Chapter 1515 (2/2)

And in that brief pause, Nether rushed forward and created an entirely organic network of flowing energy by using the various individuals as waypoints. The energy became even rather obedient; as long as it was flowing from one person to another, it didn’t mind the direction it traveled.

In addition, Randidly could suddenly feel a few extra motes of significance settling within his Nether Nebula as the energy system around him made its path back through his chest before spreading out once more. Randidly watched the entire process with half-lidded eyes. The goal was to mimic the expansion of images with Randidly’s Nether Nebula. He would use this time to examine the way that Nether moved on a broader scope, hopefully providing him with enough insight into Nether that he might make some headway with a Nether Class.

Perhaps sensing that Randidly was largely done with his working, Helen ascended the rest of the stairs to Randidly’s penthouse. She knocked on the door and then opened it. She peered around with interest, clearly sensing the movement of Nether. “Is this another training method for the recruits or is it just for you?”

“...both. But it will require direct attention on my part to weaponize the Nether to mimic the effects of an actual Nether Beast,” Randidly rubbed his chin, examining the way that the Nether was behaving below. Perhaps based on significance, some of the original flows were thinning while others were thickening. Eventually, smaller Nether flows became obsolete and new ones were organically born between individuals standing near each other. Randidly allowed the Nether to do its work. Instead, he glanced at Helen with a half-smile. “Also, did you enjoy that demonstration? You stabbed that recruit through the heart. It’s rare I’ve seen someone get under your skin like that.”

Helen rolled her eyes. “That kid needed to learn a lesson… but I don’t quite think it will stick. No matter how closely he comes to death, if he doesn’t die, he will continue to believe he is invincible. A stubborn fool. If we don’t kill him, a Nether Gatekeeper surely will.”

“I’ll work Nether into his training chamber.” Randidly nodded. He had allowed Helen and Heiffal to head the training of the recruits, but that didn’t mean he hadn’t been paying attention. And over the past five days, DiOrtho Vant was both the recruit who had improved the fastest and the only one that hadn’t had their attitude turn for the better in the disciplined environment. “Twenty-four hours to start, and if he comes out without learning his lesson, we can just leave him in there for a week. Any thoughts of revenge… heh, those reflection chambers will keep him honest.”

“Maybe,” Helen just shook her head, her long braid bouncing against her back. “But remember that we don’t have to just worry about him: according to Octavius’ report, Vant’s backer is one of the most ancient amongst the recruits.”

Randidly pursed his lips. “...a blood-drinking psychopath who rose to prominence in the Third Cohort. Certainly, an unsavory character who would raise a descendent to think he was invincible, not caring about the consequences.”

“Make sure you think about the consequences before you punish him too harshly.” Helen jabbed a finger toward Randidly. “I get it, Randidly, I really do. You are getting restless, staying here and training the recruits. But don’t bite off more than you can chew. The rest of us won’t be able to survive it.”

Randidly waved a hand in irritation. But the reason he was irritated was that Helen was right. Sitting for the past few days on the Rally Station… knowing that Vualla was about to be deployed against a Nether threat that had killed a Commandant, one of the most powerful individuals within the military structure… it made him feel like he was wasting his time here. Randidly craved the chance to fight and work off the nervous energy that was filling him.

It didn’t help that the Stillborn Phoenix’s emotional refinement meant that his emotions were becoming quite powerful. Both with his images, but also just for normal living. All power came with a cost.

Randidly forced himself to calm down. In front of him stretched two and a half more long months of training these recruits. And he would gladly take that time for his own training, but he also craved more perspective about how he fit into the existing power structure of the Nexus. After the fight with Kaan Swacc… Randidly had definitely made some serious improvements. That transformation wouldn’t be complete until he had finished the Grim Chimera’s metamorphosis, but he was strong.

Exactly how strong? Well…

Randidly shook his head and then refocused on Helen. “Was there something else?”

“Yup.” Helen walked over to the table. Randidly had rather casually roasted some meats this morning, mostly a massive boar he picked up while he had been within his Alpha Cosmos, and had been steadily snacking on the result while he had worked on his Nether system. She picked up a piece and confidently popped it into her mouth. A second later, her expression brightened and she took a few more. “We got another scroll, requesting a meeting. But this one is from Commandant Wick himself.”

That had Randidly’s attention. Suddenly, he wished he had delayed activating the grand Nether array for a few more days. Remembering that tightly controlled madness that he had briefly witnessed in the Commandant, standing over that metallic being that had his physical form destabilized to the point of being an ooze, the skin on the back of Randidly’s neck prickled. “...was the request as the acting head of the military efforts in the Fifth Cohort?”

Helen shook her head. “Only as a doting grandfather, according to the scroll. But he would like a full tour of our training facilities and the opportunity to talk at length with you right after the first inter-Drill Sergeant skirmish. Seems like he’s hedging his bets. The only reason we’ve been able to expand so freely is that everyone thinks we have his support, right?”

“Right.” Randidly rubbed his chin. Well, it wasn’t like he planned on hiding what he was doing here. But he did wish he would have had some more time to act without anyone noticing. But Randidly supposed that was impossible; he was the head Drill Sergeant. As the Fifth Cohort became more of an issue, he would come under more and more scrutiny.

Honestly, the fact that outside forces had remained quiet for the first week was quite a blessing.

“Oh, there is one other thing I forgot.” Helen, now holding an armful of Randidly’s smoked meats, said as she walked toward the door. “That other Drill Sergeant, Banum Volopposett, stopped by to pester to meet with you. He says the Engraving Guild is very interested in learning about some of the runes you used. They are willing to assist with your experiments if you are willing to share your insight.”

Randidly snorted; Yystrix’s Engraving methods were one of the few advantages he had. If they came with Nexus Citizenship Coins, he wouldn’t mind it. But otherwise…