Troubles With Solutions

"Who are you?! Why are you trespassing?"

Travis began to slowly unsheathe Lumen, "I'm here to collect something."

"Put down your weapons! Otherwise face the consequences!"

"I don't think you have the qualifications to say that."

"Then prepare to-"

"Halt!"

A powerful voice rang across the area. Travis' attention was drawn to it. For the voice carried a hint of authority.

The figure spoke, "Lower your weapons, this one I wish to speak with."

The figure was of a calm demeanor, dressed in luxurious clothing. An individual of authoritative stature. This was, without a doubt, a High Ranked Demon.

The Demon spoke, "To think I would have the opportunity to meet you, would it be impolite to ask for your presence over some wine?"

This was intriguing, Travis had entered the Demonic Plane fully expecting a fight as soon as he entered. Instead he was asked to chat.

Perhaps it would lead to something interesting. With this in mind Travis responded, "As long as said wine is not poisoned."

"Haha! How could I be rude to a guest. Please, follow me."

Travis followed him throughout the manor. For he was originally teleported into its courtyard.

The Demon spoke as he walked, "To think I would meet the famous Dot. Especially here in the Demonic Plane?"

"You know of me?"

"People of similar position would be hard pressed to not know you. After all your name is quite spread amongst the semi-immortals."

"Ah, I assume you hope to make quite the deal with many of them?"

"Keen eyes, I believe they are a key to a door of a new world. As I investigated them, your name appeared quite often. A name feared, questioned, and praised all at once."

"And you're certain that same person is me?"

"Well you hold an incredible similarity to the description. One with two swords, and a mask with a singular dot. Additionally being shrouded in a veil of mystery. Imagine my shock when my own eyes couldn't see through you."

The Demon sat at a table, two chairs on opposite sides. The set was placed against a window, providing a wonderful sight on the Demonic Plane.

Travis sat on the opposite end, admiring the view.

The Demon cleared his throat, "Allow me to introduce myself, High Ranked Demon Huynio. What brings you to the Demonic Plane?"

"High Class Demon Hearts."

Huynio paused momentarily before laughing, "You fit the rumors quite well! So you came for my heart is it?"

"Not yours specifically."

"So the circumstances are as so. How amusing."

"You can pin the blame on the demon who dropped me here."

"Haha!"

A servant came by and poured two cups of wine. They bowed and swiftly left, as if never arriving in the first place.

Huynio swirled the cup, "Are you aware of the current situation?"

"Is something happening?"

"So you aren't, that's troublesome and helpful at the same time."

"Is this information not something I should know?"

"Everyone in the Demonic Plane is aware of it, so it isn't classified information."

Huynio took a sip of the wine, "The Demon Lord position is currently empty."

This was huge news. The Demon Lord position held absolute authority over the Demonic Plane. A position craved by every being that resided in it. If that position was empty then the entire Plane would be put under stress from constant political and physical wars. All until someone is capable of claiming the spot. The Demonic Plane wasn't discovered by players until farther into the future, when the Demon Lord had already been selected.

Travis drummed his fingers on the table, "So I seem to have entered at quite the opportune time."

"Which is why it's also troublesome. Having to face an external enemy is certainly not worth for me currently."

Placing the cup aside Huynio leaned forward, "So how about a deal?"

"Go on."

"I can provide these High Class Demon Hearts, depending on how many you need. In return I need your. . . assistance."

Travis could already assume what was occurring, "Two then, I assume in return you wish for me to eliminate a competitor?"

"You catch on quick, exactly. Currently we are in a tight position of politics, and switching to physical battles would be extremely unfavorable to me. You, however, are someone from outside here. Someone who would be unaware of what is happening. Someone who could not be tied to me."

"Then who is the target?"

"A High Ranked Demon named Muryl, the only one who poses a threat to my current position. Kill him and I'll reward you with two High Class Demon Hearts."

This was getting interesting, for Travis was quite familiar with the name Muryl. A Demon that once struck fear in the name of many.

The Demon Lord from his past timeline!

~ ~ ~

'To think you are capable of learning formations this quick.'

Kan'na shrugged, "It's quite similar to what I do, just some minor tweaks here and there."

'Many would want to choke you for saying that.'

"Hehe."

Kan'na finished a rune and a four point formation began to glow. A holographic figure appeared and danced a bit before the entire formation vanished.

'All that for a small show?'

"I'm experimenting the various things I could do. Thought I do think using four points was a bit overkill."

'Do you think you are capable of handling a five point formation?'

"Hmm? Didn't you say that even talented Two Star fighters would struggle with one?"

'I did say that, but I think you may provide interesting results.'

"I'll bite then, let's give it a shot."

Kan'na rapidly wrote several runes to fill the five pointed star shape. Her speed was something that impressed Treylit. Usually speed wasn't used at all when it came to formation writing. For a single mistake could cause catastrophic results. However Kan'na was incredibly accurate and precise with her writing. Not a single flaw could be seen just yet.

Kan'na finished writing and activated the formation. She examined it as it began to glow. Treylit watched in fascination, 'You created one so easily, what incredible talent.'

"I don't think it's talent. Rather just an understanding."

'To understand is the base of talent, to gain glimpses into things others could not. That is talent.'

"Hmm."

Kan'na snapped her fingers and the formation disappeared, "Still the effects weren't as good as yours."

'I have spent many a century gaining my knowledge, if you had met my level this quickly I would be incredibly embarrassed.'

"You seem to have grasped my way of writing spells."

'It is as you said, they hold incredible similarity.'

"Then perhaps we should change our focus."

'What would that be then?'

Kan'na pulled a twenty-sided die out of her bag, "This."

It was the die she had obtained from the chest after the fight with Rygeth. She hadn't quite figured out how to properly set the outcomes, for every attempt she tried had resulted in failure.

'This is a unique object, you plan to use it?'

"I believe it could create some interesting outcomes."

'Then how do you plan on using it?'

"To have the outcomes assist me, I have created scrolls and such before but the same method doesn't work on this."

'Oh? Allow me to see.'

Kan'na held it out in an open palm. Treylit lifted it through a form of telekinesis and examined it. After a few rotations she asked, 'May I perform a few tests?'

"Go ahead."

Several magic runes appeared, various formations were written on each surface. All seemed well until the twentieth side was completed. The die flashed before the formations were erased.

'Oh? It rejected the outcomes.'

"Which is where I'm stuck."

'Then perhaps.'

A few more tests were performed as Kan'na and Treylit tossed ideas back and forth. Every attempt resulted in failure.

Suddenly Treylit spoke, 'I do believe I have a solution.'

"Oooh! What do you have in mind?"

'I believe the outcomes do not match the power of a die.'

"Hm?"

'We have been attempting to make every outcome extremely favorable. Yet a die has twenty sides for twenty different outcomes. Each of different varying levels.'

Kan'na had lit a lightbulb in her head, "That makes sense! Why didn't I think of that? So instead of making all the outcomes good. I should make only some good, and the other mediocre."

'I believe the more drastic the difference between the outcomes is, the better the effects will be.'

"Then I should make some of the sides unfavorable?"

'That might be too much. I think further testing is required.'

"I concur, let's get to brainstorming then."

The two then became immersed in studying the cube. Two individuals with new knowledge to share. A wonderful bonding experience, if only more people were like this.

In a world where knowledge is exchanged purely out of passion, what could be achieved?

As Treylit spoke with Kan'na, a long buried want to learn began to arise once again. She had believed there was nothing else to discover, a land with no discoveries left to be found.

Perhaps it was fate that she had come across Kan'na.

If it was, then fate was kind this time around.