The Wizard

I rub the lamp gently, feeling tides of mana converge as the conditions of the contract were met and the genie was summoned.

"Ahh," it says, looking at me with interested eyes, "a wizard. It's been aeons since I've been summoned by a wizard."

"And it's been decades since I've last had the pleasure of talking with a genie," I remark humbly. Dealing with genies was always a dangerous business, but showing respect was always a good way to start.

"I believe you are aware of the conditions?" the genie asks, amused by my demeanor.

"Yes, one wish in the form of a problem, which you will then help me solve."

"Excellent." the genie chuckles, rubbing his hands in anticipation. "Shall we begin?"

I nod and begin to speak.

"For my entire life, I've dedicated every waking hour to my experiments, and have never had any worries besides those of a failed experiments consequences. As time has passed, my worries have shifted to more... mundane issues."

I pause, watching as the genies expression shows his recognition of my problem. Taking note of this shift in expression, I pull off my hood to show my frail body.

"My problem is that my experiments must be continued, but I am only human. I'm aware of the possible problems with asking a genie to solve this when I easily have access to alternative solution. But my curiosity has won, and I now cannot help but think of this process in itself as one big experiment," I grin maniacally. "So I request of you glorious genie, solver of problems, to solve my problem of a limited life span."

The genie snaps as I finish my request and I feel the condensed mana disperse. Before the genie fades away, he winks at me, leaving me alone as I await whatever form of immortality he had granted me.