Brain Unglaus was nervous. Okay, nervous was a massive understatement. He felt a lot like a rodent who was invited to a dragon feast. Beside him, is a little girl who held more power at the tip of her pinky than everything he is.
Brain still remembered it clearly as if it just happened. His first encounter with the True Vampire, his… he wouldn't even call it defeat, there wasn't even any fight to begin with. Now, he's walking side by side with such monster, to meet others just like her.
"This is our current base," Shalltear said whilst gesturing at the large building. "It's still a work in progress,"
Brain took a double look at the large building. It does seem to look unfinished but there is an obvious hint of craftmanship behind it. There's a tent near the construction site, with a bunch of materials piling up beside it.
"Yo!"
A voice called to them. It's a young dark elf walking towards them with a bright grin on her face. If the situation was any different, he'd be surprised to meet a dark elf. But at this point, this is expected, he wouldn't even bat an eyelash if a dragon shows up.
"Is this the new recruit?" the elf stopped in front of the human and held out her hand. "The name's Aura, welcome to Godkin Alliance!"
Godkin Alliance.
Brain shook the dark elf's hand. "My name is Brain Unglaus, Aura sama. My greatest gratitude for welcoming me here,"
"No need to be so stuffy," the elf was about to playfully smack Brain's back when Sally stopped her. "Huh?"
"Careful now, Aura, Brain is a human, that would've crippled him,"
Brain just sighed hearing that, now they're treating him like an infant.
"Really?" Aura took a closer look at Brain. "Then why is he here? I mean… no offense but if that's enough to cripple you, you wouldn't survive for dinner,"
"This is an experiment from Ainz sama's part," Shalltear replied. "Can you call Mare to give him some sort of protection? Honestly, it is a hassle to keep him alive from everything,"
There was nothing left of Brain's pride as the two led him towards a tent near the construction site. He knew for a fact that he's the weakest and will always be the weakest person in this place. It doesn't even a bother him anymore at this point.
"Hee… What kind of experiment?" Aura asked.
"A simpleton like you will never understand,"
Aura puffed her cheek and turned to Shalltear.
"Don't underestimate me corpse breath!"
"What did you call me, you rabid dog?!"
Brain just watched as the two girls started fighting like a pair of adventurers.
"Aura, Shalltear, umm… please don't fight,"
The two turned towards the tent. "Well she started it!" they both said in perfect sync.
Footsteps came from the woods. A large man, holding an entire tree trunk on his shoulder walks up towards them. Sitting on the trunk is a white haired little girl. Both the elf and the vampire froze at the sight of them.
"Play nice everyone," Momon said whilst putting down the tree trunk. Lily jumped off of it before it hits the ground and landed right beside Momon. "Ah, Brain Unglaus wasn't it? Welcome to my humble abode,"
"Momon sama," Brain bowed down in front of him followed by everyone else. "it's an honor to be here,"
"The honor is mine," Momon gestured them to follow him to the tent. There, they sat down, with Brain sitting beside Mare and Lily facing Momon, Aura, and Shalltear. Between them is a table with a blueprint of some sort. "So, I'm sure you have some questions, but first,"
Momon pat the Dark Elf sitting beside him. The dark elf blushed a little.
"This is Aura, she's the Goddess of Beasts and Wildlife,"
Momon then gestured at the dark elf sitting beside Brain.
"This is Mare, the God of Nature and Wild Magic,"
Mare slowly looked down and nodded.
"You know Shalltear, she's the Goddess of Death and Destruction,"
At that moment, Brain couldn't help but hold back a laughter. Not that he doesn't believe Momon, but more because of how ridiculously lucky he was to be sitting there right now. I mean, come on... He survived the literal Goddess of Death and Destruction and lived to tell the tale! He deserves a spot in all history!
"I see…" Brain said. "What about you Momon sama?"
"Me? I'm just an adventurer,"
"The God of Strength and Bravery," Shalltear said suddenly. "Don't sell yourself short, Momon sama. You are one of the most powerful Godkin to ever walk on this land, your power is only comparable to the Almighty Ainz Ooal Gown,"
Brain couldn't help but wonder who this Ainz Ooal Gown is. From everything he's heard and the feat he saw after the battle. He's almost convinced that Ainz Ooal Gown is the capital G, God. The one who's said to create everything.
"Haha, you're flattering Shalltear," Momon said while patting the girl's head. The vampire froze a little and she slowly looked down in embarrassment. "So anyway, that's everyone,"
"What about me!" Lily exclaimed suddenly.
"What about you?"
"I'm a god too you know!" Lily stood up on her seat and put a hand on her chest. "I am Lily! The Goddess of Adventure!"
"More like the Goddess of Theatrics," Shalltear commented.
"I'm not!"
"Don't stand on the chair Lily," Aura said in a teasing tone. "Seriously, where are your manners?"
Lily pouted a little and sat down. "Fine! You meanie!"
To see someone who was hailed as the Angel of War by the entire Kingdom being teased like this, it really puts it into perspective on to where exactly the rest of the world stands against them.
"So Brain," Momon said. "I'm sure you have some questions on why you're here,"
"Yes,"
"Well, you see, our great mentor, Ainz Ooal Gown, wanted to learn more about Martial Arts and you are the best candidate we have,"
Right, Momon did say that no Godkin can learn Martial Arts. Something that Brain found to be rather… ridiculous considering what they are capable of.
"So… You wanted me to teach you Martial Arts?" Brain asked.
"Yes, but first, we need to get you in shape," Momon said. "The other part of the experiment is to see just how powerful a human can become when given a chance to grow. Is there a limit on how powerful you can be? Will there be a point where a human can surpass the power of a godkin?"
Brain was silent for a moment. But then he slowly shook his head. "I'm sorry, but I don't believe that's possible…" He glanced at Shalltear. "It's just… The difference in our power, it's like comparing a drop of water with an ocean…"
"Don't sell yourself short Unglaus san," Momon said calmly. "You still haven't met your true potential yet,"
Well… Here goes nothing then… Brain thought to himself.
"Then I will do my best," Brain said. "Are you going to be the one to train me? Momon sama?"
This time, Momon shook his head. "No, you will be trained by our greatest fighter. The God of Battle and Weaponry," he turned around and Brain saw a very imposing sight.
It is a tall, icy blue creature resembling an insect. Despite its foreign appearance, Brain knew that this creature is on the same level as Momon. Not only that, but it also excudes an aura of warrior, an experienced warrior who will make Brain look like an infant when compared to it.
"Cocytus," Momon said with a nod.
"Momon sama," the creature bowed respectfully. It then turned towards Brain. "Is. This. The. Human?"
"Yes, this is Brain Unglaus, an experienced Martial Arts user," Momon gestured at the creature. "Brain, this is Cocytus, the God of Battle and Weaponry,"
Brain bowed at the presence of the creature. Even a weakling like him knows not to mess in the presence of the mighty. "It is an honor, Cocytus sama,"
"The. Honor. Is. Mine," a waft of cold air came from the warrior. "I. Sense. That. You. Have. Faced. Defeat. Unglaus. San,"
"Y-yes… I was…" Brain took a deep breath. "I was a disgrace, back then and Shalltear sama taught me a well-deserved lesson,"
Cocytus simply nodded before looking at Momon. "Should. We. Start. Now. Momon. Sama?"
"Anytime you're ready, just don't forget about the subjugation plan," Momon said. "Do you have everything you need? Cocytus san? If you need anything else please feel free to tell Ainz sama,"
"Ainz sama has graciously gave me an army, it will be an insult to his wisdom to ask for more," Cocytus replied.
"Suit yourself," Momon said with a shrug. "Anyway, this is Cocytus, he will be teaching you for now on," he then produced three rings from his pocket. "Ah, also please wear these,"
Brain took the rings and inspected each one carefully. Even someone like him can tell that these artifacts worth more than the City of E-Rantel. "What are these? Momon sama? I am… simply curious…"
"That one is the Ring of Sustenance, you wouldn't need to eat, drink, or sleep, or even get tired when using it. That one is the Ring of Regeneration, it increases your regeneration capability. That last one is the ring of Immortality, it revives you if you were to die, but it wouldn't work if you're too powerful,"
Ah, apparently he was wrong, these rings worth more than the entire Re-Estize Kingdom…
"Words cannot express how grateful I am, Momon sama," Brain said.
"You wouldn't thank me once you realize why I'm giving you those rings,"
Brain took a double look at the rings. It removes the need for him to sleep, eat, drink, or even rest. It heals him of any wounds and revives him if he were to… Oh…
A cold sweat trickled down Brain's face as he looked between Momon and Cocytus. "I will… give it my all… Momon sama,"
"I expect the best of you, Brain san," Momon then turned to Cocytus. "Same goes for you, Cocytus san. Ainz Ooal Gown expects nothing but the best from you,"
"I. Shall. Shape. Him. To. Be. A. Warrior. Worthy. Of. Na-" All at once, everyone gave Cocytus a look. "Godkin," he finally spoke with a shudder. "Follow. Me. Brain. Unglaus,"
Brain stood up from his seat and followed Cocytus. "I will take my leave, Momon sama, Shalltear sama, Aura sama, Mare sama, Lily sama,"
"Good luck," Shalltear said.
"See you later Brain!" Lily exclaimed.
"Break a leg!" Aura added.
"Umm… Please be careful!" Mare said.
Momon simply waved his hand before snapping his finger. A large portal formed in front of them. "Do your best, don't disappoint our lord and master, Ainz Ooal Gown,"