《Shell Theories: The Broken Magician》Chapter 4: Looking Inwards, Looking Outwards
Advertisement
Another week since then. There’s not much to do given my circumstances, so I’ve whiled the time away alone with my thoughts. I’ve recently come to the realization that a womb satisfies several of the conditions necessary to be a good spot for contemplation. It’s dark, quiet, and kept at a comfortable temperature. And so, while I’m here in a place so conducive to meditation, I might as well spend my time in my thoughts.
I think of myself. My body, and my consciousness. I think of the world and my place in it. The more I think, the more questions I have.
Somehow, I possess features no fetus should naturally have: an adult’s common sense and mature cognitive process. I understand what a Royal Palace is, I know basic biology, and I can speak the local language. Or, well, I suppose I could if my lungs weren’t filled with amniotic fluid. But having all this knowledge even before birth certainly begs a few questions. When was it that I learned all this? From whence did I chance upon it?
Since I remember coming to this world with a vague sense of purpose in mind, it is quite possible that my knowledge was artificially implanted by whom or whatever sent me. But instinctively I feel like this is likely not the case. Somehow it all feels familiar. Nothing about it seems incongruous, as if it were always part of who I was. Then if that is the case, then, who was I?
It’s also possible, and quite probable in my estimation, that the knowledge I have now was gained in some previous existence of mine. Then why is it that I cannot remember who I was? I’ve noticed my memory is frightfully selective. Were I to be thrust into an adult’s body and sent off to live in some random village, I’m fairly confident I could fit in quite comfortably. But I can’t seem to recall anything about the existence that I likely once was.
Advertisement
Moreover, if this vague sense of purpose is no lie, then it’s entirely possible that I have somehow forcibly reincarnated myself with some of my memory intact in order to achieve some predetermined goal. If that’s the case then well done, me, I’m sure it couldn’t have been easy. But could I not have left myself with just a little bit more of my past knowledge? Or anything about myself at all?
Furthermore I… hmm? Goodness me, it’s getting a bit cramped in here. I imagine a couple of days have passed while I’ve been floating here, lost in thought. There isn’t much room left now for my growing head. Well, it’s probably getting close to my birth-day anyways, I perhaps ought to re-position myself for an easy delivery. Wouldn’t want to be coming out of the womb feet-first now would I?
Oh, that’s much better. Furthermore, recently I’ve noticed a strange sense of power pouring out of me. Well, perhaps it would be more apt to say an essence is leaking out of me instead. As to the nature of this essence, I can not lay any definitive claims. It is embarrassing as the child of an intellectual, but it is with only a very vague sense that I can even recognize this essence. Not a rather rigorous method of inquiry by any means, but once again, my options are somewhat limited in this space.
Well, perhaps it is merely a placebo, but if this essence does in fact exist, it at least appears to be beneficial. Mother’s body eagerly absorbs this essence, and she has on occasion mentioned how energetic she has been. I can only hope no detrimental side effects manifest after the fact, but if this essence of mine is truly a boon for Mother’s health then all the better. It is good to be able to contribute, even if only to this small degree.
Advertisement
Hmm? There it is again. Recently, ever since Mother’s begun absorbing this essence, the fleshy walls surrounding me have been contracting every so often. Over the past few weeks the frequency has risen dramatically, perhaps it’s about time I started preparing myself for…
…Eh? It feels like something has ruptured. And now the fluid around seems to beeeeeeeeooooooh, wo-wo-wo-woah my goodness, me! S-something has… significantly disturbed my environs! These agitated contractions… ah! I am being jostled! Could I ask for a little more consideration for an injured person’s body!? M-my muscles are screaming!
No, no, wait, I must calm myself. Yes, I must ignore my buffeting body and center my mind. From the following specific premises what can be induced? Something has burst, the fluid surrounding me appears to be rapidly depleting, and Mother’s uterine wall is positively quaking.
Mhm, yes, there is only one conclusion one can draw from this one’s circumstances!
Currently!
I am being evicted!
Advertisement
- In Serial617 Chapters
Divinity: Against The Godly System
Bracelet of Immortality, the mysterious sealed item that needed 26 fragments to completely unseal. Every unsealing giving an incredible power to the user.
8 1028 - In Serial206 Chapters
The Infinite Labyrinth
(Story complete - Book 1 "Shanghaied", 2 "Shortcuts", 3 "Secrets" and 4 "Sanctions") It is the 19th century, and war smoulders between England and France. Any hope for a quick end to Napoleon's rampage across Europe ended when the Great Gates opened in 1800. For a fortunate few, the strange world of the Infinite Labyrinth offers opportunities, strange descriptors popping in their minds, informing them of growth, and status beyond that of a mere mortal. The materials and power crystal they bring back foster a new age, both military and civilian. Aether-powered Skyships prowl the skies, as all the great nations blessed by the Gates try to turn the blessings of the Labyrinth into immediate advantages. But for Jonas, an apprentice leatherworker, his friend Ira, and so many Londoners, the fabled ones that walk the Labyrinth are distant heroes, seen from afar. They fell short when their Potential was measured, and they fill their mundane lives with distant dreams. One man wants to break the stalemate. The Tyrant of the Dominion of France, Napoleon Bonaparte, has a plan. Eighteen years after the world changed, he will force it to change again. And when civilians are caught in the fallout, the unthinkable happens. Six people, unqualified, forbidden to ever enter the Labyrinth, find themselves stranded in a distant zone, forcefully turned into Professionals. They know little of what that means, but they have to figure out the rules that are now their lot, for they have little hope to escape their predicament otherwise. They need to understand what the descriptors in their minds mean, what each of the strange piece of gear waiting in treasure chests behind terrible guardians can bring them. They have to become Professionals on their own and rejoin the Empire. They will figure out their new lives one way or another. But will there be an Empire waiting for them when the Gates re-open? Caught in a clash of empires and high tiers, they will do what little they can. They will step up and do their best. One way or another. The Infinite Labyrinth is a slice-of-life litRPG adventure set in a real historical setting. It's a hard, crunchy litrpg. Expect blue boxes everywhere, and the system itself is very mathy. It started life as a serial. I prepared some proper worldbuilding, with enough details and background for lots of different potential story arcs, but as I wrote, I realized the main story needs to have a definitive end. So, there are four books in total, for a bit under 1500 pages, plus additional side stories, and even maybe a sequel one day. The Gore tag was added as a precaution because there are a few scenes with some light gore.
8 211 - In Serial47 Chapters
The Helena Chronicles
Espers are really no different than humans; they look like any normal human and in general behave like any normal human. However, there are a few key differences. The max life expectancy of espers ranges from forty-five to fifty. They naturally have a knack for mathematics and are extremely intelligent in general, this is because their abilities rely on the subconscious and conscious calculations. They also have a mysterious energy source they call Focus that is generated naturally by all espers. The continent of Elestveeve is populated by three major factions, each a governing force. On the west of the continent, there is the Noble Houses that subscribe to the Deity Faith. The Houses ruling with the Deity Faith as council since the religion's founding four-hundred years previous. Controlling most of the northeast is WITCH, an organization ruled by powerful espers; claiming the mysterious Genesis as their capital, they are a whispered myth among much of the continent's less technically advanced residents. In the southeast you have Tech City, a towering monolith of a capital with four sky layers and metropolis' leveled deep underground; it is a city brimming with technical advancement and cyber integration. Each faction contends with one another for their evolutionary ideology, by devout religious worship to receive miraculous gifts, unique genetic lineage to obtain ESP, and technological integration to become something more than human. Helena, a young genius and esper, awakes in a dark room with only fuzzy memories and the company of seven other children. She must determine how she got there and how to get back to where she came from. Warning: Due to time constraints, I don't have the time to keep up on my three stories; therefore, Helena will need to go in a stasis chamber until I can find more time to write between work and life. I love my first girl so much! however, it seems she is the least popular among the fans (the poor girl T_T). This world is much bigger than my other two novels and I'm not giving up on it, but simply having to put her on ice.
8 172 - In Serial12 Chapters
Reborn with 1600 IQ
8 834 - In Serial29 Chapters
Verbundener Geist
Yolthem. To be born here is a curse for some and a blessing for others.The Eldritch create havoc, “blessing†some with their power and driving others to utter madness. Spirits give people the ethereal power of Arcane, a force that no mortal can naturally wield that defies all laws of the universe. Blood and those that devour or revel in it reign supreme during the night and bide their time during the day. Mortals cower and pray to beings they do not understand for salvation that will not come while those of the cloth fight to protect them. None of this concerned our protagonist until their souls was bound to another against their will. Now they have two options.Help or hinder.Tags subject to change.**Once we get going past the set up expect very detailed description (of everything) and topics that may make you very uncomfortable. This may include but is not limited to: Religious fanaticism, extreme violence and gore, morally disgusting actions (torture, abuse, etc.) and more. You have been warned.**
8 105 - In Serial22 Chapters
Re-Re:Hammer
Your average Reborn Game System story, similar to The Gamer and Solo Leveling. Written for fun rather than novilization like the others, so it is smaller and less intense. It is set in an AU Warhammer based on a slightly modified version of Warhammer Fantasy's End Times.. So you might notice names and events but don't expect it all to go the same way. And the Main Character is not the only Player in this game~ I'm kind of a catastrophe when it comes to ethic and drive. So don't be alarmed if there isnt an update for a week or three. Or if there is three updates at once. It's a rewrite of the Rehammer that is around, which means the start is mostly the same with some small changes. Chapter 15 is the first fully new chapter of the book. though Chapter 14 has a large addition. You effectively can skip to that and not missing anything major if you read the old one, if you don't wanna rewrite.
8 92
Prev Chap
Next Chap
Chap List
Boy
Girl
