Krivax was filled with a sense of both excitement and trepidation as he followed behind the Vizier. Excitement because he was finally about to reach the goal he’d been working toward for the past three years, and trepidation because things were about to get a lot more serious for him.

Until now, the only thing he could do to further his goal of not becoming a zombie spider was to grow and learn as quickly as he could. There would still be some more research and learning to do after he gained access to the information available to the Circle of Viziers, but after that, it would soon be time for him to start fighting against fate.

Krivax was so preoccupied with such thoughts that he remained in complete silence as he and the Vizier traveled through the city. Thankfully, it seemed like Hadix was not one for small talk either.

Krivax noted with slight discomfort the degree of deference nerubians seemed to afford Hadix as they passed by. It wasn’t exactly surprising given he’d been living as a nerubian for three years and grown to understand their culture, yet such reverence was something he’d always found hard to get used to.

Eventually, the two of them reached their destination, and Krivax got his first look at the Circle of Vizier’s headquarters. He’d already known the Viziers worked in a ziggurat similar in design to Naxxramas, albeit smaller, but it was another thing to see it in person. Now that he could see it with his own eyes, Krivax understood why the Scourge had decided to expropriate the nerubian ziggurats for their own purposes. Even with his budding magical senses, he could immediately tell that the building was absolutely drenched in potent magic.

The building itself was massive by the standards of nerubians. The only reason it was not the biggest building Krivax had ever seen was due to this not being his first life. The ziggurat was wreathed in carefully crafted webs that allowed for Viziers and Initiates alike to skitter easily from floor to floor through its many entrances.

After a moment, he realized that he had stopped to stare at the ziggurat and that Vizier Hadix had continued without him. Krivax hurried to follow the Vizier; he had a feeling Hadix would not be impressed if he managed to get lost on his first day.

Passing by many Initiates—and a few Viziers—going about their business, he struggled to keep track of his surroundings as they passed through a series of confusing hallways. The building was too large, the roof was too tall, and there were too many Initiates skittering about and disappearing into random rooms.

Eventually, Vizier Hadix turned into a hallway that was notably less active than the ones they had passed earlier. Krivax had a feeling that they were reaching their destination.

The farther they traveled, the fewer initiates they passed by and the less rushed they seemed to be. It was rather amusing to watch them startle and try to act busier as Hadix passed by. Soon enough, they reached a room that Krivax assumed to be the Vizier’s office. That was confirmed to him as Hadix closed the door behind them.

Hadix did not immediately start speaking the moment they had their privacy, so Krivax decided to take the opportunity to look around.

Some parts of the room looked like something he would expect from one of his college professors, namely the bookcases lined against the wall and the desk messily covered with various papers. However, the collection of skulls that belonged to various surface world creatures made it hard for him to confuse the Vizier with a harmless college professor.

Krivax felt a bit concerned that he’d seen a troll's skull in the office of his new boss before he’d gotten to chance to see an actual living troll.

“Fascinating, isn’t it? How different they are from us?”

Krivax was brought out of his thoughts by the Vizier’s words. He turned to see Hadix staring at him with a searching gaze.

“Yes, Vizier Hadix,” said Krivax, hurrying to agree. “The creatures of the surface world are very interesting.”

The Vizier’s body language did not change, but somehow, Krivax felt like Hadix was pleased with his answer.

“Hmph. Before I explain the circumstances of your designation and explain your role here, I would like to ask you a question. Why did you request to be assigned to the Surface World Research Division?”

Krivax took a moment to consider his answer. The real reason he had requested to join this division was because it was the best way for him to acquire the information he needed and further his plans.

When he first started to think of ways to avoid dying to the Lich King, the first plan Krivax considered was to run. This plan didn’t last for very long given the problems with it soon became obvious. Even if he were to ignore how difficult it would be to escape Azjol-Nerub in the first place, if he ran, then he would be a giant spider person on a hostile continent with no allies. He would likely end up dead even before the Lich King became an issue.

Krivax then considered making the Lich King someone else's problem by pretending he could see the future. Unfortunately, this plan would have to be relegated to a last-case scenario. If he tried to play himself off as a prophet, they would assume Krivax either possessed some kind of gift with such magic or he was pulling nonsense out of his spinneret. If the leadership had some way of verifying if he was telling the truth about future events, then they would also be able to tell he was lying about how he knew what he knew.

Krivax really did not want to tell anybody the full truth. Not only because he didn’t want to find out if nerubian xenophobia extended to former humans, but also because the information in his head could be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands.

After deciding he couldn’t run or pretend to be a prophet, Krivax had moved on to thinking about ways to help the nerubians defeat the Lich King. The problem was, the Lich King had managed to defeat Azjol-Nerub, the Drakkari, and turned many dragons into Frost Wyrms in the lore. Even if Krivax knew about him beforehand, he was still a threat that was hard to plan against.

Eventually, Krivax settled on two possible plans, depending on a few different factors. If the Lich King appeared before Krivax could find a different option, then he would focus his efforts on convincing the nerubians to ally themselves with the trolls or dragons against the Lich King.

This was not his favorite plan for a few different reasons.

Firstly, he didn’t know whether or not he could actually compel such an alliance, even in the face of an existential threat. He had no idea what nerubians wartime politics would look like and the internal politics of the Drakkari and dragons were a complete mystery to him.

Secondly, there was no guarantee they would win, even if they all worked together.

As far as Krivax could tell, since the Lich King was defeated by forces that came from outside of Northrend in the lore, then trying to pull the Alliance into the conflict was the best course of action. He had thought long and hard about how to actually make that happen.

If the nerubians were to learn of the continents south of Northrend, they would likely be very willing to support a colonial expedition, despite their xenophobia. After all, Northrend is not a hospitable land, and the nerubians understand the risks of putting all of their eggs in one basket.

If Azjol-Nerub established contacts with the Eastern Kingdoms, then the Alliance would become aware of the Lich King the moment he popped up. Even if the governments of the continent didn’t offer to help, that contact would still be invaluable to the nerubians.

Not only would they have somewhere they could run in the worst-case scenario, but it would also offer them access to new technologies, magics, and resources.

There was a possibility that Krivax would arrive to the Eastern Kingdoms only to discover that the Alliance did not yet exist, but if that happened then he would have plenty of time to prepare for the future.

However, this plan depended on Krivax being able to prove to the nerubian leadership that other lands besides Northrend both existed and were within their reach.

Krivax did not know for certain whether there was regular travel between Northrend and the Eastern Kingdoms, although, he did think it was likely. He knew there were humans native to Northrend and that the governments of the Eastern Kingdoms were aware Northrend existed, so it was unlikely that contact was completely nonexistent. Even if it was uncommon, Krivax found it extremely likely that there would be some people who traveled to Northrend for either trade, exploration, or research.

So why did Krivax ask to be assigned to the Surface World Research Division?

Well, because it was simply the best place for him to learn about the surface races and gather evidence for the existence of the Eastern Kingdoms. If that failed, then it was also the best place for him to push for an alliance with the other races of Northrend.

Obviously, all of this was not something he could say to Hadix.

“I requested to be assigned to this division because I believe our people may be able to benefit greatly from the surface world, Vizier Hadix.”

“How so?” asked Hadix. While his tone remained even, the focus he directed to Krivax was intense. “Azjol-Nerub is the most advanced civilization in the known world and does not lack resources. What could we have to gain from the surface world?”

“There are many resources that can be found on the surface that may be of use to our people,” said Krivax. He did not know the Vizier’s opinions on the surface world, but it was probably safer to emphasize his desire to help Azjol-Nerub. “The surface world holds countless unknown plants with potentially beneficial alchemical properties. Also, even if those who live on the surface are less advanced, there is still much we could potentially learn from them if only we were willing to talk to one another. Different people mean different magic, ideas, and knowledge of the world that we could use to benefit our people.”

Once Krivax started explaining his point of view, he could not stop himself from speaking passionately on the subject.

It had been extremely frustrating for him to be reborn into such an amazing and fantastical world, only to be completely surrounded by people who possessed absolutely no interest in it. Now he was finally speaking to one of the few people in the city who might share his interest, and he couldn’t hold back the desire to reach out.

A small part of Krivax expected derision for his interest and a large part hoped for commiseration. Instead, he found himself surprised when the Vizier started to chuckle.

“You remind me much of my colleague, Vizier Malas,” said Hadix after he finished laughing. “You seem to share his remarkable enthusiasm to learn more about the surface races. Though I suspect your perspectives are quite different.”

Krivax was thoroughly nonplussed by the comparison. Malas? That creepy dude who showed up to explain the role of the Viziers a few years ago? I would have never guessed that guy studied the surface world.

“Ah. I can see you are familiar with him,” said Hadix, his tone amused. “Were you one of the young Hatchlings fortunate enough to watch my misanthropic colleague try to convince the younger generation to follow in his footsteps?”

Krivax was not sure how to respond to that, but the longer he hesitated, the more Hadix seemed to grow amused.

“Yes, Vizier Hadix,” Krivax said cautiously. “I… had not expected for Vizier Malas to be interested in studying the surface world.”

That guy gave me the vibes of someone who would be more interested in studying void magic in his evil lair.

“Vizier Malas is quite fascinated by the surface races, especially the Drakkari and their magic,” said Hadix. Krivax could feel himself growing eager for a chance to finally meet a nerubian who lacked the disinterest for the other races so prevalent in the rest of their species.

“At first, Malas wanted to see if he could summon a spider Loa from which he could gain power, but he eventually learned that without knowing its name, summoning such a being would be impossible. When his ambitions proved infeasible, he managed to create a regenerative potion by kidnapping lone Drakkari and harvesting them for their magical blood. The Circle was quite impressed.”

Krivax sighed internally as his growing excitement turned to disappointment.

Damn it, I should have known.

“It seems my suspicions about your perspective differing from my colleague were correct,” Hadix said perceptively. “If I were to guess, I would assume you wish to research the other races in a less… antagonistic manner. Correct?”

Krivax held back a wince. He still was not sure what stance the Vizier held towards the other races, but this was not something he could lie about. His tolerance towards other races would eventually become obvious.

“No, Vizier. I believe a cooperative relationship with the other races would offer a chance for us to mutually benefit from each other’s knowledge and strengths. We could teach each other so much about the world, and I find myself… disheartened that my people do not seem to share my opinion.”

After Krivax finished speaking, Vizier Hadix remained silent long enough for him to begin feeling nervous. However, when he did respond, it was not with an admonishment, but rather with a question.

“How much do you know about the historical reasons for Azjol-Nerub’s isolationist policies?”

Krivax found himself surprised. He’d asked Kriltes about those reasons for a long time, but he was never given a satisfactory answer.

“Very little, Vizier. Everyone who I asked simply told me this was the way we had always been.”

“Hmph. That is unsurprising. The Kingdom’s propaganda is extremely effective for the common nerubian,” said Hadix with a hint of disdain. “We of the Circle of Viziers, however, must strive to perceive the world as it truly is, rather than how others wish for us to see it. If you would like to know more about the insular nature of our people, then I suggest you study the Nerubian-Vrykul Wars.”

Krivax was taken aback to be so easily pointed toward explanations that had eluded him for so long, but he was also very grateful.

“Thank you, Vizier Hadix,” said Krivax, bowing to the older nerubian. “I will take your words to heart and study this matter at my earliest convenience.”

“Good,” said Hadix, nodding in approval. “As a member of the Circle of Viziers, you will have access to libraries of information not available to outsiders. You will also have access to the libraries of our Research Division. You are now an adult. There is nobody who will tell you which direction to point your spinneret, so I expect you to spend your time wisely.”

Krivax felt a growing greed for knowledge after hearing the Vizier’s words. Free access to these libraries would offer him a chance to not only advance his plans, but would also allow him to learn more magic.

“I understand. This is not an opportunity that I intend to waste, sir.”

“Hmph. See that you don’t. I had to expend significant political capital to ensure you were assigned to this Division, so I would be quite upset if my investment was wasted.”

“Investment?” Krivax asked with trepidation.

“Correct. Your potential was judged to be quite high. Without my intervention and your stated preference, you would have likely been designated to either the Arcane Research Division or the Lost Knowledge Research Division.”

“My potential is high? I understand my performance was likely better than average, but I don’t feel like I am someone worth fighting for, Vizier Hadix,” said Krivax uncertainly. Had he misjudged his own progress so greatly?

“While your talent in magic is not prodigious, it is significant enough that when paired with your abnormal work ethic, you have succeeded in drawing attention,” Hadix said matter-of-factly.

Krivax felt strange to be described as someone who drew attention; in his previous life, he had been a wholly average individual.

“After learning of a fairly talented hatchling who wished to join my Research Division, I pushed to make certain you would be designated according to your preferences. Most of the Division’s Initiates were designated here against their stated preferences. This is both to your benefit and your detriment.”

Krivax waited for the Vizier to continue talking, but he didn’t, so he decided to respond to the obvious prompt.

“How so, Vizier Hadix?”

“Joining this Division is to your detriment because we are not as prioritized for resources as the other Divisions. It is to your benefit because you shall be the sole recipient of my tutelage. Congratulations. Most Initiates strive to gain the attention of a Vizier for years after their designation.”

Krivax immediately started bowing and expressing his gratitude to the older mage. Personalized instruction would definitely allow him to learn faster than trying to figure everything out on his own.

“Enough, your gratitude is unnecessary. If you wish to thank me, then work hard to ensure my efforts are not wasted on you. Your performance and future contributions will reflect on both myself and this Division, so I expect much. If you fail to live up to your potential, then you will be relegated to performing administrative duties for the rest of your time here.”

That would suck. I don’t want to spend the rest of my life in a fantasy world as a low-level bureaucrat.

“I will work hard to prove myself worthy of your attention, Vizier Hadix.”

“Yes. You will,” said Hadix sternly. “If you do not, then any ambitions you might have will fade away. In return for good performance, I shall allow you to pursue your goals in regard to the surface races, and perhaps aid you. Without my assistance, it is doubtful you would succeed in securing permission to go to the surface or contact the other races. I confess, it seems unlikely to me that your efforts will result in significant benefits for our people, but it is a good enough research project for a young Initiate.”

Krivax did not know how to respond to the Vizier’s speech, so he fell back on bowing and polite gratitude. Over the hour, Hadix would detail his expectations to Krivax in great detail. The Vizier would only allow him to go to the Surface after he gained a certain amount of proficiency in magic and proved himself capable of protecting himself. Apparently, he would also be expected to learn some skills that could benefit Kilah’Kuk.

Members of the Circle of Viziers were expected to perform tasks that required skilled magic such as alchemy, enchanting, or complex magical silk crafting. It made sense to Krivax; if the Circle was not expected to do such things, then they would likely spend all of their time researching esoteric magics that would fail to justify their funding. Krivax was not certain which of these skills he would focus on—likely whichever took up the least amount of his time—but Hadix assured him that he did not need to choose immediately.

Eventually, they finished their talk and Krivax felt optimistic as he left the Vizier's office to go find whichever administrator was in charge of distributing supplies to the newly joined Initiates. Vizier Hadix’s assistance—as conditional as it may be on Krivax’s continued success—would make many things easier. Not only that, but while the Vizier did not seem particularly enthusiastic about Krivax’s goal of establishing communication with the Surface races, he did not seem to be derisive or dismissive either.

It felt… nice for Krivax to have someone who would support him, even if that support came from selfish intentions.

Looks like things are looking up for me.