Chapter 35: Chapter 34: Absorb the Power of Time
That night, Ryuga lay on the bed alone. Of course, since this was a high-end apartment, there was more than one room—so no, we weren't forced to share a bed. That part genuinely disappointed him for a moment.
Still, being able to escape the cramped bunk in the Build base and rest on a soft, luxurious mattress was already a blessing. No need to be greedy.
A man should know when to be content…
What a load of crap! The more I thought about it, the more regretful I became!
Shaking off the useless thoughts clouding my head, I focused inward—specifically on the two newly acquired energies coursing through my body.
One was familiar: the same power that Ora wielded—the power of time—gained from Heure.
The other was foreign and far more domineering. Unlike the pure simplicity of time, this power was a chaotic fusion of multiple energies, forming something far greater: the Power of Every Magic, harvested from Sougo Tokiwa himself.
Because both powers originated from individuals who had not yet awakened to their full potential, what I absorbed were merely the seeds of their abilities. Small, but brimming with promise. They needed to sprout and grow before they could be fully wielded.
But for someone like me, this was hardly a problem. My cosmic power was a high-level, highly compatible energy. It could nourish these seeds without resistance—accelerating their growth and ultimately assimilating them into my own strength.
I began infusing energy into them—but not equally. I split it ninety to ten, with the majority going to the power of time. As for the Power of Every Magic, I only invested enough to keep its seed alive.
That's because the latter was purely combat-oriented—and let's be honest, I already had enough firepower. Even if the Old Demon King might pose a challenge, a clown like Swartz? Please. I could handle him in my sleep.
The power of time, on the other hand, was special. It didn't boost raw strength much, but its utility was on another level. The ability to stop time… to travel through it… these were forces that bent the rules of reality itself.
Combined with my already potent space powers—the ability to open parallel worlds—I would soon be able to control when and where I went. Unlike now, where I could only pick a place, not a time.
There was also some Rider Power I had extracted from Ex-Aid, but that was more of a bonus—a new transformation form at best. Nothing game-changing.
A few days later, at Tianzhi River High School—
Leaning against the rooftop railing, I idly watched an airplane pass overhead, then shifted my gaze to Sougo Tokiwa and his crew entering the school gates. But something else caught my eye: a figure in a hooded cloak standing out like a sore thumb in broad daylight.
"Ah… who's watching this absurd play now?" I muttered.
"…What?" asked Ora, who had just appeared beside me.
"Nothing," I shrugged. Then I looked her over and added, "But why is it you again? Shouldn't it be Swartz's turn?"
Ora rolled her eyes. "There's no turn system. It's just whoever feels like showing up."
I laughed. "Well, he sure is lazy. Signed another contract using the target you scouted, huh? Honestly though, cramming the power of all Riders into one host? That's… bold."
"…That person's going to die. No one can bear that kind of load," she said flatly.
"There are exceptions!" I raised a finger. "I know at least three who can handle it."
"Three? Who?"
"One is the King of Every Devil."
"…"
"The second is Wang Xiaoming!"
"…Wang who?"
"Oh—slip of the tongue. I meant Kadoya Tsukasa, Kamen Rider Decade." I gave a sheepish grin. That nickname was too catchy—I almost forgot his real name.
"Decade and the Demon King both wield all Heisei Rider powers. The difference? Decade borrows them through transformation. The Demon King? He steals them outright."
"In short," I concluded, "Decade is a debtor. The Demon King is a thief."
"…And the third?" she pressed.
"Take a guess." I spun the translucent vial in my hand and smirked.
"Guess your sister," Ora growled, scowling at me.
I ignored her and looked across the rooftop. A high school girl had just been saved from a monstrous, airplane-headed kaijin. She had long legs and a pretty face—but her eyes were hollow.
"Such a waste," I sighed. "That girl's been dead for over ten years, forced to keep existing. Once the monster is defeated, she'll vanish too. Yamabuki Hanari, wasn't it?"
Clang!
I blinked and looked up to find Ora's foot planted against the railing—right in front of my face. Since I was sitting down, I… uh… saw everything.
"…What did you just say was a waste?!" she said, expression unreadable.
"Uh… did I say something? I don't remember." I coughed, trying to hide the racing of my heart. Good habit or not, who doesn't wear safety shorts these days?
"Hmph." Ora retracted her leg with perfect calm, though I noticed a blush flash across her cheeks. And vanish just as quickly—accelerated by time manipulation. Using the power of time to hide embarrassment? That was a first.
Changing the subject, I glanced down at Gates, who had transformed using the Build Armor. "Didn't know Gates was a school genius too."
The "Scholar Kick", or "Formula Kick", was one of Build's signature attacks. When used, it projected a torrent of scientific formulas and equations, visualizing the idea that knowledge is power. The stronger your understanding, the more powerful the kick.
Sougo Tokiwa had tried it before, but only summoned a few history facts. It was laughable next to Build's physicist-level calculations. But Gates? He was different. An entire barrage of formulas formed around him, and using them, he managed to defeat the Alien Fourze Rider with ease.
Still, since he lacked a proper Fourze Ridewatch—and had mixed power from multiple Riders—the Alien Fourze wasn't destroyed outright. It fled.
With the fight over, Ora and I casually transitioned away. Honestly, this time-robbing business was too easy. Just sign a contract and sit back to watch the chaos unfold.
Of course, that only applied to Ora and Uhr. Swartz was different. That schemer was always darting through time, plotting something grand.
Soon enough, Sougo Tokiwa would get the Fourze Ridewatch. I wasn't interested. Never liked that particular Rider. His design didn't sit well with me.
Besides, I wasn't the one chasing after every Ridewatch just to become the Demon King. That whole collection quest? A lie. Only the future Demon King knew the truth: as long as Sougo Tokiwa possessed the will to become one, he could awaken as the King of Every Devil anytime.