[Bitches, the rat-boy knows he's irresistible, but at least try to hold yourselves back.] — I complain to the damn girls who almost killed me.
You don't jump on a recovering invalid, damn it!
[Here we go again. Weren't you much less of a whiner before?]
[Somebody get the little girl a skirt.]
Although most of them put on apologetic faces, those brats Carla and Carolain rebel against me.
Is it because their names are similar? The lineage of the "Cars"?
[Actually, why should we be sorry when you pamper them?] — Carolain complains, pointing at Kora, Ruby, and Alice, who are hugging me on my lap.
[DON'T COMPETE WITH A DAMN CHILD. REPENT, BITCH!]
[MAKE ME.]
Rebellious vixen, you'll see.
[Seems I really have nothing to worry about.]
Before I can put this bitch in her place, the aunt returns, followed by the elf and Milia. Just in time.
[Auntie, these bitches assaulted your beautiful and invaluable treasure: the great me.] — Rat-boy uses Accuse.
[Hmph, I'm sure you deserved it.]
What the sh—?
[[[[[Pfft]]]]]
Damn rebellious vixens.
The rat-boy is starting to think the rat-boy isn't taken seriously around here.
[Anyway, sit still while they examine you.] — At the aunt's request, the elf and Milia approach.
[And why is she here?] — I asked, pointing at Milia.
Since when is this bitch a mystical elven shaman?
[Hmph, it's good to see you too? I'm glad you're okay? Thanks for the help?] — Milia gets angry and starts speaking to me in a sarcastic tone.
[What fucking help are you talking about? If it's not a handjob, the rat-boy isn't interested.] — Those damn boobs of hers have to be good for something.
[You…]
[Enough.] — The aunt stops us just as we were about to start arguing. Ruining my beautiful fun.
[You don't know this, but with the elves' help, we've started learning magic and other skills. Milia has the qualities of a Priestess and a repertoire of skills attached to that title; among them, the ability to analyze a patient's body for abnormal status effects.]
It took me a few seconds to process the aunt's words.
[Ah? Are you using me as a guinea pig for practice?] — She said a lot of pretty things, but my built-in translator is as clear as day.
[Yes.]
Damn her…
[Now stay still. You girls, give them some space.] — At the aunt's command, the little ones reluctantly pull away from me; then, most of the girls left to do other things.
Bitches, you're just running away, aren't you?
Well, it's not like there's any point in them all standing around looking at me like idiots.
[What? You like me? Talk to the owner of the merchandise.] — I tell the elf, who had been staring at me like an idiot for some reason, pointing at Louise standing to the side.
Sexual fetish for elves? Hell yes.
But this elf doesn't count. Because she's incomplete.
I mean, pointy ears: check.
Straight blonde hair: check.
Blue eyes: check.
But those breasts… well, saying "nothing" is an exaggeration, but they definitely aren't abundant. What is up with this scam? Damn incomplete combo.
[Tsk.] — I couldn't help but click my tongue. I didn't pay attention to it before, but seriously, what is up with this scam? Shitty apocalyptic world, you can't even deliver a full combo.
[Alfert thteg arthearg?] — The elf seems to complain as she takes a step back, instinctively covering her chest with her hands.
["Why are you looking at my chest while clicking your tongue?" That's what she's asking.] — Milia translates while narrowing her eyes coldly.
[I don't need you to translate the obvious. Anyway, weren't you guys going to analyze it for me or something?]
[[[[DID YOU HAVE TO PHRASE IT LIKE THAT?]]]]
They yell at me with red faces.
I don't know what's wrong with them, but hate me more, GYAHAHAHAHA.
While I was gloating, Milia finally rolls her eyes, looking fed up, but far from exploding...
[And… Tha… Thank you for bringing my mom… Thank you for everything…] — she finally said, bowing deeply.
[And what the fuck crawled up your ass now?] — I complain, but Milia doesn't raise her head. [Tsk, whatever. Weren't you going to analyze me or something? Hurry up.]
[DON'T PHRASE IT LIKE THAT, MOOOO!]
Kekekeke.
Seeing that I was gloating, Milia grabbed my hand in annoyance and pulled it toward her, then started arguing with the elf.
[While they're at it, let's talk a little about the future.] — Just as I was about to tease them, the receptionist-vixen asks for my attention.
Tsk, tsk, tsk, how hard it is to be such a sinful rat-boy. Everyone wants something.
[It's fine by me, but I can only give you one child. You're already a little past your prime and it could be dangerous—GYAAAAAAAAA!]
Before I can finish speaking, I take a hit to the face.
[Bitch, what kind of way is that to treat a sick person?]
This is child abuse, damn it.
[Can you not flirt with my mother? It feels a little weird…] — Milia complained.
[Ahhh? I already told you she isn't your mom, listen to the rat-boy. And she's the one ogling me, I'm innocent.]
[Damn brat, you said it again.] — The receptionist-vixen started pulling my cheeks with complaints. — [It's not like I don't know my daughter is more than I deserve, you don't have to remind me every damn time!]
[Don't fiiiiight!]
While I was annoying mother and daughter, I suddenly felt something familiar—like when Ruby uses that strange red aura—but for some reason, this felt unpleasant. As if something was trying to forcefully enter my body through my hand.
[Kyaa!] — Just as I look over, Milia's light scream echoes in the room.
[[[[[….]]]]]
Looking closely, Milia is clutching her hands to her chest with a slightly dazed expression.
In her palms, a kind of red spark surrounding a faint golden light swirls in the air; something similar is fading from my hand.
[What the hell?] — I blurted out, unable to think of a good reference. Sith lightning, maybe?
More importantly, why did Milia suddenly get depressed? And what is with this awkward silence? I didn't do anything... Not that I'm complaining... Sweet, sweet despair. Give me more.
[It seems it isn't like in anime where you just use magic by thinking about it. Both Milia and Sylah have fairly basic skills, so they cannot use magic that checks others' status freely without their direct or subconscious authorization. Sylah struggled a lot to give a superficial analysis of your condition last time, and even then, she could only partially figure out the reason for your ailment.]
While I was confused, Louise started explaining while, for some reason, shooting a look of extreme smugness at Milia. Did the rat-boy miss something?
[The rat-boy doesn't remember giving any permission when Ruby used that red magic.]
Louise obviously expected the question, as a smile of superiority spread across her lips.
[If there is complete trust and good feelings between the caster and the receiver, even if the receiver knows nothing about magic to give verbal permission, the magic activates and flows naturally.]
Um? Ohhhh….
[Bitch, you're pretty venomous, did you know that?] — I look at Louise and declare.
[Do you like it?]
[It turns me on, GYAHAHAHAHAHA.]
Only the best for the rat-boy.
[Well, since it didn't work, I'm going with 9] — I say and stand up; it's time to see my not-so-secret secret lab. I hope it has a mad scientist theme.
[Sit down.]
[Tsk.] — I reluctantly return to my seat at the aunt's "suggestion".
Fear.
[Can't you give voluntary permission?] — The aunt asked, raising an eyebrow.
[Is that what the rat-boy is to you? A magical girl? A Magical Rat-girl?] — wait, that doesn't sound too bad.
[You have that weird instinct of yours for danger, and this magic stuff is the kind of thing that acts closest to a sixth sense,] — she continued to insist skeptically.
[And how the fuck do you know that?]
[I've been trying to learn along with everyone else.]
[Stop it, magical gorillas aren't cute, no matter how you look at it.]
[Do you want to die?]
[Guck.]
[Alfert desfrt rstring…]
Before the aunt could apply a forced server ban on the rat-boy, the incomplete-combo elf interrupts.
[Umm, I see.]
[What?]
[Apparently, sharp or survival instincts do not guarantee magical control or openness.]
The rat-boy survived the disaster.
.........….
----- Rat-Boy Network…
Rat-Boy 1: What the fuck is that Superbia skill bullshit? Am I supposed to be happy about being a walking punching bag? The rat-boy does not want this garbage.
Rat-Boy 4: Do you have to complain about everything? It's kind of like an SSR++ passive skill, you know?
Rat-Boy 5: Exactly, be more grateful. "Punching bag," lol.
Rat-Boy 3: Is the punching bag sad?
Rat-Boy 2: Don't be sad.
Rat-Boy 4: Lol.
Rat-Boy 9: Lol.
Rat-Boy 8: Lol.
Rat-Boy 1: Fuck off. Anyway, let's get to the point. The aunt proposes we actively learn to use magic and let the elves help us analyze our statuses.
Rat-Boy 3: I don't like it.
Rat-Boy 9: Leaking information to unknown entities is a big no~~~
Rat-Boy 5: Undecided.
Rat-Boy 7: Undecided.
Rat-Boy 8: The idea doesn't convince me…
Rat-Boy 4: We should accept.
Rat-Boy 1: Reasons?
Rat-Boy 4: Of course, the risk of info leaks is high; after all, we could be handing our weaknesses over on a silver platter. But what good are they if we can't even utilize the strengths of those very weaknesses? At the end of the day, we have no idea how to use or improve these so-called "skills" or our "magical compatibility."
Rat-Boy 3: I get what you're saying, but I think you're rushing into this. First it was the Fish Tribe, and now the elves. We'll likely find other species in the future with whom we might create a safer or more controllable bond. Do we really need to risk it with the elves right now?
Rat-Boy 2: You say that as if this "safe bond" you're talking about couldn't be formed with the elves anyway. Did they do something to you? Besides, who says the rest of the tribes that drop in will be friendly or reasonable?
Rat-Boy 3: Well…
Rat-Boy 9: So, it's just a matter of giving them time to build mutual trust, right?
Rat-Boy 8: In that sense, the Fish Tribe could also be a viable option as teachers.
Rat-Boy 4: My point is precisely about time. Do we have time to hesitate and drag out the farming phase? Those of us far from Ground Zero are one thing, but the group currently with Rat 1 has the chance to start developing skills that could save their lives today. What happens if, while we're waiting for the "ideal" species, another Astrad Event happens and even more dangerous things drop? Are you going to learn to cast magic while a giant bull is eating you?
Rat-Boy 3: … I retract my explicit objection. Undecided.
Rat-Boy 9: Undecided.
Rat-Boy 1: Tsk, you guys can be pretty useless sometimes.
Rat-Boy 5: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 4: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 2: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 8: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 9: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 3: Drop dead.
Rat-Boy 1: Well, we'll go with 4's idea. Everyone remember: if something happens, it's his fault and the fault of his stupid idea.
Rat-Boy 5: Fine.
Rat-Boy 2: Seems reasonable to me.
Rat-Boy 8: Makes sense to me.
Rat-Boy 9: Now I'm on board.
Rat-Boy 3: Congratulations, 4.
Rat-Boy 4: And what happens if everything goes well and it benefits us greatly?
Rat-Boy 1: Then it's all thanks to my superior intellect, my brilliant leadership, and my incredible natural charisma.
Rat-Boy 5: Sounds good.
Rat-Boy 2: Seems reasonable to me.
Rat-Boy 8: Makes sense to me.
Rat-Boy 9: Now I'm on board.
Rat-Boy 3: Congratulations, 4.
Rat-Boy 4: Fuck you all.