Breathing in the warm air, dense with power and mana, I feel a weight taken from my shoulders. No longer is the atmosphere itself sucking at my soul like a starved abyss trying to tear me apart. Earth really is an unpleasant place for those of us with mana in our souls.

My thriving city is even more alive than the last time I was here. Many are working their crafts, others their farms, and some more are practicing their Skills or hobbies. A group of kids is playing some sort of game in the streets, kicking a ball about and trying to steal it off of each other.

Dozens of craftsmen and farmers are out and about looking for something to do as they take a break from work, ignorant, or simply uncaring, of my return.

Just as it should be.

I don’t need or want some forced celebration filling the streets and distracting me from my more intimate welcome back. I’m sure everyone here is happier without any forced celebrations like that, too.

“How was your trip?” Nel asks, looking me over and patting down my dress. It’s a little torn already, the difference in mana density making it awfully delicate. I’m going to have to be extra careful with everything we brought from Earth until the mana can properly seep into it.

“It was fruitful.” I reply lightly. “I’ve got everything we were aiming for, and I met everyone I was hoping to.”

The crew of the ship works quick at my back, and I trust them to take care of it all. My new employees, meanwhile, are gazing about at their new home with eyes full of wonder. It’s best to let them look for a little while before rushing them away.

“Any interesting fights?” Eshya asks, grabbing me around the shoulder and pulling me into a hug. “You always have the most interesting fights when I’m gone.”

“No, everyone back home is weak enough that I can just push them around like a trained soldier kicking about kids in a playground.” I say, “There were a few incidents when they tried to hit me back, but it was easy to deal with.”

“Aww, that’s no fun.” Eshya says with a laugh before letting me go.

“Adler.” I approach the girl who stands a little apart from the others. Her eyes open wide, and she smiles at my greeting.

“It’s good to see you again.” She says, bowing her head slightly. “We’ve been busy while you were gone.”

“You’ll have to tell me about it.” I say, watching her tail flicker about. I’m sure there are a few things bothering her that she can’t bring up right here and now.

Vii leaps at Eshya, who swings her out wide. I have to duck to avoid getting hit by her feet.

“We need to try dancing in space!” Vii says, “It’s so much fun, even better than under the water.”

“We need to fix that air problem first.” I say, as we all gather together again.

“We do have some business that needs some more immediate consideration.” Nel says, glancing over towards Arduelle and her guests. I’m sure they’re meant to be my next challenges to overcome, but this time I can’t simply kill them and be done with it.

“Let’s deal with it properly in the throne room.” I say with a sigh. “I’ll rush home and get dressed appropriately for the occasion, would you have Red guide them up after me? I’ll be quick about it.”

“Alright.”

“Oh, Vii! Eshya!” I call out to the pair, “Could you escort our new employees, see them to their prepared quarters? I’m sure, they’ll handle a familiar face a little easier than the alternative.”

“Oh, Kyra!” Matt, our messy haired scientist rushes to me with a small kitten in hand. The mewling little creature seems to be having it rough, rolling about in discomfort. “There’s some trouble with Kit.”

“Kit?” I ask, looking down at the kitten… the large kitten.

“Is this a tiger cub?” I ask, looking it over. “Actually, let’s focus. What’s wrong with it?”

“This is the oldest animal that we brought with us, it seems like he’s having trouble adapting to the mana. The others don’t seem to be struggling as much, as far as we can tell.” He passed the young cub over to me, and I look over him. I can see the mana currently seeping into him and that’s not a good thing. A properly cycling mana form is exceedingly difficult to see.

“I’ll see what I can do.” I say, looking about the area. “I do have other business to attend, so I’ll take him with me. His name is Kit?”

“Unless you want to rename him.” Matt says, shrugging and returning to the rest of his scientists. I’ll need to ask him how the hell he got his hands on a tiger cub, but that’s for later.

“I’m going on ahead.” I tell my lovers, seeing the tower above and making a good pace towards it. Thankfully, I have some good experience controlling my mana form with Skills like ‘Swimming’, because of that I don’t accidentally cover the cub in mana burns. That still can’t save him from his own issues, even if I don’t add to them.

Tentatively, I ease a little mana into him and cycle it about in careful patterns.

I can stretch my control a little further out from my body than is natural, it’s the reason I can drain mana from anything I touch, as if it’s already in my stomach. That’s not the goal here, obviously, so instead I slowly and carefully tend to the mana inside him.

I need Kit to learn how to do this himself, because I’m not sure this kind of life support will work forever, but for now it seems to be alleviating his suffering. Keeping it all flowing with carefully made Skills, I turn my attention back towards my tower home, and the rooms inside.

To my surprise June has not only stayed but gathered a small group of staff who are getting things ready for us. A large table has been set up in the middle of my throne room, which has been remodelled to be something quite apart from what it was.

My throne has somewhat lost its place as the centrepiece of the room, instead most of the room is focused on a circular table in the centre of it. The two dozen chairs around it are simple, but far from plain, a balance that suits the simplistic design.

I can smell the snacks cooking as I step into the room, watching June place a tray of small cakes on a few plates shared around the table to ensure there’s always something in reach. She looks up at me with a wide smile, holding out her arms as she waves around the room.

“Do you like it?” She asks. “Nel suggested that a few things could be changed, and so I did what I could to help out.”

“It’s nice.” I say, looking around while walking up the back to get to my private room. “Why the round table?”

“There are no sides here.” She says. “It’s symbolic. We’re all in this together, working towards forming a greater whole. A normal table has us facing off against each other; this is better.”

“I’m surprised you aren’t running around doing your normal business out in the town.” I say. “Cleaning, and helping out and all that.”

“Oh, well I am… sort of.” She says, hesitantly looking aside. “Nel helps me every time I bring something up, and then we get a group of people working together and it’s done before I know it.”

She seems a little exhausted, but it doesn’t draw away from the happiness in her expression.

“Who’s the little guy you’ve got with you?”

“A pet from home.” I say. “We’re seeing if he can survive here, and if he can, how long it takes for him to grow strong and wise.”

“Ah, that sounds nice… so long as he doesn’t get hurt.” She says lowering her head to look him in the eyes.

“Well, he’s having some trouble so I’m helping him out until he finds his own feet.” I say, “I’ve got to get dressed. I’ll be back down in a moment. Prepare for guests, we have a few annoying ones.” I say, rushing back into my home and getting changed while juggling Kit between my hands.

I watch carefully over my new citizens and my guests using the power of my best Skills. There’s still a long way for me to develop, more Skills to learn and adaptions to consider.

Thankfully, there’s nothing untoward happening as far as I can tell, and in a few minutes, everyone of importance has gathered in my throne room. The immense power condensed in my fancy ass chair comforting me as I face the newcomers who are here to upset my hold on power.

“It’s a pleasure to have you all here.” I say, taking the chance to practice my lying. “I would prefer a little forward notice when bringing potential threats into my home, Arduelle, but I do trust that you have them in hand.”

“Quite so.” The dungeon replies, not offended by my words. “Unfortunately, you were away for some time, and we weren’t able to go over a few new dealings that have taken place.

“The first Grand Council meeting is scheduled to occur tomorrow morning, and these two are here representing their factions. I understand that they have some things that they wish to discuss in advance.”

“Very much so.” Malea says, smiling venomously. “If I may begin?”

Arduelle and I both nod our permission for her to speak, but it’s only the dungeon that she cares about.

“I wanted to discuss a few matters about your home cavern here.” She says waving a hand around. “Specifically, I wished to offer my assistance. Now I know you’re going to refuse as you already have, that’s fine, but I want you to remember this offer later.

“You’re not a noble, and you aren’t trained to lead people. You’re a nobody who rose from nothingness, and you cannot make a civilisation like this. Your city will fall and the people you care for will suffer for your failures. When that time comes, you can come to me and I will generously correct the mistakes that you have made here.

“I am not some cruel villain, and I will take care of you and yours, but you simply need to understand your role in society. You should focus your efforts on what you are good at and leave the leadership to others more experienced.”

She let’s her offer hang in the air, and I grate my teeth through it all. I don’t know how the political reply to this is meant to go, but with all the discussions that I’ve had recently accusing me of being too rough, I might try restraint.

“Thank you for your input. I think I’ll let the success of my city speak for itself.” I say, nodding towards her with as much respect as I can fake before turning to the man beside her.

“I am Olima of the Republic and I’m here to discuss possible business arrangements that might be arranged.” He says, with an eager smile crawling up his lips. Malea is already scowling down at him, taking no effort to disguise her disgust.

“Our republic values the work of crafters of all natures, and thus I’m sure that we have more than a few goods that would liven your city considerably. Atop that we have some information that we’d be willing to trade with you. “

“What do we have that you want from us?” I ask, resting my back on the chair and adjusting Kit’s spot in my arms. The little tiger is resting, and right now he’s just like a warm, cuddly, little toy.

“For now, nothing.” He says, “We’re just looking at strengthening our relationships, though if you were looking to offer a gift in return, there are many among us who are interested in those new support devices that you’ve seemingly acquired.”

“I’m sure you’re already aware that it’s not something that I can easily exchange. There’s a procedure, and it’s quite invasive.” I say, “I would be willing to share some details, largely focusing on risks involved, if we’re exchanging information.”

“I believe that would be a good sign of respect between us.” Olima says, “Through messaging? It’s a far more reliable means of maintaining security over alternative methods of communication.”

“Very well.” I reply, and I receive a message before I can even start considering if there’s going to be a fair and proper trade.

“The republic and the Arch monarchy will both seek a united resolution against you in the first Grand Council meeting. The goal is to see that you are defeated quickly and shown your place, while also measuring your combat potential.”

The intelligence he gives me is better than I expected, and yet also something that I could have anticipated if I’d spent the time trying to understand my opponents here. The duelling nature of the Grand Council ensures that violent power is still important, but not uniquely powerful. It’s useful to know that both factions will be gunning for me, but it’s going to be trouble considering that there are so many of them working together.

I’ll have to consider the problem some more, but for now, I have to reply.

“The method of replacing a support device gives us access to the full copy of all Skills, contacts, and any other information stored on the device.” Information that they’re sure to want, but also leading them to a false conclusion.

This way he should think we need to replace a device to get all of this information from him, when the truth is that I can easily reach across the table and take it from them right this moment. I should, but walking over and slapping him on the shoulder is sure to be suspicious.

I really do need to put all of my abilities to better use. I have more than just my annihilation magic to rely on, and I really am making myself out to be a brute who can only use a club.

Olima smiles rather deeply, glancing briefly towards Malea before covering his mouth. She rolls her eyes at the act, and returns her attention back towards me.

“We’re always open for more trading partners.” Olima says, “It seems we might be able to form a good relationship once things have settled down some.”

“Well, if that’s all you came for, then I’ll let you return home.” I say. “I’d quite like some time to settle my own business now that I’m finally back.”

“Actually, if you don’t mind my staying. I’d like to make one further proposition.” Malea says, as Olima stands. He politely leaves to give us the illusion of privacy.

“With him out of the room, let’s talk.” Malea says, her cold smile still set firm on her lips. “While I’d like to offer this proposition in the form of a duel, we simply don’t have the time to properly recover for the nastiness coming for you tomorrow.”

She tilts her head and runs her fingers along the table in front of her. “So, a deal must suffice instead. This is a most reasonable deal, I can assure you…”

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Stats and Skills

~Mana Form:

Current mana density: 28,451 / 60,892 units

Current mana volume: 14,141 / 30,266 shards

Mana volume at crystallisation density (Max. mana volume):

Kyra: 30,266 shards

Kyra’s armour: 20,777 shards

Kyra’s throne: 1,109,298 shards

~Forms

Mana Canon

-Annihilation Heart (Adapted)

-Blood Fuel (20,000 mana shards)

-Bone Magic Storage (40,000 mana shards)

-Nail Shifters (50,000 mana shards)

Dancer

-Flash Nerves (8,000 mana shards)

-Quick Perception Mind (Adapted)

-Burst Reflex Muscles (35,000 mana shards)

-Layered space Muscles (80,000 mana shards)

Turtle

-Rebinding Tissue (Adapted)

-Catalyst Sweat Glands (140,000 mana shards)

-Repulsive Skin (80,000 mana shards)

-Prehensile hair (10,000 mana shards)

-Fatty Tissue Blood Storage (100,000 mana shards)

Investigator

-Wide eyes (5,000 mana shards)

-Wide ears (5,000 mana shards)

-Sharp nose (5,000 mana shards)

Misc.

-Clean bowels (Adapted)

~Favourited Skills:

-Tag and Film

-Trapping

-Stealth

-Mana surge movement

-Annihilation defence

-Annihilation flame burst

-Annihilation net

-Eyes of an Empire