Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Vahn couldn't be sure whether or not his decision was the 'correct' thing to do, but, in the grand scheme of things, it was inarguably the 'right' thing to do. He wasn't particularly fond of lying, and, though he would make exceptions when it came to governance and politics, he disdained the idea of manipulating people. Even when he did machinate for a specific outcome, it was never with the intent to take advantage of or exploit someone. Rather, it was often to bring an end to exploitation, or, depending on the circumstances, encourage someone else to better themselves.Unless he wanted to become personally responsible for the fate of the Magical World's population, Vahn knew he would need to rear others that were capable of doing so. Though he wasn't fond of politics and the existence of monetary systems, trying to impose the Common Law on every Record he visits, while not impossible, was impractical. He hadn't even managed to ensure order in his own Realm, so it would be exceptionally foolish of him to split his focus even further.People like Arika, Asuna, Theo, Jack, and Nagi were those who were originally intended to shape the fate of the Record. By supporting them, and others like them, he could ensure peace and prosperity without having to take proactive measures to govern. That could be entirely left to others, allowing him to become a deterrent force that only took action when the world was in danger. He would be akin to the Guardian God of the planet, christening new rulers and passing judgment on those who deviated from the path of righteousness.Ultimately, Vahn wanted to help the world, he just didn't want to be responsible for managing it. He would rather reunite with Eva and then fall into the background, shifting his focus from the world at large to the affairs of his internal Realm. Then, once he had made adequate preparations, he would depart this Record for the next. He currently had no intention to subsume Mundus Magicus into his own Realm, as, at least for the time being, he didn't understand how to reconcile the differences in Laws. The last thing he wished to happen was pulling the Magical World into his Realm only for it to be completely destroyed the moment he did so...---As could be expected, it took quite a bit of time for Arika to fall asleep, but, after she had done so, she, like Asuna, seemed to fall into a type of stasis. This seemed to be a unique trait of the Ostian Royal Family, and, if he wasn't wrong, it was almost as if their minds were processing and analyzing things whilst they slept. Their brain activity would increase dramatically from the moment they fell unconscious, only returning to 'normal' between three and five hours later. From that moment on, they could be awoken without too much difficulty, but, before that, they seemed to ignore virtually all external stimuli.Had he any untoward thoughts, the girls' sleeping habits could have been rather 'dangerous', but, even after revealing the truth to Arika, Vahn was still against reciprocating her feelings. If he did so, she would become an anchor that binds him to this world, forcing him to become more involved by virtue of their relationship. He couldn't very simply ignore the struggles his own lover, so, from the moment he gave in to her budding emotions, Vahn's fate would become tied to Ostia and the fate of the Magical World.Fortunately, while he couldn't exactly take things too far, Vahn had ample distractions to keep him from worrying about such things. Thus, while the royal duo slept, he snuggled up next to Fenrir in order to discuss her past, present, and future behavior. Her fervor toward him was a little infectious, so, even if a girl didn't particularly like him, they would start to after interacting with her for a long enough period of time. He also shared a considerable amount of blame in this, but, as Fenrir would basically serve as an example for others, Vahn wanted to ensure she restrained herself, even if but a little...---After falling asleep a little after 8 PM, Asuna awoke almost precisely five hours later, stating, "I need to pee..." in a dull monotone. As a result, Vahn and Fenrir found themselves with wry smiles on their faces as they stood outside the partially open bathroom door. Afterward, due to Asuna feeling wide awake, they kept her entertained by talking about, of all things, magical theory. This continued until Arika awoke, once again after around five hours of sleep. Then, until the sun came up, they all made idle conversation, enjoying an extended breakfast that included pancakes, tarts, tea, and juice.During the breakfast, Vahn transitioned from idle discussion to the matters of the day, asking, "Now that you've slept on it, what have you decided? I intend to meet with the Great Spirits to discuss the protection of this world. However, if you want to forge an alliance with them, it will be through your own efforts. I can provide my backing, but it will be up to you to convince them of your worth."Though Vahn had yet to meet the Great Spirits, he had an inkling they would be willing to lend him an ear, or whatever their equivalent was. Even the Great Spirit of Darkness and Ice shouldn't be too hostile to him, not just because of his [True Friend of the Elements], but because of the very nature of his Source Energy. To them, he was like their older sibling or something akin to a father figure, an existence they would come to respect if for no other reason than the purity of his aura and his love for the planet. Arika, however, was 'just' a human, and, though she was very special, he wouldn't be the guarantor that bound the Great Spirits to human desire and politics...Understanding what Vahn was trying to say, Arika nodded her head, a glimmer of conviction in her eyes as she stated, "I would like to meet with the Great Spirits. Even if I cannot win their favor, I will endeavor to win their trust. True prosperity can only be achieved when people live in harmony with the Elements."Approving of Arika's words, Vahn nodded his head in turn before smiling as he said, "Very well then. Our first destination will be the Shrine of Wisdom. Afterward, we'll have a day or two just to explore before departing Nyandoma. Unless you want to try and prevent the war in its entirety, we have just under two years to focus on your training. You know my reason for coming to this world, so, as long as you keep that in mind, I will support any path you choose."Though she didn't believe Vahn would just stand on the sidelines, Arika gave a curt nod in response before plainly asking, "When will we depart?"Rather than answer Arika's question, Vahn turned to Asuna, who, for quite some time now, had just been staring blankly as she listened to the conversation. She seemed to be in a passive state of data collection, absorbing everything she was seeing and hearing.Seeing the doll-like girl turn her head to meet his gaze, Vahn's smile softened slightly as he asked, "Are you ready to go, Asuna? This journey is as much yours as it is your cousins. If there is a special place you wish to visit, I will take you there."Seemingly considering his words, Asuna adopted a reflective look, her eyes briefly deviating to the left as if she were trying to recall something. Then, after several long seconds, she gave a small nod and said, "Mother told me to make lots of friends. I have read that it is normal for children to go to school in order to form bonds and learn more about the world. I would like to try going to school."Though he wasn't exactly surprised, Vahn didn't expect Asuna to suddenly mention something like attending school. It had actually been something he had thought about, but, until the Mage of the Beginning had been dealt with, allowing her to attend school was simply too dangerous. Even if he became a teacher and watched over her from the shadows, it was virtually guaranteed that Cosmo Entelecheia would target her. Even sending her to Earth wouldn't really be a solution as every major school teaching Magic was operated under the authority of the Magic Council stationed within the Megalomesembrian Confederacy...Realizing there wasn't a simple solution to Asuna's request, as even enrolling her into a school for normal humans wasn't really an option, Vahn fell into deep thought. He could always try making his own school, recruiting teachers and students during their travels, but that created quite a number of problems. Most of the students he picked up would basically be orphans, and, unless he used the system he had implemented back in Danmachi, there was no simple way of unifying the curriculum and ensuring everyone had the best possible education to suit their needs...Understanding he would need to put a lot of thought into it, Vahn decided to temporarily shelve the matter, ruffling Asuna's hair as he stated, "It will take some time, but I can promise you will be able to attend school at some point. Until then, why not try to become friends with Fenrir, Medusa, and the Elements? It is possible to be friends with animals, spirits, and even monsters, so don't limit yourself to only befriending other people, okay...?"Since she hadn't expected to be able to go to school immediately, Asuna wasn't bothered by Vahn's words. Instead, she looked toward Fenrir, finding the curious woman smiling back at her. Then, after a few seconds had passed, her eyes drifted toward the fluffy ears atop Fenrir's head, smiling slightly when she saw them twitch in response.Having come to a conclusion, Asuna looked back at Vahn, stating, "I understand. I will do my best to become friends with everyone."Though Vahn wanted to correct her and explain there were people she needed to be cautious of, he didn't intend to let Asuna out of sight until the danger had passed. Fortunately, she seemed to be an exceptionally smart young lady, so, even if he didn't go into greater detail, she should be able to correctly deduce who she should, and shouldn't, trust. She also had the most powerful fate he had ever seen, so, regardless of what happened, Asuna would be able to become monstrously powerful, or, at the very least, accumulate allies who were willing to fight at her side.Confident in his reasoning, Vahn gently ruffled Asuna's hair one last time before saying, "That's that, then. We'll head to the Shrine of Wisdom and decide on our next course of action after returning to the ship. Come, let's get you washed up and ready to go. I'm looking forward to meeting the Great Spirit of Light in person."Though she nodded her head in understanding, Asuna didn't immediately get up from her seat at the low-lying table. Instead, she chomped down on one last cookie before raising her arms, clearly intending for him to pick her up. This caused Vahn's smile to turn slightly wry, but, finding her antics to be somewhat adorable, he still dutifully picked her up, carrying her all the way to the bathroom as she continued to nibble on her cookie...---As a nation comprised of predominately nocturnal citizens, anything that wasn't considered vital to Nyandoma's prosperity generally operated at very awkward hours. The only places that were really open were the various tourist traps, but, with a war looming on the horizon, the number of tourists had sharply declined. As a result, Nyandoma became eerily silent during the day, but, if you were to look closely, you could still see quite a number of people just lounging about, absorbing the rays of the sun, or, quite literally, enjoying a catnap.Fortunately, due to how sparsely populated the streets were, Vahn's party didn't have to suffer from the same hateful gazes as the previous night. Most of the people out and about during the day had little motivation to cause trouble, and, due to the principle belief that the 'early bird gets the worm', the majority of Mercenaries and Adventurers had already departed the city. This made it relatively easy to traverse, and, after a little over half an hour, Vahn was able to see the rather massive Shrine of Wisdom looming over every other building in the area.Seeing the shrine that had basically been carved into a small forested mountain, Vahn couldn't help but admire its beauty. It had a simultaneously ancient yet pristine feel to it, and, though the culture of Nyandoma was marginally different from Japan, there were still tori-like gates present. There was also a long stone path that seemed to zig-zag up the mountain, allowing people to leisurely climb the seventeen-thousand steps to the top. The other option included scaling what was known as the 'Path of Heaven', a series of stone steps that ranged between five and fifteen meters in height. This wasn't actually that difficult to traverse, but, due to the barrier around the mountain, it was virtually impossible for normal people to use Magic.As the only way to meet with the Great Spirit directly was to scale the Path of Heaven, Vahn looked toward Arika, asking, "Will you be okay without your Magic?"Rather than answer, Arika only briefly made eye contact with Vahn before taking a step forward and rather effortlessly leaping up the first step. The barrier didn't actually interfere with her ability to use Royal Magic, but, not wanting to cheat, she used the strength of her legs alone to make the leap.Seeing Arika ascending without much difficulty, Vahn turned toward Asuna, who, immediately after meeting his gaze, said, "I won't be able to make it." in a curt tone.Vahn would have actually been more surprised if the 85cm tall Asuna could leap five meters without any kind of boost. She could clear even higher obstacles with the use of Magic, but, unlike the other members of the Royal Family, Asuna couldn't use Royal Magic. Instead, she had something infinitely rarer, a type of Ancient Magic that hadn't existed since the Era of the Gods: Twilight Imperial Magic. According to what Ana and Vesperina had told him, this was a type of Magic that allowed a person to create and destroy worlds. This meant Asuna was very likely a Tier 5 being, and, though she was currently very weak, her potential was absolutely monstrous...As that thought crossed his mind, Vahn couldn't help but grin when Asuna suddenly lift her arms up high, clearly intending to be carried to the top. She might very well be the most important person in the entire Record, but, at least for the time being, she was just an adorable, slightly spoiled, little Princess. Rather than worry about what she would become, Vahn was more concerned about giving her the chance to be happy, so, after lightly tickling her sides, he picked her up into a princess carry before easily leaping up the massive stone steps...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Vahn just wants to be lazy with Eva (UwU)...','Mahou Sensei Vahn!?','Asuna is slowly taming the Dragon xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After reaching the top of the mountain, Vahn found Arika waiting near the entrance to a relatively small shrine located behind the much larger shrine complex. Near the very back, an entity that was closer to what some might describe as a Demon could be seen sitting in a meditative pose atop an ancient stone dais. It had a vaguely humanoid structure with a lean and muscular figure, but, rather than appear organic, its entire body seemed to be formed from a type of white metal with accents of gold. It wore a rather creepy-looking mask that loosely resembled a cat, while, at the sides of its head, four horns, two large and two small, jutted out to form s-shaped curves.At a glance, some might mistake the entity for a statue that had been dressed up in monk's robes, but, considering it was floating a few centimeters off the ground and was petting what appeared to be a 'Beckoning Cat', it was clearly alive. It also slightly changed the orientation of its head from the location of Arika, staring back at Vahn before shifting its gaze between Fenrir and Asuna.Breaking the silence, the creature extended one of its clawed fingers, pointing towards Asuna as it said, "Unqualified...leave..." in a paradoxically soothing yet ghastly voice.Ignoring the demon-like entity's accusation, Vahn looked towards the somewhat chubby cat in its lap, drawing the attention of the rather adorable creature as he mused, "Do you mind having your guardian stand down? I can be overprotective so things might not end well if he tries to antagonize this little one..."Surprising Arika, Asuna, and even Fenrir, the chubby white cat showed the closest thing to a smile that a cat could manage before answering in an incredibly deep voice, "How peculiar...to think there are still things in this world that can surprise me. Very well. Stand down, Lars. You would struggle to defeat those two beauties, much less that monstrous fella."The moment it heard the chubby cat's words, the demon-like figure gave a curt nod, answering, "I understand, Lord Utu..." before restraining its rising aura.With tensions quickly dissipating, the chubby cat, Nyon Utu, making itself appear even more like a beckoning cat, waved its paw in a 'come hither' gesture. In response to this, Vahn set Asuna on the ground, saying, "Stay with Fenrir. I'll be right back."Without waiting for Asuna's response, Vahn lightly ruffled her hair before gesturing to Arika to stay back as he approached the mochi-like cat. It almost looked like a plushy that was designed to look like a cartoon character, but, if you looked closely, it actually had extremely fine fur that seemed to be formed from luminescent fibers. Its eyes were squinted shut, much like a contented cat enjoying a sunny day, but, during the brief moment when he had turned away, Vahn noticed its eyes open to reveal sky-blue with peculiar golden pupils...Ignoring the statuesque creature's penetrating gaze, Vahn startled 'Lord Utu' by suddenly extending his hand and gently strokings its head. This caused its guardian to release a brilliant aura, much like the sun, but, before it could say or do anything it would regret, Utu plainly stated, "It's fine. I already told you to stand down, didn't I? This man...means no harm...?"Though it hadn't noticed it at first, Utu quickly realized that Vahn's hand emitted a soothing warmth that rapidly suffused throughout its body. This was a very pleasant sensation, causing it to fall silent for several seconds before saying, "You are quite good..."Smiling in response to the curious white creature's compliment, Vahn briefly activated his [Hands of Nirvana], greatly increasing the potency of his Petting Laws before retracting his hand immediately thereafter. This caused Utu to open its eyes like a cat that had just woken up to the sound of food being poured into its bowl, bringing a smile to Vahn's face as he mused, "The texture of your fur is quite good. You also have a pliant body, almost like you don't even have bones...if I had to give you a rating, you have a pettability of eight out of ten...very nice..."Hearing Vahn's remark, Utu had a very human-like expression of incredulity as it plainly stated, "I'll have you know that my fur is the softest in all of Mundus Magicus. If I'm an eight, nothing is a ten."Snorting through his nose, Vahn call her before Fenrir appeared at his side with Asuna. This caused the statuesque High Spirit to tense up, but, after being warned twice, it didn't try to release it aura a third time. As for Utu, it noticed Fenrir's fluffy ears and tail, its eyes becoming slightly sharper as it inspected their quality and sheen...Lifting up Fenrir's deceptively heavy tail, Vahn began to casually stroke it as he explained, "You may very well have the softest fur, but that isn't what makes something pettable. Texture, pliability, smell, and even temperature all play a part. If someone were to pet or snuggle you for an extended period of time, they would eventually need to take a break. Your body is too warm and your fur is seems to be perfectly uniform without a natural flow. The direction fur grows can be very important, naturally leading the hand of the person petting from one end to the other without a feeling of incongruity."As Vahn spoke, he ran his hand along the length of Fenrir's tail. Her fur was not only soft, but it was very thick, allowing his hand to sink into the coat like combing through a fine shag carpet. Despite this, it would quickly regain its volume the moment his hand passed, guiding his palm forward like a surfer being drawn by gravity as a wave crests behind them. At the same time, Fenrir's tail twitched in a pleasant manner, a reaction that encouraged further petting...Though it might sound like Vahn was speaking nonsense, Nyon Utu seemed to take his words very seriously, nodding its head as it said, "I see...it is the balance and harmony of traits that ensure the maximum pettability...my eyes have been opened...may I...?"Fenrir wasn't fond of letting other people pet her, but, feeling somewhat prideful at the moment, she gave a small nod before dexterously extending her tail towards the peculiar creature.Extending its paw in a rather unnatural manner, making it seem more like a slime-shaped cat than a vertebrate, Nyon Utu gently caressed Fenrir's tail. It immediately took note of the fact that the sleek fur was nearly as soft as its own, but, just as Vahn had said, the 'flow' of her fur seemed to guide the hand in a specific direction. It was also cool to the touch, but, if you pressed deeper into the fur, it was possible to feel a bit of warmth that radiated outward from the core...After retracting its hand, Nyon Utu noded in a sagely manner as it said, "My hubris had prevented me from reaching the pinnacle...and to think, I even go as far as to call myself the Great Spirit of Wisdom...funyaaa~"Though even he had started to feel like this situation was a little strange, Vahn also felt inclined to nod his head before adopting a 'thoughtful' expression and adding, "There is one thing that might elevate you to a nine..."Hearing words of hope, Nyon Utu looked toward Vahn with glimmering eyes, asking, "Truly? Is there a way forward for someone who had been blinded by arrogance...?"Stroking an imaginary beard, Vahn nodded his head a few times before nearly giving the High Spirit charged with protecting Nyon Utu an aneurism when he picked the chubby cat up. Then, choosing to let actions speak louder than words, he handed them over to Asuna. She had been looking at the peculiar cat with 'possessive' eyes, and, though he would probably need to restrain himself more in the future, Vahn was still in a 'pampering' phase.Nyon Utu immediately displayed the characteristic indignity of a house cat that had been picked up by a small child, but, after Asuna began to rub her cheek against the back of its head, it released a mewling sigh and said, "I see...my small size makes it easier to pet my entire body...is that it...?"Without beating around the bush, Vahn nodded his head, adding, "Your squishy body also gives you a high 'huggability' factor. Children also have higher body temperatures, so, even if your body is a little warm, they wouldn't be uncomfortable. I would even argue that, when it comes to being hugged by a child, you transcend ratings completely."Amused by Vahn's words, Nyon Utu released a strangely human laugh before extricating itself from Asuna's grip and hovering in the air as it said, "You are very interesting. Even amongst Dragons, few are bold enough to tease a Great Spirit. Tell me, Friend of the Elements, why have you come here? Is it for the sake of that woman...?"Even without looking back, Vahn knew Nyon Utu was looking over at Arika, but, surprising both cat and woman, he shook his head, answering, "I have decided to support her, but that isn't the reason I have appeared. If she is to win your favor and trust, that will be through her own efforts. The main reason I came here today was to both meet and befriend you. I have already decided to protect this world so I would like to befriend those who have come before me."Sensing the truth contained within Vahn's words, Nyon Utu stared back at him for several seconds before stating, "There are very few qualified to call themselves 'True Friends of the Elements'. Other than our original creator, you are the only one I have ever seen. I am unable to determine how you came to be, but, for reasons I cannot fully understand, I feel as though you can be trusted. So long as you do not endanger this world, I would be glad to call you my friend...?"Noticing the confusion on Nyon Utu's face, Vahn smiled as he stated, "Vahn. My full name is Vahn Aldrnari Mason, but you can just call me Vahn. As for my title, I am best known as the Sage Dragon Emperor."As it had already sensed the draconic aura within Vahn's body, even addressing him as a Dragon just moments prior, Nyon Utu wasn't surprised by the introduction. Instead, it produced a cat-like smile, musing, "I will allow you to address me as Nyon. I would normally ask that you call me Utu, but, out of consideration for your skill and knowledge of petting, I will permit you to address me by my first name."Since Nyon had been floating in front of him, Vahn took advantage of the opportunity, extending his hand to pet the malleable Spirit's head. It didn't offer any resisting to her caress, rather, much like a normal cat, it ran its body along his palm without requiring him to move. Then, like a scarf, it wrapped around his shoulders and said, "Introduce me to your companions. I am curious about the company kept by a Sage Dragon Emperor. I would normally permit but a single question to each of my guests, but, out of consideration for our friendship, I will tolerate a longer conversation."Not minding the fact Nyon was using his shoulders as a perch, Vahn nodded his head, gesturing to Fenrir, Asuna, and Arika in turn, explaining, "This is my most faithful companion, the Queen of the Frozen Abyss, Fenrir. As for this little cutie, she goes by the rather long name of Asuna Vesperina Theotanasia Entheofushia, the Twilight Imperial Princess. Lastly, the taciturn beauty with the golden hair is the current Queen of Vespertatia, Arika Anarukia Enteofyushia. She might not show it in her countenance, but she has quite a passionate and respectable character. I believe she may very well have what it takes to lead the people of this world to prosperity; a world where all races coexist in harmony with nature."Though her mind had momentarily stalled when Vahn referred to her as a taciturn beauty, Arika quickly recovered by the time he had finished speaking. She even suspected he had extended his introduction out of consideration for her, causing an almost imperceptible smile to appear on her face as she politely bowed and said, "It is my honor to meet the Great Spirit of Light, Nyon Utu..."As the nation closest to Ostia, Nyon was obviously aware of who Arika and Asuna were, causing its eyes to open slightly as it mused, "Hooo...to think the Queen of Vespertatia has entered my country in such a secretive manner. The Ostian Royal Family would have never done something like this in the past...tell me, are you trying to prevent the onset of war? Have you decided on more 'proactive' measures than mere diplomacy~?"Feeling as though she was being tested, Arika raised her head, staring directly into the gaze of the Great Spirit of Light. She felt as though all of her thoughts and emotions were gleaned in an instant under its gaze, but, undaunted, she proclaimed, "Though I act out of duty, my desire to protect this world and its people is sincere. I will not ask for the help or protection of the Great Spirits...I will do what I can by using my own power, and, if it isn't enough, I will find allies who share my hope for a better future. I only ask that, when the time comes, you will help your people see purpose beyond the veil of hatred..."Though it could not see through Vahn in the slightest, Nyon had been able to glean some insights from peering into Arika's most recent memories. This caused its eyes to widen in shock, as, due to her focusing on matters specifically related to it, Nyon learned of its impending fate. It wasn't able to read all of her memories, but, as her conversation with Vahn was very recent, Nyon understood that the sun would soon set on the nation of Nyandoma...Just as its mind became slightly chaotic, Nyon was surprised when a calming warmth began to spread through its body, even without Vahn directly petting them. His aura was very gentle and warm, easing some of the fear and trepidation that had started to pervade their mind after spying on Arika's memories. It had also learned that Vahn specifically came to this world to protect it, so, while it might have been fated to die, his presence had already changed the flow of destiny. This realization caused them a considerable amount of relief, and, though they would normally never humor talks of supporting the ambitions of a mortal, Nyon decided to hear out the words of the woman backed by the Sage Dragon Emperor...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The Great Spirit of Light is quite majestic (OwO)...','An unparalleled expert in the field','Great Spirit of Wisdom? More like Mind-Reading Hack...!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Now that he had a better understanding of Arika's intent, Vahn explained his own to her, including his intentions to become a deterrent. This subtly changed the dynamic in their relationship, as, due to his desire not to be directly associated with any nation, Vahn would continue to act as he pleased when the situation called for it. He would help Arika grow stronger and support her aspirations, but, in the end, many others would fall under his umbrella. He wasn't going to act in the interests of the Ostian Royal Family, and, depending on the circumstances, she might have to 'fight' political battles and such without his direct support.As she had never expected Vahn to be the guarantor of her authority, Arika had little to say about the shift in their dynamic. She understood that her actions were somewhat selfish, so, just knowing he would support her was enough to give her a boost in confidence. As his status grew, so would her perceived backing, and, if she put in an adequate amount of effort into her training, her power would increase exponentially. This was something she was absolutely certain of, as, after seeing the incomprehensible display of skill demonstrated by Vahn, Arika felt like her horizons had broadened beyond compare...---Following the rather eventful dinner, there was little else to do other than make idle conversation or sleep, so, after cleaning up all the dishes, everyone retired to the same room. Asuna would insist on sleeping in the same room, so, rather than make an issue out of it, Vahn had asked Fenrir to transfer the futon from the second room into the first. She would be sharing a futon with Arika, but, as the two mattresses had been laid next to each other, Asuna wouldn't be too far away.Though it would have been possible to force Arika and Asuna to stay in their own room, Vahn took pity on the two girls who had lived isolation for much of their lives. Asuna had already imprinted on him, so it was virtually impossible for him to break her heart by pushing her away. As for Arika, Vahn knew she would have put on a strong front, but, in reality, she would have felt lonely to be the only one staying in her own room. He might not be willing to reciprocate her burgeoning affections, but that didn't mean he was going to force her to experience isolation even after finally leaving Ostia.Fortunately, Asuna was a strong 'barrier', so, with Fenrir laying on his left, Asuna laying on his right, and Arika laying on the opposite side of her, the chances of any 'accidents' happening were slim. It was also fortunate, albeit a little strange to witness, that Asuna slept like the dead when she finally passed out. He noticed Arika didn't really move much at all after going to sleep on the Airfish so it was highly probable she shared the same constitution. This was a little worrisome, for a number of reasons, but, as it prevented the girls from moving around while they slept, Vahn felt it was a boon during times like this...---As Asuna slowly faded off into the land of dreams, Vahn watched with intrigue as her presence itself seemed to fade away. Her biological functions slowed to a crawl, and, if you didn't observe her very closely, it was impossible to tell if she was even breathing. One of the scariest parts was, even if you opened her eyes, it was as if the life had completely drained from them. They didn't move or twitch in the slightest, and, if not for the phenomenal amount of electrical activity in her brain, Vahn would have assumed she didn't even dream...Confirming Asuna was asleep, Vahn rose to a seated position, finding Arika's eyes staring straight back at him as she curled up next to her younger cousin. Then, without raising her head, she asked, "Is there something else you wanted to discuss? I'm not particularly tired, so I can humor you for a short while."Without beating around the bush, Vahn plainly stated, "There is something you need to know since we will be traveling together from now on. It is about the truth of this world, the people instigating this war, and important matters regarding the future. I had originally intended to remain silent and allow you to uncover the truth on your own, but, after hearing the conviction in your tone, I believe it would be unfair to withhold too many secrets."Hearing Vahn's words, Arika began to feel somewhat nervous, but, without letting it show on her face, she, too, rose to a seated position, plainly stating, "Go on..."Ignoring the urge to roll his eyes, Vahn adopted a serious expression as he explained, "Though it has irreversibly changed due to my interference, I am privy to information regarding the future of this world. My knowledge is limited to what is recorded and passed down through the annals of history, but, prior to my descent, I memorized almost everything that was meant to take place over the next hundred years. I possess encyclopedic knowledge regarding significant people, places, and events..."Arika wasn't quite sure what she was expecting Vahn to say, but, the moment she realized he wasn't just messing with her, an uncharacteristically serious look appeared on her face. She was well aware of the existence of Magic that governed both Space and Time, but, after the Age of Gods had come to an end, such things had all but vanished. Vahn's words made it sound like he had come from the future, but, as she listened on, it quickly became apparent that there was a lot more to it than that...---Vahn knew he was taking a risk by revealing bits of the truth to Arika, but, if the Akamatsuverse was anything like the Nasuverse, being obscured from the perception of the Overseer implied there was a fair chance the current Time Axis simply didn't exist from their perspective. If they were absolutely omniscient, it would be impossible to hide from them, so, as he had experienced personally, it was far more likely that they were only truly aware of the things they were interested in. This meant, so long as he didn't attempt to establish contact with the Overseer, it was highly likely they oblivious to the changes he was making to the current Time Axis.Since his support of Arika and Asuna would drastically alter the course of fate, Vahn felt personally responsible for ensuring they were able to live happy lives. He had originally intended to guarantee this through less direct means, but, after hearing Arika's statements during dinner, he couldn't help but feel inspired by her conviction. She didn't seem like the type of person to be swayed by things like prophecies and predetermined fate, so, rather than keep her in the dark, he decided to bite the bullet, explaining much about the 'truth' of this world. This also included the part she was meant to play, the ultimate fate of her country, her fated meeting with Nagi, and, most importantly, matters involving the Mage of the Beginning and Eva...Needless to say, Arika was somewhat skeptical, but, after several hours of questioning, she seemed to completely believe his words. This left her feeling shaken and uncertain, but, after a long period of silence, lasting nearly half an hour, she ultimately raised her head, stating, "The history you speak of never accounted for your presence, correct? That means everything that is currently happening is a deviation from the intended course of history. Depending on our actions in the present, even the most significant of future events could be completely invalidated..."Nodding his head, Vahn reiterated, "In the original timeline, the fate of your mother and aunt was never recorded. You were announced as the Queen of Vespertatia after the war had begun, and, if not for Ala Rubra, we would know very little about what took place behind the scenes. Even then, it is impossible to know what happened to people like Vesperina, but, based on what happened with Asuna, it is safe to assume she had been killed during the latter's kidnapping..."Hearing Vahn's reminder, Arika looked towards the sleeping Asuna, her expression morphing into one of pain and conflict as she imagined what it must have been like for her cousin to experience so many tragedies. Not only was she kidnapped, losing her mother in the process, but it seemed as though her memories of the event had been completely erased. This might seem like a mercy, but, after hearing about Asuna fighting alongside her 'son', Arika couldn't shake the feeling her cousin had been manipulated. She went from being a weapon used by the enemy to one used by the very people who were supposed to protect her, all without knowing the truth until months before she had little choice but to sacrifice herself for the sake of a world she knew nothing about...Though it could all be 'coincidence', Arika found it rather unbelievable that her son would end up as a teacher at the very school Asuna had been enrolled in during the exact period of time that Cosmo Entelecheia made a comeback. It was obvious that everything had been carefully orchestrated, and, based on Vahn's revelations, it seemed like her son had even been orphaned shortly after his birth. She had completely disappeared from the annals of history, and, despite being the strongest Mage in the entirety of Mundus Magicus, even her would-be husband vanished.To further emphasize the fact everything was part of some convoluted plot, it seemed that her son had been left completely ignorant of the truth, only finding out after he visited Mundus Magicus for the first time. After that, he was manipulated by the people that were supposed to be the allies of his parents, people who had virtually ignored his existence until he became strong enough to be of use to them...Even if she knew there must have been a reason behind everything that happened, Arika couldn't help but feel a little sick to her stomach when imaging the actions of her future self. Just knowing she had enslaved her people, even if it was for their benefit, caused a shudder to run through her body. What made this even worse was the fact that, instead of doing everything she could to try and liberate them, she ran off to give birth to a child she wasn't even going to raise. There was a fair chance she had died during childbirth, but, based on the strengths of her supposed allies, it was far more likely that she had simply abandoned him in order to further some unknown objective...Sensing the chaotic fluctuations in Arika's aura, Vahn was preparing to console her until she looked back at him and said, "I do not care about such a dismal future. Now that I know the truth, I will do what I can in the present to make an even better future. Thank you for telling me these things. Even if there is a chance you are lying, the fact you saved my mother is irrefutable. Had you arrived even a few days later, I would have been mourning her passing right now. For that, you have my endless and undying gratitude..."As she was speaking, Arika felt like she was beginning to understand why her mother had pushed her to follow Vahn. It wasn't simply to allow her and Asuna to experience the outside world, but, as they had discussed prior to the departure, following him ensured the survival of the Ostian Royal Family and the prosperity of Mundus Magicus. He had seemingly come to their world in order to protect it, and, though it was clear he was still keeping some things from her, Arika knew she had benefited greatly just by hearing him speak about the future...Understanding why her 'other' self had made so many mistakes, a feeling of unbridled conviction swelled within Arika's chest as she firmly stated, "I want to become stronger."Hearing the spirited Queen's words, Vahn nodded in understanding, a wry smile spreading on his face as he said, "That was always my intention. As I explained during dinner, I have my own path to walk. I will do what I can to protect the world, itself, but the prosperity of its people penultimately lays in the hands of those who will lead them. You are one of the candidates I have recognized, but you are not the only one. Do you best to build strong bonds with those you encounter during your journey, as, in the end, they will be your strongest allies when it comes to unifying the people and bringing peace to the Magical World."Though she didn't believe Vahn would play as inactive a role as he implied, Arika still nodded her head in understanding. At the same time, however, she wondered what she should do concerning the members of Ala Rubra, and, most importantly, Nagi. Her current impression of the man was that he was an idiot, albeit a very powerful one. She didn't understand how her other self had fallen in love with him, but, after hearing about her two-year imprisonment and subsequent rescue, it almost felt like she had simply 'given up'. The fact he was only fifteen-years-old was the most obvious sign that she had given up, as, based one what Vahn had said, this was his age in Mundus Ventus. If this was translated into Mundus Magicus years, he would only be around eight years old, and, inversely, she would be well over thirty back on Earth.Members of the Ostian Royal Family aged very slowly, allowing them to live well over two-hundred years within the mana rich environment of Mundus Magicus. This translated to nearly four-hundred years back on Earth so Arika could only think her other self had been desperate to become involved with someone who might not survive a quarter of her lifespan. He would gradually grow into an old man in a relatively short period of time, leaving her married to someone who looked several times her age despite being much younger.Arika didn't consider herself vain, but she simply couldn't understand what kind of circumstances had led to her involvement with Nagi. Knowing the future of their child and the fate of her cousin only filled her with even greater doubts, making it seem like she had completely lost her mind. Yes, she would do everything she could to protect Mundus Magicus and its citizens, but, no matter how she looked at the situation, partnering with a human boy just to produce a child they would both abandon didn't seem like the most 'effective' solution. This wasn't even taking into consideration the fact Nagi had apparently imprisoned Eva in the same school that her son became a teacher at, ultimately leading to her becoming his Master and turning him into an immortal vampire when he was only ten years old...Feeling as though everything was part of some contrived scheme, Arika resolved herself to handle things herself this time around. She wouldn't leave the fate of Mundus Magicus in the hands of her child and her cousin. Instead, she would take matters into her own hand, and, if she wasn't strong enough, she would simply become stronger. There were countless ways to extend her training time, and, with Vahn's support, Arika was confident she could reach the pinnacle...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Someone put this kid in a sleep study...','Is this the legendary 'truth bomb', the rarest item in all of Fanfiction!?','Arika either just became the protagonist or the main heroine of the Record xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1558: Moving Forward