章 8: B1: Chaper 12
"Tell me what the difficulty is on?"
"Hard"
"Is there something wrong with the adjustment rate"
"Absolutely not", said an unidentified but grizzly automated voice
"Can you check Zed?"
"Certainly Master"
"Are we serious? This simulation is run with the finest... HEY. Stop. Don't just force your way in there its delicate. Here, see, there are zero mistakes"
"Master, twenty more seconds, UTC, are needed to complete the diagnostic"
"Unit Z-32R45S10 it's us. We have only ever made one mistake and that was because of, Master Adam"
"I don't know what to say other than 'there has to be a bug'. Otherwise how do I explain that..."
Adam lagged out of his slowed perception of time, let Zed and another unit talk, and locked onto the dazzling figure of Elena.
Five finger thin tendrils of water spun around Elena's body like a windmill of snakes. A coating of needle thin and jagged shards of ice wrapped around the narrow edges of the watery wires. They were all just as sharp and straight as a swords edge even when they curled and waved around. A small patch of frost coated the dead leaves beneth her in a meter radius around her. And a palm sized bubble rotated above her head like a watery halo.
Adam watched her beauty as it turned deadly and illusory. She responded to a group of assailants. It was obvious that the beasts did not know they were rushing to their deaths.
Four of the five whips froze and broke down into a light flurry of snow. That snow then circled Elena's body a few times until some of it drifted to the frost beneath her or collected into orbiting rings and crystals of ice and water. The majority of the snow pooled into the bubble that crowned her head. The bubble then rotated so quickly that it turned into a thick body sized oval.
It was this oval bubble shield coated in ice that withstood the impact and locked down the wild spread of antlers from an enraged beast. What Adam saw next could only count as a forbidden dance. It was just as beautiful as it was deadly.
Elena's arm went up, along with two rings of ice and the oval bubble shield. She spun on her heel and threw out another arm: the rings exploded outwards like bullets as the ice pierced the eyes of the surrounding beasts. Her palms flipped and her fingers fluttered like butterflies as each and every shard of ice hit their target. Her feet kicked up the snow that followed her, adding a certain amount of deception to her illusory dance. The snow followed the arc of her leg as she lifted it behind her, like it was a ribbon of snow that was tied to her ankle.
She did another graceful twirl and repositioned herself to get away from the blinded animals. In their rage, the group of animals collided into one another and locked their horns together. The worst off deer in the collision recieved a light scar on its face plating.
The best part of her escape, however, was her closer position to the leader of the group, the monster just so happened to be the same beast caught in her shield.
The watery snakes that shadowed her, copied her lithe movements and soundlessly wrapped itself around the beast's neck when she curved her arm behind it. The liquid wire soaked into the gap within its streamlined body armor and then an enchanting icy collar sprouted. Soundlessly, the stags head fell into the leaves on the forest ground. Its body stood there, up right and immobile.
"Master, there are zero anomalies in any of the code"
"See. I knew we could not make a mistake"
"I know you can't make a mistake. It's just hard to see her get it so fast without any help....", Adam responded to the grizzled voice
"Master, we have been assisting Mistress since she woke up though"
"I know that too. Lucky hinted that you all would but I'm talking about my help. She figured out everything on her own...They grow up so fast..."
"Does that difference matter Master? And you did inform Mistress on the benefits of using magic that is more in line with the enviroment"
"I did..."
"We would like to request that you stop destabilizing", Lucky showed up and ruined the atmosphere.
"Good of you to show up. Do you have anything to tell me"
"We only have to say that Mistress in improving within our estimates"
"Oh really? Which ones? The ones I know or the ones you are hiding from me?"
"We..."
"I heard how 'emotional' you were before I went under..."
"..."
"I won't ask which unit did it and I won't ask about what you found. I have made my decision so just work around it"
"We will..."
Like reaping wheat, she cut down an odd dozen deer like creatures within ten minutes. Not a single drop of blood stained her clothing as she landed in front of Adam. She was about to talk but turned her head around to meet two pairs of cold, serpantine eyes.
Almost an hour went by as she alternated between killing things that resembled deer and snakes. Between each rotation, she just barely had enough time to catch her breath. Anyone else would have died in the constant onslaught of sneak attacks but Elena...
Her movements slowly became more refined and, unrestrained?.
During her flips, the dress that she wore would flip up just enough to reveal her upper thighs: She was wearing tights but it was still a magnificent sight. Her dodging also became more perilous as the antlers or fangs just barely grazed the frills on her dress or her skin. In other words, she was purposefully amplifying the desire and fear that Adam would feel as he watched her. And she definately knew that he was watching her because she could feel his pervasive and oddly comforting gaze on all parts of her body.
The attacks finally ended so she exhaled for the first time in a while. It was a little breathing technique that she mimicked from a certain woodsmans. A <Wind> type utility magic that was called <Giants lungs> popped after a hour of trying to get the breaths right.
Her other new magics fell into the <Snow/ Ice> category. <Shard Shield> and <Frost>. Like her Water bubble, the <Shards> was a defensive magic that she fashioned to fit her lack of attack when she paired it up with a rope like <Bubble Shield> (The whip like snakes).
The <Frost> was a utility skill that made her movements more illusory and agile. Mixing her magic with <Shard Shield> made her look like a goddess of ice and snow (The rings of snow and ice crystals that floated around her)
However, when she mixed, <Frost>, <Shard Shield>, and the Attack magic of <Snowball>, the effects resembled a shrapnel grenade that she could indefinitely fire off.
The most horrifying part was, collectively, all of her ice and snow magic barely reached <50%> of her total concentration when she used it at max, and her water magic never reached above <90%> total because of her manipulation and cost management.
Adam said it was a bug because she reached that stage after a few hours of fighting, which, other than himself, has never been done before . Other witches would have taken a few days to reach her current level of mastery while regular people could only hope to see a fraction of the same progress in years.
"That was fun. I could get used to this feeling. It's like I can feel everything at the same time..."
She closed her eyes and fixed her hair, which was shining with a flaming gleam. She opened them again as she turned around to look at Adam for his opinion on matter.
"How does it feel for you? What?..."
Her eyes collided with Adam's and she felt like her everything was exposed in front of him. Her face went red with embarrassment as she had been unwittingly caught. Her face showed her thoughts, "Did I get caught?", but her mouth said something that was too playful.
"Did you finally all for me?"
"You...", Adam paused and the facial mask he wore broke. The face that was underneath gave her a nose bleed and heart palpitations. Is was so much that she had to snap away from looking at him.
*"Fuck..."
Obviously he ignored her curse and pressed forword, silently walking to her. Her mind blanked but she managed to yell at Adam with a tone of authority.
"Stop making it impossible for me. Control yourself..."
He laughed inside his head and fixed his expression. He only mouthed the words and as he did so, the sound came from a whisp of smoke that stayed at his original position.
"You moved around too dangerously so I would stare at you "
"Don't change the subject..."
She turned around and was about to feign her anger as she stomped toward him but she once again fell into his trap.
He wrapped one of his arms around her back and put another around her waist, stopping her where she stood. He could feel how hot her face was through his cloths and how her hands trembled against his chest.
"That wasn't a question..."
He whispered into her ear with his deep and husky voice.
"..."
"Master, we know that you do not want to agitate Mistress so why are you behaving like you're interested in her", Zed tried to gather information
"I'm doing this because Lea loves tricks and games..."
"Yes. We recall", Lucky nearly spoke with an audible sneer.
"You should also be able to see it. I'm sure that Lucky assigned someone to studying her as she is now", Adam ignored Lucky and addressed Zed.
"Yes..."
"Then you should remember that she said two days. Two day she said.. Even after I said I would reveal my feelings in three."
"We do recall"
"Then, you should know, that was a challenge. To see if I would cave in before then or if she would slip up and force herself on me..."
"What exactly are we aiming for? Oh", Lucky asked but...
Elena squirmed in Adams arms like a frightened rabbit for a couple of seconds until, like something reverse inside of her, she just stopped. She latched onto his arms and dug even deeper into his body. She took a deep breath and looked up at his eyes with her unreadable and trench like green-blue eyes. He was not caught off guard but he was still stunned by what she did.
Like it was someone else controlling her body and face, she jumped onto his waist.
"~A question A question. I asked a question..."
She pressed everything against Adam like a sultry temptress. She arced her back and sung the next part into his ear.
"...Will he tell her, will you tell me ~"
She flipped her hair and moved her mouth to his other ear...
His mind had already entered rest mode for his own safety. Sadly, he could still feel, every inch of her body and every bit of warmth she provided; Smell, her intoxicating fragrance; and see... Oh, she knew exactly how much he could see.
What really made him kick the bucket was her lips. So softly, faintly, there are so many ways to describe how her lips glided across his face like a ghost's caress.
Sadly, he felt nothing...
"..."
"Master?"
"..."
"Master?!?"
"..."
"We are in control of the situation and will take over until He regains control over our mental faculties. Initiating remote connection in..."
"Stop. I'm here"
"We are unsatisfied with our state of mind"
"Its fine Lucky. I was just overwhelmed. I'm ok now"
"If we enter an unstable state again we will intervene"
"I know... It won't happen again"
"Once more and we really will classify Mistress as a threat to our safety"
"You see now Zed. I simply can't control myself around her when she really wants to play..."
"But..."
"Its going to be fine if we don't say anything. Lucky?"
"We have already prepared the World seed to get us out of this safely"
"Good..."
"Master..."
"You already know why I did all of this. I just need you to understand, all of you to understand. I am not giving us a choice in the matter"
"You have a very beautiful voice Lea. You should sing more"
"..."
He laughed innocently while staring at her.
"Anything else?", She bit her lip in frustration.
"Obviously not"
"Then did my plan work?"
"The one where you put me on edge then temp me into attacking you because you can't really wait 'three days'?"
She laughed at Adam and teared up a little because of his seriously inquisitive face.
"Gold star", She arced away to put a thumbs up and a goofy grin.
"You are very, Chaotic..."
She tilted her head in innocent and adorable confusion, "What are you talking about?"
They were interrupted by another voice and it caught Elena off guard, *"Interrupted at the perfect moment once again?"
"What are you talking about?", This time, Adam's eyed went wide with innocence as he tilted his head
*"..."
She pouted and looked away in anger, despite her successful attempt to Nestle against his neck
"So that beauty really was talking about you, Ya bastard"
Adam pressed Elenas body against his own and held her neck and head in place, as gently as he could.
He whispered, "Hold on"
Only he knew that her eyes underwent a frightening and almost imperceptible change.
"He can call me that. He and I made a promise"
*"Okay"
"What is this? A shitty prince and a garbage cook"
"That hurts ya bastard. Even Imperial meals are not enough for you so why would a simple wild broth satisfy that ungrateful palate of yours"
The wild man wore a boyish grin that somehow made him look decades younger, like the viscious scars didn't exsist.
"The truth only hurts for those who cannot handle it"
"Is that your bit of wisdom?"
"No. But then again, all words would seem wise to someone as shitty and dumb as you..."
"Thats... "
*"You didn't really tell me anything did you? At least, not what I need to know"
"..."
*"You have something planned right?"
"I do. It's easier if you get the story from the horses mouth afterall"
*"Fine"
"...very true. Very true. So, Wise bastard. Enlighten me."
Sadly, she did not care about restraint at the moment and tightened her grip on Adam's body. Almost any other person would have collapsed to ground because their bones were crushed.
"Let me see..."
Adam wore a serious face of contemplation then widened his eyes as he reached a conclusion.
"Maybe if you weren't such a shitty prince and a shittier king, you would have learned how to cook a proper meal or run a Kingdom without corruption"
"That's fair..."
The wild mans face evened out and returned to his naturally frightening expression.
The fallen royal of a woodsman lowered his entire body until it looked like all four of his limbs pressed against the floor. The building wind around him couldn't be contained and burst out with savagery. The leaves around his body specifically fluttered, ripped, and swirled into the distorted image of a feral wolf. It had the same scars on its face and the same cunning glint in its eyes as it looked at Adam.
"Looks like you won't be as easy as I thought..."
"..."
"You are ready this time huh?"
"..."
Adam then whispered into Elena's ear, "Sorry". Her entire body went slack and vision turned white. He knocked her out then created a bed of smoke.
"Make sure she doesn't get up until its over"
"Okay Master"
The smoke floated Elena a few kilometers above the tree line.
Adam smiled as he walked toward a particularly study tree.
"You are the second non-witch to reach the first star rank. How does that feel..."
"..."
Adam nodded, said, "Ah yes, shitty I assume", and then picked up a handful of dead leaves and twigs from the floor. His other hand lit up with yellow light as he layered it above the foliage filled one. After the light reached a peak glow, he dragged his free hand in a straight line across his chest. He opened his full hand after the lit one trailed off to a tip.
The leaves shifted and changed into the shape of a two handed, long, curved sword. He touched a nearby tree and used the bark and moss to fashion sheath.
"Any requests?"
"I'll tell you when I win""
"When?"
"When..."
"You really think that?"
"..."
Adam wore a smile that was not a smile and prepared his open yet stable stance. The opponent and he both took sizable breaths and took a step. They mirrored each other up until they both vanished...
An outsiders perspective would say that once the fight started it would have ended. Two seconds, that was all that they needed to end the fight. The entire thing was soundless, like the two of them fought within the vacuum of space. No leaves exploded, nor was there any movement to speak of, both of them just vanished in the silence. That is, until...
The woodsman fell to his knees with a sickening and deafening pop. His face was a festival lights as he fainted.
Adam was a grim display of disappointment. He touched his cheek and, for a moment, felt his blood dribble out before it turned to smoke.
"Shitty prince looks like you win", Adam said to himself. He then grabbed the man and reappeared next to Elena's floating body. He looked down and sighed at what was happening.
The forest around where the two of them fought imploded, rather the air imploded. Thankfully, the trees were used to impossible winds and temperatures so they only curved inward. Sadly, the falling snow quickly filled in this areas that the canopies were parted in. The forest now had a circle of dense forest and a ring like wall of snow.
The miniature ecosystem that lived underneath the dead leaves would soon undergoe a troubling but calculated change.
"That's enough right?"
"Master, The world seed unit is satisfied with the result and can now work on the next part of the story. We would also like to report that the estimated time frame is three hundred years"
"Okay. Look up how to hog tie someone"
"Unit.... Already knows how. We are retrieving the information now"
クリエイターの想い 
AqwardslastWord
AqwardslastWord Ai-yai-yai. Difficult to be smart and logical. I definately messed something up...ah well. I'll re-edit when I have 10 again.
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