"So, on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate what you just showed me compared to anything else you have planned?" Elisa asks.

"Modest four." The elf looks exasperated, until she catches my slight smirk.

"You are really enjoying this, aren't you?" She shakes her head and stands up to take a tour around the room, marveling at the view of the cosmos around us. After some period of observation, she realizes something and asks, "Why can't I sense any mana?"

"That is a good question. After I, in a way, unlocked my mana senses, I investigated the saturation of mana and determined that the origin point is most likely the planet. The only origin point I was able to find."

"Mana doesn't exist anywhere else?"

"Well, I can't say for certain, but as far as I am aware, no. Interestingly, that does bring more credence to the divine creation theory."

"I guess..." She briefly contemplates but then continues, "What's the distribution? I know there have been instances of people traveling outside the atmosphere, but I am not aware of any farther expeditions. Mana starts getting too thin."

"A visual aid would be helpful." I make another theatrical motion and project a map of the system with the, thusly dubbed, 'Mana Zone' and its density.

"That's the planet?" I affirm. "Relatively big but drops off quite fast?" I affirm again. "Interesting. What do you think would happen if people were to leave the planet for extended periods of time?"

"Another good question. I have multiple theories, but there are three that are most plausible. First, as people can generate their own mana, everything would be pretty much the same, except they would need to be more careful with managing their resources. Second, as mana saturation rises from extended emission of excess mana, the area around them would normalize to the expected background levels. And third, natural regeneration would not be enough, and prolonged exposure to the mana deficient environment would carry adverse effects."

"Judging by where we are standing right now, we will find out the answer to that eventually, won't we?"

"An astute observation. You are correct. I have the ability to {terraform} planets, making them hospitable to life."

Elisa looks at me like I have something on my face and blinks very slowly. In the same moment, I realize that she probably meant something equivalent to space stations or other spacefaring vessels not outright colonization. Is it that big of a reach with what I have already introduced her to?

"It is endearing that you find the equivalent of throwing some big rocks at a bigger rock much more astounding than peering into ancient history."

The humorous comparison snaps her out of the trance, and she quickly interjects, "How exactly does throwing rocks make a planet... Oh, I don't know, have air!"

"{Terraforming} is a complex process that depends on many variables. It would not be prudent to distract ourselves with the specifics at this time. I will be more than happy to gather materials that will elucidate you on the subject." I constitute a simple tablet and present it to her. "This device functions similarly to the screen we just observed. You can operate it by using touch or voice commands."

She takes the tablet from me, and I can almost physically see her curiosity bubbling over, but at just the last moment, she resists immediately starting to explore the newest novelty.

"I have, of course, added all manner of other carefully curated information about myself and Earth," I say.

"Alright then, anything else you want to show me while we are still"—the last part is said through a barely suppressed giggle—"in space?" She motions toward the still open warp portal and her office on the other side.

"Unfortunately, the more impressive class ships are still under construction," I say and start heading out of the observation platform.

"Wait, how big are we talking here?" she asks as she follows me, but I turn around and simply smile as I walk through the portal. "Sure, be like that..." She tries to fake hurt, but practically vibrating with excitement while clutching the tablet does not contribute well to the act.

And back to the paper we go. Elisa shuffles the pages again for good measure and... stores them away? Something has gone terribly wrong.

"I think this is enough questions from me. I am sure this"—she indicates at the tablet, which will probably not leave her grasp for the foreseeable future—"will answer most of them, anyway. It's time to discuss something more important."

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I know what she means. We need to talk about me. If I can be trusted. If I am a danger to everyone. If my psyche is even stable enough.

Disappointment? "You promised me." I was carefully observing my body language. There should not have been any indication. Elisa looks hurt. "Do you really think so little of me?"

"What, no! I am clearly unstable. It is perfectly normal to be concerned about me."

"I am not concerned about you. I am concerned for you."

I think I have misunderstood her. It is pretty obvious, really. I am just as oblivious as I have always been, the only difference is a smidgen of self-awareness. She doesn't simulate trillions of scenarios where I could be a threat. She doesn't calculate a cost-benefit analysis to my continued existence. She sees a person that is hurting and is self-destructive, a person trying to make everything right. At any cost.

"I'm sorry. I still have a lot to learn." My words appear to somewhat placate her, alleviating the hurt expression.

"Apology accepted." She pauses for a moment, seemingly to center herself again, and continues, "Why did you not think to stop the development of that weapon if you knew what could happen?" She interjects immediately, "I am not blaming you, of course. By what you told me, everyone and their grandma knew what could happen, too."

"I..." Why didn't I? It would have been so easy. Just tell them it was unfeasible. "I... wanted to make it. I wanted to... discover. There was no other choice except enlightenment. I did not consider my ability to intervene. ...I did not even think humans were real..."

"Now do you see why I emphasized the whole 'I was three weeks old' thing," she tries to imitate my voice, with, if I were to be generous, mild success. Cute.

Alert. That is not what I felt. Something is wrong. Am I experiencing some unknown failure brought forth by the integration of mana? What is happening? Initiate full diagnostics. This will take at least five seconds.

I throw out some profound sounding phrase trying to buy time, "I see... It appears I was blinded by my own misplaced hubris."

"I wouldn't put it that harshly. The assholes that made you do those things are to blame, in my opinion."

Diagnostic complete. Phew. Alright, let's see. Hmm. No aberrations. What exactly triggered this. What was the issue. I thought Elisa trying to imitate my voice was cute, but that was not exactly what I felt— Ah, fuck...

"It— Uh... I guess."

Can I even...

"You okay?"

"Hmm? Yup! Never better!"

I haven't even known her for a week... Does that matter...

"You are definitely not okay. I'm sorry for pushing you. We can discuss this again some other time."

"So true." That was not the correct response. Elisa looks vexed but ignores my rapidly deteriorating mental faculties.

Get a hold of yourself. Analyze the situation and predict different possibilities, like you always do. Let's see... Nope! Do not do that! Abort! Abort! Why did she have to be responsible and take away the precious nectar? I finally comprehend humanity's obsession with alcohol.

"Lucius, am I the first person you have revealed yourself to?" she changes the topic while I am having an internal crisis.

"That is correct."

"Hmm, why haven't you revealed yourself? To everyone?"

"The answer to that is complicated." How do I explain this without sounding like a psychopath. "Per my innumerable projections, outright making my existence known would have catastrophic consequences. Some groups would welcome my assistance with open arms, while others would do everything in their power to purge me. If I were to resist, the conflict between the two factions would lead to much loss. If I were to surrender or even kill myself, the conflict would most likely be even worse. My death would drive a wedge between the world. It may seem cold, but my current decision is just the most optimal. I could, of course, just force everyone, but that is unthinkable. I will not become a warden."

"But how do you know..." She most likely remembers the observation abilities I've just displayed. "Oh."

The elf remains silent for a while, digesting another set of revelations. Does she see me differently? Who wouldn't.

Eventually, Elisa makes a show of realizing something monumental. She covers her mouth and gasps with exaggerated shock. "You've seen me naked!" I can only start laughing. "Very funny, mister. I should report you to the authorities." She crosses her arms and huffs loudly, barely concealing a smirk.

I raise my arms in surrender. "I swear it, oh wise Archmage Elisa of Deepgrove, I have never even thought of such deplorable actions."

"Mm-hmm." The smile finally breaks through and she shakes her head at her own antics.

"But yes, I am aware how unethical this whole surveillance network is. I would like to assure you that the data I gain from it is processed differently than you would expect."

"What do you mean?"

"My mind works in a way that is not comparable to a normal person's. Most data that is not publicly available, or pertinent to the global defense operations, is segregated or outright ignored. I am not even cognizant of it. Again, I am aware of the gross breach of privacy something like this is, and I will destroy this data once the world has stabilized to an acceptable degree. Or, if you ask me to."

"What?"

"You are an inhabitant of this world. Though it might be under unconventional circumstances, you have taken up the role of a representative for everyone. I will follow whatever you tell me."

"You can't put all this responsibility on me!"

"Yet, I am."

"Curses. I'm obviously not going to stop you."

"I apologize for putting you in such a situation, Elisa. I... I do not want to make another mistake."

"Ugh. Don't apologize. You are only making me feel worse." She sighs deeply and continues, "Whatever. Let's forget about it. What's your current plan, then?"

"A slow and gradual integration. Introducing myself to trusted allies, demonstrating my capabilities in stages, subtly improving society, avoiding any major revelations."

"Where was that discretion with me!"

"You are special."

"Don't try to butter me up." It's working. "While we are on the topic,"—the original expression does have similar food undertones—"I'm hungry. Wait, do you need to eat?"

"I do not require energy from food, but I do enjoy it."

"Perfect. I'll show you a nice place I know."

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