81 Chapter 81: Test of Wills

In the end, we are deadlocked to a situation. We couldn't exactly… you know, kiss while knowing her familia is within our radius. No matter how hard we tried to 'brush it off', we couldn't have the same atmosphere as that night.

…

I see.

We got too conscious of ourselves.

"That reminds me… Do you feel the spark between us?"

"That..?!"

Artemis' face rapidly turned red. She couldn't keep up her dignified look. She stuttered several times as her eyes frantically looked at the surroundings—before eventually ending up to me.

…Cute.

My joke backfired. I found myself wanting to re-enact that… kiss from last night.

…and so we did.

It was brief compared to our minute-long kisses, but it was enough. I reminisced the soft touch on my lips.

This is bad, isn't it?

I might be getting too addicted to this…

'This is how love feels like…'

"Too bad I didn't capture that moment… oh wait, I could turn it into a video."

"Orion!"

"I'm kidding."

Seeing her pout, I felt fulfilled and lost. That was too destructive, if I may say. Add to that her blush, an unprecedented surge of energy came from nowhere. I feel like fighting special-grade curses in this state!

I haven't tested the [Orionids • Moon Hunt] yet, but I tried to simulate it with [Hacker]. I discovered that [Orion] and [Orionids] fused into one. I could still use the original [Orion], but it is like a downgraded version of it.

Moreover, its chant remained the same—a dedication to the goddess of hunt. I could modify its [Liturgy] to be cast in varying degrees.

It reminded me of Sukuna's [Flame Arrow Technique]. Instead of flames, I could be pulling stars.

That genuinely sounds cool.

"About the chance… I plan to use it tonight."

"You want to see the future again?"

"Yes. Remember Atropos-san?"

"Atropos… The prophet whom you suspected to be with Zeus?" Artemis added, "Is it her vision?"

"That's right."

It is one of the major causes of my doubts before. Atropos-san told me about the disasters Gekai would face. Best chances is that the One-eyed Black Dragon would cause it. It should be akin to the King of Curses and Demonic God of our world.

"You might see a bad future… again." She remarked. "Can you hold it for a couple of days?"

"I apologize but… it is gnawing at me. At least, I want to confirm it. You'll be by my side at that time. I would be fine."

"...Alright."

A thought popped up on my mind.

'I need to settle things with Filvis too, huh…'

All of my worries disappeared when she held my hand.

'Soft…'

*****

"...Sis."

"Am I not allowed here?"

"No…"

Welf was startled when he saw Tsubaki inside his forging room. It is smaller than the usual rooms for blacksmiths. He recognized the need to improve himself after realizing how he relied on his blood for his so-called talents.

His efforts bore fruit as he could now do the basics properly.

"The timing's just right. I've heard Sirius got a date? Does it happen to be—?"

"Nay. Yer mistaken."

"...What?"

Confusion clouded his face. Welf could still recall how Hephaestus looked like every time she talked about Nobu. As long as he isn't as dense as a block hole, he would notice it. That, and the fact he wasn't as obsessed to his goal compared to before.

"How could this happen? A different girl?" He asked. "If Sirius is aware that Hephaestus-sama feels that way, he wouldn't have done it."

"...I admit. T'is our fault. Hephaestus hid it too much… to the point Nobu couldn't notice it. The boy's perceptive, that I know."

"..."

Welf is well-aware of how regrets taste like. Not valuing his time with Phobos is one thing he deeply regrets.

Seeing Tsubaki, he knew they are still up for a fight. Unlike Nobu's world, polygamy is a part of their culture. Just Rakia's king alone has several wives.

"Hephaestus-sama needs help, right? It's just about time to repay the favors I owe to them."

Unbeknownst to everyone, the shippers of Hephaestus Familia rose up.

*****

Right after Kazamitsu met Nobu, Miku went on a frenzy to retrieve the data from [Probability Distortion]. It is vastly easier to have a lead instead of randomly scouring in the ocean.

"Tou-san! Did you—?"

"Yes. I met Nobu. He's doing well in that world."

"Fu…"

Suimei heaved a sigh of relief for his friend. With his status confirmed, he could rest easy.

"You have to work hard. He is already catching up to you."

"...Really? Other worlds are like that, huh…"

Suimei gained a misconception, something that would fuel his disappointment when he goes to a journey of his own.

Half an hour later, Kazamitsu and Suimei arrived in the Akasaka Household. The one who opened the gate is a 'boy' with bluish-black hair. His maroon pupils scanned the visitors for a moment. He is wearing a decent pair of shirt and shorts.

If Suimei hadn't known Ryuunosuke, he would've definitely mistaken her for a girl.

"Suimei? What brings you here?"

"Tou-san is here to talk about business. I tagged along."

"Alright. I was just about to tell you about Magical X's newest volume. I finished reading that. Oh, Revive World and Mahou Kaito too."

"..!"

Suimei visibly trembled upon hearing those. They are the stories he liked the most! Magical X has a detailed magic system, Revive World entailed the potential of technology, and Mahou Kaito showed how it is to be elegant.

"I can lend them, but don't touch the computers." Ryuunosuke reminded him as that painful moment lived inside his mind.

The ten-year-old boy recalled the moment his custom PC setup broke down the moment Suimei touched its power button. It didn't end there as more than twelve devices broke down every time he held it.

"...Sure."

As a being of mystery, Suimei couldn't properly use technology—even the ones made by Nobu. It proved how big of an anomaly he was in this world.

Suimei looked at his father before the latter nodded.

It left Kazamitsu alone in the living room. Though, he didn't have to wait long as Seiji arrived from their branch in Higashiyama Ward. A fifteen-minute long travel is easy with private vehicles.

As for Eri, she became slightly busy organizing their company from the attacks on their technological front. Dishing out new designs is a piece of cake for Miku, but she has to be there to assure their employees.

That's right. She left her previous company and took the lead along Seiji. Legally, they are the founders of their company—Akasakura Tech. They dominate the market of smartphones, laptops, computers, and so on. As long as it is related to technology, it is firmly grasped by this company.

They are at least five years advanced compared to their competitors. When their enemies bring out 2060, they bring out 3080ti. IOS 8? They welcome Android 13.

That's just how absurd Akasakura is.

"Yakagi-san… About Nobu—"

"He's fine. I briefly met him during one of the experiments."

Kazamitsu began telling their meeting. It was short and brief yet he discovered many things.

The gods existing on Gekai;

Nobu having one of their blessings and becoming far stronger than before;

His connection to a goddess;

And lastly, the dangers present in that world.

Of course, he left the last one from Seiji. Still, that was enough to make him feel relieved.

"A fantasy world and a goddess… I could already see where it is going."

"Indeed. Nobu might bring her back in this world." Kazamitsu remarked.

"Then, we better be prepared, no? Who knows, he might bring an entire harem when he returns."

Thinking about Suimei's future which Kazamitsu heard from Nobu, it didn't seem far from the truth. In fact, he is aware of the girls' names.

With the worries for Nobu's safety gone—at least for now—their talks turned lighter.

*****

Ba-thump.

The man who's a splitting image of Nobu opened his eyes. He have been staying in this flower field located in Wales. For twelve years, he watched the journey of himself without his previous characteristics.

Nobu is not the perfect knight or the epitome of kindness. He didn't have his immovable will. However, it is because of lacking these things could he live a life different from his.

"He will see it."

Inside the phantasmal space, Galahad could vaguely see the tracks of destiny. It is something caused by none other than a legitimate article of a 'heavenly' treasure. It is apt to say Nobu hasn't fully achieved its potential.

"Another challenge, it seems…"

Galahad stood at the peak of virtue. What he honed are the qualities of mind and spirit. It is completely unlike his fellow knights who honed their body and martial prowess. There is a reason why Galahad is the perfect knight.

Sadly, it is because of these qualities that he became… inhuman.

As a paragon of virtue, he wasn't the slightest bit affected by evil. Yet, he couldn't fully understand them; for there is no reason to do so. He became a robot who followed his program of "doing good".

Nevertheless, it had certain advantages. One of them was his indomitable will. If it was him, he wouldn't be affected by dark emotions.

Meanwhile, Nobu is vulnerable to such things.

"Another path… another journey…"

*****

Knock.

Knock.

Knock.

After knocking thrice, I saw Filvis opening the door to their room.

"Nobu-kun…"

"Hey. I… came here for that time."

"...I see."

She opened the door, revealing Ein who is diligently studying magicka. She is reading one of the more advanced books on Numerology, Kabbalah in particular.

"Oh? Nobu!"

She stopped reading the book. Upon seeing Filvis' serious looks, she understood what was going on.

"Ah. It's gonna happen already?"

"..."

Earlier this morning, I decided to give the two of them head-ups. I told them it would be today. Honestly, I mentioned it to them right before I dived into the dungeon.

"Why the long face? We're not even sure yet if I would disappear."

"Right."

Though, the possibility of Ein disappearing couldn't be removed. This kind of operation is what I am bad at. I don't like it due to its unpredictability.

As for whether I could revert things I used my cheat on, I haven't tested it before. I would definitely do this if the need arises, however. I will find another way to solve her problem if it becomes just that.

"What do we need to do?"

"Nothing. I'll only need to touch Filvis' back for five seconds. To prevent further complications…"

"Yep. I'll be leaving now."

We fell silent.

This step is necessary to revert Filvis' 'body' to normal. Being a creature wouldn't help her. As long as this hidden danger isn't dealt with, bad things could happen.

"Don't worry. You'll come back soon. It won't take five minutes." I said. "And Filvis shouldn't worry much. It's only your body we would be reverting."

"...Okay."

I am not as calm as I portrayed outwardly. Ein is a product of Filvis becoming a creature. If I reverse this cause, would her magic [Einsel] disappear?

I haven't experimented with this cheat much outside of research and combat. I don't even know what'll happen if I reverse time on someone with falna.

Filvis and Ein will be my first case.

A few seconds later, Ein disappeared in motes of light. Her clothes fell to the ground. Filvis' appearance became reminiscent to a creature's once again.

"I'll be going."

I touched her back.

'Reversal. Body.'

A familiar itchy feeling welled up my chest. My heart started beating faster with its presence.

'Change the body's state to two months ago?'

That thought was strongly implanted to my mind.

"Fu…"

My vision narrowed due to tension. I am akin to surgeons entering their 'state'.

'Confirm.'

The itchy feeling in my chest disappeared. No fancy effects took place inside the room. Filvis' body started reverting to her prior state. Her features as a creature receded in a flash. The branches and veins all over her body disappeared. Her pale blue skin returned to a healthy glow of white.

"Nobu-kun…"

She eagerly touched her chest—rather, the crystal embedded to it.

"It's gone…"

Hearing her words, I knew it succeeded. She is no longer a creature but an elf once more.

"Ein..!"

Filvis didn't wait longer. She recited [Einsel]'s chant swiftly. She didn't worry about having an Ignis Faatus due to her tutelage under Nobu.

One.

Two.

Three.

…

Nothing happened.

My senses couldn't pick up Ein's appearance.

"..!"

Filvis didn't give up. She recited her magic's chant again… and again… and again.

"Ein…"

She clenched her fist. I could see the disbelief, sorrow, and helplessness in Filvis.

Just then, I noticed something.

A distorted aura surrounded her. It gradually died over time. It is my first time seeing something like it.

Kazamitsu-san's words about time magicka entered my mind. It is something that distorts the normal causal nature of the world.

A distortion...

"Wait. Keep trying."

"What..?"

"Ein's not gone."

Despite her confusion, Filvis heeded my words. It still didn't work after two tries, but after the third…

Shine-!

A magic circle lit up inside the room. When I opened my eyes, I saw Filvis—no, a carbon copy of her.

She smiled teasingly upon seeing us.

"You kept your word, Nobu. That was quick!"

Our worries are proven to be unfounded.