[Cult of Diablos: Hiding - Quest Complete]
[You have leveled up] x10
As expected, I wrapped up my quest without much fuss.
But what truly piqued my interest was their broader strategy against the Cult. They've pinpointed dozens of hideouts scattered throughout the Capital, gearing up for a simultaneous strike on all fronts.
Alpha kindly tipped me off that my supposedly angelic brother might be tangled up with the Cult.
Great. If that's the case, I won't hesitate to kill him.
The logical move is to let Shadow Garden handle things while I keep Alexia safe. But that's just not an option.
Sitting on the sidelines would be a hit to my Trial rating. It's a lose-lose situation.
The Trial also throws the Cult into the mix, making it clear that I need to collaborate with Shadow Garden. However, getting carried is a whole different story.
Sure, there's a convenient misunderstanding floating around, but banking on that as a safety net would be foolish. If I slip up and they realize I've been playing the fool, I'll likely meet a swift and brutal end.
Regardless, the Cult's immediate objective was clear to me, even if their grander scheme remained a mystery.
Royal Blood.
Their bullseye has always been Iris Midgar, but given her formidable strength, they've shifted their sights to the younger sister.
That's the gist of it, or at least, that's how it went down in the original novel.
I can't disregard the possibility that their plans may have shifted, but even so, allowing them to seize either princess is out of the question.
The System is asking me to choose between the two and save one of them.
Is it implying I can only rescue one...?
Curiosity pushed me to ask Alexia, "If your sister was in danger, what would you do?"
She returned my gaze, her response clear, "...I'd go to rescue her, of course."
I know you would, but I had to ask nonetheless.
Despite feeling overshadowed by her sister and grappling with the treatment she endures, Alexia doesn't harbor hatred towards Iris.
Her emotions echo the familiar struggles I've faced in these Trials. She believes Iris can never truly comprehend her, despite earnest efforts.
However, acknowledging this doesn't mean I perceive my own struggles as more arduous than others, nor does it cultivate animosity towards those around me.
There's a reason I called Alexia dumb. That sentiment persists, even now.
Ruminating on such thoughts would undoubtedly finish off the last surviving brain cells in my head.
Consider the likes of Subaru from Re:Zero; a man enduring death repeatedly without the aid of a System, Class, or any particular skill.
He faces each death armed with nothing but himself.
In contrast, I can't deny the opportunities for growth presented to me. Without them, reaching even [Weak] Combat Prowess in the First Trial might have remained an uphill struggle.
In the end, all you have is yourself, and the people around you. Even if they can never understand you, as long as you care about them, that's all that matters...
In the aftermath of her response, she lingered, expecting me to delve further into the conversation. Yet, I had the answer, rendering any continuation unnecessary.
"I see. Sorry for asking a silly question."
If a situation arises where your sister's safety is at stake, Alexia, I will prioritize you over her, even if it means she meets her death.
At this juncture, delaying my answer until the Bunshin Festival became a mere formality on my part.
While there might be a slim chance to reason with her, I won't exert myself in that endeavor.
It'd be a waste of time.
...And so, I returned to my lunch, keeping a watchful eye on the blondie observing us from a distance.
'Will you make your move soon, Zenon Griffey?'
Preparation for that moment has not been neglected. While I temporarily set it aside, there's another fundamental aspect I've explored this past month.
Magic Circles.
Though I've gained the ability to craft Magic Spells early on, I haven't fully absorbed the intricacies, and my intuition suggests it might not be enough for advanced spell-casting.
It's not the Academy's fault but rather...
[Warning: You are attempting to create a new Magic Spell using this World's knowledge]
[Your Sixth Sense has passively activated]
[It'd be better for you to learn about the creation of Magic Spells from other Worlds]
[Evaluation: Danger]
Honestly, this isn't the first time my Sixth Sense has chimed in. It has intervened on multiple occasions before, but I've found it more beneficial when actively engaged.
'...Can I use Magic Circles the way they're taught in this world?'
It's a straightforward process. I simply channel [Mana] through the Skill [Absolute Awareness], pose a question or contemplate something. My intentions are conveyed, and the result is...
[You have activated your Sixth Sense]
[There is no issue with the Magic Circles in this World]
[Evaluation: Fortune]
The only drawback of using this method is its rapid drain on my Magical reserves. I can barely manage one or two questions before being completely tapped out.
Yet, when compared to the limited efficacy and potential deceit of Question Tickets, it's a far superior option. Those tickets are only truly valuable in areas where my Sixth Sense is entirely restricted from accessing.
I've attempted numerous times to inquire about purchasing skills from the System, potential loopholes I have not found yet, or anything else related to the System, but...
[Your Sixth Sense is unable to answer that question]
[Your Mana has not been used]
After many trials and errors, I grasped the conditions under which my skill fails. After all.
'Is there a God above everything?'
[Your Sixth Sense is unable to answer that question]
[Your Mana has not been used]
'Can I return back to this specific World once I leave?'
[Your Sixth Sense is unable to answer that question]
[Your Mana has not been used]
'Am I Akira Bashira, or am I Fray Von Garoff?'
[Your Sixth Sense is unable to answer that question]
[Your Mana has not been used]
More than being tied to the System, my Skill appears to be constrained by my strength and knowledge.
It's not a form of clairvoyance capable of predicting events. It was born as a mere sensation and will remain so, at least for now.
It can provide answers about tangible things like Magic Circles or identifying potential Cult Members, relying on a sense. However, when it comes to matters like the System, Gods, or even my current state of mind, these are aspects beyond the reach of the Skill's understanding.
---
After receiving positive feedback from my Sixth Sense, I wasted no time and delved into experimenting with Magic Circles.
While it may lag slightly behind my research on slimes, the mere creation of these rings is evidence that this facet of my studies has also borne fruit.
Indeed, silver proved resilient against my Mana, serving as the primary material to envelop the slime. However, there's more to the choice than meets the eye.
I successfully inscribed Magic Circles on it as well.
Through various trials and errors, I realized that deploying too many of them on a single object not only demanded an immense amount of Magical Power for activation but also posed a significant risk of causing an explosion.
After careful experimentation, I struck the right balance between safety and convenience, birthing what some might even deem a small artifact.
Artifacts may be more intricate than what I've crafted, but in terms of sheer capability, this ring can certainly stand toe-to-toe with one.
By channeling your own Magical Power into the ring, it can alert the other wearer of impending danger, but I didn't invest all this effort to create a watered-down GPS.
The true value of this ring lies in its extraordinary ability to summon a self-regenerating shield enveloping the wearer, coupled with the unique link I've forged between them.
Upon testing, the shield proves robust enough to withstand even my own Magical Power when directed at Alexia.
It's a fascinating outcome, as the shield seems to adopt the very essence of my [Mana], creating a clash akin to two swords meeting in battle.
I may have overlooked the impact of my talent [Sword]. When Alexia attempted to unleash a diluted version of Iris' Special Technique against me, not only did it prove utterly ineffective, but her sword bore the brunt of the encounter, succumbing to a cascade of cuts until it was completely destroyed.
It appears the only way to avert such a fate is by possessing a Magical Power endowed with a special quality of equal magnitude to mine.
As for the link, it has many uses. For example, I can keep charging both rings whenever they run out of Magical Power without having to touch anything besides my own ring, or I can convey small intentions to Alexia without actually speaking to her.
This costs a large amount of Magical Power, but if there's danger, it's better than nothing.
The ring itself is essentially composed of slime jelly, possessing the remarkable ability to regenerate even if only a speck of it remains. I've fine-tuned the creation process to fuse the silver covering it into the slime jelly, maximizing its regenerative potential.
While there are still lingering things to improve, these rings can be deemed a somewhat finished product. For now, I've chosen to pause my research on those rings and divert my attention to exploring untouched skills, such as [Shadow Step], and finish the creation of my Special Technique.
---
Author's Note:
I apologize for the delay, but this chapter took me more than usual as I had an exam.
Since it's also more than 1700 words, it took a while to finish it.
Anyway! We're done with explanations, for now. It's time to fight!
I'm thinking to end the 2nd Trial by Chapter 120 at most, so you can guess there will be lots of time skips here and there.
Staying chained to one World is good, but for this novel, it's not necessary. My aim has always been to have many characters fight and explore as many scenarios as I can.