Mathew had his arms crossed over the green medical garb he was wearing. Dr. Garcia was spearheading the new medical wing for everything medical related. Including full checkups on people. Doubly so for Mathew.

“Your eye seems to be fully healed. Once the Optomitrist gives it a proper look over, you have my green check mark.” She told Mathew.

It was nearly four hours of pokes and prods. Garcia had pushed to know his exact stat numbers, and Mathew continued to refuse. Eventually she realized why and closed the door.

“Fine, make a contract.” She demanded.

Mathew raised an eyebrow, “Why?”

“You obviously want your numbers secret, so nobody knows how weak, or strong, you are. If they overestimate you, maybe they leave you alone. If they underestimate you, you survive an attack and demolish them. I’m old, not stupid.”

Mathew at first couldn’t comprehend she figured it out. Yet, she was a Doctor, reminding him of one of his brothers.

“It’s no different than the normal patient privacy laws. You said you were going to get laws enacted, so let’s do that.” She patted Mathew on the arm. “I care about your health. If you really are going to be our fearless leader, I need to ensure you stay healthy and alive. I can’t do my job with missing information Mathew.”

He honestly never even considered using his ability for this. Insurance policies, and laws for how not only medical, but any human service, treated people. It was a great idea, and one he was fully for. After an hour of talking the first draft was completed.

Mathew was proud of the contract. So much so he made copies so if other people were like him, they too could have them signed. Dr. Garcia, as the head of medical staff would be the only person who could be privy to the information on himself. Not everyone could have such an agreement, but Mathew can enact an official Law for everyone else who received medical treatment.

The physical contracts would be stronger, since they were backed by his own power. While the Laws were backed by The Council and their laws related to safe zones. They were only as strong as the people who protected them. While Mathew’s contracts were as strong as he was.

The summerized version of it all was the following:

1) Dr. Garcia couldn’t share anything she was told about Mathew’s stats, abilities, or items to anyone without his verbal agreement to do so unless his life was at risk and informing somebody was absolutely needed.

2) Mathew was required to do a check up twice a year at the least, and was to inform her of any drastic changes to stats or abilities that affected his overall health. This time limit could be adjusted as needed. Yet, Dr. Garcia was very adamant he received at least a simple check up.

3) Lastly, anyone who pefromed medicine on him that was not Dr. Garcia had to sign a modified version of the contract that was a simple NDA. Something Mathew was used to writing from his days as a Lawyer. This was added so that Dr. Garcia could keep tabs on who knew his secrets and who didn’t.

The overall contract copied text from HIPPA and paraphrased a lot of it. Dr. Garcia found a paper version of it on a desk. It was roughly eight pages long since Mathew was extra careful with this one. There was no real punishment for breaking the contract, but if Dr. Garcia did, he would instantly know.

He originally wanted her memory altered to forget everything, but doubted his ability to do so. Mathew somewhat trusted her, but he couldnt’ be too careful after what happened with Payne. The contracts were almost literal, but at the same time very vague. Almost as if it understood intent.

For example, one could consider the fact Payne sent Mathew to fight the Infernal Wolves a threat upon his life, thus making the contract trigger and giving Mathew the Hearth Crystal over a month ago.

Yet, Mathew didn’t think Payne did that as a way to kill or even harm him. It was to remove a threat and play a mental game of trust with Mathew. Just like how Jeffrey attacking Payne didn’t count as Mathew attacking him directly. Mathew didn’t want that to happen at all, so it didn’t count. Even if Jeffrey was an extension of Mathew’s own powers, the contract didn’t care.

So if Dr. Garcia truly believed telling someone his stats in Vitality could save his life, then she was free to do so. Accidentally mentioning it in an off hand conversation also didn’t count as a true harmful intent, but Mathew would still be notified.

Several copies were made, and a notification showed they were tied together medically. Mathew then just showed her his entire menu screen, minus Abiliites, Skills and Spells. She also saw his Titles and Axiom, since he had no way to not show those. Yet, she was a professional and didn’t ask anything outside if they affected him physically in any way.

Mathew was mostly truthful. “The titles and Axiom give me stats. Outside that, I don’t think so.”

“Even with a name like Resistance?” Garcia asked, questioning if Mathew was being truthful.

“It’s not physical resistance, it’s more…” Mathew paused to think about it. “Listen, between you and me, I’m not sure.”

Garcia put down a clipboard and sat down on the bed next to him. “Well, what are you sure of?”

Mathew took a deep sigh. He trusted her more now after the contract. Mental health did count as well. “Listen, I know you are no shrink or mental expert, but do you believe in willpower can push you past certain limitations?”

She pursed her lips. “I know stories of mothers lifting cars to save their children. Men at war losing a lot of blood, yet still fighting. Children who fall great heights and walk away with a few broken bones. The human body was never fully understood, let alone the brain. Now with magic involved, it’s like starting all the way over.”

“That’s just it. When I bound Agnox to me, I saw her. Morthrus. The supposed leader of the Infernal Dungeon.”

“So you were the reason they surrendered. Curious.”

Mathew shook his head, “I’m not sure. She seemed hellbent on destroying us. She was confident she could, and for a moment, I was too. She somehow pushed me into a state of despair. I felt fire around me. The pressure just kept building around me. Not my skin or body, but somehow I still felt it.

She goaded me, tried to push me into giving up, but in the end I didn’t. I regrounded myself mentally and pushed back with something. It wasn’t mana, a spell, or even an ability. I just formed a wall against her and let it smother those flames. She ran off, and here we are.”

Dr. Garcia didn’t say anything at first. “That is interesting. And this part of your Menu showed up afterwards?”

He nodded. “I ordered some information from Di. Agnox said it’s a Truth. I somehow learned a piece of the universe. I don’t know how Reistance plays into that, but I think it’s mental resistance. Like other peopel can't change my mind as easily or something.”

“I see. Well for now we will keep tabs on it. Go get your eye checked and when you see Zack send him to me. He is next on my list.”

“What about Henderson and Leo?”

“Henderson has Brown under her thumb, that poor boy. As for Leo I already checked him off. Of course he needed help mentally versus physically.”

Mathew nodded, “I hope he ends up okay. He’s one of the few people I trust here.”

“Oh don’t say that. You have plenty of friends, you just keep looking past them.” She said with a smile. She walked out of the room, leaving Mathew alone with his thoughts.

Mr. Melton closed his menu and sat back in his chair. “I swear, Mathew is somehow doing better than I thought.” He was currently going through a giant pile of requests related to Laws and other ways to improve the base.

Mathew might be horrible when it came to strategies for battles or tricking a General. When it came to people and winning them over, he had a certain degree of charm. Add in the decree about Agnox, and his showing of strength against that troublemaker, then Mr. Melton had a perfect ball of clay to mold into his own mindset.

He would be a liar if he thought Mathew honestly could lead this base without fault. Payne would be better in that light. Mathew was just caught up enough in his own ego to see anything other than what he wanted for the most part.

He had no intentions of backstabbing his new partner, the opposite actually. Mathew, and the others like Leo and Captain Henderson are his ticket to safety and a long happy life. Ensuring the strong stay strong and then stronger is what his God informed him to do after all.

He never expected a visit from a God. Yet, an apparent small one who excelled at servicing those who are strong came to him. The scope of roles and the hierarchy of the rest of the universe helped put things into perspective for him. He was at first scared that he somehow forced himself to be a weakling constantly relying upon Payne to protect him.

Now, he looked forward to his new duties. In the world of cultivation and the path to Godhood, people need trusted right hand men and women to take care of their homes and families while they are gone. That is someone he wished to become.

Someone in charge of the day to day work, while letting the strong continue to get stronger protecting him. Of course they would hold the majority of say in things, yet he would one day be far more looked to for help than Mathew would. Yet, when it came to protection and power Mathew would be looked at like a saviour. While himself would be looked at like the mayor or possibly administrative leader.

This was something he could easily get behind. He never wanted to be in charge of everything. It’s why he joined a security management job. All he did was read profiles of new people, approve them to get badges to buildings, and watch T.V the rest of the day in his office.

Now, he was doing far more. He smiled at the laws that were suggested. He, Mathew, and several others had an idea of what would be asked. It was well within their expectations. No killing, no theft, laws related to taxes, questions if the old amendments of America would still be upheld. Reworks to old laws and then implemented. It was alot, but manageable.

Add onto the requests for jobs, pay for doing jobs, and so much more. He was almost overwhelmed by it all. Going from a security manager position to being in charge of just under a couple hundred people was interesting.

He stood up and walked outside into a hallway, finding a random assistant. “Take these to Dr. Garcia and Samuel by the hospital. Those are a list of upgrades we can add to the hospital with the Hearth Crystal eventually” He then added another folder to the pile. “That one goes to Di. He knows what it is, just tell him it’s from me.”

The assistant nodded and headed off. Melton walked downstairs to another room where he found Henderson inside. “I hope you are not busy right now.”

She looked up from a book she purchased from Di and closed it. “Oh, no. I was just going over this martial guide I purchased from Di. I need to start restructuring training for the soldiers. Did Mathew approve that payment schedule for all the troops?”

“He did. Got the signature, and yes his Profession affects all those documents as well.”

“I swear, he could have been so much more useful if he wasn’t selfish.” She shook her head in disappointment. “Get a few drinks in him, and he loosens up. I know deep down there is a good person in there, but just tainted with other crap.”

Mr. Melton just smiled slightly, “Well that’s on you to figure out. My job is just to ensure he signs papers and gives his approval. I want to keep him thinking he is actually still in charge.”

“He technically is. That Hearth Crystal says so. Plus, at least he wants to help and is interested in getting people what they need. Payne was greedy with wanting to do what he wanted including whatever higher up told him. Even I didn't even know he could purchase a shop for everyone.”

Melton sighed, “Yes, another secret he wanted to keep. Don’t get me wrong, he wasn’t a truly bad man. Our area was subjected to experiments by the U.S. Government. How people evolved and grew in power without a crutch like a shop. In my opinion it was harming us. Lack of information is how you lose wars.”

Henderson nodded, “My thoughts exactly. Any particular reason you are visiting me?”

“Yes.” Melton sat down in a chair, “I need to know if you were visited by a God as well.”

Henderson pursed her lips. “I was. Were you as well?”

He nodded, “From my estimates, roughly 22% of people here were. Now, that begs the question…what did Mathew gain from the God that visited him?”

“The real question is which one did he accept a blessing from.” Henderson clarified.

“You had more than one visit?” Mr. Melton raised an eyebrow.

“Correct. I had three, but took the second one. First one was annoying. Saying I could be his priceless warrior maiden, blah blah blah. It sounded like a movie plot or something. Really out of character for what I expected a God to act. As for the second, he was more to my liking.” She gave a teasing smile to the older man.

“I’m not too worried about your conversation, so long as you don’t pry into mine. I just hope whoever Mathew is tied to is someone decent. I am still trying to get a read on him.” Melton looked down at the desk, seeming tired.

“Like I said. He is a selfish asshole who would sell someone out to win something. Yet, I think he can change. Ever since that first fight I had with him, I keep finding myself surprised.”

“What do you mean?” Mr. Melton asked curiously.

“My report may have…not told the full truth. He tried to run away when we were almost overwhelmed by the wolves. If he didn’t turn back and help us, all of us would have died instead of just one person.” She said seriously. “I changed it to say he was forced into the fight from the start. It was truthful that he was the reason we mostly walked away alive.”

“Henderson, there is a reason why we put all important details in reports damn it!” Mr. Melton complained. “What else have you kept from us about him and other people?”

“Nothing important, I promise.”

He narrowed his eyes at her, trying to see if she was truly lying. “Fine. Don’t let it happen again, especially with him. If he sneezes in the wrong direction I want to know. I don’t trust that Imp either. He jumped ships too easily.”

“I agree. Leo agrees with me on that front as well. He will keep an eye on Agnox. Have you talked to him as well?”

“Not yet. He has been either asleep or out fighting. I feel bad for him. I really do, especially after what you told me about his sister.”

Henderson nodded, “I went to share a drink with him the other night. Low and behold I saw Mathew there as well. An unexpected surprise, but a welcome one. Shows he has some humanity in him that he cares for Leo to an extent.”

“I hope he doesn’t turn greedy like Payne. That man was enough trouble before he went rogue. Add in the investigation and then The System…” He just shook his head, not finishing the sentence.

“I know. I think the same sometimes, just have some faith.” Henderson waved at the book she was reading. “Put some faith in others, and I promise we can come out ontop of this whole mess. Who knows what will happen at the end of Phase 1. Could be lots of fun in the end.”

“Fine, fine.” Mr. Melton waved a hand in the air. “Let me know if you need anything. I just wanted to talk about Mathew with you in private.”

“Well, if you want to ask him out on a date, sorry to say I don’t think he swings that way.”

“You know damn well I am happily married to my beautiful wife. If anything I think you have a thing for him. Why else would you change a report in his favor?“ The bald man walked out with a grin on his face. Henderson’s cheeks were slightly red, not that he noticed anyways.