Riveria sighed and held her forehead in frustration, "Looks like I've been too focused on my own personal matters that I forgot to properly read the reports."
"Riveria-sama! Please don't blame yourself! I also haven't heard anything about it." Lefiya grabbed her staff and got ready to get out.
However, Asfi immediately stopped her and said, "There's no one to blame. They only appeared in small numbers and were already routed. But the responders took more damage than expected, so if they keep appearing now, our stock of Intermediate Potions would immediately plummet. Not to mention that most of us have only just started learning how to use Ki so we can't reliably protect our weapons, so this might overdraft our smiths too."
A few seconds later, a member of the Ganesha Familia arrived to inform them that an emergency meeting was being called and that all of the executives were to attend.
.
.
.
Ilta Farna, the current Vice-Captain of the Ganesha Familia was walking beside her Captain while passing her report, "...As of now, there is still no other apparent reason for this expedition other than passing on these body strengthening techniques. Although as revolutionary as they are, the rate of mastery isn't ideal, especially for those who are in the lower bracket. It seems that it's very hard to learn it without much experience in being an Adventurer, according to the data we've gathered at least."
"How about the systematic learning of Magic?", asked Shakti.
Ilta shook her head and said, "The entry bar seems to be a lot higher than everyone has expected. The main problem stems from the Magic Power control and manipulation that's needed in everything within that course. We thought that it was the same with Ki that needed to favor those who have more experience in fighting, but it seems to be that Magic is tied to the individual levels. We came to this conclusion after we had everyone do some basic instructions and those with lower levels struggled to do it even worse than those who aren't taking the course and didn't have a single Magic in their arsenal but higher level. Instructor Serafall also approved of this conclusion."
Shakti, after hearing that, had her expression loosened up and sighed in relief.
"Captain? What's wrong?"
"There's nothing wrong. I'm just glad."
"Glad? Of what?"
Shakti smiled at her and said, "It seems that you've been busy enough not to think about the implication of this."
"Magic... It's the power to bend the natural laws. Those who have it would be seen differently and most of those who don't have it will strive to get one. Aside from Levels, it is another indicator of how much firepower an Adventurer could have. It's also the reason why Mages are highly sought after."
"However, everyone could only have three of them at maximum, and people like Riveria and Lefiya could circumvent this due to their unique Skills. This all-powerful force has a clear limitation to it."
"But with the introduction of Magic that anyone can use as long as they work hard enough, I'm afraid it'll send waves of unknown consequences throughout the whole of society. Most likely, wars would erupt in many places around the world. I'm relieved that it's still tied to everyone's level."
Ilta understood her point and said, "But Ki isn't subjected to the same limitations. Why only Magic?"
"Because it isn't woven into the fabric of society. It might cause the same amount of suffering as if Magic became wildly available, but it's not a very well-known thing and we'll probably be ready enough to deal with the consequences once it begins."
The duo reached the main tent where the meeting will be held and it seems they are the only ones they were all waiting for, "We're sorry that we're late."
"It's fine. The Ganesha Familia members are the ones maintaining and moderating the peace of these rowdy Adventurers, so you can take it easy on other fronts.", replied Finn while offering them a seat.
As the meeting opened up, the topic went straight to the appearance of the irregular monsters and their current supply drought. After some back and forth among the members, it was decided that only those who are capable of coating themselves with Ki and Mages would respond to the threat. Since they already knew all the paths toward the 64th floor, they would just assign people to watch over them.
"This will be the top priority, so if you're doing something or fighting monsters, immediately disengage the moment the signal is released. Although their numbers will be limited by the number of entrances, we can't let them take any space on this floor or it'll go out of our control." Finn declared the resolution.
"How should we go about with the lack of supplies then? Everything else can be gathered and be made, however, we don't have anyone capable of making Elixirs.", Tsubaki Collbrade pushed the meeting forward, "We can send a group of elites to the surface, but it's too risky for only a week or two of relief."
"Wouldn't it be fair to ask Yoruichi for some responsibility in this? Someone like her could easily get to the surface and back." Allen suggested.
While it's true that an elite team could go to the surface, no one actually wanted to do it. Even though they're all in one team right now, the rivalry between them never ceased. A few days or weeks of not fighting monsters will definitely create a gap that would be hard to catch up to.
However, Mia, who was in the room, immediately scoffed at him and said, "Stop this childish passing of responsibility. It's your guy's fault that more Elixirs were used in the first place. All for the name of your pride."
Allen clicked his tongue, but didn't say anything else.
Mia then turned to Finn and asked, "Where are the two of them anyway?"
Finn leaned back and answered, "The moment those monsters appeared, they both rushed to the next floor. What're they planning and when are they coming back? They didn't say anything."
"Can we retreat?"
"I'm sorry. Loki asked me not to retreat until we got permission from both of them. And even if I wanted to..." Finn's eyes landed on Ottar who's sitting quietly, "He also received the same words from Freya."
Everyone in the room followed his line of sight and thought that this stubborn and faithful Captain of the Freya Familia who would probably lay his life on the line just to stop them if they ever wanted to retreat.
Mia sighed and said, "I'll go with my girls to the surface."
But before Finn could examine this proposal, it suddenly became noisy outside, "What's going on?"
Editors:
28th00: Mama Mia went too? Woah. Didn't expect that for some reason.
Redemperor D
The commotion outside became louder and it wasn't long before the curtains blocking the main tent's entrance parted and revealed three figures, two of which were familiar to almost everyone.
"Good day, everyone. I'm sorry for interrupting your meeting." The one in the center led the other two. With graceful steps that were almost divine and silky smooth shiny long purple hair flowing behind her, Medusa entered the tent wearing her revealing black and purple combat attire and purple blindfold. Despite her cold countenance, she was so bright that it was as if she lightened the room.
Everyone, male or female was taken aback by her appearance and seemed to question her identity, including those from the Freya Familia. With a wry smile, Finn muttered, "I see now... No wonder it was noisy outside. I hope a fight doesn't start over this."
"That is none of my concern." Medusa wasn't unaware of what her appearance and aura could do. In fact, she was painfully aware of it and it was technically the reason for her tragedy from long ago. If the men started killing each other because of her, she wouldn't bat an eye at it and just leave the ghastly scene hoping that some of them wouldn't be able to bother her and her sisters in the future.
It was because of this apathy that she failed to recognize Bell, the current Captain of the Miach Familia, who was looking at her in a trance. But even if she had noticed, the most she could give him is a cold glance. Thanks to this apathy, however, Bell's unique skill didn't deactivate and was only further strengthened while hoping for her recognition, never realizing that it was already doomed from the start.
But amidst this admiration, Medusa noticed something different and turned in Riveria's direction. Although she couldn't see the expression she was making, she was giving off a familiar feeling. It was a feeling that she always exuded when in front of her sisters. The feeling of inferiority without any hint of jealousy.
Riveria was shocked when Medusa suddenly turned her head in her direction and was even more surprised when she smiled and said, "Outward appearances are the least of his concerns."
"W-what are you talking about?" Riveria immediately feigned ignorance and minutely controlled her expression as she thought that her feelings were showing on her face. It was then she remembered that Medusa was currently blindfolded and wondered how she figured her out. Still, it was a good way to dodge her words and asked, "What happened to your eyes? Were you injured?"
'Wait... Why did I assume that she's talking about Kisuke? Why did I act like I knew what she was talking about? And is she even talking to me in the first place?'
As various thoughts swirled inside of Riveria's head, Medusa chuckled at her reaction which was the stark contrast to the demeanor she was showing just previously, and put half of those in the room into an immediate trance, "I'm not injured. Let's just say that it's a form of training so that even without my sight, I'd still be able to accurately tell what's going on in my surroundings using just my other senses."
All of sudden, a dagger connected to a set of chains materialized on Medusa's hand and she threw it towards Ottar, who was about to grab his sword. It was so fast that even though they recognized her actions, no one was able to do anything, "I don't have anything to prove to you, but please curb your curiosity with this. I don't have any spare time to waste on you."
Ottar smiled as he looked back to the dagger that'd punched straight through the hand that was about to grab his weapon, "How wonderful. You're the same type of monster as the both of them." he muttered as fighting spirit filled his whole body. While everyone else was speechless, they all immediately recovered, except for Bell who was technically a newbie and quietly panicking at the sight of gushing blood.
Medusa ignored his comment and finally proceeded to introduce those behind her, "Everyone already knows her, but allow me to present you Line Arshe. In response to your lack of healing items and personnel, Yoruichi has asked me to bring her here."
Line stepped forward and bowed down, "Please take care of me!"
Those who knew of her could still see her low self-esteem. However, only those with sharp eyes could see beyond it, 'That movement and demeanor... Only experienced Adventurers could have those. It looks like she wasn't just studying Magic from him.' Finn thought while his doubts regarding her loyalty to the Loki Familia began to surface.
"I'm sorry to say this, but what can a single person do?" Tsubaki suddenly asked.
In response, Medusa answered, "Conveniently, there's a wounded man here. Line-san, please show them what you can do."
"Yes!"
"Conveniently you say..." The corner of Tsubaki's mouth twitched as she stopped herself from retorting, so did the others.
The conveniently wounded man was curious about what Line could do, so he stretched out his hand when she approached. But it didn't take more than a few seconds before multiple Magic Circles were deployed around the hand and it was to everyone's view how Ottar's flesh started mending itself before his hand was repaired to perfection, "I opted to use your own cell's regeneration capacity to heal you since you have a lot of stamina. It should be just like waiting for it to heal over time, but I just guided and accelerated the process.", Line explained to the stunned Ottar who was healed faster than even an Elixir could.
"How was it?" asked Finn.
"...Incredible.", murmured Ottar, "Not even the lingering pain that Potions always leave behind."
Finn then turned to Line and asked, "How many times can you do this?"
Without any hesitation, Line answered with a smile, "If it's how I just healed Ottar-san, I can do it as many times as time allows and without rest for about... hmmm... three days, I guess?"
"Nonstop for three days!?" Shakti stood up and slammed the table.
Contrary to everyone's expectations, Line, instead, became embarrassed and replied while scratching her cheek, "I'm sorry, but that's only as far as my mental capacity can go. But I'll be fine and could go again after a good night's rest and a portion of hearty food!"
"I'm not discounting your ability, though!? And you'll be fine after a night's rest!? Not even a short-lasting fatigue or physical pain!?"
"But a healer needs to be able to heal their allies without compromising one's abilities, though? There's no point if the healer is the first to go down after healing a few times."
"That's not what I'm talk-"
Before Shakti could finish talking, Line interrupted her because she thought she finally got what she meant, "Please let me explain. The treatment I gave Ottar-san can only be applied to minor wounds like that and to stronger individuals since it would be consuming their stamina greatly."
"For fatal wounds or those who are weakened, I would need to use my Magic Power reserves to do the treatment. In regards to that, I can only do it about 300-400 times before needing a break for a whole day. I can't just do something about my reserves. And while I can use Magic Stones as a substitute, I'm not proficient enough to purify the Magic Power within, so using it for treatment might have adverse effects on the patient, so I'm only doing that if it's an emergency."
"..." There were so many points of retort that Shakti and everyone remained speechless.
The second person who came with Medusa nodded in understanding and thought, 'As expected of a member of that group. Over the top as usual.'
Editors:
28th00: It’s been so long since Bell appeared that I somehow forgot he got his skill off of Medusa this time around, which sucks for him, to be fair. Medusa is so heavy into her maid/servant fetish(like Grayfia) towards Kisuke who is her literal hero and savior for both her and her sisters, that he would never even register to her awareness. At least in the OTL with Aiz, he at least had a chance, since she was single. Also, Riveria’s crush has been called out and her ears might’ve even waggled!
Redemperor D
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