They fucking reek of Greed and Pride... it's disgusting !Why did I agree to this ?! Now I have to live here with all of these fucking children !
"Y-you okay Raya ? Y-you're sweating a little bit..." Millia asked me in a worried tone, while patting my back. She winced when I started to throw up my breakfast. Some kind of molten, bubbling red pile of... things ? Surely meat.
"Y-you sure you want to stay at the academy for now ? Maybe we can get a little bit further away ?"
"No... I need to get used to such a concentration of... sins. Or negative feelings to begin with. The cathedral is tempering with the HEarth of Wrath, can't send what I feel as fuel to it. And what I can't incinerate, I need to tank it. Blergh... "
"Is this like... mana-intoxication ? You are showing the same symptoms. Do you want to try some herbs ?"
"Nah. Intoxiaction is the right term, but I'm telling you, I need to get used to it."
"But how come you weren't sick before ? You said you could feel all the sins in this world."
"It's... urgh... just as you said. Intoxication. But... The sins I've been feelings up until this point are diluted in the whole world. Just like mana. But here... with all these fucking toddlers, it's like going into a mana-rich place. It's all about density. It will go away..."
Fuck this... the Progenitor told me about this but I didn't think it's be so bad... Fuck ! It's like a migraine, wanting to take a dump, crying and having a cold to the power of ten at the same time... The fuck is this ?! How did They wisthand this bullshit ?!
"Huh..."
Millia looked at the young Wyvern, who just tripped on her own tail. Ever since the arrival of the crowd of students, Raya had been affected by the quantity of negativity she could feel. Right now, she looked like someone with a chronic illness. Since yesterday, she had been shivering, throwing up at random times and she wasn't even walking straight, just llike a drunkard. But there was something missing to...
To make matters worse, her state didn't even weakenher the slighest. The now cracked ground was proof of that.
"Raya... how much do you weigh ?"
"Wha- I... Hey, if it's about fixing the pavement I'll pay. I'll just... well Kari talked about jobs to act as a cover-up for me. H-how much is this piece of ground ? I swear I can pay..."
Ah, there was it. What Millia almost forgot. Becasue of the cathedral's holy aura, the Wrath's influence dimmed and now, Raya behaved much like a teenager, although a lost and clueless one.
Millia would be lying if she said that this change wasn't unnerving. At least Raya, as the Drake Sin of Wrath was rather... predicatable in her erratic behavior.
Now it was as if a completely different person was there.
"Wait, what's that deal about the pope giving you jobs ? We didn't hear about that. At least I didn't."
"Sure you didn't... We talked about this with a bunch of people when you were at the academy. I'll be sent as an 'independant Inquisitor' from times to times. That will allow me to uphold my duties without too many consequences. And I'll get to scout where the other Sins are resting. More importantly, I'll get paid. So yeah, I'll refund your pavement."
Millia sweatdropped. This wasn't about the pavement at all. She was worried that a collision with a student would maim or crush the poor victim to death. Not to mention the tail.The freaking five-meters-long tail. At least she could keep her armwings close to her body.
---
"The plot should be progressing. Academy enrollement arc is always interesting. Every scenario like this is about the protagonist getting stronger by themselves. So I guess that survival trials in a forest or something are pretty much a staple." Ramiel siad while scratching his forehead. He turned to the other reincarnated protagonists who were all staring at the forest in front of them, with dumbfounded faces. Finally, Frea lashed out by screaming incoherent elven profanities.
"I don't know what that means but I agree. Thayt goblin teacher is fucking ruthless for teleporting us there. Like, what did he say ? 'As fighters, you will find yourselves in harsh environments hard to navigate in, the first ones are forest. Here's a good training method. Experience it !' God fucking dammnit ! At least we're powerful, but what about the rest ?! Aren't they scared of sending students to die prematurely ?!"
"Ramiel... you're a lost cause. That's the starting point of the game... the location of the first artifact we'll encounter. You really should have read dialogues and in-game books."
"Wait really ?! Which one ?!"
"It's a scroll that teaches the 'Status' passive. It should be up there in this big big tree."
"Oh, that's right... we don't have acess to status windows yet..."
"Wait, how come you never knew that ?" the four others asked at the same time, all equally baffled by the Hero candidate's nonchalant behavior.
"Well, I explored. And I usually play games without UHD on."
"Ah, I see. That makes sense. You surely came across the scroll without paying attention."
"Does someone remember what monsters there are in this forest ? Mauler Boars and what else ?" RaviK mused while scratching his chin. The others stopped to serach in their memories before the bushes around them began rustling.
Grey and dark brown. Oval pig-shaped with a dense fur. Tusks measuring about thirty centimeters. And furious-looking eyebrows... That was a Mauler Boar. They weren't really impressivve but they could shatter any early-game defense. The best strategy was to... climb on a tree, as the group of five did. The boars weren't very intelligent and would still charge in the trunk, effectively stucking their tusks deep in the wood.
From that point on, they were very easy targets.
"So, who gets first kill ?" Liz'a asked for everyone. They turned to face her.
"You, obviously. You came here the latest so you didn't have as much time as us to get familiar with your abilities."
"Aight. Thanks for the free kill."
An ice shard embedded itself deep in the pig-like being, who squealed pathetically before succumbing to the fatal injury. Frea whistled and Margos clapped.
"That's the second protagonist for you. Truly impressive magic power."
"Indeed."
"... Guys. Are we... getting XP from the kill too ? I felt a surge of energy as soon as it died. Does that mean everyone can get experience from each other's kills ? We have to test this out. Let's find the scroll and see what happens after we kill another boar."
"Right."
----------------------------------------
"The flames of your temples are strange, pope. Your banner is too. These flames are warm, comforting, gentle. But I feel the Wrath in them. Your banner, a cross surrounded by a ring of flames. It is truly... intriguing."
Pope Kari watched in silence as the Fallen Virtue picked up a flame on one of the cathedral's altars and made it dance in the air. She silently kept her fangirl-self from messing up her holy character and smiled.
"I don't really have an answer. But it could be related to the original teachings we keep as a secret outside of my territory. Archives and scriptures so old that they speak about the Virtues-made-flesh, who descended as their own opposites under the divine's order. The Church teaches such knowledge to every man and woman who is determined to become a person of faith. The banner dates back to the same era. The pope of that time saw the Warthful Flames as the protection of faith in the Divine. The last rempart against wickedness and sin. That is why theese flames circle our cross.
I knew of your arrival because of the fire you are currently holding. It is said that thousand years ago, as your Progenitor rampaged against a sinful kingdom, embers flew and were collected by a priest, who burnt himself to death to bring what would become a beacon of light in our country.
The flames dimmed the day your Progenitor disappeared but never died. For eons we kept this pyre uner surveillance for any sign. And a few days ago, the pyre turned back into an inferno. It could only mean that the Drake Sin of Wrath was back."
"Well that's interesting..."
"I- I know that waiting for the certificate is long and tedious but our scribes are doing the best they can. Once you receive my stamp and the collar I give you, you'll be free to roam around everywhere." Kari fidgeted nervously while poking her fingers together.
"... Cute."
"Wh- what ?!"
This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.
Raya smirked and turned away after sending the pope a sharp, predatorial gaze.
"Teasing people is fun. I hope you'll forgive me."
"No, I won't !" the pope pouted. "How do you even know how to do that ?!"
"Do what ?"
"That ! The sexy poses ! The husky voice ! All of that ! It's so attractive ! I'd be down bad if not for my position !"
"Wha- Hold-on just a second ! I am not going for that, at all. I'm sorry if that came out weird."
Ugh...
"That's even worse you know ! You're not even doing this consciously ! It's just that you're so... Urgh ! Did you have a long-lost partner or something like that ?! You feel experienced in that kind of-"
Kari stopped as she looked at the Wyvern who looked like at loss for words.
"I- uh. I'm sorry if that was a sensitive topic. I was just jokin-"
Okay I... I have to go. I just remembered I had something to do. I can.. get my certification later. I- See you." Raya hurried from the cathedral's underground and Kari watched as she went away.
"Ah. I messed up..."
...
It cannot be. I can't forget about her. When did I ? Did I ?
No, of course I didn't. She's what made me keep my sanity up until now. Not something I can forget...
Truly ? Is that true ?
You've been living for a whole week without thinking about her. A week, about the same moment when the kind party took you in... You haven't though about her at all.
I... Need to keep her in my memories...
Why would you ? You don't even remember her face, you don't even remember how she looks, how she dresses. Only her form. You don't even remember your first date together !
It's false ! It was in September... no... November ? October ? Was it... No !
...
Why are you still clinging to this ? That is but a fleeting memory now. Seventeen years have passed since then ! Why do you cling onto this ! This is only a burden !
It's not ! Her memories were the things that kept me sane in this acursed kingdom ! I would be nothing without these experi-
EXCUSES ! You only hope to see her again ! I am tired of this farce ! I thought you accepted the duty of Drake Sin of Wrath when you sealed off your village ! What if she turns out to be sinful too ?! What if ?! Answer me, Raya ! Answer yourself !
I won't give in. I will not forget.
How persistent. Very well.
I give up.
One day, you will realise that what you cling to is but... a farce. Without any substance that one. A shell of something you lost long ago.
I won't allow this ! Liz is not to be forgotten !
We will see. You... will see. Don't forget that you warned yourself. I am only a part of you after all.
---
Fire pruges all, it spreads blindly, but not aimlessly. It devours what became impure and turns it back to pure creation. The greatest asset of the Divine, for it dutifully tries to uphold the mission it has been given, for it is the only creation willing to eat itself away to survive and carry on orders...
The last BlackFire shall descend, but until this fateful moment, memories shall not be forgotten. And so,I bestow you the Status I have created long ago. May you remember and experience plenty.
"..."
RaviK, Ramiel and the others looked at the wall of text on the scroll. Suddenly they understood why Ramiel skipped the lore. that text didn't even make sense.
"What a load of bullcrap. I didn't understand a single thing that old man said."
"Jeez, can't you be a little more respectful ? that phantom just gave us our status windows... why are you compaining ?"
"In any case; let's look at it." and while saying that, a translucent rectangle appeared before the five otherworlders.
Liz'a :
lv 3
HP : 110
ATK + Magic : 1 + 21
Stamina : 4
Mana : 30
Defense : 4
Magic Dispersion : 20
Traits:
- Ice and water prodigy
- Magic prodigy
Ramiel :
lv 10
HP : 250
ATK + Magic : 7 + 22
Stamina : 20
Mana : 33
Defense : 15
Magic Dispersion : 10
Traits :
- Hero aura
- Holy Blade Wielder
Frea :
lv 7
HP : 130
ATK + Magic : 3 + 11
Stamina : 9
Mana : 23
Defense : 3
Magic Dispersion : 9
Traits :
- Shaman
- One with the forest
Margos :
lv 8
HP : 200
ATK + Magic : 6 + 11
Stamina : 15
Mana : 15
Defense : 21
Magic Dispersion : 11
Traits :
- Magic brawler
- Bastion
RaviK :
lv 8
HP : 150
ATK + Magic : 2 + 14
Stamina : 5
Mana : 19
Defense : 7
Magic Dispersion : 17
Traits :
- Wind prodigy
- Speed freak
"Well, that's not so bad. We have even higher stats that during the start of the game. We should be around the level of a trainee soldier with these stats."
"Yep, but we still don't have a lot of experience."
"That's right ! And now, nothing can stop us ! let's grind ! Mauler Boars extinction incoming !"
"Ugh.. You sound like a Monster Hunter player right now..."
"What ?! That's the point ! I loved massacring entire beast populations to get a single drop !"
"You guys..."
The party began chasing after Mauler Boards en masses. The were feeling experience flowing through their veins. A weird they began to realize was that despite their status not showing them their skills, they clearly knew thay had and used some.
At the end, it didn't matter, it would have been worse if they could see the skills, but not use them.
...
Oink ?!
What's going of brothers ?!
Oink oink !!!
Flee Salami ! Humans are coming ! They're terrifying !
Oink !?
What !?
Oink oink oink !
Run, They'll kill the babies at this rate !
Oink !
We'll stop them !
O-oinnnnk !
S-sausage ! Salami ! Noooo ! Brothers !
...
"Any promising students Ragnar ?"
Said goblin turned around to face the headmaster and the sorceress Skal. He had been looking at the forest where he sent the students two hours ago. Results were satisfying.
"Ah ! Sun Mane, Skal ! I was about to send you a missive via magic stone. There are indeed interesting profiles. The four future rulers and the Hero candidate all teamed up together.
They're fast and efficient. They seem to know what they are doing. Look at them. They already know how to deal with Mauler Boars. See ?" he pointed towards a boar that implaled itself on a tree and was swiftly turned into butchershop pieces.
"Indeed. Impressive for people their age, and given their status. The Hero candidate originates from a small twon in the empire so he may have known beforehand and shared such knowledge...
From what i see with the magic orb, the empire's heiress will have to learn to control her magic. Skal ? Can I count on you and your department ?"
"Course big cat ! Leave it to me !"
"I... Meow ?"
"But they're not the only ones. Some Wind Wyverns show impressive control over their magic and their Wind Breath. Some are scoring higher than the ones I have talked about. They too are sticking together."
"Well I guess that a Wyvern body helps a lot against these poor pigs. Speaking of which...I wonder if Raya would want some grilled boar tonight..."
"What are you mane ? Her uncle ?"
"Aw... Millia, don't say that. Look at yourself. It's in your eyes. You're pratically begging her to calling you mommy with these hopeless eyes. Besides, we're technically her guardians now..."
"Not like she really needs us, no ? She could wreck havoc cities alone and I doubt she'd stop there. Plus she doesn't really have the need for food thanks to the Heart of Wrath... Ah. Now what's happening with the students... Huh ?! Why is Raya in the training grounds ?!"
Inside of the magic ball, Raya's Wyvern form could be seen crawling in the forest, gouging at the earth, tearing trees apart, scorching everything in sight with her Fire Breath. She kept it relatively weak but it was still streching over fifteen meters. From times to times, she trapped a poor boar or a wild horse in her jaws and roasted it on the spot.
"..."
"She's mad. Been a while. Did something happen ? Wasn't she supposed to be with Kari ?"
"She was. We were supposed to go shopping, how sad I am boo-hoo~"
"... Why do you insist so much on getting her clothes ? She's fine without these things. her scales are already sufficient."
"Well you'd know that if you studied Wyvern anatomy ! In scaleless forn, she's pratically naked ! That won't do at all ! I need to find her nice clothes !"
Ragnar chukled and shook his head.
"I believe she'd be more happy with armor than with clothes as you want her to wear. She... doesn't seem to be the type who enjoys frills and lingerie."
"Oh ? Suddenly mister goblin knows everything about female bodies~ Of course you did ! You little pervert~"
"I- ! That was decades ago ! Drawing erotic scriptures was the only way I could make a living at the time ! And it's not my fault if my audience had weird kinks ! I still don't understand what the fuck is a furry !"
"I... it's better to not know." Sun Mane cut their interaction short, while massaging his temples. Skal was wheezing and the golbin stared at the two incredulously. What the fuck was that awkward atmosphere ?
And they say goblins are perverted creatures...
Ragnar didn't realize the link between himslef and the orb had been cut off during the discussion. At the same time...
----------------------------------------
Huff...
Huff...
"Why's a golem there ? It's not something we should encounter now ! RaviK ! Watch out !"
RaviK ducked to avoid an incoming stone fist that crashed into trees. Meanwhile, Liz'a and Frea were trying to slow down the creature by freezing its joints and entangling it in vines, without much effect. It easily broke through the weak plants and the ice cracked as soon as the golem moved.
Despite what one could think, golems were not weak to magic, far from it. On top of their excellent defense against slashing attacks, they were completely immune to what was commonly called status and crowd-control effects. They had no mind to control, no brain to overload, no blood to poison and no muscles to fry.
The common strategy would have been to shatter the rocks its body was made of while it was focused on the tank, but that was for level seventy characters and more !
The otherworlders had no tank capable of tanking the attacks, Margos would need hundred of times his actual DEF stat to even survive one blow, and they absolutely didn't have the firepower that was needed.
Ramiel Holy sword aura wasn't useful as this thing was not an evil entity and the only one with a blunt weapon was Frea. A wooden staff.
"Take this Margos !" the elf shouted as she threw a pack of herbs at the magic brawler. He took a bite of the plants and felt his stamina retuning. He had been circling around the golem for minutes now, trying to distract it.
"I can't hold him off ! Even the splash from its attacks can one-shot me ! And this was your last herb !"
"Then let's retreat ! Frea ! Can you buff us ?!"
"Sure ! On it !
Be the wolf in the night ! Silent as the howl and fast as the hare ! Let's go guys ! Half a minute of stealth and speed boost !"
Oh ! You asses, move out of the way. Why are you here ? This is forbidden Paladin training grounds.
All five simultaneously turned to the newcomer. They saw red, literally.
Oh... Oh no...
Five meters-tall.
At least fifteen meters in lenght.
Wild red scales.
Wings that streched over at least a dozen meters.
A long, thick tail.
A terrifying gaze.
The five froze.
Why. Is. She. There ?
I wanna die... they thought.
Answer me... Why are you here...?
"Y-yes ? Miss... ?"
Raya. Now get out.
The now-named Wyvern snapped in a frustrated tone. She pushed though the trees and clawed at the golem, leaving an irreparable gash over its body. The strengh of the blow made it fall on its back and a wing finished the job, reducing its torso to mere rubble.
"... Fuck."