𝓥𝓲𝓸𝓵𝓮𝓽

𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙆𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙞𝙚𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙨𝙨 [Starter for @OathOfTheKing] “Another new world.” A lone woman mutters upon finding herself transmigrating to yet another new world. She still has yet to begin tracking down the cause of these transmigrations but she was used to them by now. She dusted off her pristine white dress-like robes and gave a glance to the land around her. She was standing on the side of a large dirt path, a vast meadow stretching to the horizons in all directions. It seemed to be a major path for travel as horse drawn wagons and carts passed by her in both directions. It seemed the people riding upon the beasts and transports didn’t notice the sudden appearance of the woman, but her unique clothes did earn her some curious glances. None of them stopped to question her or offer a ride, however. “How rude. They’re just going to let a pretty girl stand on the side of the road?” She puffed out a cheek at the affront, conveniently ignoring the fact that she couldn’t fight off simply fly if she felt like it. Or perhaps she wasn’t ignoring it but choosing not to resort to her own means of transportation. A new world meant a new dynamic. Maybe seeing a woman flying around was outrageous, perhaps even illegal or something ostracized witches did. Violet shook her head at the thought. She didn’t want to draw needless attention to herself until she had more information about where she had been taken to. “I suppose walking never killed anyone.” She summoned her ornate magical scepter for both protection and use as a walking stick. Eyeing up the wagons, she saw what appeared to be a merchant caravan and began to walk in the direction it was traveling, trusting it would lead her to a village or town.

“I never heard about anything like that from my old world. Perhaps it just works differently where you come from.” Violet held her hands up and shrugged, giving up on the idea of a contract for now. Avenger seemed to be rather paranoid about the idea, what use was there in pushing it further? “Since that idea is out for the time being, the only other suggestion I have is that we simply team up for a while. Even if a connection is impossible, there’s no reason we can’t fight together. I can provide defense, healing, and buffs, you can handle combat.” It was a tried and true small party formation. A Support class joining up with a Tank or a DPS, covering the basics of offense and defense with only two classes available.

Violet followed along after Pito, keeping a respectable distance so her gunslinging partner could spring into action at any moment. Their footsteps echoed off the walls of the cave, a monotonous melody that initially filled the silence of the cave before becoming dull, repetitive noise. Violet too had loads of experience with dungeon crawling. It was a staple of gameplay back in Illusory World. The one thing she had forgotten? How dull the early dungeon was. Unless it was an end game dungeon no one was putting entertaining monsters or traps so soon after the entrance. Eventually the pair came upon an open room, vast in its volume. Small boulders littered the floor, providing spots of cover, along with some decrepit, crumbling pillars of stone. Violet barely had a chance to get a glimpse of the skeletons meandering about the room before a hand upon her hand forced her into a crouch behind a low, wide boulder. “Alright then, Miss Lookout, you needn’t force me to my knees so rough. It’s only simple undead. I wouldn’t even need my basic spells to handle them.” While she admonished Pito, Violet spread out her soul network to fill the room, verifying the number and species. “Definitely Undead, but they’re all pretty low level. There’s about twenty or so of them. Some of them have mid level armor on. Nothing difficult to deal with.” But the interesting thing was that there were so many this soon into the dungeon and some of them had rather decent armor. Ordinarily adventurers might’ve had a spot of difficulty handling a horde like this. But Violet and Pito weren’t ordinary adventurers. “How shall we go about this? There’s no reason to keep any of them alive. They probably don’t have any information to share.” #VoidTribunal

Apathy.xn--6ii I’ll do my best to go to the starter and replies I owe when I wake up.

“I have no idea what you mean, I am being perfectly polite.” She’d poke a lightly puffed cheek.

“You misunderstand, Miss Avenger. My magic may be Light and Holy, but that’s after the MP, or what you call Mana, is infused. On its own, MP has no element. My understanding of these contracts is that the Master feeds Mana directly to their Servant. So I wouldn’t be feeding you Radiance, just pure Mana.” It occurred to Violet that she would need to explain the mechanics she carried over from Illusory World. If she were to be honest, it had taken her a while to understand how game mechanics translated into a real world, but with the understanding she had now, she was confident she could dissuade Avenger of her worries. “If that’s still not satisfactory, there really isn’t much else I can offer besides making a party together and offering my power as Support.” What a head scratching conundrum this was turning out to be. Unconventional solutions weren’t volunteering themselves in her mind at the moment, she’d have to learn more about Avenger to gain a better understanding of how this Saint Graph worked. Perhaps if she could create a copy via the Kabbalah and take her time experimenting on it…

“I make no such promises.” She teases back, giving a playful glance at Pito’s back for fun. Then, on a dime, Violet switched into business mode. A dungeon dive, or something close to that. It sparked her excitement to life, a familiar electricity tingling through her nerves. “Allow me to perform the usual setup.” It was her duty to ensure her party members were well defended and she herself would always be free to cast extra spells and heal when needed. To that end, Violet lifted her scepter and cast a few spells. [Light’s Protection]: a Sixth tier barrier spell that molded around her and Pito’s bodies to provided magical defense against attacks. [Light Ball]: a basic spell that created a simple ball of light. She created two of these, one to hover between them and the other to hover a few meters ahead of them, lighting their way. “That will do for now. I’ll handle things from the rear and bail you out if you get into trouble~” She stuck her tongue out at Pito before motioning with her hand for Pito to take the lead. “Ladies first~!” #VoidTribunal

Violet didn’t flinch away from the beer contact. Yet neither did she lean into it. The priestess remained still and stable, giving off an air as though she was completely in control of the situation, that if anything went awry she would have an appropriate reaction to it. “I said it before, didn’t I? Due to a special circumstance, my mana is, in the most literal meaning. without limit. How ever much you need or 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 is irrelevant. Take whatever amount you wish, Miss Avenger, I’d still have vastly more to spare.” Violent’s head turned to Avenger, those unique cross shaped pupils revealing no deception or undue boast. She wasn’t one to embellish the details for the sake of vanity. What she said is precisely what she meant. “Of course, to my understanding, the catch is that we would have to agree to a contract, no? I cannot simply hand my mana away without such a connection between us, even if I could be persuaded to do so.” A tiny smirk graces her lips, betraying her intention. The sly priestess was leveraging Avenger’s approach, her expressed desire for greater power, for the mana the Deity could provide, into a deal between them that would return a benefit to Violet: a powerful frontline fighter that would free herself up to perform her support role properly. After all, a solo player alone made not a proper party.

“If the issue is the fact you are one of these Servants, I don’t think it would be a problem at all. I did once form a contract with one named Saber. She’s long gone by now, but there didn’t seem to be any compatibility issues between us. I daresay my mana pool was to her liking.” Although her knowledge was admittedly limited when it came to these otherworldly heroes, Violet’s first run as a Master had given her quite a bit of insight to how a Master’s mana could benefit a Servant. Considering that since those days her mana was essentially unlimited now… “I wonder if that’s the right route to go down with you, Miss Avenger. Despite my earlier demonstration, the Priestess class is ill suited for solo combat. Being a Support class, I perform much better when someone else does the fighting. You seem to be quite strong and capable, I posit that a partnership between us would be most beneficial. At the very least, the mana I could provide should grant you quite a boon, and I do possess a few spells that can temporarily increase your stats.” She laid out the idea forming in her mind as she spoke it aloud. If simply giving power was out of the question due to certain incompatibilities, why not give Avenger the energy source and battle support instead?

“Saint Graph? No, nevermind, that’s not important right now.” Violet muttered, her interest clearly hooked by the mention of a term she didn’t recognize. However, the priestess discarded the interest as quick as it came, keeping her attention on the primary matter at hand. What did she have from Illusory World that could help someone from outside the game? Would creating a simple skill tree for Avenger, like she once did for Queen Lilya, suffice? Perhaps not. It was then that something that had been staring Violet in the face since Avneger introduced herself finally clicked in the priestess’s mind. “Hang on… Avenger? You said to call you Avenger, did you not? Would that be the same as those other class names I was taught about not long ago? Saber, Archer, Caster, and the like?” If that was the case and ‘Avenger’ referred to this woman’s class, then that would make her… “Miss Avenger, tell me truthfully please. Are you one of those Heroic Spirits I’ve been taught about?”

Such guarded hostility. Curious as she was for the deeper story, Violet knew better than to pry when Avenger was giving very clear warnings otherwise. “I see. That’s more than enough information, Miss Avenger. More importantly, you’re seeking power because you’re unsatisfied with the level you’re at now. That’s a surprisingly common reason to seek power.” A finger and thumb came to rest upon her chin, a pensive expression on her face whilst mulling the situation over. “There are a few ways I could make you stronger. I have a couple of spells that boosts one’s stats. I could crate a skill tree for you. If you became my disciple, I could lend you access to the spells and magic I have, although you’re adverse to Radiance, so perhaps that would be incompatible.” She listed off various ways she could grant Avenger’s wish, but why should she do all the work? It was Avenger who wanted the power. “Or perhaps you have an idea of how you’d gain greater power from me that you care to share, Miss Avenger.”

Really big fumble all around. I get the whole “make it more cat because she turns into a cat” (which was somehow never explained?) but really, it was clearly made with fanservice as a factor. Which, fanservice on its own isn’t always bad, but it’s out of place when she’s literally fighting for her life. Something like what Ran gets in Player would’ve been hype. A full cloak of lightning Shunko.

“It’s not the only unfair thing I can use, but as a demonstration, it’s one of the three best options I have.” Seeing as Jeanne confirmed there would be no hostility, Violet relaxed. She snapped her fingers, dispelling the avater of herself, while descending to stand on the ground again. Her wings vanished as well, returning her to the appearance of a simple priestess. “You had me go through the effort of a demonstration, so I believe I’ve earned an answer as a reward for my hard work. You didn’t ask me to do all this just to admire my power. You’re seeking power for something. What is it that you want? Answer honestly now, I might be willing to grant or help with whatever it is you’re after.” Violet couldn’t help be a bit demanding when she wanted, hands planted on her hips, staring up at the woman with an insistent gaze. She might’ve had infinite time to spend but that didn’t mean she liked wasting any of it. “You said something about seeing if my power deserves to be compared to someone else, which tells me there’s a backstory you’re keeping from me. Not only that, you bristle a little at the fact my magic is of the compound Radiant element. Who are you?” She began to press questions upon the woman, her curiosity leaking through her neutral demeanor. If there was something afoot here, in the way of an adventure or mystery, Violet simply had to investigate and be a part of it.

Sharp eyes and ears caught everything. The minute flexes of the muscles in Jeanne’s face as they tightened. The sharpened edge to her voice when she spoke. It piqued Violet’s interest a little. ‘𝘐𝘵 𝘴𝘦𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘐 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘭𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘧. 𝘞𝘦𝘭𝘭, 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳. 𝘐𝘵'𝘴 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘣𝘭𝘦𝘮 𝘶𝘯𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘦'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘩𝘰𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘵.' A brow raises when Violet heared Jeanne’s challenge. “You want to see what I can do when I don’t hold back? Are you challenging me to a fight or asking for a demonstration? I’m not interested in the former, unless you’re going to insist upon it.” Her own question was rhetorical. She had a spell in mind to use as both a demonstration and preparation if the woman wanted a fight. “Oh well. I wasn’t doing anything important right now anyway. I can humor you for a while. Do bear in mind that you demanded I hold nothing back, so you can’t cry about it afterwards.” She pointed a finger at Jeanne, pushing all liability for whatever may occur onto her as punishment for her insistence. Her warning given, Violet took wing, rising high into the skies above. “Don’t worry, I’m not running away. I needed some room for this, so try to watch without being blinded, for [𝐈 𝐀𝐦 𝐋𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭]” Light blue eyes glowed with golden light. Multiple circular glyphs came into existence as though etched upon the air itself and then a pillar of light ascends through the center of the tower of glyphs. The initial pillar of light begins to expand and change shape, molding into a perfect replica of the priestess, yet possessing key differences. The most notable among these differences were six golden wings fanning out behind the Radiant avatar. Ten halos formed a ring behind the head of the avatar. But perhaps the most obvious and first noticeable different between the avatar and her caster was the size. The avatar was colossal. Not merely ‘Oh wow, she’s taller.’ It was simply monolithic, a single forearm spanning Violet’s entire body. The avatar moves, those massive arms crossing before Violet as if to embrace and shield her. “I hope this is enough of a demonstration, but if it was a fight you sought, allow me to explain this spell to dissuade any such foolhardy notions. This is the Tenth Tier spell [I Am Light]. As you can see, it creates an avatar of me, isn’t that cute? However, there is more to her than my beauty. While this avatar exists in this world, I become immune to all forms of conventional damage. It won’t be easy to deal with her, though, considering she possesses double my HP pool, instantly refills my spent Mana, although that part isn’t an issue for me anymore. She has her own spells and agency to fight my enemies with. And then there’s still me to deal with. You may consider it cheating to turn a 1v1 into a 2v1, but that’s not really my problem.” With the explanation given, Violet falls silent, giving Jeanne a chance to analyze the spell and speak.

“Do you truly wish to know? You may find it unbelievable if I tell you honestly.” She sensed no hesitation nor trepidation in this woman’s voice. Violet wasn’t going to be let off the hook giving vague answers and half truths. Of that, she was quite sure. She took a deep sigh, giving in to the unspoken questions and demands the other woman implied. “Oh very well. If you’ve already seen through me this much, I doubt any lie I could tell would fool you. Just don’t voice and complaints if my explanation sounds unbelievable. Ahem. My name is Violet. I was once just an ordinary garden variety human who lived in a distant world full of towering metal buildings and useful devices. Through a certain freak occurrence that I have yet to ascertain, I underwent a forced transmigration while I was… hmm, let’s say while I was inhabiting this avatar I created. My soul merged with this avatar and it became my true body. Naturally, all of the magic and mana this avatar had became completely mine to use however I wish. As did other things. While I was once a human, mortal and fragile, I am much more than that now. I am a Deity. Ah, to avoid confusion, I mean to say that my race is Deity. Although it’s not any different from the meaning of the word you’re probably familiar with. In other words, I am not only of the Priestess, I am also the Goddess of Radiance, master of the Light and Holy magics. Does that explanation satisfy you?” It would’ve sounded like she was spinning a tale in jest if her attitude hadn’t remained the consistent through her condensed elaboration. And as if to verify her tale, a pair of angelic white wings blossomed from her back, flaring open to emphasize her unique status. “So pray tell, stranger. What do you seek from this goddess? Power? Companionship? Fame? Wealth? My head?”

“Ah, it seems I’ve been made. What a pity. I was more than happy to keep up the innocent priestess act for a while longer.” The facade fades like a puddle of rainwater under a desert sun. What’s left behind is the true stoicism at her core, eyes possessing a unique shape staring as if to bore into the other’s very soul. What could such eyes of apathy and perhaps a profound loneliness see that a normal mortal could never imagine? While a more foolish person might’ve answered the woman’s admittance of following with offense, hostility, or even feeling flattered, Violet focused on the inferred heart of their meeting. “So then. Something about me caught your attention. Pray tell, what is it that you seek from me, stranger?”

“Ah, there’s the source of this feeling. I seemed to have had quite the stealthy follower for a while. But do tell, what business could you have with a simple priestess such as myself, my lady?” Violet turns and faces Jeanne fully, a hand rising to hook locks of raven hair behind an ear.