Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Around the same time that Vahn was stressing out the Grandmaster and her daughter, his other self was walking through the Academy City with a wry smile on his face. The streets actually weren't that populated, as most students attended classes and lectures during the day, so Asuna was able to run around freely. This drew quite a bit of attention from the staff and students earning extra money by working at the various canteens, cafes, and shops that catered to the city's residents. After all, while not particularly rare, it was uncommon to see a 'human' running around the streets of Ariadne. This made her stand out quite a bit, but, a stark contrast to how they were treated when first arriving at Nyandoma, most people viewing Asuna for the first time couldn't help but smile.Though she never wandered more than a few meters away from Vahn, earning him a considerable amount of teasing from the more mature residents of the city, Asuna fearlessly interacted with even the most 'peculiar' races inhabiting the city. This included a four-meter tall man who looked like a Cyclops, and, surprising even Vahn, a woman with leathery skin, elongated forelimbs, and the facial features of a bat. The woman's smile would have cowed even the more courageous people back on Earth, but, completely undaunted, Asuna politely greeted the woman without a single sign of fear or trepidation.Seeing how Asuna interacted with others, Vahn couldn't help but feel a little proud, an affectionate smile spreading across his face that earned him a considerable amount of attention. This included the bat-like woman who had gifted Asuna a flower, her smiling taking on a slightly teasing look as she mused in a surprisingly smooth voice, "Your daughter is as courageous as she is cute. It is rare for a human to teach their children to be so tolerant of other species. It might not mean much, but, please, accept my gratitude. I wish everyone could be so kind..."Not expecting someone's heartfelt gratitude, Vahn was at a momentary loss for words, missing the opportunity to correct the misunderstanding. Asuna, however, immediately shook her head, stating, "Vahn is not my father. He pampers me a lot, but he is the Guardian of Mundus Magicus, the Sage Dragon Emperor. Don't be sad, okay? Vahn will make this world a better place. Believe in him."Seemingly satisfied with her speech, Asuna showed a modest smile before pulling out a tiny bag of cookies and handing it to the stupefied woman. These were mechanically accepted by the woman, who, much like the others present in the surroundings, showed expressions of confusion. The words Sage Dragon Emperor stood out quite a bit, and, despite being located far from the Capital, rumors of the battle between Jack Rakan and the Sage Dragon Emperor had rapidly spread throughout the Hellas Empire.Though he could have tried to smooth things over, Vahn adopted a casual smile as he said, "Worry not. As my adorable little companion stated, I am the Guardian of Mundus Magicus. I do not harm the innocent. Your Grandmaster is already aware of my presence, so, please, do not be afraid."Hearing Vahn's words, the bat-like woman's eyes opened to display a reasonable amount of fear, but, feeling no hostility radiating from the kind-faced man, she forced a smile on her face as she said, "I...I never imagined I would have the opportunity to speak with an Emperor...if I have-"Shaking his head, Vahn offered a sincere smile as he calmly stated, "There is no need to show fear or obeisance. I am happiest to see good people living their lives peacefully. Though it might not be possible, it would please me if you continue behaving as if I was just a random person enjoying the scenic beauty of your city..."To emphasize his words, Vahn gazed at his surroundings, marveling at the blend between victorian-style architecture and magical technology. Though not as impressive as the splendor of Ostia or the majesty of the Imperial Palace, Ariadne had a calming atmosphere, and, though subtle, Vahn could detect the smell of books and magical tomes pervading the entire city. It was a place where people dedicated themselves to their studies, some traveling thousands of kilometers just for the chance to improve the quality of their lives after graduation. Though there were some elements that could be improved upon, Vahn felt that Aridane, in some ways, was even better than Ostia...As that thought crossed his mind, a wry smile spread across Vahn's face as three schoolgirls dressed in matching uniforms flew overhead. They were each riding rather generic straw brooms, a common method of travel within Mundus Magicus, and, due to the fact most female uniforms included skirts as part of the dress-code, those with keener senses were able to behold a rather dangerous sight. If not for the fact 'stripping battles' were part of the culture in Mundus Magicus, making nudity less of an issue than common sense would dictate, Vahn would have had some words for the Grandmaster.Turning his attention back to the bat-like woman, Vahn's smile returned to normal as he extended his hand towards Asuna and said, "Come, Asuna. We shouldn't cause these good people any more stress than we already have."Hearing Vahn's words, Asuna adopted a slightly saddened expression as she asked, "Did I do a bad thing?"Though she already felt slightly guilty after hearing Vahn's words, the bat-like woman showed an expression of remorse when she heard Asuna's tone. She wasn't the only one either, but, being the 'cause' of the disturbance, the bat-like woman beat Vahn to the punch, answering, "You have done absolutely nothing to be ashamed of. People are just scared of things they do not understand...it is obvious the Sage Dragon Emperor is a kind person. Once we get to know him better, I'm certain we can all live happily alongside one another~!"Turning back toward the bat-like woman, Asuna stared into her face for several tense moments, her heterochromatic eyes seemingly looking straight through her. This was a rather unnerving thing to be on the receiving end of, but, before things got too bad, a small smile spread across Asuna's face as she bobbed her head and stated, "You're right. Understanding is the key to living in harmony. I'm sorry for causing you trouble."Following her apology, Asuna gave a polite bow towards the bat-like woman before repeating the action a number of times toward the surroundings. Afterward, she scampered over to Vahn's side, grabbing his outstretched hand. In the next moment, surprising everyone present, the peculiar duo vanished into thin air, almost as if they had never existed. There wasn't even a single sign of a magic circle, an incomprehensible display that all but confirmed his identity...Feeling the tensions rapidly draining from her body, the bat-like woman sat down in a nearby chair as other females students and faculty members gathered around her. Most people generally gave her a wide berth, but, as someone who had directly interacted with the Sage Dragon Emperor, she suddenly became the center of attention as everyone began gossiping about the newest arrival to the Academy City...---As a circular city with a diameter of only 33km, Vahn could easily traverse all of Ariadne within a few seconds. His domain had already grown to near 5km, so, even without using teleportation, he could effectively appear anywhere in the city using a few seamless [Shundo]. This was considerably more cost-efficient than forcibly tearing through Space, so, with Asuna in tow, Vahn's figure could be seen flickering through the air before coming to a stop at the ledge of a massive clocktower.Compared to Mundus Ventus, Earth, the buildings in Mundus Magicus was truly monstrous. Most of the buildings he had seen had ceilings greater than 5m in height. As for the clocktower, one of four massive structures that dominated the four cardinal districts of Ariadne, it stood a majestic 430m in height and 60m from face-to-face. It was a true marvel of engineering, and, without Magic, it would have collapsed under the strain of its own weight. After all, unlike the reinforced superstructure of a skyscraper, using rebar and concrete to bear tremendous loads, landmarks like the clocktower were almost completely comprised of heavy metals and marble...Since there was still twenty minutes until the clocktower released a thunderous chime that echoed throughout all of Ariadne, Vahn placed Asuna on the ledge before taking a seat. Asuna, as could be expected, showed absolutely no sign of fear as she emulated this action. She even began to dangle her feet off the ledge while staring out over the rather scenic cityscape, falling silent for several long moments before asking, "Is it normal for people to be scared of things they don't understand? I can tell people just want to live peaceful lives, so I don't understand why they don't make more effort to get along with each other...if everyone understood each other, wouldn't all conflicts cease...?"This wasn't the first time Asuna had asked him some rather difficult questions, so, rather than show any kind of surprise, Vahn adopted a thoughtful expression as he explained, "In a perfect world, that might be the case. Unfortunately, to ensure stability, the Universe must exist in a state of balance. It is possible to increase the understanding between people, but, so long as they have personal wants, desires, and interests, there will always be conflict. It is our burden, as people who desire a better future for all, to endeavor. So long as you are happier to see people smile, our battle will never be in vain. The moment those with power turn a blind eye to suffering, those who seek to gain through the exploitation and suffering of others will not hesitate to act..."Despite her age, Asuna seemed to understand the deeper meaning behind Vahn's words, nodding her head with a look of thoughtful contemplation on her doll-like face. She was very mature for her age, and, though cut from a different mold than someone like Sophia, it was clear that Asuna was a startlingly intelligent young lady. This placed a heavy burden on Vahn's heart and mind, as, if he led her astray, there was no way of knowing what kind of impact Asuna would have on the world over a small misunderstanding...After remaining silent for more than a minute, Asuna raised her head, staring directly at him as she asked, "Is that why you wish to become a deterrent? Are you trying to alleviate the burden on good people...?"Hearing the unexpected query, Vahn found himself at a loss for words before recovering his senses and releasing a light chuckle as he answered, "That was certainly one of my intentions, but the true reason is a lot simpler. My primary reason for coming to this world was to save a single person, and, once I accomplish that goal, I want to do my best to make her happy. Me becoming a deterrent and supporting good people is just a method to ensure I have plenty of time to spend with the people I care about. Though I will never turn a blind eye to suffering, I have come to realize that I cannot be personally responsible for every world I visit. Thus, rather than do everything myself, I have come to the conclusion that it is better to support kind and caring people like you and your cousin. It is my hope that, when the time comes for my departure from this world, there-"Without waiting for him to finish, Asuna showed an expression of shock and consternation as she tightly gripped the fabric of Vahn's tunic and exclaimed, "You can't leave! I don't want you to go!"Surprised by Asuna's sudden outburst, Vahn was caught with his mouth slightly open as he stared into her blue-green eyes. Though she didn't tear up, a visible layer of moisture had started to form across their surface. He could see a vehement refusal contained within their depths, and, though it was ultimately futile, Vahn could feel the flow of fate around Asuna surging into him, seemingly in an attempt to compel him to stay.Though it had only been a few weeks since their meeting, Vahn knew Asuna had imprinted on him quite a bit. This was largely his own fault, but, as he simply didn't have the heart to ignore her after witnessing the type of environment she grew up in, this kind of outcome was inevitable. He had also resolved to protect her from Cosmo Entelecheia, so, even if she hadn't been entrusted to him by Vesperina, Vahn would have watched over her from the shadows.Feeling like her tiny hands had gripped around his heart like a vice, Vahn adopted an affectionate smile as he pulled Asuna into his embrace and whispered, "Now, now, there is no need for that. It isn't as though I'll be leaving this world any time soon, Asuna. In fact, I might stay for hundreds of years before departing. You don't have to worry about me ever disappearing into thin air, okay...?"Hearing Vahn's words, combined with the calming energy surging through her body, Asuna was able to breathe a sigh of relief before issuing a subdued 'Nn...'. Despite this, she didn't let go of his tunic, clinging tightly to the fabric as she rested her head against his chest...---Experiencing the same scene with all of his bodies, the version of Vahn guarding the Airfish released a tired sigh as he absentmindedly ran his fingers through Medusa's hair. He wasn't exactly upset by Asuna's behavior, but, due to his past experiences, Vahn felt like a few dangerous flags had already been raised. The matter with Arika was troubling enough, so, before things could get further out of hand, Vahn decided to accelerate his plans to enroll Asuna into school. He would need to get her to interact with children her own age before her training began, as, from that moment onward, it was like rolling a snowball down a freshly powdered slope...Though age differences might not matter too much in the vast flow of eternity, Vahn always had a hard time returning the affections of girls he had basically watched grow up. He was aware of the concept of 'grooming', and, though he never acted with such intentions in mind, Vahn always felt a considerable amount of guilt whenever familial love evolved into desire and longing. Though Asuna clearly didn't see him as a father figure based on her words to the bat-like woman, that didn't make it any less worrisome. There were few things more disconcerting than an intelligent yet precocious child, especially when they had a powerful fate and could use Magic...As thoughts of the future began to dance across his mind, Vahn briefly considered whether or not it would be prudent of him to further his relationship with Vesperina. Unfortunately, as he had learned in every Record he had visited thus far, this wasn't likely to be a solution. Rather, if he had chosen to stay within the Sun Palace, Vahn had the distinct impression he might become more than just 'close friends' of the Ostian Royal Family...Remembering the figures of the two inordinately beautiful women in the bath, Vahn released a sigh that was slightly tinged with warmth. Then, after staring up at the ceiling for several minutes with a distant look in his eyes, he internally mused, ("I need to hurry and find Eva...")(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Asuna be like, "Not the Papa...!"','The burden of being a good person','Vahn is a riajuu that only gets stronger when he explodes...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With the concurrent arrival of the Princess of Vespertatia and the infamous Sage Dragon Emperor, rumors spread like ripples, not just within Ariadne, but throughout the Empire as a whole. After all, the former was practically a legendary existence among the peoples of Mundus Magicus, and, after his battle with Rakan, Vahn had become a common topic of discussion. People had taken notice of the fact that the Empire had never placed a bounty on him, and, after his deeds within the Coliseum came to light, specifically his actions of freeing slaves and eliminating corrupt officials, a number of people had begun to view him in a very different light.Without knowing the purpose behind Arika's and Vahn's visit, speculation and hearsay were able to run rampant throughout the Empire. Some believed the duo had allied to either prevent the war or root out corruption, instilling hope in the hearts of those who wanted to live in peace. Others, such as members of the Second Prince's and Grand Duke's faction, wasted little time in trying to pressure the Emperor into a more decisive response. They feared that their interests in Ariadne were directly threatened by the presence of Arika and Vahn, but, unable to do anything about the former, they, at the very least, wanted the latter removed.Unfortunately for the Second Prince and the Grand Duke, the Emperor directly refused to organize a military response against someone who apparently had the ability to teleport vast distances in an instant. They had no way to pin him down, and, due to the growing tensions between Ariadne and the Empire, sending a fleet into their territory might as well be a declaration of war against one of their strongest allies.The Emperor knew that, immediately after entering a conflict with Ariadne, the Megalomesembrian Confederacy would invade from the East. This would force them into a war on two fronts, drastically reducing public support and troop morale, two of the most important factors when determining the outcome of a war. He would not undermine the war effort just to further the agenda of a dissenting faction that seemed more concerned with their own profits than the survival of the Empire.After growing tired of hearing the same arguments time and again, the Emperor ultimately dangled the word 'treason' over the heads of his younger brother and second son. This wouldn't be enough to stop them from conspiring behind the scenes, but it was more than enough to force their silence during Court proceedings. As for what they did on their own time, using their own assets, he didn't particularly care. If they wanted to pick a fight with an Ancient Dragon, it would fall on their heads to deal with, not the Empire and its people.Though he turned a blind eye to it, the Emperor was well aware of the ambitions of his second son and younger brother. They ultimately lacked the power and support to actually make a play for the throne, so, even if they machinated behind the scenes, it didn't matter so long as their actions were a benefit to the Empire. Now, however, their actions directly threatened the stability of the Empire at a time when unity was of paramount importance. If they did not properly conceal their hand, he would be left with no choice but to execute them for the crime of treason.Despite knowing the fate that would await him if his son succeeded in his coup, the Emperor didn't have the heart to order the execution of his own child. Though he would do so if forced, the burden would eat away at him like a poison of the mind, forcing him to install his daughter as the Empress before she was ready to rule. Even if she would have the support of Vrixho, he didn't want to place such a heavy burden on a child, so, until her time as Empress came, Michael wanted Theo to enjoy her life to the fullest...---Though he was aware of the rumors circulating throughout Ariadne and the Empire, Vahn had more on his mind than politics. He had already started training Arika, and, after a series of discussions, he had decided to teach a few classes in the Imperial Academy, specifically acting as an Advisor in the Junior Division of the Academy. This was originally to allow Asuna the opportunity to attend school and interact with children her own age, but, as fate would have it, the Academy was actually divided into Divisions based on gender.Since the Imperial Academy had been specifically developed to cater to the needs of the Nobility, it would create a lot of problems if there was a mixed curriculum. The last thing most affluent families wanted was for their heirs and progeny to develop relationships outside the arrangements that had already been made for most of them. Marriage was a powerful political tool that was used to forge or strengthen alliances between different families. Some children even had their marriages decided from the moment they were born, so, to prevent any 'accidents' from occurring, males and females were almost entirely separated until graduation.Due to his unique status, Sidra made an exception to the existing policy, allowing Vahn to become an Advisor within the Junior Division of the Imperial Academy. This made him the only male among a faculty and student body consisting entirely of females and curious young children. It didn't even take three days before a 'fan club' had formed, forcing a wry on Vahn's face whenever a gaggle of admittedly adorable Demihuman girls flocked around him in order to have their membership cards signed.To further exacerbate matters, Vahn's looks and general demeanor made him 'very' popular among members of the faculty. He was constantly refusing dinner invitations and a few more 'direct' offers for company. One chienthropic woman with droopy ears and a shaggy tail was even bold enough to directly 'gift' him a duplicate of her room key, packaged neatly in her still-warm panties. Though he ended up teleporting the gift back into her room following the incident, they lacy garment had reappeared in his desk the following day, this time attached with a note imploring him to hold onto it, 'just in case'...Needless to say, Vahn was feeling a very 'unique' kind of fatigue, but, with Asuna quickly becoming the most popular girl in her class, he persevered. He actually had quite a bit of experience refusing solicitations, so, seeing Asuna becoming more expressive with each passing day, Vahn decided not to let the advances of his co-workers bother him. It wasn't as if they had malicious intentions, and, if he hadn't 'wowed' them so many times with his knowledge, sometimes teasing them in the process, things probably wouldn't have devolved so quickly. This was often the case, so, rather than shift the blame to others, Vahn accepted his responsibility in exacerbating the situation, choosing to tolerate their affections while doing his best to properly guide the growing number of young girls that came to him for everything from simple questions about homework to far more personal problems such as bullying or troubles back home...Because he was so willing to listen to everyone's problems, Vahn had basically become a guidance counselor and emotional anchor for some of the more troubled children. Not only did he seriously listen to their concerns, but, if it was something he could help with, he would either offer advice or personally resolve the problem. Some even came to him with outright 'mortifying' claims, so, after a very serious discussion with Sidra, a scholarship had been created to support anyone suffering from victimization and persecution, the children of Nobles included.After crippling and killing quite a number of people, Vahn's name spread even more waves through the Empire, but, after the crimes of the accused had been made known, public outrage was directed more towards the Nobility than himself. There had even been a trafficking ring that targetted young and underprivileged children, specifically those who performed well academically, but, due to their background, lacked the funds to further their education. They were pressured to do things that no child should ever be forced to experience, and, worst of all, the Arch-Dean had been the one selling their files, taking advantage of his position to access the entire student directory.Though Hugo had been publically executed for his crimes, it did little to mend the growing divide between Ariadne and the Empire. Grandmaster Sidra outright refused the appointment of a new Arch-Dean, casting doubt upon the Emperor and the selection process itself. After all, Hugo had been personally appointed by the Emperor, and, though this had been more than thirty years prior, allowing more than enough time for someone to be swayed by corruption, the people didn't care for such excuses. All that mattered to them was that yet another Noble had taken advantage of his position to commit egregious crimes for personal gain, tarnishing the reputation of all.In the hopes of easing the tensions between Ariadne and the Empire, the Emperor rescinded more than seventy percent of the land permits that had been issued. Since many of the Nobles with ties to Ariadne had been involved in the Arch-Dean's scandal, the Grandmaster would never allow the property to be retained by the offending families. One of the largest estates had more than thirty 'playrooms' that had been used to commit all manner of heinous acts, and, thanks to the efforts of Vahn, they had more than enough evidence to prove the involvement of several Noble families.After learning about the trafficking ring, Vahn wasted no time in raiding the estate, acting before those charged with burning the books and hiding the evidence were able to. As a result, a number of families had their rank completely revoked, and, for the first time in more than a hundred years, Ariadne was almost completely liberated from Imperial intervention. This had nearly prompted the Grandmaster to declare independence from the Empire, but, with war looming on the horizon, such actions would adversely impact Aridane just as much as the Empire.This was where one of Vahn's 'biggest' problems came from, as, in an attempt to restore diplomatic and public relations with Ariadne, an Ambassador had been selected to represent the Empire. While this wasn't uncommon, ripples spread throughout the Empire and abroad once it came to light that the Third Imperial Princess was the one assigned the duty. Though she would have always held the title at some point, as was customary for all members of the Imperial Family, the fact Theodora had only recently turned eleven years old made the appointment completely unexpected.In the original history, Theodora hadn't been appointed the position of Ambassador until after the Great Magic War had begun. To others, her nomination seemed like a desperate attempt to restore relations with Ariadne, but, knowing what he knew, Vahn suspected, and subsequently confirmed, that she had been specifically chosen to prevent him from causing further damage to the Empire.It wasn't known to others, for a number of reasons, but the Emperor, Vrixho Nagasha, and Jack Rakan were well-aware of the fact that Theo had received guidance from Vahn. They also believed they had a good read on his character, so, understanding he was less of an enemy than they were to themselves, the Emperor confidently assigned the task to his daughter. This served a number of different purposes, but, most importantly, it allowed them to put a positive spin on Vahn's actions while simultaneously guaranteeing Theo's protection.The main hope was that Theo would be able to convince Vahn to allow her to take credit whenever he rooted out corruption within the Empire. They couldn't prevent him from exposing the vile and wicked acts of the more unscrupulous Nobles, so, rather than instigate a conflict that would cause even more problems, they were hoping that Vahn would help to secure Theo's future position. This would allow them to preserve the reputation of the Imperial Family while simultaneously increasing Theo's favorability amongst the people. She was already very popular, so, if her first action as Ambassador helped to repair the relations with Ariadne while subsequently addressing the matter of corruption among the Nobility, her popularity would skyrocket...What the Emperor had accounted for, but couldn't do anything about, was that his daughter was a very 'spirited' girl. She didn't particularly care for things like politics and reputation, so, rather than fully commit to the responsibilities of an Ambassador, she spent most of her time pestering Vahn to help with her training. As a result, she had developed a 'friendly' rivalry with Arika and Fenrir, to the point that hardly a day passed without them sparring for hours at a time.Truthfully, Vahn was somewhat grateful for Theo's inclusion in the training as her presence diffused a lot of the burgeoning tensions between Arika and Fenrir. The former had been growing frustrated after failing to win any of her matches against Fenrir. She wasn't exactly prideful, but, after suffering a number of one-sided defeats, Arika couldn't help harboring a bit of resentment toward the easy-going Vanargandr. She believed that Fenrir was proactively trying to embarrass her, as, whenever he was around, Arika was bound to suffer a quick and decisive defeat.Due to her growing affections, Arika didn't like appearing weak and helpless in front of Vahn, so, every time Fenrir defeated her, a small amount of resentment would take root in her heart. It wasn't until Theo's arrival, allowing her to view things externally, that Arika realized the truth of the matter.Rather than trying the shame other people, Fenrir simply got more excited whenever her beloved 'Master' was watching her fight. This was the same for Theo, and, after thinking about it, Arika knew she also put in more effort when Vahn was watching. He was more than just a teacher to them, so, whenever he was around, they couldn't help but want to show off. Her resentment toward Fenrir was entirely fabricated, the result of a burgeoning inferiority complex that made her feel ashamed to display weakness in front of the person whose recognition she desired...The trigger for Arika's realization came after Theor had suffered an exceptionally one-sided defeat at the hands of Fenrir. Had it been her, Arika would felt extremely bitter, but, due to her outgoing personality, Theo didn't seem to mind her loss in the slightest. Rather, she took advantage of the fact she had suffered a number of injuries to get Vahn to personally attend her wounds, earning a fair amount of praise throughout the process. This caused her to realize how petty she had been, as, immediately after the treatment, Vahn caressed both Fenrir's and Theo's heads with an appreciative smile on his face, a stark contrast to the wry look he would give her whenever she walked away to treat her own wounds...Following her realization, Arika sought out Fenrir in private, offering a sincere apology for the way she had been behaving. From then onwards, their rivalry had become marginally more friendly, and, rather than pouting whenever she suffered a defeat, Arika would ask for advice and put more effort into her training. As a result, she received more praise from Vahn, and, though not nearly as much as Asuna, she was gradually becoming more expressive. She also became something of a big sister to Theo, helping the young Hellasian improve her skills as a Mage and offering advice to help her become a better ruler.The kinship between Arika and Theo wasn't unexpected, as, even in the original timeline, the two had been relatively close. The problem arose when Theo acquired the knowledge that Arika, Fenrir, and even Asuna often shared the same bath with Vahn. Rather, due to Asuna pouting or giving him the silent treatment whenever he tried to convince her to bathe with Fenrir or Arika, it had become relatively normal for them to share the same bathe and bed.Though he would like to say his relationship with Arika and Asuna was strictly platonic, bordering on familial love, Vahn wasn't dense. Arika had stopped wearing her full set of pajamas to bed, often foregoing the use of bottoms, and, after a while, she even began wearing more intricate types of panties. Previously, she had always worn relatively plain white panties, and, though they were made of a type of elastic silk, they were considerably tame compared to the red or black lace panties she often wore 'only' to sleep in...Needless to say, Theo had been quite surprised by the revelation, as, prior to that moment, she just assumed Vahn was a close friend to the Ostian Royal Family. She, like everyone else, had absolutely no idea that Vahn had been cohabitating with the two Princesses. Such information would cause a considerable amount of turmoil should it be made public, but, rather than concern herself with such things, Theo instead focused on how 'unfair' the arrangement was. She complained that Vahn had already seen her naked, but, rather than take 'responsibility', he just taught her a few tricks before 'running away' without even offering an apology...When Vahn heard Theo's accusations, several days after the inciting incident, he was left at a loss for words. Theo clearly didn't view him in the same way as Arika, but, after learning she was the only one being left out, she insisted they all bathe together from then onwards, pointing out that he had already built an onsen and a beach house within the 24:1 diorama. Rather than part ways after their training, she argued it was not only more efficient to bathe together, but, after already deciding to help Arika create a better world, it was a method to strengthen their bonds.In the end, Theo just wanted to spend more time with everyone, as, despite her popularity, she had very few friends in the Empire. Her position didn't allow her to get close to others easily, and, after the death of her mother, she had struggled to remain positive. Though the training wasn't easy, she was having more fun playing with everyone than she had at any other moment in her life. She had also grown rather fond of Vahn's pampering, and, though she hadn't developed any tender feelings toward him, she had even more trust in him than she did Rakan and her own father.Vahn had learned a lot about Theo's past after spending days at a time training her, so, after a long discussion regarding boundaries, he ultimately relented. From then onward, their bathing party had increased from four to five, and, due to her outgoing and somewhat mischievous nature, it wasn't long before Theo was completely ignoring the boundaries he had tried to establish. There was a brief period where she behaved bashfully, but, after getting used to sharing a bath with others, it became just another opportunity for her to play around and have fun, often at Vahn's expense...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'It is hard to be both an Emperor and a father','Chienthropes can be pretty dangerous (OwO)...','The dangers of living alongside people whose very existence qualifies as a fateful encounter xD...')(A/N: Since it wasn't expressly stated, a little more than three weeks have passed since Vahn arrived in Ariadne. With the Sub-Space Orb and Diorama, around three months have passed. Also, I have a migraine so this might be the only chapter for the Friday block. It took me almost six hours just to write and edit this.)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After being escorted to the Imperial Academy's private dock, Arika skillfully piloted the Airfish into one of the hundreds of individualized hangars. This was an area only accessible to the wealthy and affluent, so, as could be expected, everything was exceptionally high-end. Not only was the security stronger than a commercial Fishport, but, if you could afford it, there were teams of exceptionally skilled mechanics and engineers that could help maintain, or even customize, private Airfish.While waiting for the Princess to get changed, Vahn stood on the upper deck with Fenrir at his side, smiling in amusement at the amount of attention directed toward them. Though it was normal for a foreign dignitary to bring an entourage for protection, his casual dress, combined with Fenrir's wild style, made them stand out quite a bit. Even the trio he assumed to be the highest-ranking officials in Ariadne had a look of visible skepticism in their eyes, especially the fat man whom Vahn assumed to be the 'Arch-Dean' elected by the Empire.Fortunately, even if the man radiated an aura of incompetence, he had enough wherewithal to not offend the escort of the Ostian Royal Family. There were a number of arrogant and prideful people in both the Empire and Confederacy, but, compared to the prestige of the Ostian Royal Family, even the Emperor and members of the Consulate could not match up. They were the lineage responsible for the formation of Mundus Magicus itself, and, due to their wise leadership over the millennia, the Ostian Royal Family enjoyed unparalleled public support. If you were to somehow offend a member of the Ostian Royal Family, or, heavens forbid, be caught conspiring against them, even the citizens of the Confederacy would turn against you.Ignoring the urge to hop down and mess with the trio, Vahn waited patiently for Arika to appear in a strapless white dress, which, surprisingly, showed off a generous amount of cleavage. To complete the outfit, she had on a peculiar mantle that left the shoulders exposed but covered her clavicle and neck like a sweater. As for the fabric, it was just as pure white as the rest of her dress, creating quite the contrast as it, like her hair, extended past her knees.Seeing Arika at 'full power', Vahn couldn't help but admire her a bit. She was only fifteen, but, if he converted that into years back on Earth, she was well over twenty-eight. She also radiated an aura of dignity that elevated her beauty from world-class to 'godly', making her feel untouchable despite the fact she was standing right next to him. It was quite the contrast to how she generally behaved in private, reminding him that she was more than just a taciturn beauty who was weak to teasing and had an uncommon obsession with 'unique' Airfish...As could be expected, nearly everyone present gave a slight bow the moment Arika appeared on the upper deck. She might not be a Princess of the Empire, but she was indisputably the highest-born Aristocrat of the Magical World. Her family had been the shepherds of Mundus Magicus since its inception, and, whenever tensions erupted into conflict, they were often the ones who suing for peace and providing aid to the beaten, downtrodden, and displaced. If the members of the Ostian Royal Family were undeserving of respect, none within the Magical World would be found worthy.Without requiring a chant, Arika effortlessly levitated from the deck before landing gracefully near the trio using her flight magic. Then, in a voice that was both soothing yet commanding, she gave a very slight bow of her own before saying, "Thank you for your consideration. I understand how my sudden arrival might have inconvenienced you. For that, please accept my apology."Holding the highest standing among the trio, though the Arch-Dean would certainly argue against it, Sidra adopted a polite smile as she said, "It is our honor to host a Princess of Vespertatia. Unless the Princess is in a hurry, please allow us to demonstrate the hospitality of Ariadne. I have asked the staff to arrange a room, and, should it suit Your Highness' fancy, our most talented Chefs have been gathered to prepare a feast."Though she had never left the palace, Arika was well-versed in the subtleties of politics and polite speech. She understood the woman, who she assumed to be the Grandmaster, was demonstrating her goodwill while also indirectly inquiring about the purpose behind her sudden arrival. Thus, after a polite nod, Arika answered, "I have heard great things about Ariadne and its hospitality. Though I fear it will be an inconvenience to your staff, I would lament the missed opportunity to experience their prestigious skills."Smiling wider in response to Arika's words, Sidra nodded her head, stating, "I will see to it that Your Highness is completely satisfied. Now, please forgive my late introduction. I am, as Your Highness has no doubt suspected, the Grandmaster of Ariadne, Sidra Avenarius. This young lady to my right is my beloved daughter and Headmistress of the Imperial Academy, Seras. As for the esteemed and incomparably patient Lord to my left, he is none other than His Imperial Majesty's chosen delegate, the Arch-Dean of Ariadne, Hugo Bolek."Hearing Sidra's introduction of him, Hugo puffed out his barrel-like chest with repletion as a genial smile that didn't quite reach his eyes spread across his uncommonly large lips. He had the general countenance of a pig who had been dressed up in human clothes, but, as if his prestige was as high as the Emperor's himself, Hugo demonstrated a flawless bow before extending his jewel-laden hand with the intention to grasp and kiss the back of Arika's.Though she knew what Hugo was attempting, Arika kept her hands at her sides, offering little more than a slight nod before remarking, "Thank you for your courtesy, but the Ostian Royal Family does not have a tradition that allows casual contact. Please, raise your head, Lord Bolek."As a rather portly individual, Hugo had been struggling to support his lowered posture as Arika was speaking. When he finally raised his head, it was impossible to discern whether or not he was upset or simply exhausted as he pulled out a handkerchief, wiping away a bit of sweat from his ruddy face as he mused, "How unfortunate. It would have been the high point in this lowly middle-aged man's life to receive the courtesy of someone as beautiful as Your Highness. I suppose I will have to settle for simply...making your acquaintance..."Allowing his words to trail off, Hugo, like everyone else present, shifted their attention to the duo that had touched down gracefully next to the Ostian Princess. The man radiated an indescribable aura that made it impossible to see through him despite his relatively casual yet high-quality garb. As for the woman at his side, she wore clothes that weren't exactly suitable to be an attendant or bodyguard of Royalty. Her midriff was completely exposed, and, though it wasn't uncommon, she wore form-fitting shorts that left her milky-white thighs completely visible. This was a little strange, as, a stark contrast to her exposed lower body, she wore a vest-like tunic with long sleeves that covered much of her chest and arms...Fenrir was never fond of being stared at, especially by people like Hugo, but she maintained a calm and dignified countenance as she stood next to her Master. Vahn, however, exhibited a smile that could send shivers through the body of a Devil, staring directly at the fat man as he said, "If you do not restrain yourself, don't blame me for allowing her to rip your eyes out. Your status might allow you to throw your tremendous weight around in the fringe territories of the Empire, but you'll find no quarter from me should you forget yourself."Tearing his eyes away from the delicate line of Fenrir's midriff, Hugo glared at Vahn with a reddened face as he forcibly restrained an outburst, asking through clenched teeth, "Might I inquire as to the identity of this...gentleman...?"Surprising everyone present, Arika turned to Vahn as if asking for permission to speak, waiting for him to nod before turning back and saying, "Allow me to apologize for the misunderstanding. This man is neither my escort nor my bodyguard. He is a personal friend of the Ostian Royal Family, the benefactor of my Royal Mother, and the Guardian of Mundus Magicus: Vahn Aldrnari Mason, the Sage Dragon Emperor."Hearing Arika's introduction, everyone present reacted as if their mental faculties had temporarily stalled. This was further exacerbated when she offered a polite bow towards Vahn before stepping slightly to the side, clearly indicating the difference in their status.Without waiting for the trio to recover, Vahn gave a slight nod toward Arika before turning toward the stupefied group and explaining, "As I have expressed in the past, I have no intention of making an enemy out of the Empire. Your matters only concern me when I am around to observe them. If I find you are unqualified for the title you lord over others, you only have yourselves to blame for the outcome. You will keep that in mind the next time you covet something beyond your reach. There is a foul stench that permeates your very existence, Lord Bolek. If you wish to avoid bringing shame to your Empire, you will remember your place and fulfill your duties responsibly. If this is beyond your capacity, I can assure you there are many others waiting to take your place..."Since he could feel the man's mana begin to surge, Vahn allowed his aura to permeate through the area as he squinted his eyes. This was enough to cause the girthy man to immediately rethink his decision, and, fortunately for him, he was just in time. Had he been a millisecond slower, and had her control slipped even the slightest amount, he would have lost both of his eyes. Instead, Fenrir slowly retracted her claws, nearly grazing the man's pupils due to how much his body was shaking.Though he doubted it was enough to set the man on a more righteous path, Vahn gave a small nod of approval as he added, "The next time you exploit your position, please prepare yourself for the consequences. Depending on the nature of the offense, you will either receive a merciful death or spend the rest of your life as a cripple. You have been warned."Finished speaking to the man, Vahn casually lifted his left hand, forcibly teleporting the man away. It was generally considered 'impossible' to teleport someone with an active magic barrier, but, despite the transition between Records, Vahn's mastery over Space was 97%. He still had to overcome the resistance of their barrier, but, unless they had a reasonable degree of mastery over Space Magic, it didn't require too much effort to teleport others. The Arch-Dean might have been a capable Mage in his youth, but, after decades of decadence and complacency, his skills had atrophied even more than his muscles...Seeing Vahn forcibly teleport the Arch-Dean, Sidra and Seras were both visibly shaken. Though the Arch-Dean wasn't particularly famous as a Mage, he had various artifacts on his body and several anti-magic formations sewn into his clothes. He would literally need to deactivate the barriers on his body in order to make use of a Gateport or Teleportation Ward. This made Vahn's act of 'easily' teleporting him away a terrifying feat, causing Seras to swallow audibly as her mother managed a polite smile, bowing slightly as she said, "It is a great honor to stand in the presence-"Shaking his head, Vahn adopted a more natural smile as he interrupted Sidra, saying, "There is no need for such formalities. I am not your Emperor, nor have I done anything worthy of your respect or obeisance. I can perceive that the two of you are qualified rulers, so you have no need to lower your heads to me. My purpose here is to simply observe and play witness to the events of history as they transpire. I will only act to prevent things like the exploitation of power or the destruction of the environment. At other times, I am generally an agreeable person. Isn't that right, Fenrir, Arika...?"Arika had a lot to say about Vahn's 'interference', but, remembering he had stepped in to prevent Hugo from trying to pressure her with libidinous intent concealed within his countenance, she was currently feeling slightly vindicated. Thus, when prompted, she gave a courteous nod, a slight smile on her face as she mused, "The grace and humility of the Sage Dragon Emperor are as boundless as the Heavens..."Hearing the teasing undertones in Arika's voice, Vahn blinked in surprise, but, before he could say anything, Fenrir exclaimed, "That's right! Master is the most magnanimous and kind person in the entire world! So long as you aren't a bad person or a bully, there are no lengths he wouldn't go to in order to help someone~!"Feeling a very subtle increase in the amount of blood flowing to his face, Vahn habitually stroked his chin as he mused, "See what I mean? Though it would be appropriate to address me as the Sage Dragon Emperor during official proceedings, feel free to simply refer to me as Vahn at other times. I did not come here to put pressure on you and your country. Rather, I am considerably interested in academics and scholarly pursuits. Should the opportunity present itself, I would like to tour some of your facilities and observe the curriculum in effect..."Though she was equally as confused as she was tense, Sidra maintained a polite smile while looking between Vahn, Fenrir, and Arika. Things had developed in an unimaginable way, but, after a lifetime of associating with annoying Nobles, her bearing wasn't easily broken. She could also read between the lines, so, after seeing Vahn step in to deal with Hugo, a number of suspicions played across her mind as nodded her head and answered, "When the time comes, I will personally escort you around our campuses. I am quite proud of our facilities and I am equally as curious about the impression of someone with the title of Sage Dragon Emperor. It is readily apparent we have much to learn from a peaceful association with someone of your esteem, Vahn."Satisfied by Sidra's response, Vahn gave an appreciative nod before looking towards her daughter and doing the same. This caused the young woman to open her mouth as if she was going to say something, but, seemingly unable to find the words, she penultimately remained silent with a light flush coloring her cheeks. Vahn found this rather amusing, as she seemed like the serious type, but, knowing it would only cause problems if he teased her, he just nodded toward Sidra, saying, "I look forward to it..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn seems to be more aware of Arika...','A pig coveting swan's meat','Old habits die hard xD...')(A/N: Hey, just a reminder to those who have forgotten. While it might not be pertinent to the plot atm, Vahn is still developing his Realm. He also spends a fair amount of time inside a Sub-Space Orb, so, rather than his perspective 'spontaneously' changing, literal months might be taking place between each chapter from our jank Emperor's perspective.)https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1565: Trepidation