Daily Life with Three Systems: Chapter 47 (Patreon)

Alright. So there's nobody tracking me and I managed to avoid Ashley once more. Yippee! 

But Irene saw my face. 

Fucking damn it. 

I'd like to ask my divination 'hey, does she know?' But that'll probably cause her to use that one eye magic spell to get a good look at my house. 

I'll do it in future sight later. 

I'm frankly too emotionally exhausted to deal with that right now. 

But... 

I've accomplished my goals. 

Virgo found the key. 

Its what she was coming to tell me when I closed her gate. Irene would have tried to shoot her when her head popped out of the sand... and frankly I was trying to hide most of my more dangerous spells and artifacts from her. 

I doubt either of us was trying that hard, not wanting to destroy that nearby city. 

I showed off precognition- a requirement as I was buying time for Virgo to search and... well... frankly if I didn't have it, that first attack would have gone right through my shoulder or clipped my bicep. 

Then after that... I kind of showed off my Argonaut soldiers. 

Yeaaaah. That's kind of something I invented on the spot. 

Back when I fought against Ur I made a metal skeleton then surrounded it in silk that I shittily wove enchantments into. 

They were half-baked and ate far too much magical energy. Some of the enchantments likely didn't work as I was trying to do a lot of highly detailed work quickly with simple maker magic. Trying to enchant layer after layer.  

But. Now I've got that blacksmith soul or whatever that makes my maker magics cost almost nothing and allows me to craft things far easier? Had I tried to do that now, I don't doubt that they'd be almost perfect. 

But. I did something else. 

You see, after studying that Beowolf from Ruby's world... I thought of a way to sort of 'bind' shadows to objects. 

Like the way the Dark God wove shadow into flesh, blood, an bone... I wove threads into iron. Creating a mesh of Solar Veil that I spread throughout the Iron soldiers... and as a result... created arguably the perfect version of Solar Veil. 

The solders gained the intellect of my veil-makes. They gained the shadow's hunger for magic- just notably less of it-, thus they absorbed ethernano to sustain themselves, and to top it all off the metal 'clogs' any injury so they don't 'bleed out' after a single puncture now. 

Yeah... I kind of thought of that while I was waiting for Irene to stop aura farming and show up to the battle. 

So, I thought 'eh, might as well test it' and I found the results intriguing. 

As for gold-maker magic? 

After learning Tin and Iron make it was relatively simple to learn it. I mainly used it in the iron-make soldiers to anchor the enchantments as gold is a very good magical conductor. It's just not that durable. 

But I kept my two greatest weapons hidden. Third origin, and my Mirror Alice... plus whatever bullshit a platinum celestial spirit key can unleash. 

I land on my doorstep, wings fading as my shoulders slump, a long weary sigh leaves my lips as the sun begins to slowly drift downwards in the distance. 

"I'm home!" I tiredly call as I throw the door open and step inside. "And I've had a hell of a day." 

I blink at the crowd around the dining room table. Natsuki. Rias. Koneko... and three additional white haired children. 

Familiar children. One whom I had seen a couple of days back after routinely kicking the shit out of two Etherious. 

"Oh, guests." I hum as I close the door with a weak kick. 

"Andrew!" Natsuki smiles. "I covered dinner today, there's some leftovers in the fridge and these three came to see y-" 

"YOU!" The white haired figure of Mirajane rockets up, pointing at me. "I finally found you! Teach me how to be stronger!" 

"To be honest? There's not much I can teach you. Takeover mages gain the abilities of whatever they takeover... it's not really 'taught' aside from having an opponent who can fight you." I reply as I make my way over and take a lazy seat at the table. 

"Then fight me!" She grins savagely. 

I reach over the table, pressing a finger against her forehead and push her back down into the seat she was sat in when I walked in. "Not today. I just flew a few thousand miles, fished a key from the bottom of an ocean, met some guild leader on another continent and fought a dragon who also happened to be a grandmaster enchanter. I'm tired. Maybe tomorrow. Or the day after." 

The white haired girl lets out a small grumble under her breath but doesn't argue. 

"So. Do you three have a place to stay?" I find my attention straying from the white haired girl to the other two strauss children. 

The boy shakes his head. 

"They can stay here!" Rias beams. 

"Tonight, sure. But I know for a fact that I gave them enough money to get a place to stay on their own." I cut in. "I really don't want this to become a hotel. There's enough people living here as is." 

"Alright!" The redhead smiles brightly. 

Bratty redhead. 

[Split] 

A scaled hand crashes against my palm, ducking the sweeping roundhouse of the girl. "You're doing quite well. The fact you've subconsciously limited Satan's power to the maximum you can handle is really impressive."  

"Why won't you use your takeover?!" The girl growls as I weave between two punches. "Stop using your bullshit future sight to dodge!" 

"Oh little Mira." I sigh shaking my head. "If I could toy with two etherious at once without using my takeover... what makes you think that I'd need it for you when you can't even use a full five percent of one of them? Also. I'm not using my future sight. You're just obvious in where you're attacking." 

I duck past and kick the girl weakly, she slams into the ground, falling to her hands and knees with a growl. 

"Darkness... KICK!" 

I barely lean back, avoiding the girl's foot as it is cloaked in an orb of shadow. It ruffles my hair as I smile. 

"And thank you for not using Jackal's power... frankly I'd suggest not even touching it until you've got Satan's under control... you saw what happened with the basket." I note. "Also, it'd really destroy my yard." 

"I know." The girl growls. 

Punch punch. Swiping clawed backhand. 

I flick her in the forehead, nearly causing her to backflip. 

She growls, rubbing her forehead with a clawed hand before lunging forwards. Her fist impacts the forest floor with enough force to create a small crater as I lean to the side to avoid her haymaker. 

Even as a child who can barely control her own power... she has the strength of an A-Class wizard... that’s kind of terrifying. It took me a good year or so in order to gain this sort of strength. 

Around the time I drank that one ice potion and got my first essence, if I remember correctly. 

Ugh. I’m already doing that immortal 'it wasn’t THAT long ago' thing. 

[Split] 

"So, Virgo... you found the key, right?" 

"Yeah!" The maid beams as she pulls the bag of holding from her hip. "Here!" 

"So, I'm sorry that I de-summoned you before you returned to the surface, I did see you, but Irene would have shot an attack at you so I thought it best to avoid that." I begin quietly. 

"Oh! I don't blame you, Master!" She smiles. "I understand!" 

"So, how'd you find the key? And who's key even is it?" I ask. 

"Oh! There was an underground tomb from some ancient celestial spirit mage! They seemed to be buried with their keys." She informs. 

"Isn't that counter productive? Like, don't you all strive to not be locked away for thousands of years because you begin to lose power?" 

"Correct." She nods once. "And I have taken the liberty of collecting and returning the celestial spirit keys I found within the tomb that were faded." 

I simply nod at her admittance. "Why would this mage be buried with their keys, then?" 

"Master. You forget one thing." The woman sighs. 

"Yes?" I blink. 

"Humans are rather arrogant." She sniffs, crossing her arms under her chest. 

"True enough." I shrug as I lean forwards. "So... who'd we get? Were they even available after being locked away for so long?" 

"Ah! You are in luck. It appears that platinum celestial spirits do not ever tarnish... or if they do, it takes so much time that you might as well not consider if a factor! Even black keys start to grow a little ridiculous with how long they last. Cassiopia was at the bottom of the sea for well over eight hundred years at this point and she was merely a little sluggish. She'll be perfectly fine after a little bath in your magical aura from you summoning her!" 

"As for who we managed to find? I asked the celestial spirit king and he informed me that the key belongs to 'Eridanus the River'."

"The river, huh?" I mutter. 

"I would suggest summoning her away from the house." Virgo comments. "For one simple reason... I do not know what a platinum spirit's capabilities actually are." 

"You see." She continues. "We golden celestial spirits are rather unique among celestial spirits. We have caster magic. That can't be said about most copper or silver celestial spirits. Sure there are some exceptions here and there, the rarer silver spirits tend to know a few caster magic spells. Leo Minor comes to mind as they mimic a fraction of Leo the Lion's power... just smaller. We golden spirits however have a nigh endless expanse of magical knowledge for our attuned element. I with earth, Aquarius with water, etcetera." 

"Where I am going with this is simple... there is a gap in strength between silver and gold... just like there is a gap between Gold and Black keys... black keys can do the exact same thing a gold spirit can. They have caster magic. Sometimes more than one. In addition they have an ability that we lack." 

"An ability?" I echo. 

"A 'true form'." She hums. "When you summon a Black celestial spirit they have two states, the first? A humanoid power saving form. But the next? A much larger and magically draining combat form." 

"For example. The Snake Charmer. Her power-saving form is that of a normal nurse woman, but she can, when given enough magic by her summoner, turn into a snake the size of a castle." 

"Huh..." I mutter. 

"Which is why I would suggest not summoning The River anywhere near your home... as I do not know them nor know their form. They could take the form of a water elemental the size of your guild building for all I know." 

"Thank you, Virgo." I nod once. "I'll take your advice." 

With that I rise to my feet and begin walking to the door. "Did you find anything else of use in the tomb?" 

"Well, aside from poison dust that is ineffective on celestial spirits, I did find a few... hundred... copper celestial spirits and a few dozen silver. But... they are tarnished and with the celestial spirit king. I DID find the broken remains of a black key, however!" 

"Oh! That's useful!" My eyes widen slightly at that admittance. "I might be able fix it!" 

"Truly?!" Her eyes brighten. 

"I... wouldn't get my hopes up, but I'll see what I can do." 

I find myself walking further and further away from my home, Virgo trailing after me. 

"Alright. Let's see here." I murmur as I reach my arm into the bag and begin to rummage around. "Let's start with... Cassiopia." 

I grab the black and gold key and look over it, Virgo has done considerable work to it. The onyx is polished, the barnacles have vanished, the gold is shiny. I raise it above my head and swing the key downwards. "Open! Gate of the queen! Cassiopia!" 

*DING-DONG* 

I can feel my magical power rumble and drain slightly as a loud doorbell echoes out. A golden gate seems to appear in the air as it swings open. 

Stepping down from within the gateway is a woman, but... not quite how I would describe a 'Queen'. 

She has red eyes, seemingly lacking a sclera at all, just an even red color throughout the entire eye, her skin a shade of peach that's just slightly too yellow to be considered normal. 

She has four arms, each with long striped gloves of black and yellow, she also wears stockings that match.  

Two insect-like wings briefly flap once before falling still, and a long wasp-like stinger sits on her backside. 

Ah. 

Cassiopia the Queen. 

Queen Bee. 

I see. 

"Ooooh It's been so long since I felt the sun!" She stretches two arms above and two arms below, fingers inner locking before she brings one arm down to cover her mouth as she yawns, wiping her eye with her other hand. 

"Ah! Virgo!" She beams suddenly, a gasp leaving her lips. "Why didn't you tell me that your master was searching for my key!" 

"I wanted it to be a surprise, Cassiopia." Virgo warmly smiles. 

"Oho! Quite the handsome young man, no? I can see why you quit embodying the 'Virgin' aspect of the maiden." The woman's insectoid eyes look me up and down as a hand comes up to her chin in thought. "Impressive magical capacity and potency as well. You are probably the strongest celestial spirit mage alive right now. Maybe within the top ten of all time. You should be able to sustain my true form for an extended period of time." 

She does notably drain more than Virgo. 

I can keep the maid out indefinitely- well, less so since I've summoned Cassiopia here, she's now probably costing about as much as the black key does if I had summoned her alone- but even still, the bee could likely remain for hours before I'm drained. Less if she accesses that 'true form' of whatever you call it. 

"It is a pleasure to finally meet you, Cassiopia." I smile. "Virgo's talked a lot about you." 

"Hooooh?" The bee woman smiles, glancing to the maid. "Does our resident maid here love to gossip? Pfft who am I kidding, of course she does. She didn't even hesitate for a minute before regaling me with tales of your... bedroom endeavors." 

"I approve." She smiles. "I also heard you were the one who gave me that lovely Piano? I've certainly been enjoying that." 

"Oh, it was no big deal, really. It was just taking up space for me. I'm glad that it can be of use to someone who can enjoy it." I reply. 

I can... see why she'd enjoy Piano. 

Four hands. 

Considering its a weapon she's probably quite deadly with it as well. 

"Well, since I have summoned you, shall we make the contract, then?" I ask. "Do you have any stipulations? Any days you don't want to be summoned on?" 

The woman just simply waves. "Oh, it's quite rare for black keys to make contracts so we are typically far more lax in comparison to silver and copper spirits. Just summon me whenever you wish, dear. I have had enough of a vacation. I just want to see how the world has changed during my time at the bottom of the ocean so be sure to use me quite often, hm?"  

She offers me a small wink as I can feel the weight of a contract being formed.  

"Alright. I'll call you often, then." I agree easily, a small smile crossing my lips. "Now, I'm curious, what is it that you do magic-wise? Virgo says that all the Virgos had earth magic, but what about you? What's... the magical aspect of a 'Queen'? Bees?" 

"Oh! Each black-key incarnation is completely different. Unlike gold spirits who inherit a base magic. Such as earth for the 'Virgo's, or 'Water' for the 'Aquarius', every time a black key incarnates, it typically generates an entirely new magic for the key to wield."  

 "For example, I have heard that in the past, the last Cassiopia used some sort of 'subordinate magic' which vastly increased the power of those who swore loyalty to her... though, you're right about your assumption with me! I've just got bees! Though... I suppose in a manner of speaking, said bees are greatly empowered, so perhaps the 'subordinate magic' is still alive in there somewhere." 

She tilts her head. "Though, I suppose at a certain point the magics have to follow our 'theme', and those with more 'narrow' themes having more powerful magic overall." 

"Say for instance, Cetus. He is 'The Sea Monster'. He could likely incarnate with water magic, snake magic, venom magic, some form of fire breath magic, and so on. But for something like... ah... ' Andromedia the Chained Maiden', she'd likely have something to do with chains. Be it flaming chains, icy chains, chains that mind control, and so on and so forth. As a result, her magic might be stronger than Cetus', however Cetus' raw power still makes him more powerful than Andromedia." 

"I... see." I Mutter under my breath, looking to the black key in hand. "Virgo mentioned a 'true form'?" 

"Oh. That. I may... or may not transform into a massive killer wasp-like bee with blades for legs, a second set of jaws that I can shoot out of my mouth like a spear, and a stinger that is so venomous, that the venom should realistically be called acid." She brushes at one of her antenna with a hand. "I... do not really enjoy taking on that form. But. If required. I will. It certainly boosts my combat power by a vast amount. Not even physically, but magically as well." 

"Oh. Okay." So. She has a nightmare fuel murder hornet form. 

Cool. 

"I'll try not to ever get into a situation where that form is required." I acknowledge. 

"Oh! If your life is ever in danger. Just use it." The bee waves her four hands placatingly. "I don't loathe it. It's just not... cute. So I don't like it much. You won't cause me emotional pain if you summon me in that form. Sometimes you just need a twenty foot tall giant wasp to murder your enemies!" 

"I'm curious. Your empowered form makes sense, you are the queen bee, you become a giant angry bee. But... what exactly would a normal 'queen's next form be? Like... an aspect of being a human queen? Does she get like... bigger?" 

"Oh, no, silly! She got a giant castle mecha!" The bee smiles brightly. 

"Huh. that's... weird." 

"Isn't it?" She smiles. 

"Alright, I'm afraid that I'm going to be forced to unsummon you for a while, I'm about to make a contract with a platinum key and, well, Virgo's already likely to increase their cost to the point where they could drain even me. Quite quickly. Adding the drain from a black key into that..." 

"A platinum key?! I- I didn't think they existed, honestly." The bee sputters. "I mean, it makes sense, but considering the 'Black Keys'... I had thought we were the platinum equivalent." 

She closes her eyes. "Alright, yeah, I can see why you'd need to unsummon me for this. I understand completely! Just call me back soon, alright? And if you believe you could summon both me and the platinum spirit at the same time, I would LOVE to speak with them! They probably know so much that we don't!" 

With that, she disappears in a flash of light, leaving just me and Virgo. 

Virgo also disappears then immediately reappears a moment later right where she was just standing. 

"You're so reckless master." The girl huffs in amusement.. "I didn't de-summon myself when Cassiopia was here because I knew you could easily handle the burden. But I know nothing of the Platinum Keys. We're taking no chances. Allow me to use my own magical energy for a moment." 

"Alright, Alright." I roll my eyes. "That's fine." 

I slowly bring out the silvery key, looking over it. 

It's dazzlingly beautiful. Blue and white seems to creep down the key, looking like that one japanese wave painting. The streaks of color coil around the key shaft, curling around and creating a bow to hold onto. 

With a brief flick of my hand I create a barrier around the forest clearing to contain magical auras. 

I nod once, raising the key, magic briefly flickers in my fingertips before surging downwards, pooling in the key. 

It feels like my magical container has a hole and all of my magic is being drawn out, swirling and twisting into a whirlpool like water flowing down a drain. 

Five percent disappears, then after ten the key glows. I swing my arm down. "OPEN! Gate of the River! Eridanus!" 

*Tock* 

 A sound akin to a church bell echoes out, the ground rumbles as a rift seems to tear itself open in front of me. Water surges outwards, pooling on the ground. The rift widens as a gout of water pours from it, looking like the spillway of a massive dam. 

I grab Virgo and fly upwards as the water starts to rise, pooling against the light ecriture barrier and creeping upwards first one foot, then two feet. 

Even outside the barrier I can see the sky darken, grey clouds soar across the sky as they seem to gather over Magnolia, a gentle rain that slowly deepens abruptly appearing in the once sunny sky. 

A massive serpentine figure made entirely of water shoots from the rift, coiling upwards, its body loops once, then it corkscrews, seemingly following the outside of the barrier as it soars higher and higher into the sky as the autumn storm becomes a fairly intense thunderstorm. 

The serpent seems to eventually stop its climb and turn downwards, descending, seemingly looking right at me. 

"A new summoner?" A female voice echoes from the massive water serpent as the water within the barrier has reached at least thirty feet. The rain outside seems to lessen. "How... interesting." 

The entire serpent abruptly deforms, a much smaller figure had apparently been floating within the beast's head where its brain would have roughly been. 

A woman. 

She has long blue hair, pale snowy skin and dark blue eyes. She wears a long blue robe that looks to be swirling water. 

She seems to look over me, her gaze boring into my own.  

"You are quite strong." She observes, eyes slowly straying past me. "How long has it been since Eridanus has been summoned?" 

I briefly hesitate as I idly wonder if she just spoke in third person. 

She seems... really familiar, actually. There's something about her that's giving me deja vu. 

"Roughly seven thousand years." I answer. 

"Seven thousand... hm... I was buried with him. Wasn't I?' 

"Yes. Alongside hundreds of other celestial spirits." I answer. 

Her eyes narrow slightly, the storm which had lessened into a drizzle suddenly intensifies, a sudden boom of thunder echoing out. 

"Those fools." The woman lowly growls before letting out a quiet sigh. "I see." 

"You wish to become Eridanus' New summoner?" She asks, confirming that she does indeed speak in third person. 

Odd. 

"Then you must face my trial, then." A faint smile appears on her lips. 

"A trial? What sort?" I ask. 

"It is quite simple. Eridanus has no patience for a weak summoner. So. To command the water woman... you must withstand Eridanus' eroding waters." 

The water woman- Wait. Wait a fucking second- 

"Drip Drip Drop..." 

A massive stream of water strikes me head on and plunges me down into the churning waters below. 

She looks a lot like... 

Juvia...