Chapter 35 - Bright Idea

Misao continued experimenting with her newfound skill using Takumi's earth golem summons as practice dummies and made some discoveries on the attack.

Firstly, the destructive power of the attack would increase or decrease exponentially as more wind and fire was added or reduced, which was demonstrated when Misao further increased the size of the ball to that of a large boulder, which thereafter chipped away at the mountains height by a noticeable margin when it was thrown, destroying the army of fifty golems in one strike; in opposition to when the energy was siphoned upon the second experiment, reducing the size to that of a tennis ball which was only powerful enough to destroy one golem.

Finally, in the matter of it virtually destroying the caster, Takumi realized that all Misao needed to do was counterbalance the elements with one opposite to it, as portrayed in the earth barrier. Aiko used [Water Dragon | Fourth Scale: Tidal Defense] which summoned a flowing barrier resembling a tidal wave and it shorted out the fire element of the dwarf star, which neutralized the damage dealt to those on the side of the caster.

"So in conclusion," Takumi said intelligently after the experiments after brought no new results, "this technique is risky to use, you can use the smaller version but only use the full power attack as a last resort."

Misao nodded in agreement as Aiko praised him extravagantly, while Ichika stood to the side, discreetly pouting.

"Let's get back, I'm sure those previous explosions sent the village into a frenzy," Ichika advised with a cold tone.

On the way back, which was of a slower pace than before, Misao's expression gave anyone who saw it the impression that she had something heavy on her mind, even through the satisfied smile on her face.

"Wanna talk about it?" Takumi asked, ignoring the lovestruck puppy version of Aiko who was latched onto him in an elbow lock.

She looked at him for a moment before asking, "You see what I did with that new attack, the innovation?"

Takumi arched a brow as he listened closely for what she had to say, Aiko stopped rubbing her head against his arm like a purring cat for the same reason, even Ichika, who was walking faster at the front to avoid witnessing the cuddles between Takumi and Aiko, slowed down to hear.

"Well…" Misao continued, "…what if we can innovate this entire world, start organizations, like schools to train the abilities of all the beings here, make them stronger and more unified."

At this point, the dragons turned there attention to Misao's words.

"Does she mean something like a cultivation sect?" Mizuko asked in a curious tone.

"Exactly!" Misao bellowed after Takumi repeated Mizuko's question, "we can write down all the skills and techniques in books, about dragon force and ki, that way we don't have to hustle to find dragon hosts, they can just join the sect and learn, the same with all the other species for their respective abilities."

The entire group was astonished by Misao's wisdom, even the dragons, who hadn't dreamt of something like this.

"That's an extraordinary idea, Misao," Ashrock said.

"I agree, I even suggest gathering those dragon force channeling ore and turning most of them into crystals, which can be used to directly absorb the energy." Haruka added, using her own brilliance to add substance to Misao's idea.

Misao repeated the words of the dragons exclusive to her and got the rest of the group on board.

"Now all we need to so us get Sir Lancelot on board and we can go ahead with this change." Aiko said as her personality changed from love struck puppy to serious business woman, to the sadness of Takumi, which he wouldn't dare to show.

They all picked up the pace, ready to pitch the idea to Lancelot.

Upon getting back to the village, they all immediately rushed to Lancelot, where they found him in the same place they left him, almost as if he hadn't moved a muscle since they departed.

"Well?" Lancelot asked after rising from his throne.

Ichika then proceeded to explain all that transpired from the time they left until now, including the reason for the explosions, which smoothly led to the matter of Misao's idea.

"Hmmm…intriguing," Lancelot pondered while stroking his beard, "that would give us a better chance of defeating Urusla…"

The group all took anxious glances at each other, waiting to see if the plan would be approved, when Lancelot spoke…

"I have decided! Misao, that is a brilliant plan, I'll send a bulletin to the other provinces to get them to do the same thing,"

A celebratory mood immediately arose upon hearing this, hugs were exchanged between the everyone present, even Misao and Takumi exchanged a hug, even though it lasted for a mere second.

"Now that we've all settled," Takumi raised his voice after the hugs died down, "I haven't eaten any breakfast!"

A booming laugh erupted.

***

The celebration ended and the group went their separate ways once more, Takumi who remembered that Kirika needed to speak to him about something, went in search of her after leaving the head building.

He soon found her sitting on the porch of his house and rushed towards her.

"Hey, what was it you needed?" He asked as ruffled his hair a bit, getting it a way he felt comfortable with.

Kirika got slightly flustered when she realized how handsome Takumi was but quickly regained her composure, "Can I come in? It's best we talk in private."

Takumi nodded with a smile and soon they were inside his house, Kirika took a seat on a soft chair in the corner of the living room.

"I'll be back, need to change, so just hold that thought." Takumi stated as he left

Kirika unknowingly got nervous as she thought about Takumi's being without clothes, "when did these thoughts start appearing? if only Miss Meril never said this was a way to get a burst of emotions to be a better dryad, kyaaaa!" she thought as her face became a bright red.

Takumi later emerged wearing a smooth, white male tunic and a pair of loose leggings. "So what is it? And why is your face red?" he asked.

"Ah…nothing, I just feel a little cold that's all," Kirika anxiously replied, turning her head away to hide the shame.

Takumi shrugged as he walked over to one of his self portraits, "you know, I didn't think you and this shy side to you, it's cute." he said, flashing a dazzling smile at her, making her efforts to hide the blushing even more stressing.

"Ah...thank you…anyway…the thing is…" she began to stutter, as she tried very hard to say what she had been working up a lot of courage to say, which seemed to disappear in an instant.

"Yes?" Takumi brought a small, cushioned chair next to her, staring into her eyes.

"Eeeeek! So close! Okay, just ignore his hotness," she internally screamed, breaking out into a sweat.

"Um…I need…you to… lay with me," she uttered, her nervousness reaching it's peak as the red colour of her face reached all the way down to her chest.