Not Playing With A Full Deck
Draw For Turn 2.9
I descended into my workshop and began puttering around, gathering materials for both my next project and Sona's payment.
Since I'd made the contact with Sona on his behalf, Freed had assisted me in gathering materials and reagents for my craft. Mostly this involved shopping for the proper sorts of inks and paper, but on occasion we'd manage to get our hands on something more noteworthy, such as the object I was working with now.
I gently pushed Prana into the piece of ametrine, which was apparently a gemstone aligned with 'the manifestation of one's visions, and the bringing forth of Mysteries into reality'. In short, precisely what I needed for my personal project.
I was shaping the high-quality stone from it's original cut into something more suitable, and doing so slowly. After all, the damn thing had been ¥32000 (about $280 USD), which was about a tenth of my monthly salary. I simply could not afford to mess up the stone, not if I wanted to eat anything other than cup ramen for the next few months, to say nothing of purchasing new resources.
My financial woes aside, my project was going well, and I'd likely have it ready for the second stage within the week. As for Sona's payment, after a bit of trial and error I'd managed to make a very crude prototype, and I intended to have her test it the following afternoon.
I looked up from my ministrations, only to find that it was nearly midnight. I shook my head wryly.
'This feels familiar. The only difference is that this time it's not anime and fanfiction keeping me up all hours of the night. Well, I suppose it is an improvement; at least I am doing things that will hopefully make my continued survival more likely.'
After washing the day's dirt from my body, I collapsed on to my futon, and almost immediately fell asleep. My dreams were full of wonderful images, such as Tamamo suplexing Kirei Kotomine directly into Zouken and Shinji Matou. Repeatedly. Ahh, such a beautiful phantasmagoria…
The next day, I brought my prototype to Sona, only to notice that she seemed distracted by something. I voiced my thoughts, and she informed me of something concerning; namely that something or someone was hunting the Stray Devils in Kuoh.
Now, this wouldn't be a large issue, were it not for the sheer aura left behind at the scene of the attacks. Each For had been reduced to naught but ash, and the lairs of these foes were inundated with emanations of corrosive despair. Paradoxically, there was also a sense of weary, patient hope within these areas, though not nearly as pervading as the despair.
"So, Mister Blair. Have you any insights to offer?" Sona inquired of me.
I cupped my chin in thought. Certainly, there was something about the description that seemed vaguely familiar to me, but, for the life of me, I couldn't recall what. When I told her as much, Sona sighed. I could tell that she was far more worried than usual; Sona was not one to display emotions that could be construed as weakness.
"I'll devote some shikigami to scout the town. It's not much, but it's what I have at my disposal currently." Sona seemed to appreciate my offer, as a small amount of tension flow out of her.
"That would be much appreciated, actually. Shikigami may be simple, but their utility for scouting large areas of land cannot be denied." She readjusted her glasses in what was likely a nervous habit, then changed the subject.
"So, allow me to see this prototype." Sona requested, a glint in her eye.
I offered her the prototype, a crude bangle devoid of inscription and possessing only one node for Mana gathering. The final product, should this one be successful, would rectify both of those issues.
Sona Sitri
Sona slipped the bracelet on to her left wrist, and began channeling Demonic Power. She conjured an orb of water the size of a beachball, taking up a small fraction of her power. She willed it to become a sword, and kept a careful eye on her reserves.
She'd used about a percent of her reserves to conjure the water, and about half of another percent to make it into a blade.
Normally, that amount of energy would take about a minute to return to her, so she was quite impressed when the 'crude prototype' managed to cut that time to thirty seconds.
Johan Blair
When Sona informed me of how well my Mystic Code prototype had worked, I was thoroughly pleased. I had several ideas for how to make it significantly more efficient, and I told her so.
Sona told me that if I could make it even twice as efficient as it was already, then she would accept the finished version along with two others in lieu of the other four Mystic Codes she'd originally asked of me.
Naturally, I accepted, and excused myself. My next stop was the old school building to visit Rias and her Peerage.
I knocked when I arrived, and was met by Akeno Himejima, the schools resident sadomasochist, not that anybody outside the two Peerages was aware of that fact. She smiled at me in a manner that reminded me of nothing so much as a tigress regarding potential prey.
'Don't worry, My Husband! The great Tamamo will protect you from the scary Succubus!' My dear girlfriend offered me that comforting support, and I let out a chuckle.
Akeno arched an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head. "Ah, don't mind me; one of the Spirits in my soul said something both comforting and amusing."
The incognito Nephilim eyed me, apparently amused. "Oh, I see. It must be strange, having the spirits of legendary figures living in your soul."
I chuckled wryly. "It certainly takes some getting used to, but I couldn't ask for finer allies, or better friends. With them, I'll never need to be lonely again."
I frowned. I hadn't meant to let that slip out. However, what's done is done, and I certainly could have said something more damning than an admission of past loneliness.
"Anyhow!" I said abruptly. "I apologize for my sudden intrusion; I would ask Miss Gremory for a moment of her time, should she have one to spare."
"For you, Mister Blair? Certainly." Came Rias' reply from within the room. Akeno moved to the side, providing just enough space for me to pass through…as long as I either squeezed myself against the doorframe or brushed against her.
I looked at her with an unamused expression on my face. "Truly, Miss Himejima? I would have thought that we are beyond such trivial power plays." Now, I knew very well that she was merely doing it to provoke embarrassment from me, but hopefully by misconstruing it as an attempt to cause me to lose face, Rias would intervene.
I was not disappointed in the result. Akeno pouted at me, but moved aside at Rias' directions. I was gravely tempted to smirk at her, but I reminded myself of her epithet, and considerable magical talent.
I had zero desire to be struck repeatedly by lightning wielded by a sadistic shrine maiden, and even less desire to be in that situation with the addition of a grudge against me, even a petty one.
I stood before Rias, who was seated at her desk. Shirone and Isaiah were also present, though the former's attention was largely occupied by a bag of Japanese sweets the size of her torso.
"So. What can I do for you, Mister Blair?" Rias asked, hands folded in the Gendo pose. I chuckled lightly at this, and dramatically bowed.
"Miss Gremory!" I exclaimed theatrically, spreading my arms wide. "Please, grant me the opportunity to pilot Eva 000! I assure you; my sync rates are unmatched!"
Rias, clearly unprepared for my antics, burst out laughing. I joined in myself, chuckling merrily.
After a few moments, we had regained our composure, and I regarded the 'Crimson Haired Ruin Princess'.
"In all seriousness, though, I do have a boon to ask of you. Rather, a boon to ask of your Knight and Rook." Isaiah and Shirone both turned to look at me as one. A competitive grin found its way on to my face as I stated my request.
"Could I trouble each of you for a spar?"
AN: Well, that's as good a place as any to stop, methinks. Next chapter will allow you all to see just how well Johan stacks up against Kiba and Koneko as they were at the series' start. Ah, an important note. I have gotten several messages asking who Isaiah is; it's Kiba's birth name, just as Shirone is Koneko's birth name. Johan refers to them verbally by the names that were told to him, but mentally he refers to them by their birth names. He sees it as a means of offering respect to them for enduring their wretched pasts. Anyhow, enjoy and leave me your thoughts, if you like!
CM: Ahh…back in the editor's chair. As much fun as it was Yosemite, can get pretty toasty and I grew up with ceiling fans available whenever I wanted them, so let's just say it's good to be back.
Xanothos: Blech. I hate the heat, so I don't envy you for the destination of your trip. Good to have you back!
