Chapter 4 - Wishes

The brilliant lights whirled to life. "Acknowledged. User is interacting with a Genie. Does user have knowledge of Genies?"

Sala blinked, unsure of himself. "Uhm... Yes." Most people had at least heard of Genies. They were a type of artificial constructs that focused on utility. While their cousins, Djinns were made for basic attack and defense, Genies could perform any action they were taught, as long as they had enough energy.

According to legend, they would serve any user they were programmed for. Many were left either for inheritance or good will, although there were equally many used for less wholesome purposes. Some had their creator's consciousness stored within, and would be used to give them an artificial rebirth. Knowing this, Sala had to be extremely careful frok this point on.

"Acknowledged. Would user like 'Wish' protocol explained?"

"Uhm... Yes, please." Sala steadied himself. He would give this device no chances to do wrong by him until he was sure it was safe.

"Acknowledged. 'Wish' protocol is defined as a task able to be completed by a Genie. As many tasks as possible with the internal energy storage may be requested. Current energy value is 1000 mana units. What is user's first wish?"

Sala took a deep breath. "Please tell me why I am unable to influence Mana." He had long decided on his first wish.

"Acknowledged. Performing sweep. 54 units consumed. Genie has discovered blockage. Identified by database as 'Greyhelm Model Magical Seal Edition Number 3.' Clearing blockage will require 316 units. Would user like Genie to proceed? Genie must enter user's Mana Web to clear blockage."

Sala steadied himself. "I accept." Before he could do anything else, though, his whole body was immediately constricted. Any movement was impossible. Hostile, foreign particles invaded his Mana Web, making their way to all corners of his body.

Sala prepared himself for the worst, as he knew the risks involved. Unexpectedly, however, the hostile Mana was locked in place, as was the whole Genie. In fact, it was entirely absorbed into his body.

A scene flashed before Sala's eyes. There was a man Sala had never seen before, along with Kane. It appeared to be some sort of message.

Kane began to speak. "Sala, I have no idea how it happened, but if you're reading this, the seal is broken. I can't express how sorry I am to do this to you. I didn't want to keep you in the dark, but I had to take every precaution that I could.

To be honest, your talent in handling mana is likely outrageous, judging by your blood. Your mother might not have had any control over her power, but in some ways she was more powerful than an army. Your father..." Kane took a pause. "Likely also has much influence on your powers. He was a very powerful man. That's the reason your mother... chose him."

By this point, Kane, the only family Sala had ever known, bore an extremely pained expression. He was obviously choosing his words very carefully. "No matter what happens, you will always be family to me, even if I'm not around.

Also, this seal is somewhat modified. Should it ever be broken, which I hope never happens, it has enough energy to help you escape from a Novice-class entity. I don't have too much more time, do I?" He turned to the man next to him, who shook his head.

"Well, okay. If you want to know about your parents, your mother was from Sunma Village, deep in Baramen territory. And one more thing: I've always thought of you as my little brother more than anything. I love you, Sala."

Sala's mind shook as he was kicked from the dream. The Genie was equally shaken as it was pushed outside of his body. Clearly it was the malevolent sort.

Organizing themselves, the particles displayed the face of an older man. "How dare you, worm!" Forming into a stream, the Genie launched itself at Sala.

Sala, however, was ready. Feeling a new sense of control and power, he absorbed all of the incoming mana, making it his own, except for the Genie's core. As his body digested the energy, he saw vivid memories of the consciousness installed inside.

Pleth May, an average wizard through and through, was constantly put down by his peers, eventually committing suicide so that one day he might have a new chance, with fresh potential. This hardly mattered to Sala, as he quickly claimed the energy and erased the lingering attachments. The Genie core fell, with no power to maintain itself. Sala quickly picked it up and placed it inside his satchel. He had much to talk to Kane about.