“Alright, next on the list, the medallion,” I say, picking it up and examining it through the [Artificer’s Glasses].  Honestly, I’m surprised I haven’t tried to create something like this already, considering both that I’ve been trying to get some sort of [Identify] variant for a while now, and that building some sort of glasses to effect that result should have been high on my list of priorities.

[[Covetous Medallion]: A heavy golden medallion adorned with beautiful white-gold filigree.  When equipped as an accessory, it slightly increases the [Strength] and [Speed] of its wearer.  In addition, the expensive, desirable nature of the amulet exerts a mild [Mind-Altering] effect upon targets deemed hostile by the wearer, making them moderately more likely to attack them over other allies. (Effect does not work on creatures with the [Mindless] property or which are immune to [Mind-Altering] effects.)]

“I think this is for you, Alexey,” I say, giving him a rundown of what my [Inspect] revealed.  He puts it on, fastening the surprisingly light chain of bronze around his head and neck with some difficulty.  He nods in approval; as much as I might want it for myself, he deserves an equal share of the loot, and can make better use of everything the medallion offers.

In truth, everything has been more or less tailor made for someone in our party, and I can’t help but think that’s by design.  EMMI had suggested that the Tower changes its configuration to accommodate those who challenge it, and it’s only a quarter-step further to assume that the treasures the Tower offers adjust likewise.  The System seems to want us to get stronger, and facilitates that in everything that it does.  To the exact end, I don’t know, except that I know it’s nothing good.

This leaves the piece of silvery metal.  Well, that and the piece of paper, but I’m not sure how valuable that will be.  I pick it up, wondering if this is more of that strange etherium, or perhaps another ore with different but no less supernatural properties.  Honestly, having the ability to be sculpted and modified to one’s own will is such an incredible property that I don’t want to take the chance with a different ore that might have properties which are lackluster by comparison.  But if this is just the tip of the iceberg, then… goodness, just when I thought I knew all of the possibilities before me, I realize once again that what I once thought was the pinnacle of Ethertech is but the first in a series of increasingly higher peaks of which I must ascend.

I pick it up.  As I do, I feel a connection forming between it and me.  It’s not alive, per se, but it does have a will.  And enough intelligence to speak to me.

“Hmm…  Hmm…  Ah, there we go.  What have we here?”

“Who… or what are you?” I ask the voice in my mind.

“Interesting…  Very interesting…  Yes, I think I can work with that.”

“Work with what?  And what are you, anyway?”

“Philosopher’s Ore.”

“Philosopher’s Ore?  As in… the same material allegedly used to craft the Philosopher’s Stone of our myths and legends?”

“Exactly!”

“So… if I remember correctly, the philosopher’s stone transmutes lead and other base metals into silver and gold, can synthesize the elixir of immortality, and…”

“Ah, I’m afraid the legends are actually mistaken on that.  I don’t possess either of these abilities.”

I suppress the bit of frustration I’m feeling.  Dealing with a living piece of metal wasn’t on the agenda for today.  Makes me wonder if Madison’s weapon, [Divine Blade Luminaria], and other weapons of a similar caliber are likewise at least partially sentient.  For this reason, if not my curiosity for how this encounter will play out, I oblige the voice speaking to my head.

“Are you okay?” Chloe asks.

“Yeah.  Mostly fine.”  I pick up the paper and glance over it.  Some sort of design schematics for some sort of weapon, although the exact details escape me.  “I just didn’t have ‘piece of ore starts speaking to me’ on my bingo card for today.”

“Wait, you’re saying the sheet of metal in your hand is… talking to you?  You do realize how ridiculous that sounds, right?”

“As ridiculous as entering a magical tower, flying through space, being transported to a futuristic space station, and then fighting with a sapient artificial intelligence before being awarded treasure for defeating a boss, as though we’re characters playing a video game?”

“You know, you make a fair point,” Chloe says.  “I’m not sure how I continue to be surprised by all of this.  So, uh, I guess we’ll look around for a minute or two while you have that conversation.  And, let me know if you need anything.”

Alexey nods in agreement.

“So, what will it be?” the ore asks.  “A new weapon?  A new piece of armor?  If you have the schematics, I’ll shape myself into the desired form.”

“That’s your power?  Are you like this amalgam of etherium ore I picked up earlier?”  I pull the shimmering silver sphere of the strange substance out of my [Inventory].

“No!  How dare you compare me with such a base material as that…  Also, its true name is malleum.  It’s named as such because yes, it can be shaped according to the will of its crafter.  But it is a dumb piece of metal.  Incapable of growing.  Incapable of maturing and becoming more.”

I ignore the snark I’m getting from this piece of metal, desperately and silently pleading that this level of sass is not going to become a new daily fixture in my life.

“So, you said you needed a design schematic to properly function.  What about this?” I ask, unfolding the paper and holding it open in my hand.  “This seems to be some sort of schematics for a weapon, but I haven’t had much time to dissect it and try to do anything with it.”

“Hmm…  This isn’t a weapon, exactly.  It’s the core of a weapon, and quite an advanced one, I reckon.  Sadly, I can’t draw out its full power right now.”

“Let me guess, you’re too low level, and you’ll need to advance via combat, just the way that we gain levels and Skill ranks?”

“Exactly.  I’m glad that you catch on quick.  However, just because I can’t draw out its full power doesn’t mean I can’t form something for you to use.  Though, the question remains, what sort of weapon do you want to go for?  A sword, perhaps?  I think all the great heroes in your legends are swordfighters.  Or perhaps you would rather go for an axe?  Maybe a bow or a–”

“There’s one problem,” I interject.  “My weapon is the cannon built into my arm.  I’ve been able to draw out more of its power, but only by bonding it directly into my body.  In other words, I’m not sure I can unequip the weapon even if I wanted to.  And even if I did, I’ve got some Skills related to my [Mechanical Arm Cannon].”

“Hah!  You say that like that’s going to be a problem to overcome.  Though, just to be sure, you’re sure you want to stick with a gun type weapon?  Ignoring what you think or expect to be possible or what your current build is geared toward.  Because I can sense great things in the future from you, and I don’t want you to be hobbled by decisions you made early on.”

So, this is really happening.  I’d really get a chance for a redo.  Not… impossible, but it wouldn’t be without cost.  Which makes sense.  We can give up Skills to get new ones.  But the new Skills we get will be unevolved, and start at Rank I.

So, one consideration is what would be a better path long-term.  Madison used a sword, while I seem to have used a spear in my past life.  Moreover, I remember Madison’s comment that using a gun isn’t ideal due to the [Ether] drain I have to employ with each cast.  A downside which is very real and which has bitten me in the butt several times so far, especially considering the enormous [Ether] cost of my [Glyphcasting].

On the other hand, having a dud skill in [Elemental Ether Bullet Barrage], itself having evolved twice, would be quite the loss.  I’m not sure when the next time I’d be able to get an appropriate Skill is, and…  yeah.  I’d be weaker for a fair bit, even if this ore really can do what it claims to do and transform into a weapon that will be stronger than I am.

There are definite pros and cons to both options, and I don’t have enough foresight or knowledge of potential progression paths to definitively say that one or the other is better.

So the question is: Do I want to switch my weapon?  My [Mechanical Angel] class seems to be fairly flexible in the types of weapons that I’m able to equip.  I can’t use staves or wands, the hallmarks of mage and healer classes.  And even if I could, I don’t think I’d want to use gauntlets, knuckles, fists, or similar like Alexey does.  A little too visceral for my taste.

I spend a few moments wracking my brain around it all, feeling a little guilty that I’m standing here, trying to make such a decision while wasting Alexey’s and Chloe’s time.

“Actually, is this a decision I need to make right now?  I don’t think I can decide right this second, not when it was sprung on me so suddenly.  Plus, we’re still in the Tower Gauntlet, and I don’t want to be lost in thought when the Warden shows up.”

“I understand.  However, I will caution you that at times, a bad decision is better than indecision.  Do not let the prospect of the perfect be the enemy of the good.”

“I know.  By the way, do you have a name?  Or something you’d like me to call you?  Since it seems we’ll be working together from now on.”

“You may call me Filia.”

“Understood, Filia.  Would there be any objections to storing you in my [Inventory]?”

“That’s fine.  I trust you know about how time works for your [Inventory]?”

“I’m not sure.  Our world is barely four months after integration and–”

“Four months?  Four months and you’ve already managed to reach Level 50?”

“All three of us have, actually.”  Alexey had stashed his [Covetous Medallion] away and brought it back out a few moments earlier, confirming the veracity of my claim.

“Well, I’ll be damned.  Yeah, I was definitely right.  You are going places, and I absolutely want to come along.”

“Is that unusual?  And how would you know if that’s unusual?  It’s almost like you have some knowledge of another continuity.”

“Hmm…  I don’t know.  I have memories, but I don’t know how or why I have them.  You said this was a Tower Gauntlet in your world…  It brought you to a replica of this world, and I have memories of my time in this world, but… It’s all fuzzy and hazy and…”

“Yeah, I understand.  Sorry if I brought up anything uncomfortable, Filia.”

“I appreciate it.

“Oh, right.  Sorry about that.  Got a little excited.  Anyway, time moves much, much more slowly in your [Inventory] than the outside world.  It’s about one minute inside per day outside or thereabouts?  So if you stow me away for a few hours, it’ll be mere seconds to me.”

“And that’ll work?  I was under the impression that [Inventory] doesn’t work on living creatures.”

“Ah, no, intelligent items like me aren’t technically alive in that sense.  But anyway, I look forward to hearing your answer.”

With that, I concentrate on Filia’s metallic form and will them— her?  Their name and voice both sounded feminine— into my [Inventory].  It takes just a bit more effort, as though the slab of philosopher’s ore could have tried to resist my attempt had they desired, but instead allowed the process to proceed smoothly.

“Alright,” I say.  “Sorry about the wait.  Like I said, a sentient piece of metal wanting to talk to me about a bunch of different stuff relating to, well, everything, was not something I’d expected today.”

“Hence why it is good to always expect the unexpected,” Alexey says.  “Preparation never survives first contact with the enemy.”

“And everything is good with you… um, you two?” Chloe asks.

“Yeah.  I think we’re good to move on.  Hopefully the next floor goes nice and smoothly.”  But I won’t expect much.  As Alexey said, plans and hopes rarely survive plans with the enemy.  And, in the end, for all the power the System bestows, it absolutely is an enemy.  Should it try something, I won’t hesitate to do what must be done.