Chapter 28: Luz Noceda and Marylin

Stan's POV

Finally, I was able to free myself from some of my obligations.

I think when I get back, Terri could get her portal and Ford's running. The only thing bothering me is Arlecchino's report about Alpha-beta, who has detected its existence and is active in cyberspace.

Arlecchino might have the confidence needed to handle this AI, but I've read too many apocalyptic stories involving machines.

So, I'll never underestimate an AI like Arlecchino or Alpha-beta.

"Unfortunately, I can't really destroy it *sigh*," although the birth of the current Alpha-beta is due to a combination of Reagan and her father Rand Ridley, along with coincidences.

This AI is a technological jewel.

It was able to use information related to Rand Ridley's invention, named Project Reboot, to check all future possibilities in this Timeline to solve Reagan's love problem.

I admit I don't know if Arlecchino can do that, but personally, I think I can handle such a downpour of information at this scale with my current body.

There's also the fact that Alpha-beta could fall in love, which shows it's an evolving AI that can question itself, since it wanted to erase all of humanity at the beginning of its existence.

"I'll deal with this problem later. First, I'm going to find Luz before seeing her mother." I don't really plan to dwell on Luz's case.

I opened a portal to the in-between realm. It's the dimension that kept the Titan's consciousness, a strange realm that allows complete observation of other universes.

The Titan mentioned he could see everything from here, and this was confirmed by Luz, who could see events from both the human realm and the Boiling Isles.

Once I arrived at the in-between realm, the dimension between the demon world and the human world, I grabbed a floating cube and focused on Luz Noceda.

(Image)

It didn't take long before I could spot her through a mirror in Eda's house.

"Now that Luz's safety is confirmed, I can go see her to inform her about the situation on Earth." I opened another portal to appear not far from the forest where Luz hangs out.

For some reason I don't quite get, she was leaving Eda's house when I spotted her in the cube.

So I started walking while checking my surroundings. I had cast light magic to make spheres of light float around me to attract attention.

If it's a kid like Dipper, they'd be wary, but Luz is... "strange".

"Whoa, magic!!!" As expected, Luz ended up crossing my path after about ten minutes of walking.

(Image)

I'd even say she ran towards me after noticing the strange phenomena around me.

"Hey Luz, I was just looking for you." I turned to her and when she saw my face, she had an even more shocked expression.

"You... you..." She tried to speak but couldn't finish her sentence.

"Human?? Is that what you want to say?" I said with a slight smile at the young girl with stars in her eyes looking at the light spheres.

"YES!! PLEASE TEACH ME MAGIC!!" Luz got closer making a puppy face before suddenly changing expression.

"Wait a minute, you were looking for me??" Seems she finally activated her brain.

"Yeah, Camila, your mom is worried about you." At the mention of her mother, Luz had a conflicted expression.

I put my hand on her shoulder, an act that slightly surprised her.

"I'm going to talk with your mom, it seems you really like this place and seeing you reminds me of my nephews who want to be 'special'." I tried to hold back laughing at the mention of the word special.

If there's one thing I've understood thanks to my extraordinary IQ, it's that chance doesn't exist and nobody is special.

Even Rick Prime was killed because he underestimated a Morty and a Rick. Yet, he was an incredible genius.

Rick Prime underestimated his opponents, he clearly had what it took to win his fight against Evil Morty and Rick C-137.

"You think I'm... special?" She looked at me with an expectant smile but, since I'm possibly her future stepfather, I decided to cure this disease now instead of Eda.

"No, neither you nor my nephews nor I are special and if lots of incredible things happen to you in a short time, then it's highly likely you're in some weird person's plans in the shadows," I explained calmly.

Poor Ichigo Kurosaki figured it out quickly.

My words made Luz thoughtful for a moment before she slowly nodded. Seems this news didn't delight her, but at least she accepted this bitter truth.

We're just cosmic dust in the infinity of the universe which itself is a speck of dust in the infinity of the multiverse and it goes on.

Anyway, we are nothing and far from special. I don't want Luz to become another David Martinez.

I should maybe comfort Lucy if I go to that messed up reality called Cyberpunk.

"I forget to introduce myself, I'm Stan Pines, a friend of Camila's."

"I'm Luz Noceda, nice to meet you. So will you teach me your magic?" She's back on that subject again.

"I'll do better: not only will I teach you my magic, but I'll also enroll you at Hexside Academy, a magic school."

After Luz recovered from the shock of the good news, I convinced her to forget Eda's request and come back home with me.

I needed to retrieve an object I had requested from Eda through Lilith. So, I prefer to get it while I'm in the area.

...

"What's the password?" Once we arrived at Eda's house, I ran into Lilith's future best friend.

I always suspected their relationship wasn't just friendship, but I could never prove it in my past life.

"Hooty, it's me, Luz, so stop it and let me through." Luz pushed the door without caring about the magical creature's protests.

"Eda!!! I'm back and I have a guest!!" While Luz was calling Eda, I took a look at her house which, I must admit, isn't ordinary.

You have to understand that witches like Lilith can teleport short distances, but she couldn't do it when she was Eda's enemy for some unknown reason.

When I entered this house, it was like I was in another space or, to put it simply, another dimension.

"Stop shouting, did you bring food??" Eda came down the stairs with several twigs stuck in her hair.

Seems she was having an extended... sleep-in.

"Not really... Mr. Stan wanted to see you to discuss my future and other things," Luz explains hesitantly.

She must surely feel uncomfortable about not bringing any food. I should really create an inventory to store stuff and avoid this kind of situation.

"Stan??? LIKE THE EMPEROR?" Eda opened her eyes wide, quickly looking around before her gaze fell on me.

She had several expressions on her face. First relief since she thought I was surely another Stan and not the emperor, but then she had a look of realization that initially confused me.

Oh shoot, this is the first time Eda saw my human appearance unlike Lilith and the coven heads.

"You're... the man I robbed after our wedding in Las Vegas!!!" Eda's words widened Luz's eyes and Hooty opened his beak wide in astonishment.

It's too late to avoid the awkward situation now, and I just wanted to get my palisman before going to see Camila.

"It's been a while... Marylin ."