Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

As the Western-most territory of the Hellas Empire, Ariadne enjoyed the benefit of being one of the furthest territories from the Megalomesembrian Confederacy. Though it was surrounded by various monster-infested forests, it also had direct access to the sea, arable lands, and, most importantly, an inordinately high concentration of Elemental Spirits. This made it one of the most enchanting places in Mundus Magicus, a land where ancient scholars had congregated to appreciate the splendor and research the phenomenon of the Magical World.Ariadne had remained one of the most beautiful and scenic places in the entire Magical World ever since it was first established more than thirteen hundred years ago. This would have normally made it a hotbed for migrants and refugees, but, due to their founders' desire to preserve the untouched beauty of the land, they had exceptionally strict immigration policies. Unless you were a member of the faculty or a student within one of the academies, the longest any visitor could stay was seventy days out of a 687 day calendar year. The only exceptions to this were if you had received a special permit from the Grandmaster or the Emperor, the latter being far more common, and exploited, by members of the Nobility.Originally, Ariadne only occupied a little more than 850 of its 269,000 square kilometers of territory. The rest of the land was either untouched or occupied by orchards, vineyards, and a few other types of non-destructive agricultural facilities. Over time, however, large swaths of land had been cleared to construct grand estates and summer homes for the Empire. To further exacerbate matters, many of these estates were only constructed for the purpose of exploiting the land of its resources, often without providing any benefits to Ariadne.Though the overall size of the Capital hadn't changed in more than a hundred years, the amount of land occupied by agricultural estates had grown to more than 30,000 square kilometers in the same amount of time. This had been a point of contention between Ariadne and the Empire ever since it became a City-State. Now, with war looming on the horizon, the Empire had even begun pressuring Ariadne to allow it to build a Military Base and Air Field to the West of the city, stating it was for the city's benefit and protection despite the Ariadne Mage Knights being one of the most elite forces in the entire Empire.The Grandmaster of Ariadne knew that, if she were to acquiesce to the Empire's demands, it would be the effective end of her country and the principles it had clung to for more than a millennium. If they had Imperial Forces on both sides of them, they would be effectively be cut off from the rest of the world, completely subsumed by the Empire. Not only would they require a ridiculous amount of land and resources to support their new base, but, after securing their position, it wouldn't be long before members of the Nobility began asking why Ariadne needed something like a private military when the Empire was so 'magnanimously' protecting it. In the end, Ariadne would be stripped of its autonomy in its entirety, and, within a few generations, the population would likely explode in order to further the profits of the Empire's Nobility...---Seated within the highest tower in all of Ariadne, a middle-aged woman with long blonde hair and two curved horns that jut out from the sides of her head in an s-shape could be seen sitting at an ornate wooden desk. She was nursing a cup of piping hot black coffee, slowly savoring the contents of her porcelain mug as she stared at what appeared to be a much younger version of herself. This was the woman's daughter, the current Headmistress of the Imperial Academy, and, should Ariadne still have a future, her successor as Grandmaster.Though she already knew her daughter's answer, the woman, Grandmaster Sidra Avenarius, offered an apologetic smile as she said, "The Emperor has, once again, expressed his desire to unify our two families. The Second Prince seems quite taken with you and continues to press His Imperial Majesty to arrange your betrothal..."Hearing her mother's words, the young woman, Seras Avenarius, adopted an expression of visible disgust as she plainly stated, "With all due respect, Madam Grandmaster, I would rather leap naked into the Cerberus Canyon than become that vile man's plaything. I have expressed this in writing to both the Emperor and the Second Prince. This is just another petty scheme of theirs to try and seize our land for their personal gain. They are already beginning to demand we move our forces to the Eastern border despite trying to justify the need to construct a military base in the West...it is truly disheartening..."Rather than show any concern for her daughter's moderately treasonous tone, Sidra just took a sip of her coffee before nodding her head and muttering, "Fortunately, the more they insist that a new base is necessary, the easier it is to avoid sending reinforcements to the border. The Emperor is also not as greedy as his son and the members of his Court, so, unless something drastic happens, he is not likely to support the growing movement to seize Ariadne. Unfortunately, we will probably have to cede even more land so that he can appease the Grand Duke's faction...haaaaa..."Feeling exhausted despite being on her fifth cup of coffee for the day, Sidra placed the cup down onto its saucer before linking her fingers together with her elbows on her desk and stating, "Well, it might not be all that bad. The reason I called you to my office is to task you with an important duty. You see, the Princess of Vespertatia has requested permission to berth her vessel within the Imperial Academy's private docks. I'm uncertain as to the purpose of her visit, but, considering the timing, it undoubtedly has something to do with the coming war. As for why she would come here instead of heading straight to the Imperial Captial...well, I can only make assumptions. Regardless, I want you at my side when I meet with Her Highness."Understanding the implication contained within her mother's words, Seras felt a small amount of anticipation as she performed a curt salute and said, "I understand. I will personally ensure that the Princess' stay is a pleasant one."Nodding her head in approval, Sidra rose to her feet, and, despite wearing what appeared to be a prim and proper women's business suit, including a pencil skirt, began to stretch her body. She still had a number of years before retirement, but, with the combined stress of dealing with the Empire, managing the Academy City, and leading the Ariadne Mage Knights, her body was constantly filled with tensions. She was only thirty-seven years old, but, despite the longevity of her species, she had a few troublesome wrinkles that detracted from her once-famous beauty.As she had served under her mother for years, learning everything she would need to know in order to fulfill her future responsibilities, Seras had long already gotten used to how slovenly she behaved in private. She honestly couldn't really blame her, and, though she was proud of the fact she would one day serve as the Grandmaster of Ariadne, Seras wasn't particularly looking forward to the side-effects that came with such a strenuous duty. Rather, due to the constant insistence of the Second Prince, she was already beginning to feel the pressure.Two years prior, Seras had been engaged to wed one of her former classmates, a handsome boy who had left quite an impression on her in their youth. He was, fortunately, a member of a rather prestigious family, so, after a brief period of discussion regarding the benefits both families would obtain, they were formally engaged. Unfortunately, soon after their engagement was announced, her fiance's body was found along a riverbank, his face bloated beyond recognition and large parts of his body missing. The reports stated the cause of death as drowning due to intoxication, but, as her fiance had never been known to drink, Seras had always suspected foul play. It didn't help that, shortly thereafter, the Second Prince came to give his condolences before subsequently offering to accept her as his bride...Remembering the abhorrent experience, even Seras' shoulders began to feel a little stiff, but, unlike her mother, she had yet to dismiss with propriety in its entirety. She was currently on duty as both Headmistress of the Imperial Academy and Vice-Commander of the Ariadne Mage Knights. If she slacked off in private, Seras was afraid she might slip up in front of her subordinates, so, at least for the time being, she did her best to show discipline at all times...---Though Arika was already considered the Queen of Vespertatia, her appointment had never been made public. Until then, she could only address herself as the Queen-incumbent, but, as that was only valid within Ostia, itself, her official title abroad was 'Crown Princess of Vespertatia'. She was also the official Ambassador of the Ostian Royal Family, so, immediately after declaring herself, a contingent of Mage Knights, once again looking like a group of lance-wielding Valkyries, came out to escort her.Seeing the group of thirty heavily armored knights gliding through the air, Vahn couldn't help but be reminded of the Proto Dragon Suits that had been designed by Da Vinci. The latter allowed the wearer to trespass virtually any kind of environment, and, though they required quite a bit of skill, even with an onboard AI, they were true marvels of Magic and technology. As for the winged armor used by the Ariadne Mage Knights, they were significantly less advanced, but, due to their unique design, Vahn found them rather charming.Noticing the reminiscent smile on her Master's face, Fenrir, even without asking, knew what he was thinking about. As a result, she moved closer to him, deftly linking her right paw with his left hand before resting her head against his shoulder. In response, he gripped her paw a little tighter before gently leaning over and kissing the top of her head...Arika had also noticed the look on Vahn's face, but, before she could ask if he was interested in the Enchanted Armor of the Mage Knights, she was left bewildered by the abrupt display of affection between him and Fenrir. She had only recently allowed them back onto the bridge, so she couldn't help feeling slightly annoyed by the fact they were shamelessly cuddling together without minding their surroundings...Forcing herself to simply ignore the affectionate display, Arika turned her attention to the primary viewport, saying, "We'll be mooring shortly. If you're going to sneak out with Asuna, you should do so soon. If not, wait for me on the deck. Once I've anchored the ship, I will come out to join you..."Understanding Arika was basically kicking him off the bridge again, Vahn answered with a curt nod before departing, hand-in-paw, with Fenrir. He could feel Arika follow their departure with her eyes, but, rather than react to it, Vahn continued to fawn over Fenrir as if he were oblivious.Truthfully, Vahn knew he was being a little unfair towards Arika, but, if she did inevitably fall in love with him, she would need to accept his relationships with other people. Even if she were a thousand times more amazing, there was no way he would simply abandon his other relationships in order to appease her. Thus, rather than shy away from displaying affection while she was around, Vahn did so rather shamelessly. He had already informed her about his harem and the primary reason he had come to this world, so, unless she opened her heart and accepted others, there was simply no way he could reciprocate her burgeoning feelings...---Not that he was surprised to see them, Vahn smiled wryly as he saw his other self emerge from the bridge alongside Fenrir. This didn't go unnoticed by Asuna, who, after craning her head to see what he was looking at, turned to face him, asking, "Is it time to go?"In response to his nod, Asuna hoped up from Vahn's lap with a 'hup', quickly grabbing a few snacks from the table before downing the remnants of her tea. Then, picking up her rather cute backpack, she hefted it onto her back and said, "I'm ready." in a marginally excited monotone.Though he assumed it had something to do with her powerful fate, Vahn was surprised at how cute he found all of Asuna's behaviors to be. She was more than a little spoiled, and, rather than asking for things, she always said what she wanted with a straight face. He would normally try to curb this kind of behavior, but, perhaps as a result of her kuudere-like nature, it only made the adorable doll-like girl more endearing...Before picking Asuna up, Vahn pulled out a handkerchief to wipe away a bit of powdered sugar and crumbs from around her mouth. She made no effort to resist his actions, rather, whenever he doted on her, Vahn could feel Asuna's aura swell slightly due to how happy she was. It didn't show on her expression unless something major happened, but she was a lot happier ever since they had begun their journey than she had been back in the palace.Once Asuna's face was clean, Vahn gave her a quick once-over to make sure she had everything she needed before they set out. She was currently wearing a frilly collared smock dress with a bright red ribbon tied around her neck. This was a stark contrast to the qipao-like robe she often wore, and, to complement it, she also had on a frilly black skirt with white trim, black leggings, and a pair of dark-red leather shoes. All of this, combined with the large backpack that served as a container to house the Lucky Cat, made her look like an adorable young preschooler attending class for the first time.Though he was the one to pick out the clothes, Vahn couldn't help but nod in approval before smiling as he said, "It seems you have everything. I'm not too worried you will run off, but try and stay close to me at all times, okay?"Rather than answer, Asuna just looked up at him with a blank expression, her ahoge twitching a few times before she reached out and grabbed his hand. This caused Vahn to lightly chuckle, and, after waving towards Fenrir and his counterpart, he teleported himself and Asuna down to the streets of Ariadne, a city almost exclusively comprised of schools and dorms that perfectly blended victorian architecture with various fantasy elements...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Greedy Nobles? Who'da thunk','Comment section be like, "New harem candidate?"','Asuna is receiving signals from the mothership with her antenna...!')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

Though the distance between Nyandoma and Ariadne was only around 7,000km, it generally took between two and three days to traverse. They had to fly around Hellas controlled airspace, and, due to the restrictions placed on most flight technology within Mundus Magicus, Airfish were generally limited to traversing specific Air Streams. There were ways around this, primarily through the use of magical catalysts and other fuel sources, but these were significantly less efficient.In total, there were thirteen circular magic currents that existed within the upper atmosphere of the Magical World, and, so long as you used these for travel, most Airfish could fly indefinitely. Though some were hybrids that could make use of traditional fuels, the majority made use of a special type of engine that recycled magical energy from the environment. These were generally referred to as Prayer Spirit Engines, but, as their true form was just an exceptionally complicated Array that made use of interconnected pentagrams, the full name was Prayer Spirit Pentagram Ritual Formation.Due to the complex nature of Formations and Arrays, it took several years for even the most skilled Magical Engineers to construct a Prayer Spirit Engine with more than ten components. This typically meant that larger Airfish, such as Air Whales, required multiple engines to remain afloat. Even then, they had to rely on comprehensive auxiliary systems, often drawing power from a hybrid engine, or they would simply fall out of the sky.A stark contrast to commercial Airfish, Arika's ship made use of a single 18 Prayer Spirit Engine, a marvel of Magical Engineering that had been designed by Arika herself. This allowed it to directly contend against much larger Airfish, and, when it came to speed, it could even outpace specialist craft that had been specifically designed to overtake other ships. It truly was the Queen of the Skies amongst Ultralight Cruisers, and, as a result, it was also the nightmare of any Sky Pirates that were foolish enough to mistake its 'endearing' design as a sign of weakness...---Though there were areas where clear skies could be found, all of Mundus Magicus' Air Streams were densely populated with a perpetual layer of white clouds. There were also countless rocks of various shapes and sizes, which, in defiance of the laws of gravity, listed aimlessly through the Air Stream. These rocks were often responsible for scuttling the ships of lesser experienced pilots, but, despite living most of her life in the palace, Arika was an exceptionally gifted pilot. As a result, she was able to dive in and out of the cloud sea without fear, relying on her super-human reaction time and split-second decision making to evade any obstacles.A stark contrast to Arika's skills, the eight remaining ships pursuing them were quickly reduced to seven after failing to evade a pillar-like stone that 'gracefully' ambled through the sea of clouds, propelled only by the wind. At the same time, the Anti-Demon Lightning Cannons located near the aft section of the ship accurately targetted the remaining craft, peppering their barriers or forcing them to take evasive action to avoid destruction.Despite the rather intense scene playing out before him, Vahn had a relaxed smile on his face as he sat atop the deck. He would periodically swat away physical projectiles and missiles that were shot toward them, but, other than that, he allowed Arika to deal with the situation herself. He knew she enjoyed the action quite a bit, as, after their previous engagement with a band of pirates, she had a rare smile on her face that even surprised Asuna...Seemingly losing it over the death of several comrades, one of the only custom Airfish amongst the pirates, looking similar to a hammerhead shark, broke off from the rest. Immediately thereafter, two fiery lines erupted from the aft section of the ship, greatly increasing its speed. It was attempting to pass through the magical barrier surrounding the ship so it could use the javelin-like protrusion on the bottom to release powerful lightning magic at close range. This was a risky maneuver, but, if it could be pulled off, it was almost guaranteed to disable the ship due to lightning elemental energy having the ability to disrupt the flow of magical energy.Under normal circumstances, a mid-sized ship like Arika's would struggle to deal with a smaller craft designed to pursue and harass a target. Unfortunately for her enemies, Arika wasn't a conventional pilot, nor was her Airfish constrained by common sense. As a result, she performed a maneuver that few would even attempt with a mid-sized vessel, rolling her ship belly-up so that the twin cannons on the underside could still be of use. Then, before the desperate pirate could penetrate the barrier, it was blasted out of the sky before Arika quickly righted the ship's orientation, executing the entire maneuver in a single smooth motion.After the death of their presumed leader, the remaining six ships gave of pursuit, attempting to flee in multiple directions to reduce the number of casualties should their quarry decide to turn around and become the hunter. Unfortunately for the remaining pirates, their blackened auras had already determined their fates. The moment they turned to flee, invisible lines passed through space much faster than most people could perceive. Immediately thereafter, every ship was cleanly cut into two distinct parts, their pilots killed in an instant as Vahn returned to his seat, casually pulling out an oil rag to polish Laev-tan...---With the battle coming to an end, Arika exhaled a sigh tinged with a bit of warmth as she flipped a switch on her console, disabling Attack Mode. As a result, the lighting on the bridge shifted from red back to a neutral white color. At the same time, the extra terminals that had surrounded her station, giving her a panoramic view of the situation, slowly faded out of existence in a relatively futuristic manner, while, at the side, Fenrir could be seen stretching her body as she said, "That was kind of fun~."Though she wasn't particularly fond of the woman, Arika felt it would be petty of her to not offer praise when it was due. As a result, she adopted an almost imperceptible smile, stating, "Your skills as a gunner are impressive. Had you missed the final target, we may have sustained a direct impact on our stern. Good work."Hearing Arika's praise, Fenrir made an 'ok' gesture with her paw before rising to her feet and saying, "I wouldn't have been able to hit them if you didn't roll the ship at the correct moment. You deserve just as much praise for your piloting as I do for my accuracy. I'm sure Master will have something to say about it once he returns~."The moment she heard Fenrir mention Vahn, Arika turned her attention towards the screen that showed the upper deck of the ship. There, Vahn could be seen polishing his cherished sword with a calm and reflective look on his face...As if there was nothing outside his perception, Vahn immediately raised his head when she looked at him, smiling back at the small camera present near the base of the Airfish's dorsal fin. In the very next moment, he appeared within the bridge itself, sheathing his katana as he said, "The two of you did very well."Since he had appeared next to Fenrir, Vahn began habitually petting her head as he turned to Arika and asked, "Did you have fun, Ms. Queen of the Skies...?"Though she knew Vahn was teasing her, Arika combed through her fringe bangs, her face a mask of calm as she answered, "Indeed. The more Sky Pirates we can eliminate, the safer the Air Streams will become for both people and merchants. You did well by not letting any escape..."Hearing Arika 'praise' him, Vahn lightly chuckled, barely resisting the urge to tease her further as he simply stated, "Thanks." before asking, "How long until we reach Ariadne? I'm actually surprised we have encountered so many Sky Pirates near a City-State famous for its Aerial Knight Squadron."Tapping an icon on her console, a holographic panel showing the entirety of Mundus Magicus came to life in mid-air. Arika then pressed on one of the 288 squares, each denoting an area equivalent to 640,000 square-kilometers. The one she clicked on displayed runes that, when translated, denoted a small dot near the very center as Ariadne, and, a little to the East of that, a small green blip could be seen slowly moving across the map...Truthfully, Vahn could have just looked at his own map to confirm their location, but, knowing Arika would want him to ask, he did so. She took being the Captain of the ship pretty seriously, so, unless he deferred to her every now and again, she would become moody.With the map visible to everyone in the room, Arika pointed at the red icon near the center, a slight smile on her face as she explained, "We're approximately 284km away from Ariadne. At our current cruising speed, we should reach our destination in just under twenty-three minutes. Though we will have to undergo an inspection, Ariadne allows commercial and private Airfish to operate within the city limits. If I reveal my identity, we should be able to berth the ship within the Imperial Academy's private dock to avoid the inspection entirely."Though it would likely cause an incident, Vahn understood the merits involved with docking at the Academy's private dock. It was easy to imagine the Grandmaster of Ariadne and the Arch-Dean of the Academy coming out to greet them. This would give them a considerable amount of freedom when it came to exploring the Academy City, but, in exchange, they would be closely monitored or escorted by the Ariadne Mage Knights.Vahn wanted to avoid politics, but, in order to grant Asuna's request, he also wanted to observe the various Academies and Research Institutions within Ariadne. He might even be able to enroll Asuna into one of the more prestigious Academies, even if only for a few months. This would undoubtedly limit his movements, but, with the ability to produce multiple bodies, Vahn wasn't too worried.With his mind made up, Vahn nodded his head, saying, "We'll go through official channels this time around. I made a bit of a scene in the Hellas Empire not too long ago, but they never officially put a price on my head. I'm somewhat curious to see how they will react once they learn I have appeared in Ariadne."Though it would be a simple matter to conceal his identity, Vahn was intending to make a name for himself. He wasn't trying to hide away, and, though it would place a small burden on Arika, she was already prepared for the consequences of pursuing her ambitions. She wasn't afraid of the political backlash of being labeled an associate of someone who would undoubtedly become wanted, as, in the grand scheme of things, her reputation was more than enough to cast doubts on anyone that wanted to slander her name.Hearing Vahn's response, a look of conviction flashed across Arika's eyes as she said, "I understand. I will do my best to secure allies within the Imperial Academy. With the support of the Ostian Royal Family, there is a chance Ariadne could be convinced to split off from the Hellas Empire before the onset of war. Even if that is not the case, I am confident I can find people willing to support my goal of creating a better world."Resisting the urge to chuckle, Vahn smiled in response to Arika's words, reminding her, "You're free to act as you please, but don't forget your training. Unless something goes awry, there is a chance we will be staying here for a few months. Also, there are times when we will act independently from each other, but, if you feel it is necessary, I will always be at your side. You don't have to feel guilty or afraid of relying on me, as, until you finish your training, I am responsible for your safety. I might not fight your battles for you, but that doesn't mean I'll allow others to harm you."Though she wanted to say she didn't need his protection, Arika understood there were people in this world who greatly exceeded her in strength. In the past, she would have performed her duties without taking this into consideration, but, after seeing Vahn's strength, she knew there was a vast gulf between her and the top. Thus, in response to his words, she lightly combed through her hair, a slight smile on her face as she answered, "I'll keep that in mind...thank you..."Seeing Arika playing with her fringe bangs, a tell-tale sign that she was happy, the edges of Vahn's smile curled up slightly as he added, "I'm going to help Asuna get ready. She is pretty excited to be able to tour the Academy City so she has been reading a lot of books about Ariadne ever since we set out. Since meeting with the Grandmaster and preparing accommodations will probably take a few hours, I'll be splitting my body into three, one to accompany you, one to protect Asuna, and the other to guard the ship..."As he was explaining his intentions, Vahn lightly ruffled Fenrir's hair, adding, "Though it will be a little boring, I'll have you accompany Arika and me. I want you to try and memorize the scent of the Grandmaster and any other important officials. We might have to go 'hunting' at some point, so it will make things easier if you can track them on command."Hearing the word 'hunting', Fenrir's smile became a toothy grin before she answered, "Leave it to me. Even if they try to hide in another dimension, I'll be able to sniff them out without fail~."Though it might sound like an exaggeration, Fenrir could actually lock on to a person's scent and trace it to the location where they had entered another Dimension or Realm. This hadn't really been necessary after the planetary body of Gaia became his territory, but, never the type to slack off just because her skills weren't needed, Fenrir continued to polish her senses to an extreme degree. She also enjoyed hunting together with the more bestial members of the Menagerie, so, while she still lost out to Tier 5 beings like Illya, Fenrir's sense of smell was nigh-unparalleled.Feeling a bit prideful of his faithful companion, Vahn ruffled Fenrir's hair a little harder, causing the mischievous Vanargandr's tail to waggle as she nuzzled against his palm. This earned him a pointed look from Arika, but, without minding it, Vahn began using both hands to dig into Fenrir's fluffy fur, continuing even after being kicked off the bridge...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Arika, Aerial Ace, Queen of the Skies','Vahn about to educate the people of the Academy City (UwU)...','You think the Godhand can be daunted with a mere gaze!? Heresy!')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1563: Tensions