*-A few days later-*
"Sir? Oh there you are. What are you doing?"
Lotus peeked over the counter and saw me as I had my body down to my waist pushed into the wall.
"Gimme just a second! I'm getting some rats out! Gotcha!"
I stabbed a spike through the last rat and crawled out of the wall. I brushed myself off as I left the counter and sat at a table.
"So what happens next?!"
Lotus eagerly sat down in front of me.
"Well someone's excited. Alright then let's just jump into this shall we?"
*-Roxy-*
I had finally arrived in Roa. The days in the carriage felt as though they were dragging on forever. I unloaded my stuff and sent a message to Rosie once I got to an inn.
I'm in Roa. We'll find out whether or not Lotus is alive within the week.
We had been using these "pockets," as they refer to themselves, to communicate while I was on the road. They were pretty nifty.
Wonderful! Oh! When you find him tell him I've got some gifts. He'll know what I mean.
I was confused at first as to why Rosie always talked about Lotus like they were old friends, and she actually revealed to me that he would use some kind of shadow teleportation to come visit every now and again. He apparently only did it twice, but didn't he know that teleportation magic is not only extremely dangerous, but was also incredibly taboo? Well no I guess he didn't since I never taught him that.
Once I got my stuff settled I went to the adventurers guild and found a similar, but slightly different note than what I was expecting.
Post by: Zenith Greyrat
Location: Buena Village
Hello. I am Zenith Greyrat. I am the wife of Buena Village's low knight, and I am putting in this request for a magic tutor for our twin sons.
We request a patient teacher as one of our sons seems to be cursed. He is very limited in how much he can talk per day, and when he reaches his limit marks appear on his neck. When the marks appear he becomes unable to produce any sound.
Pay: 8 silver pieces
I took down the job request and brought it to the secretary.
Once I was back at the inn I messaged Rosie again.
I've got a wonderful lead. I'll be heading to Buena tomorrow.
It didn't take long for a response.
Perfect! Oh I'm so excited to hear from little Lotus again!
*-Lotus-*
Having heard a knock on the door mom picked me up while Paul picked up Rudeus. They opened the door and stared confused at the girl at the door. Though those who knew her knew that she was much older than she looked.
Clad in her usual brown robes, with her proper stature, and sleepy eyes. Roxy stood there in the doorway. In one hand she held her magic staff, and in the other she carried an extra staff as well as her briefcase.
"I'm Roxy Migurdia. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Mom and Paul both stared stared at her for a bit.
"Um. Don't you know it's rude to stare?" Roxy fiddled with the brim of her hat as she made her claim.
"Huh? Oh! Are you the magic tutor?"
"Aren't you a little..."
Mom questioned if she was the tutor and Dad almost made a comment on her size. Rudy... didn't change.
"She's little!"
"She's beautiful."
"Hey, you- hm?"
Everyone looked at me as I used my space eyes to get out of mom's arms. I bowed lightly in front of Roxy. Rudy wiped the shocked look on his face and jumped down to do the same.
"I take it these two are my students?"
"That's right! You'll find they have plenty of promise."
Mom clapped her hands together. Paul just scratched the back of his head as he warily smiled.
"I've never seen these two act like this. And to see Lotus be so respectful like this is... new."
Roxy tilted her head.
"Is he usually disrespectful?"
"Only to Paul, but that was one time. Back when we decided to hire a magic tutor Paul decided that the boys would also learn swordsmanship. Lotus was... not as eager as his brother."
Roxy looked down at me with a smile that said "What did you?"
All I did was keep smiling back.
"Well then. I suppose I should see what these students of mine can do then."
"I shall take your bags up to your room miss."
"Gah!"
I couldn't help but yelp. I swear I'm convinced Lilia can teleport. I never heard her approach or Paul moving out of the way, and he has some loud feet let me tell you.
"Yes thank you."
Roxy handed Lilia all her things except for her staff. Roxy, Rudy, and I all wandered over to a spot in the yard. I used space magic to make us some stools and a table.
"Thank you very much."
Roxy smiled at me as she sat on her stool.
"Show off."
"Hm?"
"Nothing."
Rudy walked over and took the stool closer to Roxy as he glared at me. I walked over and shifted my stool closer to Roxy. Rudy's eye twitched as he noticed he couldn't move his stool since I bound it to the ground whenever he sat down.
"Alright. So how much magic do you both know?"
"I can use both Water Ball and Splash Flow miss!"
Rudy proudly puffed out his chest.
"I can use all beginner water spells, and some of the intermediate water spells without an incantation."
"H-huh?!"
Rudy looked shocked at me and Roxy chuckled.
"That's quite impressive. Both of you. To be using intermediate magic at your age is unheard of."
"Y-yeah!"
Rudy glared at me with even more intensity than before.
Just like before Roxy lectured us on the basics of magic and had us demonstrate the Water Ball spell. This time though she didn't make the mistake of aiming at Mom's trees. Even the gust of wind that made Roxy's skirt blow upwards happened again. Though for some reason a pillar of solid ice grew up in front of Rudy when it happened blocking his view. Wonder how that happened.
Afterwords we had a small feast to celebrate Roxy's arrival. After the dinner Rudy had gone to take a bath. I walked down the hallway and hummed to myself as I knocked on Roxy's door.
The door opened as Roxy peaked out.
"Hm? Oh Lotus."
"It's been a while."
"That it has. We have much to discuss, Mister God of Nothing."
"Aha. I suppose we do."
Roxy let me into her room. I went over and sat on the bed, and Roxy did the same.
"So uh... where do I start?"
"How about being able to speak. You couldn't do that before could you? Or were you lying to me that whole time?"
"I'd never! To explain that though... you wouldn't happen to have my notebook would you?"
Roxy went over and got something out of her suitcase. It was an ornately designed notebook.
"Courtesy of Rosy."
"She remembers too?"
"Mhmm. She also has one of these things."
Roxy held out her hand and a pocket came out and floated above her palm.
Calling Rosie...
Call Accepted.
"Roxy dear how are you?"
"I'm doing well. I've got someone here I thought you'd like to talk too."
"Oh? Who might this be?"
"Hello Mrs.Rosie. It's been a while. Sorry I haven't been able to pay you back for those ores. Does that debt travel back in time with me?"
"Oh Lotus it's good to finally hear your voice, even if it sounds a little weird over these pockets. And like I said before you have no debt to pay back."
"Thank you Mrs.Rosie. Sorry for the whole time travel mishap."
"Oh please it's hardly a mishap. If things happen like they did before then come over in a week or so. I might have a gift for ya."
"Sounds like a plan."
"Alrighty then. I'll see ya later. Be sure to stay in touch."
"We will."
Roxy pressed the end call button on her pocket and it melted into a spot on her palm.
"You'll have to teach me how these things work."
"I'll be sure to."
I took the book Roxy gave me and quickly used void and space magic to transcribe and translate the story of my past lives onto it. Once I was done I gave it to Roxy.
"This will tell you everything, but I'd prefer if I told you the more important details myself."
I still hadn't felt the feeling of having half my words left.
"Okay. What do I need to know?"
"First thing first. I've lived multiple lives. Once as Khaos Conton, another as Thorn Hanabira, and another as Lotus Migurdia. Now I'm living another as Lotus Greyrat. I was thankfully barely able to use a telepathy spell I learned before to speak the name to Zenith when she was naming me. I've grown rather... fond of it."
Agh there it is. I'm over halfway though now.
"Oh? That... explains a lot. How old are you now?"
Roxy had a complicated expression on her face. Not knowing what to do I decided to just answer her questions.
"Well I died when I was 38 years old, in my second life I reincarnated when I turned 40, I reincarnated into the Migurdian's dead body and traveled with you for a month, and now I've been like this for 3 years."
"So 81? You're double my age?!"
"Shhhh! I'd rather Mom didn't find out her son is old enough to be her grandmother."
"Um right."
"There is one more thing."
"Oh?"
"I'm married. To Death herself."
"Huh?"
"I think now would be a good time to read the book."
"Right."
Roxy read through the book as I sat there awkwardly. Her expression changed a bunch and she had me explain a couple of things at various parts. Eventually the symbols appeared on my neck and I had to write my answers in a different page on the book.
"Wow. So your quite the powerful mage then?"
Roxy handed me back the book so we could continue our conversation.
Yes. Though when it comes to this world's magic I'm still a novice. The way the mana flows is different from the spells I know, so it's taking a while for me to get used to them.
"I see. I need to think about this for a bit. Would it be alright if I held onto the book for a while?"
Of course.
Handing Roxy the book I walked towards the door, but was stopped when a pair of arms were wrapped around me.
"It's good to have you back Lotus."
I held onto the hands that were wrapped around me, and embraced back. I slowly creeped into Rudy and I's room. I slipped into my bed and shut my eyes.
If things went as they did before then the water god will come here in a few weeks time. I've been trying to prepare for this, but most of my attempts are coming up short. I tried making a waypoint in case we went into the void, and while it's almost done I heavily overestimated the amount of ambient mana here. It stills needs a month tops. I might barely finish it if I just don't sleep.
I was also able to return my body to its void composition.
When I turn my body into void I have a heavy coat of magic holding me together. If the coat is removed then I would become a Void Soul. A being made purely of void, however this ran the risk me losing my mind. Literally. My consciousness could be erased and I'd be turned into a rampaging monster. Since that wasn't 100% guaranteed I decided to keep that as a last resort.
Lastly I now had my magic staff. Something I wasn't expecting, but I would gladly accept it. Though I suppose that isn't really the last thing.
I had yet to try out my domains, the abilities I got by eating the old gods. I have the domains of the sun, war, beasts, void, despair, and lightning. I was reluctant to use these since I haven't tried them out since I reincarnated. The only one I used an extensive amount was my domain over void, and that was only because of my mastery of void magic.
Looking out the window I could see that tonight was a new moon. Meaning that tonight should've been a night where my soul leaves my body and I get to see Death. I say 'should' because ever since I was reborn I haven't been able to get in contact with her. I never astral project, and I can't even voluntarily project myself. Could it be because I used time magic?
I'm not gonna be able to sleep tonight. I sighed and rose out of my bed. Looking over I used Fanta's night vision and saw that Rudeus was still asleep. I used my pillow to make it look like I was still in bed, and quietly opened our window and snuck out on a Void Chelicerate. I rode it into the forest, and got down once I was pretty far in.
Since there shouldn't be anyone around this should be a good place to practice my domains. There was a rustle in the bushes and three Assault Wolves jumped out and growled at me. Guess I can try my Beast Domain. I held out my hand and felt a tremor run through me. The wolves were ready to pounce, but their legs slowly started shaking. Eventually once they couldn't stand it anymore they gently walked to me and bowed their heads. A chain appeared in my hand as it split and wrapped around their necks like a leash. They then melted into my shadow.
Now I was able to add their attributes to myself whether that be their strength, claws, hearing and sight, or even their ears or tails. Not that I planned on the last part. I had no desire to be a dog boy.
But didn't that book in the house say that Assault Wolves were led by terminate boars? A loud thump shook the ground and a towering creature stood before me. It was bipedal and had four arms. It was angrily staring down at me. Oh. There it is.
Time to try out the Despair Domain. Looking at the monster's eyes their pupils quickly changed to a dark pink. The monster started backing up as it's breath got faster and faster. I waved me hand and tried my hand at creating a Kumu. What I got was a quick physical manifestation of Fear magic that slashed the momster in half and then dissolved. Guess I just can't do it.
I experimented with that slash attack on other creatures I found in the forest. I couldn't find more monsters so it was mainly just regular wolves and other animals. The slash seemed to hurt the creature more depending on how scared they were. For instance a creature that was terrified of me was cut clean in two, and a creature that didn't know I was there wouldn't be fazed by it.
As some wolves surrounded me I tried using my War domain. Using it I was able to create weapons and use them with skill. It didn't make me a weapons expert, but it gave me the knowledge to at least know what I'm doing.
I didn't bother practicing my Void domain, I knew that one worked. All that was left was the Sun domain and the Lightning domain. Since the sun wasn't out that domain wouldn't do much, so instead I used my lightning domain. I pointed a finger gun further into the forest. There was a shock running through my arm, and with a thunderous boom a beam of lightning exploded out of my fingertips. It shot into the forest and scratched and destroyed any tree or brush that stood in its way.
Yeah I think it's safe to call that a night. I'll need to practice that to better control it. Especially if I plan on using my magic staff. Hopping back on my Void Chelicerate I was able to sneak back into the house and fall asleep. I was pretty tired after all that.
The next day I woke up later than Rudy, but still woke up before Roxy. Downstairs Lilia had finished breakfast and served me a plate as I sat at the table.
"For you young master Lotus."
I nodded to her in thanks as I picked up a fork.
"You know you should be saying thank you. It's rude to just nod like that."
I shrugged at Rudy as he tried correcting my behavior. I only talked as much as I did to make sure everything happened right for Roxy to be hired as our tutor. Now that she was hired I saw no reason to talk as much. I'll probably still talk to mom though. I wouldn't want to make her worry.
"Don't just shrug your shoulders at me! I'm your big brother. Your supposed to respect me."
Rudy kept spouting nonsense at me as I tried enjoying my breakfast.
I finished my dinner and went to practice my magic outside. Specifically my magic eyes. I'd still not gotten used to having six eyes. They were pretty uncomfortable and if I wasn't careful in the bath my bangs would stick to my forehead and get caught in my top eyes. Very painful.
So far I've been doing better with some eyes than others. My eyes from top to bottom are void, time, and space. I use the void eyes best, but that's because it's the only one of the three I have a full domain in. All my void eyes did was further increase the power of my Void Domain.
My space eyes let me create matter and control gravity to a very limited extent. It seems my lack of talent for space magic is a hinderance here. I couldn't pick up anything heavier than 25 pounds, and I could make myself completely unaffected by gravity, but I can't seem to do the same for other objects. Though when I got angry I was able to shove objects similar to how I threw Paul around when he tried forcing me to learn swordsmanship. I was slowly learning how to control it, and with my knowledge of space magic I would make more progress eventually. I didn't read all those books on space magic for nothing. I knew it all, but knowing how to do something and actually doing it are two different things.
Then there were my time eyes. The eyes that took the spot where my regular eyes should be. They were definitely the ones I could use the least. They let me do two things. I could see slightly into the future by about ten seconds, and I could move an object forward and backwards through time. I could move it five minutes into the future and five minutes into the past. I've been trying to break through whatever wall I had in front of me, and while it was a big one I felt I was very slowly making progress.
Looking up at the sun I decided to Practice my Sun Domain. I held out my hand and activated it. I felt the area around me heat up and when I lowered my hand there was a fireball floating above it. I was able to mold the ball like putty and through it back into the sun.
It's basically fire magic but better.
I trained my space eyes for about an hour until Roxy woke up. Once Roxy ate she came back outside to teach Rudy and I. For now we decided that she'd work to get Rudy caught up to my level. With the free time I had I decided to practice with my Thunder Domain.
I walked to the other side of the yard and started meditating. If I wanted to use this better by the time Reida showed up I'd need full control of it. Her sword won't do much to block it, and if I can control it properly she won't be able to dodge either.
As I meditated I let tiny sparks of electricity wander around me. I controlled the small waves of electricity as they circled me and slowly brought them together.
I opened my eyes and I could see a small orb of electricity floating in front of me. Roxy and Rudy were too involved in their lesson to see what I was doing. Now that I had this ball I just needed to found out how much power was in it. I assumed that it wouldn't be much since it was made from scraps of power.
Just in case I sent it into the air before releasing it. It was a really good thing I did.
BOOM!!!
"Aah!"
"Gah! What was that?!"
Rudy and Roxy both looked around to see what happened. I pretended to look around to. I looked innocent enough since I was still sitting in the same spot as before. When both of them looked at me I just shrugged my shoulders.
Paul and Zenith came outside to check on us, and Roxy told them about a loud explosion. Paul decided it was likely something to do with monsters and went to go increase guards' patrols in the forest.
The next couple of days had been uneventful. I'd decided to just use my spare time to work on the waypoint. If I spent every minute I could I may just be able to finish it. This body technically didn't require sleep so I'd spent the last few nights in Paul's study working on it. I also spend my time working on it while Rudy is trying to catch up to me.
It's been five days since my little electrical practice and I'd went downstairs to go use the bathroom. I swear using the bathroom in a hole feels so barbaric. I'm gonna have to do something about that.
When I went back upstairs I saw Roxy approaching Rudy and I's door. She looked over surprised when she heard me walking through the hall.
"Just the one I was looking for. Can we talk?"
I nodded my head and Roxy let me into her room. We both sat across from each other on the bed.
Roxy handed me the book.
"So you're real name is Khaos?"
"Yep. Khaos Konton."
"And you call yourself the God of Nothing?"
"Yeah. That one's a little harder to explain."
"Could you try?"
"Sure. The type of magic I specialize in is called Void magic. It encompasses nothing and turns it into something."
I formed a small ball of void above my hand and moved it from one hand to another. It looked like I was controlling a ball of ink with my mind.
"Void is the physical embodiment of nothing, however it's what holds everything together. There is a little bit of void in everything. Meaning that everything is nothing, and nothing is everything."
"I'm confused."
"Most are. Think of it like this. Everything is made of Time, Space, and Void. Time is how an object changes as it grows older, Space is that object's existence in reality, and Void is what holds it together. Void is the glue that holds everything together."
"What's glue?"
"I'll teach you that later. But back to the point. When I killed the gods that killed my friends their domains started breaking. The concept of Lightning, War, Beasts, Despair, Void, and the Sun all started falling apart. So I did the only thing I could do to fix it."
"You... ate them."
"Yeah. Once I did that I gained the power of their domains. This didn't fix the problem though. I needed to choose the title of God and I'd gain domain over what I chose. Since I needed to fix six domains I chose God of Nothing, and once I filtered that through my new Void domain it extended to Everything."
"So you can do whatever you want?"
"Yes and no. I can do whatever I want with the domains I currently have. If I didn't limit myself I would've torn myself apart with the overflow of power."
"Right. Let's leave some of these questions for later. The water god... is coming, right?"
"It's likely. I went back in time so she'll likely arrive in the next two weeks or so."
"And she's..."
"Coming here to kill you. But there's no way I'm letting that happen."
Roxy looked at me. Her face screamed worry and thanks at the same time.
"How have you been preparing?"
"I'm working on a few things. I'm getting better control over my domains, I've got the staff, and I'm making something called a waypoint."
"What's a waypoint?"
"I'll go get it. Give me a second."
I snuck through the walls and through the doors and reappeared in Roxy's room with the waypoint.
"It looks like an amethyst."
"Yeah. It's the space magic holding the crystal together."
I tapped the top of the crystal and thousands upon thousands of tiny magic circles floated around the room. Countless lines connected each one to the crystal and even more connected them to one another.
"Woah. Are these all carved magic circles?"
"Yep. It ties down reality to set coordinates. Once this is done I'll have a safe way to teleport out of the void."
"If you have it's domain can't you just make you're own way out?"
"Not the way you're thinking of. I can easily send myself and others to the void, and I can just as easily take things out. However once inside all connections to the outside world are cut away from me. This waypoint helps me focus on a point outside the void, and will allow me to make a way out. It's not done though, and I honestly don't-"
Crap. Ran out of words. Strange, didn't feel the usual clamp in my neck. I flipped to the back of the book and started writing.
I don't know when I'll have it done. I might finish it before she gets here, or I might not. For now I'm still preparing for if I have to fight her outside the void.
"Can't you just send her to the void though?"
Well. There's already a Reida Reia in the void. If I sent a second one in there it would cause a paradox that could destroy the void and everything inside it, and I'd rather not have that happen.
"Okay... so... if there is a Reida in the void. Can't you just eat her and gain her powers. I'm not fond of the idea, but wouldn't that give you a better chance of success. I'd really rather you not die."
...
Face palm.
Why didn't I think of that? Hang on.
I jumped onto a leviathan outside of Roxy's window and flew towards the woods.
Once inside I held my hand out and a portal opened up. Falling from inside it an old Reida fell to the ground. She was old before but not being able to exercise for three years really took a toll on her.
"Ugh. It... it's yo-"
Reida was cut off as I jabbed my hand into her heart. I ate what little meat she had left on her and burned her bones with my Sun domain. The flames were much weaker because it was night, but they got the job done.
Expelling the blood off my clothes and mouth I flew back to the house and into Roxy's window.
"So uh. You did it?"
Yep. It's gonna take me a bit to actually filter through her techniques though, but I'm already getting a basic understanding of swordsmanship and the Water god style. There's even some Sword god techniques in here.
"It's really that easy for you isn't it?"
Blame it on my Leviathan blood. If you want to take it up with my parents you'll find that I don't have a dad, but my mom is my daughter and I'm my own grandfather.
"Huh?"
It's complicated.
"Right. Anyway can we consider the Water god beat then?"
Maybe. This is telling me everything about her, and I'm getting what I need to do to counter these techniques. So probably.
"Phew. That's good. So onto the book then. I've got some questions."
Ask away.
"You're wife. The reason you astral project is to go see her right?"
Yeah. Well... not so much recently. Ever since the whole time travel thing I haven't seen or heard from her once.
"Oh... I'm sorry to hear that."
Hopefully whatever magic connected us can be fixed soon. She's the one who set it up so I've got no clue how it works.
"I see. So you're an actual God?"
Through and through. Though with how strong Reida is it seems that the gods I'm used to are weaker then her. So for now it's best to not assume anything.
"I think that's fine for now."
Mkay. See you later.
"Yeah. See you later."
I got off the bed and walked towards the door.
"It was you that made that big boom wasn't it?"
I turned and saw that Roxy had a smile on her face that screamed "I knew it!".
Sorry. Can't learn how to properly control something if you never practice, right?
"Yeah yeah. Just give a little warning next time."
I gave Roxy a thumbs up and walked through the door. As I fazed through I barely caught sight of Rudy and I's door closing. Guess we've got a little eavesdropper.
I'll deal with that later. I went into Paul's study and started working on the waypoint. Making new circles, connecting that circle to the waypoint, and then connecting that circle to every other circle. It was tedious, but necessary work.
Though it may also be kind of pointless. Now that the other Reida was outside of the void I could just send this one there, but I didn't want to have another loose note. I'll just kill her. Worse case scenario I have to fix the collateral damage from my Lightning and Sun domains.
I might even be able to pull something with my Despair domain. If she gets even the smallest twinge of fear I could win, but that's assuming she doesn't fly into a wild frenzy.
Roxy and I grew a little closer over the next week much to Rudeus's chagrin. Though I've had this nagging feeling. As if someone was watching me. I thought it was bad at first, but I've noticed that when I felt their gaze on me I felt a very familiar chill run down my spine. However this could simply mean someone powerful was watching me, so I didn't want to get my hopes up.
I've gained a more powerful control over my Lightning domain. Though for better control I had to sacrifice some power, but it'd be worth it. By absorbing ambient magic in the air I was able to build my physical strength. Call it cheating, but I'm getting every advantage I can get against Reida. She had enough techniques and knowledge on swordplay that I was still sifting through information.
With the knowledge I'd gained I'd say say I'm somewhere around King rank in Water god and Saint rank in Sword God. I was a little iffy in my placement in Water god style, but I knew for a fact I was a Saint rank Sword god swordsmen. Through Reida's knowledge I gained the ability to use a technique called the Longsword of Light. To become a Saint ranked Sword god swordsmen you needed to be able to use this technique.
I've also gotten accustomed to consciously and unconsciously using battle aura, also known as Touki. It's like using mana to make invisible armor on yourself, but the armor is weightless and extremely thin. The more ambient mana I used to build muscle the stronger my Touki got. I say build muscle, but I'm not actually growing any. If I wanted to grow taller or look more masculine I would have no problem augmenting my appearance, but any muscle I put on myself would simply be for show. It wouldn't make me stronger.
Also Rosie got a hold of the same merchant from before. I went over and got to visit with her which was nice. She let me dine on a thief that tried breaking into the diner and I gained the knowledge of a North King. Apparently there were a lot more of those then there were Water or Sword kings.
I showed the box of ores to Roxy. We decided to shelf the box for now. With her helping Rudy catch up to me, and me using all of my time to prepare for Reida we didn't need to add another thing to our list. However now that we had the box we could use that date as a reference for when Reida would get here. We had a week and three days from that day, meaning we now had four days until Reida showed up.
From how it was looking I likely wouldn't be able to finish the waypoint in time. Since it would be useless whenever she got here I've paused my work on the waypoint, and have instead started practicing swordsmanship at night. Reida's sword was the perfect combination of heavy and light. You were able to put plenty of umph into your attacks with its heaviness, but it was also light enough for you to move it quickly for parries and counterattacks.
The sword itself was gold with black intricate patterns along the middle of the blade.
I had the knowledge and instincts of the styles, but I still needed to practice on my own. I'd fully absorbed all of Reida's knowledge. Once it reached Water King the amount of knowledge was less broad then before, and I absorbed the knowledge faster. The techniques I practiced most were Flow and Deprivation Sword Kingdom.
I didn't join Rudy and Paul's sword practice, since they weren't even sparring yet. Paul was just showing Rudy proper exercises and showing off stances.
Besides the learning boost I get from my War domain helps me learn fast enough anyway.
At this point it was just me nitpicking what to train for Reida's arrival.
Tomorrow. Tomorrow Reida Reia would be arriving in Buena Village, and I wasn't just basing that on my knowledge from the past. I made a bunch of tiny leviathans and sent them out of Buena, and eventually I saw two familiar faces riding towards us on a carriage. Well I should say it was her sword, since she was using her cloak to hide her face. They'd be here early tomorrow morning.
As much as I didn't want to, Roxy and I decided to reveal my identity as Lotus Migurdia to my family. I'd have to do this soon anyway since Rudeus was starting to act weirder and weirder around me.
Once everyone was awake Roxy and I said we had an important announcement.
"What is it Lotus dear? Is something the matter?"
"I know this may sound odd. But I am not Lotus Greyrat. My real name is Lotus Migurdia."
"Huh?"
"Lotus that doesn't make any sense."
"I knew it!"
Paul and Zenith looked confused while Rudy looked accusingly at me.
I sighed and changed my body to look how it did before. I grew slightly taller with long blue hair. I didn't have my mandibles, but my six eyes remained.
"This is what I looked like before. I was forced to use forbidden magic to turn back time, and in the process I was reborn to Mom."
Dad confusingly glanced between everyone.
"Hold up what? I'm not understanding any of this."
"That's fine. What you do need to know however is that Reida Reia is going to come here in the next twenty-four hours."
"As in the water god?!"
"Yep. And she's coming her to kill Roxy. So I'm gonna kill her."
"Woah woah woah! Why would she want to kill Roxy?! And how exactly do you plan on killing her?! You're only three!"
"Don't worry about it. I beat her once I can do it again."
"I'm so confused."
Paul looked as if he had exercised all day. He exhaustedly put his head in his hands.
Mom also looked shocked. So did Rudy though I think that has more to do with someone coming to kill Roxy.
"You're gonna protect us right?"
Rudy looked at me with a questioning glare.
"Of course. This is the closest thing I've ever had to having a real family. Of course I'm going to protect it."
It may sound like I'm ignoring the leviathans, but my statement wasn't really wrong. In my first life my family was distant because they feared my power, and they banished when I made the sea empress. In my second life I didn't really have brothers or sisters. It felt more like a bunch of younger relatives coming together to help the old ancestor. Even when I made friends with the leviathans that were my siblings by blood, it still only felt like I was making a friend. The only one I'd call my true daughter would be the sea empress, and the only true grandchild I'd say I had would probably be Scy.
This was the only time I could say I had a whole family. Even if I don't really acknowledge Paul as my father. But it really did feel like Zenith was my mom, and even though he was a pervert I'd still happily call Rudeus my brother.
"So are you my son?"
Zenith looked at me. Her eyes looked like they were ready to cry.
"If you'd be willing to call me your son. Then of course. You're the only momma I've ever had."
Zenith jumped up and hugged me. She was still a bit taller than me, but I didn't mind. Momma was happy so everything was fine.
"My little Lotus is gonna fight a god. Please Millis keep my boy safe."
Things were a bit awkward after the announcement. We didn't reveal to them my first two lives. Tonight would be the first night in a while where I got some sleep, but before that Roxy called me into her room.
"You wanted to- hm?"
Roxy was laying in her bed and reached her arms out to me.
"Come here. Lay down."
I laid down like she said and she held me like she used to when I was first brought here.
"Just like old times huh?"
"Yeah. It is."
"So um. If this is the closest thing you've had to a real family. Can I ask what I was to you before?"
"Sure. At first I saw you as a sort of older sister, but as I spent more time with you I started viewing you as more of a good friend. Ya know?"
"I see. Good night then Lotus."
"Nighty night."
The next morning I got up early and went outside. Lilia was awake and had made me some food. I didn't need it, but it was appreciated.
Paul was there too. He said he was gonna watch and jump in if I needed help. I told him to just watch from the window. Some of the techniques that both Reida and I would be using would be enough to kill him just by being to close. He reluctantly agreed. Both Zenith and Rudeus came downstairs as I walked outside.
Looking through my leviathans I could see that she was about five minutes away on foot, but that's assuming they don't start running. Guess I could send a warning.
I raised my staff to the sky and the clouds turned grey. As a deep rumbling could be heard in the sky Reida and her granddaughter started running to the house. When they were a minute away I brought my staff down and a large bolt of lightning slammed down onto them. Looking down it seemed like they both moved out of the way. Seems even with Reida's knowledge I underestimated their speed.
I stuck my staff into the ground behind me, and I pulled my sword into a stance I knew Reida would recognize.
As Reida and Isolte ran towards the gate Reida immediately grabbed ahold of Isolte and stopped running. She stayed silent as she looked and studied my stance. Had they been a hair closer they would've been in range of my Sword Deprivation Kingdom.
Reida warily eyed my sword as she grasped her sword's hilt.
"His sword is the same as yours grandmother, but didn't you say your sword was a custom gift from a friend of yours?"
Isolte hadn't seemed to realize the situation, but I could feel the tiniest sparks of distress rise in Reida. And that was all I needed. I invoked my Despair Domain. One of Reida's biggest weaknesses was her age, however her physical prowess and skill often made up for her age her heart could only take so much, and when her heart goes from its usual heart rate to about ten times it's normal rate in less than a second even she can't do much against that.
I shifted my sword and quickly executed a Longsword of Light. She reacted quickly by executing her own Longsword of Light, but her exceedingly high heart rate made her falter and she executed a Longsword of Silence instead. I seamlessly cut through her left wrist separating her left hand from her arm.
"Grandmother!"
"Hush."
I waved my free hand and a gas spread at Isolte at high speeds. As soon as she breathed it in she passed out.
"What... did you... do to her?"
Reida had dropped her sword and was desperately clutching her chest.
"She's just asleep. Answer my questions and you may leave here alive."
So for the next hour or so I questioned Reida. Using my Despair Domain I was able to sense when she lied and could prod her brain with despair until she spoke the truth. Forcibly injecting fear into someone's brain makes them oddly truthful you know.
So as it turns out the reason she came here was because the Prime Minister of the Asura Kingdom claimed that god himself came and spoke to him. He told him to do whatever he could to kill the one named Roxy Migurdia, a Saint Ranked water mage residing in Buena Village in the Fittoa Region.
After that question was answered Isolte woke up. She was aggressive at first, but she calmed down after she realized that Reida and I weren't fighting anymore.
"So... sir. If I might ask. The technique you were preparing... to use when we got here."
"Sword Deprivation Kingdom."
"Yes. How... do you know it?"
Knowing there was no way I had enough words to explain this I brought my magic staff to me with my space eyes. Reida watched curiously and cautiously. From what little knowledge I had it seemed that gravity magic was unheard of in this world.
"Before I tell you this I must have you do one thing for me."
"And... that would be?"
"Be my subordinate. Pledge your loyalty to me, and only to me."
"If I... say no?"
"Then I kill you. Right here right now."
"And Isolte?"
"If she comes after me I'll kill her. If she leaves I'll spare her. Her actions will decide her fate."
"Alright. I'll be your subordinate. I, Reida Reia pledge that my loyalty shall belong to you until I die."
Reida struggled and did her best not to stutter or falter in her pledge.
"Then come here. I shall grant you a magic eye to ensure your loyalty."
Reida slowly came forward. Isolte screamed out as I plunged my hand into Reida's eye socket. Despite me literally reconfiguring Reida's eye with magic she barely flinched. I pulled my hand back and looked at Reida. Her left eye had been replaced and was now dark pink. Grasping over it was a dark skeletal hand looking like it was about to grab the eye. The wrinkles on her face were disappearing and her hair was going from gray to black.
"That eye comes with many benefits. Your wrinkles are already smoothing out, and your hair is losing its gray color. Don't get the wrong idea however. This isn't eternal life. All its doing is using a bit of life magic to give you some of your youth back. The eye also gives you the ability to see the fear in others. If you train it hard enough you will be able to see the cause of their fear. It also acts as something called a pocket, so I will be able to contact you at anytime from anywhere. There is one more thing for you to know about that eye. If you betray me, or talk to someone about betraying me then it will implode and destroy your brain as well as destroying your soul. However, so long as you remain loyal then it shall remain harmless to you."
One thing I didn't tell her was the fact that the eye made her subservient to me, so her betrayal was impossible anyway. It overwrote a bit of her personality, but she'd only willingly bow her head to me or those closest to me.
"I understand. How may I be of service to you?"
"For now let's go inside. I need time to think, since things have gone much differently than I originally thought."
"Understood. Come on Isolte."
Isolte carefully held her grandmother's hand as we went inside. Paul and Roxy both looked scared, but also seemed ready to fight as they held their sword and staff respectively.
"Woah woah let's calm down! She's a friend now."
"Hello. I believe you and I have met before. Paul was it?"
"Y-yeah. Uhm. Weren't you just fighting my son? To the death?"
"I was, but in truth even fighting Dragon God Orsted never made me feel fear quite like this. Now I've gotten into a position where I shall serve him."
"Okaaaaay. How strong are you Lotus?"
Paul looked flabbergasted at me.
"Extremely."
"And that must be Roxy."
Reida looked towards the kitchen where Roxy was stanced up. I saw her fear spike up, but I quickly made the fear disappear. Roxy's face went from terrified to a "yep just a normal day" kind of look.
"I'm Roxy Migurdia. It's a pleasure to meet you."
"Pleasure to meet you as well. It's not everyday you meet a Saint rank water mage. Sorry for the whole coming here to kill you thing. You can trust me when I say I have no intentions of doing so anymore."
"Right. Hehe."
Roxy while not being scared was still a little anxious.
"So Sir Lotus you said you'd tell me how you learnt my technique after I pledged my loyalty to you?"
"Yeah let's sit down real quick. This'll take a minute."
The conversation was basically the same one I had with my family. All I remember is waking up in a labyrinth, falling back asleep, and being woken up by Roxy. We wandered around for a bit until eventually we came across a tutoring job and came to Buena. After a few weeks Reida arrived, and I fought her in the void. After I beat her I absorbed her knowledge, but I was stuck and had to use three extremely powerful magics to escape the void. I got sent back in time and for the past three years I've been preparing for Reida's arrival, but it seems that I over estimated her quite a bit.
Though to be fair a person can only do so much whenever despair itself forces its way into your brain. I'm just glad Reida's the type to be loyal instead of fearfully lashing out. She might prove to be useful.
"I see. You're much more powerful than I thought. You may even surpass the Dragon God."
"I'd have to see him first, but it's not unlikely."
Mom, Dad, and Roxy all looked deadpan at me.
"Lotus she's talking about someone called the strongest being in the world. Do you really think you could stand a chance?"
Paul was doubting me. Not shocking but still. Come on man. Have some faith in me.
"Again it's just a maybe. I've never seen Orsted before so it's all theoretical."
You know now that I think about it it won't be much longer until I'm back to the present. I was actually kind of getting used to knowing what was gonna happen everyday. I won't be able to give Paul warnings about monster ambushes, or give Zenith advice on what medicinal herbs to have ready.
"Well I say we all have breakfast. It's still quite early on in the morning after all. Miss Reida would you like to join us?"
"I'd be glad to Miss Zenith, and please just call me Reida. My position here is even lower than that of the maid."
"R-right."
For obvious reasons breakfast was a bit awkward. Not to mention the fact that Reida was progressively getting younger and younger as more time passed to the point where she was only about five years older than my parents instead of twenty years older. After breakfast Roxy, Rudy, Reida, Isolte, and I went outside. Reida turned to me to ask me a question.
"So sir, what can I-"
I felt a burning feeling in my time eyes and I felt a sharp pain in my chest as my perspective was pulled upwards. Looking around I saw a flash of light blue and Death was clutching onto my shoulders shaking me.
"Hey! Where the hell have you been?! And what did you do?! Everything has been a mess and I haven't been able to form a connection between us!"
I looked down and saw that I was a vague outline of my old body. I could see Roxy holding me as I was astral projecting. Rudy was no longer outside, and neither was Isolte.
It's been an odd ride that's for sure. Let me explai-
"You'd better!"
I told Death about Reida's attack and how I'd reversed time after teleporting into Zenith. Needless to say she gave me an earful about time magic again.
"Sigh. Honestly I really should just come down there already. You've already told that Roxy girl about you, and just what do you have planned for that Water God? She's quite the looker."
I have no plans related to relationships planned for myself involving Reida. She's simply my subordinate, but you can have her if you want.
"I'm fine. You're all I need."
Well now you're making me feel bad. You say I'm all you need, but then I go and look for other women.
"Oh please. I'm just happy to make some new friends. As I'm sure you're aware I don't get out much. Besides it's not like they'll be taking you away from me."
If you say so. Though if you come here then what's gonna happen to the girls?
"Oh they'd be just fine. They've gotten quite strong you know. They could get here on their own if they wanted to. Oh! I've actually got a bit of news for you."
Hm?
"Dae's gone ahead and found herself a boyfriend."
Oh? Is he good, or am I gonna have make another time reversal to kick some ass?
"First off don't joke about time magic. Second he's good. Do you really think I'd let some barbarian lay a finger on one of our girls?"
Good. Well if you say their all good I'd love to have your company. Roxy is kind, but she's quiet and only lets me get close when we're alone. She won't even let me sit next to her. Rudy is a perv, and I'm about ninety-five percent sure he's a reincarnate. Paul's also a perv, Lilia is distant, and Mom is a little too loving.
"Well look at you mister critic. I suppose you'll need some company then."
I was feeling the familiar sensation of being pulled downwards.
"See you later then, my little songbird."
With a wave of Death's hand I went back downwards. When I opened my eyes I saw Roxy looked down at me with a worried look. Reida looked like she knew I'd be fine.
"Ugh. Where'd Rudy and Isolte go?"
"That's why I woke you up. There was a bright flash and they disappeared. Reida looked and found them in the house though. But the thing is..."
"Where is Mister Lotus?"
Rudy was looking annoyed at Isolte. We went inside and Paul eyed Reida warily.
"It's like they don't remember anything. Also they're all calling you "Mister Lotus." Well expect for Zenith. She's still calling you her son, but Paul is getting really confused anytime she does that."
I got up out of Roxy's arms and walked towards Mom and Paul.
"Lotus!"
Mom ran forward and pulled me into a hug. A pro of having a void body was the fact I didn't have to breath. So unlike Rudy who Mom would hug at any given moment she would hug me whenever she felt like it, which was usually two or three times a day. She hugged Rudy more since he'd force his way out of her hugs. She could give me more love in one sitting since I couldn't suffocate. Wanna guess who mom's favorite is? Bet you can't.
"Lotus! Zenith! Get away from her! She was just trying to kill you!"
"I told you about it just before breakfast. Reida's a friend now."
"Before breakfast? We haven't eaten yet. You disappeared with Reida then showed back up in Zenith's stomach then you disappeared again. What's going on?"
"And this is why I said you shouldn't mess with time magic."
Rising out of my shadow, Death stood with her set of wings fully held outwards. I ran up and jumped up to sit on her shoulder. To fit a little more comfortably I went back to the look I had when I was reborn to Zenith, but I kept my long blue hair, so really it just looked like my face was a little more feminine and I shrunk.
"Whose that?"
"Aaaah. So cold and comfy."
"Truly my songbird. You're the only mortal in all of existence to find comfort in Death's aura. I'll never understand you."
"Lotus. I need an explanation. Now."
"I believe I could give a better one. First of all allow me to introduce myself. I am Death, the husband of the man who sits on my shoulder."
""Huh?!""
Everyone but Roxy and Reida looked at me shocked. We all sat down and Death gave everyone an explanation as to what time magic was, it's dangers, and what happened.
Apparently whenever we reached the point where I initially reversed time, instead of time continuing on the timeline switched back to the previous one. Why it didn't do this before? I've got no idea. Honestly man fuck time magic. It's way to confusing and convoluted.
This meant that everyone else remembered me as the Migurdian who arrived here with Roxy. The only exceptions were Roxy, Rosie, Reida, and surprisingly Zenith. Roxy and Rosie were likely because of their pockets, and Reida was probably because of her eye. Mom however I had no idea for, so I'm just gonna call it mother's intuition.
"I hate time travel."
"And that's why it's banned. Sir Paul where does one go to buy land around here?"
"Buy land? What for?"
"Why to make a house of course."
"Oh uh. Just find yourself a spot and build it. Just try not to get too close to anyone's house or field."
"Thank you very much."
Death picked me up with one hand and sat me down on another chair as she went outside. I grew back to my Migurdian body.
"As expected of you sir. You've married quite the women. And at such a young age as well."
"Grandma! Why are you being so weird?! Didn't we come here to kill the blue haired demon?"
"I'll tell you about it in a minute dear, but we aren't going to kill her. What shall we do Sir?"
Hmmm? She had a good question. From what I could understand about Darius from the info Reida gave me he likely was going to want physical evidence of our deaths.
"Come back this evening. I'll give you some fake corpses to bring to Darius as 'proof' of Roxy and I's death."
"Understood. Come Isolte. We've got some time to practice your swordsmanship, I'll also give you an explanation on the situation since you've forgotten."
Isolte and Reida went outside leaving me, Rudy, Roxy, Paul, Lilia, and mom inside.
"I need a nap."
"Didn't you say you had breakfast already?"
"It's been a long morning, and talking through this staff costs more and more mana the more I use it. I'm already starting to run low."
I got up and went towards my room. I went inside and plopped onto my bed. I slowly drifted away into sleep. Seems like things are gonna change quite a bit starting today.
And chapter 3 finally arrives. This took me way longer than I thought it would to write. I wore the first 2,000 words the same day that I released chapter 2, and then I didn't touch it for like 3 weeks. Whenever I did start writing on it again it was a very slow burn, but we're finally here.
I think I did a good job with the Lotus and Reida conflict. Lotus and Thorn both fought Reida in my fanfics. Thorn can beat her much easier since he can just cheat with gravity magic, but since Lotus isn't as proficient in space magic as Thorn he simply doesn't have the magic power to do it. He has the knowledge and strength to learn it with trial and error, but he probably won't be doing that anytime soon.
Lotus is the kind of person to fully expect powerful opponents to be either as strong or stronger than him. So he trains and does whatever he can to get stronger to beat them. This often leads him to heavily overestimating his opponents.
Also since I did ones for the Godkin on my other fanfic here's a status card for Lotus.
Name: Khaos Konton, Thorn Hanabira, Lotus Migurdia, Lotus Greyrat
Titles: God of Nothing, Husband of Death, Death's Left Hand, Shadow of Death, God Killer, The Devourer
Equipment: Sword of the Water God, Speaker Staff, Summoned Leviathans
Magic (in terms of the six faced world)
Lightning magic: Emperor
Despair magic: Emperor
War magic: King
Void magic: God (With Void Eyes)
Beast magic: King
Space magic: Advanced
Life magic: Intermediate
Water magic: King
Fire magic: King (When using fire domain in the morning. Doesn't release smoke.)
Summoning magic: Saint
Sword
Water God: God
Sword God: Saint
North God:King