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-Fuyuki Town.
3rd POV*
Lawrence's teleportation didn't go unnoticed by the three girls, they immediately abandoned everything they were doing and went to the specific location. There they saw Lawrence standing waiting for them with a soft smile on his face.
""Welcome back master/Lawrence"" Bea and Anastashia greeted Lawrence while Shiki just nodded her head on him. Lawrence was a bit disappointed when he saw that Shiki is still acting like a fair lady, he knows that she must have missed him too specially when he was out for long this time.
He decided to just throw those useless thoughts out of it his head and embrace the three. Shiki didn't object from the show of affection, she just enjoyed the sensation that has been lost for months already. "Thank god I can finally leave that hell. So girls, are you ready to join this war?" Lawrence grinned staring at them.
Shiki's eyes instantly turned fervent hearing that question. She abandoned her previous reserved attitude and just cling towards Lawrence. "When are you going to fight Lawrence?" She asked smiling lightly. This action irked Anastashia as she was clearly taking advantage of the situation, "Hey! Don't cling to him! He might be uncomfor- Lawrence!!"
Anastashia tried scolding Shiki but when she saw the delighted look on Lawrence's face she immediately became angry. She know how simp Lawrence was with Shiki so she is not angry at him, she is more mad at Shiki who initiated such reaction from him. "Master, Lady Touko is calling" the three stopped when Bea handed Lawrence the phone.
"Hello, Touko?" Lawrence accepted the call. "Oh, did you finally leave that place rich boy?" Lawrence could hear the teasing voice of Touko ringing from the phone. "Come on, I could never become this succesful without your help right? Don't be humble" Lawrence chuckled. "Yes, yes, I certainly believe you" Touko lazily replied.
She is well aware that Lawrence could still become succesful even without her help, he has that capability. "So? You returning there only mean one thing right? Are you participating on it?" Touko immediately went to the point. She doesn't have the time to waste, she has a lot of work after all. "Yeah, I was chosen as a master. I can't help it" Lawrence said as if the mere thought of being a master brings him great disgust.
"Hehe, I can already see you having that reaction" Touko chuckled as if amused of it. "Anyway, what do you want? Is there any great news you will be giving?" Lawrence asked since Touko never called him unless there are pretty important news. She would always rely on Hana to do it after all. "Right.. because of the process, it took quite long"
"I just want to inform you that all of Cornelius Alba's property has been handed to you" Touko dropped a bomb freezing Lawrence. "...You're kidding right?" He asked in shock, he doesn't really want to inherit more properties because it would hoggle all of his time! "Nope, it was decided by the Mage Association. From what I gathered, there were bunch of nobles trying to covet it but they backed down hearing that you were the one who defeated Alba" Touko said.
"Why did they back down? They could have freely pursue his property!" Lawrence complained. "It seems like you really underestimate your standing in the Mage Association. Your standing is basically equivalent to a Lord or maybe higher because of the wealth you own" Touko sighed.
She really couldn't see any magus feature from Lawrence. "The only people who would dare to provoke you are the other Lords or maybe only Barthomeloi. That is how terrifying you made your image in the Clock Tower" Touko ended her explanation. Lawrence ponderer about it and realized she was right.
There were no magus who tried to manipulate him and escape to tell the tale. Basically if someone irritate him then tomorrow, there would be news stating 'Another Unfortunate Fella'. That is how his life goes in London. The problem is Lawrence doesn't discriminate as he would erase regardless of their ranks and titles.
"Anyway, I finished handing the news to you. Be aware that many will try to take his property since it still wasn't officially handed to you. Also, this batch of profits will be handed shortly" After that Touko hang up the call. Lawrence dropped his phone and began thinking of a way to solve this problem.
Shiki who saw his complex expression couldn't help but suggest. "Don't you have any skills that can double your body? Why bother handling it yourself" she said as a light bulb appeared above Lawrence. "That's right! How come I didn't think of that!" Lawrence said as he embraced Shiki tightly.
Lawrence stood in the middle of the house while the girls circled him. "What is Lawrence doing now?" Anastashia asked since she didn't hear what they were talking just now. Shiki gave her a side glance before shaking her head, this phenomenon will surely shake Anastashia's head. "Just watch, don't keep talking" Shiki said.
"Why, you!" Anastashia was pissed but stopped when Lawrence finally started. The surrounding around Lawrence began shaking as a red rift appeared. The rift shook uncontrollably until Lawrence's body was sucked into it. Silence descended through the room. Shiki and the girls were dumbfounded and they were wondering if the process failed.
That thought didn't last long as Lawrence was ejected from the rift again but this time there were two other people coming with him. When Anastashia saw it, she began drolling uncontrollably, her body shivered as she imagined various kind of spicy things on her mind. The two people who was ejected has the appearance of Lawrence.
Lawrence raised his hand waving at them as his clones also did the same. Anastashia now started bleeding, if one Lawrence could already deal her critical damage, what would happen if there were three of them? Simple, Anastashia was knocked unconscious. She dropped to the ground having a dopy smile on her face, she looked so satisfied that no one dares to bother her.
"""Oh, I forgot about Anastashia""" the three of them spoke at the same time. Lawrence then had an idea as the three of them stood infront of the girls, they then smiled happily while opening their arms. """Find the real one. If you can then I will give you a hug""" the three Lawrence said as Shiki just closed her eyes.
Though she still followed her boyfriend's silly idea. Shiki didn't even took a second glance before going to the person in the right side. She stared at him before she started pinching his cheeks. Lawrence froze before a wry smile appeared on his face, "Sorry I am not the real one.." he said.
Shiki rolled her eyes before giving him a punch to the gut. "Guuh.. alright, alright. I'm joking" Lawrence said raising his hand to surrender. "Still to think you would be able to see the real one. Those clones of mine also have my ability you know? They also don't possess any Lines of Death just like me" Lawrence patted Shiki's head.
"I know you more than anyone else. Even if there is a million of you here, I can accurately point out the real you" Shiki gave a small smile while saying that. Lawrence raised his eyebrow before smiling mischievously, "I see, then how about we test that?" Lawrence said before opening the rift again.
This skill came from one of the Fundamentals in the universe. The most oldest and tireless of them all, constantly searching for the being he only knows as 'The Light'. He is the embodiment of chaos itself so as long as there are chaos and destruction in the world, he will not cease to exist and will rather become even more stronger.
The skill is named Phantasm for Chaos Knight gather the Phantasmal Copies of him from the other planes. In the game it was limited only to 2 or more clones since it would break it if there are more. But in case of real world..
Shiki widened her eyes upon entering the rift. There she saw within the chaotic place, millions of Lawrence were standing doing their own thing. They are ready to be dispatched and are only waiting for the orders of the original. The Original Lawrence vanished from Shiki's side appearing among the millions of copies.
""Find me, Shiki~"" x100000000 tens of million of Lawrence shouted at the same time. They have the teasing smile which Shiki usually see in the original. "Sigh, this is so dumb" Shiki sighed massaging her head. Yet instead of backing down, she gazed through the army of Lawrence.
And without even taking a minute, she caught glimpse of a figure that made her smile. "Found you" she said using blink dagger to appear beside the Lawrence. Lawrence who was catched by Shiki grinned widely. "You really know me" he muttered kissing her forehead. Shiki just closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.
Their game ended as the two returned to the house. There they saw Anastashia already awake and is frantically searching throughout the house. Once she spotted Lawrence, she could help but exclaim. "Lawrence!!" She seemed to be anxious but seeing his face, she was relieved.
"Hm?" Lawrence raised his eyebrows in confusion. "Where have you been?! I don't know why but I felt like you are out of reach from me! This has never happened before!" Anastashia punched his chest while tears fell from her face. This surprised Lawrence but with careful thinking, he reached the answer.
"Sorry for worrying you, I just went to the Astral Plane with Shiki. That is probably the reason why you feel unease" Lawrence patted her head to calm the girl. Well, it is still a mystery to him how Ana could feel that he was out of this world. "Sniff.. sniff.. please don't do that again..!" Anastashia gave him a cute glare.
Lawrence looked away afraid that he might get damaged by that cute gesture. "Alright, next time I'll let you know" he sighed scratching his neck. Anastashia seemed to be happy hearing that so she snuggled herself to Lawrence. She then remembered something important, "Wait, where are the other Lawrence?!" She asked the important question.
"Oh, I already sent them to London. The first clone to monitor the Rulphas Family while the other to handle the inheritance of Cornelius Alba" Lawrence said nonchalantly unaware of the disheartened expression on Anastashia's face. "How can you do that..? Do you really nor care about Ana anymore..?" Anastashia asked.
Lawrence was taken aback by her exaggerated answer but upon remembering how obsessed she was with him, he finds it normal. "Ana.. do you want other Lawrence? And here I thought that you only care for me.." Lawrence feigned sadness gaslighting the girl. "A-Ah? Of course that isn't the case! I only love Lawrence!" Anastashia declared.
He smiled hearing her declaration. Shiki on the side though don't look like she was having fun. "Now stop these games and let's just proceed with the summoning. Hurry up Lawrence" she said glaring at him. "Yes, yes, there is no need to be jealous. I will always be yours" Lawrence smiled shrugging her gaze.
All of them walked to a certain room where the ritual was already placed. They are now ready to summon the Heroic Spirit which will be their guide through this disgusting war.
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