Where's My Beach Episode?
Strength ???
Speed ???
Defense ???
Intelligence ???
You know, all this time I've had so long to think. To think about everything. Really! You know what? There is still one thing I don't get…
I just don't get it at all…
Even though I had been put in a situation of my dreams it didn't stop my nightmares from coming true…
Again…
Why had someone died in front of me due to my recklessness?
It felt like I was repeating the same question from years ago. A girl from my past I should have forgotten. Katt should still be alive.
All I wanted was one beach episode…
…
Hey and guess what? I learned something. That's right! I learned that hard work and determination won't get me anywhere! So here I lay and here I stay. I'm never getting my beach episode either way so why bother putting in so much effort?
So that's my life now. I'm not even sure who I'm talking to anymore. My mental buddy is gone so even this is pointless. Guess I'll stop talking to myself. Sorry, but I don't think I even have the energy for this.
I just don't want to do this anymore.
"Why? Just because you didn't get your dumb beach episode?" A piercing voice cuts through the silent space.
I don't even need to look up to see who the person talking is. Not that I care anyway.
"What do you want?" I ask.
"Well, I simply wanted to converse with my dear vessel - I mean companion."
I stay silent.
"Well, I furthermore arrived here to apologize. Perhaps if I had been a little more meticulous this wouldn't have transpired."
…
"I also believe it's in your best interest to hasten up sooner or thereafter. We have so many unexplored opportunities that we could be taking advantage of. Yet, you moping about so miserably will not support any of us."
…
"Ahen" He clears his throat. "How do you plan to get to your great goal by laying down in defeat?"
"I don't care," I responded.
"You what?"
"I said I don't care anymore. I'm done."
"Do- Done? No- No we are just beginning there is so much left to be done. We have done so much as well. I don't see a possibility where it can just-"
I get up and look at him.
"Persistence, I said I'm done," I say to him.
"Persistence, I said I'm done." He says to me,
I watch as Akari once again slumps back down in his bed. His body not too different from a man that's dead. Well, he may practically be anyway. I had a feeling but this puts it in stone that Akari is done.
But that doesn't mean I am.
After politely giving my goodbye to Akari and him politely pretending I had already gone I leave him be.
Like before I have a plan and this time I promise it will work. The fact that what happened with Akari was indeed not what I had attended to happen. That result only happened due to unfathomable bad luck.
If Akari had simply done what I said everyone- well mostly everyone would be fine. I even predicted Akari's human emotions into the equation so there shouldn't have been any reason it went down this path…
Well, I won't speak for why such a plan failed but I can say for why this one will succeed. This time I can fully become confident in it because I will be the one in charge.
In front of me is a computerized transparent slab. I quickly begin typing away on the slab. It flashes past multiple windows, many staying open and floating nearby. The names of these include, personality, background, relationships, overall intelligence, and memories.
Once all are opened I tap the green glowing button on the slab. Doing this closes all the windows but transfers them into a small floppy disc-like object. After taking it and putting it nicely in my pocket. I use the slab for one more thing.
Using it once more I quickly tap a few buttons until a ringing sound starts playing. I stand there for a moment until a ray of light arrears in front of me brightening the normally dark space. Once the light calms down in front of me reveals a normal-looking person in a suit.
Well just because they may look normal says nothing to what they truly are.
"I was hoping to discuss something with one of the great servants, preferably the one I spoke about the anomaly problem with," I say to the smaller than average person.
"I understand your desire however due to a… Matter~. The great servant 7 and the rest of them were unable to accept your distress call. Which is why I Lesser Servant 7 have come to your request, I hope I can still be of use."
I kinda just think while they speak. I rarely see a Lesser Servant normally they are too busy with whatever random task the great servants give them. Servants for servants, odd. Almost as odd as Lesser Servant themself.
Gender? Can't conclude. Personality? None. Appearance? Strangely robotic. Power? They must be hiding it. I simply can get a read on these guys if I tried. They are truly masters at hiding what they're really thinking.
"Well, I can only assume all the great servants are occupied with something of great importance so I shall not sulk over it," I say trying to stop my head from thinking too much.
The lesser servant's head turns away from me after I say that.
"Great importance is, well, an overstatement in this certain circumstance."
On the servants' face what seems to be a hint of embarrassment shows for a split second on it. Fascinating.
"Ehem well, enough of that. The reason why I called you here is a request to gain control of the host body," I tell him.
What was maybe only a fraction of embarrassment leaves as soon as I start speaking and they become quite unreadable again. I watch them as they take out a notebook and flip through it.
"Perseverance 7-17 you should be allowed to do this easily even at an early stage. What seems to be the problem? I swear it says in your records you've done this before."
"Well, you see I am requesting an indefinite takeover of the body's host until the host wishes they want it back."
Lesser servant looks at me and then back at their notebook several times. I had a feeling this would happen if I talked to a lesser servant.
"Indefinitely? That's impossible, it's against protocol." He predictably talks about protocol.
"Protocol of who? It's my power. Technically I should be able to use it however I want."
"The protocol should not allow you to ever overpower the host. This is a complete and utter disregard for the rules."
"Rules, rules for what? This is not a game. I am asking nicely to be requested special unrestricted access.
"1-99 is the reason for the rules. The 8 Great Ones have made them for the safety of everyone. Your job is to keep your host safe with these rules in mind. Breaking the rules will only do the opposite of your purpose.
Hearing the name 1-99 definitely brings back memories. 1-99 or Impetus is not one I heard for a while, not since my first host as a matter of fact back when I was just 7-1 I was told horror stories of them from The Great Seven, Persistence.
When I was younger I spent much time with my great one. Well, I guess every skill soul must have when they were first made. The only exception to that would of course be the named impetus.
With him being the first skill soul he had to be the first for most things and everything he learned would have to be from experience not even His Great One helped him. This led to the horror story we hear about the first skill soul that broke mentally and physically.
Though most people think it from his 99 attempts he's not actually the skill soul with the most. That honor would be 2-234 Resilience. From my knowledge, they are going strong and still trying to become a god.
Well, technically all skill souls' final goal is to become a god or I guess our host to become a god.
The true reason why impetus was removed was because of simply how he treated each… Failure.
I pray not to become like him one day but that's the exact reason why I'm here talking to this obedient rule follower.
"This is a case of importance that if the great ones would have known about would change the rules for it."
"I doubt there is such a thing they would overlook."
That comment slightly tikes me off but it was exactly what I was waiting for them to say. Behind me, a panel shows itself glowing. The glowing light reveals a window showing what Akari is doing.
At this time and most of the time it's what he's not doing that is the problem. Akari is hardly alive.
"Look. This is what fowling the rules has caused us so far. We're lucky he's still alive."
"His physical state is not of my concern, that should be your problem."
"The only reason he's still alive is because of me. Without the skill, he would be dead right now."
"As stated I can't-"
"He'll die, you know."
"What?"
"If this continues Akaris' death with being something I can not stop. I hope you remember that this death will be on your hands not mine."
"Lesser servants are unable to kill humans…"
I just redirect his attention back to the screen showing the half-dead body.
If these emotionless servants are supposed to be obedient drones, what happens if I, instead of convincing it with emotion mush, I instead convince it with a dilemma. Sure one is the direct breaking of the rules while the other isn't but what's important is the priority of the rules and I have the feeling killing something is more important than giving a skill soul a bit more power.
"With the power given to me, I Lesser servant 7 gives you the indefinite ability of body control of the host. Only when the host says they wish to return will the pact be broken." They say as their hand outstretched to me covering me with a light that soon fades.
"You've made the right choice."
"I'll make sure greater servant agrees that"
His saying that is a bit worrying but even if he didn't say it I would have expected it anyway. I expected Greater Servant anyway so even if he does come angry I can still deal with him.
The lesser servant doesn't say or do anything after that except turn away and disappear. He left as if he wasn't even there in the first place. Fast enough for me not to see him and so silent not even can I hear the air move.
With all that done I feel like celebrating but I don't. I still have much more to do after all and to do that I need somewhere to be.
In front of me is the usual empty black space I normally live in. I close and open my eyes. Again I see my realm. Again. No difference. It's not until the third time that I open my eyes that things change.
This time I'm in a room laying on a bed. The room has some notable objects, a desk with a plate of food on it, there's-
Food! Quickly I reach over to the assortment of bread and watery soup on the desk. I shove the food into my mouth letting the insane pain of hunger I was feeling fade away. I barely have much time to breathe as the moment I'm not trying to eat something I'm washing it down with water.
Normally I and every other skill soul I've talked to, including authority, have a reduced to none taste of hunger. Damn was this kid trying to starve to death?
I make sure the plate is clean when I'm done with it. Normally I have more of a refined taste. I care more for aged cheese and exotic fruits. Yet I can't help but crave more of that slop. Thinking about it just makes my stomach growl.
Speaking of it looks terrible I can see my ribs and overall this body is not in the best of shape. The skin is also more pale than normal. He truly left his body in an awful state. One that I care for others including me not to look at.
I rummage around the room looking for the cloak Akari got from Mara. It's a type of outfit I tend to like more than others. I truly hate the current outfit he has on. It's some truly tacky school uniform.
It's definitely something the elites would love to talk about all day with each other. "Oh wow look at my emblem I think it's more shiny than yours." "Oh ya well my uniform has yet to get a single thread torn off."
I shudder thinking about it. These uniforms fail on every ground of being charming. That includes the tacky colors and school logo which seems to be more like a war emblem than something for a school.
"Nobles aren't really the thing I like to… Oh hi, Kira." I was about to rant out loud in the hope an elite would hear me but instead, I notice the slime on the bead staring right at me.
Well 'starring' isn't actually true, slimes don't have eyes after all. Or any human features to be clear. Yet right in front of me, this slime transforms to have the exact figures I just said they can't have.
I watch as the slime turns into a human girl. A human girl with light blue transparent skin, not too different from a slime monster. She wears a white dress and a bow in her cute jelly hair. Overall 8/10.
It's interesting seeing Kira transform into a human-like form. I guess it makes sense with all the gems she was eating it must have made her evolve into a Slimekind. Though it's strange, she never showed any changes. Did she do it all at once?
The only reason to do it like that is for the speed. Evolving step by step takes more time but is safer so most monsters just do that.
Also, the Slimekind form she chose is odd. Normally Slimekind are bigger and scarier looking. They are a hunting type that chases and traps their prey. Yet the form she has is more peaceful looking.
I'm starting to worry about how much influence Akari had over this thing. I at least hope its stats aren't restricted.
Strength 200
Speed 200
Defense 100
Intelligence 400
"Ah," I say as my body forcefully falls to the ground.
Damn, I can't even finish a basic appraisal without feeling like I'm going to pass out. Akari truly had no care for his body, did he? Well, at least that appraisal made me figure out she is still strong. More than normal actually.
"Oh no! Uhh Akari are you ok? What- what should I do?!" Kira frantically asks as she trips 5 times just trying to get to me.
"Window" Is what I'm able to get out of my mouth struggling not to pass out from the pain I'm feeling.
"Right! Fresh air! Right away Master!" She says and soon does quite effortlessly as she picks me up and sits me down at a chair at the window.
Normally getting picked up like that is definitely embarrassing yet In this state I don't really have any right to pick or choose. If anything I should be grateful. Though I'm not just at this window for some fresh air instead I'm going to do as much as I can for right now.
Taking a breather I take much more time to activate appraisal making sure to be careful of not overbearing this body. While I wait I notice how strangely quiet Kira has been and how productive she's being.
She has already gotten me some more water, she's found Akaries cloak outfit, and she's standing right behind me. I suppose that Kira doesn't even need much convincing. I'm really Akari even though she should technically be the hardest.
From the looks of it, she must be going through some form of guilt. Well for me that just makes my job easier. I already have one convinced and sure I'll have to keep up appearances but the beginning is normally the hardest.
After waiting a bit I once again I activate appraisal and the skill Night Vision outside the window. Multiple items start to get appraised at once and I start feeling the horrible headache once again. So before it gets any worse I start to only focus my attention on one thing at a time making sure to take it slow.
After a bit, multiple things catch my eye. Close to me is a courtyard that then leads to a wall to the outside. Inside the courtyard seems to be a couple of people walking around, most likely guards. More adult-looking figures seem to be making out.
Other things that I find interesting is the number of people entering a smaller building. What is it and what are the people doing? No clue. I like their outfits though. Seems like they ditched the school uniform for a more mysterious look. Other than that I don't care.
Outside the walls is hard for appraisal to get much of a reading. Not only because of how far it is but also because of the barrier surrounding the school I'm in. Reading into the barrier it seems to be one to do multiple things mostly monster related.
There are multiple things in the spell that show it's supposed to repeal, block, and then hurt monsters that come in contact with the barrier.
I take a glance at Kira without moving my head to see a healed but still visible wound on her arm.
There are then some miscellaneous things the one making appraisal have trouble is skill blocking. It seems like the barrier only stops things from interacting with inside and outside. If you're already inside it there doesn't seem to be much trouble.
Though it's still really annoying how I can't see what's out there.
"I need a better look," I say out loud.
Without even knowing what I'm talking about Kira is already moving me off the chair and into the open window. Kira lets go of me as soon as I hold on to the window for stability.
Now let's see here. The things of note seem to be a cave maybe a mile or so from here. Seems like that's where a lot of monsters are located. There doesn't seem to be anyone… There seems to be someone really far out there near that cave I mentioned.
However, I can't seem to get an appraisal on them.
Someone is coming to my room. I turn around as I feel the vibration of footsteps come closer to my room. Now facing the door I see that Kira has already turned into a slime and is hiding under the bed.
Without Kiras' help, I'm forced to stay in this position that depending on who opens that door would be hard to explain.
There is a knock with them stating who they are and them saying they are coming in.
When the door finally does open it reveals that this person was in fact Ren, Akares' sister.
"Akari, get the hell out of the window you suicidal shit!" She is more annoyed than I thought she would be.
I guess she really is his sister.
"Humph"
"Did? Did you just humph at me?!"
Akari has a very specific way of dealing with situations. Mostly he doesn't. However, with the fact this is his sister he likes to deal with that a bit differently.
"I don't know know what worse the fact you thought I was about to kill myself or the fact you called me a suicidal shit, rude."
I watch as Rens' face turns from scared and annoyed to relieved and annoyed.
"In that case please describe why you're hanging out the window," She asks me.
"Other than catching the teachers having an affair? Well, I'm scouting out the next play to beat up some mobs. I mean I can't just get all the girls at this school to like me quite yet can I?" I say striking a pose almost falling out the window.
"Geez, fine if that's all I'm going to leave. Meanwhile, you should get yourself out of the window and stop spying on people ya weirdo!"
"Ah, do you think you could help me out first? It was kinda hard to get here in the first place." I don't even finish saying that without Ren already leaving.
I shall count that as a win. The two people that know Akari the most have been dealt with.
Once Ren leaves I notice Kira getting right back to work. Leaving the bed and getting ready to help me. Though before she does I take one last look outside the window. I try to find him again but the silhouette quite a far distance away is nowhere to be seen.