A great weight is gone from my shoulders.
We did it. We did it, Shizu. We saved them.
After Mary's return, our group plus Ramiris, travelled to the depths of the spirit dwelling. In there, and without any hiccups, five Greater Spirits bonded with my students.
Well, Chloe's "spirit" was a little more… odd. Something about time travel, and souls. But it all worked out, anyway. As long as the kids are safe and taken care of, I'm not worries about the troubles along the way. All that matters is that they are safe.
Yes… I have no regrets about this journey. How could I?
Well, one regret would be my departure. I've grown attached to my students. Mary has as well, though she still argues with them as though she herself were a student, rather than an adult young woman.
It is a shame to leave them behind so soon. But, well, the summer period is coming to a close. And my tenure as professor was only intended to cover the period required to save them.
Or, until they perished. But that didn't happen. We saved them.
Which means… it's time to go home, huh?
It's been a while. I've visited, but actually residing in my nation… I missed it. I can only imagine how Mary must feel, as unlike me, she has been unable to visit at all. Long distance warps don't sit well with her magical archetype, even now.
I can stabilize it on a good day, and act as a catalyst for a mutual warp, but that has its own factors. The trip to Ulgrasia served well as a test case. We should be able to make the warp home, if all goes well.
If depends on the mood, really. I'd understand if her excitement at returning home would keep her aura from stabilizing. I'm excited too.
I spoke to Benimaru earlier. Apparently, some mage bested our good friend Youm, and he got her to join his party right after. Other than that, nothing out of the ordinary has happened.
It's all quiet on that front.
Good. I can't wait to see everyone.
-=-=-=-
A Few Weeks Ago
Royal Palace
Kingdom of Falmuth
"The nation of monsters is now known as the Jura Tempest Federation."
An opulent chamber, lengthy and arrogant. It is rectangular, with a lavish, gold and red velvet throne at its end.
"Such is their official title, as recognized by the Armed Nation of Dwargon and the Kingdom of Blumund."
It is an advisor, an older gentleman with a short ponytail and adorned in layered, high quality robes. He looks up from an unraveled scroll held between both hands, an expression of severe disapproval on his face. This is a born politician.
"The finance minister has compiled reports from the past several months. The damages to Falmuth's trade have been notable, and to quote, 'inexcusable'. In our current state, the financial losses continue to worsen." The advisor clears his throat. "What say you on this matter, Your Majesty?"
On that lavish throne, sits a distinguished, white-bearded man. Older, for certain, yet his age does not show beyond this. His hair is perhaps an outlier, or merely an early sign of advancing age. A furred cloak sits atop purple and gold robes, clothing him in the expected regalia of a king. Jewelry, rings and chained, adorn his fingers, and a simple, golden crown sits atop his head.
"Hm. Tempest is certainly too large to ignore any longer." The king of the Kingdom of Falmuth, Edmaris Falmuth, looks to his left. "Archbishop Reyheim, I wish to hear the Church's opinion. Speak."
"Your Majesty." The archbishop bows his bald head. "The Church's position remains unchanged. All monsters are unholy in the eyes of Luminous. Their extermination is key doctrine. So, my Liege, if you wish to hear the Church's thoughts on the matter… a nation of monsters needs no further allowance. There is no question."
"Indeed…"
It is a shame. I couldn't ask for anything better, assuming our ability to leverage control over them. If we could ensnare them, in the natural way of things, then that could well be the key.
The king waves a hand to his advisor.
"Gather the ministers. Inform them of the dire circumstances."
"At once, Your Majesty."
"Hold." The king calls out, after a moment.
The advisor pauses.
Edmaris sits and deliberates. "Inform Chief Sorcerer Razen as well and make him aware of the situation. It seems we will finally have a good use for those Otherworlder brats of his."
-=-=-=-
A Few Days Ago
Free Guild Headquarters
Kingdom of Ingrassia
Yuuki's desk smashes to pieces, though he remains seated in his chair, tipping from a steaming cup of tea. He would not be refilling that tea anytime soon, though, given that his teapot had been on the desk.
"What's your game?" A furious voice
"I'm afraid you'll have to be more specific." Met with a cool head.
"You sent me into a trap, didn't you?" Drake snarls, fist outstretched. "It was your idea that trickled down through Tear's enthusiasm. Am I a mere loose end for you? I should have expected as much the Free Guild's devious master."
"Yes, you probably should have." Yuuki shrugs, "I was doing you a favor, is all."
"A favor, you say? I know exactly what that word means to someone like you."
"Do you?"
"Is this a game?" Drake repeats, more to himself than to Yuuki. "No, you didn't want me dead. A test, then?"
"A test. Well, that's one way to put it. You're not wrong. I'll give you that." Yuuki leans forward, resting his cheek against his fist. "But what was the test for, exactly?"
"Excuse me?"
"Tsk, tsk, Drake. You've fallen quite far. Ever since your entire organization devoured itself in a single afternoon. Tell me, First Head of the now defunct Scylla, do you imagine yourself defeating this Tanya woman? Be serious, now."
"I-" Drake clenches his fists. "I will kill her. There is no future where I do not succeed in this."
It's pathetic. He's a grown man with a beard, scared of this baby-faced boy.
"I'm sure. But I didn't ask if you would kill her."
The room chills.
"I don't care much for this feud of yours. In the end, it's nothing more than another piece on the board." Yuuki drains his cup, then sets it on the shelf behind him. He leans forward, then, elbows on his knees, fingers interlaced. "Certainly, you have a right to hate this Tanya woman. You have the right to kill her, even, and should you pursue her life, she has the right to kill you. Understand that I am being transparent with you now for the sake of your utmost productivity. Understand that I do not care who kills whom."
Drake wants to say something, then thinks better of it. He really, genuinely thinks about it.
For so long, his hatred blinded him. He could see nothing more than that distant future, in which all his effort paid off. In which he avenged his kin and reinstated himself in his rightful place.
And yet, now that future is staring him in the face. It is not distant, but rather a mere couple of days away. He has not been himself these past several months, and he recognizes this.
Who is this brutish thug standing before an ally? A tentative, unlikeable ally, but an ally, nonetheless. How long had he lost himself in his own emotion? His gut reaction is to ask the obvious question.
What do you care about, then? He thinks this but does not say it.
"Which outcome would you prefer, Yuuki Kagurazaka?"
"Hoh?" Yuuki raises an eyebrow, his foot bouncing on the carpet. "I wonder. Either answer has its own pros and cons. I'm much more concerned with another matter, at the moment, so you'll forgive my unclear response. I simply do not favor one death over the other."
"One death over the other."
The gears are turning. Drake reaches up, scratching at his beard. Why had he let it grow for so long? Nostalgia, bah. There is not time for that now. His hair, too, it needs cutting. The unnecessary length would be a liability in a fight. He needed to approach this calmly and rationally.
"But, you would rather only one death."
Yuuki's foot stops bouncing. "What makes you say that?"
"Even burdened by other events, you have put time and effort into my… situation. You've enlisted Tear for information gathering, and to lead me down a certain path. You are far more invested in this than you pretend." Drake relaxes the tension in his body. There will be no confrontation today. "Hence, your phrasing. 'Defeat' implies victory for one side, and if I kill her and die in the process, at best we have tied for last place."
"Very astute. I'll admit, I would rather a single victor over mutual losers. The loss of an open Demon Lord Seed would be… annoying. Far from unrecoverable, but a loss nonetheless. We are only fortunate that Octavius deigned to pass it along before his demise."
Drake's frown deepens, and he says nothing.
"This is assuming you can even put up a fight with the current holder, of course." Yuuki returns to the original topic, "So, Drake, what do you think? Can you go toe to toe with a new Demon Lord Seed?"
"…I wonder." Drake echoes Yuuki's earlier sentiment, to the young man's irritation. "In a fair fight, I see my current power as a match for Octavius, and my skill as far outstripping his. It's not arrogance that compels me. I've done nothing else but hone my abilities for months on end; it would be an embarrassment to have not caught up, especially with my constitution."
He clenches his fist, then opens it. He stares at his own calloused palm, imagining the battles ahead. Perhaps Tanya was stronger at that time than he is even now. Perhaps she had well and truly eclipsed him.
But it doesn't matter. If power separates them, then he will bridge the gap with skill, with underhandedness. There is always a way to win, if one is willing to do everything.
If I fall… Tear, Orsted… heh, I suppose I'd forgotten. For shame.
"Naturally, I do not intend to play fair. I am not Octavius." Drake reaches up, his fingertips tracing the handle of his spear. It glowed at his touch, a mix of dark blue and black magic swirling around it for a moment. "I would even resort to assassination. If only I did not at least wish to see the dawning realization on her face as I look her in the eyes and strike her down. I will settle, instead, for the opportunity presented by the Demon Lord Clayman. Which came to me via you, of course."
Yuuki tilts his head in acknowledgment. "Such ruthless thought processes. Where is the Otherworlder Octavius brought into this world? Where has Tear's mad dog run off to?"
"There is no glory or sport in a fight to the death. Only victory or Valhalla. That is what Octavius and Tear could not, do not understand."
"You're weak. I expect nothing of you. Nothing at all." Octavius doesn't even look at him. "...Naturally, that means you have no ceiling with which to strive for. Indeed... you can do whatever you like."
The power to do whatever you like is the unique characteristic of a scant few. I'd once had that power, and then I lost it. A second chance came, and what did I do? What can a single mortal life even do, other than suffer and die?
Their best.
"…No, there is nothing fun about battle at all." Drake lets his hand drop to his side. "It is something one does when one has to. There's no need for fairness in such a thing. It is irrational to expect anything else."
-=-
Drake is long gone. He needs to leave now, to catch up with Falmuth's convoy.
Yuuki Kagurazaka sits alone in his office. Arms crossed, one leg crossed atop the other.
The discussion had not gone much farther. They hadn't even discussed the most interesting piece to the puzzle.
A young woman, somewhere around 20 years of age, with neon green eyes. She possesses inhuman physical ability. An oddly violent internal magic pool. A sharp, precise blade matching her eyes.
Most of all, she has the most curious Unique ability.
Ah, Mary Sue.
Such an ironic name on that one. She is a bit of an enigma, and Yuuki would admit to being the slight bit enamored by the idea of her and her power. After all, they might as well be kin.
The little – that is to say, zero – contact he'd had with the young woman only irked him further. You'd think that her connection to Rimuru would allow them to have met even once, but such was not the case.
It almost seemed like she was avoiding him, which is a bit of a ridiculous thought. She could have no reason to suspect him of anything quite yet. Unless someone had let something slip, of course.
Not to mention... under the guise of helping citizens and Guild members, Mary spread her wings. Unintentional veins of information crisscrossing on the lower levels. Garnering favors from various low to mid-level adventurers in the process.
Unique powers and an odd ability to be in the wrong place at the right time. She is a frustrating individual. An interesting individual. With luck, she would visit Ingrassia again soon.
If he could only understand and analyze her Unique Skill…
Well, no use worrying about that now. In the end, she is a mere spot of interest on the map.
Drake considers her a trifle, and Yuuki has very little argument otherwise. That's right, Drake. It seems a little of the leader of Scylla has returned to them. There was a coolness to his eyes that had not been there before. A sense of understanding, a clarity.
Even so…
"Heh. I've thought this for a while, Drake. You're broken. Pieces of shrapnel, sharpened, bloody. A shattered soul, a being, and not quite a human. Grief, anger, heartbreak, and desire… oh so much desire. To be stronger, to reach the pinnacle, to avenge, to make things right. You, a broken thing, would do so much, wouldn't you?"
Yuuki laughs in an empty room.
"Ah but, you know… a mortal life is ever so fragile. Even a single broken shard can slide under the ribs elsewhere, snuffing it out."
-=-=-=-
Present Day
Internal Training Fields
Tempest, Jura Tempest Federation
Elsewhere, it is a day for joy, for certain. Beautiful weather, peaceful times. Along with the return of friendly, familiar faces to Tempest's borders.
A hero, or rather a false hero concocted by Tempest as a figurehead, stands before a dirt field. Several meters away, a group stands in a semi-circle, watching Hakurou spar with his Hobgoblin pupils. Gobta, in particular, is taking quite the beating.
"This is great. We should get the rest of the party to come see this." Youm laughs.
Mjurran, a tall, teal-haired woman in mage robes beside him, shakes her head at his antics. At the same time, she feels some culpability. She is the one who caused this laughter after all, though it is not directed at her.
"Youm."
To those returning faces, there is also the reintroduction to less friendly faces. Familiar all the same, yet worthy of fear in the bravest hearts.
"Ah-" Youm, the faux hero of Tempest, flinches. He whips around to the sudden voice on his left. "Miss Tanya!"
Tanya resists the urge to correct him.
It has been a long time. Several months. In fact, the last time they had spoken had been shortly before his initial departure. This itself had been a month or so before hers and Mary's expedition to Xerxes.
No doubt, much has changed since then.
For one thing-
…why is Grucius stuck in the dirt?
"Ah, you! Miss Tanya." Ah, it seems Grucius has noticed her now. "Help me out of here! They're being assholes!"
Grucius is a Lycanthrope, a type of beastmen. He'd traveled to Tempest alongside the delegation from Eurazania all those months ago. And, ever since Benimaru had returned from one of Tempest's own delegation trips to the beast nation, he'd been a permanent resident of the city.
And a bit of a nuisance at that, given his penchant for challenging Tanya to duels at inconvenient times. Her humiliation of Phobio had not gone unnoticed. She could only blame herself.
Tanya looks at him, then looks away without saying anything.
"Wha- don't ignore me!!!"
"As the one temporarily in charge, allow me to officially welcome you back to Tempest, Hero Youm."
There is no question, she intends on a long vacation after this. Having managed Rimuru's paperwork and administrative duties for the past several months – alongside Rigurd and Shion, that is – Tanya is more than ready to hand them right back.
Not that such duties are difficult for her. Not at all. It's honestly a nice change of pace, and reminds her of a much simpler life two worlds ago.
Just nostalgia. Such is the past, and it is not her current path.
Tempest is council-run, certainly, but the tiebreaker and arbiter role exist. They should belong to the one actually in charge.
Rimuru, that is.
This is what I get for being so productive. Naturally, an intelligent boss wishes to promote employees into positions best suited to their abilities. I won't argue against that. It's another story entirely when your boss absconds off to another nation for personal reasons.
"Temporary command?" Youm blinks. "You're in charge?!"
"Why do you sound so alarmed?" Tanya waves off his concern and her own flash of irritation. "Rigurd and I share Rimuru's duties at the moment, with Shion and Shuna assisting. That's all."
For the time being. Until Rimuru returns, and I get my vacation trip. Proper compensation for one's work, is that so much to ask? Well, not that I'm complaining too much. We've been sailing smooth for over half a year, if Xerxes doesn't count. Duties divvy out according to ability and position. Trade is flourishing, and the pathways between Tempest and its allies are well on their way. It is a different beast from the Germanian Empire, yet efficient in its own way. Far from a sinking boat of mud.
"Ah. Ah, right. That makes sense." Youm takes a moment, then recognizes the unintentional insult he had performed. "Wait, not that I'm worried about your leadership or anything! From what I remember, you're capable. Incredibly capable. Too capable… wait, forget I said that!"
For a moment, Tanya considers faking a punch at him. His reaction would be funny. But not worth his fear, she decides.
"Relax. I'm not Milim." She says to Youm, who sighs with relief. Then, she spares a short glance at the woman behind him. "We can talk more business later. I'll want a report on your dealings and adventures before the end of the week. Understand?"
"Yes ma'am." Like a soldier, he falls into place.
Smooth sailing, huh? When's the last time my life has been this peaceful? With subordinates like this, following their duty to the best of their ability, it's much easier to relax. If there is one thing to be grateful of from my previous world, it's learning the value of trust in those below me. Trusted comrades and companions. Weiss, Grantz, Visha-
Tanya stifles that thought and focuses on the present.
She can't help but be impressed by the shift in Youm's image. No longer is this the scruffy, unkept, hunched over, thief-looking adventurer.
Well, he's still a bit scruffy.
"From what I've heard, you and your crew have been making a name for yourselves. Judging from your aura- do I have something on my face?"
Youm flinches. "Ah- no! Nothing at all!"
Tanya narrows her eyes. Oddly enough, his reaction made her not believe him.
"Why were you staring? If you have something to say, I want to hear it. Unless you were thinking of something rude… which you weren't. Right?"
"N- nothing of the sort!" Youm takes a step back and hold ups his hand in surrender. Sweat beads his forehead, as he nearly bumps into Myurran behind him. "I was thinking, is all- you've gotten taller, since the last time we met. That's it, swear on my life. And-"
Way, way, way stronger. Even as a mere human, he can feel the increased aura around her. It's the same feeling he gets from Rimuru or, to a lesser extent, Benimaru.
"-your clothing is a bit odd, too. Since the last time we met, you know, which was a long time back, and so maybe this is your normal clothing now which means-"
"Ah, no." Tanya holds out a hand, cutting him off. "Actually, this was Shuna and Shion's idea. They've lost their favorite dress-up doll for the time being, and wouldn't you know it, my schedule for the day was clear."
It's an archery outfit, or more specifically the clothing often associated with kyūdō. Dark green on top and black on bottom, it's the male version too. Not that it matters much. Her left arm is bare, toned muscle and faint and faded scars visible in the sunlight.
For modesty's sake, she has a bandaged upper torso underneath, done up in a shape much like a sports bra. Meanwhile, a loose long sleeve covers her right arm, trailing down to a gloved hand.
"I haven't felt the need to change back yet."
Because the two Kijin said she looked "quite dashing" in this outfit.
…Right, moving on.
"Why the stare, then? Does it not suit me?" She asks this in jest, of course.
Youm understands that this is trick question and changes the subject.
It actually wasn't a trick question. Tanya was genuinely curious, knowing that Shuna, as her lover, holds a biased opinion.
"This is Mjurran." Wow, smooth subject change. Nice going, Youm. "She's my military advisor. Kicked my ass pretty handily, so you know I had to recruit her."
I take it all back. Give me back my good opinion of you, you don't deserve it.
Giving him an unimpressed look, Tanya turns, staring at Myurran for a long moment.
"No wonder she kicked your ass."
"Huh?!" Youm and Mjurran exclaim as one.
"A pleasure to meet you. We can speak more later; I'm curious to learn about your style of magic, if you'll have me." Tanya nods to Mjurran, then turns back to Youm. "I said, 'no wonder she kicked your ass'. It's obvious from a glance she's more powerful. Honestly, I'm conflicted. How well known would you say she is? We need to consider making her our figurehead hero instead of you."
"What?! Tanya, let's not be hasty with-"
Youm and Tanya banter, panic and humor clear on their respective sides.
Meanwhile, Mjurran resists the urge let out a relieved sigh. This is a familiar feeling, as she had earlier resisted the urge to flinch, as the attention of the conversation turned to her, and Tanya had pinned her with a teal stare.
Of anyone in the vicinity, it is likely she understands best how dangerous this Tanya woman really is. There are layers and flavors to this woman's magical aura that Mjurran has likely never before seen. And given her 700 or so years of age, that's an impressive statement.
Even scarier, Mjurran can tell that this is only the surface of it. There's some other power lurking in the depths. She wonders if Clayman sees this as well, and is taking hasty notes.
The only upside is that it is only magical power. And the amount is insane, sure, but not compared to the worst of the Demon Lords. It the uniqueness, the potential, that is terrifying.
Further, there is no life aura to speak of. At least, that Mjurran can see from a cursory examination. With the right setup…
…No, it's hard to give a definitive outcome. Someone like this, with Demon Lord Seed level power at minimum, could not be constrained to a single box. It would take an incredible series of events to bring her low.
Demon Lord Clayman should be aware of. Or he might not even notice, his plans so absolute.
She has no idea why he'd ordered her here, nor did she care. It didn't matter, even if she does care. Which she doesn't.
Mjurran looks at Youm, who is now sharing a laugh with his superior. Their conversation has shifted to less joking, yet lighter topics.
"Thanks to Rimuru, I'm looking at a serious vacation after all this."
"Really? If you like, you could tag along with us on an expedition."
Tanya raises an eyebrow. "How would that be a vacation?"
"No no, think about it." Youm holds up his arm, flexing, "Me and my team will do all the work, so you'd get to sit back and spectate. Think of us like your convoy, or escorts."
"A tempting offer. What route? Stopping by any lakes or shores?"
"We could, yeah. Why?"
Tanya crosses her arms, looking out over the training field. Oddly wistful, and… tired. "I want to go fishing. I've never been fishing before."
"Really?" Youm looks surprised for a moment. He is far from the brightest, but he is intelligent and experienced as an adventurer. His hand lands on her shoulder; not enough to put further weight on it, but merely as a link to the real world. Then he smiles. "Yeah, we'll stop by a few different spots. No trouble to us."
Mjurran sees that smile, and blushes slightly. She looks away, her expression going blank.
Right. She doesn't care. There is no care at all here, only business.
"I'll even let you borrow my old fishing pole."
"Hm." Tanya glances at him, "I think I'll just have Kaijin make me one."
"Alright, fine, but I'll still teach you everything you need to know about fishing itself. My group's had to fish for food more than a few times; I've got a knack for it, I'd say."
"I could always ask Hakurou." Tanya huffs, clearly amused. "But I won't. It's clear you need something and are trying to offer services to soften me up to it. Go on, ask."
"Nothing gets by you, huh." Youm sweatdrops. His gaze darts to the training field, where Gobta and friends are still getting their asses kicked by Hakurou. "Listen, human to human, you've got to understand, right? There's pride, and then there's common sense."
Human to human, huh?
"Okay."
"And, while I've had so much of my pride beaten out of me, I haven't lost common sense. I have it, sort of, and it's telling me that I can't beat Sensei, and that me, Grucius, and Gobta together couldn't beat Sensei. But, and as a fellow student of Hakurou I'm sure you can pick up what I'm putting down, there is definitely a way to beat him. Following? I know you're following."
"Former student, really. Your point?"
Youm steels himself, taking a breath before delivering the essential line. "Miss Tanya, help us beat Hakurou sensei."
In the distance, Gobta's pained yells can be heard. A few meters away, Grucius thrashes about, still stuck in the dirt from Mjurran's sinkhole spell.
"Come on, I'm still stuck you know!"
They ignore Grucius. Tanya crosses her arms, fixing Youm with an appraising look.
"Hoh? My measure of you has gone up, Youm. I can respect using your available resources to win. It shows a level of intelligence you previously lacked. Have you done some growing while on vacation?" She shrugs. "But no, I'm afraid this is your problem."
"Vacation- I- Tanya, don't be so hasty!" Youm jumps to his own defense. "This isn't just anyone, you know. You've trained with him too! Show your fellow human some sympathy, would you?"
Right. Fellow.
"I've no reason to help you when doing so might decrease Hakurou's opinion of me. I value my friendship with him more than your pride. More than your life, really."
"I'm practically- no, I'm really begging here! Please, I want to win! Just once! And, look, we found plenty of magical materials and monsters' pieces, loot. I'll make it worth your while. Agree to help and-"
"No. In fact, be grateful I was too busy all those months ago to become your instructor. Or be sorrowful." She stares at him, unimpressed. "Because while Hakurou seems amused by your complaining, I would have gotten rid of that whiny nature of yours posthaste."
Youm's head drops, a gloom falling over him. He cannot win this conversation. There was never any chance of victory from the beginning.
Then, there is a giggle.
Tanya and Youm glance over, both noting Mjurran's amusement at their quarrel. As soon as they noticed her, however, Mjurran looks surprised at herself. She stops, covering her mouth and looking away.
"Keep this in mind, Youm." Tanya says, happy to ignore that. "There are always more options. If one door closes, look for a window. That, or create a doorway yourself."
Youm's gloom disappears as he considers this.
"Yeah… yeah, you're right. Hey, Mjurran! Let's grab Grucius, and Gobta, then team up and-"
-=-=-=-
Around the Same Time
City Outskirts
Kingdom of Ingrassia
Elsewhere, combatants duel with live magisteel.
As they did yesterday, and every day before, since their return from the Dwelling of Spirits.
It is unsafe, but safety is far from Mary's mind now. And far be it for Rimuru to deny her when injuries are easily shrugged off, healed immediately.
Blood is the better teacher when mortality is of prime concern. Train like hell, so that when Hell comes, it is a pittance. A pebble to kick to the side of the treaded path.
Sparks burn. Sizzling in the air, singing the grass.
Slash. Guard. Swipe. Drop.
It is a dance of frustration. And pride.
Even after so much practice and time…
Metal against metal. Grass rips from the ground, boots dig indents in the green-marred dirt. Magisteel meets magisteel, then air, then nothing, as they are forced to dodge.
…I'm the one who can't land a solid hit?
It is Rimuru who thinks this.
There are no Skills here. The bare minimum of magic. Purely: swordplay, technique, physical strength, speed, reflex. And, with their lives dependent on blade alone, the winner is clear, even if the bout continues.
For, despite the slime's earlier starting point, despite their same teacher…
Tanya had thought it more than once. She'd made a note of it months ago, in the short day that signified the beginning of the Xerxes incident.
"Mary's growth over the last three months could only be described as "exponential".
How long had it been since then?
Rimuru's strength comes from adaptability. A variety of Skills, resistances and nullifications to nearly everything, alongside another, much smarter mind working in tandem with their own. That's not to say Rimuru isn't capable in their own right. Certainly, it takes a particular kind of person to cobble together an entire nation on accident.
But right now, the difference between the above average and the prodigy is on full display.
Hard work beats talent when talent does not work hard. Then, what does that make the prodigy who works hard?
A monster. Figuratively speaking.
And yet-
Rimuru's eyes flash red.
Confirmed.
In the space between the decimals of a microsecond, they bend backwards, unnaturally, with their katana flipping underhanded. Mary's thrust spears the air above them.
Not quite an overextension. But near enough to one for their purposes.
Rimuru's free hand hits the ground, palm flattening the grass, their body floating parallel. Then, they wrap their legs around Mary's extended arm.
Leverage gained, they twist their torso, flinging Mary across the grass.
And… tumbling down the hill they had been fighting atop, the young woman cursing all the way.
Rimuru winces, mentally apologizing first. Then, they move to criticism.
Great Sage?
Analysis complete. Results inconclusive. For all intents and purposes, Mary features well above human ability in physical power, reflexes, sensory function, and internal magical capacity. Lack of examples exist.
Meaning?
Humans of this world do not have internal magic pool and thus feature low tolerance to magicules. Tanya and Mary are exceptions to this rule, given their Otherworld background. While mostly human, they possess traits more indicative of a Majin, whilst retaining a majority human biology.
And I'm not human at all, not anymore. I don't have an answer. Unlike the kids, Tanya and Mary aren't worried about magical overflow tearing them apart. Anymore. Geh, we've really stumbled on a unique case, huh? I have to wonder how Tanya never noticed this problem… unless, she did notice and didn't say anything.
Proposal.
Yeah? Rimuru tilts their head. Go on.
Given past experience, it is likely Tanya knew of Mary's inconsistency with magical control. Her intent may have been for Mary to correct the issue herself.
That makes sense, but clearly this is a bigger issue than any of us might have thought.
Mm. That is a possibility.
Inconsistency…
Something about that word sounds familiar to them. It's on the tip of their tongue, a potential answer.
I see… she's still inconsistent. Whatever power she's got now, it's not good enough.
Perhaps an arrogant or misplaced thought to have, considering Rimuru has been getting their ass thoroughly handed to them in swordplay for the past 5 minutes. Mary's skill with the blade has already surpassed theirs by a noticeable margin.
But the fact of the matter is that Rimuru had still been keeping up for those five minutes, even while outclassed in magisteel exchange. And that's for a very simple reason.
Because of inconsistency, right? Why is that?
Flow. Volatility.
Mary Sue's existence is defined by the latter word.
Her very existence is volatile. Explosive. Potential energy, an infinite powder keg waiting for an ever-burning flame to reignite. Once upon a time, this was due to her own A-rank mana capacity, combined with That Being's reckless blessings.
Her innate ability to adapt allowed her to stay alive and partially sane, though control came in spurts and rarely did she understand or recognize her own actions. Being X had effectively abused his power, infected her to hijack her Free Will.
A loophole in the covenant established between sapient beings and the divine. Free Will is sacred, but when it is willingly given up "for the greater good of the world"?
Well, that doesn't really count, does it? She'd practically been asking for it, That Being would claim.
Hence Tanya's Jaeger comparison from many months ago. Hence the memory loss, and the pain, and- it was not a pretty picture at any point, as I'm sure we all recall. It is a miracle, literally and figuratively, that she had been in this state while also nearly equaling her then foe Tanya von Degurechaff.
Equaling, but never surpassing. Even at her best, Mary had only been able to stalemate into mutual death. At the end of the day, the reason she never actually won was due to some inherent limitation.
Sticking to the same strategies, fighting the same fight, approaching from the same angle.
Again, not her fault. Given her lack of control, it wasn't something that could be corrected. And no doubt, shifting to a new world and magic system had only hindered her progress. Now free of the bastard god's influence, there shouldn't be any hindrance to her improvement.
But there is, and it's irritating to the both of them.
Clearly, Mary is capable of rapid onset improvement and adaptation.
She isn't stupid, not by any means other than perhaps romantically. There is practical, subconscious intelligence between those neon eyes of hers.
She'd altered Hakurou's Water-based style into a variety of flashy new attacks. She had deduced how to defeat two exceedingly different Majin-level threats and had proceeded to do so in quick succession. She'd fended off that Drake fellow handily enough, despite having a lack of experience against long-reaching close combat weaponry.
There is a clear capability to improve and adapt. But those will always be bogged down by inherent limitation.
Mary developed her unique style of sword arts, because channeling her magic through a conduit was easier. The first Majin-level threat had not required magic to defeat; the second was an inexperienced fighter without full understanding of his own power. She'd fended off Drake, but had not defeated him or kept him from his objective.
And now, even in a duel of swords, in which she is superior, Rimuru can still keep up with her. By cheating, but keep up nonetheless.
It is undeniable that, should Mary make use of her full power, these asterisks would be unnecessary. But she can't. In any one moment, she cannot make use of all the power available to her.
Volatility. Flow. Or rather, the lack of the latter.
Inconsistency. Flow. That's right, it's about flow.
That's the problem. Rimuru blinked, the beginnings of an epiphany on the horizon.
That's right. I thought it felt odd, but now that I think about it…
Mary's internal magic pool does not sync up with her body's movements.
This has been said before, by others. At times, her body is too swift for her magic to keep up. At times, the flow of magicules is shuttered, stuttering.
In any one moment, instead of imbuing 100% of her physical and magical power into her attacks, she is striking with physical power alone. The magic lashes out and strikes in the aftermath.
The delay between these can be imperceptible, or it can take seconds. It is, ultimately, inconsistent. Mary is a wave pool. She ebbs and flows, power swelling and dwelling based on the littlest factors.
And because of this, the focus required to do the damage she is capable of… it's, quite frankly, astounding.
Calculate your attack. Swing your sword. Channel your magic at the same time, while focusing on your own muscles, your opponent, your opponent's movements, your own movements... imagine the mental strain. Much of this can be mitigated with experience, of course. Much more is mitigated by making use of an effective conduit, such as a magisteel katana.
A closed loop is established, making back and forth magical exchange more efficient. Natural.
Elemental magics are possible. Imbuing something with fire, or earth, or creating lightning. She can do that, though it is rarely immediate.
Mary's recognition of her own emotion as a catalyst for flow helps here. When her focus shifts, and emotion takes over, the power moves on its own.
Elements, spells, and the biggest issue, enhancement... they happen naturally, because she isn't thinking about using her magic. She just does.
But this isn't enough. If it was, she could simply walk into battle with anger in her heart and fell her enemies with ease. Efficiency that is dependent on emotion is not efficiency at all, but rather an inefficiency that may sometimes deign to present itself properly.
Every other movement Mary makes is hindered by her own magic. Meanwhile, those like Rimuru, Benimaru, Hakurou, have no such trouble. They are literal monsters, built on magicules. There is no need to even contemplate using magic for strength.
It just happens naturally.
Tanya is like this as well, though the efficiency of her magic circuits surpasses even them. Magicules are ever smoothly, seamlessly present across her body in great quantities. There's no need to even consider flow or channeling.
It just is there when it needs to be.
Her Unique Skill acting as a separate pool, a battery from which she can draw from, is terrifying, in retrospect.
It's just there when it needs to be…
It is impressive that Mary Sue has managed to grow to this level, considering how much is working against her. Her growth has truly been exponential, in spite of this.
Against foes like Megalodon, Shades, or even Nin Gen, Mary appears as an extremely competent, adaptable fighter. Her physical capabilities, senses, and reflexes are so well attuned that against most, she can make a read on any given situation and react accordingly, whether with the appropriate element, slash, defensive maneuver, or other.
No one at or below Majin-level would be able to tell the difference between milliseconds.
But Rimuru is not a mere Majin. And neither is Tanya, nor this Drake individual. Nor likely will any of their future enemies be. They've already long passed the point of low-level conflicts.
Yet, because of this limitation inherent to Mary's current set of abilities, and even with her above human battle instincts, she has finally stagnated at this level.
Growth is not unlimited. Ask any bodybuilder; there is always a plateau. A wall to clamber at, desperately wishing for bygone days in which getting stronger was easy. It had taken until recently for this fact to be made apparent.
Despite everything, Mary Sue is only human.
As long as this continues-
"You won't be able to beat me." Rimuru calls out as Mary trudges up the slope, holding up a hand to signify a halt to their spar. She is covered in grass, and a patch of topsoil and grass rests tangled atop her head.
Rimuru sends another mental apology her way.
"Hah?!" At those words, Mary is annoyed, and rightfully so. She's been winning the entire time, after all. Sort of.
"In a real fight, I would win." The slime clarified.
"I-" The irritation drops away, turning to resignation. "Well, yeah."
"Why is that?"
"…Because you're stronger than me. Are you bragging right now?"
She's a bit too confused to be annoyed anymore.
"I'm not bragging. This is a serious question." Rimuru frowns, putting a hand to their chin. "Considering your Unique Skill and power, of anyone you should be near the top. So why can't you reach that level? There's something holding you back, and I think I know what it is. It's flow. It is flow, but I'm not sure… I can feel a discrepancy, with Magic Sense, but there's something I'm missing…"
Rimuru's brow furrows, and they continue muttering.
"Superhuman power, senses, reflexes… an overwhelming pool of internal magic… it lags behind. I know that. I know maybe why, but it's not lining up. It doesn't work that way. Why would magical power lag behind physical power? Don't they operate together? Shouldn't they?"
Mary drifts closer, sheathing her katana at her side.
"Rimuru, what's the problem?" She leans down, wiping sweat from her brow using the bottom of her tank top. "You look constipated."
"Slimes don't use the restroom."
"Sounds nice."
Rimuru waves her off. "Mary, what do you think about when using magic?"
Mary stares at them and says nothing for a moment.
"What I think about? I mean, I focus on my magic, and then I move it where I need it to be. Like, to Mamoru's blade or my hands. What else would I do?"
"Huh?" Rimuru looks up, hand dropping to their side. "What do you mean, you move it? You mean you channel it, right?"
"I mean, I guess. Is there a difference?"
"Not really. Channeling has different connotation, sort of, but it's similar enough. I don't know why I focused on… hm." Rimuru paused, thinking something. "How do you move it? Your magic."
"With… my mind?"
"No, that's not- okay, that's fair. Technically a correct answer. Not what I meant though."
"I'm not sure what answer you want, then." Mary holds a hand over her own chest, tapping her sternum. "Magic is like breathing, you know? Hold in it your chest, then spread it all they way to your fingertips and back. Visualize it through your body."
Mary keeps speaking, not noticing the dawning realization on Rimuru's face.
"It's not connected to breathing, exactly, but the visualization helps. In, hold, out, and imagine it flowing everywhere else. Mana, or I guess it's magicules now, is intrinsic to a mage. So, it shouldn't be hard to use it, since it's like breathing in that sense.
"Okay. I've figured it out."
"Wh- you have?" Her expression is incredulous.
"I have." Rimuru nods, crossing their arms. "Here, I'll lead you to it. Did you know? Humans in this world don't have magic pools. When they cast spells, they make use of the magicules in the air. Monsters are built on magicules, so they are able to cast spells by themselves. But they also prefer to use the air's magicules rather than their own."
"…Are you telling me I could have been using the magicules in the air this entire time?"
"No. You have enough trouble with your own magicules. Let's not start jumping to other power sources right away. Besides, your own magic should be easier for you, because of your previous life. Right?"
"That… makes sense." Mary reluctantly acknowledges. When one oddly convenient door opens, it turns out the floor before it is a very fast, very long treadmill. It is an understandable disappointment.
"Anyway, let's think about your magic." Rimuru claps their hands together. "The key is visualization, right?"
Mary nods.
"Alright, then what are you visualizing? If there's a problem, then it's there. From what you told me, you visualize your magic first in your chest, then spread it across your body from there. Is that right?"
"That's sounds right."
"If that's the case, then why is your power weaker than it should be?"
"Because my enhancement, my magic lags behind." Mary holds up a hand and flicks her finger. There is a small puff of moving air, then after a beat, a second puff of air, as the force behind her magic catches up. "It's too slow. Plus violent. Punching, timed with enhancement at the same time, there's the chance my flow will, like, move. Flare, or whatever. I've made it work before, but getting it right is hard. Not really worth thinking about in a fight, cause it'd take too long."
"The volatility of your magic is a different problem, I think. It's kind of…" Rimuru hesitated. "I mean, you're a naturally emotional person, right? It's par the course your magic will match your personality. And we can't fix that, not unless you want a mind wipe. And despite what others may say, I like you for you."
Mary narrows her eyes. "What do you mean by that, exactly?"
"Oh, you know. Joking. Moving on."
"Oh sure, we move on whenever you feel uncomfortable."
"Ahem. Here's the thing, Mary. You shouldn't need to time your flow. Even if it's volatile, you should still be at your real, full power. Enhanced, superhuman, and all. I don't need to time it. Tanya doesn't need to time it." Rimuru's figured it out now. Time to bring Mary to the revelation herself. "Why do you? Why is this?"
The breeze rustles the leaves above. Clouds shift across a bright blue sky.
"Oh." Mary realizes. "Oh, you're asking me to- okay." She puts a hand to her face, covering her mouth. "Why? So, if you don't need to time it, huh? If you don't… it takes time for them to move, but… starting the flow earlier? Then you'd be guessing, and if you're wrong… efficiency, maybe. Without this violence of mine… but, Rimuru said the violence and flow should still work…"
She is taking this seriously, Rimuru is happy to see.
"They don't need to time it. Then, what do they visualize? Do they? If it's visualization…" It is like lightning striking Mary, then. She straightens up, eyes widening. "I'm seeing this all wrong. I'm thinking about it… too much?"
She poses this question to Rimuru. The slime smiles, nodding.
"You've got the most of it, so I'll give you the details." Rimuru steps closer, pointing to Mary's chest and head in quick succession. "That visualization of yours is all wrong. You've got that far, right? And I bet you're right there imagining how this is. I'll tell you: you're thinking of your mind, your body, and your magic as separate, connected entities. But that's not it at all. This idea of individual parts delays everything. No matter how good you may get at moving your magic, there will always be that split second of delay in traversal. Even if you had perfect efficiency like Tanya, that would be the case."
"There's a delay in moving it." Mary states.
"That's right."
Wait, she knew? Tanya… Mary realizes this, too. She knew what the problem was this entire time, didn't she?
"That means…" It sinks in. Mary adjusts her mental image of herself. Instead of visualizing it spreading from her chest, to her fingertips and tippy toes and back…
"Magic is intrinsic to mages, to monsters. We exist with it as one. Mary, I'm sure you've realized it by now. You shouldn't be moving your magic at all."
Rimuru smiles, reaching up and flicking her forehead. Mary didn't even notice. It burns and freezes at once, not to her fingertips and back but in every vein, sinew, bone, blood cell. It stays there. She keeps it there. It does not wash like a tide, back and forth. A rush of something greater, some unknown gate breaking and giving way, floods her system.
It all stays in place. She keeps it there, and does not let go.
Charybdis. Nin Gen. It feels familiar, like a dream she'd once held.
"You should be channeling it, visualizing it, everywhere all at once."
-=-
Much later, Rimuru and Mary sit and watch the sunset. It is the last one they will view from here, for a long time at least. Their goals, shared and individual, were largely met. Saving the kids. Seeking information. Improving power and skill.
It will be a difficult goodbye, but it is not goodbye forever. An invitation has even been extended, an offer to visit whenever possible. It would be nice to teach some more, or to practice more. But these are unnecessary.
There is no need to stay any longer.
"You know…" Rimuru says, glancing over, "I'm really proud of how far you've come."
Mary can't help but preen, just a bit, at the praise. She has improved, and now she will continue to do so. It is fortunate that this is the case.
It is time to return home. Tomorrow.
-=-
Elsewhere, in Tempest, the Executives of Tempest – plus extra company – gather for dinner.
They are in a popular tavern, a frequent place for them when Shuna and Gob'ichi do not cook for a group. Instead, they choose to meet here, or elsewhere, and drink and be merry.
Tis a wonderful, peaceful period they live in.
At a small corner booth, Tanya and Shuna sit together, alone. One of Tanya's arms sits around Shuna's waist, pressing firmly against the curve of her side. Both of Shuna's arms hug Tanya's midsection, her head resting on her lover's shoulder.
They are not quite drunk, though a slight warmth to both of their cheeks hints at least a few drinks each. Shuna presses a kiss to the corner of Tanya's mouth, then her jawline, and whispers three words. Tanya leans down, ghosting her lips atop Shuna's forehead, between her horns, then reaches up with her free hand, tucking a few strands of pink hair behind Shuna's ear.
It is so unbearably intimate that anyone watching is embarrassed. Not because it is an embarrassing display, but because to watch such a thing feels like an intrusion on the couple's privacy. Additionally, it is a different look on the usually severe Tanya. There is no tension to her shoulders, and she does not look around the room as if checking for enemies.
It is easier to not acknowledge it, and to let them enjoy themselves.
Enjoyment seems to be the key in this tavern.
In the middle of the open space, at a circular wooden table, Shion and Benimaru drink together, their competitive nature working against them. These are the drunk ones, and it is unclear who will win. It is likely they are both losers. Hakurou sits at the same table, mediating with silent amusement.
Kurobe and Kaijin had stopped by earlier, then left. They would be up earlier than usual tomorrow, a mutual project requiring their attention. Geld could not make it this time, but he had asked Souei to inform the others of his attendance in a few days.
Even the hardest workers require a break.
Rigurd, Rigur, Haruna, Souei, Souka, and others are scattered throughout, drinking and eating and laughing.
Then there are the schemers. Gobta gathers Youm and Grucius, and with Mjurran in mind they plot their revenge on their merciless instructor. Mjurran herself retreats from the function and doubts herself.
How can she be anything but a puppet? She is comfortable, and perhaps there is something more inside her. Some warmth to her chest, despite the false heart within.
But she cannot allow herself to retain sentimentality.
Not while the Demon Lord Clayman is watching her every move. Not while he can harm-
"Mjurran?" Youm approaches her, on the balcony.
No, there is nothing she can do. Mjurran avoids his gaze.
There is nothing to be done. About Clayman's plans, or these… feelings.
-=-
Elsewhere, things sliver in the shadows. A chess board moves, all the pieces wrong.
A fearful bigot orders a march. The weakest Harlequin sips wine with a smirk. An oddly young face smiles and looks out a window. A broken not-man, wannabe avenger dashes across the land. A servant of Luminous and slayer of monsters nears the vicinity of Ingrassia.
Here is the truth.
-
"Winter will not fall on this city."
-
"Well, if you were ever so insistent on putting yourself in harm's way… I'd just have to save you, wouldn't I?"
-
Heaven and the World meeting within her. And between them and among them, none are more Honored.
-
"Mary…!"
-
"Everything is ready. You can at least feel honored to have a part in my evolution."
-
You have a right to kill me, and I have a right to kill you. So, come. Let us kill one another. I do not care who kills which.
-
"Do you think that grief saves you? Pain frees from atrocity?"
-
"Oh, Tanya… did you really think no one would notice?"
.
.
.
.
.
There is an inherent cruelty to the universe.
The very state of things is constant decay.
Atrophy. Nothing lasts forever. One day, the last star will burn out. The last black hole will crush itself into wisps, until even those dimensional remnants fade into the void. And, at long last, it will be silent.
There will be rest.
In the multiverse, this is less of a concern. There are an infinite number of realities, and thus an infinite amount of time for existence. There are humans, and monsters, and more and less. There are deities that rule, and there are those that coincide.
But this does not change the truth.
The multiverse maintains existence on a conceptual level. Somewhere, somewhen, there will be something. But the individual universes? The bubbles of reality, the countless worlds in which real, breathing life flourishes, struggles, makes itself known?
Remember this: even immortality is temporarily existent.
Anything that lives can die. Anything that exists can fade from existence. A single light can be snuffed out in less than an instant, leaving only the fond memory of a burn.
This is the cruelest truth.
This is…
This is…
Blood roars in her ears, hammers in her heart. It is the only thing she can hear in the deafening silence of calamity.
Bile rises in the back of her throat. Metallic. Malignant edges and nova stars. Madness creeps, hot on the edge of perception. Above her, the sky is orange and rose. The fade of day marred by smoke.
How… how did it come to this?
Build your monuments. Create cities that shun the natural order. This is the way of things.
Look, ye mighty, and despair!
A tempest falls on the world.
Look, and ask: what beside remains?
-=-=-=-=-=-
Known Skills List
Tanya:
Common Skill: Thought Communication
Extra Skill: Flames of Babylon
Extra Skill: Magic Sense
Extra Skill: Magic Aura
Extra Skill: Voice of the World Communication
Unique Skill: Tetra Breaker
Mary:
Common Skill: Thought Communication
Extra Skill: Magic Sense
Extra Skill: Magic Aura
Extra/Intrinsic Skill: Physical Enhancement
Unique Skill: Ability Severance