Chapter 16: Astrid and Aisha

After some time, the Shadows Army brought back the dead bodies of the people that they killed.

"Arise."

The dead bodies were covered in darkness and their shadows raised from their bodies.

"Let's go back."

The Shadows immediately disappeared from there and hid inside Arne's shadow. After he balanced the power of the First-Ranked, Second-Ranked, and the Third-Ranked Organizations, he immediately teleported back to Dubai.

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『Condition has been met. Unique Skill «Merciless» has been acquired.』

'Merciless? How could I obtain this skill?'

Arne was confused when he heard what Raphael said. He has never obtained skills before and he didn't know how to obtain them.

『Let me explain. «Merciless» is a Unique Skill with the power to reap your target's soul when they have lost their will to live and resist. You obtained this skill because you massacre the members of the Three Magic Association in Israel.

Skills can be obtained when the condition is met. This function was opened when I have evolved.』

'I see.'

Arne nodded his head in understanding. That's why he didn't obtain any skills before because the Great Sage hadn't evolved into Raphael.

『Condition has been met. Unique Skill «Gluttony» will be combined with «Merciless», and «Soul Ravager». Unique Skill «Gluttony» will start to evolve.』

«Soul Ravager» was the skill he got from Hel to ravage the soul of his target and even took out the lifespan of the target. This authority originated from how Hel was the Goddess of the Dead because of old age.

『Evolution has been completed. Unique Skill «Gluttony» has been evolved into a new Ultimate Skill «Lord of Gluttony - Beelzebuth».』

'That was fast… I got a new Ultimate Skill not long after I came back…'

Arne was stunned but he was happy that he got another Ultimate Skill. The more he has, the stronger he gets.

『«Lord of Gluttony - Beelzebuth» is an ultimate skill with the concept of "Devour". The sub-skills are as follows:

«Soul Manipulation» is the skill to control and manipulate souls and lifespans.

«Devour» is the skill to devour anything and obtain their powers and knowledge.

«Absorption» is the skill to absorb the energy of the targets from the surroundings from any distance.

«Soul Consumption» is the skill to consume the soul and spiritual beings. This skill can also reap your target's soul as long as they have no will to live and resist anymore.

«Food Chain» is the skill to share your powers with your subordinate and you can also gain their powers.』

(The powers here are skills, abilities, authorities, and many more.)

"You're really great, Raphael!"

Arne was excited that he shouted in his room when he heard Raphael's explanation of his new Ultimate Skill. This skill was very useful and very suitable for him to fight against his enemies.

『Thank you for the compliment.』

Somehow Arne could feel a hint of happiness in Raphael's tone. He was quite confused because she said that she didn't have any ego or emotions.

'You know what, I will give you a name. You sound like a girl but your name is very boyish… That isn't suitable for you at all.'

He decided to give Raphael a new name because he felt that her name wasn't very suitable and good to hear for a girl's name.

"Your name will be hm… Astrid?"

Arne didn't know what to name her actually. He only gave her the name Astrid that he got from the rune knowledge that means beautiful. Divinely beautiful.

『!!!』

Suddenly, he felt that Raphael had become weird when he gave her a name. Then, various kinds of information flowed into his mind and he felt hurt a little bit.

『Condition has been met. «Manas: Astrid» has been born from Ultimate Skill «Lord of Wisdom - Raphael».』

"Manas…?"

『Yes, Arne! I have become a Manas!』

When Arne was confused because of the sudden change, he heard Raphael's voice that has become more lively and cheerful. Her voice now sounds more girly and cute. The cold and robotic tone before has completely disappeared.

'Are you Raphael?'

『You're wrong yet right! I was Raphael but I am Astrid now!』

He could feel Astrid was shaking her head and her finger while talking in a haughty tone.

'So? How did you have ego and emotions?'

『That's because I have become a Manas! I have become a sentient Spiritual Life Form with a high speed and versatile computation.』

Then, Astrid kept explaining about herself and what Manas was. Manas, the Spiritual Life Form with a Divine Wisdom Core. Inanimate existence could become a Manas because they bore a 'will' and 'ego'. Manas was born with the same will and wish as the host.

'I see. So, can the other Ultimate Skills become Manas too?'

Arne was curious if that could be done after he heard Astrid's explanation.

『Yes and no. For now, they couldn't because they have no will or ego. But, they could become a Manas if they obtained that and you named them.』

"Umu."

Arne nodded his head in understanding. He always relied on Astrid for the explanation because she was smarter and more knowledgeable than him. Without her, he might become a fool like Campione who only likes to fight like the Sixth Campione…

"Do you have any appearance then?"

『Yes! Let me show you!』

Astrid became very excited when Arne asked her that. She couldn't help but wanted to show him her appearance because she felt that she was very beautiful, similar to the name he gave her.

『«Loki»!』

Astrid could use all of Arne's powers. She activated «Lord of Deception - Loki» to create an illusion that could be seen by anyone. She has no body but she could create a body with an illusion.

『«Azazel»!』

Then, she used «Lord of Temptation - Azazel» to make the body become real with the help of «Reality Exchange».

When she had finished, she separated her thoughts and entered the body. Then, what Arne saw in front of him was the body of a girl. She didn't have any clothes on top of her body. She was very beautiful and very cute. Her cuteness can't be described by words at all. Her body and age were similar to him. About ten years old. She has long and wavy blonde hair and a pair of bright blue eyes. Her smile was very beautiful and youthful that would make everyone want to pamper her.

"How?"

Astrid said to Arne with a bright smile. She really wanted to hear Arne's compliments.

"Cute and beautiful."

Arne couldn't help but say it directly. He didn't lie at all. She was very beautiful and cute. He really wanted to pamper her. Somehow, her appearance was similar to Arne's. Blonde hair, same age, and same height.

"Hehe. Thank you."

Astrid giggled when she heard Arne's compliments and when she saw his stunned face. She was very happy that she would memorize this moment in her memory forever.

"Now where should I get your clothes… Just use mine first."

Arne didn't know where he should get a girl's clothes. He then walked to his wardrobe and took a set of clothes and gave them to Astrid.

"Thank you."

Astrid realized that she was naked and blushed a bit before she wore the clothes Arne gave him. She didn't shy that much as long as it was Arne that saw her. Her purposes were only two. That was to live with and serve Arne forever. His purposes were also hers. His goals were also hers. As long as Arne wanted anything, she would immediately get those things for him.

He was her creator. He was her master.

- - - - -

(Astrid's POV)

My name is Rapha- I mean, Astrid. That was the name that my host gave me. It was beautiful. I really like it. Let me tell you a story. When I first gained my ability to think, that was the first time I met my host. I also didn't know how I was bound with him.

I was called Great Sage at first. I have no ego or emotions before.

I watched over him and how he could deal with all the Heretic Gods he met. He faced them without even my help. At that time, I knew what it meant to be useless. I could only give him the information he needed and I wasn't satisfied with that. After all, that information and knowledge could be obtained from anywhere as long as he became stronger.

Then, I decided that I would do anything for him. I wanted to help him when he fought. I wanted to be together with him forever. That was the first time I obtained my emotion.

Then, I evolved into Raphael which made me become more intelligent. But, I still can't help him. Not long after, he did something that I wouldn't even think of. He gave me a name. Astrid.

Then, a Manas was created from Raphael and that was the current me, Astrid. I was very happy because I became a sentient being. This time, I could help him directly when he fought. I could be together with him forever.

I will always be loyal to him. I will always serve him with all my heart and might. I will help him achieve his dream. I will kill and destroy anything that blocks our path.

Hehehehe.

I will become his wife and his half.

- - - - -

(Aisha's POV)

My name is Aisha. I was the Third Campione.

I Became a Campione after I killed Persephone, the Goddess of Spring and Underworld.

Before that, let me tell you my history.

I was born in Northern India in a low caste family. When I was seven years old, I became a maid in a British Family. They were very rich because they have a diamond mine. I was sad because of the discrimination I received from the other maids because of my race.

Then, I became friends with my lady who was as old as me. But, when I and her were 17 years old, she and her family died because someone poisoned them. That someone was the maid that was bribed by the other family. I was very sad because of their death and I don't know what to do anymore. Then, somehow, their inheritances were given to me because of my lady.

She must have known that someone wanted to conspire against them and immediately told her dad. In the end, that was their decision and she didn't tell me at all because she didn't want to drag me into their troubles.

Her relatives didn't accept that I got the inheritance and immediately pursued me. Because I am afraid of them and I have no strength to resist, I ran away with the money from the inheritance. I ran away to Greece. That was the first time I met a Heretic God and became a God Slayer, Campione.

After I became a Campione, I didn't take revenge against those families that killed my lady because I knew that my lady didn't want me to do that either. She was kind, beautiful, and cheerful. She was the kind of girl that returned kindness with kindness and evil with kindness. She was like an angel. She was the kind of girl that would blame me if I tried to resurrect her. I knew that she was happy now in Heaven.

From then, I swore that I would save as many people as I could. I didn't want to see another death. I traveled around the world and saved many people. But, in the end, I couldn't save all of the people in the world. I might have saved one but thousands might have suffered around the world. Then, I met Niamh, the Queen of Tir-na-nOg. I didn't want to fight her at first, but she harmed and killed many people. That was the first time the cold side of Persephone possessed me. I killed her to save people. But, when I saved people, I killed one…

Her authority granted me the power to travel back through time. But, I can't set and choose my destination. I was happy at first because I could save as many people as I could. Then, I realized that even though I saved them, they would die in the end because of the corrective force.

The corrective force was a kind of force that would repair and mend reality back to how it was meant to be. If someone should die, they should die even though someone saved them. I was devastated at first because I couldn't save anyone. Even though I got the power.

But, I cheered myself up with a false hope that someday, I could save them without them being killed again.

I don't know how long it has been. Maybe 50 years? Maybe 100 years? Maybe 150 years? I don't know. I traveled through time and saved many people. But, all of them died again in the end. I won't stop. I won't give up…

The best place I have visited was Japan. I love their culture and that's why I tried to imitate their habits and way of speaking.

About one week ago, I felt a familiar feeling spread around the world. It was the same as what happened six years ago, four years ago, and one year ago. Yes. A new brother has been born! I am quite curious what kind of person my new little brother would be like but… I need to save people.

One week later, I returned from saving people. But, I still couldn't save them from death in the end after so many attempts.

When I was about to travel again, I felt a powerful torrent of powers. A Heretic God manifested in this world. No. Not one. Many of them have appeared here. I don't know how many of them manifested in this world. But, I need to save the people around the area.

When I arrived there, I could only see a boy surrounded by three Heretic Gods. I could see some corpses on the ground. Female to be exact. Someone must have summoned a Heretic God with those girls below… I could only pray for them in my heart.

I greeted the boy to help him fight against those Heretic Gods. But, he wasn't polite at all. He was too domineering. He immediately told me to help him as soon as I greeted him…

Then, I fought against two of the Heretic Gods. Solomon and Michael. To be exact, I only delayed them and waited for Arne to finish his fight.

He won against one of them. But then, something worse happened. The world trembled and another four Heretic Gods manifested to protect their land. Ra, Osiris, Anubis, and Set. Then, I didn't do anything at all. To be exact, I can't do anything. I saw him fighting again and again. In the end, he won them all.

I saw him fighting against all of those seven Heretic Gods. I was surprised and very amazed by his power and strength. But, he kept teasing me! I have never been that close to any male before. Even the person I considered as Onii-sama didn't acknowledge me as her little sister at all.

I kept blushing in front of him and I felt that my dignity as an older sister and senior has been torn by him… He was too mature for his age and was kind of cute…

I admit that I am shy! Don't tease me anymore… Geez…

The climax was when he gave me a ring. That was the time I knew that my dignity had disappeared…

Did he propose to me? T-This is too fast! M-Maybe 6 years later should be alright… right?

I felt that I wanted to stay with him a bit longer…

Aha! I know what to do!

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(A/N: If you like my story, comment, vote, review, and add it to your library 😁. You can also give me some story ideas that weren't in canon.)