Scarlet

I spend several days training my physical strength until I feel confident that I won’t accidentally destroy a planet. Or a building, for that matter. Then I proceed with my plan.

A great plan in terms of training my control over magic, if I do say so myself.

Ignoring the fact that part of the plan wasn’t my idea and was actually a certain fanatic’s idea.

I’ll just say it’s mine though.

Anyways, I go ahead and find a random spot in a nearby solar system to Earth. A place where no one is likely to find me. Or disturb me. Or, most importantly, be killed from my marks being displayed. Because it would be awkward if that happens while I’m focusing on clones. Especially since I wouldn’t likely be able to react fast enough to retract my marks before they go pop.

I doubt I’ll be getting visitors in a neighboring solar system though.

After finding my spot, I go ahead and close my eyes, focusing solely on the symbols placed as marks across my body while taking a deep breath and letting it out. Something that is only possible because the planet I’m on has an atmosphere. A poisonous one, but one regardless.

The poison doesn’t do anything to me though. What with my immunity to corruption and all.

I get down to business, spreading my senses across the universe while still focusing on the marks. A difficult task to do at once. Then I create one clone after another and inscribe my intentions into them through sheer willpower alone. Meanwhile I focus on Earth to devour all of the void creatures on it at the same time.

And all at once, the eyes of each one of my clones opens, sending waves of blood flooding out from each clone just from their presences alone.

Fortunately I made them all in space above the planets.

Would’ve been rather destructive if I hadn’t.

Although, I can’t help but grimace a little at the discomfort from splitting my consciousness into so many different clones. Since it is a lot of clones.

But not too many, so it’s fine.

Another benefit of doing things this way beyond simple training.

It lets me see the many different inhabited worlds of the universe.

Lets me see all the different civilizations, the different subspecies of human, the ones who learned magic on their own, the many different guides similar to our System, and all the spirits.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

And through it all, I learn more and more about the universe I’m protecting.

First up is a world filled with pointy-eared humans who look a lot like elves from fantasy worlds but are actually called amongst themselves by the term ‘Nall’. They also speak a different language. One that I can’t understand anymore without the System’s assistance like I had when I would go hunting on other worlds a while back.

Which might be for the best, all things considered.

I’d rather not hear people worshiping me as a goddess after all. And if I can’t understand them, then I can at least plead ignorance to it all and act like it’s not happening.

Because it’s always best to ignore unpleasant things.

Absolutely.

Anyways, the world in question is of an age of kings and queens, with the methods to learn magic without a System being passed down only through the royal families on the planet, and the spirits taking a hands-off approach to their guidance.

Then there’s the next world I have a clone help. This world is filled with some sort of beast people.

Humanoid animals would be the best way for me to describe them.

They’re also very tribal in their civilization, with a much more instinctive method to everything they do. Including their own little system for growth that has no actual interface.

Actually seems like a downgraded version of our System here on Earth and Tartarus. One without any visual aspects to it. Just an instinctive feeling.

It also doesn’t discriminate, considering how I feel it trying to connect to me when I enter the planet.

My Red Plague just devours the strand trying to connect though.

I get the feeling that would’ve attracted the attention of the spirits on the world if it weren’t for the whole void invasion partially eating bits of the world that are floating into space.

Well, I quickly deal with the void creatures through magic, making them all pop before I devour them and absorb them into my clone. But there’s nothing I can do about the world partially falling apart.

Wait… or is there?

While having my other clones deal with more worlds, I put a little bit more focus on this particular clone as I float high in space right above the shattered part of the planet. Then I raise a single hand and close my eyes, letting my marks out on the clone for a brief amount of time.

And without any hesitation, I go ahead and spread regular blood – not Red Plague – across the entire expanse of the world that’s not broken off but is cracking and starting to fall off.

I make sure to do it as carefully as I can so as to not damage the world or kill anything. Which proves to be rather difficult.

But it works out in the end when I finally cover the entire damaged area with regular blood before solidifying the entire thing into blood metal.

Sealing up the entire planet in the process.

After I finish double and triple checking my work on the planet, I halt my progress with my other clones and shift my main consciousness and body into the clone over the repaired planet. Then I go ahead and open my eyes while briefly covering up the mark on my chest with my hand. An act that helps a bit.

I would just make it go away, but that would damage my control over my clones. So no.

Covering it up while floating in space looking at the planet should be enough.

And the planet really is an interesting sight to see.

The thing has about a fourth of its surface covered in a deep crimson metal with chunks of the planet slowly floating away above the crimson. Chunks I wasn’t able to save.

Of course, the atmosphere on the planet is very wonky, but it’s still there.

I give a nod to no one in particular, feeling rather proud of my use of magic.

While also ignoring the prostrating beast people I see on the surface of the planet.

Then I return to my crusade against the void invasion across the universe.