Chapter 22: Live & Learn [5]
https://discord.gg/ZrWk2jqjbV
AN: As you've probably noticed, I've changed the name of the arc.
This is because I've realized the Crow Project is even more farfetched then I planned and I don't want more than 10 chapters named "Crow Project" so it's going to be split up.
But fear not! I have plenty of (definitely ethical) science projects to keep you entertained!
And yes the Flare Project will still happen.
And I also want to give Valia more writing time so yeah.
—
It took me a while to explain my "predicament" to Kokuja, which was only natural considering the absurdity of it all.
Though what surprised me is that she never brought up "that"—either she is respecting my privacy which I find hard to believe considering our partnership literally just began, or that something is blocking her from seeing it.
It can't be me because I don't have any access to a form of magic that can protect my mind like Occlumency or something of the sort.
'Other worlds?'
"Well from my experience I can confirm the existence of two—but taking deductive reasoning into account it makes sense for there to be more"
'It's all…quite hard to comprehend'
"I suppose that makes two of us then, now that we've got my story covered, would you mind telling me yours?" To think a day would come where I would be discussing the existence of multiple worlds with a talking snake, fate is an odd thing.
'I can still hear your thoughts you know…' That's going to take some getting used to.
'Now then, where should I start…remember the forest you visited whilst you were in the marshes?'
"The one where I was almost killed by a bunch of thorny vines—definitely"
'Our species have developed burrows underground, the vines are unable to reach us there because for some reason they only have the ability to detect species on the surface'
"So that's why it was basically a ghost town…" The answer was quite literally, right under my feet.
'Exactly, just like you, we wanted to search for the root or origin of the vines and get rid of it, but with the combined threat of the vines themselves, and a lack of direction—it was to no avail'
"Wait—your species lives in groups? Not separately?" Cobras—specifically the males are quite territorial, I find it hard to believe they are able to coexist so easily.
'I thought a "researcher" was meant to be someone intelligent? All species in the marshes live with their own kin—resources are scarce and highly competed over thus co-operation is a must'
How intriguing, but that still begs the question.
"You mentioned other species—in my time exploring the marshes the only life form I encountered was a weird hog-like being, surprisingly it knew how to trade"
'While I'm unsure of the exact number of species in the marshes—I'm aware of a few species of rodents' That's already a huge discovery—there really are other lifeforms that dwell in the marshes.
"Hm, what about the sap? The hog had a similar liking to it, but I still don't understand what, if any benefits it brings"
'Personally I don't know why I'm so attracted to it either, but after I drank it I could immediately feel my strength growing'
That prompts another theory.
Maybe it's not that the vines can't attack prey beneath the surface, but more so that it doesn't want to.
If the animals in the forest were constantly able to consume the sap—it would allow their strength to grow, and as a result possibly grow strong enough to resist the vines.
By not wiping them out completely, and simply suppressing them, the vines can both protect themselves, and maintain a steady supply of food.
Which would mean that they are indeed carnivorous, otherwise I see no reason why they simply don't get rid of everything that lives.
'That doesn't make sense, the vines have never attacked us whilst we are underground, what's the point of keeping us there if they don't bother to consume us?'
"May I ask how big the group you were living with was?"
'There were around twenty of us'
"From what I saw, the forestry area was of considerable size—perhaps it was just dumb luck they didn't bother to go after you?"
'Perhaps…'
I'll have to actually revisit the marshes if I want to test such a theory, I should ask Azazel to let me go for another visit.
"Well I still have plenty of questions for you but it's getting late and you've had a long day to say the least, speaking of which do you need any accommodations of the sort? With the facilities here at Grigori it shouldn't be that hard to simulate your original habitat"
'Mmm, I'd rather sleep with you—you feel warm, I like it' Koen, she is a snake—remember that, no impure thoughts.
(AN: Even though you're trying to become a Fallen Angel? HMMM?)
'You forgot that I can hear your thoughts again? Not that I mind~' Focus—deep breaths.
I'm guessing she's referring to the side effects that [Flame Shake] has on my body. The average internal body temperature of a human is about 37°C. Whereas mine is 43°C.
Normally this would mean I'm ill but I'm guessing because my flames can't harm me, it can't make me ill either.
…
I woke up the next morning with a distinct sensation of soreness coming from my stomach. I lazily opened my eyes and saw a three meter long (about 10 foot) scaly noodle curled up on me.
I could have sworn she was beside me before I went to bed, and my gosh is she heavy—not to mention this size is only about average for a King Cobra.
Some can even grow up to eighteen feet, my childlike body is not made for this. Hopefully she doesn't end up snapping my neck by accident—though I have to admit, it is pretty cute seeing her like this.
No wait! Bad thoughts!
I lightly scratched her head trying to get her to wake up—I didn't want to be late for Azazel's lessons after all. "I know you know I'm awake, get up already"
'Mmmm just a bit longer…' Fine then—I attempted to lift her up with my flimsy arms, struggling but still making headway.
'Alright, alright—I'm getting up, no need to be so rough' She wrapped herself around my neck and went into her scarf form.
I got up and began to make my way to the study room where we usually meet, but to my surprise Nakajima was standing in front of the door—he glanced towards me as if he was expecting me.
"Ah, Koen there you are—Azazel wanted me to tell you to go to the gym instead, apparently he has something different planned for you" The gym?
'Has he developed a new fashion sense?' He thought.
That would mean it has something to do with physical training—but I thought we were focusing on the Crow Project as of now.
I gave him a nod and made my way to the gym. I opened the door to an Azazel wearing what seemed to be sportswear. Oh boy, I think I know where this is going.
"You're here, perfect—you've probably already guessed but we're going to be do something a little different today"
"I think I already know what it is—but may I ask why the sudden change?"
"Have you already forgotten? You still have that promise to hold up with Valia, remember?" So this is preparation for that…
"I appreciate it and all, but I'd much rather focus on the Crow Project right now" I'm confident that Valia will be more than pleased with my growth so far, and I'm not really the "physical" type.
"Your raw power has definitely shot up, that's for sure—but what's the point of having all that strength if you have no idea how to apply it?" He ignored my remark and signaled me to follow him, bringing me to the area where Valia usually spars.
His eyes quickly became glued to my oversized scarf—shocking that he's only realizing it just now. "O-hoh, by the looks of it you've gotten yourself a golem, impressive—and perfect timing as well, it would appear that your golem is the supportive type"
"You can tell?" I expected him to know that she was a golem, but not even I have a grasp on what exactly her abilities are.
"Pretty much—your golem doesn't seem to have much destructive power, but I can sense the presence of a venom within it"
Well that I already knew, but how on earth does he "sense" venom? Especially when it's still inside her glands.
Kokuja reverted back to her original form, I winced at the sudden increase in weight. "Oi, I have a 'name' you know? And I'm a she, not it"
Azazel's expression widened significantly, which was odd—I've never seen him so surprised.
"Koen…you already learned how to implant consciousness into your golem? How on earth did you manage that so quickly?" What is he talking about?
"What do you mean? She already had one the minute I made her a golem" Azazel's shock only seemed to heighten.
"It already had one…how unusual" he muttered. It seems I was right after all, she is definitely special.
"Anyhow, we'll discuss this some other time—for starters show me what you can do with your Sacred Gear" I complied and conjured a longsword out of my ghostly flames.
"Hm, it's not bad…however" he conjured a tiny beam of golden light from the tip of his finger and pointed it towards me.
"Prepare yourself" Ah fuck, he's going to make me block it—I'm confident that he's holding back however, how much is the question.
I prepared a defensive stance and felt my arms shake in response to the impact. Just like when we first met, it was too fast for me to see.
The energy from my [Flame Shake] and his [Light Magic] fought furiously, and for some reason I felt helpless against it. What was going on—isn't my control supposed to be quite good?
My flames inevitably gave out, and I felt a blunt force smash against my stomach knocking me back in the process. Another beam of light hit me before I knew it, but this time I felt like I was back in peak condition.
"Just as I expected, at surface level your control is quite good, perhaps even exceptional, but you lack the focus to control it when under pressure, that's what we're going to work on" his expression had become stern.
He was warning me to take this seriously. I have about two weeks before Valia is going to judge me, so I guess I should try to make as many gains as possible during his mentoring.
"Even if Valia accepts you as her training partner, I want you to be able to benefit her growth as well, the relationship should go both ways"
Not sure how I'm going to accomplish something like that in two weeks, but alright.
'Koen…I don't think that was even a fraction of his strength, who is this guy?'
'From my memories you should know that he's my adoptive father, but more importantly he's in charge of everything you see around here—in summary, he's stupid strong'
Kokuja was still on me when I took the impact, surprisingly she doesn't look all that affected, though I guess that can be attributed to Azazel's immense skill.
"Then what do you suggest I do?"
"It's simple, we're going to repeat this until you learn to maintain your flames whilst receiving my attack, and whilst we're doing it I want you to think of a way to incorporate your golem into your flames"
Something like that is possible? I assumed that we would work as two separate entities—but he did call her a support type, so there must be something I can think of.
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