7 Chapter 7. The Mystic Arts System
(Aiden's POV)
The prospect of a warm shower offered a much-needed reprieve, a sanctuary where I could recollect and contemplate everything that had transpired since my arrival. As I stepped into the bathroom, I couldn't help but feel a sense of trepidation as I approached the mirror.
Gazing into the reflective surface, I was met with a visage that felt strangely unfamiliar. Save for the tousled locks of hair, the face staring back at me seemed alien, almost as if it belonged to someone else entirely. The mask doned by face had alienated my features, even to myself.
The mask itself was a curious thing, resembling a pair of crimson glasses with an enigmatic aura. As I reached up to touch it, I was surprised to find that it wasn't a separate piece of cloth as I had initially assumed. Instead, it felt as though it were an extension of my own flesh, seamlessly melded to my features.
A wave of panic washed over me as the realization dawned – was this mask a permanent fixture, destined to obscure my true identity forever? In a moment of desperation, I attempted to scratch it off, my fingers clawing at the smooth surface in a futile attempt to remove it. Turning to the faucet, I doused my face with water, hoping that the mask was nothing more than an elaborate illusion that could be washed away.
But no matter how hard I tried, the mask remained firmly in place, defying all attempts to remove it. It was only then, as I stood there in a state of bewilderment, that I remembered that I possessed mystic abilities.
"Hello, Meg-" I began to speak, testing out Megan's catchphrase. But as the words left my lips, they felt hollow and forced, lacking the conviction and confidence that had come to associate with them.
"Based on my mystic limitations, I doubt it's nothing more than a construct that I can wave off," I deduced, moving my right hand (with the Sling Ring) across my face. The mask dissipated, revealing my true face that I always adored. How could I not, with the symmetry of the jawlines and cheeks, and browning colour?
Moving my hand across again, I reapplied the mask to my face, concealing my identity.
"This is awesome," I thought to myself. "Probably the easiest alter-ego in the world."
Moreover, the short mystic adventure reminded me of something I was due to look into.
"I still haven't seen the Mystic Arts System," I observed, turning the faucet on again to allow the water to reach the perfect temperature before stepping beneath the soothing stream.
As the water cascaded over my body, I closed my eyes to recollect what the message had said about the system. "We forgot the spell to summon it?"
"What kind of joke is that?" I felt a rush of anger, but let out a sigh, knowing that I had to figure it out by myself.
"I doubt it is something as simple as Abracadabra," I mumbled to myself, only to feel the energy in the Sling Ring surge, and the same symbol that had formed with the message appeared: a pinnacle of circles and triangles with an aura of eldritch energy with a golden-yellow hue.
"Great," I muttered, feeling my disappointment. "I just used a magic cliche."
---
(The Mystic Arts System)
Prowess: 25%
Arcane Discplines:
1. Sorcery (UNLOCKED - Beginner)
(a) Constructs (UNLOCKED: 1/4)
- Materialization (Unlocked)
- Locked
- Locked
- Locked
(b) Locked
(c) Locked
(d) Locked
2. Knowledge and Wisdom (Locked)
(a) Locked
(b) Locked
(c) Locked
(d) Locked
3. Energy Manipulation (Locked)
(a) Locked
(b) Locked
(c) Locked
(d) Locked
4. Cosmic Mastery (Locked)
(a) Locked
(b) Locked
(c) Locked
(d) Locked
101. Guidelines from the Great Fours.
i. Ascenscion Levels: Beginner -> Intermediate -> Advanced -> Master
i. There are only four arcane disciplines in this system, organized in ascending order (Sorcery to Cosmic Mastery). You can only unlock the previous one by reaching the Arcane Master Level of the current Discipline.
i. Each Discipline has four perks, unlocked with every level-up in the Discipline (e.g. Beginner to Intermediate).
i. To unlock the next perk, you must realize four official techniques, which will not be revealed beforehand.
i. Prowess equates to the amount of Energy and knowledge of Doctor Strange you possess.
---
"Whoever designed this must have put a lot of thought into it," I observed, admiring the comprehensive detail. But now, I understood.
Basically, it was a process of unlocking four specific techniques for every perk, and after mastering all four perks in a Discipline, the next Discipline in line would be unlocked.
"The trick is just figuring out what technique I should unlock," I pondered on the system. Looking at the unlocked technique in the Constructs perk: Materialization, I believed I understood what I needed to do.
"I guess I just have to use constructs in all sorts of diverse ways until I presumably unlock an official technique," I deduced. "A prompt to keep me active in the use of magic. But with constant training, I believe this will be so easy."
My mind clicked to the one other limitation of the system, tying it to my immense abilities after removing the Sling Ring.
"Removing the Sling Ring must have lifted the limit on Prowess, pushing it to the max: 100%," I deduced. "My immediate loss of control then showed that I wasn't ready to carry all of Doctor Strange's abilities at the time."
"And from what I know, what I did to Wotan was just but a tip of the iceberg," I imagined. "Who knows just how far gone I would be now if I had unleashed the true potential of the Master of the Mystic Arts?"
It was right there in the system. The last level that gave me a strong anticipation, yet unmistakable trickles of shivers: Cosmic Mastery. Just what kind of entities was Doctor Strange channeling when the Mystic Arts System had been crafted? What kind of mystic knowledge was he aware of?
"It's crazy that I have a Prowess percentage of 25, yet I couldn't hold it together after one spell," I chuckled to myself. "Just what does it take to wield the full power?"
I believed that it was best to keep the Sling Ring on until I at least completed the first Arcane Discipline: Sorcery. After that, I would definitely try to wield the entire power.
My mind having drifted from the glum details, I turned to more exciting possibilities.
Did the System come with the Vishanti or the Darkhold?
How was it possible to use the Winds of Watoomb, Images of Ikonn, or Bolts of Balthakk?
Did it mean that the entites responsible were trapped in the system?
Could I trap my own entities?
Like get the Lightning of Zeus, or Speed of Mercury, or maybe the Symbol of Fate.
What about the less magical things like the Speed Force and the Emotional Spectrum?
And the Bleed?
My mind was literally swirling with possibilities at this point, and my shower felt as if it could last forever.
"The future is full of Crash possibilities," I calmed myself down. "But all I got right now are constructs, and I need to realize the remaining techniques for me to experience all that glory."
"Speaking of glory, who the heck is the Almighty One?" I wondered aloud as I completed my shower.
After the shower, I went to meet with the rest of the Team in the common area. Again, due to the short notice, there were no seats or screens yet, and it honestly made the Cave feel more hollow.
Turning this limitation into an opportunity, I decided to showcase the power behind my title as the Master of the Mystic Arts. With a flourish of my Sling Ring, I summoned an intricate Eldritch construct — a comfortable 6-seat sofa set materialized out of thin air.
Initially hesitant to trust the mystic creation, my teammates eventually relented and settled onto the sofas, choosing comfort over uncertainty. As we gathered, it marked the beginning of our first bonding experience as a team while we awaited Red Tornado's arrival with supper.
"No, I can't conjure real cookies out of thin air, Kid," I chuckled, responding to Wally's playful request to put my magic to the test.
"Ah, what a bummer," Wally sighed, his disappointment evident. The Kid was known for his love of snacks.
"Not yet, at least," I added with a grin, acknowledging the potential for such feats in the future.
Finally, Red Tornado arrived, bearing the sustenance we had been eagerly awaiting: a feast of pizza, KF*s, and soft drinks. Amidst hearty laughter, we indulged in our supper, with Wally delighting in devouring the cookies with gusto.
---
(General POV)
"Are you sure you don't want to help mentor him?" Batman asked directly.
"I'm certain," Zatara replied. "And I think you are making a mistake by being a catalyst for his... growth."
"Why do you say so?" Batman inquired. "You yourself likened him to Doctor Fate."
"That's not what I meant when I pointed out Doctor Fate during the interrogation," Zatara argued. "I was more interested in understanding if losing the Ring gave another foreign entity control over his body. As it was the first time, resolving the situation was swift. But I doubt it will be so in the future."
"His conflict was about good, evil, and the true meaning of Justice," Batman stated. "Something the entire League has agreed to help establish to him clearly, as one of his core principles."
"Does that mean I'm dismissed from the League because I haven't agreed to it?" Zatara inquired.
"That's not my call to make," Batman replied. "Besides, you earned your spot, and not everyone expects you to comply with a decision we haven't voted on. We are the Justice League, after all."
"Then I suppose we should put it to a vote," Zatara said.
"Put what to a vote?" Batman asked.
"Whether Young Justice should remain under the protection of the Justice League, or whether he should be restrained," Zatara clarified.
~Prime
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