Kellan wandered the streets of Ingolstadt, waiting for the timer that appeared on his gauntlet to finish. Currently, the gauntlet had shifted form into a pocket watch so as to not draw unwanted eyes, so he was swinging it by its chain, waiting for something to happen. His clothes had also shifted into traveling clothes suitable for the time and place, a bit battered but not poorly made. He happened to wander near the university that Victor Frankenstein was currently studying at, and decided to look for the man once the timer ran out. He didn't know how old Victor was right now, as he wasn't sure of the year or anything much, as he didn't know how to read or speak German despite his dad being of German descent and his grandparents having moved from West Germany to the US during the 1970's.

Right as the timer reached zero, and he looked down to check the mission, someone smacked right into him, knocking him down. The person fell right on top of him, and as he groaned in a mixture of pain and embarrassment, the system decided now was the time to speak up.

"Ding! You have Templated (Henry Clerval!) Items unlocked: Skill: Spoken Languages (French, German, Romansh), Skill: Written Languages ( French, German, Romansh), Henry Clerval's Outfit, Leather Wallet(Pouch-style), Pocket-Watch,Carac, Malakoff, Swiss Meringue. 1000 Merchant Points awarded for what has been collected, as well as for templating a major character of the setting.Any further items or skills must be unlocked through befriending Henry Clerval and completing quests or tasks he assigns the host."

The man, who Kellan now knew to be Henry Clerval, stood up. He was around Kellan's age, probably a bit younger. He was a rather beautiful man, with features more androgynous than Kellan's, yet somewhat angular and masculine, almost statuesque, with his blond hair and bright blue eyes over rather average, yet nicely shaped lips and a strong chin. He was pale, a bit taller than Kellan himself, and very slim. He seemed sculpted, like one of those Greek statues.Kellan could understand why Victor Frankenstein had described him as a very pretty man in the novel, and he carried an aura of compassion and kindness that seemed as if he desired to reach out and hug every lonely and hurting person in the world. He reached out a hand to Kellan, who was still laying on the ground, stunned by both the fall and the handsome young man in front of him.

Clerval opened his mouth to speak, and words Kellan didn't understand came out. "Geht es dir gut?" it sounded like German? That's right, being an educated Swiss man of the Era, Clerval probably spoke French, German, English, and Romansh. He was probably talking in German due to the fact that we were in Germany.

"System, purchase the German and French spoken and written languages."

"Ding! German and French spoken and written languages have been unlocked and matched with your proficiency in English! 400 merchant points deducted, 600 remaining."

Kellan felt the knowledge flow into his brain in a weird manner, as if it had always been there. His mind went blank for a second as his brain rewired itself, retroactively changing his patterns of thought and language use the way only years of experience speaking and learning a language could. When Kellan's mind returned, he took the man's hand and used it to haul himself up from the ground.

"What did you say? I didn't quite catch it." He said, in frankly flawless German, or so he thought, anyways.

"Oh my, since when does someone who obviously has Asian blood carry the accent of Britain's American colonies when speaking German? Well, your features do carry some European as well, so that might explain it. I asked if you were alright, my dear man." He said, in English that was lightly french-accented. That made sense, people from Genova generally learned French as a first language and Clerval was, among his other interests in bettering humanity, a skilled linguist from what Kellan remembered of the novel. It'd make sense that he'd pick up on Kellan's accent and trace it back to its source, as since his family were businessmen, he probably dealt with foreigners frequently.

"Oh yeah, i'm completely fine. As to the ancestry thing,well, my father was a German merchant with the Dutch East India Company, Mom was the daughter of a Chinese merchant. They fell in love, got married, and Grandfather sent them to Massachusetts to set up a branch of the family company. But.. you, Henry Clerval, you can consider me a messenger from God." Kellan said this, because as he checked his pocket watch, he scrolled to a tab that had a book on it. It was one of two like it. One said Catalog and the other said Quest. In the quest tab, there was a quest that read "A Family Unbroken. Quest Description: Enlist the help of Henry Clerval to ensure Victor's mental and physical health, and help him in the creation of his supposedly monstrous child. Guide him into being a better man and good father, and help him fight off any threats that might arise from his act of creation. Rewards: ????, Skill: Homunculus Creation,unlock Alchemy skills and functions including Alchemy Lab, further rewards depend on performance and connections with the denizens of the world. Accept Y/N?" Kellan hit yes. The quest now had objectives, all but the first of which were blurred out and couldn't be read. The first one read "Befriend Henry Clerval and meet Victor Frankenstein by whatever means necessary."

"Do you have any proof of that, sir? What would a messenger of God be doing in Ingolstadt of all places?" Clerval, though a very excitable and friendly man, was very intelligent, and would definitely not trust Kellan without some kind of proof. Of course, Kellan technically was under the employ of either a god or something very similar, but it was impossible for Clerval to know that. So, to fabricate some proof,he would use the system, as time to save Victor from his own stupidity was running low. He would start to create the monster soon, ignoring everything, even his own health. Perhaps randomly making something appear from thin air would convince him? He'd try facts first, though.

"Well, I know your name and who you are despite having never met you, for one.Your father is a merchant from Geneva, and you somehow persuaded him to allow you to go to school. I know your best friend is named Victor Frankenstein, and he's a student here in Ingolstadt as well. Do you require more proof, Mr. Clerval?" Kellan asked, dramatically purchasing a copy of Paradise Lost from the system and pulling it out of the pocket watch, which was obviously too small to contain it, as well as a small block of extra sharp cheddar cheese. That last one was due to hunger, but he was sure it added to the sheer oddness of the situation.

His mouth hung open and his eyes went wide. "Mon Dieu! I am sorry for doubting you, sir! Anyone capable of pulling such big things from the face of a pocket watch must be supernatural in some way. What brings you to Ingolstadt?"

"Well, Mr. Clerval, I am here to help. You see, your friend is about to undertake his life's greatest labor, and if we don't help him and ensure he doesn't neglect his health, it will lead to bad consequences for everyone he cares about, you included. You've surely noticed that while he likes people and is generally good natured, Victor has a hard time actualizing his compassion and tends to be a bit self centered?" Kellan said.

"Yes, Sir, I have noticed that. When we were children, Frankenstein often had to be somewhat pushed and prodded into thinking of others, but from there would pursue treating them right with the same zeal he had for learning. He just... isn't exactly socially aware or capable, though he does possess the raw kindness and care that makes such a person.Knowing all this, you must indeed be the divine messenger you claim to be.By the by, what is your name?" Henry Clerval asked.

" My name is Kellan Klein, Mr Clerval. Today, we must meet Frankenstein. From there, we go where the future takes us." Kellan said, grinning confidently.

"Well yes, but if what you say is true, you must tell me what we need to do, what would happen if we didn't, and we must make a plan to accomplish it. Follow me, and together we will look for my dear friend." Clerval began to walk, and Kellan followed. As they walked, they chatted, Kellan revealing some knowledge of canon and Clerval being suitably horrified. Together, they formulated a plan, involving a good diet, parenting lessons, persuading Victor to be less of a workaholic, and many other elements that would hopefully avert the disasters to come, or at least make their effects much more mild. The more they chatted, the more Kellan realized Henry Clerval was an optimistic, clever human-shaped ball of sunshine, and the more Clerval realized this seemingly insane mysterious stranger had a good heart and better intentions. Only time would tell where the odd partnership between them would lead, and what fruit it would bear.

***

The two arrived at Victor Frankenstein's apartment, and were greeted by the sight of a tall, thin, pale man , with rather scholarly features. His long, wild black hair held back into a ponytail and emerald green eyes peeked out from under thick brows.He seemed somewhat unhealthy, his pale skin lacking the rosy undertones Clerval's had and his eyes had dark shadows beneath them, but he didn't seem to be on the point of collapse , or to be sick. His eyes shined with curiosity as he looked at Clerval and then Kellan, and his gaze gave off a feeling, as if he wanted to pick him apart, learn his secrets and how he worked, and put him back together, better than before.

"Clerval,my dear friend," Victor Frankenstein asked, his mildly deep voice a little strained," Who is this stranger of mixed blood you bring before me?"

"Ah, my dear Frankenstein, this...friend is someone here to help you,you see. God in Heaven blessed him with knowledge of what is to come if you blindly pursue that little project that has just caught your fancy. You'll neglect your health, neglect the family and friends you've already long neglected, and worse. So listen to him, and to me, Victor Frankenstein," Clerval practically hissed his friend's name." and listen well."

"You know about my project, Clerval? My desire to create life with my own hands and methods? I have mentioned this to no one and haven't even written it down. Hmph, this man must truly be a divine messenger to know this not long after I have thought it. So tell me, agent of God, does your master approve of my dream?" Victor asked, his voice shaking. He was naturally suspicious and curious, but he knew Clerval would not lie to him and if this stranger knew his plans to learn to create life, he had to be who he said he was. So he had to know, did his own creator approve of his attempt to create?

"Mr. Frankenstein, my name is not 'Agent of God' , it is Kellan Klein. Yes, God does approve, but he wants you to do it as a responsible man seeking to be a parent, rather than a sorcerer creating life. You must learn about how people work, and how to raise a child. You must take care of yourself and your relationships, and be careful not to let your zeal for work prevent you from enjoying life. If you can do these things, balance this great work with being a good man, God approves." Kellan paused, taking a deep breath to calm himself. Speaking so formally was a bit of a strain., but the seriousness of the subject at hand and the utter awesomeness of what he was about to become a part of let him easily bear it." God will even provide me with useful knowledge that will help in these endeavours, though we will still have to do much research ourselves. Are you prepared to take on this burden in pursuit of your dreams, Victor Frankenstein?" Kellan smirked mischievously, like a grinning demon. He imagined Mephistopheles had a very similar look when he'd made his offer to Faust, but he supposed he could find that out later.

"Yes, yes, a thousand times yes! If even God approves of my labors, what do I have to fear as a man of science? Even if all the peoples of the world array themselves against us and nature itself rejects us, we will accomplish this great task together, Mr Klein."

"Yeah, sure, but call me Kellan. Also, why do you and Mr. Clerval call each other by your last names?"

"In that case, you may call me Victor. As to the question you posed, it is simply a common thing to address one's close fellows in that way, though we do often use our given names in private company. Right, Henry?" Victor smiled, seemingly enjoying the lack of formality and straightforwardness of this stranger that had exploded his worldview in such a short time.

"Yes, that is true, Victor. Since you have invited us to use your given name and extended the hand of friendship and partnership to the two of us, you may also call me Henry." Clerval-, no, Henry smiled, his gentle demeanor made all the more obvious by it.

"That sound pretty good to me, let's get down to planning and figure out how to proceed from here." Kellan said, the formality dropping from his speech while the tone of his voice got more serious.

"You are quite an interesting fellow,Kellan. Your frankness and lack of unnecessary formality beyond basic decency intrigues me. As you said, let us get down to business." Frankenstein gestured to his two guests to sit down, and they began to make plans.Kellan quickly bought some books on biology,chemistry, psychology,anatomy and physiology, and childcare from the system. The former 5 had been things he'd taken classes on, and the last had been something he'd studied growing up to help take care of his several younger siblings. He didn't take them out yet, but kept them ready in the system's inventory. Altogether, they'd cost him about 100 Merchant Points for 20 different books.

The three new friends discussed late into the night, planning how they would research different subjects, what was the best way to go about studying the human form and the human mind, how best to go about keeping themselves from submerging into the project to an unhealthy degree, and the like.Plans began to slowly take shape, and before they knew it, the three similarly aged men had drifted into sleep at the table.