Chapter 6 – Heads-up

[Guns are… effective,] Selene hedged. [And are generally only employed by the MSDs, the Magical Soldiers who are outfitted with Zenith technology from Magical Guardians. There are only a handful of other Magical Guardians who use actual firearms as their signature weapons.]

I hesitated, not understanding the problem as I shrugged. “Okay?”

[Guns are generally… bad for optics. MGs are supposed to be bringers of hope and peace, to make people feel safe. Swords and magic are of fantastical symbology, the imagery of heroes that gives people something to believe in. Guns conjure more realistic and sober feelings, ones of war and conflict.]

“I know, but I don’t know how to use a sword or anything like that. Besides, without stat bonuses, would I really be able to effectively use them?”

Selene seemed to think about it for a moment.

[I see your point. My only issue is that I have some… concerns about certain things I am not telling you, and the addition of guns will almost certainly make some of those issues worse. Knowing this, are you sure this is the path you want to choose? I know the idea of branding is the least of your concerns right now, but I assure you, I wouldn’t recommend a path if I didn’t believe it was possible. Stat bonuses or not, the melee weapons you have available will most certainly be capable of getting you to the shelter safely.]

I chewed on my lip as I thought about it. If I saw a Magical Girl running around with a magic staff or sword, it definitely wouldn’t look out of place. But a gun? It wouldn’t look natural, sure, but I don’t think it would scare me either. In fact, something about the juxtaposition of a frilly dress and a gun made it seem less militant and more supernatural.

“If it’s just the image you’re worried about,” I said. “I don’t think the image of a Magical Girl running around in a dress and gun would be that bad.”

[No, in fact there is a fairly distinct market for the asymmetrical imagery of cuteness combined with guns. Moreover, the “girls with guns” genre is quite popular in itself. In fact, I believe the general population would look favorably upon the imagery alone, but it will still cause complications that involve things I am keeping from you.]

I let out a frustrated sigh. It was getting to the point where I just wanted to make Selene tell me everything now, consequences be damned. Still, she was the advisor. Ignoring her decision to keep secrets after seeing how uncomfortable it made her would be stupid. Whatever it was, it would have to wait, and I’d just have to take her word for the possible effects it was having.

“Okay,” I finally said. “That’s… frustrating, but okay. I guess my question is why can’t I just use guns for now and then decide on something else later? I can’t transform, so it’s not like I’m committing anything to my image anyway.”

[That is certainly an option. Just be aware you would be spending a significant amount of points to unlock the Vault and purchase any weapons plus ammunition.]

“How much are we talking about?”

[Unlocking the Kinetic Handguns (Common) Vault would cost 100 points. Then, depending on the weapon and ammunition choice, it varies]

“What would be the cheapest option?”

[For two points, you can get a five-shot revolver loaded with normal ammunition.]

“Only two points?” I recoiled. “Shouldn’t a gun cost more?”

[No. Keep in mind this is an unattuned and unaligned firearm, a mundane item you could purchase in the real world for a relatively low cost. Beyond the lowest level Anathema, it would hardly make a dent.]

“Unattuned and unaligned?” I asked.

[Unattuned items mean they can not be enchanted, they are utterly mundane and capable of being produced by humanity without Zenith technology. Any item that is not magitech is most likely unattuned. Unaligned means it would not benefit from your stats. Most Vault weapons are aligned by default, meaning as you grow stronger, they will as well depending what stats they are aligned with. For example, buying a strength-aligned sword would make it grow sharper, sturdier, and heavier to offset your strength bonus. It would essentially always feel the same weight to you, but in reality, it would be heavier and therefore more potent as you swung it at opponents.]

“How would that work for guns?”

[Same as for a bow and arrow. Faster and stronger projectiles with more kinetic power. The weapon itself would also gain some benefits to durability, but this is a digression.]

“Right,” I shook my head. “What kind of gun would you recommend?”

[Before finalizing your weapon choice, could we take a look at your Unique Augment? Depending on its effects, you may reconsider your decision.]

I sighed. It was obvious Selene felt really uncomfortable about handing me a gun and was trying to get me to choose anything else. I wanted to respect her opinions, but I also wasn’t keen on fighting a supernatural monster up close and personal again. She had a point, though, that depending on what special bonus the System decided I should have, it could change things.

“Alright. What exactly does my Unique Augment do?”

[I don’t know.]

I stared at Selene. Her tails swished back and forth innocently.

“What do you mean you don’t know?” I squinted.

[I mean that due to some of your starting bonuses, you get an entirely unique augment. Unique, as in, specific only to you. Unique items, Skills, Vaults, Grimoires, and spells are highly coveted. Your special circumstances have netted you both a unique Augment and Grimoire. The only problem with that “uniqueness” is the description provided by the System is… well, see for yourself.]

A second later, a text box appeared in my vision.

[Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif]

[Oh, ye whom hath suffered, be at ease. Forsaken, spurned, ostracized… thy trials hast not been in vain. In thy heart, the Sloth Sin trills the song of slumber, eternal and sacrosanct. Yet, thou hast persevered and carried on through reproach and barb, through worry and woe. O Waif of Sable, awaken now the power that hath whispered truth and lie. Sing now thy song of sorrow, thy haunting melody. Open thy forbidden eye, the accursed source of scorn and enmity and SEE. Become in part the demon thou hast been painted, and find wretched aspect turned to peerless power.]

I squinted, then reread the description.

Then I read it again.

And again.

“Selene, I don’t even…”

[Yes,] Selene agreed. [More or less my thoughts as well. This would appear to be one of those oddities I mentioned the Arcane System having before. Due to the unique aspect of the Augment, it seems to have taken liberties in its description.]

“Liberties? Selene, it doesn’t even say what it does. Also, what’s with the bold text? What does it mean by ‘Sloth Sin’ and ‘Waif of Sable?’”

[Sloth Sin could pertain to a number of things, but is most likely referencing something you have done or experienced. Contextually, it would appear to be something unfortunate and major that you have suffered but “persevered” through.]

I thought about it for a second, and then realization hit me. A sudden, cold shiver went down my spine. I found myself grabbing my left forearm reflexively even as my mouth went dry.

[Regardless,] Selene continued, seeming not to notice. [Waif of Sable is, of course, something I won’t explain right now, but it will make more sense in time. As for the Augment itself, it seems to pertain to your red-colored eye. Even not knowing what exactly it does, I would recommend accepting it.]

“Wait, what?” I recoiled. “It’s called ‘demonic’ and says to ‘become in part the demon.’ What part of that sounds like a good idea?”

[It is colorful language but is nothing to be worried about. No augment has ever been detrimental to its user. I believe the proper term for its description would be “flavor text.”]

“Still…” I trailed off. Looking over the description again, I was uncomfortable with how much it knew about me. Sure, it was the Arcane System that knew these things and not a person, but it still felt wrong, like it had pried into my life and secrets without asking. I also didn’t like that it was centered on my eye, the stupid thing that had made me stick out in the first place and caused me so much… oh. Oh, that description was eerily accurate.

[The Unique Augment is one of your starting bonuses,] Selene interrupted my thoughts. [Less than 5% of Magical Guardians receive this particular boon, putting you in a rare and enviable position in this regard. There is no merit in declining the Augment, even if the description is unusual. In time, I expect the description will even make more sense as more information is made available to you. Besides, once you have taken the Augment, I will have full access to its actual capabilities and can explain them to you.]

I sighed. She was right, as usual. If it was a tool specifically tailored to me, then there was no reason to shy away from it.

“Alright. How do I accept it?”

[Think about accepting it with some measure of will. Be warned the transition might be difficult as it seems the Augment is magically modifying your eye. The sensation may be uncomfortable. I would also remove your eyepatch, as it may only work while using your right eye.]

I nodded, and took a deep breath, removing my eyepatch.

Accept? I thought.

The box detailing the Augment disappeared. I waited, but when nothing happened I turned to Selene to ask what was going on.

Then I began to feel it. It started as a heat behind my eye and slowly started to grow. Then the heat became jagged and sharp, turning into pain as my vision flashed white. There was the sudden sensation of something engraving a pattern into my eye, and I choked down a scream as the pain increased to agony. My hands clutched at my eye even as I squeezed both shut in reflex. My fingers felt something warm and wet overflowing, trickling down my face even as the tortuous sensation reached a crescendo.

And suddenly it disappeared, gone as fast as it came. I gasped for air, sweat trickling down my face even as my head pounded with a dull ache.

[Are you alright?] Selene asked, her voice holding a measure of panic. [I apologize, I did not expect it to be that… painful.]

“Yeah,” I gasped. “Yeah, I’m fine. Just give me a minute.”

Even without the pain, the phantom sensation it left behind made me shudder. It was a good minute or two before I opened my eyes, and when I did, I found a text box waiting for me.

Demonic Eye of the Sable Waif

Level: MAX

Original Sin: Sloth

Displays health, mana, Astral Shift duration, Dress durability, status effects, map data, overlays, and visual assist elements when activated. No restrictions. No mana cost. Keyword: Lullaby.

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[LOCKED]

[Oh.] Selene said in surprise. [This… this is unexpected.]

“What do you mean?” I asked.

[Before continuing, you should clean up your face. Do not be alarmed, you are quite fine, but some blood has leaked from your right eye.]

I touched a hand to my cheek, and my fingers came away red. My throat felt suddenly tight, but I tried to listen to Selene and ignore the fact I had just cried blood. Looking around for a moment, I realized there wasn’t really anything I could use to clean my face besides my uniform. With a sigh, I used my sleeve to rub at my face vigorously.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

“Better?”

[A small smear of red left, but it will do. Now, for your Augment. I suggest you try it out by saying the keyword in your mind or aloud. It will be easier to explain from there]

I rubbed at my face a little more even as I thought “Lullaby.”