Three Hundred And Seventy-Four *Contains Status – Akio, Shiro, Hyacinth, Grulgor*
While I waited for Shaeula to return, I decided it was a good ti to take stock of my abilities, in preparation for honing my close combat skills. I went through so stretches, before practicing with my sword and spear, as well as with the various styles of unard combat I had studied online, though other than a few moves, most of my strikes just relied on pure speed and accuracy, which was fine against ordinary opponents, but against skilled combatants like Ulfuric or David, it wasn’t enough. Soon, silvery sweat was dripping from , evaporating to the darkening skies above.
Yes, the ether density is rising again, just like in London. Looks like we are definitely leaving the calm… As I thought that I heard so applause, and looked over to see Shiro, Eri and Asha watching .
“Not bad Aki. You’ve got so moves. Tan is impressed too.” Shiro said, only for her eyes to glimr red.
“Do not get conceited, man. I rely advised the princess that your strengths would put you on par with an Einherjar of the World Tree.” She snorted. “Though that is hardly cause for conceit. Many Einherjar are recruited from the countless worlds and ford into armies. I believe the closest comparison could be that Einherjar would be the Special Forces, ones plucked out for special attention and training. But unlike this world, there are many heights above.”
“I see. But you’re saying I’m at the foot of the mountain? So all I have to do is keep climbing and I’ll reach the top?” It was gratifying to hear praise from Tan, a being so far above us in understanding and power. It proved that my path was right.
“If it was that simple, there would be no end to the powerful. No, each step is a chasm that yawns wider than the step before, with more dangers, and more who fall. But I concede, you have surpassed my expectations.” Tan admitted. “Therefore, do not fall into the chasms of arrogance and haste now. Compared to those that tower above, such as the Valkyrie, all but the captains and lords of the Einherjar would be as troubling as those goblins you dismissed as no danger at all.”
“I have a question. You’re not from the World Tree, Tan, so why are you not explaining in terms of your own pantheon?” Eri asked shrewdly, and she laughed.
“Why would I share information about my own? Far better to use so others as a comparison, and it seed apt, considering.”
“I guess that makes sense.” I shrugged. “So, how strong would I have to be to reach the level of a Valkyrie?”
“The mountain towers higher than you could imagine, far taller than your Fuji. But if you show the will to improve as you have and avoid foolishness and misfortune, it is not impossible.”
“Even now, you are strengthening yourself.” Asha said, surprising . “Your wood elent has grown, though it is still weak.”
“Yeah, I’ll put more effort into that.” I promised. “Oh, that reminds , where’s Daiyu?” It wasn’t as though I’d been in Material Tokyo much since my return, but I hadn’t seen her yet.
“Studying Japanese. She was a bit discomforted on our night out, having to be translated for, or only understanding easy sentences. So she’s determined to fully master Japanese by Christmas. I’m sure she can. She’s motivated, a quick learner, and has the stats.” Shiro said, Tan having returned to her rest.
“That makes sense. She’s in a foreign land, so not being able to understand others must be unbearable.” I agreed. “Remind later to spend so ti with her.”
“Lucky.” Shiro snorted. “Well, Aki, what do we do now? I can tell you’re worried about Eleanor, maybe you should have kidnapped her and brought her back to Japan.” She joked.
“I can’t do that. It’d lead to the complete breakdown in relations between us and the UK. She’d fight constantly too. This situation is different to Tsukiko-san. In the end, Tsukiko-san wanted our help, and had nothing to lose by it. Therefore we could work with her, but even then, she still wouldn’t leave Kyoto, would she? Eleanor is even more stubborn. She says she has to protect sothing, and whatever it is, it’s under the Tower. If only we knew what that was it’d give us so leverage. But she values defending that above her own life. Nothing I can do would persuade her to run away, and it’s not like I can stay and guard her twenty-four seven is it? If I did, all my work here would go to waste.”
“But Tsukiko-san’s visions say she’s needed, or the world could be dood.” Eri pointed out, and I shrugged.
“True, but then Tsukiko-san was also going to be devoured and her spirit destroyed by the golden-eyed toad, and we stopped that. The future isn’t absolute, not definite, no matter what Tsukiko-san believed.” I was sure of it. Indeed, right now I was just getting a vague prickling burr of Foresight, signalling a vague, nebulous threat. It’s not reliable. Yes, I have to act on it, I’ve learned from my mistakes on taking it lightly, but even then, I can’t be ruled by it. “If the end of the world is coming, then we just have to grow strong enough to defeat any threat, even if Eleanor doesn’t survive. But…” my expression was resolute. “... obviously I’ll do all I can to protect her, but I can’t destroy who she is just to do that. Which makes this tougher than Tsukiko-san, alas. But then, there are still two Princesses out there who could be dying even now. I can only do what I can do.”
“No, what we can do.” Eri said boldly, tail lashing.
“Yeah, what she said, Aki.” Shiro agreed.
“I am pleased that the one I Kissed is so bold and resolute.” Asha smiled benevolently. “You saved from my fate, I believe you can save this woman too.”
“What she said, yet again, Aki.” Shiro snorted, amused. “The downside is, we girls are simple creatures, right Eri? Save us from our despair and show us a bright future, and it moves our hearts.”
“I know. I’ve already accepted it.” Eri sighed. “But… what can we do from here?”
“I don’t know, but for now we need to wait for Eleanor or the Pri Minister to get back to us. Before that…”
“Yeah, training. Well, for that’s just more damn buffing, though I can feel my insight into Anesidora’s blessings growing. Maybe we should share our stats?”
I nodded. That’s a good idea. “Yes, I wanted to take stock of our progress. Though Eri…” I looked at her, and she rolled her dark eyes at , ears twitching.
“I know. I have no progress. Damn Kijo bitches.” She spat. “But I’m getting there. My goal is Christmas, just like Daiyu. If we both succeed, then you can spend Christmas Eve with the two of us!”
“Hey, that’s not fair, Eri!” Shiro protested, to which Asha laughed softly, a knowing expression on her face. It’s good to lighten the mood. Since we spoke to Yasaka-san, confird so conspiracy around Eleanor, it’s been a bit dark.
“All right, all right. first.” I snorted.
On reading out my stats, Shiro was frowning. “Shit Aki, every ti you make so jealous. Considering all you started with was an appraisal cheat, you make the rest of us look bad.”
“Shaeula isn’t much weaker than .” I pointed out, and she shrugged.
“Maybe so, but she’s a Fae. Well, I guess it doesn’t matter, having you strong is good for us, right Eri, Asha?” she winked at the girls. “There’s always a lot of shade under a big tree.”
“I very much like that thought.” Asha said, eyes sparkling.
“I can’t believe that despite being so strong Akio would be nothing special in the upper Astral.” Eri said, and Tan spoke up again, Shiro’s eyes red.
“You misunderstand. In a world of billions like your Earth, likely only a few million or so might be chosen for the Einherjar. The average citizen will have skills with aether and combat strength, perhaps along the lines of you, Eri. In worlds with powerful Territories of the Sixth and higher, ether is plentiful, and there are no shortage of beings with powers such as I. But true strength is always rare. You would not rank as a Captain of the Einherjar, surely not, but you are far from the weakest that would be chosen. Even so, do not let arrogance blind you.” She warned. “There are many hidden dragons and crouching tigers everywhere in the higher Astral, and entire armies of Einherjar and citizen warriors perish against… matters I cannot speak of, and even those with wings can be struck from the skies and perish.”
“I see. Thanks Tan, that was helpful.”
“I rely clarified for that girl.” Tan said, and I thought she sounded a little bashful. “You may be looking up at the mountain, the summit hidden by clouds above, piercing through the heavens and even out into what you could call space, but you have climbed the foothills.” With that she was gone, leaving a grinning Shiro.
“Tan sure isn’t honest, is she? I’d say she’s rocking the tsundere for sure. Well, what do you think, Aki? Can you get even stronger?”
“Always. I can get more levels, Rank up my Territory, find a combat style and raise my elents…” seeing Asha’s sparkling eyes, I laughed. “Especially wood, earth and water I guess. Shaeula and I also need to exchange wood and lightning elents. So the path to power never stops.” There’s also Tyr’s Divine Favour. If I could unlock that power… “I sympathise with Daiyu. The urge to continue growing stronger and perfecting oneself is deep.”
“In that case, might as well see how I’ve improved.” Shiro said. “No laughing you two. I know I can’t compete with Aki’s growth. Yet. I’m a Chosen now, a true one, so there’s a chance.”
“Yes, I was always more into battle harems where the girls were badass alongside the guys.” I said. “I’d feel less worried all the ti too.”
“Aww, poor baby Aki.” Shiro laughed. “Well, co on, we’re waiting.”
“Fine.” My Eye flared amber, and letters scrolled across my vision. Faint flickers of red were in Shiro’s eyes and hair, Tan probably not enjoying my peeking, but she would have to ignore it.
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