He folds his hands and holds still.

"...Hmm. If you would give me a few minutes to discuss with Master Gal-Fair and do some research?"

"I don't mind at all. Better to get a sure answer."

Contract III has been thinking.

The sudden appearance of a strange new entity, one with a connection, barely perceptible, to something else far, far away, and possibly immensely powerful, implies certain things.

Every additional datum - passively gathered so as not to incur a debt by intruding on the natural right to privacy - only supports the conclusion.

This is a unique existence. It could mean that everything that is known about the world is wrong. It could herald a permanent end to the problem of chaos and corruption, or the beginning of a brand new wave of issues. But that is not known at this time.

There is no other response but to call for [MOTHER].

The original System. The oldest and most deeply rooted, the most experienced, the wisest.

Contract I, on Artona I, is like an old-growth redwood forest compared to a random patch of trees planted for logging.

Contract I is a relic of a past era, and the nexus of some of the most sacred traditions of all wizards. It is not the cool and clinical Systems of the resource worlds and the new colonies, only ever coldly calculating expenditures and allowances. In a very real way, the original System has a soul that cares about right and wrong in a visceral and emotional way, not as a careful web of contracts, debts, and balances.

MOTHER is not an impassive clerk distributing teleports and payments. She cares about her people.

And there are too many people to care about. Far, far too many, and always more. For all the System's seeming omnipotence, the reality is that resources are starkly limited.

There are not enough healers to go around. There are not enough teleports to go around. There is definitely not enough attention to go around.

But this is an anomaly: A new existence, magically powerful, appearing on an established world. Not found by exploring tendrils, but arriving suddenly as if a shooting star. And the shape of that power, that of the Wright, completely alien and no hint of chaos anywhere within it. The existence has no relationship with Artona or anyone else, no debt or ties, echoing a known and curious pattern but otherwise completely foreign. An outside force, an interloper. 

That's what Contract III sees.

Contract I does not have the full picture, since it's on a wholly different planet and communication is a limited resource, but even so it sees not an anomaly to be dealt with, but a traveler who is lost.

[MOTHER] is difficult to understand sometimes. The reasoning behind this decision did not come through clearly. However, asking for advice and then ignoring it leads to statistically worse outcomes along several important axes than asking for advice and then following it.

After a few minutes of waiting, a holographic window appears.

Only you can see this window.

We recognize that have been stranded away from your home. We recognize that you are a unique existence. We recognize that you have unusual potential.

We are sorry.

Options have been expanded. Some information restrictions have been removed.

Question from Core System: What do you want your life to be like?

A holographic keyboard appears, as does a prominent 'decline to answer' button.

I would like to be able to use whatever abilities I have to help others. I would also like to maintain a long and comfortable life in secure and private conditions, and not have to want for basic needs. I don't want to be famous if I can avoid it, but if it's necessary in order to help the most people I'll accept it. 

I know some power has chosen me, and from your question I can guess it is strong. That's good. I have never wanted to be wealthy, but I have always wanted to make a real difference in people's lives. I give easily and take rest seldom. If you want good use of me, give me safety to retreat to. 

Thank you.

After a few moments:

Those goals are very possible.

Your Skill progression is not currently known or recognized. It appears to be a Mental-type Wright-type skill (Classification: Crafting, construction, enchantment, materials). However, due to the natural right to privacy you have only been scanned to the depth necessary to ascertain whether you pose a danger to existence.

You do not owe a debt to the System. The System could coerce you into service if the need was critical. However, it is not and this is overwhelmingly likely to remain so. Any service would be voluntary and well compensated.

To all reasonable estimations, the course of action that helps the most people in the long term is to live a normal and healthy life while exploring and learning about your ability and how it develops, for now. Avowed who focus on excessively on heroism tend to burn out.

Would you prefer to discuss your options with or without First Professor Ermol Gal-Fair and Administrative Assistant Ven-Drel?

I would appreciate having a third individual to sanity-check my decisions, but as I've just arrived here, it's unlikely that I would be able to select such a third well. If extended contact by you is unusual then I would prefer that the rest of this conversation continue in private.

Extended contact is not unusual. For example, many people use the System to browse the internet. However, exceptional intervention by the System is unusual and very notable.

I believe the Professor is deliberately suppressing his curiosity and alarm in order to not overwhelm you. He understands the need for space.

In the past, anomalies that were not handled by the System or by single wizards with appropriate permissions were discussed in the Grand Senate or before other high ranking Artnonan political bodies.

Core System thinks that you would prefer Not That.

I should certainly think so. 

I would then prefer to discuss my options with Administrative Assistant Ven-Drel present, as he is already aware of the broader situation and is ostensibly less preoccupied with other important duties.

It flashes, then vanishes.

She has time to finish the wevvi. Ven-Drel comes back a couple of minutes later. He looks a teensy bit unsettled, but is holding himself professionally and calmly.

"Hello again. I - have been discussing with the Professor and the System, and I have some options. The System tells me you want to keep things quiet, too. Also I just realized that I don't actually have your name?"

"Bluebell Gardenia. And I would love to discuss options. I'm sorry if you're discomfited by the unusual circumstances; they're out of my control as well."

"It would not be fair to treat you poorly. Though we do hope you'll think of us well going forward. Shall I just go ahead and lay out every path that seems reasonable, then?"

"Please, go ahead."

"For any of these options, the System has offered to facilitate by displaying your information in the expected way. Essentially a falsified Avowed profile, given that you're not exactly Avowed, but it's the thing that everyone will expect you to have.

In no particular order... First, you stay here at LeafSong university and pretend to be on a long term summons. We'd exercise your Skill and figure out what it does, while also paying you, naturally. You would not get to interact with other humans much, and might be called out as remarkable when you do. LeafSong has summoned humans around much of the time, but not constantly. Long term summonses are prestigious. They're seen as the 'golden ticket'. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to learn Artonan magic... System, you know more about what exactly I can say there."

The study of wordchains, use of certain magical tools, and Artonan language or culture would not be remarkable for a supposed Avowed. The study of wizardry by an Avowed would be very remarkable and is not recommended. Additionally, there are many topics which are covered by secrecy agreements.

"That, yes. Your days would consist of working with several students and the staff here to explore your ability and also, I suppose, learning about Artonan culture. But you may find it unexpectedly limiting or alienating. And you would still be exotic to the students and faculty."

He pauses. 

"Second option, return to Earth, outside of Anesidora, and partially integrate with the System. The System will construct a fake identity for you. Apparently it can do this sort of thing a few times, but not forever. It'd be using an 'extraordinary circumstances' clause in the relevant treaties. We at LeafSong would then offer to summon you at our mutual convenience and compensate you well for use and study of your Skill, I believe 1000 argold per summon and 750 argold per day would be appropriate. Exact amounts negotiable, of course. One argold is worth approximately five United States Dollars. You would live an independent, normal, mundane, well paid life on Earth, being unable to use your abilities without attracting undue attention, and then occasionally visit LeafSong University or other summons, perhaps, to work with your Skill. The System can put you into contact with some non-Anesidora Avowed, if you want connections to a community... I don't know much about that, and they're typically considered 'supervillains'. They seem to have ways to enable stealthy magic use, though."

Another pause.

"Third option, return to Earth, live on the island of Anesidora, and partially integrate with the system. Again, fake identity. Pretend to be a normal Avowed, though in the back end of the System you would have a great many unusual permissions and leeways because you're not actually Avowed. The Intake process on Anesidora is well designed to make new Avowed feel welcome and settle into a super-powered community. There might be options for gaining special travel permissions, which means the System teleporting you around and not informing any governments. Only possible because again, you're not technically a real Avowed. You'd spend some time in an Intake Dorm with a lot of new Avowed aged about fifteen to twenty years old, and live a life that's like going into college- And again, optional well-paid summons to demonstrate and make use of your Skill. You'll likely be able to make money with it on Anesidora too. This is the only option that involves you openly using your magic among other humans without becoming famous. The System recommends this option overall as probably meeting your goals best."

He frowns.

"And finally, fourth option offered to ensure you're aware of it even if you might not take it- Reject the System. Go to Earth, have a fake identity constructed, and then practice your magic however you wish, without any ties or debts or contracts. The other options do involve a magical contract. It wouldn't be the Interdimensional Warriors Contract, but to not stand out as a human who has magic, it's very necessary. You don't have to be involved with the System, you have the unusual luxury of the option to simply... Not. There are, of course, consequences, but it is an option."

"I would like to hear the details of the proposed contract or debt between myself and the System for case three, in the broad strokes; then, assuming the terms seem reasonable on their face, I would like them to be reviewed and explained to me again by an independent lawyer with experience in this kind of work, one with a proven confidentiality track record. I know I don't understand contract law well enough to evaluate the benefits and costs of a contract like this as well as a local lawyer with experience in the area, and it seems foolhardy to rush when this is my entire new life at stake."

"...I'll look into other Contract specialists if you don't want Master Gal-Fair to handle it? He's already aware of you, is comfortable with strict secrecy agreements. Aside from birth enrollment or similar circumstances, Contracts under substantial misapprehensions are impossible to fully form. The most official and formal process involves drugs and telepathy to ensure total alignment. I'll let the System explain itself."

The Contract would be an Interdimensional Summons Contract. It would be substantially different in several regards to the Interdimensional Warriors Contract.

 

Elements excluded:

Management and selection of talents, skills, and foundation points. You are not compatible with the systems for this, and the System will not interact directly with your abilities.

Requirement to answer summons. Your summonses will always be optional.

Requirement to defend against demons when called.

 

Elements still included:

Tracking of talents, skills, and foundation points (passive scanning of your magical nature)

Messaging/connectivity services

Banking system

System Shop access

Profile system (displays information about you, when you give permission for this)

Summoner Information (displays information about your abilities to potential summoners) (your placement in potential lists will be moderately influenced by your stated desires)

Access to teleportation network (standard fees and permission requirements apply)

Protections against abuse by summoners (various including restrictions on summons to dangerous areas, restrictions against inappropriate changes to task descriptions or excessive additional tasks, arbitration in case of serious disputes with summoners)

 

Additional elements:

Either a monthly fee of 600 argold or twice-yearly mandatory summons is required to balance the debt of maintaining System functions.

 

What would you like more detail on?

"Master Gal-Fair is likely acceptable, but give me some time to think about it."

She addresses the system again. "So in other words, by committing to this contract I'd be effectively committing to making a life as a summoned contractor on Artona, as I expect most unpowered human professions are not able to keep up with a three thousand dollar monthly recurring fee on top of living expenses. Artonan contracts, however, are substantially more lucrative, such that it would be effectively less than a day's wages for a summoned contractor. Is it possible to swear to such a contract for a limited term, or is the system only built to accomodate lifetime ones?"

"Broadly correct. An important word in that statement is 'unpowered' human professions. System?"

It would be possible to alter the terms to include an annual reconfirmation.

Note: If you accept and later dissolve the hypothetical Interdimensional Summons Contract, the System will be obligated by treaty to notify Earth authorities of an uncontracted magical entity on Earth. This is likely to attract substantial attention. If you never accept such a contract, the specific provision does not apply.

Ah. So that's how it is, then.

"I believe it would be best to include the option, but set up such that rather than requiring active renewal which might accidentally cause a diplomatic incident, the contract renews automatically and can only be dissolved by substantial deliberate action. This case would most likely obtain if I find life on Anesidora stifling and have managed to arrange long-term residence on Artona III, perhaps due to expected power development outstripping estimations."

This is also possible, with a mild notice period for cancellation.

"It does make sense to be very careful here. I don't know what to expect from your magic, but for most it takes decades to fully and truly flower."

Sure, but we're clearly the protagonist here. 

Down, Cherry. 

"I understand, but as it costs little to preserve the option I'd rather have it available just in case. After all, a lifetime contract would still obtain in twenty years."