Endless Path : Infinite Cosmos

Just as he had on virtually every Floor since the 77th, Vahn spent the vast majority of his time on the 97th treating patients. The rest was spent within the confines of his temporary residence, effectively cut off from the rest of the world for around 8~10 hours. During this time, he would check in on all the groups exploring the Tower, his senses cycling through those of his Templates in order to get a first-hand account of everything that was going on.Fortunately, with the obvious exceptions of people like Mordred and, to a lesser extent, X, Nero, and Nobunaga, most of the groups behaved similarly to tourists. They were simply exploring the Tower, and, unless something 'obvious' caught their attention, they tended to avoid causing any kind of disputes, not because they were afraid, but because they wanted to avoid getting wrapped up in the politics of the Tower.Unsurprisingly, numerous factions had been attempting to establish contact and build connections with the Aldrnari Empire through the exploration groups. A few also tried to approach the girls with untoward and libidinous intentions, but, as could be expected, that didn't exactly end well. The girls all had artifacts that allowed them to detect such intentions, and, most importantly, protect against abnormal status ailments such as mental manipulation and poisoning. They were also around Tier 4, so, with the exception of a few High Rankers, few people could truly threaten them.The only people Vahn really had to worry about were the aforementioned, as, despite having the mental capacity of a super-computer, X could be irredeemably clumsy. She had a tendency to lose and misplace her equipment, and, so long as they were even remotely sly, she was dishearteningly easy to fool. Of course, compared to Nero, who accepted virtually any and all challenges, her antics could be passed off as cute and quirky.Though he had asked her to show a bit of restraint, Nero had basically been treating the Tower as her playground ever since she, Nobunaga, Yoruichi, and Angri set out. Fortunately, her talent was the real deal, and, though she had lost her [Imperial Privilege], she obtained an Innate called [Lead Actress] that, as far he could tell, qualitatively improved her luck. It also resulted in a fair amount of drama, but, more often than not, things would invariably turn out in Nero's favor.Checking in on the petite bombshell, Vahn found her laughing vivaciously across from a group of thug-like men with grim expressions. In front of her, there were thousands of casino chips piled up like a small mountain, a stark contrast to the insignificant amount present before each of the other gamblers. The only thing that kept them from attacking was the knowledge that they couldn't really do anything, as, even after spiking the beautiful blonde's drink, she continued laughing heartily with a massive grin plastered across her face...Severing the connection between him and the white-haired youth standing stoically behind Nero, the human form of a Pokemon called Reshiram, Vahn resisted the impulse to rub his temples and instead poked the belly of the sleeping Fenrir. The latter was currently curled up in his lap in the form of a small puppy, belly exposed as she nestled between his thighs on her back.Twitching in response to the unexpected probe, Fenrir quickly righted herself before tilting her head adorably to the side and asking, "Is it time to go?"Nodding his head, Vahn picked up the adorable pup before shifting his attention to his right. There, curled up with 'Mikotochu' nestled between their inordinately large breasts, Yuri and Lotte could be seen sleeping in little more than their lingerie. This immediately gave Vahn flashbacks to his time in the Akamatsuverse, not just because he was sharing a bed with a girl he had yet to actually start an actual relationship, but because Lotte was an extreme masochist. She might look adorable cradling Mikoto in her arms, but, when you took into consideration her fondness was predicated on the fact that the latter could deliver a powerful shock, the scene lost a fair amount of its innocent appeal...With Fenrir nestled in his arms, Vahn was able to resist his almost instinctual urge to smack Yuri's largely exposed bottom, his expression appearing calm as he firmly stated, "I know you're awake. Get up. We have less than an hour before we're scheduled to depart."Groaning in response, Yuri used her monkey-like tail to gently smack Vahn in the face, saying, "Five more minutes..." in a groggy tone. Lotte, however, immediately sat up, her melon-like breasts, each a great deal larger than his head, threatening to liberate themselves from her top as she stretched her body and said, "Good morning~" with an expectant look in her eyes.Returning a smile, Vahn promptly levitated from the bed, Fenrir still in his arms as he said, "Mikoto. Thunderbolt."Though she had never experienced an actual Pokemon battle, Mikoto, like the vast majority of the Templated Pokemon, reacted on instinct whenever she heard battle commands. As a result, vibrant golden electricity instantaneously erupted from her body, and, though she had made a last-second attempt to escape, Yuri ended up being caught in the violent bands of lightning alongside Lotte.With the light rapidly dying down, Vahn landed on the floor, a teasing smile developing across his face as he said, "Breakfast will be in fifteen minutes. If you're not ready by then, you'll have to settle for dried meat and hard bread."Immediately following this threat, a ripple spread in front of Vahn's face, effortlessly absorbing the blood-red energy ball hurled by the disgruntled Yuri. She hadn't actually taken any damage from Mikoto's attack, but, due to the remnant electricity coursing through her body, the hair across her body and atop her head had become noticeably frazzled. This was especially noticeable on her tail, which, for the time being, vaguely resembled that of a Snow Leopard rather than a monkey...---Though Rindo was currently exploring the Actualized World of an anime known as Toriko, Vahn's Inventory was filled to the brim with dishes she had either hand-prepared or mass-produced. This was very important, not just to himself, but to virtually everyone in the exploration group, as, when their supplies ran low, they would immediately seek him out to resupply. While this hadn't been his intention when he created Rindo, Vahn found it somewhat amusing, as, even with his ability to cook similar dishes, he couldn't go more than a few days without eating something personally prepared by the voracious redhead.Given its influence on him, it wasn't difficult to imagine how Rindo's cooking might affect beings of a lower tier. If she was serious, she could even prepare dishes that would fundamentally alter how a person thinks about the world around them, and, should her time in Toriko prove fruitful, she might even be able to cook a dish that could inspire mutual trust against previously warring nations. Thus, shortly after his departure from the bedroom, Yuri emerged with carelessly combed hair, throwing the brush towards Vahn before sitting down with a huff.With the brush slowing to a stop a few centimeters away from his face, the edges of Vahn's smile curled up as he rose from the table to give Yuri a helping hand. Her pouting might amuse him, but, as she was still one of his women, he couldn't exactly ignore her. Brushing a beautiful woman's hair was also remarkably therapeutic, so, for the better part of half an hour, he methodically combed her raven-black hair before saying, "There are only two Floors remaining until we reach the 100th. After that, we'll officially be on the 'Higher Floors'. Are you prepared?"Demonstrating remarkably unladylike behavior, Yuri, cheeks filled with food, answered, "You're still asking that? I already told you like ten times. No matter what happens, I'm going to keep pushing forward. Besides, so long as I continue following you, there will be plenty of opportunities to fight against powerful opponents. At the very least, I'm looking forward to being able to smack that old fart from the Arie Family."Chuckling in response to the former Princess's rather brazen words, Vahn tossed the brush into his Inventory before gathering her silky hair with his hand and quickly fastening it into the rather stylish side-ponytail she was famous for. The only difference was, now that she had decided to 'go rogue', she no longer wore the flower-like hair ornament gifted to her by her Great-Grandmother. Instead, she had become rather fond of a bright red ornament that visually resembled a camellia flower. At a glance, this wasn't a drastic change, but, combined with the fact she no longer wore a Symbol of Jahad, those who knew Yuri well would immediately notice the change.Finished with the arrangement, Vahn ran his hand through Yuri's hair one last time, saying, "I wasn't asking if you had changed your mind. I just wanted to make sure you're adequately prepared. Hon's skill with the sword might not be particularly impressive compared to a true Grandmaster, but there is a reason he is ranked 5 throughout the Tower. Even with your physique, you won't be able to stop his blade."Swallowing the remaining food in her mouth, Yuri placed her left hand on her right bicep, flexing as she said, "Don't underestimate my toughness. Besides, even if I lose a limb, you can always give me a new one, right?"With the final few words said with a massive grin, Vahn couldn't help shaking his head, a wry smile developing across his face as he said, "I won't stop you. Just know I hate seeing one of my women get hurt. I hope you'll take that into consideration...not for your sake, but his..."Feeling a fluttery sensation in her chest, the smile on Yuri's face became even bigger before she ultimately erupted into a vivacious laugh. She never thought the day would come when someone verbally laid claim to her, but, unlike other members of the Ha Family, she didn't particularly care about the hierarchy between men and women. This could be attributed to her Ari Family heritage, but, more than anything, she was just happy to be traveling with the person she had both chosen and been chosen by.Resisting the urge to shake his head, Vahn surprised Yuri with a kiss to her crown before saying, "Finish eating. There are a lot of people waiting for us and you know I don't like to break from my routine unless it is absolutely necessary."With that said, Vahn combed his fingers through Yuri's fringe before directing his gaze around the table, a teasing smile appearing on his face as he mused, "Of course, I can always 'make time' if you really need it..."---With breakfast coming to an end, an event punctuated by Vahn helping Lotte style her hair, the group of five made sure to check out of their hotel before immediately teleporting to the next Floor. There, like every other Floor in recent memory, a large crowd of people had gathered to receive them. This included a number of familiar faces, as, even with Mikoto's support, they had only been able to treat 1,074 of the 5,947 patients. Thus, for the umpteenth time, a friendly smile spread across Vahn's face as he announced, "General treatment will take place starting tomorrow morning. If you have an emergency or a more pressing condition, please share your information with the 2nd Army Corp. I will begin treatment after a brief period of rest."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'I feel bad for the people who try to pull one over on Nero xD...','Lotte knows what she is about...','Routines are important but loved ones are even more so. Even if you're not a God of time, never be afraid to make some for what truly matters~')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

With nothing of interest happening on the 98th and 99th Floors, sans news regarding Ureko's rampage on the 97th, Vahn finally reached one of the most famous Floors in the entire Tower, the 100th. Here was where, prior to the Age of Genesis, Jahad and the Great Warriors overcame their most difficult trial, and, as a result, were granted immortality for their efforts. It could be argued that, with the exception of Revolution Road, this was one of the most symbolic places in the entire Tower, as, from the moment he became immortal, nothing could stand in the way of Jahad and his rise to prominence.Looking around, Vahn was unsurprised to find a vast cityscape that seemed to extend outward far beyond the horizon. The 100th Floor also served as the boundary separating the Lower, Middle, and Higher Floors. It was also the seat of power for the Arie Family, and, most importantly, the first Floor wholly dedicated to the Empire. Thus, compared to the Floors preceding it, the population was vast, and, more importantly, powerful. It was almost like stepping into another world, and, based on what he could sense, the density of Shinsu was several times higher than even the 99th Floor.Vocalizing the thoughts of nearly everyone present, Mikoto stared wide-eyed at the inordinately tall and ivory white buildings that dominated their surroundings, whispering, "It's beautiful..." in a voice filled with awe. In response to this, Vahn nodded his head, memories of Ostia briefly surfacing in his mind as he said, "It's no wonder people at the bottom believe 'anything' can be found at the top of the Tower. This place is heaven compared to some of the Floors below..."With countless automatons flying around to clean buildings, picking up trash, and run errands, the setting of the 100th Floor gave newcomers the impression they had stepped hundreds of years into the future. Even the various types of flora were all neatly trimmed, and, high in the sky, a seemingly endless stream of silvery-white Suspend Ships, reminiscent of a school of fish, could be seen flying in neat lanes as they transported their passengers to their destination.Shifting his attention from the sky, Vahn looked at the relatively small crowd gathered around. The 100th Floor, and beyond, was nothing like the preceding Floors, so, while there were still a number of people seeking treatment, everything was far more organized. He also noticed that, while there were still members of the 2nd Army Corps present, public order was actually being kept by a group of people with varying shades of white hair and neat outfits, clearly members of the Arie Family.As this thought crossed his mind, Vahn shifted his gaze towards the horizon, smiling as he mused, "Long time no see." in a carefree tone. In response, the woman standing in the distance promptly snorted, and, though there were more than ten kilometers separating them, Vahn could understand her when she stated, "My father wishes to meet with you. When you are finished with your business, head towards the Palace of Swords..."Having conveyed her message, the woman, none other than Arie Hagipherione Jahad, immediately vanished. This gave Vahn the urge to chuckle, but, having noticed the ashen-haired swordswoman's presence, Yuri interrupted, asking, "Was that the grey-haired hag?" before immediately following it with stating, "Collecting her won't be easy. Though it's mostly just speculation, she is pretty famous for her father complex. I don't think she would appreciate it if you beat her daddy."Sending a glance towards Yuri, Vahn immediately noticed the woman's mischievous grin, rolling his eyes as he flatly replied, "I don't regard women as collector's items..."Mirroring Vahn's actions, Yuri made a show of rolling her own eyes, arms crossed as she mused, "If you say so~" in a sing-song tone. Then, without waiting for his reply, she pulled Lotte's arm, adding, "We're gonna go shopping. The 100th Floor has some pretty interesting stores. Call me if anything interesting happens. Okay?"Though he shooed her away with a casual gesture, Vahn also nodded his head in response to Yuri's words, saying, "Yeah, yeah, I know. Stay out of trouble." while stepping towards the group of white-haired people who were clearly waiting to receive them.Shifting his attention from the departing duo to the approaching trio, the leader of the group, an inordinately handsome man dressed in predominately white clothing reminiscent of attire found in the far east, offered a courteous bow as he said, "We welcome the Sage Dragon Emperor to the City of White Lilies. My name is Arie Hien, son of Arie Hon and leader of the Civil Defense Corps. It is an honor to receive you."Passing his gaze over the youthful-looking man with short white hair and pale golden eyes, a smile spread across Vahn's face as he explained, "No matter how hard you strain your senses, you will not be able to detect my sword intent. Yours is certainly remarkable, but, compared to my own, it is the difference between a small bonfire and a star on the verge of a supernova."Though he didn't consider himself a braggart, Vahn rarely shied away from the opportunity to talk down to people who thought too highly of themselves. Hien might be able to hide it from others, but, even without the Law of Identity, Vahn could sense the threads of disdain and self-confidence mixed within the man's sword intent. His apathetic expression also did little to conceal the glimmer of pride contained within his eyes, each radiating a subtle light that greatly emphasized his slit-like pupils.Demonstrating just how confident he was in his abilities, Hien's response was to offer another bow, a nascent smile developing across his inordinately handsome face as she answered, "If fate allows, I would relish the opportunity to exchange pointers with His Imperial Majesty. Before that, however, I have other duties to attend. First and foremost, we would be honored if you would allow us to host you and your companions for the duration of your stay. We have prepared one of our most famous private residences, the Snow Apple Pavilion, to accommodate you."Without needing to consider his response, Vahn shook his head, saying, "Now that I've reached the 100th Floor, it's time for a change in pace. I mentioned, long ago, that I wouldn't be turning a blind eye to the tragedies wrought by the Great Families. To that end, I intend to investigate the Palace of Swords, and, if necessary, I will be passing judgment on your father, your elders, and everyone else who can be held accountable for your family's crimes. Now, unless you're eager to receive your own punishment, I would advise you to run along. I'm not here to play games."Squinting his eyes, Hien motioned to rest his hand on the hilt of his katana-like sword, but, before the muscles in his arms could respond to the input from his brain, Vahn's index finger had already come to rest on his forehead. This caused Hien's eyes to instantaneously widen, not because Vahn had closed the distance between them in an instant, but because he felt an indescribably powerful sword intent radiating from the tip of his finger.Shaking his head, Vahn retracted his finger from the youthful-looking man's head, saying, "You're still green..." before walking past him with Fenrir and Mikoto following close behind. This caused the other members of the Arie Family to tense up, but, the moment they got into their stances, it was as if time around them had come to a stop. The only thing distinguishing them from a group of statues were the beads of sweat appearing across their body, and, if you looked closely, the thin red lines covering their faces, necks, and wrists...---Unaware of the incident that had occurred immediately following her departure, Yuri dragged Lotte to a relatively famous clothing store before explaining, "We need to get you some new threads. The options in the [REquip] system aren't bad, but they lack the oomph needed to really capture Vahn's attention."Though she understood what Yuri was trying to say, Lotte immediately averted her eyes to the side, a ruddy glow spreading through her cheeks as she meekly replied, "I don't think that's appropriate. Vahn-sama has already done so much for me and my family. I have no right to demand even more from him..."Balling her hand into a fist, Yuri flashed behind Lotte, punching the latter in the back of her head with enough force to produce a small burst of steam. This alerted the store owner, but, recognizing the identity of the two women, he ultimately gestured for his security to stand down before pulling out a handkerchief and wiping a bit of nervous sweat from his brow.Shaking her wrist, Yuri adopted an uncharacteristically grave expression as she said, "How is your Intelligence supposed to be higher than mine? I swear, the only thing in that skull of yours is a lump of metal..."Suppressing her almost instinctual urge to smile, Lotte rubbed the knot on the back of her head, an awkward expression on her face as she asked, "What are you talking about? What does that have to do with anything...?"Exhaling an exasperated sigh, Yuri began to pull random outfits from the neatly arranged clothing racks, tossing them to Lotte as she explained, "He might be one of the smartest people you'll ever meet, but, when it comes down to it, Vahn is both a man and an idiot. Do you really think he would let you share a bath and a bed with him if he didn't have some form of affection for you? If I had to guess, the only reason he hasn't made a move on you is because of your uncertainty. All you really need to do is show him how serious you are and there is no way he'll refuse. Now, try those on. I'm not really sure how they would look on someone of your 'stature', but, considering you walk around in nothing but a halter-top and a thong, anything you wear is bound to catch his attention."Furrowing her brows in response to Yuri's words, Lotte remarked, "Everything you've picked thus far is either a dress or something that covers up a lot of skin...isn't that a little counter-intuitive? I'm not a child, Yuri. I know men like it more when women wear more revealing clothing."Rather than refuting Lotte's words, Yuri responded with an affirmative nod. Immediately after that, however, she went on to explain, "For most women, that is, indeed, the case. The problem, at least in your case, is that you are always wearing skimpy clothing. Once you get to know him a bit better, you'll realize that Vahn actually has something of a fashion fetish. I mean, the guy has literally hand-crafted panties, stockings, and other garments. If you really want to appeal to him, you'll need to do more than just expose your body. Here, try this on. It might just be a sweater, but the exposed back and high-cut hem would allow you to walk around without panties on. Combine that with stockings and you'll have created an outfit that would turn most men, even dragons, into wolves."Though she wasn't particularly known for her imagination, seeing Yuri hold the sweater up to her body allowed Lotte to envision what she might look like wearing something similar. Truth be told, she had actually been feeling a little self-conscious as of late, so, while she didn't want to endanger her relationship with Vahn by putting pressure on him after his refusal, she couldn't help but believe Yuri's words. More importantly, she had something similar from Mash in the past, so, remembering all the times Vahn had treated her tenderly, she ultimately accepted the sweater, forcing a smile as she muttered, "We'll need to find a bigger size..."(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'The disparity between the elite and the mundane...','Hien be like, "I can slice a mountain in two with a single cut...!". Vahn be like, "I can slice through a trichiliocosm without even needing to draw..."','Preparing for a climactic battle (O w O)...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

After adequately suppressing the melancholy he had been feeling, Vahn teleported directly to the location of Fenrir and the rest. There, he found Misaka in her Pikachu form, a helpless expression on her face as Lotte, naked as the day she was born, happily scrubbed and washed her fur. At the same time, a short distance away, Fenrir and Yuri could be seen lounging in a large bath that could easily be described as a pool. It was more than three meters deep at some sections, not so people could swim around freely, but to accommodate guests that had larger than average physiques.Noticing his presence almost immediately, Fenrir rose from the water to approach her Master's side as Yuri, enjoying the warm water, simply raised her hand and said, "Yo. Took you long enough.". This alerted Lotte to his presence, but, having participated in communal bathing for the better part of a month, she no longer had any real aversion to him. Rather, thanks to Yuri's persistent teasing, Vahn knew she spent upwards of half the day thinking about ways in which he might push her down...Though Lotte was among the 'exceptions' he was intending to make, Vahn had decided to wait until they had gotten to know each other before progressing their relationship to the next level. Ureko's words had resonated with him, and, though he had no intention of limiting himself, he had come to the conclusion that he should, at the very least, take his potential partner's hopes and dreams into consideration before making a move. He didn't want to place a burden on people he was supposed to love, so, understanding Lotte wasn't sure about leaving the Tower, he didn't want to pressure her.Adopting his characteristic smile, Vahn allowed his clothes to melt away, answering, "I decided to make the Floor appear more hospitable..." before sitting down on a wooden bath stool produced from his Inventory. This allowed Fenrir to use her fur-covered paws to wash every nook and cranny of his body, generally while pressing her exposed breasts against his back. This was apparently her way of making up for all the times he washed her in the past, but, based on the heat radiating from her usually ice-cold body, Vahn knew she enjoyed it just as much as he did...---Though they could have easily stayed in a lot longer, Vahn had everyone exit the bath after around two hours had passed. This was just enough time for him to help each of the girls wash, dry, brush, and style each of their hairs. He would also lightly massage them in order to remove any tension or muscle fatigue, but, thanks to his 'persistent' efforts, it was actually pretty rare to find any sequelae related to stress anywhere in their body. Instead, the short sessions were effectively an opportunity for the girls to improve the circulation of energy within their body, an exceptional boon considering even Lotte had been learning how to cultivate ki...Leaving Fenrir, Yuri, and Lotte to watch over their inordinately large and completely free suite, Vahn, accompanied by a reasonably mature-looking Mikoto, decided to head over to where the 2nd Army Corps had been gathering patients. There, more than seven thousand people had assembled, some missing limbs, others with illnesses that could only be cured with unreasonably expensive medicine. The one thing most of them had in common was that they were desperate, so much so that around thirty percent of the crowd consisted of people who had been matching Vahn's pace as he moved between Floors.Passing over the crowd without any of them actually taking note of their presence, Vahn turned to Mikoto, asking, "Will you be okay on your own? You don't have to do this if you don't want to."Rolling her eyes, Mikoto flew a little bit ahead of Vahn before turning around, flying backward as she said, "You worry too much. I seriously doubt anyone with an illness untreatable to Tier 5 Magic is going to appear. Besides, it'll make things a lot easier if you leave all the female patients to me."With Mikoto adopting an accusatory look near the end of her statement, a characteristically wry naturally made its way across Vahn's face. Fortunately, he knew she was 'mostly' just teasing him, as, back in the Actualized World of the Toaruverse, she had been the one to egg him into a number of relationships. There was even a moment when he nearly ended up cooking an Oyakodon, but, out of consideration for the fact that Mikoto's mother was somewhat happily married, he managed to restrain himself...After failing to pet the evasive Mikoto's head, Vahn touched down in the center of the make-shift medical ward that had been set up by the 2nd Army Corps. There, several Rankers were standing by to prevent people from approaching, but, even though he was only a few meters away from them, none reacted until he and Mikoto 're-synced' with the world around them. The latter had managed to become a Magic God during her stay in the Toaruverse, so, while her power was severely limited in a world where she lacked authority, she was still a Tier 5. As a result, they could effectively isolate themselves from the Standard Axes of Space and Time, more or less becoming imperceptible to the beings bound to each.Fortunately, most of the guards had been working with Vahn for the better of six weeks, so, rather than panicking, each of the Rankers promptly saluted as the most senior member stepped forward to report, "There are 5,947 patients, 1813 of which are returnees. What would you have us do?"Patting Mikoto's shoulder, Vahn adopted a friendly smile as he said, "This is the Misaka Mikoto, the Magic God of Lightning and Tribulations. She will be treating non-critical female patients from this day forward. Unless they are children, I don't want you sending any male patients towards her. Do I make myself clear?"Responding with a salute, the soldier exclaimed, "Sir, yes sir!" before pointing towards a few of the nearby Rankers and shouting, "Henderson! Schmitt! Prepare a second ward immediately! Make sure only female personnel and patients are allowed to enter!"Answering with salutes and exclamations of their own, the duo immediately set out to complete their assigned duty without a moment of hesitation. The Rankers of the 2nd Army Corps were the Elite among Elites, and, thanks to a concerted effort by Senna, there was virtually no corruption in their ranks. This allowed them to act as intermediaries between the other Corps, and, now that the Empire was treating Vahn as a 'VVIP', they were in the unique position of coordinating with Vahn to ensure he didn't go around causing chaos at every turn.With Mikoto more than capable of fending for herself, Vahn allowed her to go and treat non-critical patients within the crowd as a long queue began forming outside his temporary ward. Then, for the better part of twenty-hours, he treated more than two-hundred patients. This might seem like a lot, but, if he really wanted to, Vahn could treat the entire crowd without a single second passing. Doing so would require him to slow or even stop time, however, so, while he was committed to helping as many people as possible, he wasn't going to bend the Laws of Space and Time in order to do so.Fortunately, thanks to Mikoto, an additional 93 patients ended up being treated by the time Vahn had decided to take a break. She was quite a bit slower than him due to her inexperience and the genuine concern she showed for each patient, but, as it wasn't a competition, Vahn was extremely grateful for her assistance. Yes, she used Magic to broadly treat injuries and ailments she couldn't actually identify, but, in the grand scheme of things, the only thing that really mattered was that the patients were happy and healthy...---After apologizing to the crowd and telling the members of the 2nd Army Corps they were doing a good job, Vahn carried Mikoto on his back as they walked silently and undisturbed through the city streets. She might have functionally unlimited energy reserves, but, having never dealt with sick and desperate patients, her nervousness led to her exhausting her mental and spiritual reserves.Though a part of her wanted to ask why Vahn didn't simply teleport to their temporary residence, a contented smile had developed across Mikoto's face as she nestled into the nook between his neck and shoulder, enjoying the peaceful piggyback ride. She frequently felt guilty about 'borrowing' him for the better part of three years, but, at times like this, she was grateful to have been created. Vahn was far from perfect, sure, but, when it came to empathizing with and understanding others, he had a charm that simply couldn't be matched...Sensing the subtle increase in Mikoto's body temperature, a slight smile spread across Vahn's face as he turned a corner that led away from their temporary residence. At the same time, a secondary version of himself split off, appearing much like a phantom as it continued towards their previous destination. This was another method he could use to drastically increase the number of people he treated, but, as a matter of principle, he generally only used such techniques to spend time with the people he cared about.Having noticed Vahn's actions, a healthy shade of red began to spread through Mikoto's cheeks as she hugged him a little tighter, asking, "Where are we going?" in a subdued tone. In response, Vahn took a series of steps that caused their surroundings to change drastically, casually shifting through both space and time. He had learned that, so long as he created another version of himself to serve as an anchor of sorts, he could exist in two points in Space and Time simultaneously. This had been a pretty major discovery during his time in the Toaruverse, but, due to the rather ridiculous strain it placed on his mind, body, and spirit, he very rarely made use of it.In the end, Vahn ended up a few days ahead of his secondary self, but, due to the peculiar nature of his existence, he had essentially stepped into a version of the Tower where he was more of a rumor than an actuality. It was a peculiar world where his Templates and the residents of the Little Garden still existed, but, despite acting in accordance with his will, he only existed in their memory.Fortunately, even if he transitioned through Time and Space, Vahn's contract with Gluttony was still active. The latter was a Tier 5 being fully capable of existing outside the Standard Axes of Space and Time, so, while it had caused him a fair amount of confusion the first time Vahn had performed the maneuver, he didn't bother to complain. Rather, after observing Vahn's increasingly absurd abilities, the voracious rabbit had become fully convinced of his status as a God who just so happened to be 'passing through'...While simultaneously piloting his past self to greet the trio of Fenrir, Yuri, and Lotte, Vahn began rapidly phasing between Floors as he answered, "There is a beautiful and serene place I think you would enjoy in the Lower Floors. It might be a little cliche, but I'm hoping to take each of you there before departing the Tower. Is that okay with you...?"Rolling her eyes, Mikoto resisted the urge to point out that they were already moving even before he had asked for her consent. Instead, she just nestled a little closer to him, forcing her breasts to press into his back as she purred, "I'm looking forward to it..." in the closest thing she could manage to a seductive voice. Unfortunately, she had learned from observing her mother's teasings, so, while it certainly sounded seductive, it also inspired memories of the buxom brunette that had very nearly become one of Vahn's 'victims'...(A/N: Alternate Titles: 'Fenrir is always doing her best (O w O)...','Mikoto over here using reality-bending magic to treat colds and broken bones...','Vahn, God of Madlads...')https://bit.ly/2XBzAYu &lt;-(p.atreon link)paypal.me/EinlionDiscord Invite: https://discord.gg/Jwa8PKh

Chapter 1984: Early Morning : Looking Forward