Master of Time

Hans Richter denies the accusation, obviously.

But like Alex Mercer, I do think that his little sister, Emilia Richter, is more than just a bit obsessed with him.

Emilia is almost always close by wherever her brother currently is. She has requested to join Hydra as a lab assistant just because she doesn't see her brother home enough.

The virtual intelligence, Shield has filed its complete psychological analysis of one Emilia Richter from Reality-111.1, and I can say for sure that she has a severe and incurable condition known as brother-complex. It is slightly less severe than Oedipus-complex.

It is just a matter of time before Emilia acts upon her impulses.

Reality-111.1 is the Nazi Germany reality. Well, it is not anymore thanks to me and hydra. America will be the leading nation in the field of the magical studies.

Regardless, the assigned number still stands.

The first digit in the sequence denotes for the level of technological advancement. The second number denotes for magic and its progression. The third number denotes for species or inhabitants. I add that last digit in there due to the discovery of the elves.

These digits are subjected to change over time. But in the case of the mentioned reality above, it will not as the temporal rift connected to that reality has been collapsed.

The digits after the period is the order in which the reality is discovered. This number does not change once it has been assigned. Ignoring the digit zero, Nazi Germany is the first reality we have discovered beyond the temporal rifts. Since then, we have discovered plenty more alternate realities, including magical reality beyond the temporal rift in Thailand.

By the time seven or eight realities have been mapped, I decide to also assign a number to the prime reality. It is for filing and documentation within the organization networks. Following the sequencing rule, prime reality is given the code Reality-121.8.

I initially want to assign it as Reality-121.0, but zero means origin or undefined, so I decide against it as the prime reality is pretty much defined. Since 7 alternate realities have been documented by then, the number 8 is assigned for prime reality instead.

Someone did point out the coincidence within the pages of the comic book by Marvel, but it is merely a coincidence. It also helps me remember.

I was a comic book nerd, like all the teenagers and young adults living in 2019, during the age of Marvel cinematic universe – right before I take a nuke to the face.

That opens my eyes right up.

Hydra members have mapped over 100 different realities during the time I was fucking around. More temporal distortions are found throughout the world, with some just beginning to form. And this is on our beautiful planet alone.

We have not check outer space and other planets yet – because it is too troublesome currently. But I am sure whatever happen for the distortion to occur propagates throughout the universe. This might cause a problem for my terraforming project.

Hammond might need a helping hand. I am happy to provide.

As for Hans and his sister, Emilia, I don't mind if their relationship evolves into something more, as it will give something to say when my rather unorthodox relationship with Allision finally comes out. No secrete can be kept buried forever, unless I am willing to continuing killing people over the mater.

I believe that as long as the sexual relationship is consensual by both parties, it should be fine.

Obviously, there is no rational reason for keeping laws and taboos against consensual incest. Personal reasons and religion are not rational reasons in my book.

Why should the opinions of others affect your personal life? Don't those people have better things to do than spread rumors and criticisms?

And didn't the Bible say we are all born from consanguineous sex? I read the whole thing in its entirety because I had time. Didn't believe any of it personally, but faith does give people hope when there are none. This is to say as long as religious belief does not result in prosecutions. I won't have any of that inquisition crap.

As for genetic defect, there won't be any due to advances in medical technology. Hell, Hydra has been playing God for a while now, editing and modifying the code of life. There is nothing sacred to me and my organizations.

We will do whatever it takes to archive our goals!

In any case, I don't want to spend anymore brain cell on this rather pointless matter. It is their family problem, not mine. But if their sexual tension affects their productivity, I will have to say something about it.

"I assuming you also wants to use magic as well, Mr. Richter."

I speak up and place a box full of potions onto the table. I explain what the potion does, and I suggest them to start drinking. If something unexpected happens, I will undo it with my power.

True, I could have brought in some human guinea pigs for the experiment, but the direct route doesn't seem dangerous, so there is no reason to.

Alex shrugs and drinks about a couple potions. He didn't feel any different.

Same as Hans, who gulps down 5 potions with some coffees. He then goes off to take a leak.

"There is about 1% success rate, I am told. It likely won't be the first few… dozens. Just keep drinking until you feel something, I suppose."

I told Alex, who shrugs again. He drinks about a dozen before needing to go to the toilet. Hans comes back after he did and continues drinking while reading his handwritten notes on a new magic theory.

"Good morning, Miss Richter."

I greet when his sister enters the room, carrying several vials with glowing liquids. I assume those vials contains liquified manastones. It has a similar color to the mana potions.

"Good morning, Mr. Maxwell. How are you today?"

"I am fine, Miss Richter. And I see that you are looking fine as well. Your brother and Mr. Mercer are having a little competition, to see who gains magical power first. Would you like to join?"

I ask. Hans shakes his head, telling his sister not to, believing it might be too dangerous for her.

But Emilia wouldn't have any of that. She is no longer a child, and she wishes her brother stops seeing her like one. She is now a young woman, so he should see her as such.

"I would love to, Mr. Maxwell."

I nod and explain to her about the potions on the table. She picks up one and takes a sip, tasting the liquid. It is a bit sweet, but that is all. She drinks it all afterwards, but nothing changes.

"Maybe it doesn't work?"

Emilia asks.

"I assure you that it does work, Miss Richter. I have experienced the empowerment myself. However, I am unable to retain the magical power for an unexpected reason. I do wish to rectify this problem of mine as soon as possible."

I response and duplicate more potions. For a sure chance, I need at least 300 potions for 3 people.

As Emilia drinks the second potions, an explosion rocks the base.

This cause the emergency system to activate, locking down several sections to stop the flooding. That isn't an ordinary explosion. It is powerful enough to punch through reinforced steel?

"Yes! Fuck Yes!"

Alex shouts and charges into the room excitedly. His body is completely drenched in seawater. Several Hydra members shout and scream in the hallway. The shouting and screaming eventually die down, either they have drowned or found a way to save themselves.

Honestly… this guy.

But the good news is that he seems to have been empowered by magical energy. While I couldn't feel any since it is so minute, I could see the energy radiating out of his body like faint steams.

"Excellent, Mr. Mercer. You try to cast that explosion spell the Nazis use, did you?"

Alex chuckles before shrugging.

I tap on the holographic deck to display the Heavenly Book Selene has compiled for me.

Since Alex can use magic now, it is time for him to study.

Studying is his forte, so it didn't take long for him to start forming magical incantation diagram. While he did that, I repair the damage area of the base and revive all the drowned members.

My decision to build a lunar base for Mystic is correct.

These magical stuffs are way too dangerous, especially under someone like Alex, who is quite reckless when something occupies his mind. I just hope I won't have to go fishing people in space because the lunar base has been blown up.

"What is he doing? Moving his hands in midair?"

Emilia asks when Alex forms an incantation diagram. I narrow my eyes at the girl before looking at the security feeds. Just like she has said, Alex is gesturing nothing in the air.

"Fireball!"

Alex shouts before the magical incantation diagram before him explodes. Emilia screams while Hans jumps to attention. I exhale deeply since I know exactly what happened.

"Fuck! This is harder than I have thought!"

Alex curses as he grabs hold of his blood stump. His hand and arm have blown right off due to a failed spell.

"What just happen!?"

Hans shouts. It appears that he couldn't see magic either, at least until he becomes empowered with magical energy.

This is very interesting.

But how am I able to see it despite not having magic myself? Emilia confirms that you need to have magical energy flowing through your body to be able to see magic.

I guess I can always use magic, just that I have never tried before. A magical circle form in front of me when I follow the instruction in the book.

It seems that my assumption is correct.