vrcanaries Chapter 58 Heavenly Palace Arc: Prequel "The World Magician"
Chapter 58 Heavenly Palace Arc: Prequel "The World Magician"
Time flies, and another year has passed since Ming left Japan and returned to England.
(In 1998, the time when Yamai split and Nanami was transformed into a Spirit, because Yamai was difficult to reverse and Nanami appeared, I had most likely already descended to the Neighborhood, so I didn't pay special attention to it.)
At 6:30 a.m. in London, England, Ming tiptoed into the kitchen, opened the refrigerator door, and took out fresh ingredients and bread.
His movements were skillful and fluid, as if he had repeated this process countless times.
He gently cracked the eggs into a bowl, quickly stirred them with chopsticks, then lit the stove and poured in an appropriate amount of oil.
When the oil temperature was just right, he carefully poured the egg mixture into the pan, which instantly made a sizzling sound and released an enticing aroma.
Meanwhile, Ming was busy slicing ham, washing vegetables, and arranging them on plates. Before long, a nutritious and delicious breakfast was ready.
He carefully plated the food, paired it with a steaming cup of coffee, and then brought it to the table.
After finishing all this, Ming didn't stop. He turned around and went back to the bedroom. Looking at Chestnut, who was still fast asleep on his bed, he sighed, then poured the cat food into a small bowl some distance under the bed.
Finally, Ming took a satisfied look at everything he had carefully prepared, then changed into an eye mask and a black suit, picked up his keys, and quietly left the house.
On the way, Ming thought of his adorable lazy cat at home and couldn't help but sigh:
"Oh, she's really cute. After all, she's a child that Sawa and I adopted together."
Ming knew that Chestnut had lived for more than 11 years, but according to the average lifespan of a normal cat of around 15, his child was probably about to leave him.
With that thought in mind, Ming walked step by step to the door of the SSS underground training room.
As Ming gently pushed open the door, his movements were incredibly practiced, as if he had experienced this scene countless times before.
He quickly dodged to the side, and almost instantly, a dazzling red figure pounced on the spot where he had just been.
"thump!"
After missing her target countless times, Fierdo landed headfirst on the ground.
"Ouch! That hurts, little Klein! Why did you avoid your sister's warm hug?" She covered her head, looking a little annoyed.
Ming shook his head helplessly, "Senior Feierduo, could you please not be so reckless next time... although I've been saying that to you for almost a year now..."
Ming knew very well that ever since he witnessed those poor children in the orphanage ultimately being beyond saving, something had quietly changed deep within Fierdo's extremely sorrowful heart.
She began to develop a certain degree of dependence on herself, although this dependence was not particularly strong, it was still clearly perceptible.
However, despite this, I always find various excuses and reasons to politely decline Phildo's dependence.
Perhaps it's because he's afraid of taking on too much responsibility, or perhaps it's because my own already twisted heart can no longer hold anyone other than family.
Just as Ming was still deep in thought, Fierdo stood up, dusted off non-existent dust, a fleeting sadness flashed in her eyes, and then she immediately changed her tone and said:
"Hmph! Little Klein isn't cute at all~ But I, your older sister, was the first one waiting for you at the door when I heard you had something important to do!"
"Oh, something big? I remember taking on some particularly challenging missions within the year I came back..." Ming began to think quickly after hearing this.
At this moment, the training room door opened again, and a large number of SSS newcomers poured out.
They surrounded Ming, their eyes filled with curiosity and inquiry. One of the newcomers spoke first:
"Senior Klein, have you heard? This news is absolutely shocking! You've actually been nominated as a World Magician! This is an incredibly prestigious and remarkable honor! Moreover, this nomination of you isn't something just anyone could accomplish!"
"That was personally represented by the British Royal Family, along with a highly respected world magician from DEM, and our SSS's beloved yet infuriating... uh, no, I should say, the military instructor who is widely admired and respected, as well as official certifications from other countries!"
"The three of them have joined forces to solemnly recommend you to the world! That's truly amazing! I can hardly imagine how you achieved such incredible success. It must have been filled with countless untold hardships and extraordinary wisdom. Tell me about it so I can learn some valuable experience and insights from it."
"Huh?!" Ming's expression changed rapidly, and he didn't even react for a moment.
Ming was at a loss for words when the sounds of Hedarim and Lifara laughing and joking drifted from outside the crowd. Everyone turned and made way for them, and there was Hedarim walking in, his arm around Lifara's shoulder.
"Oh, congratulations, little Klein. Aren't you happy? We also contributed to this," Hedalim joked.
Meanwhile, Lifara broke free from her and ran to Ming's side, handing him a small chip with a hint of guilt in her eyes.
"What's this?" Ming asked, adjusting his cold expression as he watched Lifara approach.
"Your new manifestation device after your promotion, [Knight Tristan, the Knight of Sorrow and Holiness]."
After taking it, Ming looked at Lifara and the smirking Horalim with a forced smile and asked, "Still confused? Can someone explain this to me?"
Upon hearing Ming speak, Instructor Horam's eyes flickered for a moment, a detail Ming naturally noticed.
Finally, Lifara, whose conscience had not yet been completely extinguished, spoke up to explain:
"Well... to be honest, this matter is actually quite simple! You know, so much time has passed here, and we haven't even had a single ace appear. As our instructor, Horalim, she must feel really bad! She feels incredibly ashamed, and she doesn't even have the motivation to order people around anymore."
"So, Coach Horalim gritted her teeth, stomped her foot, and led those teammates who had always steadfastly supported you in SSS to storm into the higher-ups and cause a huge scene. Oh my, the scene was incredibly chaotic! But fortunately, after a series of criticisms and punishments, Coach Horalim miraculously won that incredibly fierce debate with her silver tongue! Then, without hesitation, she strongly recommended you to become our team's ace! Not only that, Coach Horalim also went to great lengths to apply for the World Magician award for you."
"Everyone originally thought this was doomed to fail, given the fierce competition! But who could have predicted it? At the crucial moment, several mysterious forces suddenly appeared and cast their votes for you. Just like that, with the help of these unexpected forces, you were forcibly placed in this prominent position!"
"You are now the tenth highest-ranking magician in the world!"
After listening to Lifara's explanation, Ming remained silent for a long time before speaking with a dark expression:
"Oh... I'm the kind of person who's just lying in bed, and suddenly someone who doesn't feel motivated to order me around goes to talk to the higher-ups, and then, in the blink of an eye, I'm wearing a dragon robe?"
Lifara couldn't help but laugh out loud after hearing this. "Haha, you're not wrong in describing it that way. However, your magic power stats are also amazing, so you deserve this position."
Hearing their conversation, Horarim finally couldn't hold back any longer and stood up. "Hey, Lifara, you betrayed me! Why did you say that, Klein?!"
Ming shrugged helplessly. "Instructor, the result is good no matter what. And now that I'm in this position... well..."
"Don't use questions!" Horalim was also speechless at the insult.
After exchanging barbs for a while, Ming went to accept the mission. To be honest, the identities of Ace and World Magician came as a bit of a surprise to him, and he needed to drink some water to calm down.
Note: Actually, according to the Date A Live universe, someone with Ming's extraordinary magical power can be in the top five. If Zhen can be in that, why can't Ming... It's just a pity that Ming didn't have any good achievements when he was a magician.
After nightfall, in Möbius's underground laboratory...
"Excuse me, does this old woman thing have anything to do with you?" Ming asked, holding the [Tristan] that he said was sent by DEM's higher-ups, while lying on the lab table where he used to lie.
"Oh dear, Klein, why are you talking to me again?" Mobius, the woman referred to as the "old woman," teased casually, then looked at [Tristan]:
"This is a real treasure. As your master, I'm sending it to you personally, which shows how much I value you~"
Ming pouted. "I don't need this kind of attention. It feels like I'm being pushed forward." With that, he put [Tristan] aside.
"Tell me, what's so special about this? Or does it detect my data after I put it on?"
Ming always maintains the attitude of knowing the effects of things given by Möbius before using them; otherwise, according to this old woman's habits, he would have been ripped off long ago.
Mobius chuckled softly. "It's not that simple. It's not as ordinary as it looks." Mobius picked up [Tristan] and ran his fingers lightly across it.
“This was created by imitating Mr. Salesto [Fafner]’s abilities.”
“Salesto’s Fafner!” Ming’s eyes widened in anger, his sharp, hawk-like gaze fixed on Möbius standing opposite him, as if trying to see right through him.
At the same time, his tone suddenly turned extremely cold.
“Speak! How many innocent children’s precious lives have you taken with this evil Fafnir?” Ming’s voice was low and suppressed. He clenched his fists tightly, and the veins on his hands bulged under his gloves, causing the temperature in the room to rise rapidly.
Mobius placed Tristan back on the table, crossed his arms, and calmly looked at the furious Ming.
"Calm down, Klein. I may be passionate about research, but I wouldn't be so reckless as to disregard human life... I think so..."
Ming frowned, his eyes still filled with doubt. "Then how do you explain this ability to imitate [Fafner]? That kind of power can't come from nowhere."
Möbius walked to the console and brought up a series of complex data charts.
"This was inspired by analyzing the core algorithms of AI. We discovered that we can use AI's energy conversion mechanism to simulate an effect similar to Fafnir's absorption of life energy, but without harming anyone."
Ming stepped forward to examine the data. Although he couldn't understand all the details, some key indicators did show no fluctuations in bioenergy. His expression gradually softened.
"I hope what you're saying is true. If I find out you're lying, regardless of whether you're my master or not, I will..."
Before Ming could finish speaking, Möbius placed a cake in front of him.
"Oh, don't be so serious, little Klein. Now that the misunderstanding is cleared up, let's celebrate your promotion to the tenth magician in the world!" Möbius smiled as he cut the cake and handed a piece to Ming.
Ming hesitated for a moment, then took the food and ate a bite. The peaceful night passed.