Reaper's Resurgence: A System Reset

Alexia

An awkward silence fills the little library we're in as the two of us just stare at each other. Neither of us saying even a single word.

Is she waiting for me to start, or…?

Also, I can't sense Zal anymore. So I guess even he isn't able to just look in here as he pleases.

Although I get the feeling he could probably break through whatever is stopping him without much trouble. What with him being a full-fledged quantum being. Unlike the woman in front of me.

Plus he is ranked second on the hierarchy, whereas the Quantum Archon is ranked last I believe. At the very bottom of the hierarchy.

Strictly speaking, I'd be considered at the very top and this girl would be considered at the very bottom. Since she's the Successor of the lowest ranked quantum being role holder.

Not that I care either way. But maybe she does?

"So what did you want to talk about?" I eventually ask, deciding to just go for it.

As if a floodgate was released, the girl pulls up some glitchy notebook and a glitchy pen and starts rapid-firing questions at me, "What does your role do exactly? How powerful is it compared to the Quantum Ruler? And how much authority do you have already as a quantum being with just a tenth of your core? And why do you spend your time in the mortal universe instead of in the quantum realm?"

Holy shit, she's a lot more talkative than I was expecting…

And something tells me she'd just keep asking them if it weren't for the fact that I haven't answered any yet. She's just staring at me with an intense look in her eyes and her pen already ready to write whatever I say down.

Guess the role of Successor to the Quantum Archon fits her…

Although she could've also just as easily fit as the Successor to the Quantum Scribe. What with how she clearly wants to write everything about my experience as a quantum being down.

Anyways, I begin to answer some of her questions while crossing my arms, "To put it simply, I hunt things detrimental to the universe." I think. "As for how powerful I am compared to the Ruler? I have no idea. I'd have to know how strong the Quantum Ru-" I hear a strike of lightning out of nowhere that quickly makes me revise my word choice "how strong Grandfather is to determine that."

She pauses in writing for a moment at the word 'Grandfather' but continues again after that.

"I have enough authority to overrule the Quantum Enforcer at least, but I don't know anything else about it," I answer with a shrug. "And I stay here because I want to."

The Successor continues writing everything down in a frenzy before calming down again and asking more questions. But I stop her this time around by raising a hand and stating, "Nope. It's your turn to answer questions."

She freezes in place and looks at me in a rather shocked manner for a moment before calming down. Then she takes a deep breath and says, "Very well. What do you wish to know?"

Good. This will be a great opportunity to get some intel on things.

It is the Quantum Archon's job to know the history of the universe. And his Successor probably knows quite a bit herself.

Hopefully.

Questions like 'Where is the Corrupted One' are out since I have nothing to do with that guy yet. Plus the Archon would be required to give out that information if he had it anyways. So using this for that feels like a waste.

Instead I ask, "Do you know why the universe decided to make me the Quantum Reaper? Because I know it wasn't all just because of the Architect's failed attempt at making me his Successor."

For the first time since meeting her, a faint smile stretches across the Successor's face as she mutters, "Good question." Then she goes and answers it, "The reason the universe decided to make you the Quantum Reaper instead of the Successor to the Quantum Architect is multifold. For one, you aren't creative enough to design new architecture that could aid in the universe. It saw you as a blade that would strike at anything that interfered with your life and your loved ones. So it gave you a more fitting role."

Huh. Interesting.

"Another reason is that your specific quantum energy affinity aligned more with the Quantum Reaper's energy than the Quantum Architect role's energy," she continues without hesitation. "And the last reason was that you became a quantum being by slaying another quantum being. Which in and of itself proved you were worthy of the position, regardless of how it was accomplished."

I guess the notification about me getting it for killing a quantum being wasn't entirely wrong after all.

"Another question and then it'll be your turn again," I state, making the woman nod her head in silence. "Why did you become a Successor in the first place?"

This is just a personal question that has me curious. Simply because she's the only Successor I've ever met before.

Sure there's power in being a quantum being, but there's also limits. Especially with the role holders. Since it pushes them into following the universe's orders.

She looks surprised by this question, but she answers it nonetheless, "The Quantum Archon found me over a thousand years ago on the frontlines against the corruption and saved my life, knowing that it would motivate me to become his Successor. It's as simple as that."

I blink in surprise.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

"Really?" I mutter. "Just that?"

She nods her head before pursing her lips and adding, "Well, I also love reading, so being able to spend my entire life reading and learning new things didn't sound like a bad way to live."

Huh.

That's… surprising.

Also, the fact that the Archon went there to save her just because he knew she would become his Successor afterwards is… not to mention how she's perfectly fine with that.

Maybe she's just weird?

"Now it's my turn again," she states, making me nod my head before she goes on to ask more questions.