Chapter 2 : Understanding

Elias sat across from Aysse in this sleek, minimalist room, the polished surfaces reflecting the pale glow of the ceiling lights. Though the atmosphere was calm, Aysse's mind was anything but. The weight of everything he had just experienced pressed on him like an unseen force. He had lost a year of his memory. He had fused with an unknown entity. And now, he was expected to navigate a world ruled by forces he barely understood.

Elias exuded an effortless confidence, his sharp golden eyes scanning Aysse with quiet amusement. He had an athletic build—his posture relaxed yet composed, as if always prepared to act. His wavy dark hair fell in loose strands around his face, framing his high cheekbones and strong jawline. A faint scar traced the edge of his brow, a silent reminder of past battles. He wore a sleek, functional outfit—dark, fitted, and reinforced in subtle ways—blending efficiency with an understated style. Every movement he made was deliberate, controlled, as if he understood the weight of his presence in any room. Though his expression carried a hint of mischief, his aura spoke of experience, of someone who had seen much and knew more than he let on.

Elias leaned back in his chair, arms crossed.

Elias: "Alright, let's start with the basics. You understand that you've fused with a Faery, correct?"

Aysse nodded hesitantly.

Aysse: "I… think so. But I don't really know what that means."

Elias smirked.

Elias: "Yeah, most newcomers don't. Let's break it down."

He tapped the side of his head—where his own tentacle-like Faery appendage rested.

Elias (explaining): "Faery are intelligent, natural creatures that can fuse with almost anything to improve their survival. Unlike parasites, they don't just take; they give back. They form symbiotic relationships—like the one you have now."

Aysse studied his own tentacle, the unfamiliar sensation of its presence still unsettling.

Aysse (thinking): So, they… just attach themselves to things?

Elias: "More than that. Some say the first Faery is a god—a supreme being that merged with the world itself. Whether that's true or not, what we do know is that new Faery can spawn out of thin air. It's not rare, but when it happens, it's treated as a sacred event."

Aysse frowned.

Aysse: "So, they just appear?"

Elias: "Exactly. And once they do, they have a choice—live on their own or fuse with a host. Most choose to bond. Humans, animals, even inanimate objects—Faery can connect with anything if it benefits them."

Aysse mulled this over.

Aysse (thinking): And what do they gain from fusing with humans?

Elias grinned.

Elias: "That's the best part—they get access to structure. Alone, a Faery has no form, no focus. When bonded, they gain direction, intelligence, and the ability to harness Faeriar efficiently."

Aysse: "Faeriar…"

Aysse (continuing): "That's the energy you mentioned earlier?"

Elias: "Correct. Think of Faeriar as the fuel that powers everything. Everything in this world contains Faeriar, from the smallest pebble to the strongest beast. It can be extracted, absorbed, or exchanged."

Elias held up a hand and let his tentacle extend slightly.

Elias: "Faery have three core abilities. The first is Consumption & Faeriar Absorption—they eat, break down, and extract energy from almost anything. The more direct the consumption, the better the efficiency."

Aysse tensed slightly as Elias's Faery tentacle curled in the air.

Aysse: "The second is Matter Production—they can generate solid material by expending Faeriar. Weapons, armor, even constructs. Your Faery is still weak, but with enough Faeriar, you could create just about anything."

Aysse flexed his fingers, trying to summon the energy he had just received from Dr. Vahr. A faint shimmer formed at his fingertips before dispersing. Elias chuckled.

Elias: "Don't worry, it takes practice."

He gestured to the air, where faint sparks of energy flickered.

Elias: "The third ability is Energy Production—they can generate fire, electricity, gravity fields, you name it. The more Faeriar you feed them, the stronger the output."

Aysse exhaled.

Aysse: "This sounds… insanely powerful."

Elias nodded.

Elias: "It is. But there's a catch. Faery regulate their own intake through temperature. Absorbing too much Faeriar makes them cold, using too much makes them hot. Overheat or freeze, and they shut down."

Aysse frowned.

Aysse: "And if they shut down?"

Elias: "You'll be as helpless as a newborn. No abilities, no way to fight back, nothing."

(He leaned forward.)

Elias: "That's why Faeriar management is crucial. Too much, and you freeze. Too little, and you burn out."

Aysse rubbed his temples.

Aysse: "So, Faery don't have limits on storage, but they do on usage?"

Elias: "Exactly. That's why an Operating System—or OS—is required to regulate them. Your Faery has an OS, but it can't access its main storage directly. It uses a separate, limited cache to manage Faeriar. Think of it as a budget—you can't just spend everything at once."

Aysse clenched his fists.

Aysse: "And humans? We need Faery to even interact with Faeriar?"

Elias gave him a knowing look.

Elias: "Correct. A human without a Faery might as well be blind to the system running this world."

Aysse let the information settle.

Aysse: "And this fusion… it's permanent?"

Elias: "Mostly. It can be removed with consent, but special Faery exist that can override a fusion—usually for control or restraint."

(His tone turned serious.)

Elias: "But let me be clear: Faery fusion isn't a burden. It's survival. Every human in Eurory has one. They're given at birth, pre-programmed by a noble overseeing the region. Without one, you wouldn't last a day."

Aysse processed everything, his mind racing. This was his new reality. Faery weren't just tools; they were a necessity. And now, he was one of the fused.

Elias continued his explanation.

Elias: "Faeriar isn't just energy—it's the foundation of the entire economy. In times of crisis, temporary contribution systems may replace it, and some people resort to direct trade, but ultimately, Faeriar fuels everything: infrastructures, warfare, and daily necessities. Every transaction, trade, and power structure in Eurory revolves around it. Nobles hoard vast reserves, cities regulate its flow, and those who run out are left powerless—sometimes literally. Controlled distribution of Faeriar dictates social hierarchy; those with more have influence, while those without it are at the mercy of those who do. It is this structure that keeps the world running—but also keeps many trapped in their place."

Aysse shifted in his seat, mulling over Elias's words.

Aysse: "I see! Isn't there any alternative, like magic or technology?"

Elias shook his head.

Elias: "Not unless you want to meet the Faery Curse firsthand. Any attempt to replace Faeriar with an outside energy source ends the same way—disaster. The Curse is absolute. It doesn't just punish, it erases. Entire civilizations thought they could bypass it. Now, they're nothing more than ruins."

Aysse furrowed his brow.

Aysse: "The Faery Curse… it that some kind of divine punishment."

Elias leaned forward, his silver eyes gleaming.

Elias: "That's one way to see it. Any attempt to harness energy that doesn't come from Faery triggers it. A portal opens, and from it spill monsters—relentless, ever-growing in number and strength. The only way to stop them is to destroy whatever caused the Curse in the first place."

Aysse swallowed.

Aysse: "Has anyone ever managed to control it?"

Elias let out a short laugh.

Elias: "Control it? No. Weaponize it? That's a different story. Some powerful nobles—especially royals—can use the Curse strategically, unleashing it in enemy territory. But it's always a gamble. If left unchecked, it drains all Faeriar from the surroundings, making it impossible to replenish reserves."

Aysse felt a chill creep up his spine. His mind raced, trying to piece together everything he had learned. The world outside was more structured—and more dangerous—than he had imagined. Every aspect of life was tied to Faeriar, from survival to power, from the nobility's control to the common person's dependence. There was no escaping it; this was the foundation of society.

He thought about the Curse—a force so powerful it had destroyed entire civilizations. The idea of separating from his Faery and using the magic from his original world crossed his mind, but it was clearly a no go. Trying would be nothing short of suicide. The same went for his knowledge of modern technology—it wasn't just useless here, it was dangerous.

Aysse clenched his fists. He wasn't sure how he fit into this world yet. He wasn't just some bystander—he had fused with a Faery, inherited abilities he barely understood, and now he was expected to play a role in a system that felt both awe-inspiring and oppressive. If power determined one's place in society, then what did that make him? A pawn? A potential threat? He knew he came to this world with a mission; he had only temporarily forgotten it because of the memory superposition from the fusion with the Faery.

He exhaled slowly, grounding himself. If nothing else, he needed to understand more before making any decisions.

Elias leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his golden eyes gleaming with certainty.

Elias: "If you want to survive in this world, you need knowledge, skill, and control over your Faery. And the best place to learn all of that? House Velstein."

Aysse raised an eyebrow.

Aysse: "Velstein Academy?"

Elias: "They're the leading experts in Faery programming. Their academy holds some of the most advanced scripts and techniques known to mankind. If you want to master your abilities and understand the world, that's where you need to be."

Aysse considered this. The idea of going to school was a bit of a surprise to him. But this was different—not just about education, but about survival.

Aysse: "What exactly do they teach there?"

Elias smirked.

Elias: "Everything you need to become a fully functional Faery user. Combat techniques, energy manipulation, Faeriar efficiency, scripting…"

(He paused.)

Elias: "And, most importantly, the way society truly works."

Aysse narrowed his eyes.

Aysse: "The way society works? You mean the hierarchy?"

Elias: "Exactly."

(He leaned back.)

Elias: "Nobles, commoners, those who hold Faeriar and those who don't—House Velstein doesn't just teach you how to use power. They teach you how to navigate power. And trust me, that's just as important."

Aysse tapped his fingers against the armrest. It made sense. If everything in this world revolved around Faery and Faeriar, then understanding their intricacies was the only way to carve a path forward. Yet something about it still made him uneasy.

Dr. Vahr had come personally—even though he left as quickly as he arrived—so Aysse concluded that, to some extent, both Dr. Vahr and Elias were connected to his presence in this world and could be trusted for now (though Dr. Vahr likely didn't want to raise any suspicion by staying too long).

Aysse: "And you trust them?"

Elias chuckled.

Elias: "Trust them? No. But I respect what they offer. Knowledge is power, and House Velstein has more knowledge than anyone. Whether you trust them or not is up to you—but no one can afford to ignore them."

Aysse exhaled slowly. Another step forward. Another unknown. But if he wanted to understand this world—if he wanted to regain control over his fate—then perhaps this academy was the key.

And so, his path became clearer.

He would go to Velstein Academy.