“So, are you absolutely sure that there’s nothing going oweewo of you?” Kanzaki- said slyly, as she drank from her gss of wi turns out she is old enough to drink after all, though I’m not foolish enough to ask her age. “From where I sit, the two of you seem perfect together. You’re even both Chosen, right?”
Arisu-san sighed, and I didn’t bme her, as it wasn’t the first time we’d had to deal with that today. She was wearing a long coat over her elegant crimson dress, as was Kanzaki-, hiding her idol outfit, since we didn’t have much time to ge due to the mess the talk show had devolved into. “As I have made pin, we are simply colleagues, and friends, since Akio-san here says so, and I have no issue with that. Which surprises me.” she admitted, elegantly raising her silver fork for emphasis. “Besides, I am sure I told you that a close friend of mine is dating him.”
“Yes, you did.” Kanzaki- agreed. Raising one eyebrow in an expression of disbelief, she looked around the private room in the restaurant atop a luxury hotel in Ginza. “Having everyone clear out so there wouldn’t be a sdal. I‘m both impressed and saddened” She smiled cheekily, perhaps loosened up by the wine.
“It would do you no good to get in a sdal with this one.” Arisu-san sighed. “I would imagi would do your career no favours.”
“Oh sorry.” Kanzaki- apologised. “I fot you had your fair share of lies told about you. My mistake.”
“Think nothing of it. The truth is out there, and my revenge will soon be plete. As for being impressed, I do cede that one of his little fiancées has quite the influend wealth. A simple phone call, and this hotel was falling over themselves to reserve aire se for us so we dine in fort and secrecy.”
“Now I’m curious.” Kanzaki- pressed. “is that one of the ohat have been pictured in the media?”
I shook my head. “No, it’s Hinata.” I brought up a picture on my phone. “She’s the granddaughter of Nichibotsu Teology.”
“She’s cute. Young but cute.” Kanzaki- repeated, before reag out a finger and swiping my phone, giggling as it dispyed an image of twirls, my sis and Eri. “Who’re they? Mirlfriends? Hey, that one looks like you…”
“That’s my sister.” I insisted. “Though the irl is my childhood friend and fiancée.”
“Childhood friends? That’s kind of sweet, that even an important guy like you sticks by your childhood sweetheart.” Kanzaki- giggled. “Might as well show me the rest, I’m really curious.”
“Fine.” I ughed, gd I didn’t keep any lewd photos on my phone. After a time of me showing photographs and talking about the good points of each girl, Kanzaki- leaned ba her chair, shaking her head.
“I think I asked a rude question earlier oalk show. They’re all pretty or beautiful. So… whie’s your mutual friend.”
“Shiro, the silver haired one.” I said, and Kanzaki- smirked at us, teasing.
“I see. Yes, she’s absolutely stunning. And a Chosen tht? I remember from the press feren Britain. You’d be hard pressed to find anyone who hasn’t seen that, or at least the highlights. But I don’t think you’re too far behind, Arisu-!” she was more familiar with the older woman now.
There’s something weird… “Hey…” I said, and my tone was serious, so Kanzaki- looked at me, her expressioral. “…don’t you feel bad about it, about me? I mean, having all these girlfriends. As a girl yourself…”
Kanzaki-’s pcid face twitched, before she looked at Arisu-san, who was rolling her dark eyes at me. Then the mask slipped, and Kanzaki- burst out ughing, meeting Arisu-san’s irritated gaze. “He might be someone who hold the powerful of the world to at, but he’s surprisingly slow oake, isn’t he? It’s kind of cute though, Arisu-.”
“Cute? Your taste is rather strange. I find it frustrating. But then White is often saying that he is a slow learhough she finds it amusing and frustrating in equal measure.”
“Hey, I’m right here.” I protested, and Kanzaki- picked up her wine again, ughing.
“I do think you’re a bit of a bad guy. I mean, sure, it’s not normal. But then, hearing you talk so lovingly about them all, and the fact you eveo far as to pressure the govero ge the w… I’d be a pretty terrible person to fault you for that. I might not be the right person to ask, sidering I’m an idol… I’m not even allowed to date or the fans go crazy. But I’d rather have an ho, loving sdrel than just any other cheater. Besides… are they happy?”
“I think so. And I’ll do everything I to make them love life.” I promised, and she took a sip of wine before flourishing the dwindling gss triumphantly.
“There’s my point. So if you are happy and they’re happy, why worry what anyone else thinks?” she giggled.
“It is guilt of course. Though he tries not to let it bother him, it still does. But White says he is signifitly better than he used to be. Some of his earlier quests tell tales of his self-pitying whining, enough to turn my stomach. I agree. I prefer an ho and uant man. I abhor liars. Although I despise cheaters and the unfaithful too.” She looked at me, her dark eyes showing me a warning. “So keep your word, and cherish them. For if you make White unhappy…”
“I know, I get it. But you’d have to join the queue. I’d be first to punish myself.” I promised. The versation was then interrupted by my phing, and on seeing the caller ID I was a little surprised. Buck Kelly, huh?
“Hello there.” I said in English, and my surprise must have been evident.
“Why the shock, Akio my friend? Weren’t you expeg a call from old Buck?” his tone was jovial. “I saw your performan TV. It’s a big hit here iates. I got t to my wife that I knew you as well, my lucky charm. That woman you were with, she’s another beauty. Another fly in your web, huh?”
I exged an apologetic look with Arisu-san, who was listening, as my phone’s volume was set to loud. An ht.
“If you saw you should know.” I chided him, and his loud ugh came back.
“Don’t be so shy! I haven’t fottewo beauties you had with you whe, Miss Shaeu and Miss Eri. But I should get to the point, time is money, after all. I’ll be flying to Japan shortly, just like we discussed a while back. You’ll show me around, right? We have a lot to discuss.”
“Oh yeah, you wao set up a bar or two here.” I remembered. “I’m not sure what help I’ll be…”
“It’s not just that. Though of course I’d be delighted to have your help, Akio my good friend! I hear Japan is notoriously hard for fo break into the market. So an inside man would help, though obviously Ms ors has es. But… I have a few other propositions that might be beneficial to you…”
Really? “Well I certainly meet up and hear you out, but I’m not sure what you have pnned…”
“You should look forward to it!” Buck promised grandly, and after some more small talk, he hung up. After that I finished an enjoyable meal with Arisu-san and Kanzaki-, talking about unimportant things, and it was iing to hear more of Arisu-san’s thoughts. She definitely seems a little less standoffish now.
“So, about your friend who is taking part in the charity cert…” Kanzaki- asked as we were enjoying dessert. “…what’s she like?”
“Her idol name is Suzumebachi.” I ughed, remembering my shock wheold me.
“What? A giant hor?” Kanzaki- blinked, and Arisu-san took over.
“Yes, Suzanne-san has very questionable uanding of Japanese culture. However, her desires are pure and ear.” She looked at me then. “Suzanne-san was worried that her backup dancers, as she calls them, would be uo aid her. Fortunately now…”
“Oh yes. Ling, or maybe Ginneka… one of them will be able to help.” I replied, and Kanzaki- looked fused.
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
“Oh, it is Choseed matters.” Arisu-san said. “But it would be good if you could perhaps impart some wisdom to Suzanne-san. I do despair at her ck of uanding.”
“I do that.” Kanzaki- promised. “Since we’re all friends now. Speaking of which…” she looked at me seargly. “I know I asked before, but… why did you say you’d help me out if I was in trouble?”
“I won’t do it if it’s to cover up some genuine wrongdoing.” I reiterated. “But…” I scratched my , embarrassed. “Even if it was for the camera, I was happy when you said I was your ideal guy. I mean, I’m not hitting on you, I promise! You’ve seen I have plenty of girlfriends…” I expined hastily. “…even so, I hought someone famous would ever say that about me.”
“Famous, huh? Yes, AKB48 is big, but Arisu- here is probably more famous than any of us.” Kanzaki- said. “Besides… it wasly all for the cameras. But never mind that… I’ll… bear it in mind.” Her smile was radiant. Then she frowned. “Hey, since you got Suzumebachi… ugh, that name… on the bill, and Arisu- here is the presenter for the event… couldn’t you get your sister backstage using that?”
I nodded. “Yeah, but it’s not the same as one of your own shows. But… if you could be o her whehere, maybe introduce her to the rest of the members… I’d be grateful.”
“How I deny you when you ask so early?” she agreed, and with that we slipped bato harmless, cheery talk, before it was time to go.
After seeing Arisu-san and Kanzaki- to their taxis, I returned home to my new house. I sidered staying awake and trying to get some work done, but as I was already w in the Boundary, Princess Ffionnan haviurhere after her trip to the Material, still extremely enthusiastic about our prospects, and the four-tailed fox was still hanging around too, I decided to at least rest my Material body. Half of me will get some rest. Who knows, maybe Tsukuyomi will send me a dream…
********
Smiling at the flushed Daiyu who was lyio me, her breathing still ragged from our Dual Cultivating, I kissed her softly on the forehead, intensifying her blush.
“No Rank ups that time.” I said, and she looked at me with a surprisingly pouty expression.
“Is that all that matters?”
“Of course not.” This time my kiss was on the lips. “I should be asking you that. Did you like it?”
“Of course.” She agreed, snuggling closer, and I once more realised even the girls that seemed taciturn and less expressive were more affeate in the bed. “While I am eager to increase my Cultivation, I find the warmth reassuring. To have someone else to rely on, who looks deep into me as I look into him… even if it was not for any value, I would still seek this.”
“That’s adorable. But true for me as well. Perhaps this was always meant to be.” I agreed. “Though the price was far too high…” She hushed me with a fierce kiss, her towining with mine. As we parted, saliva linking us momentarily, she looked at me, bck eyes ear.
“I have no wish to talk about sadder times. I look only to the future.” She g the door, aook that moment to enter, carrying a towel and a tray of tea. Her expression cid as she looked at us, though I could tell she was jealous as she was maing a bck tail which was shing fitfully, looking rather ical stig out from her jeans, pushing them down so they sat wrong. Seeing us looking she sighed and the tail disappeared, and she pulled them up, c the panties on view.
“Here. You’ve a busy day ahead.” Eri handed me and then Daiyu a towel, setting the tea down. “You know, I think I want to learn Cultivation.”
“I think it is iime to learn the basics.” Daiyu agreed. “They say a dragon has to start as a snake before it asds. We will drill in the fuals.”
“Yes, we’ll have time this evening.” Eri said ftly. “After all, yoing out with Kana, right?”
I nodded. “Yes, I promised. And I want to as well.” I said, and Eri finally smiled.
“At least you’re learning. Making it sound like you are only doing it because you promised is a bad habit. Besides… at least we won’t be deprived of you pletely. Maybe I’ll go hang out in the Boundary. I o make up for lost time. Aiko is desperate too…”
“What about schoolwork?” I asked, and Eri shook her head.
“I’m effectively done, barring exams, and Aiko skip a day or two of remote assigs.”
This could be a problem. I nning on using some of the free time I’ve got now we’ve captured Mount Atago on making items, which is fine, but then… there’s some experiments I want to run, and I don’t want anyone else to take part… Holding in a sigh my Eye shone for a sed, as I refirmed my stats, skills and csses…
[Material Statistics]
[Intangible Statistics]
Might
1762 1805
Fortune
38 40
Fortitude
1752 1794
Majesty
29 31
Intellect
1820 1860
Charm
44 47
Resilience
2051 2137
League
26
Acrity
1839 1882
Determination
25 27
Precision
1833 1874
Fht
32 34
Aether
6463 6659
Fate
21 23
[Material Skills]
Rank
Css
Type
[Aetheric Skills]
Silver e
Rank 5
Imperious (6)
Rule (5)
Eight Moons Chakra work
Rank 6
Imperious (6)
Rule (5)
Aether Manipution
Rank 7
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Aether bat Teique
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Body Enha
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Ether Healing
Rank 9
Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
Aetheric Chirurgeon
Rank 9
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Adherence Manipution
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Law (8)
Split Thoughts
Rank 5
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
[Elemental Skills]
Chakra Of Space
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Space Manipution
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Third Eye Chakra Of Full Moon Light - Masu
Rank 4
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Light Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Throat Chakra Of New Moon Darkness - Shisu
Rank 3
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Darkness Manipution
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Heart Chakra Of Wind
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Wind Manipution
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Sor Plexus Chakra Of Fme
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Fme Manipution
Rank 6
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Root And Sacral Chakra Of Wood
Rank 3
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Wood Manipution
Rank 4
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Sacral Chakra Of High Moonlight Spirit Water
Rank 4
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Water Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Root Chakra Of Earth
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Earth Manipution
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Lunar Chakra Of Seven Primal Elements And Wood
Rank 4
Imperious (6)
Artifice (6)
[Cultivation Skills]
Moonlight Jade Qi Refining
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Artifice (6)
Spiritually Pure Dual Cultivation
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Artifice (6)
Spiritually Pure Physique
Rank 2 Rank 3
Noble (5)
Principle (7)
[Physical bat Skills]
Spatial Perception
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Rule (5)
Spear Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Sword Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
bat Teique
Rank 5
trip (1)
Simple (1)
Elemental on Teique
Rank 3
Suffit (3)
Foundation (4)
Void Motion
Rank 2
Noble (5)
Principle (7)
Tsumura Arts
Rank 1
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
[Practical Skills]
Ether Crafting
Rank 5
Powerful (4)
Foundation (4)
Dvergr Teiques
Rank 1
Noble (5)
Rule (5)
[Intangible Skills]
[Unique Skills]
Mystic Eye Of The Tree Of Knowledge
Rank 4
Legendary (7)
Law (8)
Kin Bonding Aoration
Rank 6
Legendary (7)
Principle (7)
Foehn, Iinguishable Bze
Rank 7
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
Might Of The Furious Earth Might Of Iructible Jade
Rank 2
Powerful (4)
Noble (5)
Foundation (4)
Artifice (6)
The Future Reflected By The Moon
Rank 3
Legendary (7)
Fate (9)
Promiwilight
Rank 2
Imperious (6)
Principle (7)
[Level]
134 138
[Css]
Kami-Blessed 10/20 12/20
queror 17/50 19/50
Wielder Of A Mutated Element 7/10
Wielder Of Elements, Primal Seven 2/20
True Faeduine 3/30 5/30
Qi Refiner 2/10
Dual Cultivator 2/10
[Mastered Css]
Fae-Souled 30/30
Wielder Of Elements, Cssic Western 10/10
Territory Rank
3
My level had stagnated a bit, which made sense, as I had to fight ever-increasing amounts of lesser foes, literally armies worth, or singur powerful oppos, to grow. That or take over other Territories… No, focussing on skills and csses was the surest way to growth now. Obviously, as oarted to reach the level of powerful beings such as the Princes and Princesses of the Seelie Court, never mind mightier beings such as Nurarihyon, and supposedly the King and Queen of the Seelie, it wouldn’t be a simple matter of just out-levelling them. But we still have the advahe Pilgrimage is po level up everyone’s Kami-Blessed css, mine included, and I give Fae-Boo the non-Fae girls… Cultivation too…
Daiyu smiled slightly, flushing under my intense gaze. “What is on your mind?” she asked, and I answered with another pyful kiss, being Eri over so she sat on the bed a me kiss her too.
“I agree, it’s time to Cultivate. And not just for us. For all the girls. I want to push Chirurgery to its limits as well. We have your Dantians and additional meridians and minor chakras as a base, as well as the Night Orbs Shaeu’s work has. Experimentation is the key.” I then winced, as I realised I had said something I shouldn’t. Eri and Daiyu mercifully ighat slip-up though. Yeah, I don’t eople to see the early stages of that experimentation. Especially not for what I have pnned…
“Yes, we should all get stronger. And… I don’t think it’s fair that Daiyu share herself with you in a way we ’t.” Eri decred.
“I ot do this Fae method.” Daiyu protested, and Eri nodded.
“Yes, that’s not fair to you either. While I agree we are all different people and have diverse talents… ever since Akio returo Nishimorioka I’ve learned ohing above anything else.”
“Oh, what is that?” Daiyu asked, ied, and I was too.
“That path Akio follows. And I believe it’s the right one. I hate to admit it, I do, but…” Eri’s bck eyes were warm, though her smile was a little bitter. “…there’s strength in all of us ag together, being together. I only reached this level because of Shaeu’s influen him. And when you bihe talents of everyoogether, we go further. Everything matters, whether it’s the bat skills and money of the noble girls, your Cultivation, the abilities of the Fae girls…”
“Do not fet yourself.” Daiyu said. “Without you…”
“Without me? Sometimes I don’t know what I tribute. Even Kana has her gifts and now a Divine Favour…” Eri said. “Not that it matters. I know I love Akio more than anyone, I always have…”
“Love ot be measured. But I accept you love him deeply, and… it is thanks to you that Akio even love at all, no? I have heard from Shaeu and have been him. You were the first to break the shell around his heart, and also paved the way for us, by accepting Shaeu. So do not despair. Besides…” Daiyu’s smile was warm, and Eri looked down, grateful and slightly ashamed of her petunce, so I stroked her head, suddenly feeling amused as bck cat-ears sprang ience, makiwitch as I toyed with them.
“…you are hardly erhaps you g behind some of us, but you are correct. I will enjoy teag you. Perhaps we shall start today.”
Eri was grateful but nervous. “I know you are focussed on your own practise, so I wait…”
“Nonsense. Akio has his own tasks, so we at least begin with the basics. There are no shortcuts, I ot teach you through Dual Cultivation, that must be Akio, but…”
“You’re wrong.” Eri grinned, red-faced from pleasure now as my stroking tinued, as I let the two girls bond with each other through shared uanding. It’s good. Eri, Asha and Daiyu are the quietest of the girls, so having them open up to each other is good… “There is a shortcut. I have a css… Spirit Pledged, Akio called it. It means that skills Akio has I learn easier than otherwise, and the same applies to my skills. So since Akio has… oh.” Eri paused, realising the problem.
“Yes, Akio’s Qi Refining is likely not something you replicate. But… the css intrigues me. Why do I not have it? I have pledged my life and Dao to you.” Daiyu outing a little.
“Who knows? It may well e in time.” I said reassuringly. “Spirit Pledged has fewer side effects than the Fae version at least… but I don’t want to talk about that.” Nearly made another mistake there. Eri’s eyes narrowed, but she let it pass. “Anyway…”
Making versation, Daiyu and I headed for the bath to se our sweaty and dirty bodies. Meanwhile, in the Boundary I was having another versation, while cheg the status of our ether supplies aory queues.
“The bustle here is so very eaining.” Princess Ffionnan was saying. She had been ferried back to Shirohebizumi shrine in style after the watch party, before the ability of Ling had exhausted itself, but she had not returo the Seelie Court, instead the breadth of our work. “The Seelie Court outstrips this small nd, of course, but… the Court has existed for many tens of thousands of moons. This pce is what… a few dozen moons old?”
“I haven’t calcuted the exact flow of time here, but yeah, a dozen plus a handful more.” I was agreeing. The Queues were not particurly important anymore, now that we had decided the priority ushing the Territory to Rank 4, quickly followed by Haru’s and then Eleanor’s. I do have to clear the Queues before we upgrade, and I have put one more expensive building in there. Once we are at Rank 4… extrapoting, and it’s only a guess, as the Rank 4 jump exceeded all my expectations, we are looking at a minimum of a hundred million, and two point five billion for the rush build. Even Asha’s Tree coupled with Shiro’s buffs won’t keep up with that easily. It could even be more…
At that point the deyed infrastructure would be more sensible. Though I had made some progress, as we now had all the Ether Spires in my Territory at a minimum of Rank 3, while three of them were Rank 4 and one was in the Queue tig down. But then my Barracks and other standard Buildings, as well as specialist ones such as the White Snake Earth Altar, are gging, hurting our potential…
The Queues were all diminishing. The Anchor Spire Queue and first Queue held the Ether Density aher Spire Anchor Spires to Rank 2, each with thirty-five Astral days remaining. It was a little lower than expected, which showed that Miyu had been perf her dances well. When I do expand to Rank 4 as a Territory, that will bring Miyu’s, Tan’s, Suzu-san’s, Arisu-san’s and more allied Territories under my prote, so we work on Ranking them up and buffing their infrastructure too.
We then had the Rank 4 Ether Spire that we’d beeing tick down seemingly forever at a hundred and forty-four days remaining. The st Queue was the one we were using for rush building before, but what I had done now was fill it, with a Boundary to Material e to Rank 4, over at the site of Ixitt’s factory. The jump from Rank 2 to Rank 4 was facilitated by rush building the Rank 3 o a cost of nearly one point three millioher, and then the same again to add the Rank 4 to the Queue. It seemed a lot, but as we were geing over four millioher per Material day currently, it was one infrastructure build I repared to prioritise, as it would help Ixitt’s factory and the stru there immensely. Sure, we’re looking at roughly another five millioher to finish it off when we o empty our Queues for the Territory upgrade, but at that point the radius it covers will extend from the current two hundred and fifty metres to a full kilometre, and the efficacy will grow.
Our curreher stocks were roughly ten million, after the bounty from mount Atago and the general produ of Asha’s Tree and our Territories as a whole. Most of it was stored currently in Haru’s Silos she ied from mount Atago, but in theory, if nothi wrong, we could have accumuted the one hundred and sixty-five million more ether we needed in around a month and a half. Perhaps a bit sooner, when taking into at ether gained from battles and the growth of Vassal Territories in the meantime, but we also have other expenditures…
With three Rank 6 Silos under Haru’s trol, as well as more Rank 5 and Rank 4 Silos, I addition to the Silos in my owory, we could manage more than half of the e, in fact, we were pushing a hundred millioher we could store and protect. That fell short, but there was a workaround, which was to apply Ao boost the capacity. That would take some ether, but it was taken into at, and with Rank 6 Silos, even a cheap Rank 1 or 2 Expanding Silo would offer millions of extra ether ste. Haru also needs her sed Throne of Heroes to Rank 2 to fulfil her wish of giving the three other survivors of Kondou Kazuo and Kiku another ce…
“So, what wonders will I see today?” Ffionnan enquired. “Perhaps more of the mae that fly? I would like one!”
“I’m guessing you had a ride in a helicopter then. Hinata must have spared no expense.” I ughed, as I sorted through the materials I had asked to be gathered. With multiple kobold and dwarven mines running ierritory, and an ever-increasing number of ied miners, as well as trade with the Seelie Court and Night Parade, we had accumuted rge amounts of various metals, ores, gems, Etherites and monster parts. The most valuable were stored ireasury and Warehouse, but the rest was just heaped in ordinary facilities that had been built. That’s another bit of infrastructure we need, but there’s little time…
“Yes, she did-did indeed, I hear.” Shaeu said, grinning, as she arrived. She was finally free of esc her family, and had returned, Asha and Hyath with her. “There is no shame in being impressed, I did-did rather enjoy it when I rode one myself. And we know-know they be brought here.”
“Oh yes, Kyoto.” I agreed. “Though we’ve seen the limitations of Laverna’s abilities, haven’t we?” I turo Ginneka, who had been sitting there quietly, though her ears and tail were flickerilessly.
“Don’t bme me, nya! I’m doing my best!” she protested, and I nodded.
“Yes, though we know that hard work strehe Favours, so I’ll expect you to improve over time.”
“Nya, you’re such a bully. Though I wouldn’t mind it in the sheets…” She tried to entice me in her usual manner, but I just ignored her, while Shaeu gave her a ft look, which eventually oppressed her, ears lying ft against her skull.
“Anyway, to answer your question, Princess…” I returned my attention to Ffionnan, uest, who had tributed a number of ores and treasures to the pile as her first payment iing a share of our enterprise. Expining that to Mayumi-san will be iing. Though it came from the portion she’s not involved with. Even though that’s the case, as a partoo they should have the opportunity to i. “…for one I have a bit of spare time, with nothing major pnned. So I am going to catch up on my training, I’ve fallen behind in some areas. I want to increase my crafting skills, as well as make better gear for everyone. We ’t rely just on levelling forever.” As Ffionnan tilted her head, the s in her hair jingling as she uzzled by the term, I tinued. “Mount Atago taught me lessons too. Death e suddenly, so we o be as prepared as we .” The Brigandine was hard to improve, but with other equipment and items It ossible to make us safer. I gnced down at the Seven League Boots that was my reward from the Tower of London. “And ideally… we need equipment that has a presen both the Boundary and the Material. We know it’s possible, and Ixitt and his fellow Mortal Engineers are already experimenting… so I want to as well.” Dvergr Teique is especially important, as it has a side be of emp any items I use with each Rank…
“Fasating.” Ffionnan was surprised. “I would have expected the sort of the little princess here to be above manual bour.”
“No, I’m not above anything that makes us stronger and protect those I care about.” I smiled. “So it’s time to get to work…”
********
“I think that was worthwhile.” I wiped silvery sweat from my brow. I hadn’t made anything of note, but I had grasped some of the principles Ixitt was calling his Law of Materialisation. When bined iain ways, what was Astral could be made to exist oerial, and the opposite was true. That didn’t create items that existed in both worlds at once, which was the ultimate goal, being able to be used wherever they were needed, but my insights were improving. “Time to take a break.” And move onto something else. “You’ve been helpful, Ginneka.”
As the Bakeneko preened, enjoying the pliment, I cast my gaze over to where some music ying, a CD pyer that Shaeu had bade her fetch linked up to some of Ixitt’s batteries. There was even a TV, and while it couldn’t receive any signal here, with a DVD pyer attached it could work just fine.
Several ratkin cleared up my work, ferrying the remaining materials back to ste. Ffionnan had left after a while, growing disied, Shaeu apanying her, but Hyath had waited, seemingly incapable of feeling bored while she was serving me.
“I’m going to go work on some other skills.” I told her. “If you have anything to do, you go do it.”
Hyath raised one eyebrow at me, her silver-violet eyes seeming to see through me, before she nodded slowly. “I dooo have someoo speak to. But Akio…” she paused, unfortable for a sed, before shaking her head. “Never mind. I shall see yooou ter.”
It’s for the best. I don’t eople to see this. I found a secluded spot and began. At first it seemed simir to Ether Healing training, as I made a number of cuts and wounds in my body. The pain was annoying but bearable, and I gave a rusty chuckle at how far I’d e, sidering how scared of pain and injury I was to start with. Of course, Ether Healing wouldn’t improve with such light work, not at the Rank I had it at. This was merely a prelude.
I’ve experience from healing Eri and Shiro. I know it be done, but I still o push it further. With a grimace, I pushed my little finger against St Moonlight, and the sharp bde, after a moment of resistance, sliced off the digit. Shit, that hurts. Ether Healing surged, and the finger regrew. I then sliced it off again, and repced it with the first severed finger, reattag it. As I wiggled it, it worked fine.
“Okay, as expected. Now for the test of time. I o leave it an…”
“Shit bro.” my sis cursed, and I looked over to see she was watg me with and annoyance shining in her sapphire eyes. Shaeu was there too, as well as Hyath, who I would have expected to look apologetic, but now she just looked angry. “What the hell are you doing? Hyath here said you looked rather shifty. Here’s me thinking…” she strode over, looking at the severed little finger I held. “…you were maybe meeting one of the elf girls for a little affair, but no…”
“Aiko, what are you doing here? Shouldn’t you be doing your remote schooling?”
“Don’t you Aiko me, Akio!” she scoffed back, clearly pissed off. “sidering how mad you were when I burned my hand, and I uand why, to see you doing this… Shaeu, Hyath, talk to the idiot for me. If I do it, I’ll be too angry…”
“I am not-not annoyed.” Shaeu said, surprising me, and Hyath nodded. “I remember well the pain we suffered because of the Myid Spores, and it was quite-quite necessary. If you believe such is necessary again, I will not-not deny you…”
“Nooor will I.” Hyath affirmed, surprising my sis, who looked at them acgly. “But what is unfivable is that yooou do it alone.”
“Yes, Hyath is correct. I have Ether Healing too, and keen eyes. I - assist you. Now, what is the purpose of this? Tell us.”
“Keen eyes.” I said bitterly. “That’s the point.” I looked at my sister warmly, and she stiffened up. “I know yoal, sis. You want to be a true Chirurgeon aher Healer. But without a special sight, that’s going to be really difficult. So… I wao give you that.”
“You wouldn’t?” she bit her lip, suddenly tearful. “You stupid idiot, bro! I was joking about the ninjas! I don’t want you to go blind for me! If you ruin yood looks, all the girls will be devastated!”
“I know that.” I fred fme, and the finger I held burned away to ashes. “And even if I wao, I ’t let you have my Eye of the Tree of Knowledge. But… if it could be duplicated and transpnted… wouldn’t your dream be in reach?”
Shaeu started ughing, while Hyath sighed. Looking at me tearfully, Aiko shuddered, talking a long breath, before scrubbiears away. “Man, you are such a fool, bro. There’s a thing as going too far for me. You should save that for your lovers, for Eri. But… I guess you are Nishimorioka’s, no, Japan’s greatest sis, so I have to accept you’re simply crazy.”
“I believe you are just-just as much a bro as Akio is.” Shaeu ughed. “I hear your heart rag.”
“No you ’t! Shut up!” my sis protested, and as the bitter mood shattered, I touched my Eye gently. Even Yasaka-san’s Book couldn’t answer me fully, and the reply I got back from texting him was rather amazed, but… If I could do it… Whether the power was actually in my Eye or a part of me was something we had to determine, and it had to be done safely. Pai matter. So long as we get bes pain is temporary. Although…
“Since we have Hyath here, as well-well as us, perhaps it is indeed a good time to push our limits.” Shaeu grinned, and my sis went pale, befng at my hand and nodding.
“Bring it on! I’m not afraid, I’ll endure anything to be stronger. After all…” her smile was radiant. “Now I’m finally standing on the same stage as you, bro. And I’m an athlete. I always give it my best in training and petition!”
With that proud decration, I could only smile wryly, defeated. “All right then, you asked for it. But I wao keep this secret in case it didn’t work. I didn’t want to get your hopes up, it’s a really long shot. But while we are here…” I eyed Shaeu, the glow of brilliant amber shining forth. “…there’s some other things we try too…” Yeah, I don’t know when the crisis will happen, we have to make the most of this dowo do our best…
ShipTeaser
