I know I said I wouldn't do this, but here I am, including an author section at the very top. This is very special. I am including a new segment that wasn't in my story before the rewrite. The next few chapters are going to be entirely new! It may cause the rewrite going forward to potentially branch off depending on the results of this new event. Happy reading and happy holidays! (I also empowered the bow to new levels!)
*
A thick pressure constantly emanated around the third floor. Scherazard's face had shock written all over it. McBurn, on the other hand, just held his hand out with a lazy look in his eyes, acting like this was nothing to him. I was surprised myself. It was clear it was a bow. I'm not exactly versed in archery. Father taught me the basics, but to think I'd get an unexpected gift like this.
I know I have my main weapon and all, but knowing the Divine Knight I'm to pilot in the coming future, Testa-Rossa is known to use a myriad of weapons. The mech even has a giant bow!
McBurn ignored Scherazard's outburst and just continued looking at me.
"As I said earlier Your Highness, this bow now belongs to you, thus completing my delivery. A gift from you-know-who. Thanks to that ability of yours, we benefited from it quite a bit. Even me. And considering this gift is from her, I myself haven't paid off this favor. If you come across an enemy you have a hard time dealing with, don't hesitate to call upon me.", McBurn said, explaining the situation to me.
"So this bow really is mine. And you'd go that far, McBurn? It sounds like you received quite a reward.", I said, wondering how far McBurn improved from my Gamer System. He partook in Instance Dungeon II and so did other members of Ouroboros. This may or may not have implications to Class VII in the future. They face off against McBurn on numerous occasions. Most of them are triggered as unwinnable fights, so it might not matter in the long run. Not until he reveals his true form...
As I thought about how strong McBurn has gotten, I saw him nod his head.
"You don't know half of it. I owe a debt to you now. It's not like I'll follow you everywhere though. You have the channels to reach out to me.", McBurn explained.
"Yeah. So you're basically an added layer of security. I'll take all I can get, so thanks.", I replied, and nodded.
"Wait. Are you saying this bow belongs to His Highness now?", Scherazard asked, sucking in a cold breath of air. "Just how did this monstrosity get crafted? It's releasing such a dense pressure. Don't you dare go firing it off in here!"
"Haha, I know not to do that, Schera. I can tell how powerful this bow is. Even with my current abilities, I doubt I can even use it to my fullest extent. It'll take some time getting used to it.", I said, and grabbed a hold of the bow. I felt a strange resonance with it too. Blue and red swirls of crystalized Mana moved around it consistently. They did not clash against each other one bit. It was as if these crystals were harmonious. Fully cooperating with each other. Yet, for some strange reason, it also released bursts of hot air. It was icy cold and hot at the same time. So strange.
"Tch. I knew it. I hate this bow the most out of the three. It just has an element I can't stand. You should not expect this not to be a normal weapon, just like the blade I received. It is from you-know-who after all.", McBurn scoffed, not liking the pressure the bow was currently releasing.
"You received a weapon too then, I take it. I'm starting to see the picture now.", I replied, and nodded. Sure enough, this was around the time McBurn received his bonded weapon and so did Loewe. The Grandmaster provides two weapons created through mystical means to these two people. But because I assisted Ouroboros in growing stronger, I got rewarded for it too!
I took a look at the pitch-black bow, and a decisive look appeared in my eyes.
"Well I won't back down from a gift. Thanks.", I said, and proceeded to reach toward it.
"Just...be careful, alright?", Scherazard asked, me still feeling unsafe. "If something happens to you, I won't be able to explain it to the Colonel."
"Haha. You can rest assured, Schera. Nothing to worry about.", I answered, assuring Scherazard that everything was fine. I am not sure what will happen from here, but the first thing to do was to grab this bow, then let the Gamer System do its thing. Thinking that, I placed my hand on the bow's shaft. The Gamer Notifications started rolling in one after another.
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has come into contact with an item created through the Divergent Laws. All Stats have been increased by 20%.]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto's Title: Otherworldly Slayer has been upgraded into Otherworldly Slayer+]
[Ding! Gamer Naoto has acquired a new Skill: Bow Mastery - Lv1 (0/100).]
[Ding! An owner has not been registered to the Divergent Weapon. Would Gamer Naoto like to bind it? Once bound, it will be bound to Gamer Naoto's soul, and will be unable to be dropped or destroyed by normal means.]
'Of course. I wouldn't have it any other way. I don't mind switching up my combat style for the time being either. Let's see this baby.', I decided.
[Ding! The Divergent Weapon, Verbrannteis the Soul Devourer has been bound to Gamer Naoto. It is a Growth-type weapon, and its stats will scale with Gamer Naoto's stats. Its Skills and Stats are now available for viewing.]
'Well that's a foreboding name if I ever saw one.', I thought, retorting at the name of this bow. But thanks to that, I suddenly felt stronger. To think I'd get such an unexpected bonus. One of my Titles strengthened, I gained a huge stat boost, and new Skills are now available for me!
The blue and red aura swirled into me, like it had always belonged. Scherazard just watched on with a serious look in her eyes. I did this with my eyes closed. With a quick flip of my eyelids, they opened once again. Scherazard's expression turned wide in shock once she saw Verbrannteis enter a black hole.
"Where did that bow go!?", Scherazard exclaimed, still shocked.
"Pipe down will ya? Didn't think it'd be that quick for the synchronization to finish. Even happened faster than me.", McBurn praised, seeing a glow wrap all around my body. This bonding happened very quickly, which even caused him surprise.
"I take it this is normal then.", I responded.
"Pretty much. Same thing happened with Angbar. It will either recognize you as its owner and form a connection, or treat you like dirt and become a dead weapon offering no value whatsoever. Don't expect this bow to behave like a normal weapon, like I warned you earlier. Divergent Weapons sure are something.", McBurn said, explaining the situation to me.
"Wait, you said it will form a connection. That did happen, but I don't think it's over...", I uttered. Sure enough, I heard another Gamer Notification. It wasn't over, even just by binding it together.
[Ding! The Divergent Weapon Verbrannteis has recognized Gamer Naoto as its new owner. Mana Resonance has successfully triggered. Now initiating the binding to Gamer Naoto's soul...]
"That doesn't sound good.", I uttered.
As if responding to me, the bow actually came out of Inventory on its own, appearing on the table. Maybe it really does have a mind of its own?
"What do you mean by 'that doesn't sound good?', Your Highness? Is something about to happen?", Scherazard asked, seeing the bow show up again on the table before us. "I have a million questions, but I don't think now's the time to answer them..."
"Just watch for now.", McBurn said. "The weapon recognized the prince as the owner. Now, it's going to finish the synchronization process. Even I don't know what is going to happen.", McBurn explained.
"Ugh...", I uttered. I felt a strange sensation strike against my very core. Before I knew it, my Mana began to leak from my body, and began to cover the bow...
Scherazard became defensive, and assumed a battle-ready stance, and was ready for whatever would happen. One Gamer Notification after another...
Meanwhile, as a certain phenomenon began to resound around the upper floors of the Bracer Guild, some time had passed since Princess Alfin's group began their shopping spree inside Grancel Market. She was currently with Emma and Estelle. They had exited the market with several shopping bags in tow. Right now, they happily ate away some ice cream that was brought from a local stand. Kloe was also with them, enjoying some ice cream too.
Next to the four girls was a black cat who was lazing around near Emma's feet. Celine decided to join in on the fun. Not too far away, two figures approached them. Both of them appeared to be men who also held onto some ice cream of their choice.
"Now this isn't something I would have expected. The Divine Blade himself. Then again, your children are here in the capital, and they aren't exactly Bracers yet. Finish your business for the day?", One of the two men asked. Of course, he was Prince Olivert.
"Nor would I have expected to see someone like you here, Your Highness. I would have raised hell earlier if you didn't go through the proper channels coming to our country. Seriously, to think Erebonia's Treasure decided to come here out of the blue. I honestly don't know what to say to this situation.", The second man said, who was none other than Cassius Bright. It looks like he too was in the capital! That makes sense, considering his children were here.
"Haha, in times like these, it's best just to go with the flow. Alfin wanted to see Naoto, so I let it happen. It's a joyous occasion after all. His Highness was also of the same mind for sending that invitation. It all just worked out.", Prince Olivert questioned Cassius.
"I suppose so. It's nice we can all get a day to chill like this. Even for busy bodies like us who have mountains of paperwork or tasks to get through.", Cassius said, smiling at Prince Olivert.
"Right? Please, just call me Olivier today. Alfin would want the same. We aren't using titles.", Prince Olivert said.
"Well then, alright. No titles it is.", Cassius replied, and nodded.
"Hehe, you're back, Dad. I did not think you'd finish with work this early.", Estelle happily said, greeting the two who arrived while dangling her feet beneath the bench she sat on.
"Welcome back, Cassius. It is nice to see you enjoying Grandmother's and our birthday.", Kloe also said, and greeted him.
"Business is all wrapped up here, so it was time to see how you were all faring. Guess your group split into two? I don't see His Highness, Schera or Joshua for that matter. Do you happen to know where they went?", Cassius asked and joined the group to eat their ice cream.
"Yeah. They had some business to take care of in another Block. I'm sure they'll be back shortly. It is nice to see you again, Cassius.", Emma said, smiling at the man.
"Likewise. Thank you for watching Estelle and Joshua in my absence. I can say the same thing to you, 'Kloe'.", Cassius said. Even he played along with Kloe's shenanigans. Hearing that, she giggled.
"Hehe, it is no problem, Mr. Bright. We're all out here to have some fun today. We met Zin and a few other people while you were on business.", Kloe said, smiling.
"Zin's here in the capital? Now that I think about it, that tournament is just about wrapping up now, isn't it? Maybe I should drop by the Bracer Guild later and see if they pick up more requests. You'd be surprised how busy they get during these periods. Lots of people around.", Cassius said.
"Meow.", Celine said, acting normal for once, seeing as she was with other people. If one looked closely, a sleeping three-tailed silver fox could be seen next to her, enjoying some sleep without a care in the world.
"Teehee, there sure are a lot of people out in the capital today. It's nice to see the Divine Blade enjoying some fun too. Don't bully Big Brother too much, alright?", Princess Alfin asked, and teased him.
"Haha, no promises. We're all looking the other way today, as you all said. Enjoy the fun while it lasts.", Cassius said, and smiled at the group.
"I couldn't have said it better myself.", Prince Olivert said, and looked toward a new figure beside him. "Even Mueller joined in on the fun. Now it's complete."
"Look, I'm not against you from having some enjoyment, Your Highness. Just keep everything in moderation. We still have more business at the Embassy after this little outing is over.", Mueller said, reminding him.
"I know Mueller my boy. Before that, we just need to meet up with Naoto and the rest---?", Prince Olivert tried to say.
"Hsss...", Celine suddenly said, letting out a low hiss, which attracted everyone's attention to Emma.
"Is something wrong, Emma?", Kloe asked, a bit worried.
"So you can feel it too, Celine?", Emma said, ignoring Kloe's question. Hearing that, Cassius raised his eyes.
"You aren't someone to say something without reason, Emma. If there's something wrong, you can say it.", Cassius said. Emma slowly nodded her head.
"I'm not sure what to make of it. A large burst of Mana suddenly struck forth in Grancel. It's making nearby Spirit Veins become active, making me a little queasy. That's all.", Emma said, shifting her body toward a certain direction. "I feel something is coming..."
"Emma?", Estelle tried to ask. She just remained confused. Emma's eyes turned serious, and continued observing the direction of where the South Block was.
As if on cue to Emma's words just now, a large explosion suddenly echoed around the city. BOOOM!
Following that explosion, a deafening roar quickly swept throughout the streets. Before anyone could panic and flee, part of the Bracer Guild's roof tore to shreds, blasting off a good chunk. After that, a huge swirling aura that was a mixture of blue and red began to swirl out of it, almost like it had turned into a whirlpool. Cassius's gaze turned serious seeing this large whirlpool of Mana appear.
"That's the direction of the Bracer Guild!", Cassius exclaimed.