Read Online Secrets of a D-List Supervillain by Jim Bernheimer - Free Book Online Page A

spell could be reversed.”
    I stopped short of asking him, “Well, what good are you?”
    Instead, I went with an idea that just popped into my head, “What if I can get them translated?”
    Chain Charmer’s spare necklace! Maybe I can use it.
    “Perhaps, but I still doubt it will provide the solution you are looking for. The person might very well have to start from scratch with this foreign system of magic.”
    “Maybe if we started with someone who didn’t know anything mystical. Is it true that anyone can learn magic?” It was an age old question.
    He nodded. “Everyone can, but most lack the potential to really do anything with it. Perhaps one in ten could ever cast even a simple spell without an augment. One in ten thousand has enough potential to cast one that does something substantial, and one in a million has the innate talent to become a sorcerer or sorceress.”
    “What’s an augment?”
    “A device, steeped in arcane power that increases magical energy. Why do you ask these questions?”
    “Without a suit, I will probably need more protection. How much would it cost to get an enchanted cloak or vest?”
    “I would not sell you such a thing,” he responded.
    That got under my skin really quick. “Why the hell not?”
    “I mean no offense. Allow me to explain; an enchanted item can be powered by a totem like an augment, but if none is available, it then draws upon the host to power it. You would quickly find yourself incapacitated by the object’s power demands.”
    I thanked him for clearing that up. So much for my enchanted armor idea, but maybe if I can learn this stuff, I could have an ace in the hole if Patterson ever does show up looking for revenge. Even if I could just turn his helmet to stone it’d lock his suit up completely.
    Just as I started to ask a follow up question, Mystigal finally collapsed. I witnessed the look of frustration pass across the Vizier’s face before he stepped toward his more gifted partner and helped the young Japanese American to her feet.
    “There are some problems no amount of power can solve,” he scolded the woman. “You should know this by now.”
    If the man appeared frustrated, she looked absolutely pissed. “Save the lectures,” she hissed. “Can we just go now?”
    The urge to say something petty was almost overpowering, but I’ve tasted defeat so many times in my life that I could describe the different flavors.
    “Thanks for trying,” was the best I could manage, under the circumstances.
    She snapped a cold look in my direction before composing herself. “I can see the lies written all over your face. Don’t bother denying it.”
    “Okay, I won’t,” I said. “I was just trying to be courteous. But if you want to know what I’m really thinking, I’ll tell you; it’s nice not to be the biggest failure in the room for a change.”
    “That’s rich coming from you! I heard what you did to Mather. You’re a cold blooded murderer.”
    “Asa,” Vizier warned her.
    “Don’t worry,” I said. “I’m not offended. I can assure you that killing him wasn’t a cold blooded act. You weren’t there, and you didn’t see the little weasel taunting Wendy—the same Wendy who asked you to come here. He enjoyed making her do that and laughed about how he was going to use the system to get off with a slap on the wrist. I guess I slapped a little harder than he was expecting.”
    “Your justifications are as feeble as you are,” she retorted.
    “Tell me something, did your magic save you from the bugs? No, I’m pretty sure it was me. Now, can you get back to the part where you were leaving?”
    “Yes, I think its best that we go,” Grand Vizier said. “Good day to you, Mr. Stringel.”
    I nodded and watched them depart. The old coot seemed decent enough and told me straight up that it probably wouldn’t work. Mystigal got all flustered and lashed out when her powers weren’t enough to do the trick. I’d gotten as much help out of