The Lesser One by Zeppy Cheng

Author:Zeppy Cheng [Cheng, Zeppy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: urban fantasy, YA, contemporary fantasy, high school
Publisher: Dingbat Publishing
Published: 2021-03-19T22:00:00+00:00

14 A True Adventurer

Construction at the CCC lab goes as I expect for the two hours I’m there. When I leave, it’s with an assignment to practice conjuring the same piece of alloy at least ten times a day to improve my accuracy. Because I ask, Alexia names my new alloy Rearden metal.

Life goal achieved!

Alexia also mentions that he would like to do further research on the Rearden metal alloys — up to and including a master’s thesis. Alexia is a graduate student, after all. I agree and leave him with a small amount of each of the three alloys I produced. I spend the rest of the day practicing my bow work, being studied by Dr. Barrimore, and working on my conjuring accuracy.

That night I have another dream featuring my army of devils.

Jirgrar approaches me in the same fashion as before, wearing a suit, surrounded by video-gamey houses. He bows before me. “I and my fellow arch-devils have devised a plan to serve you better. If you would allow a number of us into society to make the world a better place for you, we would be willing to do anything to further your glory and renown.”

“Er, what kind of things are we talking about?”

“As you are aligned with the side of good, we cannot take any actions that would smear your honor. However, there are many things that we can do to earn you fame, wealth, and success that will not cause you any moral pain.”

“I’ll think about it.” I honestly feel afraid of letting a bunch of devils out into the real world — I do trust Jirgrar’s statement, but I don’t know what the effects really would be.

“Very well,” says Jirgrar. “We have devils who can do many things. Profitable things.”

“How about this,” I say. “You and five other devils can leave and do your thing in the world for a week. After that I want a full report.”

Jirgrar bows his head. “As you command.”

And then the dream ends. When I wake up, Jirgrar and five devils are standing around my bed like butlers.

All of them bow at once. “We shall be on our way,” says Jirgrar. Two of the devils disappear into smoke. One walks through the wall. The other two leave using the front door.

Jirgrar remains. He bows again. “I shall safeguard your fame, your finances, and your reputation.” Then he sinks into the floor.

I am feeling nervous about this whole setup, but if these devils can do things for me, then at the very least I will be in for something interesting. I stay in bed a little while longer, considering the possibilities, and then get up.

A slip of paper pops into existence on my nightstand. I have acquired a cellular phone. My number is XXX-XXX-XXXX.

Well. I put the number into my phone and shoot Jirgrar a text — an action that makes me feel exceedingly strange. This is my number. Are you going to keep me updated through text?

Jirgrar: For small updates this is a good system.

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