Use the nature of genies to your advantage

As the young Private mopes, you think about what you can do. Before you were a genie … before … before … you panic momentarily as you realize that your memory of before feels remote, like a memory of childhood, but you snap back to the present. You find that you now know quite a bit more about the nature of genies than you once had. About their … your origins, the source of your magic, the boundaries of your powers.

First and foremost, being a genie is a form of servitude. You are a part of the lamp, and the lamp serves its master, absolutely. The nature of this servitude is that you are granted incredibly far-reaching powers, but those powers are circumscribed by the wishes of the Master. The magic of the genie can only be used to fulfill the three wishes. However, a detail of the magic is that it compels a genie to ensure the fulfillment of all three wishes.

“Excuse me, I am sorry, as I said, I cannot undue your wish. That means that you are extraordinarily wealthy, but you are still stuck here. However, I am compelled to ensure your safety and well-being until such time as the three wishes are complete. I do not feel any reason why you have to make your wishes now, Master” you say.

“Wait… so what you’re saying is that if I leave this here hole… and get shot at… or some sonofabitch tries to blow me up, you have to use your magic to keep me safe?” he asks, his eyes starting to widen with optimism.

“That is indeed exactly what I am saying, my Master,” you reply, “of course, it is also possible to simply wish yourself somewhere else entirely, or wish yourself out of the army. Though, I think maybe you should try to be more specific with your next wish, Master,” you suggest.