Hey Guys, Crescent Rider here. And I am back with another chapter!
But before you all begin, I would like to thank everyone that responded to my question. It really helped a lot to clear my mind about certain things and it also helped me figure something out in future chapters.
Then there's a discussion that I plan to talk about at the end, and the true question of this matter
One that's written in the very beginning...
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Out of all the Servants out there, which one should I add first...?
Feel free to make suggestions, as well as add a couple of details of your own choosing.
That is all I have to say, and as always enjoy the chapter!
The Following Day
After Ainz left to become an adventurer at a capital known as E-Rantel, Hope remained in Nazarick and reads several books and notes to pass the time. Specifically, The Center of Ainz's office.
The Pleiade assigned to watch her over was Yuri Alpha and remains attentive. Especially when she hasn't moved the very spot she stood on.
Hope glanced at her and internally sighs at the Pleiades' newfound devotion towards her. But it can't be helped considering the bonds between her and the members of Ainz Ooal Gown. Or rather, the Supreme Beings as the NPCs viewed.
To maintain some familiarity with this place, she had to bring someone with her...
"My Lady," The Young Arachnoid turns to the call and the one who approaches her was the Manor Maid made of Mercury with a tray carrying today's breakfast under a silver dish cover, "I have brought what you've requested,"
"Thank you, Suisei," Hope thanked,
The Mercury Maid, known as Suisei, places the dish on an empty area of the table and unveils the dish before the Arachnoid.
For today's serving were stacked pancakes drizzled with honey, a small twirl of whipped cream at the center, and small cherry on the top. Beside the plate was a small glass of warm milk.
Hope then gently moves the books and notes aside, moves toward the pancakes, and grabs the knife and fork. She then slices a small portion of the pancake with honey and whipped cream and stuffs it into her mouth.
As she chews, she audibly hums from the sweet taste of honey as well as the soft and milky taste of the whipped cream. But the mixture of both from the pancake makes it more worthwhile than ever.
"It feels so good to eat every once in a while," Hope remarked and continues with her pancakes,
As she eats, Suisei proceeds to organize the books and notes while Yuri still remains idle as ever.
"I hope you don't mind me asking, but what are these notes for?" Suisei inquired,
"Some came from the library, Ashurbanipal, Some came from the manor's library, and some came from Ainz's notes that he left on his desk," Hope responded in between her chewing, "Since I don't have anything better to do, I had hoped that this would pass some time and all,"
"I see," Suisei replied,
"Hope-sama," Yuri called out,
"Didn't I tell everyone not to call me that?" Hope clarified as she swallowed her pancakes, "Just because Ainz is my Godfather, doesn't mean I have any authority nor any standing in Nazarick. Also, I prefer to be seen on equal grounds than above you,"
"Very well, I will keep that in mind," Yuri complied,
'Ever since Momonga-san revealed my identity to everyone. The residents of Nazarick began to see me as more of a deity than a regular person,' Hope remarked, and internally sighed to her,
Afterward, she picks up another book and reads the title. On hand was a book of magic spells that had been documented by a different author other than her parents or any member of Ainz Ooal Gown.
The very name had her slide the tips of her fingers against the hardcover, and smile at the name.
As she opened it, the first few pages were the introduction and a few basic spells as well as the formula on how to create them, the effects on the user and its intended target, consequences, etc.
Hope giggled at the details as this was something that she expected from him, but she grew somewhat accustomed to these kinds of paragraphs and reads the entire page.
Then interest came along as some of the basic spells weren't used in Yggdrasil, nor did they exist due to certain circumstances.
What was an idea in mind...
"I wonder..." Hope muttered, sets the open book on the table, and turns to her right hand,
She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, visualizes the magic circle from the book, and attempts to conjure said magic circle in the palm of her hand. Moments later, a small replica of the circle appeared and she opens her to see the results of her attempt.
"Wow..." Hope muttered,
What followed was a small ball of light, and maintains its current form at the palm of her hand.
She slowly moves her hand sideways and the ball follows it as it remains at the center of her palm.
"Very interesting..." Hope remarked,
"Is that safe, My Lady?" Suisei inquired,
"I don't feel anything painful in all this," Hope stated, "As a matter of fact, it may even look like I'm holding a small star in my hand,"
The very presence of this ball had her smile with glee, then she glanced at the book as several more ideas surged within her mind.
Firstly, she clenched her right hand and the ball disappears as if it was crushed in an instant. Then, she takes a few books that may contain other variants of magecraft into her item box and turns to Yuri Alpha.
"Yuri-san, you would please escort me to the Amphitheater on the 6th Floor? There are some things that I need to try out first," Hope requested,
"Understood," Yuri complied with a bow, and joins her side,
"As for you Suisei, You are dismissed," Hope instructed, "However, I want you to interact with the other Pleiades, Homunculus Maids, and other staff of the 9th Floor. Feel free to do it in whatever order you desire,"
"Yes, My Lady," Suisei replied with a bow,
"Let's go," Hope said directly to Yuri, and turns towards an empty area"[Gate]"
Upon casting this spell, a portal opens and it leads to the 6th Floor of Narazick. Once Hope and Yuri walked through the portal, Suisei cleaned up the table as well as organized the books and notes that remained.
Then she placed a single stack of notes on Ainz's desk before leaving the room to introduce herself to the other maids of Nazarick.
6th Floor
Upon arrival, Hope and Yuri walked their way toward the Amphitheater and stops once they were standing on one side of the stage.
Hope then placed two fingers on each side of her mouth, and whistled as loud as she can.
A few minutes later, something runs at them at high speed and it was one of Aura's pets, Quadracile, and on its back were the Dark Elf Twins...
As soon as they arrived near Hope, Quadracile stops and both dark elves drop right down from its back.
"Hope-sama!" Aura cheerfully greeted,
"W-welcome, Hope-sama" Mare timidly greeted,
"Didn't Ainz tell you not to call me that? It's fine to just call me Hope since I'm not one with superiority," Hope humbly reminded,
"We will, but I may ask what brings you here today?" Aura inquired,
"I came here to perform several experiments since the Amphitheater is currently the only place I know with an open area," Hope explained, "I hope you don't mind,"
"Not at all, Feel free to do as you please since Ainz told us to look after your needs!" Aura assured,
Hope nods to the Dark Elf's words and then proceeds with the first experiment in mind...
She digs into her inventory box and pulls out a random spell book that she stored, and levitates it with a bit of magic at her disposal. As she flipped the pages, that's when it all begin.
As she moves the book meters away from her, she takes a deep breath while concentrating on the spell in her mind. What followed was a medium-sized magic circle forming from the very ground and she stood at the very center of the circle.
Then, several runes were inscribed in some parts of the circle and Hope's spectators marveled as they were going to witness her magic for the very first time.
Once the runes within the circle had been finished, it begins to glow green illuminating light. Then some parts of the ground had begun to sprout several saplings and grow at a supernatural rate.
In a matter of minutes, the saplings grew into adult-sized trees. But their shape was oval, and they lacked branches or leaves as they continued to grow into the size of an average adult.
Once fully matured, the circle loses its light but remains as these oval-shaped trees still remained around her. What came next was that these trees were actually pods as wooden hands emerged from the bark of the tree.
Yuri Alpha and the Dark Elf Twins were alarmed by this and assumed a fighting stance. But they hesitated as they didn't want Hope to get hurt since remained still at the center of the circle.
Finally, the pods burst into splinters and what emerged were five human-like treants. Though their behavior and speech were closely similar to zombies as they grunted loudly upon their birth.
What came next was them falling to their knees, and bowing their heads before their supposed summoner. Baffling Yuri and the Dark Elf Twins from their worries.
Hope's circle then vanishes from her feet and stares at every one of the treants before smiling upon its completion. As for the book, it remains the same, and it made her smile even more as she pulled the book towards her and closes it as soon as he grasped it with one hand.
Yuri and the Dark Elf Twins then started clapping as they applaud Hope's power.
"That was incredible, Hope-sa..." Aura was about to say, but catches herself before she could finish her sentence, "Hope-san!"
"Y-Yes, it really is incredible," Mare added,
"I thank you for your praises, but this is merely one of the many experiments that I plan to conduct for today," Hope explained,
"If I may ask, what would these experiments be?" Yuri asked,
"Well..." Hope pauses turns toward them, and then holds onto her own waist, "I wanted to know if my own abilities are still accessible to me,"
What comes next was Hope demonstrating her power while Aura and Mare ordered their subordinates to set up several dummies for her.
Then Hope uses basic offense magic, and the outcome was already obvious as the spells incinerated, freeze, melt, break, etc.
What followed was her defensive magic as she insisted to Yuri Alpha to hit her as hard as she can after she cast her spells onto herself. The latter was hesitant, but the former reassured her that brute strength is meaningless due to several defenses that she obtained throughout the course of the game.
Thus, Yuri abides by Hope's request and lands a swift punch directly at her. What followed was a barrier that absorbed the impact of his punch and even knocked the Pleiade Maid back as if her attacks were diverted to her.
It didn't harm her since she received no damage from the diversion. But she stated that if like something pushed her away after she deliver her punch.
In other words, Hope had concluded that her magic still work in this New World.
Then came the third experiment...
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The Class Test...
"[Create Item]" Hope chanted, then a sword appeared on the ground,
She then proceeds to pick up, holds it about her head, and attempts to use it. But instead of slashing the air, the sword seemingly fell from her hand, and Hope stares into her hands, "Huh? Even in the New World, Some of Yggdrasil's functions still exist... But it's more of a show than tell,"
Hope then uses [Perfect Warrior], grabs the sword, and takes a swing at it once more. Only this time, she slashes the air and a gust of wind was made in the process.
"Now that's useful..." Hope remarked, then turns to one of the Treants,
She walked towards them, held her sword properly, then slashes the Treant in one fell swoop. The results led to the Treant breaking into several pieces of wood, and what appeared was a small green orb.
This confuses Hope as she never saw this in the game. Nor was it ever implemented in the game...
"Do you see that?" Hope questioned the three spectators,
"Yeah," Aura responded,
"I-It looks like a small orb," Mare commented,
"Surely, there's an explanation to this," Yuri said as she tipped her glasses,
Hope then turns back to the orb, and stretches her hand underneath the orb. What happens next was the orb now floating onto the palm of her hand.
Just as she did from Ainz's office, this orb did the same as it followed her. But this orb felt somewhat alive as she could feel something within.
Hope marvels at this discovery, but puts it aside as she seemingly absorbed the orb into her hand and feels its energy coursing through her arm all the way up to her chest, then to the rest of her body.
"Most interesting..." Hope remarked,
"What do you mean, Hope-san?" Aura inquired,
"Oh, it's nothing. Just talking to myself," Hope said, then looks down at the sword she holds, "[Break Item]"
The sword soon breaks from her hand and was reduced to nothing but particles.
"Let's move on with the next experiment," Hope declared, "But I will need your assistance with this part of the experiment, Aura, Mare,"
"Yes!" Aura and Mare responded,
"As for you, Yuri. I would like you to stay out of this one," Hope requested, "You've done your part, it's time I give the twins theirs,"
"Understood," Yuri responded, followed with a bow, and takes a few steps back.
"So, what do you want us to do, Hope-san?" Aura inquired,
"Oh, the answer to that question is simple," Hope opens her inventory box, digs her hand into it, and pulls out a pair of large armbands
The arm bands were made out of different materials that have yet to be found in this New World, runes were inscribed above and below the armbands, and there were eight holes with colorless orbs on each of them.
This was something that Yuri or the Dark Elves doesn't recognize as these armbands were never worn by any one of the Supreme Beings.
Hence, this was their first time seeing it.
Then came the answer that the twins didn't know that was coming...
"Spar with me," Hope requested,
There was silence...
Then their reaction was shown, "E-EHHHH!"
"Demonstrating my powers to a bunch of dummies has its merits," Hope stated, "But to demonstrate my abilities to those equal to my level is better,"
"B-But!" Mare tried to protest,
but Hope interrupts him before another word could be said, "If you're so worried about my condition, then feel free to hold back as much as you wish. But not too much, doing so would only disappoint me..."
Aura and Mare were unsure of what to do with this situation. They were delighted to have Hope, 'The Child of Nazarick', personally visit them on the 6th Floor. But to fight her was a different matter entirely.
They wouldn't want her to get hurt, much less hurt herself in any way possible. but the thought of protesting her idea had caused them to hesitate.
If they agree, they might hurt her should they fail to hold their strength back. If they refuse, then they would be ashamed of themselves for not abiding by her request, and possibly fail in their roles as Floor Guardians of Nazarick.
It was a tough choice for the two to make...
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Though Aura had mustered the courage to give a tough answer...
"... Fine," Aura responded with a soft tone in her voice,
"O-Onee-chan?" Mare murmured,
"It's alright," Aura blatantly responded, "As we swore our fealty to Ainz-sama, The same can be said for Hope as well,"
Aura then unhesitatingly pulled her whip on hand, unravels it, and stands tall and proud to Hope.
"And their word is absolute," Aura added,
Mare was still hesitant to the idea but reluctantly agrees to his sister's words as he gripped tightly onto his staff and stood alongside his sister as the two ready themselves for this spar.
Hope smiled at their answer, and the armbands she holds became active as the orbs glowed in a blue color. Then the armbands flew right off of Hope's hand, adjusted its size to fit through her hand, then shrinks until they were fitted onto her wrists.
"Yuri," Hope called out,
"Yes?" Yuri inquired,
"Give us the signal," Hope requested, "I'd like to be ready,"
"Understood," Yuri replied and raises her hand, "Ready..."
Hope and the Dark Elf Twins stared at each other intensely as they waited for Yuri's signal. Hope remains enthusiastic while Aura remains firm with her brother standing beside him.
Then...
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Came the signal...
"Begin!" Yuri declared, and swiftly lowers her arm,
Aura charges forth while Hope follows her example. What followed was the former swiping her whip within range while the latter's armbands glowed brighter than before.
That's when the two clash against each other...
That is it for this chapter, everyone! I'm aware that I ended this on a cliffhanger. But still, I ask for your opinions as well as your reaction to this act I've shown to you all.
But rest assured, I will do my best to write the spar between Hope and the Dark Elf Twins in the next chapter.
As for the discussion that I've mentioned from the beginning. The discussion revolves around what I've said in the first chapter.
About Characters and Monsters belonging to different franchises? If you've recalled this part from the first chapter, here is my decision...
I've decided that this story will become a Xover Story instead of solely focusing on Servants of the Fate Universe. But to reassure you all, I promise that I won't do the same mistakes I did in the old version and those characters will only serve as supposed counterparts of specific people.
The same goes for Mythical Creatures...
As for how they are summoned, I'll surprise you all.
And lastly, For those who ask what her level is. The answer is that she's a Level 100 Player. Reasons will be revealed in the future and I might show you all Hope's newest character chart which consists of what she specializes in and an exclusive class that she possesses.
Now it's time for me to reply to the reviews of the previous chapter!
duked: I will leave the details regarding her parents soon. I don't plan on leaving it in the dark.
EddEinfach: I'll provide a chart soon, but I will admit. Yes, Hope can indeed summon spiders. Try imaging D'Vorah but less gross. As for your response to the lemons, Did recall a scene where Shalltear talked about her experience on the Vampire Brides and I recall the scene involving the Lizard Men. As for Hope's age, I'll let you know about it very soon.
Anoynim: I don't mind the spoiler, and the reason why I asked was just out of curiosity. Also, the fact that summons can last indefinitely is kinda OP if Hope decided to summon Servants in the New World.
Lord Metallex: Possible, but it won't be an all-out fight since that's just a disaster just waiting to happen. Sure, the Floor Guardians are one thing, but Servants are another if I'm not mistaken.
That is all for the reviews, stay safe from the virus, and I will see you all in the next chapter!
