The Ultimate Lich King of the Multiverse

Micka Belle has subscribed on patreon as Shibai - The Divine Reader, therefore I will publish 5 bonus chapters.

1/5

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Although this was technically a training session, since they belonged to different familias, maintaining appearances was still necessary.

As dusk approached, the three of them—Yoru, Ais, and Riveria—made their way to a section of the city wall that encircled Orario.

They were in the northwest part of the outer wall, where they had a panoramic view of the entire city. The vast, open landscape was truly breathtaking.

They could see the Pantheon, the grand Colosseum, and the towering headquarters of various famous familias. These massive structures stood nearly as tall as the city walls themselves, commanding awe and admiration. Even from this distance, their architectural beauty was evident and endlessly captivating.

But above all, the Babel Tower, rising from the city's center, stood even taller than the walls, its presence overwhelming and majestic. The densely packed houses in each district, shaped and arranged with unique charm, added even more character to the cityscape.

Divided into eight districts by eight main roads, the bustling city was finally beginning to quiet down. Magic stone lamps blinked off one by one as Orario drifted into slumber.

"Are you ready?"

Ais's soft voice cut through the quiet. Riveria stood nearby, temporarily taking the role of an observer while the other two sparred.

"Uh… where do we start?"

Yoru asked awkwardly, realizing just how clueless he was when it came to actual combat.

How to fight, when to fight, what to fight with—he barely understood any of it.

Back when he faced the Silverback, he had drawn his sword and fought. But thinking back, there had been no technique involved.

If anything, it was the most basic, crude kind of slash—no finesse, just brute force. His strength had been enough to overpower everything.

"Well… where should we begin, I wonder?"

Ais murmured to herself as she looked Yoru up and down.

"Riveria, I'll leave the magic part to you later."

"Mhm. I'll keep a close eye on his mana flow."

"Alright then. Let's start. Come at me with your strongest move."

Drawing the thin rapier at her waist, Ais took a combat stance and pointed her sword at Yoru.

"So we're fighting after all, huh."

Yoru sighed, then unstrapped the large sword from his back.

Gripping the hilt tightly, he took a step forward and swung down hard at Ais.

Ais didn't dodge. She raised her slender rapier and blocked the blow head-on.

"Greatswords and longswords are generally used for wide, sweeping attacks. They're heavy and flashy, but that very nature makes them hard to deal with for anyone using lighter, smaller weapons."

"But…"

"But my strength is too weak, huh?"

Yoru finished her sentence with a bitter smile. Ais nodded, a little embarrassed.

"Well, you've only been an adventurer for a short time. It's normal that your Strength stat is still low."

"You don't need to be discouraged," Riveria added from the side. "Everyone has their own strengths. Yours is clearly Magic. You don't have to force yourself to match your swordsmanship to your magic level."

Yoru glanced down at his hands and murmured, "I just… wanted to wield a power that's truly my own."

"What made you think your magic isn't your own?"

Riveria frowned, puzzled. She stepped closer, looking at him seriously.

"If you're saying mages are inferior to warriors, or that magic is weaker than swordsmanship… I'll be very upset."

Coming from Orario's strongest mage, her words carried weight. Magic was everything to Riveria—she would never tolerate anyone belittling it.

But Yoru, his mind clearly elsewhere, stared at her pouting lips. What would it feel like to kiss her right now?

Then, he actually did it.

Yoru had always been the kind of person who acted the moment a thought crossed his mind. He didn't care how reckless or absurd his actions were.

And with Riveria, his self-control was practically nonexistent.

"Y-You…!"

Riveria gasped and stumbled back several steps, her face flushed with shock and fury.

Ais tilted her head, confused by Riveria's reaction. Since Yoru had moved so fast and barely brushed her lips, Ais hadn't even realized what had happened.

"What's wrong, Riveria?"

"N-Nothing."

Trying to keep calm in front of the others, Riveria bit her lip and glared at Yoru, who stood there with a perfectly innocent expression.

This brat… I really misjudged him.

She had thought he was a well-behaved, honest boy—but he was clearly a wolf in sheep's clothing.

How many times has he pulled something like this?! What made it worse was… she couldn't bring herself to actually stop him.

So frustrating…!

"Answer me!" she demanded, her voice turning unusually sweet and pouty. "You're not saying magic is inferior, are you?!"

Ais shivered slightly at the sugary tone. Too sweet. I'm definitely the third wheel here, aren't I?

Riveria might not notice it herself—but as an onlooker, Ais could tell exactly what was going on. She stared at the two of them, her expression complicated.

She was happy, in a way. Happy for her friend.

But also… a bit uneasy. An indescribable emotion welled up in her chest.

From a rational standpoint, Ais believed Riveria and Yoru were incompatible. That their relationship, no matter how deep, was doomed to fail.

As a friend, she could only hope Riveria wouldn't let herself get too close to him.

"It's not that I look down on magic…" Yoru finally said. "Power isn't about strength or weakness. It depends on how it's used. But me…?"

He clenched his fist and stared at it.

So weak. So powerless—just like any ordinary human. And yet, within that frail body, a force slumbered that even gods feared.

"This power of ice… it doesn't feel like it belongs to me. It's not mine. How could I ever feel safe relying on something like that?"

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