Chapter 2: A new Feature
So uh, WOAH first of all, the huge support on chapter1 blew me out of the water. And with its success comes chapter2!
Now, I'm not entirely educated on the anime itself beyond what Iv seen, and what Iv read here and there, so to avoid messing up the lore, I'm gonna try to be creative. Since, I kinda wanna steer a more intimate relationship between Shalltear and Arche since I find the pair just great.
Please let me know if you want to make this fic follow the lore or have it centered around the real characters to make A/S possible. I'll make 2 chapter 2's if that is to be done.
But you all are awesome with your support! I didn't even think this fanfic was gonna go anywhere being that is just a revised version of the original one, but you sons of bitches slapped some sense into me, now enough talking!
Ps: I understand there are bits and pieces of Grammatical errors in the 1st one, I do type this all on my phone so I fat finger here and there, I will make an effort to ensure an easy to read experience for here on out.
...
"Again"
After some tedious magic tests, Arche was sweating with fatigue but she kept shooting the dummy Mare had instructed her to shoot at. Every time she nailed the bullseye on its head or chest. They have been doing this for the past hour, after about 10 MP potions she's still striving to do her best.
She shot on the dot like the past...actually she has no idea how many times she's nailed it. She lost count after 50.
"Again"
Bullseye
"Again"
Bullseye
You may stop now
She was about to send it but when she heard that she fell to her knees.
"How was my performance, Sir?" She said sounding respectful
"We are meeting with Lord Ainz right now, give me your hand."
With that, they teleported in front of a door guarded by very intimidating looking guards.
Mare announced himself to the insectoid figures before the door, one of whom conferred briefly with a maid before announcing, "Lord Ainz will see you now."
They entered the enormous room, and there, not ten meters from her behind a huge desk, was Ainz Ooal Gown.
She genuflected as soon as Mare took a knee, before anyone could tell her to do so.
"I've brought the girl Arche as you requested, Lord Ainz," Mare stated happily. It was clear from his voice that he was pleased to see Ainz.
"Thank you, Mare. Arche, raise your head. You may kneel."
At those words, Arche lifted her gaze and noticed that the white-clad woman, Albedo, was also present. She hurriedly got onto one knee, mimicking Mare.
"Mare, apprise our lord of the girl's performance, please." Albedo requested, her voice strikingly beautiful to Arche's ears.
"Her stamina's is surprisingly higher than most humans at her level, this was compared to the trespassers who died in the catacombs. She also has...uh, ah good mana control." He finished
"Very good Mare, you are dismissed"
He blushed worshiping his praise before he led himself out
His tone changed dramatically as Arche had noticed, the residents here must really despise humans, she noted to try to be on everyone's good side. Apart from the ones that looked like they wanted to eat her during breakfast.
Ainz looked towards Arche
"Albedo, can we view her stats?" He asked
"Checking now, my love." A screen came out of literal nowhere. It didn't seem like magic, Arche couldn't see an aura around it, she looked at it quizzically but said nothing. Ainz observed her curiosity with interest.
Albedo was swiping, typing and reading when she finally stumbled upon what exactly she was looking for.
"It seems we can view her statistics, Lord Ainz."
"Excellent, tell me, is everything in order?"
Arche still had no idea what was going on, but she held her tongue.
"Hmm, the girl holds levels in Wizard, Academic Wizard, and High Wizard. Her current level is 17, almost approaching tier 4...oh?"
"What is it, Albedo?" Ainz asked, trying to conceal his nervousness. The fact that they could see such information about her directly was extremely interesting to him, and could prove to be extraordinarily useful, but Albedo's remark worried him.
"Lord Ainz, there is something odd about the status display for this girl. I have never seen this particular notation."
Arche, meanwhile, was wondering what exactly they were talking about. She was extremely anxious that Albedo was finding something wrong about this appraisal, whatever it might be.
"Let me see," Ainz said and opened a display of his own with the staff at his side. He scrolled, finally located her entry, and looked over the data there. It looked standard to him, the classes and levels were perfectly reasonable, though high for what he had seen in this world thus far, no surprises for the most part. No title was listed for her, but otherwise the listing was comprehensible...
What? Ainz thought as his eyes found what Albedo must have seen. What on earth does this mean?
There before him was a stamp on Arche's display, in the bottom left corner, that stated Level Limit Attained, EXP exceeded, and just beneath it was a gold button. Break Limit.
He'd never seen this before. Even as guild master this option had never appeared, not for an NPC, and obviously not for any guild member.
The level cap was set by the shitty devs, and the highest it ever got was one hundred, he thought. Perhaps humans in the New World have some limit of their own? Or perhaps it varies by individual? That could explain why someone like Lakyus could cast fifth tier magic, while someone else could not... it could be about potential and level caps, combined with whatever experience they manage to gain.
He glanced up at Arche, whose confusion was apparent.
"Does that mean this girl has the potential to reach the floor guardian's powers? Or even beyond? We have her sisters to use against her in due time if at any point she decides to go rogue, then again, I don't think that'll be a problem."
"Arche," he stated after a moment's thought.
"My lord?"
"It would seem I was correct, you are able to obtain more power than I had imagined."
"Is...is that good, sire?"
"I would hope so, don't you agree?" He asked
"My apologies, I mean that if that meant I was a potential threat to you or Nazarick, because I swore myself to serve you and I don't want anyone here to think I'd ever betray them." She admitted
"Like you could ever measure up to Lord Ainz's power." Albedo retorted
"I don't think that's what her words intended, Albedo." He corrected.
"No? My lord then what would she mean by that?"
Ainz red eyes focused practically on Arches soul. "She means she still hasn't felt she's proven enough to us to trust her. Right?" He asked Arche
She looked at the floor, "correct my lord"
"That makes absolute sense, your wisdom continues to have no bounds." Albedo praised
"Well Arche, that just leaves one question, do you wish to get stronger?"
She looked up and was about to jump right on yes, but this place is full of possibility's beyond her comprehension.
"May I ask a question?"
"Certainly"
"It's it because I'm human that on my own, I won't be able to achieve as much power than any other resident of Nazarick? I feel as though I wont measure up to your or anyone else's expectations, in all, I don't wish to fail you for my lack In ability's."
This took Ainz back a bit, right in his human conscious.
"I can't just tell her it's all part of the level cap bullshit from the game!" He thought
"As I said, if your strength matches your will, then anything is possible. I wouldn't at all consider this option a handicap for you. This place is littered with so much magic and tactile knowledge that even I don't know it's limitations. In due time I'm sure you will make a fine asset to our cause." He answered
Arche nodded,
"I see my lord, then I shall honer your blessing of strength."
He nodded in turn
He looked back at the screen, at the break limit button.
250,000 gold to limit break.
"That's a lot of gold, even then Shalltears revival was 1.5 million and even that was practically nothing from the treasury. But at the same time, how do we know if it worked at all?? I have never seen this option before and of course I got to sound like an expert about it..." He thought.
He pressed the button.
Around Arches feet, a bright circle appeared, it's energy raised itself around her and began to swirl around her. Arche couldn't muster a sound when her body was being encapsulated by this sudden rush of what seemed like a wave of adrenaline.
The energy around her began to move faster and faster till you couldn't see through the outside it was so bright, when suddenly it burst, making Arche catch herself from just flopping on the ground.
She felt, odd. Like she was just awakened.
"I...I can feel it. But, I don't know what I'm feeling. What...is this, Lord Ainz?" She asked him looking at her hands as if she never saw them before.
"Well, let's see"
He pulled up her screen again, and was already liking what he saw so far
It read
"Limit Broken: Arche Eeb Rile Furt, Level 18/100
Her read up on her statistics again and, if he physically could, grinned.
"Well, by unlocking past your previous potential, your Tier has been kicked up to 4. That's wonderful." He stated
Arche took a knee.
"I hope I can pay debt for your generosity, my lord. I understand you used gold from your treasury to make this happen.
Ainz chuckled "you have been in debt for long enough Arche, this is merely for the benefit for Nazarick, think nothing of the sort paying me in turn."
"You have my deepest gratitude." Arche responded
"You are truly a noble leader, Lord Ainz." Albedo remarked
"Now on to other matters, Shalltear requested something from me, I take it you probably know what she asked me."
"To be her apprentice? Yes she asked me and I figured if I was to even answer, I needed permission from you, Lord Ainz."
"A wise notion, Arche. I'm glad you had the foresight to see that, I value consent among the people that follow me. That being said I have spoken to her about the conditions for her to guide you, as you can probably imagine, she's quite...uh"
He paused coming up with the right words to say, he was trying to indirectly warn her that Peroroncino had made Shalltear a bit too sexual, to put it lightly. He remembers Pero had sent both players avatars and other NPCs as her personal slaves, as he was working on giving her a pet like he promised. He never did for obvious reasons. Not that he wants to give Arche to Shalltear AS a pet but he figured the Master/Apprentice bond will work itself out. He hoped
"Um, My lord?" Arche subtly tried to receive his attention back.
"Huh? Oh I apologize, where was I? Ah yes, I told her it was acceptable, as long as you don't mind having her as your guide that is."
"I just wanted to make sure it was alright with you, I don't wish to do anything that might jeopardize your plans."
Albedo, much to her dislike with humans, had to admit, this little pest is trying her hardest to do what's necessary for the people she cares for, much like Lord Ainz does for her and everyone else. Other then that slightly older woman Tuare, Arches really the only other human to work "IN" Nazarick. Let alone the humans from the village. But as a good right hand, she decided against questioning her loves judgment.
"Well, that being said, what is your answer?" He asked
"I would be honored if I was mentored by someone of her stature, sire."
He nodded, "Very well, Shalltear you may take matters from here, I must make plans for the Baharuth Empire."
A bat flung it self of a ledge and swooped down towards Arche, it morphed into a black mist and with a thump, Shalltear appeared before them in front of Arche.
"Ah, I guess she listened in the whole time." Arche observed
"Thank you again for this opportunity Lord Ainz." She bowed
"Indeed, you both are dismissed." He replied
Shalltear nodded and so did Arche.
"Shall we?" Shalltear asked
"Lead the way, Mistress" she replied respectfully
The two made their way out the room.
Ainz leaned back in his seat, being thankful his face can't reflect his emotions cause he had a hint of worry in his thoughts.
"I hope she remembers she's not a toy." He replayed the conversation he had with her in his thoughts, hammering the fact that Arche is not to be subjected to anything she's not comfortable with.
"Lord Ainz, why does Shalltear have the responsibility of training that human?"
Ainz had that same question, but he had to be the guy with all the answers so...
"Peroroncino promised her to give her a pet of sorts, not to say she is one, but I figure by doing this, the two can benefit. Shalltear gets a companion, Arche has someone to teach and train her. Once we settle the score with the Baharuth Empire, I'll act on my part of the deal for Her, once that happens, we'll see her true nature unfold."
"How so?" Albedo asked
"I had Shadow Demon do some recon at Arches household, apparently Sir and madam Furt are planning to sell both her sisters to slavery. I can see why she did what she did out of selflessness, her parents really are the bane of her existence."
Albedo really, REALLY could care less about humans, but their methods are disgusting to her, she can see why Arche would sacrifice herself for the ones she cares for.
"I'm sure you have a plan of action as always, my love."
"I do, and I think everyone will enjoy its outcome."
Ol
Shalltear was sporting the biggest grin on her face, Arche was walking on her left side, fumbling her hands like she's trying to figure out what they're for.
"So"
"Yes, Mistress?"
"You've not only reached your previous potential, but now with Lord Ainz's unchallenged generosity, has unlocked your true, full potential. You could say your one of us now." She informed
Arche smiled and pondered, "so, what would have happened to me, had I entered this tomb as blind as the rest of the adventures?" She asked
"Well, that depends, had you had the unfortunate case like most of the pests, your fate may have varied from endless torture or a very painful death. As far as you and your companions, probably once you were all dead, we'd split your parts amongst ourselves and scrap what else is left. If it wasn't for Lord Ainz reviving them, we had done just that by now."
Arches eyes stilled themselves in place, "oh, that makes sense, that just makes me even more grateful that Lord Ainz overheard me when he did." She said as she shuddered
Shalltear gave a look and shrugged, "well, first day as my apprentice, let's see your skills in action."
(Outside the arena, in the forest)
Shalltear and Arche were standing in a clearing in the dark, decrepit woods. Arche had her casting staff in hand and was waiting for Shalltear to give her signal as instructed.
"Now like we talked about, I want you to get a hit on me, use whatever you think will be the most successful, don't be afraid to really pack a punch." She encouraged
"Understood, mistress, I'll try my hardest!"
Shalltear grinned and signaled with two fingers for her to proceed.
Arche gripped her staff and flew fast towards her, taking a swing with it, though Shalltear easily ducked under it.
Arche for the next ten minutes attempted to barrage her with swing after swing but Shalltear just looked liked she was dancing. With the second to last swing, Arches did a full 180 with her staff hoping to get a surprise hit, but Shalltear easily caught it and yanked and Arche was pulled in closer to her, Shalltear wrapped her arm on the mid of her back, their faces inches apart.
"Your thinking too hard about hitting your target, you should know by instinct your best course of action, or else your opponents may catch you off guard." Shalltear explained to her student
Arche couldn't help but blush when she was this close to her, but she had to focus.
"I see, I'll try harder!" She assured
"Good" Shalltear smirked
She let her go to reset herself
"Now, from the top"
(3 hours later)
"Firestorm!" Arche boomed, a beam of flame came out of her hand for the seemingly hundredth time. Shalltear effortlessly sliced the attack in half with a chop of her own hand.
The area around them was battle worn from Arches previous attacks. Arche at this point was panting from her exhaustion, but she wanted to prove her worth so she had to tough it out.
"Alright, you've managed to not pass out thus far, so I'll give you a deal, if you can land a hit within the next minute, I'll reward you. If not, then you will spend an extra hour running laps around the arena, full sprint mind you." Shalltear stated
Arche was about to head on attack again just for the fact she didn't wanna sprint for a full hour, but, she knew it be futile. She might as well try something she hasn't used yet, she hasn't had to use it before now, she's hoping it will hopefully work, she twirled her staff around and whispered a enchantment. And lucky for her, Shalltear saw what she was doing
"Prepping a spell are we? Well go ahead, you have 50 seconds to do whatever you think will bring success"
Arche opened her eyes and flew over head, she charged her staff for another blast, making a bunch of light to steer anyone's attention towards her.
"Hmm, quite the light show, Arche. But this is taking quite some time." She noted out loud
Arche twirled her staff around and aimed if at Shalltear, a fiery blast of magic shot itself towards her. Shalltear scoffed
"Oh come on, Arche, how many times are you gonna pull that card?" She chastised
Shalltear reared her hand for a backhand slap to counter. When the blast got close, she swiftly whipped her hand through. But the blast AND Arche dispersed into thin air.
"Huh?" Shalltear made a cute confused face. When suddenly she was tackled to the floor.
"What the?" She said confused, she looked down and felt some pressure on her chest, eventually, the invisible mass revealed itself to be a breathless Arche, laying somewhat comfortably on top of Shalltear. Her arms around her waste securing her, well achievement she guessed
"I...got you...mistress." She said breathless with a cheek on her chest.
"Mirage? You had just unlocked that kind of magic and you did it in one try? I'm impressed." Shalltear admitted
"My previous master...mentioned it to me...before, I learned...most of what I know...from him" she replied
Shalltear smiled and stared at the ceiling/sky, patting her new apprentice on the head.
"Your a fast learner, I like that, I can't wait to see you grow, human. Now, I promised to reward you, what would that be?
Arche blushed, she smiled warmly, as weird as this is, she feels like she's making an impact, as small as it is.
"Other than seeing my sisters again, I'm not to picky on receiving gifts, I'll take what I can get, Mistress."
"Your good heart utterly confuses me, Arche, it really does." Shalltear admitted
The two laid there for awhile, until Shalltear heard Arche lightly snoring, she looked down, a human letting her guard down like this, she took it as a huge sign of trust from someone she just met, and now appointed to.
"Humans are certainly odd." Shalltear said aloud. As she remained there till she either woke up or someone called her. In both cases, she hope that wouldn't happen anytime soon. She didn't mind being here. Arche may not be her pet, but she would like to think she's something better, she can't quite place it
But she can't wait to find out
...
AN
Boy oh nelly, i was kind of tearing at the end there
YOU EMOTIONAL BIT...
Anyway, thoughts? Comments? Concerns? I understand there's some words that are used from the original and I want to make this clear
1: This is a revised version of the original, created by wedgegeck, so yes some words or sentences were used to respect the original work of the first two chapters
2: I have PM'd the author about doing this, I have not gotten an answer back within a week before writing chapter 1 so I made sure to at least crediting him before I typed my own work in.
3: I have changed the chunk of the original plot so it wasn't just a cut and dry copy of the original, as I don't want to disregard the previous creators intentions.
That all being said, thank you all for the support of this fic, I'm researching more into the lore as I go so feel free to add any information regarding what you might expect, being that season four is around our corner now so...
Yada yada yada, thanks for reading!
Until next time!