[The program is designed into seven shifts or shifts into another dimension that must be accomplished between the ages of 10 and 40. Each shift is divided into two sections: the mystery gathering and the training aspect.

[The mystery gathering aspect will take you into a parallel dimension of your reality, and you must use the familiarity of the layout to change the world as much as possible.]

"Change the world?" Christian asked.

[That's right. You must destroy the established flow of fate by participating in significant events or drastically altering the course of history. The more that you do, the more mystery you can gather.]

"That sounds like a recipe for disaster," Christian commented. He remembered what he did during his test. He controlled dozens of wizards from the Ministry of Magic, stole magical relics from the Department of Mysteries, and acquired countless pieces of information and technology for his aunt.

Christian could imagine how much worse he would do in the future in a world with little to no repercussions, since he would eventually leave. At least, he has a moral compass, but if any other Planeswalker Seed has no restraint, things could get incredibly awry.

[You have no idea. Planeswalkers do not have a good reputation, so I would recommend you keep that truth to yourself.]

Christian groaned softly. "I understand. What's the second part?"

[The second part is the training aspect. The program is designed to put you into situations that will mold you into the best wizard possible.]

"You mean the best weapon possible," Christian countered.

[...Yes.]

"At least, you're not sugarcoating things. Can you tell me what to expect in these training shifts?"

[Unfortunately, that is all I can say. In fact, I'm technically breaking the Covenant by revealing so much.]

"Of course," Christian sighed. He then asked another question:

"A crow asked me to use my luck to come here. It's not the first time I've met it, and it even saved my life once. Who is that crow? And more importantly, how can I return home?"

[The crow should be your guardian and familiar. You can trust it since you are bonded with it through your soul. His existence is to accompany and help you through your shifts.]

"Then, why can he just show himself? Acting all suspicious and such."

[Familiars are wise creatures, and a Planeswalker's guardian is blessed with [Wisdom], meaning they have access to knowledge from Fate itself. It must have a good reason for remaining in the shadows.]

"I guess I'll wait until it decides to reveal itself. Anyway, you haven't answered my second question," Christian said, trying hard to contain his excitement. All these talks meant nothing to him as much as the ability to return home.

[Yes, let's get down to business. You should have your artifact with you, right? The one you called Odin's Eye?]

"That's right."

[Take it out.]

"Why?"

[You've only activated the lowest function.]

Christian frowned before summoning the artifact from his bag of holding. He stared at it for a moment. "What now?"

[I need you to prick your finger to draw blood before drawing the word 'open' in Ancient Rune and reciting this incantation: … Do you need me to repeat it?]

"No," Christian replied while frowning. This long word seemed to be a strange mixture of Latin, Greek, French, Italian, German, and Old English. However, the pronunciations and grammar were almost unrecognizable, as if these languages had been created from the same source but had undergone drastic changes due to another culture or society. However, this was not the time for a linguistic analysis.

He did not immediately execute Merlin's words, but asked another crucial question:. "I remember this artifact activated after I placed the diadem, which contained a piece of Voldemort's soul. Is there a reason?"

[Hmm, that's an interesting question, and one that I don't have an answer to. The best explanation I can offer is that the program is not just an artifact created to achieve a certain task. Since it was created using the power of fate, you can consider it a living thing that can grow and adapt. I reckon it has adapted to the situation of reality 7, and some unknown changes have occurred.]

"Is that why it took my father?" Christian asked.

[Something happened to your father?]

"Yes, he disappeared while translating the inscription on the artifact."

[Only the chosen ones can activate the artifact. I'm afraid that, in the future, the mission for one of your shifts will involve your father.]

Christian remembered the thin man he had seen in that strange reality, where Muggles and Wizards had started a full-on war. "This program is truly sick if it took my father as a way to test me."

[...It will push you beyond your mental limit.]

Christian clenched his fist for a few seconds. He then took a deep breath before proceeding with Merlin's words. He conjured a needle to prick his finger to write the ancient runes on the artifact before muttering the incantation. Odin's eyes trembled before a voice appeared in Christian's mind:

"Activation Completed. Would you like to view your status?"

"Hmm, yes."

A screen appeared in Christian's eyes:

[Planeswalker Seed Name: Christian Zed Malik.

[Shift: 1st — Completed.

[Result: Mystery — B+

[ Training — A

[Fate Reimburse: 100/10,000

[Time Until Next Shift: 1 year]

"Can you see it?" Christian asked.

[You mean your status screen? No. You must tell me what's on it, except your true name if you have one. If you do, don't tell me or anyone for that matter.]

"It just says name."

[That's fine then.]

Christian was intrigued but knew now was not the time. So, he told Merlin the content of his screen.

[You said your next shift is next year?]

"That's right."

[No, that's not good.]

"Why?"

[You remember how I said the program was designed for ages 10 to 40? Unfortunately, there is an elite program intended to only take seven years — in other words, one shift every year.]

Christian's face turned ugly.

[You can imagine how much more the program will push you to condense 30 years of training into only seven.]

Christian was about to explode. He never asked for any of this, but somehow, he was deeply involved.

[The good news is that your results were excellent. On my first shift, I only had a C+ and a B+. You must have done well in Vincent's test.]

Christian tried to calm down. "That was my training? To pass the library's test?"

[It's a little trick that is only applicable to the first shift, but yes, Vincent basically co-opted your first shift. In fact, one of the purposes of the library is to co-opt the first shift of participants from reality 7, increasing their chances of surviving. Sadly, not many of them were lucky enough to teleport here.]

"Alright," Christian nodded, having truly calmed down now. "What does the Fate Reimbursement mean?"

[We owe our extraordinary talent to Fate, but we also must repay it. As long as you keep both grades at a medium of C-, you will pay it off by the seventh shift.]

"And if I don't?"

[Then, you'll have to take on additional missions to pay it off.]

"In other words, I'm in fucking debt, and it's a debt for being born." This entire program was testing Christian's patience.

[I'm sorry.]

"I know it's not your fault. I apologize for lashing out."

[I understand. In fact, your reaction has surprised me. I've met a few others, and they all collapsed or cried heavily after hearing everything.]

"I wouldn't blame them," Christian sighed. "Alright, I'm tired of this conversation, or this goddamn place. Tell me how to return home."

[Now that your shift has ended and the artifact has been completely activated, you can leave whenever you want by just asking. However, I would not recommend you leave immediately.]

"And why is that?"

[After a shift, you have 3-6 months of rest time before you are forcefully taken home. I recommend that you use this opportunity to learn as much as possible from Vincent's library. I'm sure the Veilbreakers have already controlled all the high-end knowledge of reality 7. I don't even think my Keepers are alive.]

"Keepers?"

[Didn't I mention them? How stupid of me. It's a secret organization I created to preserve knowledge, especially about ancient magic. If they survive, they should contact and teach you Arcane Magic.]

"I see. Well, I'll keep your words in mind," Christian nodded.

[Good. Young one, I know fate is unfair to you, but keep your head afloat and you will get through this.]

"Let's hope so," Christian muttered before closing the book. He stood there in silence for a good ten minutes before finally moving. However, as he was about to leave, he noticed a book near this section, and the thing seemed to be calling to him.