Chapter 12: 10 Glimpses
(I kind of forgot about the Legendary Wild Card you may suggest what should Leo get from it in the comments)
(Next Day-Gran, Location - The Cave)
"It is my first time seeing such plants, the healing properties of these plants are even more than healing potions." Agni, the Fire Wizard exclaims, looking at the potion made by the mutated hipokute grass, now dubbed Elixir Grass.
"These roots of the world tree are amazing, constantly generating Magicules by absorbing Elixir. These roots have the same structure as the tree roots used by Root Riders, but these are the real deal." Yuki the Ice Wizard exclaimed.
"These fruits are truly mysterious and capable of giving unique buffs for some time similar to the potions but these are easier to obtain as these grow on trees." Electro Wizard, Oskari says.
I observe these brats. They haven't changed a bit from the time I and Odin (the Grand Warden) taught them; thirst and fascination for magic and its wonders are what keeps them going, making them geniuses and some of the strongest wizards at such a young age.
I was surprised when Leo brought them but understood why they were summoned.
I am currently working on Elixir. Ore is putting Leo's armor on hold for now; he told me to prepare weapons for the troops first since his equipment will take time.
I turned towards Do-Right, who was also helping me in making tools while the other two builders were helping their 'allies.'
"The Axes for the Berserker duo are ready send them a message so that they come and take them and tell them how they are working."
Do-Right nods "Aye, Master."
I then instruct the wizards, "You all come with me. We are going to set surprises for our guests since they only have a day, after which the Barrier collapses, and they may get attacked by Bandits.
The trio looked like they wanted to continue their research, but I didn't budge, and they relented.
(Leo)
Untangling himself from Venelana's grasp, he picks his clothes from the floor and goes to the bathroom; he didn't wake Venelana up because she was too tired from their intense activity.
Today, he is about to test his new skills, so he opens [Chat] types /tp training area.
(I changed the format since he will not know the coordinates of every place he wants to visit and it will be annoying to always type it for me and you)
He immediately found himself at the designated place, but it was not his training. His troop was not suitable for his training, and he then tried again, this time being more specific.
/tp training area forest and he founds himself on top of a huge barren land surrounded by dense forest, falling.
He lets gravity do her work, and *Boom, another crater appears on the land.
It was exciting, similar to the feeling when you get access to cheats on a Minecraft server. Leo felt the same, but he restrained himself from directly teleporting to Night Butterfly, and then a thought crossed his mind.
"Can I type London and teleport there?" He opens the chat but ultimately doesn't. After all, he doesn't want to risk to risk it.
Anything can happen if you mess with space though he is interested in this, Summon Magic was a reason for it, in the series when Leon and Chloe were brought into Cardinal World through a dimensional crack, Chloe was summoned to the future meaning one can be summoned in different parts of time, and not this with summoning magic he could even figure how to travel to other worlds.
But not now.
(1st PoV)
As I focused my thoughts, a colossal avatar materialized before me. Its body resembled a fierce Hindu deity, with multiple arms sprouting from its shoulders like a blooming lotus. The avatar's majestic form was reminiscent of the colossal power of Gods.
(Image of the Avatar)
But as suddenly as it appeared, I felt my energy being consumed. The creation had drained more than half of my reserves; this was the first time I drained so many magicules at once. I blinked, and when my vision cleared, I found myself standing within the avatar's towering head.
The air resonated with the hum of energy, and I could feel the avatar's pulse. Its multiple arms now seemed like extensions of my own, responsive to my every thought.
I tried to move it, and like limbs, I was able to move it easily.
The steps created tremors like an earthquake, the colossal titan made up of my energy, its towering golden form of 100 Metres. It was mind-boggling to suddenly have multiple arms, but I adapted quickly. I could feel every move consuming my energy, but this form was more than enough to level mountains and countries.
And not to mention the abilities of Avatar. I could use all my abilities with it at an even larger scale; the Avatar was surprisingly fast for its size; I could even throw the weapons and tools, and even they had devastating effects, but the strain was too much, and I had to cancel it.
Just a few minutes of activation of this technique caused me to 60% of magicules and my magicules capacity is very high, but I am not discouraged. I could feel that there can be improvements in this technique.
My reserves regenerating at a fast pace.
While I was disappointed that I couldn't recreate the 5:1 scene I focused on the next skill.
I invoked the Wood Clone technique, the air seemed to thicken and swirl around me. In an instant, forty replicas of myself materialized, each identical in appearance and stance. The sheer number of clones made my head spin.
But my excitement was short-lived. I felt a sudden drain on my magical reserves, 20% of my magicules disappearing in the blink of an eye. The clones, now eerily still, seemed to mock me with their inaction.
I gritted my teeth, frustration mounting. Why weren't they moving? The technique was supposed to create loyal, autonomous copies, not lifeless statues.
My mind racing, I reached out with my will, attempting to connect with the clones. But they remained unresponsive, their glassy eyes staring blankly into the distance.
Then I realized, "Ugh, I didn't give any purpose or command and created the mindlessly."
"I took a deep breath and focused on the clones. I canceled the technique as my magicules returned to me, restoring my 15% of reserves.
I tried again. This time, I concentrated on infusing my will into the replicas, imagining threads of consciousness connecting us.
And then, similar to before clones appeared, this time, I controlled the output by only making 5 Clones.
Slowly, the clones began to stir. Their eyes gained a hint of life, and their postures relaxed. I sensed a faint resonance as if our consciousness were harmonizing.
With newfound hope, I issued mental commands. The clones sprang into action, dispersing to surround me. Each replica mimicked my movements, their synchronized actions showing that our connection was strong.
Leo then tried the transformation technique a sub-skill of the clone technique, he also felt that he now had some connection to nature it was faint but it was there he left some of his clones in different parts of the forest merging them with trees or hiding them underground to get an eye on the movements of the Bandits and Goblins.
~~~~~~~
(Hog Mountains)
Since Leo's movements with his new clan members were not hidden the Bandits were able to locate them.
Currently, the leaders are having a meeting inside the clan castle.
"So they are now not even hiding huh and they have gotten new allies, must be those goblins and majins helping them, our suspicions are confirmed, since these goblins and majins have become overconfident we will show them what happens when they get full of themselves," Kira says with disdain and anger, she never likes the goblins who once destroyed her village forcing her people to live as Bandits.
Her village was peaceful, never seeking conflict with anyone, but their only fault was that some of their people awakened unique magic, which was the cause that they were targeted by goblins.
Many of her people were killed by them. She barely managed to escape with some of the people of her village and her sister only due to her new power, the power she would gladly sacrifice if it brought her people back.
With her power, she made a group with the Riders, a Clan of Hog Mountains, and took refugees who suffered from the cruelty of the forest.
But who thought the Goblins would target them again this time via disguise previously she had doubts that the Goblins were skilled in disguise but since she got a report from Kanade that the Majin was helping the Goblin Lord she thought it was possible and now this was relocating occupying an important area of the Forbidden Forest which they were not able to enter due to a barrier likely the work of the Majin but she doubts he will be able to maintain it for long and that is when they will strike and she will getbher revenge.
She tells them about her plans to the other leaders, and Kanade expresses her concern "What if it is a trap?"
She knew it might be a trap. "We have no other choice. We need to strike them soon; if we manage to capture someone high-ranking, then we will be able to vet the location of the Goblin's hideout."
After they discussed the pros and cons, they ultimately decided they would attack them, but it would be led by her and Kanade. She would have involved another Otherworlder friend, but she refrained from it, not wanting to drag her into this mess.
Just then, Mira, her little sister, burst in, her expression terrified. Normally, she would have scolded her sister, but heeding her friend's advice, she refrained from it. "Why are you so terrified? Didn't I tell you to keep an eye on the forest?"
Her sister gulped and then told her what made her so terrified this made her frown but she would think about it later a golden colossal titan it was an ability her friend had too so she thought it was another Otherworldler nothing uncommon Kanade and her friend were one, there were plenty of them around it is not like they will encounter the holder of the skill anytime soon.
Who will tell her that she unknowingly raised a flag?
~~~~~~~
(Magic Continent - Puppet Nation of Jistav)
"That fool was thinking that he became a demon lord, not knowing the power of a true demon lord such as yourself." Gelmud mockingly while also flattering his master.
"As if some measly goblin can ever hope it; I am still surprised that you managed to bypass the Barrier alive," Clayman says, taking a sip from his glass.
"It is due to your greatness. If you hadn't given me that artifact, I would not be able to make the hole in the Barrier." Gelmud didn't dare to take credit in front of his lord.
"So, did you discover something worth noting, or is it another wasteland?" Clayman arrogantly asked.
Gelmud bowed and said, "The land there is surprisingly useful, my lord; it looks like the people, even without skills, managed to live quite well; they have a surprisingly mysterious substance called the Elixir." He took out a vial that contained a purple-golden liquid.
(Image)
Clayman's eyes sparkled with interest, his arrogance momentarily forgotten. "Elixir, you say? That sounds... intriguing. Tell me more."
Gelmud smiled behind his mask. "Yes, my lord. The Elixir enhances magical abilities, strength, and agility without any known side effects. It's as if it amplifies one's innate potential."
Clayman's gaze turned calculating. "And you think this Elixir could benefit us?"
Gelmud hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "Yes, my lord. If we can acquire the Elixir, it could grant us a significant advantage over our enemies."
Clayman looked at Gelmud in a threatening voice, "If you are wrong, then prepare to die; I don't have use for useless pawns."
Gelmud was frightened. "I-I will not dare to, my lord, but there is a problem that idiot Gred has very little of it, and the one I have is only this-" Before he could finish, Clayman throws the glass of wine at him.
*Shatter
Clayman's voice took on a sinister tone. "So, you are saying that you don't have this, and you are telling me this now?"
"Eek! Forgive me, my lord, for wasting your time, but I have access to its lesser variant, Goblin Elixir. It increases agility, speed, and temporary stealth." He kneels as he produces several green-glowing vials of the said material.
Clayman looked at his subordinate with disdain and arrogantly ordered, "Focus on the Poisoning Plan; I will look for someone competent for the Clash Continent."
Gelmud stood up, ready to go, when Clayman yelled at him, "Who will tell you to give information about the Clash Continent?"
Gelmud swallowed and then began telling what he found till now.
(I don't have any idea how to make a map, but I have a rough sketch. If you can improve, I will be grateful.)
(Map)
"They call themselves Barbarians proudly; heh, these people are truly living in isolation," Clayman says in disdain. He always liked elegance and didn't like barbaric people, much less these people who call themselves literal Barbarians.
"The power struggle between the Royal Empire could benefit me greatly if I played my pieces right." Decides to make a plan for how to exploit the 'conflict' in the Royal Empire.
"The Valley is similar to the Western Holy Church of the Continent. Nothing problematic, but still to be careful of them." He didn't plan to deal with the church as these types of groups tend to avoid people like him.
"The GoK and its Death Monarch can be a threat, but these are just like Guy Crimson, so they are no problem." While he doubts that Death Monarch is as powerful as Guy his instincts are telling him to avoid that place.
"Dragon Cliffs are similar to Great Canaat Mountains nothing problematic." He dismisses he doesn't think that the dragons can be a threat to him unless, of course, they are True Dragons."
*Note Gelmud doesn't know about high-level information like Nidhogg or Great Red who is at the level of true dragons or is one.
After looking at the information Clayman settles on the Royal Empire, Goblin Forests, and Hog Mountains for different reasons.
(Frozen Continent when Leo was monologing about Great Red/Nidhogg)
Velzard looks at Guy, who is in her female form, for some reason of annoyance. She never liked this, but he would not listen to her.
(Guy Fem Image Drop)
Suddenly she feels an aura similar to her siblings but it is faint like it is being concealed by some kind of barrier and a very powerful one similar to one that her sister/brother Veldora (if Rimuru is fem than Veldora will be too no way I am letting another male inside Mc's girl)
She knows why it is; the Barrier is an anomaly that is capable of even interfering with Ultimate Skills; she had tried to break it once because she was bored and wanted to see if there was truly another True Dragon there.
But she failed, and in response, she heard a voice, not the Voice of the World but another one she couldn't help but grit her teeth.
[Naughty, Naughty, bad girl would be spanked. Don't worry, my son will soon come to punish you, painting your cheeks red.]
She will make sure to find who it is or she will freeze his son for eternity and break his soul.
(Leo feels a chill run down his spine)
Guy/Gal looks at her and she knows that look that smirk
"Naughty, Naughty," and she punches her, but he easily dodges; somehow, Guy knows about it. She sighs, not in the mood for banter, so she decides to distract him/her....?
"I felt an aura similar to my siblings." And Guy's expression turns serious as she shifts to her male form much to her delight.
"So the time is near I wonder how all this will affect our game?" He says cryptically.
(If Mito Uzumaki had been there then she would have understood what was happening. Pun intended)