“Are you serious? The fucking Thousand Year’s that close? If she’s supposed to be a nexus of power, well, I don’t feel a thing,” Clyde said.
“You need to have a very specific ability to sense her wavelength of magic, especially from this far out,” Amina said. “Listen, everyone. She’s not someone we can fight. If she gets too close, I highly urge us to go to Terravon until she leaves. Or not cast magic for the entire day. Not even accidentally.”
Clyde nodded, humoring the sorceress. “You got it. Thanks for the warning by the way.”
Amina simply sniffed. “You should express your gratitude by training in Stone-Tokken.”
“Yeah, yeah,” Clyde said. “Anyway, I’ve got a few things to do.”
He started out the door, feeling the curious women’s pursuit.
“Clyde,” Chika called. “Come check this out. Clyde?”
The young man closed the front door behind him. Must not get distracted!
“Pervy-nii!” Natalia cheered from a few yards away. The young man sighed. And then an evil grin emerged on his face. No, he wouldn’t run—fuck that. Clyde didn’t realize he had the Gin smile on his face as he looked at the loli.
She gulped. “Uhmm, I’ll just come back later.”
He snatched her and Naoko up before they could take off. Not that the kuudere loli resisted. She didn’t seem to care about the predicament, choosing to rest in his arms.
“You’re making this less evil by being adorable, kid,” Clyde said to Naoko.
When he opened the door with telekinesis, he presented Chika with the same evil smile. She gave him a sheepish smile.
“Naoko, dial up Toru,” Clyde said. “Team Stone, we’re going to do some hardcore training. I think Natalia and Naoko will think of something nice.”
“Yay!” chanted the lolis.
“Airi.”
Airi flinched upon hearing Clyde call her name. She almost made it into the hall. Amina actually laughed, amused by the sudden playful military-like attitude the young man presented to his team. That and Airi had always been a bundle of humor.
Clyde continued. “Airi, go let our hornet friends know that we’re coming and that I expect a greeting from Ai Tel Nekta. That name’s too long—”
“She shall be known as Ai-chan from now on,” Natalia interrupted.
“Or you could just call her Ai,” Clyde deadpanned.
“I like Ai-chan, Onii-sama,” Naoko said, her calm kuudere voice, which lacked emotion, pulling his attention.
“Not you, too. You guys can call her whatever you want, I’m just sticking with plain and simple,” Clyde said.
“Onii-sama, I believe that is called being a party pooper,” Naoko said. That silenced the entire room as everyone turned to look at her. She simply stared back with kuudere eyes.
Clyde sighed and let it go. She didn’t know better. Or maybe she did, but wasn’t quite good at expressing herself.
He looked at Kitome.
“What?” the tsundere said, turning away with her cheeks puffed into a pout.
“Nothing,” Clyde said. “Just thinking about how cute you were when you transf—”
Kitome anime-dove into him, covering his mouth, blushing heavily.
“Don’t bring up weird stuff,” she quickly said. “What’s the deal with the training? Are we going to beat up some hornets?”
“I’m pretty sure Natalia’s far more creative than that,” Clyde said. The loli-witch placed her hands on her tiny hips and gave Kitome a smug grin.
“Meanie girl, I hope you’re ready to feel the burn,” Natalia said.
“I’ll show you some burn,” Kitome said in a threatening voice, which made the loli instinctively launch herself into Harumi. She stuck her tongue out at the magical girl.
“Let’s not start the day getting on each other’s nerves,” Clyde said. “Anyway.” He paused as Misaka and Ming entered the front room. “Awesome. I take it Airi has spread the word.”
“Yeah,” Ming said. “Good thing Tear bought me these new running shoes.”
“I hope you’re all ready to get strong,” Clyde said. “Natalia’s not going to hold back.”
“I hope it’s running,” Ruri said, ears perked up, tail wagging.
“Nya, you guys have fun,” Chesire said, loafing about on the sofa with Neko and Ako.
“Ako, whack some sense into those two and bring them along,” Clyde said. “We could also use your samurai advice.”
“Sure thing, Lord Stone,” Ako said. She grabbed a newspaper.
“Nyya, wait, I yield,” Neko said. Her sister still whacked both her and Chesire on the heads with the rolled-up newspaper.
“We’d like to join too, if you don’t mind, Clyde-sama,” Chiyo said, entering his personal bubble. “Please take me.” The room froze. “As your pupil.”
“I won’t say no,” he said. His horny urges continued to stir, imploring him to get Chiyo into a room for a late-morning cookie. She was all over him until Ming pulled her back, cheeks puffed into a pout.
Chiyo seemed completely oblivious to her jealousy.
Eventually the rest of Team Stone arrived. Noona… brought guests. Well, technically they arrived a minute before the busty blonde demoness, but the young man needed to place the blame somewhere. Selkie, Myriad, and the edge lord had appeared.
“The great lord of the dark approves of your decision to train,” Dark said. “You never know when monsters will attack. But fear not, for I will give you my protection and join you on this endeavor.”
Even Princess Kaguya shot Dark a blank stare, her opinion of him dropping.
“Dummy blond, I think I’d rather be stuck with you on an island over that one,” Natalia said.
Seth sighed. “Please don’t lump me in with him, brat-dudette.”
“It’s always a pleasure to see you, Selkie,” Clyde said. “Can I hope this is a normal visit?”
Selkie smothered Clyde with a nice breast-filled hug. “I wish things were that simple. We’ll talk at your training grounds.”
“We have guests waiting for us there,” Clyde said. “Assuming Airi contacted them.”
“Sure did,” Airi said. “Through Druidry. Man, they really are scrambling. I almost feel sorry for them.”
Clyde shrugged. “Pecking order. Besides, remember the good ole days of them always attacking on sight.”
“I know, right?” Alice said. “I forgot how much of a stress reliever it is for my demon blood, beating them up from time to time.”
A drop of sweat fell from the back of Selkie’s head as she chuckled. Harumi softly facepalmed.
“And that’s why she’s cute,” Tear said. “Now let’s go. The temperatures are supposed to drop heavily in the late afternoon and I want to be done before then.”
“I’m with her,” Kanako agreed.
“Same,” Undine said. “Maybe we should go to the hot springs after training.”
“Not a bad idea,” Sazuki said. “I need to take my mind off the piles of student council work from the upcoming semester.”
Kiko sighed. “I sure hope you don’t end up like Professor Hinako.”
“What about me?” Hinako and Tetra stepped out of the dark elf’s car. Tetra waved.
“Sorry we’re late,” Tetra said.
Clyde gave them both a Gin smile. “Oh no, you’re right on time. And I’m confident Tear has everything magically prepared for those two, right? Training is going to be sweaty. The hot springs will be perfect to brace for the upcoming temperature drops.”
Hinako and Tetra both shot him a Toru-approved blank stare. Hell, even Toru joined in on it.
“Sure hope Thousand Year Dragon talk doesn’t ruin this day,” Selkie said, causing Clyde to sigh.
“A little late on that aspect, I’m afraid,” he replied in a deadpan voice.
Episode 69 (Part 4)
Late morning…
Libado Grasslands…
Ai, the minor forest deity, and the hornets were hosts as
well as Team Stone’s audience. They didn’t seem to mind, most likely having nothing else better to do than steal honeybee honey or listen to their queen whine about not having a sex drive. Good thing the minor goddess had to possess the queen hornet to interact with Satovia directly. Clyde was sure she could manifest, but something most likely prevented her from doing so.
Toru started the group with the basic combat training before moving onto the advanced segments. Ako also chimed in, adding in valuable tips and tricks, and even breathing and posture. Natalia and Naoko took charge of the magic teachings. Clyde used that opportunity to, at last, read his books. The only one he decided not to use was the Book of the Diplomat Path. Something felt off about it. He also didn’t use the Book of Cucking for obvious reasons. It felt like a collectible rather than something actually useful.
[Book of Blue Ki, level 2. (Upgraded by Tear.)]
[Book of Dual-wielding: Item class: *Legendary.]
[Book of Dual-casting: Item class: *Legendary.]
[Book of Tri-casting: Item class: *Legendary.]
[Book of Blood Ki Spell: Possession. Item class: *Relic*. Item value: *priceless*.]
[You have learned passive Blue Ki skill: Reptilian Communication, level 1. You may converse with and understand all reptilian animals and dragon races regardless of form. You may also influence their will. The higher you level this skill up, the more will you can exert. You have received +1% dragon blood.]
[You have learned passive skill Dual-wielding. With this, you may successfully wield two weapons at the same time. Chances of triggering a duo attack increases.]
[You have learned Dual- and Tri-casting. You can now cast up to three spells at the exact same time. NOTE: this can and will drain a lot of MP at once, depending on the spells. However, with it you could accomplish some intense feats. Discovering new abilities and experimenting is truly within your grasp.]
[Are you sure you want to learn this Blood Ki skill? Warning: the use of Blood Ki is highly dangerous and can be damaging, even fatal.]
Clyde selected yes. Why the hell wouldn’t he learn from a fucking RELIC-level book? His only regret was that the item would be gone, leaving his relic count at zero. Sure, legendaries were difficult to find, but relics were damn near impossible. The young man wondered if anything beyond them even existed in Satovia.
[You have learned *Blood Ki skill: Possession, level 1. Skill class: **Relic**. Target one sentient being. You may possess that person for up to fifteen minutes, assuming you’re about to dominate his or her will. The WILL stat will play a huge role here. It is highly recommended to raise it as much as possible. Ki Crests such as Command, Submission, Domination, and Critical Thinking will carry you a long way. The possession time increases with a higher level.]
Clyde blinked. All of Maki’s Ki Crests, and one of Tessa’s. He’d have to start “training” with the purple-haired young woman again. The challenge was to ask Maki at a time that wouldn’t draw the attention of Yuki or any of the other women. He wondered if he should just tell Tear. The succubus didn’t get irritated in the slightest at anything that involved sex. Well, she didn’t show it.
The young man looked up, watching the entirety of his team train hard. An idea came to mind.
“Listen up,” he said, gathering the eyes of all. “We’re going to put on a show for Ai—”
“Ai-chan,” Chiyo corrected, gaining the blank stare of Clyde. He mentally noted that they still needed to further discuss the dragon business, as well as Sol’s allies. No one wanted that asshole returning from the dead. He’d have to hurry before some bullshit occurred such as the Viper resurrecting him to use against Team Stone. Good thing only Clyde knew where to find Sol’s ashes. Ha! As if there was anything left of him.
He also had the Falcon’s item chest, which he’d personally analyze. “Anyway,” Clyde continued after shooting the elder Rose Dragon sister a blank stare, “we’re going to have a mini-tournament. I’ll be randomly selecting some of you to show off your skills. Without killing each other, of course.” He looked at Harumi. “If it’s okay with Harumi that is.”
The fox girl nodded, blush faint. “I’ll heal any fighter after each match. But do make sure that you eat something after this. Your body will need natural energy to stabilize itself.”
Clyde noticed the excitement in Alice’s eyes and almost laughed. The short young woman had a habit of radiating cuteness at some of the most unexpected times. However, he soon noticed that she wasn’t the only one. The demonesses seemed to crave battle. Well… Chika was one hundred percent human, yet still looked excited. The young man had an excellent match-up for her. He chuckled evilly.
“Shouldn’t we have a host or referee or something?” Kiko said, smiling. Clyde took note of the two fangs that accompanied the rest of her teeth, reminding him that the black-haired girl was a vampire. Yet sunlight didn’t seem to bother her. Well, she did stand in the shade. Nina, Toru’s gothic loli vampire assistant, carried an umbrella. And whined about losing it.
“Any volunteers?” Clyde said. “I could do it, but my job will be to analyze the fights. I also plan to—”
“I’m entering, too,” Selkie said. “You and I will fight.”
Clyde grimaced. “You’re way too overpowered.”
Selkie laughed, smacking Clyde on the back. “I forgot about your sense of humor.” She gave Clyde a Gin smile. “You are letting us participate, right? The chuuni could use the practice. And I want to see your progress. Myriad’s gotten a lot stronger, too.”
Clyde sighed. “Fine. Anyone who wants to fight the Entity can. Test your strength.”
“I can be the host,” Princess Kaguya said. Kanako floated over to her, patting her best friend on the shoulder.
“Awesome,” Clyde said. “Call the matches on knockouts, surrenders, you know. The usual things.”
The Alonian princess nodded. The young man couldn’t help but admire the ghost girl thing. How it worked, no one would probably ever know.
“Let’s get this thing rolling. Everyone take a few minutes to prepare, get water, whatever. Not everyone will be selected, because we don’t have the time—but be ready anyway,” Clyde said.
“The first fight will be…” He motioned for Kaguya to come closer, then whispered the contestants in her ear.
The princess seemed to take a page from Noona and played the role. “Our first lucky combatants shall be Tear versus Yuki!”
“The great lord of the dark shall enjoy being entertained very much,” Dark said. Myriad elbowed him in the gut. “Oof. What was that for?”
“For being an idiot,” Myriad said.
Clyde smiled at Tear and Yuki. “Show me what you’ve got.”
Fortunately, Yuki was dressed in sweat gear like everyone else, rather than her maid outfit. Even though she still kicked ass in it. She’d gotten tremendously stronger since being freed of Nezerath’s bond.
“Please don’t hurt each other too much,” Fumi said to the two of them. “We’re all friends here.”
Harumi and Fumi were the most loved on the team for a reason. The slime girl didn’t participate in the training, accompanying Toru right after work. She was currently in human form, sporting a business skirt. She also had on a light jacket. The young man wondered if the late afternoon’s plummeting temperatures would affect her. He didn’t want to put that to the test.
Clyde thought about dialing up Clare, but decided against it. The beautiful shrine maiden ran a business and had bills to pay. She didn’t have time to participate in Team Stone’s silly little tournament.
“Pervy husbando-nii!” Natalia dove into him. “Put me up against someone really strong.” She snuggled into his chest.
Clyde caressed her head, chuckling. “You know I will. But—”
“I know, don’t use the seven seals,” Natalia interrupted. “I don’t need them anyway, pervy nii-sama.”
She cheerfully scurried over to Naoko and Nina, boasting. Asu sat at Clyde’s side, her eyes watchin
g the Stone Maidens converse with Melody, Noona, and Chika.
“Thank you… for bringing them back,” the cute lich girl said. “I’ve never thought I’d come to love them so much.”
Clyde nodded. “That’s good to hear. It’s going to take the team some time to get to know them, but after that talk, I believe things will go well.” He forced himself not to think impure thoughts about Ichika. His eyes were attempting to look at her breasts.
After the break, everyone sat and watched the field as Tear and Yuki stood a short distance from each other, glowing with immense power.
“Nya, and I thought we were the mad ones,” Chesire said.
Clyde chuckled.
“This is going to be fun,” Tear said.
Both smiling combatants took a fighting stance for unarmed combat. The young man knew he wasn’t the only one leaning forward, eager.
Abruptly, Yuki’s aura engulfed the entire area, stirring up wind so strong that even Clyde’s power seemed to be challenged. The young man thought she’d rush Tear, but that wasn’t the case.
[Yuki activated Enhanced Self-Sharpness Plus. All stats dramatically increased!]
Tear smirked as she pointed a glowing finger at the demoness.
[Tear activated Silver Tier skill: Dramatic Rose Blast.]
The pink and red blast of magic hit the ground where nothing stood. Still, Tear blocked Yuki’s glowing strike, grabbed the kuudere demoness’s leg using her tail, then flung her forward. That didn’t matter since Yuki simply teleported somewhere. The young man was a little annoyed tracking the fast demoness, making him feel like a supporting character in Dragon Ball Z. Now he knew how they felt during Goku’s fights with saga boss characters.
Yuki reappeared at Tear’s side, hand full of glowing gray magic.
“Here,” the kuudere demoness said as she unleashed the spell.
[Yuki activated Gold Tier skill: Ground Zero Negative Gravity Blast. This is an unblockable attack.]
Somehow… …Tear still blocked it, her smile wide, devilish, and alluring.
The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #14 a LitRPG (ATS) Page 10