HP: Sacred Gear Chat Group (2) - Chapter 15 (Patreon)

Chapter 15 - Shocking Awakening

Sitting on my bed while reading through the most recent chat in the group, I couldn’t help but wonder: How do I get new group members?

We had gotten to know each other pretty well and had started chatting daily about all kinds of topics in general, but also a lot about magic since Irene, Rias, and I were all magic users.

Rias and Yamato had hit it off over manga. The red-haired Devil had started regularly selling manga in the market area, and since Yamato was pretty much a prisoner of her own father, Kaido, and didn’t have much to do in general, she immediately got hooked.

They were easy to understand, after all, and for some reason, the people in the One Piece World all spoke a combination of Japanese and English, while the written language was mostly English.

That made the language barrier for Yamato when it came to understanding the manga pretty easy to overcome. Their general simplicity helped a lot in that regard.

Ghislaine had also integrated well into the group. She had hit it off with Yamato too and seemed to be very interested in the One Piece World. Especially Haki and their swordsmanship.

All of that was nice, but at this point, it had been months since we had gotten into this chat group, and the discussions and exchanges had started to become quite monotonous. And in all that time, not a single new person had joined the chat group.

So how did I get someone new into the group? Was there something I had to do?

As far as I knew, those Multiversal Chat Groups usually did it automatically. They added people at random intervals without the Admin prompting anything. Neither had I found any option that allowed me to do that.

The Chat Group feature itself was quite extensive. It of course had moderation options for me as the Admin. I could actually permanently kick people from it.

It had a file management system, including a text editor, picture and video recording, as well as editing functions. We could take screenshots or captures of the System, or record what we saw.

The text editor allowed us to write down whatever we were thinking. It worked pretty well when reading a book, as it could record all that information simultaneously. And if I ran image capturing simultaneously, it could actually replicate an entire book into a file since the editing features were based on our thoughts.

We had personal files, which I guessed were stored in our brains, but we could send them directly to others through the Chat Group, either as a private message or in the public chat for everyone. Live streaming was also possible.

Those features might be handy, but they didn’t change the fact that I hadn’t seen any way to get new chat members.

[ Note: The Admin can invite others into the Chat Group who are within his field of vision simply by willing it. ]

Huh, I hadn’t expected to have to do it manually. Well, at least I could choose who entered the Chat Group myself.

I would have to rely on the Random Travel Feature to get members from new worlds into the group.

At least that gave me a new idea.

Moving out of my bedroom, I entered the common area of the tent. It had become quite a bit fuller and had started to feel like home.

In one corner, there was an assortment of potted plants I had collected from the different continents we had traveled across during our journey. I had mostly focused on those with practical uses, such as different medicinal herbs, those used as drugs, and whatever else was used for potion-making.

This world also had some potions, but they were not nearly as versatile or powerful as the ones in the Wizarding World.

I probably missed some useful plants, but even with the Tent, my space was limited, and I would rather seek out those with properties I knew about than waste my space on some useless shrubs.

We had gotten some more furniture too, since the Tent had originally been sparsely equipped. Ghislaine was sitting relaxed on a wooden bench with a manga I had bought for her from Rias in her hands. I had softened the bench with a cushioning Charm since something like an actual couch was hard to get.

Since I was pretty much taking care of our money, Ghislaine usually told me if she needed anything, and I bought it for her. And since Rias and Yamato had gotten engrossed in manga, Ghislaine had decided to take a look at them too, even if she couldn’t really read them.

The drawings were easy to follow and told large parts of the story. She particularly enjoyed Rurouni Kenshin since it was largely about swordsmanship.

Roxy was sitting on another cushioned bench, reading her own book, one of the Water-Type King Rank Magic Tomes I had gotten from Millishion.

There were several shelves filled with all kinds of books inside the Tent. While it wasn’t only focused on magic, it had a very vast collection of Magic Books at this point. I had even more books shrunk down inside a chest in my room.

“Roxy!” I made her look up from her book as I entered the living area. “I may have just found a way to keep in touch once we separate.”

“Hmm? What do you mean?” she asked, confused. “Are you not going to leave this world?”

“I am. Let’s see.” As I thought about sending her an invitation, a message appeared in my vision.

[ Ding! The invitation to “SmallMage” is still open! ]

Oh, God, why…

This System definitely had its own personality, even if it tried to pretend to be this neutral computer intelligence. Why did it have to try to get me into trouble?

I barely had time to cast a Shield before an icicle crashed into it.

“Did you just manage to cast that without a chant?” I gasped as more shards of ice impacted my Shield.

“Don’t distract me! What did you call me!?” Roxy growled with narrowed eyes.

“I didn’t do anything! It’s this System that’s trying to get me into trouble by giving you such names.” To my defense, that was the truth. “Would you just accept the invitation? You can change the name once you’re in the Group.”

[ Ding! “SmallMage” has joined the Group Chat! ]

Instantly, Ghislaine put her manga away and looked at us. “Roxy joined the Group? Good.” She nodded approvingly.

The reactions in the Chat also came immediately.

[ Rias Gremory: We got a new Chat Group Member? Welcome! ]

[ Yamato: Oh, I hope it’s another Weapon User. Then we would be balanced! ]

[ Irene Belserion: I prefer another Magic User. Learning more about different Systems of Magic is fascinating. ]

[ Ghislaine Dedoldia: She’s a Mage. ]

[ “SmallMage” has changed her Name to “Roxy Migurdia” ]

[ Roxy Migurdia: Magic User here. My name is Roxy Migurdia. I have been in the same Party as Ghislaine and Alistair for the last few months. ]

And that was how Roxy joined the Chat Group as its newest member, just before her departure. We would still be able to stay in contact. She could also take Ghislaine with her once I left, in case something happened.

It didn’t seem like I could convince her to leave with Roxy after all.

———

She really didn’t want to leave with Roxy. Ghislaine had been quite stubborn about that, adamant about following me.

We finally had to part ways with Roxy. Although after joining the Chat Group, she was still here in some sense. She just had to travel further north to the Migurd Tribe, while my Clairvoyance was leading me west.

Ghislaine and I had entered the Hyleth Region of the Demon Continent. Based on the books I had gotten about the Demon Continent, it was quite an interesting region. Maybe if my target was here, I would get another great opportunity.

Following my spell’s guidance on the backs of our fast mounts, a species of lizard that could run surprisingly fast, we soon reached a small city at the edge of the Wraith Forest. My spell was leading us right into the city.

The target had to be here.

After passing a small inspection at the gate, we left our mounts at the local stable and walked further into the city until we reached an almost empty side alley.

“Food… I need something to eat, please?” a young voice pleaded in the Demon Tongue while sitting exhausted against the wall of the alley.

Jackpot!

It was a person in a dirty black cloak, roughly the size of a child. They were also reeking of dirt. My Clairvoyance was leading me right to them. I had finally found her.

“It’s been 300 years since my resurrection. To think I would perish in a place like this…” the cloaked figure muttered as her stomach growled.

She then noticed Ghislaine and me standing at the entrance of the alley, staring at her.

“Do you have some food for poor old me?”

“Sure, it’s about time we took a break anyway.” I replied before turning toward Ghislaine. “Let’s set up camp here for now. The alley is big enough. And make some food.”

Under the interested eyes of the cloaked figure, I pulled out my Tent, and with a wave of my Wand, it built itself up at the edge of the alley.

I had really come a long way with my spellwork.

“Hmm, you’re a bit dirty.” I muttered as I pointed my Wand at her. With a simple Cleaning Charm, all the grime and stench were washed away. “Come on in. I’ll cook something nice for us.”

———

“Ohhhhh! Amazing! So tasty! I’ve never eaten something so delicious in my entire life!”

The small cloaked figure gushed as the food I had prepared disappeared between her very sharp-looking teeth, while Ghislaine nodded in agreement at every word, even though she didn’t understand them, as she enjoyed her own food.

Honestly, those teeth were crazy and scary. That was a real Demon for you.

And where was the music coming from? Was I the only one hearing an energetic drumbeat in the background? Was the anime from my memories somehow overlapping with the scene in front of me?

“DELICIOUS!” The cloaked figure sitting at my table shouted before throwing off her cloak and jumping into the air, doing a somersault before landing in the center of our living area in a pose.

“You really saved me there. You have my thanks for sharing your amazing food with me. This will sustain me for another year!”

“Alright!”

Then she stuck her arms straight out to the sides as if she were a member of the Ginyu Force performing one of their introductions.

“Now share your names!”

“I am Alistair Davis.”

“Ghislaine Dedoldia.”

“I see.” The pale-skinned little girl with voluminous, wavy violet hair and scary sharp teeth and goat-like horns said brightly.

Although in truth, she just looked like a little girl. I knew she was ancient, probably older than most Devils in my world, with more than 7,000 years behind her.

And she continued her Ginyu Force dance.

“I am KISHIRIKA…” She changed her pose. “KISHIRISU!” Another pose followed. “They call me the Great Empress of the Demon Realm!”

She ended with her arms crossed, staring at us as if she were expecting a reaction.

“That’s me!”

Who was I kidding? She was definitely expecting a reaction.

“Oh, what an honor!” I clapped while Ghislaine looked at me strangely. “The Great Empress of the Demon Realm herself tasted my food!”

Hey, don’t look at me like that. I came all the way here just for her. This was the best plan I could come up with to gain as much benefit from this trip to another world in such a short time.

Sure, I could possibly study under other people if I had the time, maybe even the Dragon God Orsted. But that would take a lot more time.

No, finding her was the best way to gain long-term benefits in this world in a short amount of time. And I wasn’t going to waste that opportunity by not playing into what she wanted!

Her eyes widened when she saw my reply.

“That’s the reaction I’ve been waiting for! You have no idea how many people don’t know their manners these days.”

Ghislaine just stared blankly at the two of us, having no idea what was actually going on since she didn’t speak the language.

“It’s an honor to stand in front of such an accomplished person, Your Majesty!” I said gratefully. And in all honesty, it was true. She was a Demon Demigod, and supposedly a very powerful one, even if her powers were never shown to be particularly impressive beyond one aspect.

She nodded proudly.

“You’re welcome!”

Then she took a closer look at me.

“Oh?”

Her left eye began spinning like a slot machine before changing into a different one.

“Oh-ho! What kind of Demon are you? I’ve never seen anything like this. A Bat-Type?”

Eh? What?

A Bat-Type? What was she talking about?

“And your soul! What the hell? How disgusting! What is this? I’ve never seen anything like this!”

She laughed as she studied me with curiosity before starting to poke me.

“What do you mean, Your Majesty? I am a Human. Admittedly, a magical Human, but still a Human in general.”

“Human?” Kishirika looked baffled as she stared at me. “Noooo! Ahahahaha!”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? I had a Sacred Gear. Only Humans could have those!

“Sure, you have a bit of Human in you, but it is completely mixed with your Demon side, which makes up the majority of you! And it’s so strange. Your body and magic are incredibly adaptable. And you have so much magic! It’s scary! I’ve never seen anything like this!”

She kept laughing at me, and I had no idea what I was supposed to say in reply.

I was a Wizard. My parents were a Pureblood Witch from an old and prominent family and a Muggle-born Wizard. How could I have a Demon side? Neither of my parents had anything demonic about them.

I knew my Muggle family. I had met them several times, and they looked similar to my Dad. I had inherited several features from him, like my blue eyes, which were exactly the same shade as his. I also had his nose.

And my Mother’s family was very old. They were among the purest and most radical Purebloods in the world. I had fucking uncles sitting in Azkaban because they were among the most loyal Death Eaters.

My hair was exactly the same shade of black as my Mother’s, and my face had a similar shape to hers. There was no way I had any demonic blood in me.

“You don’t believe me? Well, let me show you. The Great Empress of the Demon World can easily bring out your Demon side!” Kishirika laughed as her eyes whirled like slot machines again, changing into a different appearance before she touched me on the chest, right where I knew my Magical Core was.

Suddenly, I felt warmth spread throughout my entire body, especially around my Core, as its power seemed to change, taking on a darker shade I had never seen before. I could feel my entire being adapting to these changes.

At the same time, it felt like something was unfolding from my back.

As I looked behind me, I was greeted by a sight I never expected to see, at least not yet.

A pair of black, bat-like wings had spread out from my back.

I was a fucking Devil…

“See? You are a Demon! Now then, I owe you my life! I shall grant you one wish!” Kishirika announced excitedly while I was going through a mental crisis about who or what I really was.

[-- End of Chapter --]