—— ? ——

  “TEN YEARS?! YOU HAVE GOT TO BE JOKING!”

  Simon was on his feet, balling his hands into fists, staring the god avatar down. “I thought this was some type of crunch session! Some godly realm that would help me not completely suck in twenty-two hours! You can’t just casually drop ‘oh, we have almost ten years’ and just hand-wave it away!”

  The avatar of Melodian blinked serenely, as if in a few minutes Simon would just be okay with the entire situation.

  “Don’t worry, it should pass quickly for you. But I don’t th–”

  “Oh, it will pass quickly?! QUICKLY? TEN YEARS! You arrogant son of a–” Simon said, but as he was getting into his chain of insults, his jaw went rigid.

  The finger snap from the avatar echoed across the realm.

  Simon stood frozen in place, veins bulging in anger, but the only sound that came from him was his breathing.

  “Enough mortal. Clearly, you are upset and not informed of the rules of this place. First, this realm’s time and your song have been accelerated to an immense degree. Second: Your only mission while residing here is to master the bardic arts. I am this realm’s teacher and owner, as you can observe because of your body’s condition. Normally, I would not resort to such measures, but you seem incapable of simply listening to my explanation.” The avatar walked closer to Simon and formed his hand into a snapping position. “I will release you from this state. But you must stay silent. I will explain all of your options. Understood?”

  Melodian moved in close and stared deeply into Simon’s eyes. Seeming to find the response he was looking for, he took a step back and snapped his fingers.

  Simon’s body regained the ability to move. He felt as though someone had coated him in frost and injected liquid nitrogen into his bloodstream. The warmth spread throughout his body, and he regained full control, but his muscles still felt sluggish.

  Melodian stared at him, waiting for him to continue yelling. After a long silence, the avatar nodded and then continued.

  “Good. Now, to head off questions so we do not waste time. Can you leave the realm? No, that is not something I can change. The main shard that put you here will have created a set of requirements for you to leave. What are those requirements? Simple. You are to spend ten years honing your craft and meet the standards that they set. However, I do not expect it to take that long. Most individuals sent here with requirements spend six to eighteen months of your Earth timescale before they meet them.”

  The avatar grinned when he saw Simon’s shoulders visibly relax.

  “Now was that so hard? It is unusual for one of the main shards to create a time realm without informing the person they are sending of the rules. Especially one from a newly integrated realm. But we can rectify this oversight. Now, mortal—or should I say student — you may ask more questions. "

  The avatar finished while snapping his fingers again. Simon flinched at the sound but then shook his head. His position in the realm had transformed with the snap. He was now sitting in a cushioned jade and white chair on one of the middle tower’s balconies. A refreshing minty smell was emitting from the pure white teapot laid upon an artistically carved table. Several platters and saucers held various tea condiments and were resting within his reach. There was a pure green teacup that had a scene of grassy plains and forests etched into its side. Simon looked across the table at Melodian’s avatar, who was sitting with one leg over the other, sipping his own tea.

  As the avatar quietly sipped, Simon tried to organize his thoughts.

  What do I need to know here?

  It was obvious he was far, far out of his depth. The god had just casually turned him into a statue and then instantly teleported him across the realm. He had to stop viewing the avatar as just another power-hungry higher-up. This situation was not ideal.

  Ten years.

  How is that even possible? What will happen to the rest of Earth during this?

  His first question.

  “I need to understand something. You said I could be here for up to ten years. How does that work? From what I saw, the clock had only gone down a single second.”

  “Ah, let me ask you a question in return. Does the realm you originate from not have any ways to slow or accelerate time?” Melodian’s avatar responded after taking another sip.

  “Slow or accelerate time? Absolutely not. We have stories about fictional ways to do it. But it stays in the world of make-believe.”

  Melodian nodded with a look of understanding. “That would explain your shock at the restraints of this realm. It wouldn’t be a topic that was discussed with your guide to integration. In short, this place is detached from the integrated realms in more ways than just its location. I am the god of bards and performance, but I can also control songs. Each being has its own song, and they play it themselves. I won’t get too deep into the theory as this is beyond you, but there are books about it in the library. What you need to understand is that your song, and the song of this realm, have been altered to give you the time to learn. Before you ask: No, this is not something you can easily do or use for combat. Altering someone’s song is only possible when you have their soul’s agreement, under unique scenarios, or you are their patron.”

  Simon poured himself a cup of the minty-smelling tea while listening to the explanation. To his annoyance, the tea tasted delicious when combined with a honey-like substance he had discovered on the table.

  “Okay, I get the first part, I think. But the requirements confuse me. I did not agree to come here, and I’m pretty sure you are not my patron. How can I be here?” Simon asked while staring at his tea.

  It really was good. Stupid bards.

  “That is a bit of a… let’s call it a technicality. Assuming the System hasn’t changed its methods since the pact, you should have gone through a process that presents you to divine patrons. It would have started by putting you before the most ‘compatible’ candidate. We both know how that ended for you. The System has some fascinating methods, but few have been able to understand its reasoning. It may seem wrong to most at the beginning, but the System is normally always right long-term. I understand Varrax has some drastic requirements, but I do not doubt it was the best choice for your survival. “

  Simon shrugged at this information.

  “Maybe, but that guy sucked.”

  The avatar just shook his head. “I will not agree nor disagree with that. To answer your question. As soon as you step into a god’s realm during the Systems process, they become your patron. You may not be their follower yet, but they will be your patron temporarily. It’s a way to protect information and prevent those who would enter godly realms with ill intent. Yes, it has happened. You would be surprised at the lengths some people will go through to obtain power from multiple deities.”

  Simon finished his first cup of tea and was pouring another for himself. He was testing the other condiments that were on the table when he asked.

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “Why would temporarily having someone as your patron stop people?”

  “It’s impossible to keep your other divine connections a secret from your patron. For instance, your curse from Varrax. When you entered this space, I knew instantly who had done it and why,” Melodians avatar replied while matching Simon’s actions with his cup.

  This made Simon pause while pouring a strange substance into his cup. It was a bright purple liquid that tasted like a cross between ginger and caramel.

  But can he read thoughts? Hmmm…

  Simon looked at the avatar closely and weighed his options. He doubted Melodian would just volunteer the information, and even if he did, he might just lie.

  Luck favors the bold… right? Right? Yeah! Simon tried to hype himself up mentally as he had decided on a potentially boneheaded move. If this god, avatar, or whatever he was could read his thoughts, then he was going to be extremely pissed.

  Melodian the Magnificent? More like Melodian the Maniac. You should have seen your stupid face the moment I butchered ‘I’m Still Standing.’ But do you want to know what I really think of you? You are no better than mortals. What you really are is a ….

  Simon thought of every way he could to force a reaction from the god. He tried every insult he could think of, mentally imagined every song he knew in his own re-rendered variations.

  Melodian just kept sipping his tea and matched Simon’s intense focus.

  After Simon had exhausted every plan he had to make the god react, recoil or rage, he sat back and looked out at the moving scenes beyond the globe.

  “If I had to guess, you have been trying to figure out if I can read your mind,” Melodian said.

  Simon looked back at the god, who looked amused.

  “So you can read my thoughts!” Simon said with a fake gasp while putting his hand to clutch his imaginary pearls.

  The avatar just shook his head. “No, I cannot. From experiences with students, this is a recurring concern. You were recently integrated, but you should understand the seriousness of what I am about to say. I, an Avatar of Melodian the Magnificent, invoke my divine right to make a vow guaranteed by the system. While this mortal resides within my realm, I decree that his mind shall not be invaded, observed or otherwise examined by any entity or being within it. Harmony is offered, growth is earned, and this limit I impose.”

  A soft chime echoed through the realm as a prompt appeared in the air between the two beings.

  — SYSTEM NOTICE —

  > LIMIT HAS BEEN ACCEPTED

  > Source: Avatar of Melodian The Magnificent

  > Target: [Subject] Simon “of the Broken Oath”

  > Effect: Target will be safe from all mental intrusions

  The Avatar had imposed a limit. Nothing within Melodian the Magnificent’s Zero to Hero? Training Regime will invade, observe or examine the target’s mind.

  You are still under observation by the System.

  Harmony is offered, growth is earned, a limit has been made.

  ——————————

  This prompt fascinated Simon. Until this moment, all System or other notices had been in his vision, not in the physical world like this one. It floated in the air between himself and the Avatar. After he finished reading, it seemed to disappear into the section of his view that housed the history of other notices. He mentally pulled and could feel there was now a separation between the notices. The feeling was instinctive, like he had always known how to do this. That was something he was still trying to understand.

  I guess it makes sense that something capable of absorbing our universe wouldn’t have usability issues.

  He had to ask. “That makes me feel slightly better. I think. There is something I still don’t understand. All of this is new to me. However, I feel like I understand how these notices work and how to manipulate them even though this is something that has never existed in my universe.”

  “One of the many peculiarities of the System. It is vastly powerful, and when you first encounter it, the feeling is that you have always had it with you. Many beings argue every sentient being’s soul comes with the ability to use it. Others argue it’s just good at what it does.” The avatar leaned back in his chair with his tea in both hands.

  “No one knows.” He said with a thoughtful expression and then continued.

  “I’m glad the limit has eased your mind. I warn you, do not take such things lightly. This realm is unique, as the students of Melodian the Magnificent come from all walks of life, cultures, and backgrounds. As I said before, many who come here fear for their minds, especially those who have different patrons. My vow was one I designed to help ease their worries.” The avatar said.

  “Other patrons?” Simon asked, “Wait, that means this place is just a private school that people can pay to enter?” Simon looked out over the balcony, at the artistically sculpted buildings and manicured foliage.

  “Where are the other students?”

  The Avatar smiled as he watched Simon search. “Well, as you said, it’s private. Every student gets to experience one-on-one teaching with Melodian the Magnificent. Can you imagine if two students who walk entirely opposing walks of life had to learn together? A disaster.”

  That made sense to Simon. He could not imagine that any follower of Varrax would do well around other people. How would that conversation go?

  “Hi, I’m Tom. I currently follow an emo death god who has enslaved me and makes me commit ritual sacrifices through combat.”

  “Uh… hello Tom. I’m Mary… My patron is the god of wine. We drink at gatherings. That’s about it. Well, it’s been nice talking! I just realized I have a thing to do, and I’m very late.” Mary would say while trying to put as much distance between her and Tom before adding, “Good luck with the death cult!”

  Simon chuckled to himself at the thought. He looked back at the avatar.

  “Yeah, that probably would not end well. So it’s just you and I for the next ten years? What do I call you? I understand your full title is ‘Melodian the Magnificent’, but could I use something easier? You are apparently my teacher after all.” Simon paused and then added, “And you said that requirements have been set? What are those?”

  The avatar seemed contemplative as he softly tapped his cup. “I suppose titles are new for a recently integrated being. How does your culture address someone in my position?”

  “In my world, a similar title would be professor. In our world, you can go to places like college or trade school to learn specialized skills. If you taught there, people would likely call you Professor Melodian, but your students would probably shorten it to Professor Melo, or Doctor Melo if you had a doctorate. Doctorates are normally the highest level of academic achievement in their field.” Simon really hoped the avatar bought the nickname.

  The avatar gazed into his cup for a moment and then replied, “Interesting. As a god, I would have the highest achievement in my art. Alright, you may refer to me as ‘Doctor Melo’ to ease our conversations.” The newly named Dr. Melo nodded. “To answer the other part of your question. Let me show you the test the main avatar has given you.”

  With another nod from Dr. Melo, a new prompt appeared in the air for Simon to read.

  —- Notice —-

  > BARDIC TRAINING PROTOCOL

  > Source: Melodian the Magnificent

  > Target: [Subject] Simon “of the Broken Oath”

  > Objective: Demonstrate basic competence in any bardic art by completing an acceptable performance. Including, but not limited to:

  > Music (singing, humming, banging of pots in a tolerable fashion)

  > Storytelling (coherent, mildly engaging, maybe even funny)

  > Dance (rhythmic movement appropriately matched to anything)

  > Writing (mildly interesting, coherent)

  > Or anything that could, in theory, make someone freely engage with.

  > Acceptance Criteria: If the average tavern patron would let you finish your freely provided act without throwing something at you. You pass.

  > Status: The subject has not performed an acceptable act. Time remains.

  ~ Remember, practice, practice, practice ?? There must be at least one discipline you can use to perform a passable act!

  —-—-—-—-

  Simon wished he had a camera to capture the look of shock that plastered across Dr Melo’s face.

  Dr. Melo was speechless.

  After a moment he waved his hand, and an ornate bottle filled with a swirling rainbow liquid appeared.

  He drank, draining most of the bottle.

  Simon downed his tea in solidarity and then started making a third cup.

  “I can only get better from here, right?” Simon said while giving Dr. Melo his best finger gun gesture.

  Melodian sighed.

  “Correct.”

  —— ? ——

  — AUTHOR NOTICE —

  > Thank you for all the support and views!!!

  ~TheBusyBard

  Harmony is offered, growth is earned, Limits are unknown.

  ——————————