Noelle crossed her arms and legs. “Let me hear it. I’m interested in what strange discoveries you’ve made.”

  So, you’re more familiar with magic and mana runes because I dumped you guys in Mishaspire right?

  “I can’t read them like you do, but I can read a few and have a good idea what some do yeah.”

  Don’t freak out. Before we entered Gavin, I came to a discovery. Open the magic circles of your racial skills, please.

  She showed a magic circle. It mainly consisted out of exotic runes, as expected.

  Is this [Polygonal Armament]?

  “Huh? Wow! You could tell by just looking at the magic circle? Yes, it is but… something is off, I’ve never seen these mana runes.”

  I showed the magic circle of [Foxfire: Autumn Blaze].

  “Yours have them too!”

  Well, Azu’s research did mention ‘exotic’ runes but they were inconsistent. I never encountered these exotic runes besides on creatures that tried to or successfully invaded our dimension, racial skills of mythical beasts and now the magic of these new races.

  “Wait…”

  Noelle, the mythical beasts might have come from a different dimension, just like the races in this city. A goddess once told me that the dimension we live in currently, is the result of 6 dimensions merging together. It consisted out of 4 before because of their fuckup and a 5 th merged later on just as the 6 th did recently.

  Noelle leaned backwards and exhaled.

  So since most common races have the mana runes, we all know and even the skills we learned have them… it’s safe to assume that these mana runes are native and have always been there. Only the ‘invaders’ have mana runes that deviate, which gives birth to exotic mana runes.

  “Shim had exotic runes too, I suppose.”

  I couldn’t read them but I could derive their meaning after learning the other set of exotic runes. Now here is the question, a question I just realized.

  I exhaled and tried to find out how to formulate this.

  If the tailed beasts are mythical beasts from a different dimension and the 6 th dimension also brought in mythical beasts. What happened to the mythical beasts native to this dimension? Everyone thinks the tailed beasts are native, but what if… the original ones have gone extinct or are closer to extinction than the 9t?

  Noelle was quiet.

  This is just a theory… I might be wrong…

  “All that? Just from looking at the runes in the magic circles?”

  Well it’s quite annoying if I can’t interrupt those skills because I can’t read them and I struggled altering some of my racial skills because of the exotic runes, so I came up with that theory. The magic circles of these races are strengthening that, and I almost finished analyzing most of the mana runes from this 6 th dimension.

  Noelle had sunken in her chair and seemed deep in thoughts. “Did you tell Giana and Yv?”

  No… they have priority on these things but… for things about my relationship with them and things I’m unsure, you, the big sister gets priority. I don’t know about Yv, but Giana still has some sort of identity crisis due to being a hybrid. Adding this on top…

  “Might not be a good idea… I see. What about me? I’m a hybrid too.”

  Your punishment for pushing the little brother role on me.

  “Haha, I don’t mind. Also… thank you for doing your best.”

  Uhm more context?

  “You keep everyone involved with certain aspects. I’m sure you tell Raishin and Gregory stuff you don’t tell us.”

  Isn't that normal?

  “Well most of it comes out eventually, but you have a different priority system depending on what the topic is, and I’m happy to see you include us newcomers in that too.”

  Just more ears to listen to my complaints, there is no need to see something special in that.

  “We deviated from the topic. You think Dehlia is a mythical beast? Why?”

  Well, firstly, she’s competing with Giana in charm magic and… haven’t you noticed? The legged beasts that Shim belongs to. They also had ‘numbers’ as a theme. He us an 8l and Shenah is a 2l.

  “You surely like shortening long words…”

  I do that with names too. But… Dehlia can split in 3, their race is called ‘three’ would it be strange to think that there must be a race that was named after other numbers and if they all share the trait of splitting into their number…

  “It could be argued that they’re similar to the tailed beast of legged beasts series, putting them most likely in the mythical tier… I see. Doesn’t this mean that you’re yet in danger?”

  At least she seems civilized and wants to talk and possibly steal me away. I was disguised as Greg to have her charm blast him and get her off me but… if she knows primal language she might stay interested…

  I dropped my head in my hands.

  Why am I so shit?

  “I think this happens because you’re competent and not shit… How about we get Giana over and hear what she has to say. If she pulls crazy stunts, Giana and I will put her in the ground!”

  And possibly cause the Treyah to go extinct. Good idea… we don’t even know what they’re responsible for if they’re truly mythical races.

  “Beat her up enough then.” Noelle palmed her fist and seemed ready for a fight. “I will arrange a meeting tomorrow morning, please stay in this [Crystal Fortress].”

  You used a stupidly strong defensive skill like that to keep fans out?

  “I take no chances! They won’t touch my brother!”

  They were after you too… but sure. How will the rest enter this, though?

  “I will handle all that, just let your big sis take care of this! Now sleep!”

  Did you catch a tree in this fort?

  A stomp shook the hut. “Sleep! In! The! Hut!”

  Ok ok! Fine!

  I tried the crystal bed Noelle made for me. It was uncomfortable for obvious reasons but somehow more comfortable than the beds in the VIP room. How strange.

  Zio and the owner were being workaholics and messing around with the tricks they learned from observing me. I was on my tablet again.

  There had been frequent sightings of Misha, they seemed to be looking for someone. This is not my fault, is it?

  The construction of Fehsahn had been completed, and it seemed we missed a ceremony which was yesterday. They had expected my presence. Woops!

  Hey why are the first 2 things I read about all my fault! This isn’t funny!

  Something about an official Silver Torrent fan club… some of them are targeting Giana. Are you kidding me? Ugh is this what happens when the most successful race has too much time on their hands? I don’t know if the majority are humans, but I think assuming that will get me close to the correct answer.

  Volcanic eruptions in the Umbra mountain range again. The Igrini Kingdom merging with Bizax and the merge being met with opposition.

  You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

  Hey! That’s not my fault! That’s Raishin’s fault! Kinda. He nuked the capital but… it seemed that the merger also happened because a large area of Bizax was covered in beautiful blue ash. It seemed fertile, but they would need time to get stuff to grow there. So also, partly my fault…

  Is it possible that I will destroy this continent? So far it looks like that. Luckily nobody knows that half this continent's problems are caused by my or the consequences of my actions. Although… what would have happened to this continent if I didn’t do anything?

  The Great Tear would probably still be here. What else? Taylor wouldn’t have died, but he was getting ready for war.

  I couldn’t remember all the impactful things I did. I decided that it was a ‘give some, take some’ situation where it was unclear if I was saving the continent or destroying it. The true face of neutral! I could always escape to another continent if I tip too much toward one side. Being the hero or the super villain of the continent are both a pain in the ass.

  A super villain is actually super easy. I can hang around in my Nightmare dungeon and nobody will be able to reach me! Haha! Maybe I won’t flee if I become the super villain. I might be able to pull off some cool plans if that happens.

  Nightmare dungeon… I scrolled until I found it. Still getting walled by Cygnus. Have the newer races tried this?

  More scrolling. One party of them is attempting it right now. Maybe extradimensional magic will help them through it.

  A stomp shook the hut. That must be Noelle. Familiar faces entered the hut minutes later.

  What a cool hut! Are there more fancy machines to play with?

  The workshop isn’t a playground…

  “I’ve explained the situation to them, I will get Dehlia now. Don’t forget to do your charm stuff on him Giana!” Noelle disappeared, and several stomps shook the hut moments later.

  Giana was pouring charm magic into me and Raishin was unable to break anything in this hut which seemed to surprise him.

  The hut shook again and Noelle and Dehlia entered. “Oh, a lot of people here. It has been a while, Giana and Yvonne.”

  I could feel the tension between these idols. Raishin would normally start gawking, but he seemed a bit on edge. How much could I get away with not saying something?

  Dehlia wrote something in the air and I had to respond.

  “Obscuba me.” she said as she pushed the rune toward me.

  Abghare-hadi!

  So far for not having to say anything.

  Ugh, you sure are bold, ordering me to kiss you in this situation…

  “I was wondering if it could get through the charm magic of that vixen.”

  I was wondering that too, but I didn’t want to find out.

  Right, I'll get to the point. Are you a mythical beast? And if you don’t know, are there other races that can split like you but in different amounts, like 4 or 5.

  “A mythical being? I don’t think so, we’re nearly extinct, so we might have that in common with the mythical beings. My grandfather did say that there were once races that could split in 4 and 5 like the Treyah could. They were named similarly to our race.”

  Can I see some of your racial magic circles?

  I got 4 gazes which I ignored. She showed something with normal mana runes.

  Hmm, has your race fought gods before?

  Now I got 5 confused gazes on me. “Oh, my. My grandfather had fought 2 in his prime. How could you tell? Just by looking at the magic circle?”

  Uhh, it was just a guess!

  “Deca, you’re a terrible liar…” Giana squeezed my arm and poured more charm magic into me.

  Did your race have a task of some sort?

  Dehlia furrowed her brows, closed her eyes, and looked up. She stayed silent for a while before her posture recovered. “We might have, but I can’t remember. Can I ask something too?”

  Deception, and you just did, so for my next question…

  “You’re not just a regular beast kin are you?”

  What else could we be besides beast kin?!

  Raishin also sucks at lying. Nobody said anything about him… we’re super suspicious now.

  “I always thought; why would these idols join a team of normal, unrelated beast kin. But then the rumor come out that you share the same hometown.”

  Uhhm we were their maids!

  “Really Deca? Can’t you come up with a better excuse?”

  Hey I’m being pressured here! Or do you want Raishin to come up with excuses?

  “My grandfather told me many stories about mythical beasts. He even bonded with one. She was of the same race as Giana.”

  Hourai have mercy on my soul… they created a monster… are you a hybrid?

  “Does that matter?”

  “Does it?” Yv cocked her head and looked at me, and all gazes fell on me again. Why does nobody know this shit? Maybe it's time to get Greg back, as he would have known.

  Ugh, all of you need to do your homework! It does, as mythical races don’t mix. Some traits do. Even if your parent never explored his or his 9t side, it can still be passed on. That’s assuming your parent was a hybrid. Giana said that your charm magic beats hers…

  “Oh, I never knew that… my grandfather never mentioned that. It’s just…” she stretched her hand toward me. “It feels as if you’re gently pulling me in.”

  I knew it! You’re sucking in charm magic users!

  Raishin started dancing because he was correct for once. I looked at Giana for an explanation, but she shook her head. “I don’t feel anything like that.”

  “And that’s why he’s supposed to be mine!” Dehlia remarked.

  Giana’s charm flared, as did Dehlia’s.

  Guys… please… keep the charm down. Nilah is in my dimensional pocket, but she’s getting fed up with this charm clownfiesta, you don’t want to deal with that…

  The brainwash magic users calmed down, luckily.

  Dehlia pointed at me. “I need him to bring my race from the brink of extinction!”

  “And why do you need my man for that? There are millions of others!” Giana said as she stood in front of me and put her hands on her hips.

  “He is successful, knows Protia and is pulling me in.”

  Hey leave me out of it. All I'm wishing for is that brainwash magic gets banned.

  Dehlia cocked her head. “Huh? What does that mean?”

  “He means that he won't respond well to charm magic stunts!” Giana said while going all ‘protective mode’.

  “Oh, like how you’re pouring charm magic into him? Are you sure that you’re not the problem, and he hates charm magic because of you?!”

  They started to fling charm magic at each other, and Raishin and I got up and left.

  Wow that’s crazy! I was right!

  We sat down on a crystal bench, far away from the crystal hut. Several stomps went out.

  That chick was hot but too bad that she will get her ass kicked. Why would she even get into a 1v5?

  Uhh, it’s a 3v3, we’re not fighting.

  Huh? Where did the other 2 come from?

  Did you not pay attention? She can split into 3 so it’s a 3v3. If Dehlia is really a forgotten mythical beast. She might win because she knows the primal language.

  Shouldn’t we help, then?

  Raishin got up to rush in and I grabbed him by his shirt and sat him down.

  Did you forget what happened when Hisui attacked? Dehlia’s charm magic is stronger than Deca’s, so you will get charmed and help her and not Giana, Yv, and Noelle.

  Huh? That’s cheating!

  I agree, brainwashing magic is cheating.

  Shockwaves traveled through the sturdy crystal hut and pink was pouring out.

  That’s one overpowered race.

  I’m glad that the idos are not going tailed mode. We don’t know what cheat mode Dehlia has.

  I got up to execute an idea that popped up.

  Huh? Didn’t you say that going in there was a bad idea?

  It is but this might go on for a long time. I will stop their fight by eliminating the problem.

  And what’s the problem?

  I walked over to the hut and covered myself in frost.

  Me

  follow if the story is interesting enough.

  Moorland Menace