Chapter 182 - A big change (1/2)
Having set Hajime on the path that would make him stronger, Alex returned to Oscar's hideout to let Anne and Yue know he planned to return to Asora shortly. He needed to discuss his plans for Tortus with the important figures in Asora, and he needed to spend time with his girls. As he arrived Alex immediately went to the garden, where Anne was having Yue help her while he was busy. He then told them,
”I'm planning to return to Asora for a while and will probably be gone all night, the girls should be back in a couple hours once the first part of my business is finished.” Anne mock pouted, and said,
”I bet you're just going to visit your other women.” Alex laughed and replied,
”Yeah, I haven't seen them in about two weeks so I should probably go visit them. But there's other things I need to take care of as well.” Anne stopped mock pouting, and was about to say something before Alex sealed her lips. When he was done kissing her, Alex then kissed Yue, who simply said in return,
”Love me lots when you get back...” Making Anne look at her incredulously. Alex laughed once more before being enveloped in mist and entering Asora.
The first thing he noticed was the intense wave of heat that seemed to hit him in the face, and the feeling of dryness in the air. Though it would fluctuate between warm and hot, Asora typically never changed from what could be described as spring weather, now that he was in another world it seemed to be in the peak of summer however. Alex quickly adjusted to the difference, and headed for the meeting hall while messaging the others to meet him.
Not long after he was seated in the air conditioned meeting hall, the people he wanted to talk to gathered in front of him. There was Serafall, Barakiel, Gabriel, Yasaka, Vali and his team, Sairaorg and Seekvaira, Bova and Roygun, Rias with Akeno and Rossweisse, Sona, Ravel, Kuroka, and Grayfia. Alex nodded at everyone gathered, and started the presentation he had Ravel prepare with the information Grayfia brought. First he explained general information about Tortus, before moving on to the situation with the ruling bodies, then to Ehito and the threat he may pose towards them as a body snatcher, and finally the labyrinths.
”...and so, I don't mind if anyone wants to conquer the labyrinths as they are an excellent source of training as well as the age of gods magics, but simply beware of catching Ehito's attention. As for Rossweisse, Le Fay, and Elaine, you're the three most steeped in magic research so I want all three of you to conquer the labyrinths at some point to study the age of gods magic in them. There are a few others I think should conquer at least one or two to compliment the abilities they already have, for example Asia and Valerie for the age of gods regeneration and spirit magic. However I want this to wait until I personally clear the labyrinths with my group and we can place magic circles there for quick travel, remember we have a year here so there's no huge hurry.” As Alex finished speaking, Vali then asked,
”So are we supposed to stay here and sit around while you're challenging these labyrinths?” Alex shook his head at his question, already having thought of a job for Vali and his team to pass the next couple months. A giant map of Asora appeared, but only the area a few hundred miles around the city showed up.
”Your group usually spent your time exploring when not fighting right? I want you to explore Asora over the next couple months. I doubt there's ancient monsters or gods for you to fight, but it should help you pass the time and be somewhat interesting.” Asora didn't work like a normal world, there was a wall of mist that acts as a boundary instead of being a completely open globe. This mist is relative to Alex's own powers, as he grows stronger the mist would be pushed further back and there would be more land available. Until this point they hadn't explored all the way to the boundaries, so Alex didn't know what to expect in his own world environmentally, this was a good chance to learn what they had to offer any future residents. Though he didn't seem too thrilled with his new job, Vali didn't complain, and simply nodded his head. Rias then asked,
”You used Asia and Valerie for you example earlier, would they be able to pass the labyrinths safely?” Alex then explained,
”They can piggyback with other groups, for instance since I want those three to learn and study all of them, Asia and Valerie could simply accompany them.” Rias sighed in relief at Alex's words, glad that her cute Asia and Gaspers girlfriend wouldn't be in too much danger. Alex then turned towards Barakiel and gestured for Grayfia to bring what they brought.
”We have all these minerals and such that I want the Grigori to look into, most have interesting properties that some of you might have fun with. But remember they're only available in this world, so if you need more we need to be able to gather it before leaving.” As Barakiel looked at the samples Grayfia gave him he smiled and said,
”Several of my people would be very interested in these, we'll probably be needing tons of this stuff before leaving.” Alex nodded, already expecting that answer, before turning to Seekvaira while pulling out the gods water crystal.
”This is a crystal formed by magic in the air in Tortus, later it started turning that magic into a water that can heal almost any injury. I want you to do some experimenting and try to keep the water flowing without draining it dry, maybe in a room with time manipulation that has a large amount of magic energy in it?” Seekvaira nodded her head, deep in thought before saying,
”I can place it into a room with the highest level of time manipulation I can manage, but I'm not sure about the magic power. This seems like a very valuable and rare item, if that was all it took then I'm sure they would be commonplace.” Alex sighed since he half expected Seekvaira's answer, he simply said,
”Let's just try it for now, and maybe add a few additional formations under it to draw magic energy or something.” She agreed with his suggestion, then they moved on to other topics. As the meeting drew to a close, Alex called out at Bova,
”Before we leave, Bova there's an offer I want to talk to you about.” As Alex didn't seem to be interested in asking in private everyone stayed, and listened with curiosity. Bova then asked,
”What would you like to discuss my liege?” Alex simply opened the unopened package in his system, and set what was in it on the table. Everyone looked with curiosity at the weird fruit that had a series of spiraling patterns on it, and seemed to glow strangely. Alex then said,
”If you recall the fight I had with the other worlders, this is the same item that granted that one guy his magma powers, the Magu Magu no mi. I'd like to offer it to you Bova.” Everyone's eyes widened when they heard what it was, but Bova had the biggest reaction, as his eyes seemed to grow to the size of plates. He then asked,
”If I may, why me?” Alex explained,
”This fruit can be considered one of the top tier ones in the world it came from, combine its powers with a dragons capabilities, and anyone would shudder at the thought.” Vali then asked,
”If it's so powerful why didn't you eat it?” Alex shrugged, and said,