Playing With Magic

AN: We made it to 50! I appreciate all those who've stuck with it for so long. Thank you! If you could leave a review, that would be great. While it would be nice to receive five stars for the algorithm, I think anyone who's stayed this long will give me a relatively decent review regardless. Thank you and enjoy!

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Reality: The Witcher 

Precise Location: Currently Unknown

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[Gifted Backstory: Activated]

[Backstory: You are a genius raised in a pocket dimension by your recently deceased grandparents when your parents were brutally murdered by the Wild Hunt. During your time with them, you were taught all aspects of magic they knew in an indestructible house. After having buried your grandfather, you teleported for the first time, having been restricted from doing so throughout your training.]

Damn, why do my parents always have gruesome deaths? They could just die of old age or just leave me for adoption in an orphanage or something. The whole death thing seems super bleak. And why did the system choose 'gruesome'? It could have just said something about them fighting to the death to protect me or something, gawdamn.

[Gift: Forerunner Slipspace drive (Halo)]

'System, did I ever tell you I love you? Because I do. I always have. Always disregard the moments when I sound ungrateful, okay? 'Cuz I love you, bro.'

[Forerunner Slipspace drive (Halo)]

[Description: A spacecraft propulsion system capable of making transitions to and from slipstream space, allowing faster-than-light interstellar travel by creating precise ruptures between normal space and slip-space. The nonstandard physics of slip-space allows it to be used as a shortcut realm, facilitating interstellar travel between distant regions in a relatively short amount of time. They used small crystals embedded in their slip-space drives and a superior understanding of reconciliation to manipulate and correct the effects of slip-space travel, allowing smoother transitions.]

I may currently be missing a ship to properly utilise it, or a galaxy that requires said ship for travel for that matter, but anything better than a surfboard at this point was a win. However, the fact that I was currently plummeting face-first into the floor hundreds of miles up was enough to let me know the system may not have liked the fact that I sounded ungrateful moments ago.

'System, I did say I love you. You didn't need to do me like this.' I thought as I cast a delayed [Aresto Momentum] that would take effect when I got close to the ground, not panicking in the slightest as I allowed my body to just free fall like a ragdoll. Looking at what would soon be my new destination, I saw a small, mediaeval village and quickly scanned a couple dozen people inhabiting it, just milling about doing all sorts of things.

Not really having any technological knowledge aside from what I knew from my previous life and what I read in books during my time in this one, I decided to finally use the 99% discount for a new template. I still had discounts for a Template, Animal Summons, Weapon and Clothing/Armour.

For a moment, I thought about buying a reality warper straight off the bat, but considering how I felt during my fight with Gilbert, I decided against being powerful enough to risk no longer finding things fun. So, with that in mind, I chose a badass with knowledge and/or at least one ability to influence technology, among other things.

[Template - Revan (Star Wars Legends)]

[Cost: 300,000 SP]

[99% Off First Purchase]

[Purchased for 3000 SP]

I knew Anakin Skywalker had the whole 'potential' and 'child of the force' thing going for him, and I knew I could have just picked someone like Grand Master Luke Skywalker. But with my [Essence], potential and power would never be a problem for me. I could just pick someone I liked and learn how to do the extra stuff. So, the Prodigal Knight it would be.

[Assimilation: Revan (Star Wars Legends) 1%]

It may take some time for it to fully assimilate, but right now, I have an ashen-haired girl to find and Portals to learn, so I will be keeping busy while waiting. With the purchase done, I switched out my armour for the Treasure Seeker attire, Herodiana's Cape and Legendary Mask to minimise the fear of the locals. However, the moment I start using magic will most likely get me some side eyes and possibly hostility, considering how they treated Witcher. But there was only so much I could do to rid myself of other people's fear.

Feeling the air rush past me as I continued to increase speed toward the Village, I could already feel a sliver of [The Force]. But, the weird thing was that it didn't differentiate between 'dark' and 'light' like I thought it would, especially with my knowledge of Revan having used both, which confused me a little. But, for now, I just chalked it up to only starting the assimilation or [Essence of Blank] removing any requirements for either side.

[Current SP: 4,374,025]

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Year: 1266

Yennefer of Vengerberg

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Yennefer of Vengerberg stood resigned outside a humble village home, her arms crossed and her violet eyes glinting with irritation. She had just saved a child from an easily solved illness on her way to the Temple of Melitele to help train Geralt's Law of Suprise. Yet, as was often the case with the common folk, they didn't have the coin to properly compensate her for her work. It was moments like these which further solidified her belief that sometimes following one's heart could be detrimental.

The man before her, a wiry farmer with dirt-streaked clothes and a weathered face, was nervously shifting from foot to foot. His wife, a stout woman with a no-nonsense demeanour much like her own, stood behind him, her lips pressed into a disapproving line.

"Well," Yennefer said smoothly, "I suppose I could make do with the Law Of Surprise."

The farmer's face lit up with immediate relief. "Of course, Sorceress! I give it freely—"

Smack!

The man stumbled slightly as his wife cuffed him across the back of the head, playing into the harmless attack, indicating it was a common thing between the two. "Idiot!" She snapped, glaring at him. "The law of surprise isn't something you just accept! It's serious! You want us to give our next born child just after healing our first?! What if you get a castle, eh? We'll 'ave to give tha' to 'er just 'cus it's a surprise!"

The man rubbed his head, shooting her a sheepish look. "What else can we do, woman? If you think I'll get a castle any time soon, then you don lost yer mind. We've nothin' else to give! She don' wan' no food or nothin' an' we work on a farm, that's all we got to give. She saved our boy—it's only fair."

The wife scowled but seemed to relent, her gaze shifting to Yennefer, who waited with her usual air of detached patience, tapping a gloved finger against her forearm. With a sigh, the woman said, "Fine. I accept to give the Law Of Surprise."

The words had barely left her mouth when a shadow passed over them, momentarily blotting out the sunlight above her. All three looked up just in time to see a figure rapidly descending from the sky. The woman screamed, clutching her husband. The man raised his arms protectively, and Yennefer's brow furrowed as she instinctively took a step back, channelling her magic in case the entire situation turned out to be a trap of some kind.

The figure plummeted toward them, a white cloak flapping in the wind, only to slow dramatically a mere foot from the ground. He hovered there for a heartbeat before the magic Yennefer could sense dissipated, and he landed lightly on the dirt path. As he casually made his way to his feet, like falling from the sky was something to be seen as normal, Yennefer noticed his finely tailored clothing showed not even a sign of the dirt it should have when it made contact with the floor.

Catching a glimpse under the white hood, she could see a gleaming mask, intricately designed with swirling patterns, obscuring his face, most likely Enchanted like the rest of his pristine clothing. As he dusted … absolutely nothing off his clothes, most likely out of habit, his eyes swept over the trio outside the humble farm home, who stared at him in stunned silence.

Yennefer raised a perfectly arched brow out of curiosity as she turned her gaze toward the farmer and his wife, silently demanding an explanation. The couple exchanged bewildered glances. The husband, being over-opportunistic, tried to seize the moment. Gesturing toward the masked figure, he said, "The law of surprise! He's the surprise! Sorceress, I give him to you!"

Yennefer's lips parted slightly, knowing that it was supposed to be the saved person's child and not someone else's that was to be taken, her bland look deepening into an exasperated sigh. "Really?" She asked in a flat tone. "You think a mysterious masked person falling from the sky fulfils the law of surprise? By your expressions, I can already guess the person isn't even someone you know, let alone a child of yours."

The farmer offered a hopeful shrug, and his wife buried her face in her hands, muttering something about her husband's stupidity.

Before Yennefer could retort, the masked figure stepped forward, inclining his head politely. His voice was much deeper than she expected, carrying no trace of apology whatsoever. "Good evening. I must apologise for startling you." His eyes shifted between them, seemingly unbothered he startled them as it briefly lingered on Yennefer's battle-ready form. "I find myself in need of assistance. Can anyone here point me to someone capable of opening portals?"

Yennefer crossed her arms again, seeing no immediate threat, but remained ready just in case of any other surprises. Tilting her head, she studied him as she dryly asked, "You fell out of the sky, landed in front of us, and now you're asking for portal services?" 

The man's mask tilted slightly as though he was unfazed by her sarcasm. "Precisely."

Yennefer's lips twitched, but she suppressed the smile threatening to form. "And why, exactly, should I entertain the request of someone who drops in uninvited?"

His unblinking eyes met hers as he clasped his hands behind his back like she had seen many old men, high born or those who believed themselves of utmost importance, would. "Because, Sorceress," He replied patiently, "It could earn you some gold."

The farmer, still unsure of the situation but eager to curry favour, interjected, "See? He's reasonable! Take him! A fitting surprise, wouldn't you say?"

Yennefer shot the man a withering glare that silenced him immediately. She turned back to the man, curious as to why he could fall from so far without harm with the use of magic but not have the ability to open portals. "Very well," She said after a moment. "I might be able to assist you. But first, I'll need to know who—or what—you are."

John inclined his head again. "I am Lord Grey," He said simply, obviously leaving out the details. "And I assure you, my needs are simple. I'll compensate you appropriately."

Yennefer's eyes narrowed slightly, weighing his words as she looked him up and down. After a long pause, she stepped forward. "I've heard that before." She said, looking toward the married couple as the wife was grabbing the husband's mouth to keep quiet, before looking back. "Recently, even. But something tells be you're good for it. So, I'll take your word for it for now," she continued. "I'll help you—once I'm convinced this isn't some elaborate scheme."

Lord Grey gestured for her to lead the way. "Fair enough."

As they moved to leave the farm, the farmer and his wife exchanged glances, the former grinning as though he'd just won the lottery. The wife elbowed him sharply, muttering, "You're lucky she didn't turn you into a toad. Their lot 's dangerous. Ya shouldn't keep talkin' much when they're 'round. They could curse our whole family."

The farmer only chuckled nervously as they made their way back inside to their now healthy child. "She saved our boy when the village healer couldn't. Why would she curse the family after doing all that?"

As they walked down the path flanked by tall grass which swayed in the breeze, Yennefer got a better look at the man. He was slightly below her in height and wore several dragon-designed jewellery, but it wasn't an insignia of a house she had heard of.

After a moment of silence, Grey spoke. "What will it cost me to witness the portal?"

Yennefer glanced at him, one elegant eyebrow arching in curiosity. "That depends," She said. "Where do you need to go? I'd need to know the destination, and it helps if I've been there before—it makes calibrating the portal much easier. Portaling to places I've never been before will incur some … dire consequences, after all."

"Location?" Grey's eyes shifted toward her as he replied smoothly, "I don't need to go anywhere. I'd just like to see one. However, if you happen to know the way to Kaer Morhen, that would be helpful. I'm looking to study their potions and learn more about monsters and such."

Yennefer let out a soft, amused laugh. "Kaer Morhen? Let me guess—you're trying to become a Witcher? You can already use magic, and you could gain much more working for the lords of the land." There was a playful edge to her voice, but her curiosity was genuine.

He shrugged nonchalantly with his hands still clasped behind his back as they walked. "Not exactly. I've got enough gold to keep me comfortable, and I can deal with monsters if they become a threat. Witchers are skilled, no doubt, but dedicating yourself to that path and ignoring other professions that pay better, like, say, a healer, for example, feels… inefficient."

Yennefer smirked, tilting her head as she studied him. "Practical. But I see your point. You're not interested in becoming a Witcher—you just want to improve your knowledge of monsters."

"Precisely," He said. "Information is always valuable."

Yennefer nodded in agreement as she allowed a glimmer of approval to glint in her violet eyes. "You're in luck, then. I'm heading to the Temple of Melitele. A Witcher from Kaer Morhen is waiting there—one Geralt of Rivia. I can put in a good word for you if you'd like."

He inclined his head slightly, gesturing his thanks. "I'd appreciate that. It would save me a bunch of time, but you've yet to ask the most important question."

Yennefer's lips curled into a knowing smile. "You're welcome," Her smile widened, taking on a sly edge. "And it will only cost you an exchange of information, which will do just fine. No need to put a dent in your coffers."

Grey shook his head as he gave her a sidelong glance. "Just because you want information from me doesn't mean I'll provide it. I'm careful about what I share—hence the mask, and I'll only give you information that can't be used against me."

Yennefer's eyes sparkled with intrigue as she turned her gaze forward. "Fair enough," she said lightly. "But, you might find that some information has more value than you realise, Lord Grey. Now, do you have a horse, or do you plan to fly there like you did here? I have no other business in this village and I'd like to get there before nightfall."

He chuckled softly. "A horse? No, I have yet to meet one truly worthy. Unicorn, maybe, but not a horse. I've got something much quicker."

He stopped in the middle of the road and stretched out his hand, forcing her to put aside the fact that he had just mentioned unicorns out of the blue. Yennefer raised an eyebrow as she prepared herself to sense the weave of magic he was about to cast. But when the summoning occurred, there was no ripple, no magical signature—nothing. Instead, a sleek, black metal contraption appeared out of thin air, its polished black surface reflecting the sunlight.

Yennefer blinked, startled despite herself. She took a cautious step back, her sharp eyes narrowing as she examined the object. It had four wheels and a long, smooth frame, and it reminded her vaguely of some sort of chariot or modified carriage of some kind—possibly a lost ancient elven or dwarven contraception.

"What is that?" she asked as she looked at the padded seating inside.

Grey approached the vehicle, his now suddenly gloved hand trailing along its side with an almost reverent care. "This," He said pridefully, "Is a 1969 Ford Mustang. A car I enchanted some time ago to make it capable of flight. It'll get us to the temple in no time."

Yennefer circled the vehicle, her keen gaze taking in its details—the gleaming metal, the sleek design, the mysterious symbols etched into its surface similar to the rune scripture she was familiar with as part of her magical study. After a moment, she crossed her arms and gave the Lord a playful smirk. "It looks… ugly."

The man froze, then turned to her with a look that—though she could see most of his face—could only be described as deeply offended. "Ugly? Uncultured swine!" He said with a tinge of mock disgust, though Yennefer could tell some of it was meaningful. That much she could understand. Mages never like when their work is stated to be mediocre or ugly, after all.

Yennefer let out a soft, genuine laugh as she held up her hands in playful defence. "I'm joking, Grey. It looks… interesting."

He exhaled in relief, shaking his head as he moved to what seemed to be the side door of the seat without the helm at the front. "Good. For a second there, I thought I'd made a horrible mistake asking for your help."

He opened the door with a click as he pulled on the mechanism, gesturing for her to enter. "Get in. The quicker we get there, the better."

Yennefer's amusement lingered as she slid into the seat, her hands instinctively brushing over the unfamiliar controls—buttons, levers, and a strange thin rod in the muddle connected to some numbers. "What do all of these do?" She muttered, more to herself than to him, as he walked around to the other side. The entire time, she had her magic primed for use, still expecting a trap of some kind.

Opening his door, he climbed in and glanced at Yennefer, gesturing toward the strap hanging beside her. "Put your seatbelt on," He instructed, demonstrating by pulling his own across his chest and clicking it into place.

Yennefer hesitated momentarily before following his lead, checking the strap for Dimeritium, but seeing that she could use her magic just fine, she continued. The belt clicked into place, and she shot Grey a curious look. "I take it this for safety?"

"Exactly," He replied as he adjusted himself in the seat. Then, with a fluid motion, he removed his mask, revealing his face for the first time.

Yennefer's eyebrows lifted slightly. She hadn't expected him to be so young. Most likely in his teens. "You're… younger than I expected," she remarked, not even trying to hide her surprise.

The Lord of the metal carriage smirked. "I'll take that as a compliment. Ready?"

Before Yennefer could reply, Grey turned a small lever next to the helm of the carriage, and the … Mustang roared to life, its engine purring like a predator ready to strike. A faint magical hum underscored the mechanical noise as she felt Grey infuse and link the vehicle with his magic. Slowly, the Mustang began to lift off the ground, hovering effortlessly in the air.

Yennefer gripped the seat instinctively, her eyes widening slightly as the vehicle ascended. "It flies," she murmured, impressed despite herself. "What's the pot in wheels if it flies?"

Grey grinned now with dark-coloured glass covering his eyes. Whether they were necessary for flight or not, she did not know, but considering the clear glass on the front, that didn't seem to be the case. "Told you. As for the wheels, well, it can multi-task. Now, point the way—I have no idea where I'm going."

She gestured toward the north, still marvelling at the machine. "Head that way, toward the mountains. I'll guide you from there."

The chariot surged forward, smooth and swift as it cut through the air. Yennefer glanced at John out of the corner of her eye, studying the way he handled the enchanted contraption with ease, not caring that she may be trying to copy how it's Enchantments. She was now glad she chose knowledge over the gold he suggested moments ago.

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"Revan was power. It was like staring into the heart of the Force."

—Kreia, AKA Darth Traya.

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Autor Here

Yes, Revan.

I had to fight the urge to buy someone like Franklin Richards and go straight to reality warping. It was tough, but I'm a huge fan of Revan, so it wasn't that big a deal. Not a knowledgeable fan, mind you, but a fan all the same.

Also, Mechu-Deru for when he gets to more technologically advanced realities … and the Force as a whole.

As far as force users go, who are your favourites?

Mine will always be between Legends characters like Revan, Starkiller and Vader. The newer characters are … well, you guys must have seen the movies. There aren't even many Force users to choose from, unlike before Order 66.

And does the Law of Surprise allow you to claim a child that isn't the child of the person you save? 'Cus the whole thing is about giving something they see but don't expect.

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Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC and original ideas. All credit goes to their respective owners.

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Thank you for reading.

Special thanks to my patrons.

As always, stay awesome.

Until next time, Light's out.