Chapter 12: Chapter 11: Winning A Simple Bet
Sitting on his bed, Nilcaris found himself in deep meditation after he spent time reading with Beatrice. He reached into his gate, and od to pull his mana and chi out in order to circulate them all over his body as if he were sharpening his body through those two energies.
Chi was the energy of life, vitality, stamina, lifespan, vigor, and other such aspects of being alive, and as such is directly related to one's physical state. As the chi left the Od and was streamed through his whole body, the body frame of the amethyst-eyed young man changed, and he became a lean but muscular young man, slowly but surely.
At the same time, mana was also made to flow internally, and it nurtured the now compact dense muscles in his body with the necessary layer of growth, protection, elasticity, and magic affinity. This makes his body a more optimal version for both physical matters and magic situations, allowing him to have the adaptability necessary for the best result both ways. Refining, and purifying his physical body, and magical capacity.
Though the current level he reached was far from the pinnacle, it was nonetheless a step forward and closer to the end game. So, he continued the process not losing focus or being worried about the outcome.
Meanwhile, Beatrice was busy having a conversation in her mind.
(It was not so bad to listen to you, I suppose. Even though I still fail to understand why you serve him. I don't even know if he's that person, I wonder.) Beatrice looked at the meditating Nilcaris, her eyes narrowing.
{I wouldn't underestimate him, he's a bit... Unusual, and not exactly right in the head when it comes to the goals he sets for himself, but he has not shown any signs of ever being one to give up at all.} Genive shared her thoughts with the blond girl, her form a small body of light with a feminine shape but no actual features.
(I can't deny that, and I appreciate your advice, I suppose. It doesn't change the fact he might not be who I'm looking for... Plus it doesn't answer my question, why do you serve him? In fact...) Beatrice sighed as she looked at the book in her hands, the memories of a time far far gone scrolled through.
{It's a bit up in the air, but I guess I want to serve him... I think, but I was also created for this, so is this what I want or what I was made to want? I don't know, are any of my thoughts or feelings my own? Who knows... I guess it doesn't matter. I tried to find meaning to my existence, and the answer was none.
{At first, I was mad, and I just wanted to get far away from everything, because I hated my existence, and was mad at the one responsible for my creation. Well, some things changed, it was not as bad as I thought it would be, but I don't want to accept it just because I don't hate it, I want to belong here... I want him to win me over... I don't know, it's still weird in my head. All I know is that I want my existence to be a result of my choices, not something 100% preset... But then won't it just be pointless to just serve him anyway? Just where do his influence and desires end, and where do I start?} Genive expressed looking at her featureless hands of light.
(Made for him? You're just like puckie... I mean Puck, I suppose. As for your other questions, I can't answer them. A spirit like you is not something to just come by, but maybe Puck knows something, I wonder.) Beatrice replied patting Genive's shoulder with a blank expression.
{The worst part will be telling him he's become a living vessel... I don't even know how that happened. I just really wanted some alone time, and before I knew it, I was there in the library with you.} Genive sighed at the thought of having to explain this, would he be mad at her? Would he believe her?
(I suppose that's just something you'll have to do. If he's that person, and who you claim him to be, it will likely end up fine. I don't know how he became an Anchor for you as humans don't commonly become vessels for spirits, but I do know one thing I am sure of is that he's insufferably stubborn, in fact.) Beatrice replied.
{... You're not wrong. He's a pretty hardheaded guy, I don't hate it though, it kind of feels like there's nothing to worry about.} Genive nodded and looked at Nilcaris with a small smile.
(I don't need his closeness, I suppose. All I want is for him to prove if he's that person or not. I already wasted a lot of time I could have spent with Pucki-, I mean Puck on him, I wonder.) Beatrice crossed her arms with a slight blush as she thought of it.
At that time, Genive went back to her anchor and left Beatrice there, as the amethyst-eyed young man opened his eyes.
[Congratulations Master! You've ranked up from ER I to ER H. You've become level 6.]
Feeling better than before and much more in tune with his body in a physical and magical sense, as not only could he just feel the mana in the air around him without trying, but he could also notice the improvement to his 5 senses, movement, body control, and strength. No longer was he just at the peak of what a normal human could do, now existing above that.
In order to look at these changes, he opened his status screen.
[Status Screen]
[Name: Nilcaris Kwiv Love
Age: 16 years old
Sex: Male
Species: Humanoid | Sub-Species: Human
Affinity: Neutral, Life, Death, Yin, Yang, Fire, Water, Earth, Wind
Bloodline: Love Lineage
Physique: True Deathless Human Body; Excess Mana Circulation Constitution
Soul rank: Mortal(Rank I)
Level: 5 -> 6
Titles: None
Job: None
Class: None
Attributes:
HP: 1000/1000 | MP: 500 | Sta: 350/350
Strength: 34 -> 35 -> 37
Dexterity: 34 -> 35 -> 37
Willpower: 34 -> 35 -> 37
Agility: 34 -> 35 -> 37
Undistributed attribute points: 0 -> 8 -> 0
Stats:
-Accessible
Charisma: I+ -> H-
Luck: I+ -> H-
Mortal Energy Core/s(2): Od(H-); Gate(I+)
-Inaccessible
Chi(Od): I+ -> H-
Mental: I+
Spiritual(Soul): I
Angelic: 0
Demonic: 0
Essence: I-
Magic(Mana/Gate): I -> I+
Reality: I-
Particularity/s(Authority/s): Portal Creation; True Deathless; System
Innate ability/s(Racial skills): None
Active skills: None
Passive skills: None
Resistances: Deathless,
Magic: None
Unique Magic: None
Extras: Divine Protection Of The God; Blessing Of The Great Spirit, Genive;
Inventory: Human corpses x8]
After seeing the changes to his status screen, Nilcaris nodded feeling satisfied. Beatrice on the other hand, also noticed these changes, ones which surprised her.
"What… what just happened, I wonder?" She stands up, her gaze fixed on him with a mixture of awe and curiosity. "Your mana... it's much stronger now, I suppose. How did you achieve such a transformation, in fact?" She steps closer, her eyes filled with a rare spark of genuine interest. "Explain yourself, I wonder!"
"How about you make a contract with me, and I'll explain," Nilcaris proposed with a smile.
This caused her to narrow her eyes slightly, a mixture of suspicion and curiosity evident in her gaze. "A contract, you say?" She crosses her arms, tapping her foot thoughtfully. "Contracts are not to be taken lightly, I suppose. They bind us in ways that are not easily undone, in fact."
She takes a few seconds, then turns to him, and studies him for a moment, weighing his words and the transformation his undergone. "Explain what you intend with this contract, I wonder. Convince me that it's worth the risk, I suppose."
"It's what I do. I'll stay with you forever, unlike a normal human, I'll always be alive and come back to you eventually, regardless of what happens, so our contract will be eternal. You just have to serve me and be absolutely loyal to me, and I will give you, your hopes, dreams, and goals." The amethyst-eyed young man said to her as he held her hand intertwined with his.
Beatrice's eyes widen, and she looks down at their intertwined hands, her usual stern expression faltering as she considers his words. "Forever, you say? She bites her lip, clearly torn by your offer. An eternal contract... it's a serious commitment, I suppose. And you claim you can fulfill my hopes and dreams, in fact."
She takes a deep breath, her eyes searching his for any hint of deception. Finding none, she slowly nods, her voice soft but resolute.
"Very well, I suppose. If you are truly committed to this, then I will accept your offer, in fact. I will serve you and be loyal to you, as you have promised to stay with me always." Beatrice extends her hand fully, sealing the agreement with a determined look in her eyes. "Let us forge this contract, I wonder."
"Then allow me to be your contractor, and let us seal this deal." Nilcaris held her hand tight, it still intertwined with hers.
Beatrice takes a deep breath, her eyes locking onto his with a mix of determination and anticipation. "Very well, I suppose. Let us seal this contract." She raises her free hand, and a soft, glowing light begins to emanate from her palm, enveloping both of his hands.
There is a pause where she stops seemingly hesitating before she sighs, and says.
"By the power vested in me as the Great Spirit, I bind myself to you, in fact. I shall serve you and be loyal to you, for all eternity, I suppose." The light intensifies, forming intricate patterns around their joined hands, a symbol of the contract now forged between them.
"It is done, I wonder. From this moment forward, our fates are intertwined, I suppose." She looks up at him, a small, genuine smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Now, explain to me the nature of your newfound power, in fact."
"I used my Od, and mana to permanently refine and strengthen my physical body, and magical capabilities. It's just something I can do. It might have to do with my authority." He responded.
"This could become dangerous, I suppose," Beatrice commented looking at him, her expression monotone with her voice, but her actions betrayed her as she climbed and sat on his lap.
No words left her mouth, but Nilcaris could tell what she wanted, and pet her head.
"Aren't you a little demanding gremlin?" Nilscaris asked sarcastically, as he once again found himself reading with her.
"Reading together like this... it's not so bad, I suppose." Beatrice pouted as she just focused on reading.
Soon the time to go win a bet came, and Beatrice followed him, together with Elsa, Ram, Rem, Subaru, Emilia, and even Roswaal came to watch. It had become such an event that Meili started getting some money from the villagers to let them see it too, and while they didn't have much, money was money.
"Isn't this a little too much..." Nilcaris narrowed his eyes as he looked at all the people there, clearly bothered by their presence.
"I thought you were not one to back down, or maybe you were just saying things, I suppose," Beatrice commented seeing him like that.
[Would you look at that? I never expected to see you bothered like that.] Genive chimed in as well.
"It's just annoying to have so many people know what I can do, there's a reason I don't just show all I can with my portals for example," Nilcaris said as he sighed trying to think of new moves to make up for the ones that will be seen today.
"That's paranoia, you shouldn't be so worried about that, it's not like you have a particular enemy here, I wonder." Beatrice rolled her eyes at his worries.
Nilcaris crept up with an overly serious expression and whispered into her ear. "Od Lagna is always watching."
[That's disgusting, never make that face again. Plus, you don't even know what it does, you just know that name because of random online videos you watched on Re: Zero because you're too lazy to read.] Genive called him out.
Beatrice was startled slightly, her eyes widening as she processed his words. She glanced around nervously, then looked back at him, her expression a mix of confusion and mild annoyance.
"What are you talking about, I wonder? Don't say such ominous things out of nowhere, I suppose! If Od Lagna is watching, then we should stay vigilant, in fact. But there's no need to scare me like that, I suppose!" Beatrice had shivers sent down her spine, and she sent him flying off with a gust of wind.
This had him rolling for a bit until he hit a tree nearby.
(I'm sure it's somehow gonna end up being the end game boss, so I'm wary of not doing anything to show my cards, but if it can read my mind, then... Oh well, no solution, I'll have to square up.) Nilcaris spoke in his delusional ways, as he got his footing, and stood up.
[You want to "Square up" to Od Lagna? You do realize it's not really a being you can fight, right?] Genive could not understand the mind of this guy at all.
(You have to think! Genive think! I'm here to get the World Core. Where else would the Re: Zero World Core be then in Reinhard's secret stash?) The amethyst-eyed young man tapped his forehead.
[That is possible considering Od Lagna is literally a reserve of mana that is considered to be the heart of the world. However, I don't think your methods are helping you.] Genive said skeptical of his hypothesis.
(Through Occam's razor, Od Lagna just makes sense as the finale.) Nilcaris rebutted.
AN: Occam's Razor: Is the problem-solving principle that recommends searching for explanations constructed with the smallest possible set of elements. In other words, the simpler answer is often true.
[I... I won't even... Ok. Believe it if that's what you want.] Genive gave up.
Everyone was ready to watch, and among them, Elsa, Meili, Roswaal, and Beatrice were paying special attention.
The demonic beasts that came forth were a big wolgarm, a bunch of black-winged mice, and some double-headed serpents.
The black-winged mice had black wings and a tail a third their size to accompany the sharp teeth. While the double-headed serpents had two heads and a body as thick as a human arm.
(It's odd to think I belong to someone other than, Mother, but the more time I spend watching him, the more confusing he gets. He's so sure of everything he does like he knows the future, and concerning is his growth.
(A week ago, aside from his somewhat annoying powers, I could take him out the moment he made a mistake and broke our oath or after Mother eliminated us, but he was getting stronger too fast, yet stopped 3 days ago, and now... He can't be compared to yesterday even, his body, and the air around him are completely different, still far from a real threat one on one... Even so, if he keeps improving so fast...) Elsa smiled watching him with a piercing gaze, her desire to open his guts growing stronger every day, edging her to simply be in his presence.
At the same time, Meili had a serious expression as she stood behind the demon beasts looking at Nilcaris. (He's crazy... Big sister Elsa did all the work, and he thinks he's something special because of it. Hmph! Bad news! I saw your weird portal power, and know how it works, you can't win, disgusting freeloader! I'll free her from you.)
(How curious, the Book of Wisdom did speak of this, but to see it with my own eyes is something else, Subaru-Kun, and Mister Love, You'll both put up quite the show.) Roswaal watched waiting to see it with his own eyes.
Finally, there was Beatrice watching in silence, where she stood at the edge of the clearing, her small form tense with concern as she watched Nilcaris prepare to face the demonic beast. Her eyes flickered between the beasts, Meili, and him, worry etched into her features despite her attempts to maintain a calm demeanor.
"You better not lose, I suppose!" She called out, her voice carrying a mixture of determination and fear. "Remember our contract and come back to me safely, in fact!" She clasped her hands together, her gaze never leaving him as the battle began.
(The Book of Wisdom says no more, Is he that person? I don't know, but he has to be, right? Why else would it say I come this far? Is it a test? I don't know, I wonder.) She shook her head deciding to leave those thoughts behind for now.
At that time, the battle finally started as he faced off against the formidable the big Wolgarm, surrounded by a swarm of black-winged mice and double-headed serpents. The villagers, Elsa, Roswaal, Emilia, and Subaru watched anxiously, while Beatrice kept her eyes locked on him, her eyes locked on.
As the battle commenced, the big Wolgarm lunged at him with terrifying speed, its fangs bared and saliva dripping from its jaws. Nilcaris swiftly opened a portal under his own feet, disappearing just as the beast's claws swiped through the air where he stood.
Just to reappear behind it, as he unleashed a barrage of strikes, aiming for its eyes, nose, and ears. His fists, though not superhumanly strong, landed with enough force to stagger the beast momentarily, but it quickly recovered, turning to face him with a snarl.
(It's pretty resilient, how off-putting.) Nilcaris internally sighed.
The black-winged mice swarmed towards the amethyst-eyed young man, their sharp teeth and claws glinting menacingly. He created another portal, redirecting them into the path of the serpents. The double-headed creatures hissed and snapped at the mice, momentarily distracted by the unexpected attack. However, the sheer number of enemies meant that this move could only buy him a few precious seconds.
Roswaal's eyes twinkled with interest as he observed him. "Quite the resourceful one, isn't he?" he mused, a smile playing on his lips.
Subaru, on the other hand, clenched his fists in a mix of concern, and hope. "Come on, you can do this! Nil! Don't let them overwhelm you!" he shouted, his voice full of encouragement.
Emilia's hands were clasped tightly together, her eyes wide with worry. "Please be careful," she whispered, her gaze never leaving Nilcaris.
Elsa watched with a predatory grin, her eyes gleaming with excitement. "Not bad... Let's see how he handles this," she murmured, her fingers twitching as if itching to join the fray.
The big Wolgarm snarled in frustration, its eyes blazing with fury. It summoned another wave of black-winged mice, directing them toward the amethyst-eyed young man, with a guttural roar. In response, he deftly opened a series of small portals and used them to slice through the swarm and disperse them across the battlefield. His portals were limited to a ten-meter radius, but he used them with precision, creating barriers and redirecting the mice into the paths of the serpents.
One of the serpents lunged at Nilcaris, its twin heads snapping viciously. He dodged out of the way as the serpent tried to sink its fangs into his arm, only for him to portal it at the big Wolgarm's eye, which the serpent bit. The beast stumbled, momentarily dazed by the impact, but quickly recovered, shaking off the serpent and focusing on him with renewed ferocity, one of it's eyes popped with blood coming out.
Beatrice's eyes shone with a mix of admiration and anxiety. "He's more capable than I thought, I suppose," she muttered, her voice barely audible.
The villagers watched impressed, their fear slowly giving way to hope as he decently navigated the battlefield. They began to cheer him on, their voices rising in unison. "You can do it! Defeat them!"
(I need a strong blow to damage it... I know.) Nilcaris smiled as he had a plan.
With renewed determination, he faced the remaining enemies. The big Wolgarm, recovering from the bite, snarled and charged at him again. Quickly, Nilcaris opened a portal right beneath the creature and this time it dodged, but it was a trap as another portal was waiting above it, and the beast jumped right into it, reappearing higher above the ground around 10 meters in the air, before crashing down hard, dazed and vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, he launched himself at one of his portals, and it was right above another, so this caused him to be looped between the two portals gaining great momentum until he was going very fast, and changed the portal exit to be right above the big Wolgram, delivering a powerful blow to its head.
But this time, the beast was ready. It is as if by instinct, it moved its head to the side at the last second, causing Nilcaris's fist to pierce its shoulder instead of landing a direct hit, blood gushing as it was still a powerful hit. The big Wolgarm retaliated with a swipe of its massive paw, catching him before he could dodge, across the chest and sending him sprawling backward. His deathless body kicked in immediately, healing the deep gashes, but the pain still lingered.
The serpents regrouped and slithered towards him, hissing menacingly. Using his portals, Nilcaris maneuvered around them with ease, cutting off their heads with swift, precise amethyst disks, and fist strikes. His hands, though not enhanced, moved with practiced skill, finding the weak points in their scales and severing their necks cleanly after spending the week watching Elsa killing them. However, one serpent managed to graze his leg with its fangs, and he felt a burning sensation as its venom started to take effect. His deathless body stopped the poison from being deadly, but it still slowed him down considerably.
The black-winged mice swarmed once more, but he opened a series of small portals around himself, redirecting their attacks to collide with one another, and thinning their numbers. Each portal was placed to create a defensive barrier that funneled the mice into concentrated groups, making them easier to dispatch. Despite this, a few of the mice managed to slip through, biting and scratching at his exposed skin. The amethyst-eyed young man, gritted his teeth against the pain, as his deathless body began healing and keeping the wounds from becoming fatal but not preventing the discomfort.
Drawing on his strength, Nilcaris began to open portals with surgical precision, each one crafted to exploit the openings in the formation of his enemies and to create barriers that disrupted their attacks. He placed a portal in front of a group of charging black-winged mice, redirecting them and the serpents into another portal that sent them hurtling into the path of the big Wolgarm. The impact disoriented the serpent, giving him an opening to strike its vulnerable neck, and he launched many amethyst disks at it, and bleed escaped its neck as it looked at him with one remaining eye, ready to kill.
(So simple, I thought Meili would have a better plan than this.) Nilcaris thought to himself.
Meanwhile in the mind of the young Meili. (Why? why? why? Why can he move like that?! He's much faster and stronger than yesterday! Plus, why won't he go down even with the poison and so many wounds? He should be dead! He's got to be cheating! I won't let you have big sister Elsa, anyway! Die, die, die!)
The big Wolgarm, watching its Nilcaris, roared in fury and charged at him with renewed vigor. Anticipating its move, he opened a portal just as its massive body lunged forward and it was ready for it, but its opened shoulder wound many just slow enough to fall for it, causing it to stumble into another portal he had set a few meters away. The disorientation left the big Wolgarm vulnerable for a moment, and the amethyst-eyed young man capitalized on this by launching a flurry of blows and amethyst disks, each aimed at its joints and weaker body parts such as eyes, nose, and ears.
The serpents, sensing the tide of battle turning, coordinated a desperate attack. Two of them lunged at him simultaneously, their fangs bared. He opened portals just in time, causing their trajectories to intersect. They collided with each other, tangling their bodies in a mass of scales and hissing. Nilcaris quickly severed their heads with amethyst disks, leaving them writhing on the ground as the last of them went out.
This gave the big Wolgarm the opening it needed to bite down on Nilaris, having half of him in its mouth, of his eyes having escaped from his attempt at dodging. Using his still-seeing eye, Nilcaris saw a way out just as the beast got ready to chew him down.
The black-winged mice, undeterred by the fate of their larger companions, still wondered and he used that. He opened a series of rapid portals, funneling them into the big Wolgram's body. This caused it immense pain as the mice bit its numerous wounds. As he opened its mouth to groan in pain, he put an amethyst disk on its mouth and took the chance to get himself out of there.
(It's about time to end it.) A bloody Nilcaris who also had a fair share of healing and healed wounds, smiled as he stood there looking at the beast, blood coming off the many holes in his body.
As the battlefield began to clear, the amethyst-eyed young man turned his attention back to the big Wolgarm. The beast, now heavily injured, its once fearsome growls reduced to pained whimpers, made one last desperate attempt to overpower him. It lunged with all its remaining strength, but he was ready. Nilcaris opened a portal beneath himself, causing it to stumble as it missed and he just reappeared above it. The tired beast covered itself in an earth dome, but this didn't stop him.
Nilcaris landed on top of the dome and created an amethyst disk before putting it in the loop of falling between portals as he soon gained momentum far beyond what he had allowed himself.
At the same time, he began getting attacked by various earth spikes, most of which he dodged, but some managed to pierce his body, and then he delivered a powerful blow as he let the amethyst disk that gained immense momentum, to be sent at the earth dome.
Like a blast attack, it dashed through making the area tremble as a result, and left a crater that went for 100 meters, on only 10 seconds of build-up.
"That was a little more dangerous than I expected..." Nilcaris rubbed his chin as he looked at the damage caused.
The impact reverberated through the clearing, and the big Wolgarm's legs buckled. It tried to rise, but its injuries were too severe as most of its muscle and even bone was now exposed as it had been grazed by the attack. With a final, defeated snarl, the massive creature collapsed to the ground. Its body hit the earth with a resounding thud, sending a cloud of dust into the air and signaling the end of the battle.
[Master, you have killed 1 level 25 Boss Wolgarm, 67 level 8 black-winged mice, and 48 level 12 double-headed serpents and you have gained 4688 exp]
[You have leveled up to level 11.]
As the dust settled, Nilcaris stood amidst the fallen foes, his chest heaving from the exertion. The battlefield, once teeming with life and danger, was now eerily silent, save for the cheers of the villagers and his companions.
"No! No! No!" Meili was broken as she watched the beast go down.
Subaru rushed forward, a wide grin on his face. "That was amazing, man! You really showed them!"
Emilia approached more cautiously, her eyes shining with gratitude. "That was certainly impressive. You were incredible out there."
Elsa's grin widened, and she gave him a slow, mocking clap. "Well done. Perhaps there's more to you than meets the eye." Then she walked up to Meili and let her cry in her arms.
Roswaal simply nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Impressive indeed."
Beatrice ran to his side, her eyes filled with relief. "You did it, I suppose. You truly are remarkable, in fact." She reached out and took his hand.
"I don't like crowds too much, no matter what you say," Nilcaris complained.
"Don't be such a downer, You're becoming quite popular around here." Subaru had his arm around his shoulder as he spoke.
"Hehehe, It's as Subaru says, appreciates the people supporting you a little more." Emilia leaned in and flicked his forehead with no strength whatsoever.
"I'll think about maybe considering about possibly doing that," Nilcaris replied with a smile.
"Lame! What kind of answer is that?" Subaru rolled his eyes.
"So long as you think about iiiiiiiiiit." Emilia tried to wink but closed both eyes.
"They are both noisy, I suppose. When will they leave, I wonder." Beatrice made it clear she wanted Subaru and Emilia out of there.
"I guess I'll just tell Puck what you said, I wonder." Subaru mocked her with a slight threat.
"You won't do that, I suppose." Beatrice let go of Nilcaris to go argue with the black-haired young man.
"What do you think, Nilcaris-San? Do you think I would be able to make a kingdom where every day is like this one?" Emilia asked as she looked around at all the people just enjoying their time together from talking about the fight, to just going about their day, it was nice and quiet, free of worry.
"No... Not alone, but I think you have the right people to help you when you need them, so, you'll be fine, you're pretty lucky." Nilcaris replied watching the people as well, and it made him smile a bit.
"I guess... I never I would be called lucky of all things by someone else, and not you... But in a way it's true. I'm happy to be lucky." Emilia smiled sincerely as they just stood there.
"Puck! Nil! Emilia-tan! Help me! She's pure evil!" Subaru who was overpowered by Beatrice pleaded.
"Silence, fight your own battles, you're supposed to be a man, I suppose." Beatrice knocked his head as she complained.
This caused both Nilcaris, and Emilia to laugh at them, as the day continued, and it was rather peaceful.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone