The walk to the neighboring town was silent and awkward. Mikey kept stealing glances at Emily who stared forward with a blank expression.
"So, you're going to feign ignorance?"
Emily continued to remain silent. Her stride steady and her expression still impassive. That was until she had suddenly stopped, turning her head just enough for his eye to be visible.
"Fine. I didn't think you would ever remember. Yes, I know about project 4245 'Alpha-Omega'. I am Project 42 'Alpha' and as you've known, you're project 45 'Omega'. Since your birth, we've been linked by consciousness. We are a weapon that will protect humanity and its allies."
Emily then turned forward and began walking once again, leaving Mikey alone to his thoughts.
.
After what felt like a couple hours, Emily and Mikey had finally arrived at the nearest town. Sweat beads dripped from Mikey's forehead, splashing onto the soft grass, indicating the intense heat that wrapped the environment like a thick blanket.
"What has your quantum processor gathered so far?"
"This world is governed by seven powerful mages who are apostles of several deities. From the tectonic shifts and axial tilt, it would appear as if a mighty war has been fought and this new surface is the result of the war."
"Can you determine who these mages are, or who the deities are?"
"I cannot deduce the names of these individuals, but I can theorize their magic affinity. The first must control-"
"Ah, I see you two are not from this world. I'm Kanan, what could dimensional travelers want with this world?"
Mikey and Emily had turned their head toward the arrival of a new person.
"We were forced here by someone you should know. Her name is Yuriko, and she originates from this reality."
Kanan had let out a long, exasperated sigh. It was as if he knew exactly what led them to their current situation.
"Alright, I think I'm starting to understand. It'll take a few years for the dimensional gate to be reopened since it was opened forcefully and from such a vast distance. In the meantime, allow me to get you both familiar while you stay."
"Thanks. I honestly thought we'd be met with more hostility."
"I could see why. Though now that you've said that I should point out that the other apostles, are not too friendly with outsiders ever since Yuriko's escape."
Then with a snap of a finger, Kanan had warped their spatial position to another location.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself. My name is Kanan Manifold, I am the mage of spacetime and the apostle of the god who reigns over the spacetime continuum within this reality. As of now, we are in the Manifold Kingdom, and I am its ruling king."
Emily and Mikey listened intently to the short introduction, realizing this world was still in its medieval era.
"My name's Michael Sonora, but my friends call me Mikey for short, but you can just call me Omega. I guess I'm a semi-artificial superhuman endowed with a supernatural ability to manipulate a concept known as mathematics."
Mikey displayed a wide grin while pointing a thumb at himself, basking in his self-confident introduction.
"I am known as project 4245 'Alpha' but I go by Emily. I am a highly advanced artificial intelligent human shaped android. Though I lack power similar Michael, I am superior in intelligence and physical prowess."
Kanan listened to both of their introductions with a calm expression, yet it was evident in his eyes that he was curious about their physiology.
"Artificial? Mathematics? May I ask what that is?"
"Mathematics is a fundamental concept that allows humanity to understand how the universe operates by using letters, numbers, and symbols. Michael can bring this concept to life. Artificial Intelligence is simply a byproduct of mathematics used to build advanced technology."
Emily made an attempt to give an easier explanation about the complicated subject known as mathematics.
"I see. So, the field of science is dominate in your reality I presume?"
"Yes."
"Ah. Well, this world is dominated by magic."
"So, I've deduced"
An awkward silence fell over the room, though on the other hand, Mikey had been admiring the vast throne room which belonged to Kanan. Pictures of wealthily dressed individuals hung high on the red decorated walls, along with pottery that seemed very expensive.
"My master always told me that magic is just science that has yet to be discovered. With that said, Emily is there a way that this magical essence could be injected into me so I can discover its atomic structure?"
"Yes. But if you do this, you will lose your remaining identity as a human."
"That's fine. The moment I learned the truth; I was no longer one."
Emily gave a subtle nod and walked over to Mikey and gently pressed her slender, synthetic hand onto the area that covered his core.
"Michael. Once I do this, you'll need to harness the ambient energy that dominates this universe. If you absorb too much, you'll explode. If you absorb too little...well, just don't do that"
Mikey nodded in agreement and closed his eyes, clearing the chaotic storm that was his mind.
Then a rush of energy begun to flood through his body like a raging storm, flowing around his chest and seeping into the core, causing it to glow with a brilliant azure shine.
Instantly, Mikey had felt the warmth that surged through his body begin to grow hotter. A searing pain had then shot through Mikey's entire cardiovascular system, forcing him to double over and clutch at his chest with a pained expression.
Emily and Kanan watched intently as Mikey withered in what could only be described as unfathomable pain.
"Do you think he'll be able to do it?"
"...Yes..."
The moment that single confirmation left Emily's mouth, Mikey eyes shot open and to their shock, a pair of mismatched eyes bore into their own.
Upon seeing their shocked expressions, Mikey had glanced down at the pristine marbled floor, catching the sight of his reflection but most importantly his eyes. His left eye was golden, and his pupil had been replaced with the proportional symbol. His right eye was an ultrarealistic azure, and his pupil had been replaced with the Greek symbol for omega.
.
Nowel's Academy for the Magically Gifted is the most prominent academy in history, for it has birthed magical geniuses and prodigies for centuries, but the most compelling achievement is the seven apostles' graduation.
Due to their influence, the academy established seven positions above the student council. Though many attempts were made by students to obtain the position, only three have been officially noticed by the headmaster of the academy.
As of currently, a new entrance exam was being held after clearing out low potential students and students who were slacking.
"I can't believe Kanan managed to get us in here after a few days of being here."
"It should be obvious but do not mention to anyone that we are associated with one of the seven apostles. We already don't belong in this world. It is unwise to bring unwanted attention to ourselves."
"Yeah, yeah. I understand. Doesn't mean I can't show off a bit."
Mikey couldn't help but chuckle mischievously which earned an exasperated sigh from Emily, to which he deliberately ignored.
"We're here."
The academy building was unbelievably large, which had stunned Mikey but earned an approval nod from Emily. They watched as teens and adults from across the world scatter to find the examination room.
"Alright. Let's go."
.
The moment Mikey had walked onto the exam field, every eye turned toward him with hints of confusion mixed with astonishment. This was due to the unique appearance of his eyes and pupil, which were not only mismatched in color but displayed two mathematical symbols.
"Alright. This first test will determine your combat capabilities and how well you can use your magic against a powerful foe. Once your number is called, step up to fight against the examiner."
Many students who weren't very confident in their prowess had become nervous wrecks, while the others who were confident in their experience simply stared on with boredom.
After several other students went and failed the first part of the exam, Mikey had been called up.
"Hey examiner, I'm not like the other's so I really should advise you come at me with your best. Otherwise, the result might shock you."
Everyone began to murmur at the sheer arrogance displayed by Mikey, knowing that his tough talk would be silenced like the others who claimed the same thing.
The examiner chuckled at this and subtly shook his head, dismissing the arrogant warning Mikey has given him. Though, the more he peered into Mikey's eyes, the more eerie they've become.
"Don't worry about me kid. I'll let you take the first shot, show me what you've got."
The examiner flashed a wide grin and the bell to begin the exam had rung, and before the examiner smile could even fade from his face, Mikey had appeared in front of him.
"Thanks. I won't disappoint."
The examiner eyes widened in shock, yet despite the momentary lapse in reaction time, the examiner managed to narrowly avoid the elbow strike that was aimed directly at the face, by stepping to the side.
Mikey retracted his arm and recovered quicker than the examiner could process, yet on instinct, the examiner backpedaled just in time to avoid a follow up backhand.
"Woah. Not bad kid."
The examiner grinned madly with a hint of glee in his eyes, then blurred forward faster than the human eye could keep track.
By enhancing his body with the ambient energy within his body, known as mana, the examiner had drastically increased his physicality to the level of a superhuman.
Yet unbeknownst to the examiner, Mikey had been born with the superior bodily condition of a superhuman. This allowed Mikey to keep up with the sudden speed increase of the examiner, which was evident by his unnatural colored eyes darting toward the left in response to the examiner's sudden disappearance.
.
Mana. The stabilized life-force of the raw ambient energy known as Aether. Everyone is born with a fixed amount of mana known as a 'mana-pool'. Mana allows an individual to preform supernatural feats that defy the conventional laws of physics.
These supernatural feats are labeled as 'spells' and are categorized with the individual's magical aptitude. The most common way to activate these 'spells' are through vocal casting, which the individual infuses a specific tune of mana with the vocal cord to invoke the supernatural feat related to the magical aptitude of the spell.
If an individual were to overuse their mana, they would access their 'mana-reserves' which is stored mana within the spirit. The more an individual uses their mana-reserves, the more their spirit becomes exhausted.
Unbeknownst to the general public, the raw energy known as Aether, follow its own 'law of physics' yet is similar to quantum mechanics. This means that the structure of Aether has similar functions as subatomic particles, which mediates the Aether force to the Mana force.
.
The students watched in anticipation; the examiner furrowed his eyebrows just as he reached Mikey.
Both had locked eyes, ready to follow through with their attack but Mikey had been faster. His left eye pulsed with a subtle golden glow, the proportional symbol shaped pupil had transformed into an arrow pointing skyward.
In that split interval, the literal space around the examiner had rippled and he was sent reeling upward by an unseen gravitational force.
The students gasped in shock while the other examiners narrowed their eyes in suspicion. The mages who could sense the mana being exuded had realized Mikey did not use any, leaving them to ponder what type of foreign force allowed him to alter gravity.
Suddenly, a streak of black electricity discharged from the examiner's airborne body. The near silent sound of theoretical glass shattering had reached Mikey and Emily ears, causing their eyes to widen in shock.
To everyone's surprise, the examiner managed to break free from the gravitational vectors controlled by a foreign external force that wasn't mana or Aether.
"Hm. Gravitational vectors is an advanced spell unique to those with gravity magic. How can you possibly use it without mana?"
"Simple. It's because I can use Aether."
"Liar! not even the headmaster can use Aether."
"I'm not the headmaster now, am I?"
The examiner went silent and gritted his teeth in rage at the blasphemous explanation Mikey had given out.
"I'll prove it. From my understanding, Mana is just the biproduct of filtered Aether through the spirit."
Mikey grinned from ear to ear, holding his open hand out for all to see. Then, a subtle yet visible ethereal white energy began to trail from his hand, generating thin wisps that traveled up into the air and dissipated.
"Just who are you?"
"Ah, you know. Just somebody from a very far away place"
Mikey kept his grin steady, watching as everyone subconsciously took a step back. Through the crowd, one particular person caught the mischievous glint in his eyes and narrowed their own with unfiltered hostility.