True End:
I drew the Jewelled Sword, drawing in mana from a hundred other worlds, a thousand, a million and manifesting it in a solid point, adjusting, directing...
A bolt of white light; not the razor-thin line I used on the slime, but an incandescent beam curved across the sky, venturing beyond the horizon and towards the castle.
The Barrier didn't so much as shatter, but evaporate from an attack of such power.
The castle shared the same fate, stone burning away as the beam continued to drill into the earth, carving out a deep valley before fading away.
The sound of trumpets announced the arrival of the angelic host that descended to welcome Aqua back to Heaven.
"A-Ah, back so soon, Aqua-sama?"
"You!"
Kazuma palmed his face as the goddess began to angrily rant at one of the angels.
The End
The Cure for Masochism:
"Ugh… Ah, the feeling of being ravaged by monsters is unbearable… I am the only orthodox vanguard in this party, so don't hold back, use me as a bait or shield. If it is necessary, you can even cut me off as a sacrifice… Hmmm! Just, just imagining that made me tremble in excitement…!"
Darkness' face was blushing as she shivered slightly.
By that point, I have had enough of this. I needed to either cure her masochism or satisfy her before she screws up during a quest.
"If you want that so badly..."
Grabbing hold of her hand, I shifted-
-and brought Darkness to a special place. All apprentices of the Second Magician were required to survive for a month here without using thaumatology as part of their mental conditioning. Most go insane in the second week.
The ground had a strange fleshy texture, bringing back memories that I had tried very hard to forget.
"Eh?, Kazuma where are we? And what are those things?"
She pointed to the strange phallic shapes moving towards us.
"Enjoy yourself Darkness, I'll pick you up tomorrow."
"Wait, Kazuma-"
Space-time warped around me as I abandoned Darkness to her fate.
One Day Later:
What have I unleashed?
Bound and gagged, I became a caterpillar and crawled to the door.
"Megurhmiin—! Aquuah—!"
I knocked on the door frantically with my head. Getting a concussion was the least of my worries.
It opened and I sighed in relief.
"Too bad, those two are currently away, my dear~"
Unfortunately, I seem to have inherited Aqua's luck.
Darkness stood in front of me in a skimpy robe. On the bright side, at least they don't have dominatrix outfits here...
Bending down, she removed my gag.
"Darkness, why are-"
She pushed me to the floor and stepped on my face with her left foot.
"Now, now. It's Lalatina-sama or 'Mistress' to you, am I clear?~"
"Yes... mistress."
"Good boy!"
I cried.
The Black Rider
"So it's you…! You are the arch-mage who's constantly assaulting the barrier?"
The headless knight in black armour turned his body to face me.
As I was about to reply-
"I see, this man's deepest wish is to be a magical girl!"
The menace known as Magical Emerald woke up.
The blasted Kaleidostick popped out of one of my pockets, somehow managing to destroy the seals I put on it easily.
Its head was pointing towards the dullahan, surveying him with great interest.
"W-what the hell is that thing?"
"Kaleidostick Magical Emerald at your service! Hmm, you're a dullahan. Tricky, but don't you worry! Rejoice, for your wish shall be granted!"
The stick shot towards the dullahan at speeds that far exceeded the sound barrier.
Taking the twisted greatsword strapped to his back, the dullahan charged as it threw its head into the air.
Great chasms were torn into the earth by their missed and deflected attacks. Sword met Kaleidostick as the dullahan parried and blocked the green menace.
I was honestly rooting for the headless man until Emerald stop playing around and teleported into his face.
A blinding green light flashed, and the undead knights behind the dullahan were blown away into pieces.
Anticipating this, I closed my eyes.
Shouts of horror erupted around me as Emerald overrode the dullahan's will and altered its body and identity.
After what felt like hours, everything went silent so I carefully opened my eyes.
"The Black Rider of Justice, Celty Sturluson is here to vanquish Evil!"
"...wait, what?"
Seated on a black headless horse, the figure resembled the dullahan of legend more. Except...
An all black biker jumpsuit with matching gloves and boots. A well-developed figure and pale skin. Cradled in her arms, her head. Long auburn tresses and a set of enchanting blue eyes.
I stopped thinking.
.
.
.
AN: All omakes and non-canon snips for 'A Kaleidoscope's Blessing' will be deposited here.