[Day 10 in the Warding Room]

In the Warding Room, I was hard at work... arguing with God-hunter.

You have to factor in the current environments mana, not simply follow what the book says.

It’s only my third try. How would I know to do that?

You could try using your brain? You really think that after corrupted mana spread everywhere the environmental mana would act the same as before?

So it’s filled with impurities… that’s what’s causing the deviations!

Obviously.

Don’t take that tone with me. How do you know about corrupted mana anyway?

You think about it, literally, all the time. It would take an idiot to not realize there would be difference in the way pure mana and corrupted mana reacts to external stimuli.

Pft, I would’ve figured it out eventually.

Yea, a few hundred years from now.

If you're so smart, why don’t you try it?

Prepared to be awed.

A blue lines lit up and appeared on God-hunter’s spine. Slowly floating out of her spine they releasing into the environment.

A few seconds later and they died down without anything happening.

Not so easy is it?

Wait for it.

Nothing is happening.

Wait for it~

Fine, I’ll wait.

Glancing about the room while I waited, I suddenly noticed something odd.

There was a circle of water floating above my head.

Now.

It fell directly onto my head.

Covered in cold water… I glared at God-hunter.

Was that really necessary?

Nope, but it sure was funny as hell.

You’re a horrible daughter.

And you’re stupid, father. Don’t worry, I love you anyway.

Even your complements are merely thinly veiled insults. It’s impressive in a way.

It wasn’t intended to be obscure or veiled, dad. You’re simply stupid enough that even obvious insults take awhile for you to process.

I’ll have you know, I’m one of the smartest humans alive.

I’ll hold a moment of silence for the rest of humanity then.

Are you insinuating I must be the only human alive?

Hmm? Isn’t that what your previous comment was implying?

*Tsk…* I don’t know why I put up with you.

Love you too~

[Decima Game: T-7, 10 hours…]

POV Swap – Rin

Rin left the challenge room. It was a stealth challenge this time. Tobias would’ve been perfect for it.

Why have I been hesitating to talk to him?

Should continue leaving him be?

Before I was so focused on heading further into the zones to discover how to return to Kara.

Now though… I don’t need to.

Once we complete this game there’s no longer any reason to continue going further into the zones.

What if he insists on going further into the zones?

Would we split up?

I don’t want to split up.

I need ask him about it, but what if he’s determined on going further?

Why does everything have to be so confusing and complicated?

Interrupting Rin mental confusion, Stanley came up to her and began speaking. “Hey… uhhh, Tobias’ girlfriend? Can I talk you for a second?”

Tilting her head slightly sideways, she said in a tone that questioned the reason behind his statement, “I’m not Tobias’ girlfriend?”

I haven’t been engaged to Tobias, why would he think that?

Stanley looked extremely flustered, “Ahh… Really? My bad. Tobias didn’t deny it when I called you that earlier.”

Narrowing her eyes, Tobias didn’t deny it?

“Talk.” Rin monotonically said, motioning for Stanley to stop wasting her time.

Stanley somewhat carefully mentioned, “Well, I thought I’d ask… Do you know if Tobias really stabbed someone?”

Rin narrowed her eyes again toward Stanley, “How do you know about that?”

Stanley seemed surprised, “…So he did? How could you not notice the cat talking about it?”

The game master talked about it?

Rin answered preoccupied with other thoughts, “It doesn’t matter and there’s no reason to worry about Tobias attacking someone. The problem has already been solved.”

Stanley backed off, muttering to himself, “Already been solved?”

So… Tobias has been convincing people I’m engaged with him.

Without my consent.

A flash of emotion passed through Rin’s eyes.

Seems I’ll need to have a talk with Tobias after all.

[Day 16 in the Warding Room.]

Okay, I have it this time.

Let’s see it then.

First, consider the natural principles of the environmental mana.

Account for the distance to target.

Begin the trigger for the chain reaction…

Once I began to trigger the reaction, the blue lines pulsing on my arm gradual lifted and released into the environmental mana.

A puff of glowing blue wind slowly flew in a circle around the room.

Before it swiftly returned to me, pushing into my face and knocking me to the floor.

Pft… You managed to mess that up.

Shut up. I’m busy.

Busy contemplating your idiocy?

Getting up, I decided to simply ignore God-hunter. Instead, I pondered where I messed up.

Hmmm… what didn’t I consider?

It should’ve simply blown around the room harmlessly before dissipating.

You forgot to consider that corrupted mana is naturally drawn to pure mana. Basically, the spell sought out the largest source of pure mana in the area… in this case, you.

Do you mind? I like to figure this stuff out myself.

It helps refine my genius.

That would’ve taken way too long. Face it, you aren’t that intelligent.

And you are? You don’t even have a brain.

Ouch, way to kicking someone while they’re down.

Hearing a click of the door opening, I turned toward it.

Stand between me and the only exit to the room was Rin.

…And judging by the furrow of her eye brows and general atmosphere around her… she seems pissed.

On second thought, choosing to spend a large amount of time in a room with only one exit was a terrible idea.

Quick God-hunter! Tell me, what do I do?

Sorry, Dad, your on your own for this one.

Seriously, help me.

Sorry, I’m not able to take your call at the moment. Please leave a message after the beep…

Why are you completely useless when I need proper help?

Rin meanwhile simply stood there in the doorway… glaring and clearly angry.

Err… let’s try apologizing?

“Sorry-for-not-telling-you-about-my-plan-to-cheat-fate-by-stabbing-Kara.” I said, speaking as quickly as possible.

Unfortunately, it didn’t seem to work.

Rin continued standing there… in silence.

Maybe I could teleport past her and run away? That would probably work.

…and would also piss her off more.

On second thought, not the best idea.

Rin finally opened her mouth and began in a speaking in a deafeningly calm manner, “Why… exactly does Stanley believe I’m your girlfriend?”

Like a deer caught between headlights, my brain stopped thinking for several seconds.

Jumpstarting my brain, I realized what she’d said.

STANLEY I’M GOING TO FREAKING KILL YOU!

Why the hell would you tell that to RIN?

ARE YOU A MORON? No, I already knew you were a moron.

Why do you have to involve me in your moronic escapades?

Deny… Deny everything! That’s the only solution.

“I have no idea why he would believe that.” I said, denying all knowledge of it.

Which is true, I have completely amnesia of the first time I met him. By the time I remember meeting him, Stanley already believed I was Rin’s boyfriend.

“I see…” Rin continued, this time her face had turned expressionless. “He mentioned you didn’t deny it when he asked you, though.”

Stanley… What the hell is the matter with you?

How much information did you tattle?

Are you attempting to murder me?

Is this the, so called, killing someone with a borrowed knife situation?

I’m already in trouble with Rin. I don’t need you making it worse.

…of course I didn't deny it! At the time, I wasn’t confident Rin wasn’t my girlfriend.

If I had denied it and you were my girlfriend, it would’ve been a worse situation.

Watch me go silent, Rin took that as ratification of the statement and asked. “Why didn’t you deny it?”

Yeah… the truth is unbelievable and too complicated to explain properly.

I defensively replied, “Does it actually matter?”

Rin studied my expression before quietly muttering, “No… I suppose not.”

Relaxing slightly, good. It’s way too complicated to explain properly.

Rin blankly stated, “Follow me.” Before turning around and walking out the door.

…Okay?

That was cringe worthy to watch. I didn’t realize it was possible for someone to mess that up that badly.

The peanut gallery can keep their comments to themselves.

Slowly making my way after Rin.

Why is it so important to Rin that Stanley believes we’re boyfriend and girlfriend?

...Wait, did that setting also get transferred over?

That was supposed to be a discarded idea! It shouldn’t be here.

…Right?

Then again, God-hunter also was a discarded idea… meaning it probably was.

At one point, I went a bit overboard with world-building. I made it that because of the background and culture of the world Rin came from the word ‘boyfriend and girlfriend’ didn’t exist.

Making the closest translation of girlfriend in Rin’s language approximately be… female betrothed.

I stopped walking and staring at Rin’s back as she continued moving.

Crap, I’d completely forgotten about that…

Basically, I answered, ‘why didn’t you deny that we’re getting married?’ with ‘does it matter?’.

Bloody translation system. Why can’t you properly translate concepts?

Rin’s gonna kill me.

Yea… you’re totally going to die. It was nice knowing you, Dad.

No comments from the peanut gallery.

If you’d been helpful, this situation wouldn’t have happened.

It also wouldn’t be even half as entertaining.

Do you think entertainment is more important than my life? Will you be able to survive if I die?

I’m sure that I’ll manage somehow.

[Several minutes of traveling later…]

Rin entered a training room with the picture of duel swords on it.

Are we here?

Step in after her, the room seemed to be some type of arena… and it’s a lot bigger than it, theoretically, should be considering the spacing of the doors outside.

Implying some type of spatial manipulation shenanigans are occurring.

It’s an approximately… 100 meters wide circular space with a sand floor. Don’t quote me on that, though. I’m not usually accurate at judging distance.

It seems she wants to kill you in an honorable duel.

Don’t joke around. It isn’t funny.

I wasn’t joking. Look she’s reaching for weapons.

What?

Glancing over toward Rin, I saw her picking up two swords from a nearby sword rack.

Rin threw one of the swords toward me and said, “Fight me. Winner on first blood.”

I didn’t end up catching the weapon and simply let it fall to the sandy floor. Gazing down toward it, I asked, “Is this really necessary?”

Rin simply nodded.

Sighing softly to myself, I suppose it’s better than straight up attacking me.

Let lay down some ground rules though.

Agreeing to the duel, I replied, “Fine, I expect you won’t cheat using your ability.”

Rin seemed determined and nodded declaring, “I’ll respect your victory, if you earn it.”

“Any other restrictions?” I inquired, picking up the metal sword from the ground.

Rin shook her head.

Seems she doesn’t want you dead. This should be entertaining, I’ll stay out of this.

What? No, help me.

God-hunter?

Seriously, God-hunter, I expect you to help me.

Have fun~