Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

After extricating himself from the flock of over-zealous students, Vahn, accompanied by Eva and Asuna, attended the Seniors' Graduation Ceremony. His arrival at the venue garnered a fair amount of attention, and, after some skillful diplomacy on behalf of Grandmaster Sidra, he ended up being wrangled into handing out the graduation certificates while Eva and Asuna watched from the VIP viewing area.Though Vahn's popularity was emphasized by the female population of Ariadne, it wasn't as if he was unpopular with the male staff and students. Quite a number of people looked up to him, and, on the weekends, he would often give open lectures that anyone was allowed to attend. He always did his best to treat all students fairly, and, so long as they didn't do anything to offend him, Vahn was, generally speaking, very personable and easily approached. Thus, while not as extreme as the reactions from the female students, even the male graduates appeared nervous and excited while receiving their graduation certificates from the 'legendary' Sage Dragon Emperor. There were even a few who froze up when he extended his hand to shake theirs, their faces going red after hearing the audience chuckle in response...Originally, the graduation ceremony was only supposed to take around half an hour, with students quickly coming on stage to receive their certificates, but, due to Vahn giving advice, combined with the tarrying of certain students, it took nearly three times as long. As a result, the ceremony ended up flowing into the Fan Meet that had been scheduled by Grandmaster Sidra. Vahn suspected this had been her reason for convincing him to hand out the certificates, but, as it didn't really take up any additional time, he didn't particularly care. Instead, he maintained an approachable smile as he transitioned from handing out diplomas to signing memorabilia.As could be expected of the residents of a magical world, the members of Vahn's fan club had gone all-out when it came to their idolatry. One of the top ten members had even managed to convince her family to produce various, limited-edition, figurines. This ended up being surprisingly lucrative, so, after the success of the first few batches, it became possible to find his figurines in nearly every store that sold souvenirs and niche goods. There were even a few miniatures that showed his battle against Jack Rakan, complete with a surprisingly realistic depiction of Laev-tan.Vahn wasn't particularly fond of his likeness being used to generate profit, but, as it had happened in every Record thus far, he was largely immune to it. He was also pretty sure that Eva had been the one to start the trend, so, rather than make a big deal out of it, Vahn allowed his more zealous fans to do whatever they wanted. So long as they didn't do anything extreme, such as producing things like dakimakuras, anatomically correct figurines, or charms that supposedly contained his hair, their behavior was relatively harmless...---After a few exhaustive hours of dealing with fans, Vahn, having reunited with Arika and Theo, was attending a banquet that specifically catered to the upper echelons of society. Eva and Asuna were also present, but, after getting annoyed by the lascivious, envious, or curious looks from a number of people, the former ended up leaving early. As for Asuna, she didn't particularly care how people looked at her, and, though she was generally very sociable, she largely ignored anyone that tried to approach her while he was distracted by other conversations.As members of the Ostian Royal Family, Arika and Asuna garnered even more attention than Vahn himself. Though it was common knowledge he was protecting them, rumors of his 'neutrality' had also circulated amongst the more profligate families. He was considered to be cut from the same cloth as Ancient Dragons such as Vrixho, Yggdrillia, Ildarion, and Lisriltra, so, as long as you didn't violate the terms of some arbitrary covenant, there was no particular reason to fear him.Every Ancient Dragon had a specific creed they followed, and, after his actions in the Hellas Empire and Ariadne, various rumors regarding what he could and couldn't do had already become part of the 'common knowledge'. Some of these rumors were pretty ridiculous, but, as most worked in his favor, Vahn had never taken steps to correct them. Not only did their misunderstandings allow him a considerable amount of freedom, but, if his enemies lowered their guards by mistakenly believing he had certain restrictions, he could easily use that to his advantage.Fortunately, even if they believed they were relatively safe from repercussions, it only took Arika and Asuna retreating to his side to deter most people from approaching them. Even if you were told by a reputable source that a dangerous magical creature was actually harmless, the number of people who would willingly enter a cage with one was very limited. Vahn already had a few hundred deaths under his belt, so, even if they hadn't done anything wrong, the fear of what 'could' happen was enough to deter even the more opportunistic individuals...While watching a number of people try to muster up the courage to approach their table, Vahn had an amused smile on his face as he turned to the woman seated to his left, asking, "Have you grown tired of socializing...?"Hearing Vahn's question, Arika placed her wine glass on the table, her expression a perfect mask of neutrality and elegance as she answered, "I have never been fond of parties and social gatherings. I am even less fond of pretense, false decorum, and needless pandering. It is gatherings like this that inevitably lead to corruption. They pretend to be forging connections for mutual gain, but, when it ultimately comes down to it, their ultimate goal is to secure the greatest amount of benefits at the least cost to themselves..."As there were powerful barriers surrounding their private table, Arika wasn't particularly concerned about being overheard berating the other guests. A significant number of people had approached her in the hope of trying to discuss the probability of a trade agreement with Ostia. She wasn't too bothered by this, but, whenever she guided the conversation towards what they were doing to help their people, the conversation would quickly become awkward. Though she didn't expect them to suddenly invest all their wealth into making the world a better place, the excuses they came up with in order to shift the burden of responsibility to others quickly wore away her patience.Arika had already been aware of the flaws of the Guild System and the privatization of businesses, but, ever since she left Ostia, she was constantly reminded of just how bad things had gotten. Prior to Vahn's intervention, even a purely academic city like Ariadne had been a breeding ground for the vile and corrupt. Money seemed to make the world go round, and, if you didn't have any, there was no end to the number of people who would readily take advantage of you. There had even been an officially sanctioned department that was tasked with providing loans to students, literal children, in exchange for signing a magically binding contract that compelled them to serve within the Empire's military for upwards of eight years. (A/N: This equates to around 15 years on Earth o_o...)Hearing Arika's biting words, Vahn couldn't help but wonder if this was how others felt whenever he went on a tirade. He actually agreed with her, but, for some reason, it simply sounded 'wrong' when it was coming from her. Part of him even wanted to defend the people she was lambasting, as, in a way, they were simply doing what they could to guarantee their own happiness. The world might be a better place if everyone was more selfless, but, in the end, it was very hard for people to endanger themselves and their families on behalf of someone else's cause, no matter how righteous it might be.Deciding he had a responsibility to prevent Arika from becoming too jaded with other people, Vahn adopted a thoughtful smile as he calmly stated, "When the system is broken, it is very difficult for those affected to bring proactive change. Unless they have considerable power and influence, they stand to lose everything in the event of failure. You cannot underestimate the lengths those with vile and wicked hearts will go to in order to protect their interests. The only solution to corruption is to convince those responsible to have a change of heart or somehow assure them there are greater advantages to pursuing a different course of action. People are far more opportunistic than they are altruistic, so, unless they are forced to change, most people would even willfully ignore the plight of others...more often than not, it simply isn't worth it for them to get involved."Not expecting Vahn to argue against her, Arika couldn't help but furrow her brows in consternation. She wanted to rebut him, but, more often than not, Vahn's words ended up striking at the heart of the matter. He was much younger than she originally believed, but, in the end, he was still far older and more experienced in such matters. He had also risen to godhood through his own efforts, and, prior to coming to their world, he had expanded the influence of his Empire throughout an entire world. Though his actions were rather extreme, he had effectively reformed an entire world in less than a single generation...Understanding Arika needed more convincing, Vahn's smile turned slightly wry as he added, "Even we aren't an exception to this rule, Arika. If you were less opportunistic, things between us would have progressed much slower. As for me...well, in a way, this entire situation is the direct result of me taking advantage of my knowledge to alter events I found distasteful. Though I have come to genuinely respect your character and ambition, my original intent for visiting Ostia was to search for enemies and prevent Asuna from being used as a weapon...in hindsight, the fact I spent the last few years training her seems rather hypocritical..."Though the last part of his statement was more of a jest than anything else, Vahn wasn't surprised when he felt his right sleeve being tugged. When he turned his head, he found Asuna staring up at him with a very serious expression on her face as she said, "It was my decision to train. All you ever did was treat me well. You never tried to convince me to become stronger in order to fight against anyone. If you start saying things like that...I will be super angry at you..."Hearing Asuna's remark, Arika's expression returned to normal as she added, "Asuna is correct. You should fix your bad habit of assuming blame and responsibility for everything. Similar to Asuna, it was my decision to set out on this journey. I pushed myself to become stronger in the pursuit of my own beliefs, and, as you pointed out, I willfully took advantage of your knowledge for that purpose. I now see the lesson contained within your words...instead of laying blame on others, I just need to continue doing my best to bring about the change I want to see...is that it?"Forced to choose between looking left and right, Vahn lightly squeezed Asuna's hand with a smile on his face before turning to Arika and answering, "I suppose that is the easiest way to put it. More often than not, that is really the only thing we can do. So long as we continue doing our best, it is only a matter of time until we bring about some kind of change. Whether or not that is good or bad doesn't really matter. Even if we make mistakes, we can always improve upon them and simply do better the next time around. In my personal experience, persistence, combined with hope, is all that is necessary for good to triumph over evil...overwhelming power also helps..."Realizing he was making a joke, Arika subtly rolled her eyes before picking up her wine glass and taking a larger-than-average sip. Then, finding a bit of courage, she rose to her feet with a look of conviction on her face, smiling slightly as she said, "Persistence and hope...I'll keep that in mind..."With those parting words, Arika alighted to where the Grandmaster was entertaining some of the more affluent guests. She knew her words might not have much of an impact right now, but, when she managed to change the upper echelons of society, those in the lower rungs would selectively recall the fact she had approached them. Then, in the pursuit of their own interests, they would rally behind her cause as if they were the very champions of righteousness...---At the same time that his other vessels were attending other tasks, one version of Vahn could be found seated atop the highest point in Ariadne, the tower that served as Sidra's office. He had Theo seated at his side, and, though it wasn't their first time watching the sunset, the atmosphere around them was unusually solemn and melancholic. Though the usual warmth was present, the knowledge they would be parting in a few short hours weighed heavily on both of them.Vahn hadn't intended to fall for Arika and Theo, but, after more than four years together, they had both managed to weasel their way into his heart. If not for his promise with Eva, it wasn't difficult to imagine how things might have developed between them. Their personalities actually paralleled Ais and Tiona to a scary degree, so, every now and then, Vahn couldn't help but be reminded of his first time. It was a rather awkward memory, but, even without his perfect memory, Vahn was certain he would have never been able to forget the penultimate moment where his journey truly intersected with others for the first time...Regardless of how much time passed, Vahn's desire to return 'home' never faded. Rather, it became progressively stronger, so, whenever he was reminded of the past, Vahn would become reminiscent, reflective, and focused. This made it even harder to part with those he had come to care about, but, knowing it was for the best, he didn't try to convince Theo to stay. She was determined to follow her own path, not for him, but to prove herself and test her own limits. She didn't want to become entirely reliant on him, so, unless she asked for help, it was his 'duty' to support her from behind...Shortly after that thought crossed Vahn's mind, Theo surprised him quite a bit by absentmindedly muttering, "I want to have a baby..."After blinking a few times in surprise, Vahn turned to face Theo, a gentle smile on his face as he looked into her upturned eyes. He was about to say something, but, before the words could form on his lips, she added, "Not now...but eventually...it might be selfish of me, but, if you really do leave this world one day, I want something to remember you by...I can't leave this world and abandon my responsibilities as Empress, so, even if it is a bit shameless of me, I want to increase your reasons for coming to visit me...if you have a family here, I can rest easy knowing you will eventually return..."Hearing the sadness and longing in Theo's voice, Vahn couldn't help but feel as though she had gripped his heart in her hands. Various thoughts began running through his mind, but, before any could take form, he answered, almost as if by instinct, "I promise..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The return of Vahn dakimakuras...!?','Asuna putting her foot down xD','Theo used Ainz's favorite move, 'Grasp Heart'...it's super effective!?')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With the sun having long set over the horizon, Vahn found himself standing on the bow of Arika's Airfish, the aptly-named 'Custos Rosea', literally translating to 'Pink Guardian'. He was enjoying the feeling of the evening air running through his hair, while, back on the deck, Fenrir and Eva leaned against the guardrail, silently watching him.Eva wanted to admonish Vahn for fretting over nothing, but, whenever she mustered her courage to try and approach him, she would ultimately get cold feet. She didn't really know what to say, but, seeing him like this made her feel uncomfortable. His relationship with Theo wasn't 'that' close, so it was a bit disconcerting to see how much their separation had affected him. It actually made her feel a considerable amount of guilt, as, on several occasions, she had wondered whether or not it would be for the 'best' if she just disappeared...Fortunately, after idling for a little over an hour, Vahn turned around with his usual smile. There was still a melancholic gleam in his eyes, but, compared to how he was behaving earlier, it was a marked improvement. This allowed Eva to breathe a sigh of relief, her concerned expression relaxing into an uncharacteristically sympathetic look as she said, "It's good that you came back to your senses. Your behavior directly affects everyone onboard...if you need to talk..."Remembering Vahn could simply retreat into his Realm to recuperate for as long as he wanted, Eva was ultimately unable to finish her statement. She wanted him to rely on her more, but, as that was a two-way street, it was hard to give advice when she often bottled up everything. Vahn didn't need her coddling, and, unless she was willing to be more honest, it would be hypocritical of her to force him to-Unable to finish her train of thought, Eva found herself being embraced by a familiar warmth, her face buried into Vahn's chest as he softly stated, "Thank you, Eva. Now that we're finally engaged, I'll be sure to rely on you more often..."Though she was slightly startled by Vahn's words, Eva was even more surprised when Vahn stopped her from replying with a kiss. Then, under the light of the twin moons, he continued kissing her for several minutes before finally letting her stand on her own two feet. By the end of it, her face was a deep shade of crimson, and, as a result of the chaotic state of her mind, the only reaction she could manage was 'glaring' at him with upturned eyes and a slight pout...---Having calmed down a bit, Vahn returned to the interior of the Custos Rosea to put everyone else's minds at ease. There, he found a rather heartwarming sight, as, despite their age difference, Asuna had quickly become friends with Euryale. They were playing a card game that was even popular in a place like Mundus Magicus, as, unlike traditional trading cards, the monsters and heroes were able to level up and grow over time. Rare and high-level cards could actually sell for tens-of-thousands of Drachma, but, despite the costs involved, it was still 'very' popular...Noticing Vahn's arrival, Asuna and Euryale, without needing to say anything, simultaneously came to the conclusion of suspending their match. They helped each other pick up their respective cards while Stheno, who had been lazily lying on the sofa with a fashion magazine, readily tossed it to the side as she pounced over with a radiant smile. Her maroon-red hair, which now extended well past her feet, became suffused with a violet hue, the tips morphing into rather vicious-looking snakes as she constricted Vahn hard enough to pop his back...Rather than showing any discomfort, Vahn just chuckled lightly as he wrapped up the adorable little Gorgon in his arms. Her hair had always been very honest, similar to her mother's, so, whenever she got excited, it was easy for her to lose control. Fortunately, after the preliminary crushing force, the tension in her hair would quickly reduce to a more tolerable level. Head pats sped this process up, so, after a few seconds had passed, Vahn managed to transition Stheno to his left arm, bringing her face close enough that she could sneak a peck on his cheek before tightly hugging his neck.By the time Vahn was preparing to take a seat, Asuna and Euryale had finished cleaning up their card game. As a result, he ended up having to produce two extra bodies, one to accommodate the two girls while the other sat between Fenrir and Eva. Around the same time, Arika, having noticed the gathering due to the interior surveillance system, emerged from the bridge. She occupied the remaining sofa on her own, lightly shaking her head in response to the questioning look that had briefly flashed across Vahn's countenance.With the exception of Xiao Bai and Medusa, everyone currently onboard the Custos Rosea had gathered together within the common area. As for Zhuque and Qinglong, they had been tasked with the protection of the Ariadne and Theo, respectively.Vahn's intuition told him that 'something' might happen in Ariadne following his departure, so, for the time being, he had Zhuque watching over the Grandmaster and her daughter. As for Qinglong, Vahn trusted him a lot more than Vrixho, so, until Cosmo Entelecheia had been exposed, he wanted the former to protect Theo. She was more than strong enough to fight her own battles, but, due to her character and lack of experience, Vahn couldn't help but worry about her.Prior to their separation, Vahn had entrusted Theo with the [Tri-Force of Power], so, unless she was in mortal peril, Qinglong's primary responsibilities would be shadowing her from the void, helping gather information, and assisting in her training. Theo was descended from Vrixho, so, while it was currently sealed, she had the potential of awakening her draconic heritage.Theo was already capable of performing a weakened version of a Dragon's Roar, so, with the proper guidance, she was bound to reach her full potential even without her Diorama. The only thing she really needed was powerful opponents and sufficient external pressure, so, even if it made him very nervous, Vahn wouldn't interfere with the internal affairs of the Empire unless she directly asked for help...---With everyone gathered, Vahn spent a few moments to allay their concerns about his mental state before reiterating their current objectives. They had already discussed them at length over the last few years, but, now that they were officially underway, it felt like a good idea to reaffirm everything from scratch. Thus, after quickly preparing tea and snacks, he explained, "According to the reports I have received from Fairy Xuan, Ala Rubra has already made quite a name for itself over the last half a year. They have even managed to win the favor of a few Senators, elevating them to the status of 'Special War Power' within the Confederacy. Though there are several indicators showing they don't actually sympathize with the Megalomesembrian Senate, it seems like they are already determined to fight against the Hellas Empire in the coming war..."In the original timeline, Megalomesembria had been the ones to instigate the war, but, due to a few internal conflicts, the Hellas Empire had managed to win a number of key battles pretty early on. As a result, Megalomesembrai had been forced on the back foot almost immediately after the onset of war, losing all westward momentum. This caused a few of the greedier Nobles in the Hellas Empire to petition for a reverse invasion, shifting the objective from protecting territory to conquering and seizing Confederate lands.While it wasn't uncommon for the tides of battle to shift in the wake of an attempted invasion, the majority of historians and scholars heavily criticized the Hellas Empire for their actions. After all, the lands occupied by the Confederacy weren't exactly prosperous, so, other than Megalomsembrian technology, there was very little to gain from a reverse invasion. To make matters worse, they had to occupy several other countries just to establish an extended supply line, forcing them to shift a considerable amount of resources to support the frontline. This left the Capital largely unprotected, and, due to rampant conscription, famine and economic instability quickly followed after a number of water sources had been poisoned.As a result of their desire to monopolize and seize Megalomesembrian technology for themselves, rather than try to negotiate for it, the Hellas Empire ended up grossly overextending their forces. It became progressively more difficult to protect their supply lines, and, after a climactic battle near the Argyrian frontier territories, they ended up suffering a major defeat at the hands of none other than Ala Rubra.Prior to the battle near the Argyrian Sea, Nagi's party had primarily focused on aiding the people affected by the war. Though they had conducted a few raids on supply lines, becoming known as 'The Great Nagi Guerrilla Knights', they hadn't proactively participated in the war. It wasn't until the Empire began razing fishing villages to try and starve out the Confederacy that they became fed up with the state of affairs, pushing back with extreme prejudice. From that moment onward, Nagi had become known as the 'Red-Haired Demon of the Confederation', as, without any help from the rest of his party, he managed to wipe out three battalions of Imperial soldiers, sinking seven Air Whales in the process...After realizing how terribly they had erred, the Hellas Empire attempted to remedy the situation by hiring Jack to hunt down Nagi's party. They had originally tried to conscript him, but, as the leader of the most powerful band of Mercenaries, that hadn't gone over too well. His troupe had taken up the responsibility of protecting various towns and villages, so, compared to the Aristocrats who had caused them to suffer great hardships, his popularity, for lack of a better term, was extreme.In the end, it took the Emperor agreeing to shift a large number of forces away from the frontlines to convince Jack to mobilize. This ended up saving countless lives, as, shortly following the shift in the war's momentum, an especially harsh winter swept across the Empire. This would have made it even harder to maintain the already dwindling supply lines, so, even after a number of Nobles had attempted to label Jack as a traitor for joining Ala Rubra, many within the Hellas Empire considered him a Hero. He was so well-liked, in fact, that, following the abduction of Theo, the attempted coup of the Second Prince, and the exposure of Cosmo Entelecheia, many within the Empire began to vie for Jack's claim to the throne...Ideally, the war could be prevented in its entirety, but, unless he was willing to deal crippling blows to both the Empire and the Confederacy, resulting in tens-of-millions of deaths, it was impossible to stop. Both sides were simply too eager for the conflict, and, as a result of decades of propaganda, a majority of the public fully supported the idea of going to war. For many, it was their only chance to distinguish themselves and earn promotions for meritorious deeds and dutiful service.If not for the tides shifting twice in a relatively short period of time, coinciding with famines and economic instability on both sides, the Great Magic War likely would have lasted for several years. Thus, when it was revealed that the 'true masterminds' behind the war were Cosmos Entelecheia, a group with the penultimate goal of 'destroying the world', the Empire and the Confederacy didn't hesitate to lay all blame upon them. In the end, the Great Magic War hadn't even lasted an entire year in Mundus Magicus before the destruction of Ostia.Following the destruction of Mundus Magicus' oldest Kingdom, both sides formed a loose alliance to battle against the forces of Cosmo Entelecheia, but, other than supporting Ala Alba, they actually contributed very little. Rather, Megalomesembria was still under the influence of Cosmo Entelecheia for years following the completion of the war, and, if not for the timely efforts of Nagi and his party, Arika would have been executed as part of a conspiracy they had propagated...As it stood, the best course of action was to bring the war to an end as quickly as possible. In order to accomplish that, Arika would need to forge alliances with influential figures and both sides. Theo was already the best possible ally they could hope for within the Empire, so, if they could meet with Ala Rubra before the onset of war, they would have a lot more options moving forward. Nagi might be an idiot, but, as this was often the case when it came to 'protagonists', allying with him wouldn't be a detriment to their cause. Rather, unlike a burgeoning protagonist like Bell or a fallen Hero like Shirou, Nagi possessed a truly phenomenal amount of power, to the point of compelling Fairy Xuan to express her concern...In hindsight, Vahn realized it would have saved him a lot of problems if he sought out Nagi's group early on, but, despite a fair amount of headache, he didn't particularly regret how things had turned out. Not only had he encountered Eva early on, but, despite his initial inhibitions, Vahn had come to respect and love both Arika and Theo. They had grown on him over the last four years, and, though it might have been more 'convenient' if they had ended up with someone else, he would now fight for them if it really came down to it...Though it was bound to create some awkward tensions, Vahn was looking forward to meeting the party that, at least for the time being, was entirely comprised of men. He had made friends in both the Nasuverse and Danmachi, but, as a result of his empathic nature and 'bad habits', Vahn found it very difficult to forge genuine relationships with other males. This issue was further exacerbated by the number of beautiful women who accompanied him, as, even if their intentions were pure, it was hard not to admire a beauty when they were right in front of you...Vahn was often surrounded by some of the most beautiful women in the entire Record, and, as a result, it was very awkward for other males to hang around him. Though not impossible, it wasn't easy for members of the opposite sex to maintain platonic relationships. There was a reason Envy and Lust were two of the cardinal sins, as, after prolonged exposure, it was virtually impossible to prevent positive emotions from turning into covetous desire.Once the seed of attraction had been sewn, even if it was completely one-sided, it was hard to stop your imagination from running wild. As a result, you would begin to interpret things like kindness and familiarity as interest and physical attraction. Eventually, you would even convince yourself that the other party was having the same kinds of thoughts that had started to develop within your own mind, forcing you to confront them in the hopes of confirming your suspicions. From that moment onward, it was no longer possible to maintain a platonic relationship, as, once desire had taken root in a person's heart, it would either blossom or begin to fester...Fortunately, while he had dealt with a fair amount of drama, Vahn had never had to contend against another for the affections of someone he loved. More often than not, he was actually the one being pursued by a member of the opposite sex, so, for the most part, there was no real competition. As a result, he had missed out on the opportunity to forge lasting bonds with other men. Though he was able to befriend them relatively easily, it was only a matter of time before things turned awkward as a result of his many relationships. Even dauntless characters like Alexander had gradually distanced themselves from the members of the Inner Sanctum, pointing out that men could never thrive in an environment where the 'competition' was already decided...While it was probably too late to ensure a seamless integration of their two groups, Vahn was still looking forward to meeting the members of Ala Rubra. Even if Jack had yet to join, he believed he would be able to get along with people like Nagi relatively well. There was also a skilled swordsman in the group, so, while the difference in their skill had likely created an unbridgeable gap, Vahn was looking forward to seeing the legendary Shinmei-ryū techniques for himself. Even their most basic techniques were effective against Ghosts, Spirits, and Immortals, and, by the time they reached the level of Swordmaster, they could even cut through concepts. Since the technique scroll was listed at 300,000,000OP in the shop, Vahn had high expectations for the man rumored to slay Dragons and cut through lightning with a wooden sword...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Eva on the defensive...!','The corrupt Nobles be like, "Yes, it was all the fault of Cosmos Entelecheia! They are so vile and greedy! Absolutely shameless!"','Alexander is very wise...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Though the actual graduation was only for Senior students, there was a small ceremony at the end of each school year to celebrate the successful completion of the grade. It was also one of the only days throughout the year where outsiders were allowed to enter the Academies, so, compared to the norm, there were quite a number of people moving about. As a result, Vahn found himself being pestered by quite a number of profligate families and minor Nobles, many taking advantage of the fact he had advised their children to try and foster a positive relationship with an 'Ancient Dragon'.Fortunately, with very few exceptions, most of his students were able to dissuade their parents from trying to pester him. They had come to venerate and admire him quite a bit, so, for the most part, it was the families of his fans that pestered him. This included quite a number of people who wanted to hire him as the private tutor for their children, but, as Vahn had no interest in such things, he did his best to 'politely' refuse them. In most situations, this was more than enough to deter people, as, after 'purging' quite a few disreputable Nobles, there weren't many who wanted to offend him.The only families Vahn didn't immediately send away were those of the students he had counseled over the last few months. This included the family of Naomi, who, upon learning of his impending departure, spent nearly every lunch period in his office. She had gradually opened up to him about her problems, and, to the best of his ability, Vahn helped to rebuild her confidence. She still had a long road to recovery, but, after talking through her problems and making an effort to become one of the best students in her year, she was able to smile a lot more than before...Though he wasn't too surprised, Vahn had a wry smile on his face as he hugged the crying Naomi in his arms. Her mother, father, and grandmother all had similarly wry smiles, but, more than anything else, they had sincere gratitude visible in their countenance. Though they would have preferred not to experience such a tragic sequence of events, their family had prospered from Naomi mustering up the courage to ask for Vahn's help. All of their debts had been absolved, and, most importantly, their daughter had received a number of blessings to ensure a prosperous future. Not only was her schooling completely paid for, no matter how long she wanted to stay, but, out of consideration for the trauma she had experienced, the Grandmaster had promised Naomi a position as an Associate Professor once she decided to graduate...After a fair amount of coaxing, Vahn managed to get Naomi to stop crying long enough to say, "It is good to cry...emotions aren't something that should be bottled up...Still, I don't want you to feel sad about our parting. Rather, I want you to see this as an opportunity to show me just how much you can grow without my help. You are a smart girl, Naomi, and, believe it or not, your heart is very strong. If you continue to look forward, there is no limit to what you can achieve. When I return to Ariadne in the future, I want to be able to praise your accomplishments...do your best, not for me, but for yourself...okay?"To punctuate his words, Vahn hugged Naomi's trembling body tightly, gently caressing her small back until she managed to calm down enough to answer, "I'll do my best..." in a meek, sobbing, tone of voice.Hearing the young girl's response, Vahn slowly released her from his embrace, a radiant smile on his face as he said, "I'm so proud of you, Naomi...here, I want you to have this. It isn't much, but, whenever you feel lost, it will help show you the way forward..."As was often the case when someone received a gift, Naomi's mood improved quite a bit as she looked at the curious octagonal pendant Vahn had given her. She noticed it had a clasp on the front, and, after opening it, the interior revealed a peculiar compass. Instead of pointing towards the direction of North, however, the red arrow seemed to be pointing directly at Vahn no matter how she moved it.Noticing the direction of the arrow, Vahn issued a light chuckle before explaining, "This is known as the [Sparrow's Wayfinder]. In the hands of a skilled user, it will allow them to locate everything their heart desires. Here, without looking, try and focus on your mother while staring at the red arrow..."Having developed the habit of always listening to Vahn's counsel, Naomi stared at the red arrow while doing her best to imagine her mother. Though it continued to point at Vahn for the first few seconds, it began to gradually flicker the more she focused on her mother. Then, pointing through her, the arrow locked in on the location of her mother, bringing a happy smile to her face as she looked toward Vahn for praise. This caused the arrow to immediately snap back to him, but, as she had managed to follow his instructions properly, Vahn lightly chuckled before ruffling her raven-black hair...---After finally seeing off Naomi and her family, Vahn rejoined Eva, who, for quite a while, had been staring at him from the side. She wasn't really mad, but, with a serious look on her face, she didn't hesitate to ask, "Was that a good idea? If other people find out about the use of that Artifact, there is a good chance she will be targetted."Though there was some truth to Eva's words, Vahn shook his head, smiling wryly as he asked, "What Artifact are you talking about...?"Hearing the unexpected question, Eva frowned deeply as she considered lambasting Vahn for how casually he was treating such a serious subject. The moment she tried to recall the Artifact, however, she was surprised to discover that she couldn't actually remember what he had given away. Rather, she couldn't even remember who he had given the Artifact to...Understanding Eva's confusion, Vahn took the initiative to explain, "It is an ancient magic spell from another world, one known as the Fidelius Charm. It is a spell designed to conceal a secret within the Ego of an individual, making the contents of the secret impossible to discern. Unless they are able to pry the information from me, nobody will be able to recall the function of that Artifact or who I had given it to. Even her family would immediately forget about it the moment they look away, so, unless something unexpected happens, she should be safe from harm."Though he had placed a number of other enchantments on the Artifact, Vahn didn't feel the need to mention them. He obviously wouldn't give such a powerful item away at random, so, after failing to use the unique compass to locate the Mage of the Beginning, Vahn modified it to protect the girl whose bravery had saved hundreds. Though he would have always discovered what the former Arch Dean was up to, there was no way of knowing how much time would have passed before then. She might not see it that way, but Naomi was a hero to the students who had suffered alongside her...After trying and failing to recall who and what they were talking about, Eva eventually released an exasperated sigh, crossing her arms as she said, "I sometimes forget how ridiculous you are...is that charm in one of the books we have in the library or is it something floating around in that endless expanse you call a mindscape...?"Without commenting on Eva's barb, Vahn pulled out an ancient-looking text with the words, 'How to Keep a Secret' written across the surface in golden-leaf. Then, before he could hand it over, Eva snatched it out of his hands with a greedy look in her eyes. She had always been the type to put a considerable amount of effort into her magical studies and research. Without this quality, combined with her genius-level intellect, Eva's life would have been 'a lot' harder...After stowing away the text in her own pocket dimension, Eva turned to Vahn, a teasing smile on her face as she asked, "So, how much longer are we going to idle around here? Don't you have a big fan meet to attend? Those brats would be disappointed if you didn't show up."As it was already common knowledge that he would be leaving Ariadne at the end of the school year, Vahn's fan club had been planning a grand event for the last two weeks. To make matters even worse, it had been officially sanctioned by the Grandmaster. It was even on the brochure that was being passed around to visiting parents, designating two hours of time immediately following the graduation ceremony taking place in the main venue.Though there was still more than half-an-hour until the graduation ceremony was supposed to start, Vahn decided it wouldn't be the worst idea to attend. He was very aware of his popularity, so, if he could make the day special for the graduating class, there was no harm in attending. They had helped contribute to the growth of his power in the Akamatsuverse, so, while it would certainly be a little troublesome, it was the least he could do in return.Deciding there were no serious downsides, Vahn nodded his head, extending his hand to Eva as he said, "Shall we alight, my beautiful Fiancee~?"Hearing Vahn's address, Eva lightly snorted through her nose, but, rather than refuse, she dutifully extended her own hand. Then, earning quite a number of envious looks, she walked alongside him as they went to retrieve Asuna...---As it was impossible to have any proper interactions when Vahn was around, as he quickly became the center of attention, Asuna had been alone with her classmates for much of the morning. Some had gone off with their parents to visit Vahn in his office, but, for the most part, everyone gathered together for one final celebration as classmates. They had all put in a considerable amount of effort to become the most prodigious class in the entire Academy, so, while there was still a bit of tension between some individual students, everyone generally got along well with each other.Without the distraction of Vahn, Asuna was the center of attention, especially with her peculiar style of clothing. She wasn't the only one wearing casual clothes, but, unlike her classmates, her clothes seemed to be imported from Mundus Ventus. This stood out quite a bit, as, for the most part, even the children of rich and affluent families still wore old-fashioned clothes made from cotton, linen, or wool. Only a few people could afford clothes made from silk and synthetic fibers, so, despite their relatively simple design, Asuna's clothes seemed like 'high fashion' to most of the impressionable young girls.Asuna didn't particularly enjoy being the center of attention, but she had always done her best to try and make as many friends as possible. She wasn't able to understand the behaviors and thought processes of some of her classmates, but, for the most part, she had figured out how to get along with most people. The key seemed to be simply listening to their concerns and showing an interest in what they were interested in. A surprising number of people just wanted to be heard, so, even if you didn't actually care about what they were talking about, simply showing an interest was enough to win over even proud and haughty Nobles...After being pestered about her clothing for quite a while, Asuna perked up slightly when one of her classmates, a girl that started wearing her hair in twin-tails a few months prior, asked, "Aren't those different from your normal bells, Asuna...?"Though she had been smiling the entire time, Asuna's face brightened up when someone asked about her bells, happily answering, "Vahn gifted them to me just this morning. I'm glad someone noticed. Thank you, Amalia~."Hearing they were a gift from Vahn, nearly ever girl surrounding Asuna eyes the pair of golden bells framing her twin-tails. Amalia even seemed like she was on the verge of trying to snatch them, but, knowing there was a drastic difference between Asuna and herself, she stayed her hand. It was well known that Asuna was a Princess of Vespertatia, so, even if she was tempted to use the status of her family, Amalia knew the only thing she would accomplish was disappointing Vahn...Restraining the urge to chuckle in response to her classmates' greedy eyes, Asuna adopted a casual smile as she said, "There is no need to fret. Knowing Vahn, he has prepared gifts for the entire class. You just need to wait until he shows up..."Toward the end of her statement, Asuna's ahoge twitched in a tell-tale manner. Everyone who had been listening to her instantly turned their heads to the entrance of the classroom, their expressions lighting up as Vahn stepped inside. Then, like a school of fish shoaling, they all migrated over as a singular mass to surround Vahn and Eva. This was par for the course whenever Vahn entered the classroom, but, triggered by Asuna's promise of presents, they were even more eager than normal. Fortunately, as had been prophesied, Vahn had, indeed, prepared presents for everyone in the class, teachers included...To prevent any kind of argument or infighting, Vahn had procured high-quality magic brooms for each member of the class. These were more advanced than anything on the market, and, unlike the traditional variety, consisting of a simple wooden handle and bound straw, they were more practical and stylish. Not only were they curved in a way that made them easier to sit on, but, unlike most of the commercial brands, they had hinged footrests to allow for greater balance and control. This was typically only seen in brooms designed for racing, but, as it didn't really make sense not to include them, Vahn made sure to incorporate them.Though some of the students weren't too enthused by the fact their presents were brooms they weren't even allowed to use, their mood instantly improved when they found out Vahn had made each of them by hand. Not only did they have his Maker's Mark embossed into the side, but, unlike a traditional magic broom, they were all B-Rank items with several powerful enchantments placed upon them. This included anti-theft and auto-pilot functions, but, most importantly, they came with B-Rank 'Shock Mitigation' and a toggleable 'propriety' function that obscured the view of anyone looking up at the girls from below. He had also discussed the matter with Sidra, so, unless they got into an accident or caused trouble, everyone in his class was allowed to freely ride around the city after completing a mandatory course on broom etiquette. Once they learned about this, the only thing preventing Vahn from being stampeded by the excitable horde of students were the brooms themselves...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Stay strong Naomi (T ^ T)...','Asuna is very meticulous (O x O)...','Vahn just became an enemy of every tourist lingering around the female Academies of Ariadne xD...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1594: Obligation