drawn. Now it was a yellow five-pointed star on a blue circle.

Katja and I were drinking a glowing non-alcoholic cocktail I’d come up with. It was just juice with tonic water, but the blue and red berry juice I’d used gave it a nice color.

The artists, designers, models, and various acquaintances had all come to see me earlier to congratulate me. They’d brought a lot of guests with them, including the venerable Olivia Ramstedt of Wanted magazine. Even Ella and Oscar from Madam Kraej’s party had shown up. All in all, I’d say that the party was a big success.

“Why is Oren so late? Israfel hasn't shown up either,” said Katja, who was sitting beside me on a red loveseat.

“They’ll be here,” I said. They had the warehouse’s phone number and they were both dependable people, so they’d call if they weren’t coming.

“It’s getting late,” said Seraphiel. He was sprawled beside me on a floor cushion with his head resting on the loveseat’s arm. The dance floor was rowdy but it was relatively quiet here in a corner of the warehouse. People kept a healthy distance from the S-class EL.

“It’s past my bedtime, but let’s dance.” I dragged Seraphiel and Katja up to a platform where there was a cage with the bars painted a glowing pink. Seraphiel was too tall to fit inside but Katja and I danced inside it while Seraphiel danced a step below us outside.

I spotted Oren and Israfel. “Look, there they are!”

They didn’t seem to be in a party mood. Still dressed in their uniforms, the two looked glum. I waved to them and we went down to meet them.

“Happy coming-of-age,” said Oren.

“Happy coming-of-age,” said Israfel.

Wow, they didn’t sound happy at all.

“What’s wrong?” asked Katja.

The music was a little too loud inside for a real conversation, so we went outside after getting our coats.

“I have to go back home,” said Oren. His face was solemn and his blond hair wasn’t as spiky as it normally was. “My dad is in a bad way.”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” I said.

Shit! Was this the start of the hero’s quest? The hero was supposed to train in the military for two years. It’s only been six months. In “Tales of Vesterland,” the game’s events had started when the hero went back to his hometown with Israfel and the three S-class ELs.

I expected the plot would change because of my interference. Healing the ELs means that the hero’s home wouldn’t be flattened by a fight between Seraphiel, Sariel, and Uriel. But had the timeline sped up? Was this the start of Oren’s heroic journey or just a mundane trip to visit his family?

I was silent as Katja and Oren talked a bit about their families back home. I knew that Oren’s mother had given birth to him when she was quite old. Oren’s father was older than her by decades, and his health had been failing for some time. Now they thought it would be best for Oren to return home for a time since the end was near.

“You were late because you were filing for leave?” asked Seraphiel.

Oren nodded. “Yes, sir. I got permission, so I’ll be leaving at first light. I’m sorry, Asteria. I have to leave soon to pack and get some sleep.”

“Don’t worry about it,” I said. “I hope your father recovers.”

Oren said his goodbyes to us soon after. The rest of us stayed at the party for another hour before leaving. Oren’s news had put a damper on the festivities.

“I’ll drive you all home,” said Seraphiel. He hadn’t drunk anything alcoholic the entire night. Uriel and Sariel were still partying. Seraphiel, Katja, Israfel, and I all piled into Seraphiel’s custom four-seater sports car with gull-wing doors.

“I’m sleepy anyway,” I said. “I guess I’m not much of a party girl.”

“I have to go home and pack the stuff I’m sending to my family,” said Katja.

“Why don’t we stop at your place first? Then I can give the package to Oren when I go to the barracks,” said Israfel.

“Thanks, but there’s no need. Oren will stop by to get it tomorrow,” said Katja.

“Poor Oren,” I said. “He looked really sad.”

“Yeah, he and his father are very close,” said Katja.

I put my head on Katja’s shoulder. “Is there anything I can do?”

From the driver’s seat, Seraphiel looked back at me worriedly.

“No. We’ll just have to be there for him when he returns,” said Katja.

“You’re right,” I said.

No one talked much after that.

Seraphiel drove Katja back to her apartment and Israfel to the barracks. He asked me to spend the night at his apartment. I suppose he was worried that I’d run off with the hero, but I assured him that the hero’s hometown was the last place I wanted to be.

The secret laboratory under the town was one of the three places where the Iah spawn were. I’d never risk going near the place until after the hero defeated the boss monster there.

“I can almost feel you scheming,” said Seraphiel when we arrived at his apartment.

“Let’s talk about this tomorrow, please. I’m tired.”

“Promise me you won’t sneak away in the night,” said Seraphiel. His golden eyes were narrowed suspiciously. I reached over with a hand and smoothed out his pursed lips. I tried to pull the corners of his mouth up, but it was a lost cause.

“I promise,” I said. “Good night.”

Though I was tired, I still couldn’t sleep after I showered and changed into a nightie. I lay on my bed thinking of what I was going to do next. The best course of action would be to wait and watch. The Hero System was mostly likely moving Oren towards something with this major life event.

I knew where Oren was, but I cast the hero radar spell anyway to check if it still worked. I called some chibis and asked them to see where the chibis I’d stuck to Oren were. They reported to me that Oren was in the military barracks.

Fluffing my pillow, I mentally went over the special skills I’d been granted by the goddess or developed on my own.

I had two special skills that involved the use of heavenly fire. The less dangerous one was Transcendental Flame.

Transcendental Flame A pillar of fire that results in an uncontrollable firestorm over a large area.

Paradisiacal Rain was the one that destroyed a continent.

Paradisiacal Rain A hail of fire and brimstone.

I also had two special skills for the Iah virus. I’d used Rite of Cleansing several times.

Rite of Cleansing A spell that weakens the Iah virus.

The stronger variant, Glory of the Divine Conqueror, was the ultimate skill I would use to pwn the Iah virus in the physical and spiritual planes.

Glory of the Divine Conqueror The only skill that can eradicate the Iah virus. Cast over the entire world of Verden, it requires an enormous amount of anima.

My control and buff skills were pretty good, but, as much as possible, I wanted to stay away from the actual fighting. That's the hero's job, not mine.

Astral Authority An essential spell for traveling in the wilderness. Attracts or repels monsters in a given area. Stellar Ballad Stuns all targets. Wings of Light Glowing wings of golden light swiftly carry the caster up to half a kilometer away. Empyrean Grace A temporary buff that makes one target invulnerable to physical and magical attacks for five seconds. Miracle Legacy Increases the physical and magical damage and defense of all allies. Extinguish the Unholy Decreases the physical and magical damage and defense of multiple targets.

As Verden’s goddess of Fate, Elyon held sway over both time and space. As her divinely appointed helper, I was able to create a few special teleportation and temporal skills. Unfortunately, my two teleportation skills had side effects.

Spirit Incarnate The caster is teleported to any location in Verden. Side effect: intense pain. Star of Fate A star-shaped symbol is drawn on a surface. One person can step on it to be teleported to any place they choose. Side effect: Anima in the area around it is exhausted.

My sole temporal skill, Defender of Heavenly Principles, wasn't something one could easily use.

Defender of Heavenly Principles Reverses time for one target. The effect is temporary if more than a few minutes of time is reversed. Uses a large amount of anima.

My simulation of using it on a human-sized target to rewind time five seconds drained an area the size of Kraej City of anima.

If needed, I could also use my weapon, the Goddess’ Embrace, to put a person in a state of stasis.

Just for kicks and giggles, I’d also prepared Harmony of the Spheres. I definitely wanted to use that at some point.

Harmony of the Spheres Summons a pillar of light and a chorus of angelic voices.

I’d spent ten years preparing these special skills. I hoped they were enough to save my friends and this world.

The skill that kept me awake that night, however, was Celestial Consecration, a skill that grants the goddess’ blessing to her chosen champion. The blessing was a growth skill that gave the hero the ability to improve his physical constitution and skills faster. Also, it gave him and his companions the ability to learn special skills while in combat. It had to be cast at exactly the right time, at a crucial turning point when the hero was at the beginning of his quest and committed himself fully to his quest no matter what.

It was usually triggered by the death of a loved one. If Oren’s father died, it would be a natural death, so that wasn’t the key event. In the original timeline, Oren had received the goddess’ blessing when his hometown was destroyed and all his family was killed.

I hoped no one would have to die this time.