(Kaelith's POV: First person perspective)
Exiting that room after the hour was up felt almost exhilarating. The information flow had eventually died down, but I'd extracted a total of 38 pieces of intel from Nevara.
[DING! Quest "Interrogate Nevara and receive new information" has been completed
DING! Bonus Quest "Get more out of the Girl" has been completed
Rewards:
EXP Gained: 715,000
X10 Common Gems
X5 Uncommon Gems
X33 Rare Gems]
[Ding! You have levelled up 2 times!
Stat Points Gained: 20]
The dim, gray corridor stretched before me. It was empty, of course. Ozpin wouldn't leave a witness to anything that happened down here. The quiet hum of unseen machinery was the only sound, a subtle vibration underfoot. It was almost peaceful after the verbal sparring. I made my way to the elevator, the code to which was now etched into my memory.
The doors slid open instantly as I approached, as if sensing my presence. Inside, the elevator car was identical to the one that had brought us down. I stepped in, pressing the button for Ozpin's office. The ascent was quicker than the descent had felt, the silence broken only by the gentle hum of the lift.
As the doors glided open, I found myself directly facing Ozpin's office. The rich wood, the gears of the clockwork, the faint scent of coffee—it was a stark contrast to the utilitarian confinement below. Ozpin himself was at his desk, as if he hadn't moved an inch since I left him, nursing a steaming mug. He looked up, his expression unreadable, but a flicker in his eyes indicated his attention was entirely on me.
"Kaelith," he greeted, his voice calm, "I trust your… session was productive?"
I stepped fully into the office, the doors closing silently behind me. "More than you could imagine, Headmaster." I walked closer to his desk, stopping a few feet away. "Most of that information was about me directly though, so I doubt most of it will be helpful to you. Still, what I gleamed is that we have a threat that's after me."
"A threat that's after you," Ozpin echoed, his gaze steady, not a hint of surprise in his voice. He took a slow sip of his coffee, the clinking of the mug the only sound for a moment. "I rather anticipated as much. Your arrival, your unique capabilities, and now the presence of another individual not from Remnant, all point to a grander design at play. Please, elaborate on what you deem relevant."
I nodded, crossing my arms. "She was sent to kill me. And she was very surprised when I didn't roll over and die." I paused, letting that sink in. "Their intelligence on 'System Users,' as she called them, was apparently outdated. They thought I was 'local-tier.' Whoever fed them that intel severely underestimated me or my biological advantages."
Ozpin's eyes narrowed slightly, a subtle shift that spoke volumes. "System Users. And 'local-tier.' Interesting terminology."
"She implied a whole host of them across different dimensions. Her organization's entire existence revolves around monitoring these anomalies, these 'System Users.' They consider us a threat because of our potential for rapid growth." I leaned forward slightly, my voice dropping. "They like control in it's absolute form. And apparently, one System User, they called him Redshift, nearly wiped them out. Trillions lost, entire timelines erased. He was one of their own, their strongest, who turned against them. Likely because he saw the monsters they were. They enslave some particular world too."
Ozpin leaned back in his chair, his gaze drifting to the gears of the clockwork, his mind clearly working at a thousand miles an hour. "An organization that spans dimensions, targeting individuals with unique growth potential… and they have a history of internal conflict on a catastrophic scale. This paints a rather grim picture, Kaelith. One that far exceeds any threat Remnant has ever faced."
"You have no idea," I stated flatly. "Grimm are nuisances, even the strongest among them are like flies to me. These guys? They're an apocalypse on an interdimensional scale. Nevara herself, even weakened, was a planetary threat. If they have others like her, or stronger, you're looking at existential devastation across multiple realities. And worse, only I am powerful enough to truly fight back."
Ozpins gaze hardened.
He set his mug down with a soft clink, the casual posture evaporating completely. "A rather bold assertion, Kaelith. While I do not doubt your formidable capabilities, to claim singular efficacy against such a threat implies a scale of power that is, frankly, difficult to comprehend. Are you suggesting that if these 'System Users' or this organization were to direct their full attention to Remnant, our combined forces, our entire civilization, would be rendered moot?"
"I am stating facts, Headmaster," I replied, my voice devoid of emotion. "You saw the Emerald Forest. That was collateral damage from our battle. Imagine what she could do if she was making that her main goal, let alone what her superiors. Your Huntsmen, your armies, your global defence systems—they're designed for Grimm, for human conflict. They are not designed for beings who can erase timelines or shatter planets. If this 'Redshift' person, who was once one of their own, could cause trillions of casualties across dimensions, then yes, your conventional forces are moot. You would be fortunate if Remnant remained intact, let alone alive."
I paused, letting those words sink in before adding: "Fortunately, it seems the leaders don't personally go themselves, which means we are likely to get a few more beings like Nevara."
Ozpin remained silent for a long moment, his gaze unwavering, taking in my cold, hard assessment. The ticking of the clockwork gears seemed unusually loud in the sudden stillness of the office. He finally picked up his mug again, but didn't drink, instead tracing the rim with his thumb.
"A chilling prognosis, Kaelith," he said, his voice low, almost a murmur, yet imbued with an unshakeable resolve. "If what you say is true, then our traditional methods of defence, our very understanding of warfare, must be re-evaluated entirely. And you, it seems, are positioned as our most... unconventional asset."
I gave a short, humourless laugh. "Unconventional is an understatement. I'm a walking existential crisis, and the best part is, I'm stuck here. So, the question becomes, Headmaster: what are you going to do about it?"
He met my gaze, a flicker of something ancient and weary in his eyes, but also a spark of cunning. "What I always do, Kaelith. Adapt. Strategize. And, most importantly, protect. Nevara will now be a critical piece of that strategy. She will be a conduit for information, and perhaps, with careful handling, something more."
"Ozpin, can I request something?" I ask.
Ozpin raised an eyebrow, a silent invitation to continue. "A request? From the walking existential crisis? Do enlighten me."
"My Home Planet in my dimension had stronger gravity then this Planet's own. Around twenty times stronger. I need to get stronger, but I doubt I can achieve that with no issues unless we do something about that. I need a Gravity Chamber built." I concisely articulated what I needed to grow stronger.
Ozpin's expression didn't change, but his grip on his mug tightened almost imperceptibly. He slowly lowered it to the desk, his gaze now fixed directly on mine. "A gravity chamber, you say. A rather… specific request. And one that implies a level of technological advancement far beyond anything we possess on Remnant, at least in common knowledge."
"You have the resources, Headmaster," I stated, my tone firm. "Atlas has advanced technology. And I've done the research myself."
I pulled up my inventory, and brought out the notes for it putting it on his desk. It looked almost too complex, and yet I made everything so concise to speed up the process.
In truth, I did the research in my past life although I never got the chance to make it. I wasn't going to tell him that information though.
I waited, allowing the silence to stretch, for him to absorb the audacity of my request and the sheer complexity of the schematics. His eyes scanned the detailed diagrams, the calculations for gravitational fields, energy expenditure, and structural integrity. A lesser man would have dismissed it as fantastical, but Ozpin was not a lesser man. He was a man who understood the impossible when it stared him in the face.
"These schematics," he began, his voice laced with a newfound seriousness, "they are… thorough. Astonishingly so. This isn't merely theoretical; this is practical engineering on a scale that few on Remnant could even conceive, let alone execute." He picked up one of the pages, holding it carefully. "You truly designed this, Miss Kaelith?"
"I did it 2 weeks ago, but didn't have the resources to get it built. Plus I didn't know anyone who could make use of the notes."
Ozpin's gaze remained fixed on the schematics, a profound stillness settling over him. He picked up another page, his fingers tracing a complex diagram of energy conduits. "You invented these... this... a mere two weeks ago. This level of intellect, combined with your… unique physiology… it presents an almost overwhelming advantage." He looked up, his expression a careful blend of awe and calculated concern. "You truly are an anomaly, Miss Kaelith. One that, if truly unleashed, could reshape entire worlds."
"Or destroy them," I adjoined flatly as simple reality.
He gave a slow nod, his gaze returning to the blueprints. "Or destroy them, indeed. Which brings us back to control, doesn't it, Kaelith? Not control of you, I daresay that would be a fool's errand, but control with you. A partnership, however unconventional." He tapped a finger on the main schematic. "This chamber… what degree of gravity are you intending to achieve? And what, precisely, is the benefit of such extreme conditions?"
"The benefit is exponential growth, Headmaster," I stated, my voice unwavering. "My physiology adapts to environmental stressors. Higher gravity means my muscles, bones, and every single cell will become astronomically denser and stronger. It's the most efficient way for me to increase my baseline power. My target is initially 30 times Remnant's gravity, 2X Planet Vegeta's to 30x Planet Vegeta, and eventually much higher."
Ozpin picked up the schematics, turning them over in his hands. His brow furrowed in thought. "Thirty times Remnant's gravity… a monumental undertaking. Such a facility would require immense power generation, specialized materials to withstand the stress, and absolute secrecy. Even Atlas, with all their resources, would find this a significant challenge. And the inherent risks to your own person... the stress on your body would be immense, even for your species."
"I am aware of the risks, Headmaster," I cut in, my tone flat. "My race thrives on pushing limits. Without this, my growth will stagnate. And stagnation, in the face of a multidimensional threat, is equivalent to surrender. If you want me to be capable of fighting against beings who can wipe out timelines, then this is not a request; it is a necessity. And as for materials and secrecy, I believe Atlas has both the capability and the political discretion to handle such a project away from prying eyes."
Ozpin leaned back, a faint, almost imperceptible sigh escaping him. He looked at the detailed drawings, then at me. "Indeed. You've clearly given this considerable thought. The logic, however cold, is sound. A weapon must be forged to meet the calibre of the threat. Very well, Miss Kaelith. I will contact General Ironwood immediately. This will be a classified project, of course, under the highest security protocols. It will take time. Five to six months, at the very least, to design, procure materials, and construct such a facility on a hidden site here."
"That's acceptable," I knew that the time it would take would be major, something like that needed a long time to get sorted.
Ozpin nodded, a weary but resolute expression on his face. "Excellent. I will personally oversee the initial consultations with Atlas's top engineers. This will be an unprecedented collaboration, and one that must remain entirely off the books, even from the rest of my staff. The implications of this technology, let alone your existence, are too profound for widespread knowledge."
"Naturally." I agreed. I was already at the door, looking at the man. "I should get back to my team. I'll see you again at some point."
And with that I left. Along the way I considered what I could be doing.
Recreating the Final Flash might be a requirement. Making my own moves still could work, but I had a few other ideas. With Limit Breaker, I didn't have to worry about my training stagnating completely, but it will slow down massively from this point on.
I needed to become much, much stronger. I needed to go even further beyond.
I may not have Super Saiyan yet, but I had ideas. Those Gems would also help massively.
My boots clicked against the polished floor of the hallway as I made my way back to the main academy building. The conversation with Ozpin replayed in my mind, a complicated algorithm of strategic gain and necessary concessions. He was pragmatic, more so than I'd initially given him credit for. My demand for a gravity chamber was audacious, a calculated risk, but he'd seen the logic. He understood the scale of the threat, even if he couldn't truly grasp the raw, terrifying power I possessed.
As I reached the more populated areas of Beacon, the sounds of student life washed over me — distant laughter, the murmur of conversations, the clatter from the dining hall. It was a stark contrast to the sterile quiet of the underground facility and the heavy implications of the conversation I'd just had.
The thought of Nevara, cuffed and contained, brought a flicker of cold satisfaction. Her fear of "Redshift" was a potent indicator of the organization's weakness. They had a singular Achilles' heel, and I intended to exploit it.
I pushed open the door to my dorm, stepping into the familiar, slightly chaotic space. The sound of Nora's booming laughter hit me first, followed by a distinctly un-Ren-like sigh, and Pyrrha's gentle, melodic voice attempting to mediate whatever bizarre scenario had unfolded in my absence.
Nora was mid-sentence, perched on her bed like a benevolent, sugar-fuelled queen, gesturing wildly with a half-eaten cookie. Ren was meticulously reading a book on philosophy, a clear attempt to find peace in a chaotic world. Pyrrha was sitting at the small table, sketching in a notebook, but her head was tilted, clearly listening to Nora's antics.
All three looked up as I entered. Nora paused, cookie crumbs clinging to her chin.
"Kaelith!" Nora shrieked, launching herself off the bed with surprising agility, cookie forgotten. She practically tackled me, her embrace surprisingly strong for someone who seemed to be made of pure exuberance. "You're back! We missed you! Did you vaporize a secret villain lair? Did you wrestle a Grimm in a cage match? Tell me everything!"
Right, I forgot I didn't tell them where I was going.
"Ozpin let me interrogate the girl. Nevara as I now know her as. We then had a rather long chat." I articulated concisely, "although, I can't give you any details, Nora."
Nora, still clinging to my arm, deflated slightly. "Aww, no cool secrets? But you always have the best secrets!" She pouted, then brightened instantly. "But you're back! And you didn't evaporate! Ren thought you might have been kidnapped by a secret society of super-villain librarians!"
Ren sighed, running a hand over his face. "Nora, I said nothing of the sort. I merely suggested her prolonged absence in the Headmaster's presence, coupled with yesterday's events, indicated a high-level, classified discussion. And that she might benefit from a change of clothes."
I was already mid-way into my inventory pulling out clothes as I was walking towards the shower.
"He's right, Kaelith. Your uniform's… a bit scuffed," Pyrrha said, her voice soft but with a hint of concern. "Are you alright? You were gone for a while."
I paused at the bathroom door, a clean uniform in hand. "I'm fine. Just… a lot of talking." I opened the door, then turned back, my gaze sweeping over my teammates. "I'll be out in a moment. Then, we can discuss the pressing matters of… what exactly happened with the cookies?"
Nora gasped, clutching her chest. "They're a sensitive topic, Kaelith! A very sensitive topic!"
I raised an eyebrow, a tiny, almost imperceptible smirk playing on my lips. "I see. Then it requires immediate investigation."
With that, I slipped into the bathroom, the sound of the shower starting a moment later. When I emerged, freshly showered and in a new outfit the dorm felt warmer, lighter. Nora was still dramatically lamenting the cookie situation, but her tone was more playful now. Ren had finished organizing a small stack of books, taking one to read. Pyrrha had put her sketchbook down and was watching Nora with a fond smile.
"Alright," I said, stepping into the main area, crossing my arms. "The cookie report. Lay it on me."
Nora launched into a whirlwind explanation. "Okay, so like, Ren made these super healthy, super boring cookies, right? And they tasted like… sadness mixed with oats. So I had to, had to, jazz them up! With extra syrup! And sprinkles! And then Pyrrha tried one and she giggled! She did, Kaelith, she giggled!"
Pyrrha flushed slightly, covering her mouth with her hand. "They were… a unique culinary experience, Nora. And quite sweet."
Ren, ever stoic, interjected. "Nora replaced my carefully measured protein powder with extra sugar, Kaelith. And then added an entire bottle of maple syrup. They are no longer structurally sound."
"They're deliciously unsound!" Nora declared, pointing her cookie-crumb-stained finger at Ren. "See, Kaelith? Even Pyrrha liked them! You should try one!" She held out a dangerously sticky-looking cookie.
I took the cookie. It was indeed excessively sweet, with a texture that defied conventional baked goods. But the scent of maple syrup and sugar was strong. I took a bite. It was… an assault on the senses. And yet, there was an undeniable, almost childish joy radiating from Nora as she watched me.
[Faith has increased by 1 point]
"It is… certainly a new experience," I conceded, chewing slowly. "The sugar content is excessive, the structural integrity compromised, but the flavour profile is… undeniably impactful."
Nora beamed. "See! Impactful! That's a good word!"
"You know, Kaelith," Pyrrha began, her eyes sparkling, "you're quite good with words. The way you spoke to Team CRDL today… it was very impactful."
Ren nodded. "You dismantled their arrogance with precision. It was efficient."
I felt something unfamiliar flicker within me. Praise. It wasn't something I sought—the White Room never praised me despite my skills—or even acknowledged it much. But hearing it from them, so earnest and uncalculated… it was different.
"It's just… logic," I mumbled, feeling a faint warmth in my chest that had nothing to do with the sugar high from the cookie. "They presented an illogical premise, I presented a logical refutation."
Nora snorted, a laugh bubbling up. "You made them look like total dorks! Cardin's face was priceless! Like someone told him he couldn't hit anything with his giant mace!"
"He essentially admitted as much when he lost consciousness before attempting a swing," Ren added, a rare, almost imperceptible smirk touching his lips. "Your assessment of his weapon's tactical value was accurate, Kaelith."
"More than accurate. It was brutal," Pyrrha said, a soft giggle escaping her. "But it needed to be said. Someone had to show them they weren't invincible."
"Exactly!" Nora clapped her hands. "And you were perfect! The way you just poof appeared, hit the Grimm, and then started ripping into them! It was like a masterclass in 'you're terrible and I'm awesome'!"
"I am not 'awesome'," I stated, trying to maintain my usual composure, but the corners of my lips twitched upwards. "I am efficient."
"Tomato, tomahto," Nora waved a dismissive hand, then bounced off her bed again, grabbing another cookie. "Hey, Kaelith, wanna play a game? Pyrrha and I were just about to try to beat Ren at board games, but he's too good at strategy."
"Nora," Ren said, his voice even, "I simply apply logical deduction to the board state. It's not 'being too good,' it's understanding the rules and probability."
"See?!" Nora appealed to me. "Boring! We need something more… explosion-y! Like combat strategy! You're good at that!"
"Combat strategy on a board game?" I mused. "That depends on the parameters of the game. Are we simulating Grimm encounters? Urban warfare? Resource management?"
Pyrrha chuckled. "Just a simple game of 'Remnant Rivals,' Kaelith. You try to collect all the dust crystals and recruit the most Huntsmen."
"Dust crystals, Huntsmen recruitment…" I tapped my chin thoughtfully. "It does present opportunities for optimizing resource acquisition and unit deployment. I could formulate a winning algorithm."
Nora groaned. "Oh no, you're going to turn into a super-strategy robot, aren't you? Like Ren, but with more… math!"
"I'm not a robot, Nora," I said, a slight inflection of annoyance in my voice. "And my strategies are derived from observation and calculation, not programming. There is a difference."
"Right, right, not a robot," Nora conceded, then nudged my arm. "But you're still coming to play, right? We need your super-brain power! Plus, it'll be fun!"
Fun? I only ever truly felt like that when near Akari, Yami or Mei.... The concept felt alien to me in this world. And yet… the warmth in my chest from their praise, the slight upward twitch of my lips.
"Fine," I said, a small smile forming on my lips. "But if I create a deterministic algorithm that guarantees victory, you two aren't allowed to complain about my 'math'."
Nora clapped her hands, nearly dropping her cookie. "Deal! Ren, you're going down!"
Ren merely offered a serene, almost challenging, smile. "We shall see, Nora. Kaelith, perhaps we can analyze the opening moves, identify dominant strategies?"
"Excellent," I replied, already walking towards the table where the board game was set up, my mind whirring with possibilities. "Let's establish the parameters of the game state and identify optimal resource allocation curves for early-game dominance."
Pyrrha watched us, a soft, fond smile on her face. "This is going to be… interesting."
She picked up her pencil again, but instead of sketching, she began to jot down notes, a spark of amusement in her eyes as she prepared to observe the tactical clash of minds about to unfold.
I sat down ready to engage in this game.