Tale of Discovery

Chapter 122: Guiche ; Strange Occurrence in the Arena ; Shy Girl

Seeing the tears rolling down from her cheeks, I begin to realize that I'm being unnecessarily cruel.

Even so, there isn't much I can do about it now.

Turning to face Jean, I question,

"What am I supposed to do now?"

Before he can reply, I use Indoctrination on him and mutter,

"It would be horrible for a prince to return to his country with no memories of who he was."

I'm sure that Jean would've thought something along that line, but it's better to make sure that things go according to plan.

"So, he's not her familiar?", some guy suddenly exclaims.

Looking in the direction of where the voice came from, I see a blonde-haired guy wearing an open v-neck shirt.

His overall appearance doesn't sit well with me for some reason.

"Of course, what am I even asking," he continues while placing his palm against his forehead while grinning, "There is no way she will be successful in magic."

In response to his words, everyone seems to agree unanimously.

I see. So that's why the girl was so hurt when she discovered I wasn't her familiar.

If I'm not mistaken, the body of the guy I ran into while transferring here should've been here familiar.

"Louise the Zero!", the guy suddenly yells, resulting in a chorus of students repeating that statement.

This reminds me of how the students would act back in Project Future. Taking every opportunity to make fun of someone vulnerable.

Well, this is a good opportunity handed to me on a silver plate.

Positioning my body to give myself a kick-start, I dash toward the blonde guy.

Immediately upon doing so, I take note of my speed and how much it differs from my speed in the Rift.

It's about 40%

Still, that should be more than enough to do what I'm what planning to.

Once I've gotten close enough to him, the guy has a confused look on his face, not knowing what's coming for him.

Then, I draw my leg back before kicking with enough force to send him flying for a few meters before he makes contact with the ground and rolls for a while and inevitably crashing into a wall.

My actions have stunned everyone present as they all stare at me anxiously.

It has always been known that in a world like this, honor and privilege are more important than anything else. That's due to the nobles being, well, nobles.

"I may have forgotten who I was," I exclaim before turning my back to the students and slowly approaching Louise, "But that doesn't matter in the least!"

"Despite being the way I am at the moment, I know for a fact that bullying a vulnerable girl is an unrefined thing to do!"

Checking out their reactions, I can tell that I've successfully fooled them.

Now, instead of looking at me with caution, they have a much more respectful look in their eyes. I have a strong feeling that they will begin to idolize me in the future.

Anyway, I'm glad that my plan worked out. The reason for doing what I just did was to further plant the idea of me being a 'heroic prince' within the minds of those present.

Indoctrination could also be useful in this regard, but I'm in a new world with a lot of different things, so I can't depend on my abilities too much.

For all I know, one of them could fail me at the moment where it counts most because the Platform has changed something about them.

Also, there is the fact that some of my abilities have a daily usage limit. That was gone during my time in the Rift, but now that I'm back in a Platform, it's back.

"There is also something else," I suddenly say, "I have an uncanny feeling when I'm near her"

Jean's brows immediately raise as he begins to deliberate on the 'hint' I gave him.

That's right, I'm making him think that Louise is related to the reason I've lost my memories and most likely the most efficient way to get them back.

"You!" suddenly I hear a yell behind me.

Checking it out, I see the blonde, who's surprisingly still able to move, moving closer to me.

"Oh, you're approaching me?" I say after turning around to face him.

"Prince or not, I don't care! I will beat you up!", he exclaims before pulling out a red rose and pointing it at me while muttering something.

The next moment, strange energy tries to invade my body, but my Code easily dissipates it.

"I assume you're prepared for what's coming for you," I say while grinning.

"Hey, Guiche, stop this instant!" Jean exclaims, but the blonde guy, Guiche, doesn't listen and pulls out another red rose.

Then, he throws the new one on the ground while muttering something else.

A moment later, the Rose begins to 'melt' before the energy spreads and a giant golem appears.

Guiche doesn't stop there, as he begins to throw out more roses and summoning more golems.

This is so fun and informative Whatever he's doing to summon them, it's intriguing. I wonder if it could be exploited? Perhaps, bringing chaos upon cities by using these golems only, will be possible in the future?

Let's try out their strength and endurance for now.

I attempt to use the Boosted Gear, but I get no reaction. Hold on isn't Ddraig considered a separate entity?

{Affirmative. Due to Father traveling to the current Platform without storing the entity, Ddraig, it has taken damage to its soul.}

Shit. What do I have to do to patch it up?

{Provide the entity with a body comprised of Father's Energy.}

So, I need to use Creation to make him a body?

{Affirmative.}

Isn't that just great? Forget that, how long will it take him to be healed?

{The entity should be able to interact normally with the world, however, it won't be able to make use of its powers.}

{As for the period it would take for it to heal, there is no set time.}

Which means that I won't be able to use the Boosted Gear for a while

Well, leaving my Code Essences aside, I still have Ittou Shura and my Plunder abilities, so I should be fine.

Utilizing Godspeed and using Rework to cover it, I appear before one of the golems and punch it in the center while channeling Destruction into my fist.

This results in the golem getting blown to small bits, baffling everyone present.

Raising my arm, I create an ordinary sword before dashing toward the next golem and splitting it in half.

Then, I appear another golem and press my palm against its back before summoning flames using Pyrokinesis.

One after the other, golems keep on falling to the ground in various ways.

After none of them are left, I look toward the horrified Guiche whose legs are shaking.

Not sparing any more attention, I break the sword and walk back to Louise's side and place my hand on her head before stating,

"I'd like to stay with her."

In response to my words, Louise blushes heavily but doesn't deny the notion at all.

"Alright," Jean replies seriously.

I expected as much. The main reason I showcased my powers was so that the authoritative figures of this academy would take my case seriously.

Seeing how versatile my powers are, they would attempt to plant ideas in my head through various means to ally me with them, which is not a bad thing at all.

I could use the academy as my main base in this world, making use of the academy to keep myself undercover.

As for the reason I will be staying with Louise, it's simply because I wish to take advantage of her probable dislike for those around her to get as much information about the academy and its students I can get.

Also, I reckon that to use her energy for magic, I need to be within proximity of her.

Anyway, my first step to finding the Core of this Platform will begin with taking over this academy and subordinating everyone in it.

To do that, I need to take into consideration what 'nobles' desire most

---

"What a nice room," I say as soon as I enter Louise's dorm room.

Louise doesn't say anything in response as she just moves to her closet and pulls her nightwear out before facing and me saying,

"Block your eyes."

Seeing the mild blush on her face, I chuckle a little before responding,

"Then, I will leave instead."

Her eyes widen as I beam her a smile before muttering,

"Arena."

My vision then blips as I find myself in the ghost-city.

I came here to see if anything has changed, but it doesn't seem like it. Well, I'll wait for a short while before heading back.

As I walk around the city, I suddenly feel a presence quite a distance away. No it's not just one, but much more.

Making use of Clairvoyance, I check it out, however, I am unable to see anything other than a barrier made of bright light that my vision is unable to pass through.

Finding the situation strange, I dash in the direction I felt it from.

With my decreased speed, it would take me a while to reach there, so I utilize Godspeed to increase my speed.

After a few moments, I reach the 'barrier' and observe it. I am still able to sense the presence of several beings, however, they're all behind this 'barrier'.

Curiosity takes over me as I reach my arm out to touch the barrier.

As soon as my finger makes contact with the barrier, a ripple forms and spreads all around the barrier.

A little surprised, I observe the barrier for any changes.

Several minutes pass, but no change has occurred whatsoever.

I decide to touch the barrier once more, however, before I can do so, something begins to 'appear' a face with no eyes.

Then, two palm prints appear on its sides.

As if a chain reaction has begun, dozens of the very same face, all with no eyes, appear along with a pair of palm prints for each one.

Despite them having no eyes, I'm sure that they're all 'looking' at me.

It doesn't take long before the whole barrier is covered in these faces, which gives off an eerie vibe.

Irene, what are these things?

{I lack the data required to properly answer Father's inquiry.}

That doesn't good. I should head back to the hotel and forget that this happened, for now.

After a few moments, I'm back at where I was, more than prepared to leave the Arena.

Upon doing so, I'm met with the sight of a sulking Louise sitting at the edge of her bed.

"Looks like you're ready to sleep," I say.

My abrupt appearance seems to surprise her as she lets out a yelp before exclaiming,

"Why did you leave?!"

Huh? What is she even asking?

"I obviously left so that you could have some privacy to change your clothes."

Louise seems like she wants to say something, but the words get up in her throat as I move closer and lift her from the bed.

Then, I comfortably lie down on the bed while setting Louise down beside me.

"What are you doing?!" she exclaims while heavily blushing and looking around for something.

"Looking for this?" I say as I show her the wand that I sneakily took out of her clothes while lifting her.

"Give that back!" she shouts before jumping at the arm holding her wand.

I instantly pull out one of the needles in my storage ring and place the wand inside in its place. Then, I grab Louise's petite body and pull her into my embrace.

"Let's just sleep, okay?" I say while rubbing her back.

"H-h-how dare you do this to me!" Louise exclaims in response while using her fists to punch me and moving her body in a vain attempt to escape.

"Don't be shy," I say while still rubbing her back, "You're so cute that it makes me wish you were my little sister."

My words cause the already deep blush on her face to deepen even further as she nervously mutters,

"Who are you calling c-c-cute..."

Finding her respond adorable, I kiss her forehead before moving her closer and placing her right beside me.

I hold place my hand on hers and look her in the eyes before whispering,

"Goodnight, Louise."

Louise, whose blush is now reaching her ears tries to hide her face by sinking her head into the pillow.

Hah~ Today was surprisingly an easy one. I'm glad about that, as it grants me some time to properly thinks through before I start anything in this world.

Speaking of doing things, my identity is that of a prince, huh? So, if I'm able to act like how the old prince did, will I easily obtain a kingdom? Its name was Albion, right?

That name reminds me of Albion, the dragon that was Ddraig's nemesis or something, which also reminds me of the matter with Ddraig's soul.

I need to help Ddraig out by creating a body tomorrow morning