Chapter 92 - Exclusive Weapon
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I stood dumbfounded beside her—at Lemuen who was in a state of nonplus, looking at her Staff as she expressed her anxious and surprise.
"Hm, that was surprising." I nonchalantly commented, wearing a grin.
"What is?! N-Nothing bad will happen, right?"
"Of course not." I replied. "It's actually a good reaction. In simple terms, it means that your Staff is completely compatible with you."
Let's just say it that way. I doubt she'll understand even if I explain the concept of Exclusive Weapon.
"R-Really? Then I'll trust you with that one."
"Good." I nodded, then went into my Chest and began rummaging. "How about we test it? That new Staff of yours."
"Yeah, I'm very excited that I also wanted to try it right now." She delightfully replied. "It's my very first gift from someone besides my sister after all..."
"I'm glad you liked it." I replied. "Though, just to inform you, were still not done about that Staff."
Just as I was stating my remarks, Lemuen aimed her Staff into one of the trees. Putting her Mana on her weapon, the Staff shoots a white flower-shaped magic in a mildly fast manner towards the tree which exploded upon its collision, spreading dozens of white particles before dissipating briefly after. In response, Lemuen silently stood there, dumbfounded as she looks at the tree who now has a burned mark on its thick body.
"Amazing, it's so strong..." Lemuen astonishedly said. "This is my first-time holding a weapon this strong...and you're telling me were still not done yet?"
"Well yes. That Staff was strong actually." I replied. "Unfortunately, looks like our world had a major change which made that Staff turned underwhelming."
"World change? If I heard correctly, it's about the global news regarding the appearance of strong monsters showing out of nowhere, right?"
"That's right. But just like I said earlier, that Staff can be directly upgraded and fortunately, I have the means to do it right now."
Some weapons have a function upgrade so that they can keep up throughout the progression of the game. An example of it is Lemuen's Carnation Seedling Staff—which will undergo through many upgrades until it reaches its final at the very end of the game.
Nonetheless, with a gesture, Lemuen gave the Staff back to me as I rummage inside my pouch. I took a piece of [Mana Flower], and another which is the [Nature Quintessence] as well as the 5-pieces of [Ethos of Nature].
If you forgot, the [Nature Quintessence] and [Ethos of Nature] are the materials we got from the [Dryad's Bag] after we defeated the Dryad. It sure was a terrifying experience but I'm glad the materials have finally had any use into.
Lastly with all the items in hand, I dropped all the items from the [Mana Pool]. Once again, the items began to glow as it merged in the process.
Then Bam! The Staff was now in a completely different form before us. The green stave earlier had now turned into a brown trunk with leaves and a small pair of roots underneath it. The white bulb on the other hand, had now turned into a small white carnation flower.
『Adolescent Carnation』
The Staff along with the [Ethos of Nature] was spewed out from the [Mana Pool]. Beaming, I hand the Staff from Lemuen.
With a face in wonder, Lemuen slowly takes the Magic Staff into my hands. Again, the moment she took a hold of the Staff, she began to glow entirely. But this time, there was no reaction from both of us.
"It really is fascinating," said Lemuen, astonished. "No matter how I look at it, it feels surreal..."
I looked at her without saying anything whatsoever. I don't get what she means by that but as long as she's happy...
"Thank you, Sai. I'll forever cherish this Gift."
"A Gift, huh... As long as you liked it, I'm glad." I replied. "Regardless, I know a place in mind we can practice your Staff with. Since were done and all, how about we go there immediately?"
"Y-Yes!"
"Alright, it settled then."
Before we head out, I decided and had us change from Academy Uniform into our Combat Clothes. After the preparation was done, we immediately left the Villa.
* * *
"You're kidding?! A-are you sure it's the place you had in mind...?"
Terrifying, gruesome, and fascinating. That's the word the people will mostly respond from their first time coming into this eerie place. We are currently located in a gloomy Barren land that had the place turned red caused by the Blood Moon which render this place in crimson.
That's right, it's the 『Ebonland』, and were here to practice Lemuen's new Magic Staff. Although...
"Please tell me you're kidding!" Lemuen frighteningly said so, straining a smile as she trembled, looking at me. "I-I've never seen this monster this many..."
"W-Well..."
Undead, large floating Centipede, a moving Tree, and a floating Jellyfish can be seen a bit far away and is walking around in horde. I forgot, the world was in 『Chaos Mode』 now so of course, new variants of monsters will start to lurk especially this place.
Even if I already had the knowledge of this scene, it was still terrifying even for me...
"Don't worry, the Portal was being encompassed by a protective barrier so no monster will be able to go here. Moreover, someone would be joining us to help venture this place."
"Oh, really?"
"Yeah. It was actually enough with just me, but that person also needs something in this place, so I decided to let her join us." I explained. "Since were waiting and all, how about we try your Staff right now? We'll just need to lure a single monster to test it. And don't worry, I'll be protecting you."
Lemuen paused briefly, taking a deep breath then finally, affirmed her firm resolve. "Yes!"
"Good answer." I nodded with a beam. "Then..."
The two of us carefully left outside the protective barrier. After a bit of walking, I went and headfirst in plan of luring a monster into us. What came to us was a Giant floating Jellyfish that's gruesomely covered in blood red, slowly heading towards us—called 『Lion's Mane Bloodyfish』.
"Ready yourself and take aim." I informed. "You need to be quick in this. The monsters won't wait for you if you hesitate."
"Yes!" Lemuen firmly affirmed, aiming the 『Adolescent Carnation』 from the Jellyfish. Once fired, the Staff shot a white flower-shaped magic that's a bit larger and quicker than before. Once the contact, the Magic explodes from the Jellyfish, damaging it while taking a mild knockback. But the Magic didn't end there, dozens of white particles spread out after the explosion and homes from the Jellyfish, taking more damage in the process. But...
『Lion's Mane Bloodyfish HP: 743/1000』
"Once more!" I commanded.
"W-Wait Sai, my Mana is still recovering!"
"Yeah, I know! I'll keep it at bay so recharge your Mana then shoot 3-4 More!"
The Giant Jellyfish plunge itself at me in a floating manner and start whipping me with its tentacles. Every monster has an attack pattern, so this one is no difference. I dodge every attack with ease and when I saw an attack coming from Lemuen, I immediately retreated.
Bam! The Jellyfish was struck with an explosion from the Magic, coupled with the white particles that homing at it violently.
"Again!" I commanded.
The simple tactic went for another few rounds before Lemuen finally killed it. After that, we head back inside the protective barrier surrounding the portal. It was quite successful if I say so myself. The Adolescent Carnation can deal about 250 DPS which was not bad.
But, until I noticed, Lemuen had her head drop, and is looking pretty dejected. Noticing my gaze, she began to tell what's wrong.
"Hey Sai, this...is a bit of a letdown, huh?" Lemuen dejectedly said. "Even though I said I wanted to be a Mage, but I guess it really wasn't for me..."
"......"
"You're kind, Sai. I know you're just being considerate, but you already know, right? A Mage who can only Cast a single spell is just a big liability..."
There we go.
"Hey, Lemuen." I spoke, arms crossed as I look up into the sky. "Would you believe me if I told you that It's possible to increase your Mana and turned you into a full-pledge Mage?"
"...Eh? What do you—"
Amidst of her sentence, I raised a palm aimed towards another Jellyfish, then after a single word—
"⟨⟨Umbral Collision⟩⟩"
A black laser beam materialized into my palm and was shot focused towards the Jellyfish, hitting it continuously until it was pulverized.
"You..." Lemuen looked at me dumbfoundedly.
"Amazing, isn't it?" I claimed. "I can turn your dream into a reality if you want, and right now, I have the means to do it. What do you think?"
"I... I-If it's possible, then I—"
"But, before I gave it to you, tell me this, what will you compensate me in return?"
"...Eh? I—"
"It is the time to make your own decision." I quoted. "Your Sister Bellatrix have come to find out I train those girls in me. Hence, she requested that I also took you in."
Lemuen had her head downwards and is mildly agitated at my remarks. I'm sorry Lemuen, but I also had a reason in doing this.
"Those girls we're actually enough for me to train in order to achieve my ambitions. We're only in a situation like this because of your sister's request." I remarked. "Tell me Lemuen, if I ever gave such power, for what reason will you use it to?"
I had my ⟨⟨Bloodlust⟩⟩ focused into her. Lemuen paused for a while, visibly overwhelmed. I patiently waited, not really expecting something but to my surprise, she begins to open her mouth.
"I-I wanted to help my sister...and I wanted to be with her side." said Lemuen, stuttering. "I-If what you said is possible... T-Then, no matter what compensation you ask of me, I-I will do it...!"
"Then..." In a quick manner, I pulled and forced Lemuen against the wall of the portal and slammed the wall violently along with it, as to intimidate her more. "Can you still say the same if I told you I wanted the compensation right now?"
"I..." Nonplussed, Lemuen began to tremble. But with her mind firmly set in stone, she spoke as her eyes turned glossy. "I-I will do it."
"Such tenacity." I replied, putting my face near hers. "Tell me, why go such lengths?"
"A l-lifetime opportunity was being given to me right now. T-That's why, I will do whatever it takes to get that opportunity no matter what...!"
"Is that so? Then, bon appétit."
I put my other hands into her waist as I slowly draw my mouth near hers. In response, Lemuen closed her eyes as to accept of what will happen afterwards. But just as the thing she thought was about to happen....
"Hah! It's just a joke!" I shouted as I immediately draw my actions back. "You passed, Lemuen. I knew I was right on choosing you. You see, We—?? L-Lemuen?!"
"Ah..." Lemuen who was trembling for a while had fallen into her knees. Briefly after, tears run down from her eyes, then came an immediate sobbing. "UWAHHH!! I was so scared!!"
"L-Lemuen!!" I immediately went to confront and calm her down. "I'm so sorry Lemuen, I was just testing you..."
I knew it was a bad idea! But still, I won't just give it to someone for free, so I had to test if I felt that she's worthy of it or not.
"UWAHHHH!!!"
It took a while before I manage to calm her down. She really was overwhelmed that it took longer for a while. It was of that time that I swore to myself not to do that again...
* * *
"Sob! S-So this is a Mana Essence, huh?"
After I calmed Lemuen down, I immediately gave her the 『Mana Essence』.
"That's right. Now you'll just need to crush it with your hands and your mana will be permanently increased."
"Y-Yes..." With a timid response, Lemuen began to crush all 9 『Mana Essence』 into her hands.
By the time Lemuen crushed everything completely, someone had entered the portal. A black long-haired girl slowly approaches, looking at us with her crimson eyes with a deadpan expression. To my surprise, she had her black wings on her back completely exposed coupled by her usual Combat Clothes.
"Aruji-sama, I have come." Akari informed.
"It's finally time, huh." I replied, then shifted to Lemuen. "Are you ready, Lemuen?"
"W-Wings?! I uh... Y-Yes!"
"Good. You probably have questions in mind but let's do that later. For now, follow me you two."
Both meekly followed after me, heading outside the protective barrier once again. This time, it was of a different location. We completely cleaned the place surrounded with monster and thus, will be used as our practice spot.
"H-Haha! Amazing, I feel so strong." Lemuen cheerfully said. "I can't believe it..."
"I'm glad you're finally perked-up." I replied, rummaging inside my pouch. "Now, get ready both of you. The fun is about to start now."
"Yes, Aruji-sama."
"Eh?! What do you mean by..."
While Lemuen was in a state of confusion, I took a basketball sized peach orb and showed it into both of them with a smile.
"You guys ready?" I cheerfully asked. "Then!"
I threw the peach orb with a smile. As soon as the orb hit the ground, the orb turned into a lump of meat, growing larger and larger with many arms and limbs starting to grow like a spider.
"Awawawawawawa!! S-Sai, t-that's..."
"It's showtime!"
『The "Real Abomination" has been summoned』