My magic teammate

The cavernous hall of the Reincarnation Palace shimmered with an otherworldly light, its stone walls etched with runes that pulsed with arcane energy. Li Mo sat cross-legged on the cold floor, his clothes still stained with the blood of his recent near-death experience. His mind raced with possibilities, the euphoria of survival mingling with the intoxicating potential of newfound power.

"I've already gone through one soul transmigration," Li Mo mused aloud, his voice echoing in the empty chamber. "If I could just eliminate the 'self-awareness' from this remnant soul and keep only the pure knowledge and experience... wouldn't that be like ascending to heaven in a single step?"

The disembodied voice of the Reincarnation Palace responded, its tone neutral and matter-of-fact. "Request denied. Reincarnators may spend 5,000 points to extract specific memories up to the soul's carrying capacity, create a seed, and integrate it into their own soul. Once implanted, the seed will begin to release over the course of one week until fully absorbed."

Li Mo's eyes widened at the cost. "Five thousand points? Damn, that's steep!" He ran a hand through his hair, considering the implications. The space equipment he'd acquired would have to be sold off, leaving him with little more than the clothes on his back. But the promise of power... of knowledge beyond his wildest dreams...

After a moment of internal struggle, Li Mo clenched his fists and made his decision. "I accept!" he declared, his voice filled with determination. "I can pay the points. Start the memory extraction and seed creation process, beginning with the most fundamental knowledge. Make it comprehensive. I'll repay the debt after I've checked the contents of the spatial equipment!"

The air around Li Mo began to shimmer and distort. A beam of light shot forth from the walls, enveloping the jade eye that contained the remnant soul. Agonized screams and wails erupted on a spiritual level, assaulting Li Mo's consciousness like waves crashing against a shore. He clutched his head, gritting his teeth against the psychic onslaught.

Finally, the cries of the shattered remnant soul faded away. Li Mo felt a warm current enter his body, signaling the successful implantation of the memory seed. He took a deep breath, trying to center himself as he processed the enormity of what he'd just done.

"Total debt: 6,326 points," the Palace intoned.

Li Mo nodded grimly. "A steep price... but worth it for the power to shape my own destiny in this world of magic and wonder."

As he began to sort through the items in his spatial equipment, Li Mo couldn't help but feel a mix of excitement and trepidation. He'd taken his first steps on a path that would forever change him. Whether that change would lead to greatness or ruin remained to be seen.

As Li Mo continued to sort through his newly acquired treasures, the air in the chamber shimmered once again. A brilliant flash of light erupted, momentarily blinding him. When the spots cleared from his vision, Li Mo found himself face to face with a young man who seemed to have materialized out of thin air.

The newcomer was a sight to behold. Clad in lightweight silver-white armor that gleamed in the ethereal light of the Reincarnation Palace, he cut an impressive figure. Golden hair framed a face that couldn't have seen more than seventeen summers, yet his piercing blue eyes held a intensity that spoke of experiences beyond his years.

In an instant, the young warrior's gaze locked onto Li Mo. With fluid grace, he drew a short blade from his hip, assuming a defensive stance. The tension in the air was palpable.

Li Mo slowly raised his hands, palms out in a gesture of peace. "Easy there, friend," he said softly, carefully tossing his own weapon aside. "I mean you no harm."

The golden-haired youth's eyes narrowed, darting around the chamber as he processed his surroundings. Li Mo could almost see the gears turning in the young man's mind as he pieced together the bizarre situation.

Suddenly, the disembodied voice of the Reincarnation Palace filled the air, presumably addressing the new arrival. The young warrior's eyes widened in disbelief, and he took a few stumbling steps backward. "By the gods," he muttered, his accent hinting at noble origins. "What manner of sorcery is this?"

Li Mo couldn't help but be impressed by how quickly the youth regained his composure. Within moments, the initial shock gave way to a mask of cool calculation. The warrior lowered his weapon, though he kept it at the ready.

"You," he addressed Li Mo, his voice carrying the authority of one used to command. "What is this place? And who are you to welcome me so casually?"

Before Li Mo could respond, another flash of light filled the chamber. This time, the new arrival was as far from the noble warrior as one could imagine. A diminutive figure materialized, its green skin and grotesque features marking it unmistakably as a goblin.

The creature stood frozen for a moment, clutching a half-eaten chicken wing in one hand and a cracked bowl of wild vegetables in the other. Its beady eyes darted between Li Mo and the young warrior, growing wider with each passing second.

Suddenly, the goblin let out a ear-piercing shriek. The bowl clattered to the ground as the creature spun around, attempting to flee. Finding itself face-to-face with the armed young man, it let out another terrified yelp and changed course, rolling across the floor in a desperate bid for safety.

In its panic, the goblin never relinquished its grip on the chicken wing, a detail that might have been comical if the situation weren't so tense.

Li Mo couldn't help but chuckle at the absurdity of it all. "Well," he said, addressing the bewildered young warrior, "it seems our little party is growing. Shall we introduce ourselves, or wait to see what other surprises this magical chamber has in store for us?"

The golden-haired youth's lips twitched, the ghost of a smile playing across his face despite his best efforts to maintain a stern demeanor. "I suppose introductions are in order," he conceded, lowering his blade fully. "I am Sir Tristan of the Silver Oaks. And you, strange sir with the bloodstained garments?"

Li Mo bowed with a flourish, a grin spreading across his face. "Li Mo, at your service. Recent recipient of a second chance at life and, apparently, newest recruit to whatever grand adventure awaits us in this realm of magic and mystery."

As they spoke, the goblin had managed to wedge itself into a corner, eyeing them warily while nibbling on its prized chicken wing. The Reincarnation Palace hummed with energy, as if pleased by the gathering of such an unlikely trio. Whatever trials awaited them, it was clear that their journey together was only just beginning.