Graviton (Tensura)

Snippet 1: Graviton

Disclaimer: I do not own the original setting.

Chapter 7: Meeting the King

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- Altair -

"Do we really have to do this?" I whined like a petulant child.

Shizu giggled as she looked me over from head to toe, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Fufufu. I think you look quite dashing, Altair."

I shifted uncomfortably in the ornate outfit she had tailored for me, tugging at the high collar. It was far too stiff and formal for my taste. The fabric shimmered under the dim light of the shop, embroidered with intricate patterns that seemed to shift as the light hit them just right. It wasn't something I'd ever imagine wearing in any of my lives. I didn't think I'd have the money or have the need to wear such formal outfits. 

Who knew you had to dress the part to meet the king of a nation. It had been about a month and a half since the meeting with Damrada, Yuuki had yet to make any overt changes in his relationship with me since then.

I sighed internally. The political game wasn't my strong suit, and meeting with royalty made me feel like I was walking into a trap I hadn't prepared for. I was well aware I was likely just overthinking, but despite knowing that royalty in this world really didn't matter unless your last name was Nam Ul Nasca, my previous life's sensibilities still contradicted that.

I was going to be meeting with a king who could alter the fates of hundreds of thousands with a word.

The meeting with the king was scheduled to take place in two days. Shizu, in her usual foresight, had an outfit tailor-made for me some time ago, and now we were picking it up as well as trying it on.

"This is overkill." I muttered under my breath. "It's just a meeting."

"Just a meeting?" Shizu raised an eyebrow, her tone light but carrying an underlying scolding. "Altair, you're going to meet the king. Appearances matter, especially in his court. One misstep, even something as small as dressing too casually, could be seen as disrespect. While he will give me face, it is wise not to test royalty. He does have command over some powerful people I can acknowledge."

I raised a brow. "They have someone that strong?"

I knew Shizu wasn't the strongest when compared to the monsters in this world, but she was revered as a Champion for a reason. She was firmly in the Disaster Class range, stronger than Clayman even when she fuses with Ifrit.

Shizu nodded. "Indeed. The Court Mage, Rykard, is powerful, he is an old student of the Majin Razen and they are known to keep contact even now."

"The same Razen who has been serving Falmuth for ages?"

Shizu nodded. "Indeed."

Razen may not have seemed like it in the Light Novels, but he was a beast. He was centuries old with leagues of magical knowledge. He had multiple Unique Skills due to hijacking the bodies of otherworlders. He even took on a Saint and came out on top in the Light Novel. He was able to single-handedly fire a Nuclear Canon at Diablo, something that even the most experienced of mages needed groups of mages to accomplish. Not to mention Nuclear Cannon could easily destroy mountains.

Safe to say, I did not want to fuck with Razen. 

"Rykard also has some rather deep ties to the Council of the West. I've heard that he is even an otherworlder, though those are merely rumors. Other than that, I have heard only good things about him." Shizu added.

"Is that so?" I mumbled. Having a connection to the Council of the West could be a bit troublesome, but I was probably overthinking things. There was a very low chance that Rykard had deep ties to Granbell Rosso, the true ruler of the west. 

I'd be fine.

Sadly I wasn't able to make explosive progress in mere weeks, however I did begin using a resource I hadn't been making full use of. 

I had knowledge of other worlds that may or may not exist out there, the possibility of their existence didn't matter at this point to me. What mattered was the various techniques that those other worlds were filled with, techniques that I knew of to a certain extent.

The first brand of techniques I attempted to replicate was the Six Powers from One Piece. The Six Powers were a series of techniques that could be accomplished by the Humans of the One Piece world as long as their physique was strong enough.

It took some effort but with the increased computational power that Wise Grimoire provided me, I got the hang of the first technique I attempted to recreate.

Shigan, also known as Finger Pistol, worked by concentrating immense force into a single point; your finger could be used like a bullet, piercing through solid objects and enemies alike. 

Even knowing what I did about the sheer bullshit present in this world, it still took me a few moments to wrap my head around the fact that I was trying to train my finger into a bullet.

I practiced strengthening my fingers first, then worked on focusing energy into the tip. After several intense sessions, I could pierce through steel with my finger. It had left my fingers bruised and bloody in the beginning, but over time, my body adapted. The pain became bearable, the strain manageable. Each day, I felt myself becoming stronger, more resilient.

There were various variations of the Six Powers, but I decided to focus on the basics for now.

Shigan wouldn't be all that useful for me since it just didn't fit into my combat style, but I still wished to be capable of using it just in case. Perhaps I could teach it to someone who could make good use of it.

The next technique I recreated was Tekkai, also known as Iron Body. This technique hardens the user's muscles to make them nearly invulnerable to attacks. But this went beyond just hardening, it required intense control of muscle tension and relaxation. Tekkai was all about timing. It wasn't just about being strong, you had to activate it just before a blow landed.

Timing. It was the essence of Tekkai, and it wasn't easy to master. You couldn't just will your body into iron at any moment; you had to feel the flow of the fight, anticipate the exact moment of impact. Too early, and the tension would leave you rigid, unable to move quickly enough to counter. Too late, and you'd be left wide open.

It took me some time to get the timing right but I did end up eventually learning Tekkai. I ended up asking Shizu for help as I needed help getting the timing right. She had of course asked where I got the idea for the Six Powers, to this I blatantly said that I stole it. Shizu knew about anime and manga thanks to me and Yuuki. I just said I stole the idea from a manga I used to watch which Shizu bought.

Shizu had been relentless in her training sessions, always pushing me just beyond my limits. 'Sweat in training, so you don't bleed in war,' she'd say, her voice calm but unwavering. She didn't hold back either, there were days when I left our sparring sessions with bruises all over my body. But she was right. Pain in practice was better than death in combat.

Honestly, why hadn't Yuuki made use of any of the interesting techniques that could be found in fictional works in canon? He obviously possessed some knowledge about anime and manga as that was what first made him and Rimuru friendly excluding Shizu's involvement.

Wise Grimoire was more geared towards the Magic side of things, so it was less helpful, but it still made things a lot easier. I'm sure without it, I would have taken multiple times longer to learn the Six Powers.

Shizu had said that Tekkai was rather similar to the Extra Skill: Strengthen Body, which allows the user to boost the strength of their muscles.

Soru, also known as Shave, was perhaps one of the most useful techniques I had managed to recreate. Soru allowed the user to move at such a high speed that they appeared to vanish from sight. Soru was about stepping off the ground at incredible speed, but without proper control, it left me crashing into walls. The principle of Soru was to kick off the ground at least ten times in the blink of an eye. The more you kick off the ground, the faster you go.

After dozens of failed attempts and almost breaking a leg, I realized the secret wasn't just speed but precision in the timing of each step. Once I got it right, I could dash from one end of the training field to the other in the blink of an eye, almost appearing like a blur.

With Soru, my speed had increased by leaps and bounds to the point that even Shizu had to struggle not to get completely blitzed by me in a spar. In the end Shizu's Danger Sense is what allowed her to even fight me as it was basically Observation Haki.

Using Soru was incredibly tiring, but it was worth it for the sheer speed it granted.

The next of the Six Powers I recreated was Geppo, also known as Moonwalk. I didn't really need Geppo, seeing as I could already fly, but I still wanted to learn it. Geppo was basically an extension of Soru but slightly different in nature. While Soru was about making you a blur on the ground, Geppo used the same principle of kicking off the surface beneath you to fly.

Kicking off the air was just as hard as it sounded. The amount of force needed behind your kicks to be able to effectively fly was rather absurd, even for me. I'm not a very physical fighter, so I wasn't really able to master this just yet. I just wasn't strong enough. But I'll keep working on it. 

Then there was Rankyaku, also known as Tempest Kick. To use Rankyaku one needed to kick the air with such velocity that it created a blade-like shockwave. This also involved having a lot of physical strength. I was able to create a weak slash at this point. 

A weak slash, but still a slash. It sliced cleanly through the air, dispersing leaves and shaking the branches of nearby trees. There was potential here, even if I hadn't fully unlocked it yet.

As I practice and grow stronger, I'm sure that slash will become stronger and more precise.

Then there was Kami-e, also known as Paper Art. This one was the hardest in my opinion due to the mental state one needed to be in to use it. Kami-e is a technique that allowed the body to become so flexible it could dodge almost any attack. Unlike Tekkai, which relied on stiffening, Kami-e was about total relaxation and fluidity, making your body as light as paper.

The mind had to be just as relaxed as the body which is of course difficult in a combat situation, even in training I just couldn't get it right.

I still had more training to do if I wanted to accomplish my objectives, but I was satisfied with the amount of progress I had made in a month and a half. 

I rolled my eyes as Shizu continued to titter around me as she examined my looks. 

"You look wonderful, Altair. Honestly, why don't you dress up more often." Shizu said.

I rolled my eyes. "A good t-shirt and some pants is more than enough for me."

Shizu smirked. "Ah, what a shame. I'm sure the fair young maidens of this city will be rather sad."

"Yeah, right." I scoffed.

"What? Not confident in your appearance?" Shizu teased.

I shook my head. "Nothing like that. I just feel like in this world, women have far more to worry about than a somewhat attractive male in their vicinity."

This world didn't really encourage a casual environment that could be found on earth. Women didn't have the time to waste dreaming about attractive males and whatnot. They had to focus on finding some form of security for their lives at my age. Whether that was finding a good husband to provide for them, becoming an Adventurer, or taking up some trade they can learn.

Shizu shrugged her shoulders. "I suppose that is true. But you are underestimating how much women like to dream of a better future."

I raised a brow. "Speaking from experience." I felt I was close enough to Shizu to dig into her life a bit. She already knew a lot about me, but most of what I knew about her was due to my canon knowledge.

"Perhaps. Now, enough about that. Since the clothing fits on you, change out of it, and then we can leave."

I nodded at Shizu's words. "Right."

I had already paid for the tailor-made outfit beforehand. Originally, Shizu was going to pay, but I stopped that. Shizu had already done a lot for me; she doesn't owe me anything, and she shouldn't have to financially support me either now that I have an income of my own.

As I changed out of the tailor-made outfit and back into my more comfortable clothes, I found my thoughts drifting back to the training I'd been undergoing. While I acknowledged that I had made good progress, I knew I still wasn't much in the grand scheme of things. I wasn't even an Enlightened, though I did feel somewhat confident in fighting against a weaker Enlightened, but maybe I was just hyping myself up.

I knew what an Enlightened was generally capable of due to my knowledge of this world, but who knows if what I read about will line up with reality. Though from what I was able to get from Shizu, I was generally pretty right. Enlightened could generally scale up to country busters at the max unless they had some bullshit Unique Skill like Mariabell. Mariabell wasn't even an Enlightened yet she had a decent chance of taking on some Saints.

I wonder how old Mariabell is at this point? I'm still a few years off from Rimuru even being born. I think she'll be around 1 or 2 years old at this point, not having even met Granbell. 

There are some other Enlightened to be careful of, like the Seven Luminaries. 

The Seven Luminaries would completely destroy me, and they were made an example of early on in the series. The Luminaries may not have seemed like much, but they had been alive for thousands of years, and had energy reserves larger than even most Demon Lord Seeds.

Even the weaker beings in this world completely outmatched me, I couldn't afford to slack in my training if I wanted to accomplish my goals. 

Shizu waited patiently outside the changing room, and I could hear her humming a light tune, a habit of hers when she was lost in thought. It was strange to think how close we had become in such a short time. At first, I had only seen her as a guide, someone who was teaching me the ropes in this strange new world. But now, she felt more like a companion, a friend, even. 

My goal of preventing Shizu from dying due to Ifrit was something I had dedicated a lot of thought to.

I just had to find Ramiris and see if she could swap the Elementals out. The issue about Shizu being fed up with this world could be solved later. I'd convince her that there was more to live for… somehow.

It was selfish of me to impose my own desires on her, but everyone had a bit of selfishness in them. I had grown to care for Shizu over the period of time she cared for me. She helped me at a cost to herself with nothing to gain. And she has continued to support me even now when I already have a foothold for myself. She cares, and it shows.

I'd still have to make sure that Rimuru ends up getting Shizu's Unique Skill: Degenerate somehow as that was a key component of Rimuru's cheat, Raphael. I had a lot of thinking to do. Thankfully, I had a few years. 

I also had to make sure that my existence didn't erase the Falmuth Invasion. Rimuru still needs to become a True Demon Lord, no matter what, and so Yuuki couldn't be messed with until then, at least.

I didn't want to find a way to just feed Rimuru 10,000 souls either. The Falmuth Invasion was a fundamental change in mindset for Rimuru. It was when he took off the nice gloves and began being a bit more brutal, which was something necessary.

I shook my head. It wouldn't do to think about all this in a changing room.

As I stepped out, back in my casual clothes, Shizu looked up and smiled. "Ah, there's the Altair I'm used to seeing."

"Finally, back to normal," I said with a mock sigh of relief, though I couldn't help but grin back. It was moments like these that made the constant battle for survival in this world seem a little less heavy. Everyone needed some balance in their life.

We left the tailor's shop and stepped out into the bustling streets of the city. The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cobbled streets. Merchants shouted from their stalls, trying to sell everything from fresh fruit to enchanted trinkets. The smell of roasted meat and spices filled the air, mixing with the more earthy scent of the marketplace.

I had gotten used to the environment of a medieval age civilization. Honestly it was kind of nice, people were a lot closer together.

As we walked, Shizu glanced at me. "Have you thought about what you're going to say to the king?"

I nodded. "A bit. He's a king and has a duty to his people so I'm expecting him to try and take advantage of me for his Kingdom's benefit."

Shizu nodded. "That is likely. I will be coming with you to the palace, but the meeting between the king and you will be solely between you two."

I nodded. 

"The king is sharp, and he'll want to know exactly where you stand."

My brows furrowed. "Where do I stand?"

"He will want to know if you are an ally to his Kingdom or not." Shizu elaborated.

"That's easy enough. As long as the Kingdom doesn't wrong me in some way, I have no reason to be hostile."

Shizu nodded. "You will need to explain that to the king."

I nodded. I was somewhat worried about meeting the king. He was, after all… a king. I hadn't met anyone with such a high status before, and he likely had powerful people at his beck and call. Should the king not like me for whatever reason, he could make my life a lot more difficult, seeing as his kingdom was my primary residence.

I knew quite a lot about the Kingdom of Ingrassia, and some things did have me worried. Such as the fact that, at this moment, somewhere in this kingdom, experiments were being done to create more Magic Inquisitors.

Magic Inquisitors were powerful, they had to be even stronger than even I was at this point. And while I wasn't anything crazy end game, I was still pretty strong for the Western Nations.

Magic Inquisitors are Humans that have absorbed the power of a Monster and turned into Majin. Depending on the Monster Factor they incorporated, they can operate in various environments.

I don't know who ordered the experiments to be done, but I have no doubt the king is aware of the experiments. He was the king, he had to be. 

The research was meant to find a way to give an internal magicule capacity to normal Humans. Their amoral research resulted in muscle strength ten times greater than that of normal humans, skin tougher than steel, skeletons to support those muscles, etc. 

However, there were some downsides. Incorporating a Monster Factor can cause some mental issues down the line. I have no idea whether the research has been discontinued or if the scientists are trying to improve upon it. However, the fact that such research had been done gives me some insight into the king's character.

He could be someone who is trying his best for his Kingdom, wanting to create powerful fighters to defend his Kingdom even if the methods aren't moral. Or he could be a power-hungry maniac desperate for power, who knows.

I sighed. There was no use stressing about this anymore. It wouldn't help me after all. I just had to hope the king was a reasonable sort. Shizu only knew a little bit about his character. He had invited her to a meeting in the past, which she accepted. But they mostly just made small talk with the king trying to pry for information about Shizu's plans.

Even Heinz wasn't of much help. He just warned me to be mindful of what I said, but he also said I'd likely be fine. That while the king would try to use me and he would play around with his word, he still wouldn't actively be hostile. 

I clenched my fists. Even if the king for whatever reason was hostile towards me, then I'll just have to deal with it. I had forged my will enough that I was willing to go against a king in order to accomplish my goals, hell, in the worst case scenario I may be on the bad side of Demon Lord Rimuru who was far scarier than the King of one of the Western Nations. Though him being hostile towards me was unlikely with all the effort he has made for me to have a positive impression of him. 

In the end while my destination was fixed, the journey was not. Only time will tell if I make any difference. I'd be happy with making a single thing better in this world, I suppose that's just the kind of person I am now.

- Shizu -

She let a small sigh escape her lips as she waited patiently for Altair to finish preparing himself. Soon, they would be heading to the royal palace for what would likely be one of the most important meetings of Altair's life thus far. He was still young, but the weight of today wasn't lost on him. She could see it in the way he carried himself, rigid with focus, shoulders tense under the pressure of what was to come.

Her own memories drifted back to a time when she had been in similar situations, standing before royalty, leaders, and powers far greater than herself. In those early years, Shizu had felt the same pressure, the same looming fear that one wrong move could undo everything. Back then, she had been far weaker, even with the Hero Chronoa's teachings she needed time to master all of her skills. But those days were long gone. Now, as a respected Champion, she had the strength and wisdom to stand tall in any kingdom. Yet, the experiences of her past hadn't been forgotten. She knew exactly what it felt like to be in Altair's shoes.

Perhaps that was why she felt so protective of him.

Being a Champion afforded her certain privileges, and though she didn't like to flaunt her influence, today would be an exception. Altair needed her support, and she was more than willing to leverage the reputation she had built for herself if it would help him succeed. Shizu had taken many students over the years, but none had ever touched her heart in quite the way Altair did. He had a special place in her life now, though she couldn't pinpoint exactly when it had happened.

Altair had a special place in her heart.

Of course, she still cared for her other students. Yuuki, for instance, was a bright young man with bold ideas, always hinting at his desire to revolutionize the world. He had an ambitious spirit, and as his teacher, Shizu had pledged to help him in any way she could. But there was something about Altair that set him apart from the others. Perhaps it was because he reminded her of herself.

When she looked at him, she saw the same lost expression she had worn all those years ago, a scared, confused soul thrust into a world they barely understood, simply trying to find their place. It was a look she knew intimately. She had once been that same frightened girl, plucked from her old life and cast into a foreign, dangerous world. Back then, she thought her purpose was to serve Demon Lord Leon, to be his faithful sword in whatever ambitions he held. But as time passed, that belief had crumbled.

Her path had led her to forge her own destiny, to become something greater than she had ever imagined, a Champion respected in her own right. She would always be grateful to Chronoa for the opportunity. 

She had found her true calling in nurturing others, in guiding them through the same confusion and pain she had once endured.

Altair's journey was similar to her own in so many ways. Though their circumstances were different, the core was the same. That same feeling of being lost, adrift in a world full of uncertainties. She had seen it in him the first day they met, his eyes wary, his stance defensive, as if the entire world was out to get him. And maybe, in some ways, it was. But she had taken him under her wing regardless, sensing that he needed guidance. That he needed someone to believe in him when he couldn't yet believe in himself.

It wasn't until after his return from that Dragon Slaying quest that she noticed a real change in him. Something had changed with him, there was a fire in his heart that hadn't been there before. He had found a goal, a reason to fight, and he clung to it with desperation. She remembered the day he had come back, with that rare spark of purpose in his eyes. It was the look of someone who had faced death and returned stronger for it.

It had made her proud. So proud, in fact, that she couldn't help but feel an almost protective urge toward him. It was a strange feeling, one she hadn't expected. She had trained many before him, but none had invoked this kind of protectiveness in her.

Altair was special.

She knew she had to be careful with that affection, though. It wasn't fair to play favorites, and she would never admit it aloud, but her bond with him was different. She felt a need to shield him, to guide him through the storms that were undoubtedly coming his way. Perhaps that was why she was willing to use her influence today, despite her usual reluctance. If her presence at the palace could help tip the scales in Altair's favor, then so be it.

He was more than just a student to her, that was for sure. 

"Are you ready?" She called softly, hearing his footsteps approach. They were currently in his assigned room. 

Altair stepped into view, dressed impeccably in the formal attire she had chosen for him. His movements were composed, but Shizu could see the tension in his stance, the slight tightening of his jaw. He was nervous, though he tried to hide it.

Their eyes met, and Shizu gave him a reassuring smile. "You look good." She remarked, her tone gentle but encouraging. "I told you that outfit would suit you."

Altair glanced down at himself, clearly uncomfortable with the praise. "It's a bit much." He sighed. "But I'm aware that it's pointless to complain now."

"And I am ready." He replied, though there was a tightness in his voice.

She could sense his nerves, but she didn't comment on them. He needed to face this on his own. But even so, she would be there, walking beside him every step of the way. He wasn't alone in this. He never had been.

"Good." She said, turning towards the door. "Remember, Altair, this is your moment. But I'll be with you, no matter what happens."

Altair coughed lightly as he turned to the side. She smirked as she saw a hint of red on his cheek. How cute.

"Yeah… thanks."

As they stepped out of Altair's room, Shizu took a moment to absorb the atmosphere around them. The hallways were quiet. After all, this area was mostly occupied by Altair and Yuuki. Yuuki was currently out on a quest of his own. It was a fairly low ranking one, so she wasn't worried. Yuuki's skills were excellent. The only reason Altair tended to get the upper hand against Yuuki at this point was due to his gravitational abilities which Altair had been honing. However, for some reason, Altair didn't really seem to care that he was defeating Yuuki.

She was used to her students needling each other about their victories and their losses, but everyone was different, she supposed.

As they made their way through the corridors, Shizu couldn't help but think back to when they first met. Altair had been a shy boy, hesitant and guarded, often looking over his shoulder as if expecting trouble at any moment. It seemed like a lifetime ago, but in truth, it had only been a few months. Now, he was meeting a king, and she had a feeling that this would be a small footnote in Altair's journey. 

As they walked through the bustling crowd she spoke up. "Just remember, Altair." She said lightly, breaking the silence. "This is an opportunity to showcase your skills and determination. The king will see your worth. If you manage to impress him then you will have more resources to call upon that can aid you in this world. I am powerful and do have a certain status no matter which Kingdom I am in, but I am far from unopposed. The more allies you have the better."

Altair nodded. "I got it."

She wanted to shield him from the politics of the court, the potential pitfalls that could arise from miscommunication or misunderstanding. But she also knew that he needed to face these challenges on his own terms. It was part of his growth, his journey. 

It didn't take too long for them to spot the palace in the distance. They opted to go on foot since the Mutual Aid Academy was rather close to the palace.

"Look at the palace." She said, gesturing toward the imposing structure. The golden spires glinted in the sunlight, casting a warm glow over the cobblestone streets.

"It is rather impressive." Altair said as he looked up.

As they approached the palace gates they were blocked by two guards, both holding shields with the insignia of the kingdom on them and a spear.

"Only authorized personnel can travel on palace grounds." One of the guards said.

She nodded and withdrew the personal seal she had been given upon setting up shop in this kingdom. She hadn't been lying when she told Altair that no matter which kingdom she went to she had some status.

The guards carefully inspected her seal before nodding. "That is the king's insignia. Follow the path, it will lead you to the main gate of the palace." One of the guards said.

She nodded and took back her insignia. "Thank you."

- Altair -

As Shizu and I were led through the palace, I took a look around. The palace was as grand as I expected; there were statues and artifacts protected by reinforced glass casings, fancy paintings adorning the walls. The marble floors gleamed under the light of ornate chandeliers, casting a soft glow that seemed to amplify the opulence around us. It was all rather gaudy, but that was within my expectations.

The sheer scale of the place was definitely humbling, towering ceilings and gilded details everywhere I turned with each step echoing against the polished floors.

As we approached a grand hall, the guards stationed at the entrance straightened, their expressions serious.

"Remember, Altair." She whispered, leaning slightly closer. "Just be yourself, in the end I'm here to cover for you. But try your best to make use of this opportunity."

I nodded.

As the grand doors to the hall swung open, I caught a glimpse of the king seated at the end of a long, ornate table. He had thick blonde hair and a tilting mustache.

The room was adorned with rich tapestries and golden accents, a fitting backdrop for someone of such high status. A heavy silence enveloped the room as we stepped inside, the atmosphere thick with anticipation.

I took a deep breath, glancing at Shizu one more time before stepping forward. She offered me a reassuring smile.

Instead of meeting in some grand throne room the king opted to have our meeting in a dining room of sorts. 

As we reached the center of the hall, the king's gaze locked onto mine. His expression was inscrutable, a mask of authority and intrigue.

The king was waiting for me to make a move. Despite everything, he was the one with status here. I was just an Adventurer, and I could respect the traditions of this world. I didn't have any overwhelming pride that protested against bowing.

I bowed. "Your Majesty. I am here in response to your summons." I said as I straightened up.

The king slowly stood up from his seat. "Thank you for responding to my summons, Altair."

I nodded as he turned to look at Shizu. "It is a pleasure to meet you face to face once again, Conqueror of Flames, Shizu."

Shizu's lips twitched at her title. She never liked it.

"Indeed, it has been some time, King Aegil." Shizu responded lightly. 

King Aegil nodded. "We will have to catch up some other time. I am sure you know the star of today is young Altair."

Shizu smiled lightly. "Indeed."

"I have been informed that Rykard was interested in speaking with you about Fire Magic." King Aegil said.

Shizu took it for the dismissal it was, she gave me one last look before leaving. I already knew that we would be having a one on one meeting, though there were guards stationed around the room.

King Aegil turned around to take his seat once more. "Come, sit young Altair. Food will be brought out shortly."

I nodded, taking the seat on the other end of the rather large table. I wouldn't say no to free food, I'm sure it would be pretty tasty since I'd be eating the same thing as a king.

"While we wait, do you mind telling me a little about you?" King Aegil asked.

I nodded. "Sure."

I went on to tell the king of my origins in this world. It's not like it was some big secret. I was an otherworlder. That was all there was to it. I then went on to tell the king about my meeting with Shizu, her taking me under her wing, and everything that led up to my Dragon slayer quest. I, of course, left out the finer details, but a summary was all the king was asking for.

"It seems that you have had quite the adventure so far despite being in this world for not even 6 months." King Aegil said as he stroked his mustache.

"Yeah, a lot has happened." I responded. 

King Aegil leaned back in his chair, his gaze thoughtful as he regarded me. "To slay a dragon within such a short time of arriving in this world, it speaks volumes of your capabilities, Altair. But it also raises questions about your future." He paused, his fingers drumming lightly on the table. "You carry great potential. That much is clear. However, that potential can be dangerous if not guided properly. What do you plan to do with it?"

I was expecting a question like that, and so I had an answer already prepared. 

"I don't particularly want anything." That was a lie. "I just want to live my best life, a life with no regrets, but for the immediate future, I'm focused on getting stronger and learning as much as I can. There's still a lot about this world I don't understand."

The king hummed lightly. "Your best life? That can be arranged."

I raised a brow. "What do you mean by that? Are you not going to punish me for destroying that forest? Isn't that what this whole meeting was about?" I wouldn't take it if it was something unreasonable, but I would admit fault that I went a bit overboard with Burst Nova. 

King Aegil raised a brow before letting a sigh. "I will be honest with you, Altair. The nobles of this nation are asking for a punishment fit for the crime. The destruction was to a scale that would take a lot of mages and workers to restore the area, which of course will be rather costly."

Yet, before I could worry about what to do, the king continued, this time a warmer smile appeared on his face.

"Ah, but worry not, Altair. I have silenced them, at least for now." The king said, his eyes focused on mine as if looking for any reaction. "You are young and inexperienced. I kept in mind the fact you have only been in this world for a few short months, and I am trying to be as lenient as I can. However, politics is not an easy game." The king finished, a fatherly smile appearing on his face, though, for some reason, it felt slightly off.

My eyes narrowed. "What is it you want to speak about?" I asked, getting straight to the point. I had a feeling I knew where this was going. Despite not being politically experienced, I had consumed enough literature to know the tropes.

Before the king could answer the doors opened and in came multiple carts of food. My brows rose as I picked up the scent. It actually smelled really good. 

King Aegil chuckled softly, the corners of his mouth twitching into a smirk. "First, let's feast. We can discuss matters of importance while we indulge."

As the servants wheeled in the carts, the aroma intensified. There were roasted meats, juicy and glistening, each piece seasoned to perfection. A large platter of tender boar lay alongside skewers of grilled wyvern meat, the smoky flavor mingling with hints of herbs. Brightly colored vegetables, vibrant and crisp, were tossed in a light dressing.

All in all, it was a feast fit for a king.

Notice. Scanning the contents of the sustenance. No poison has been detected.

'Thanks Wise Grimoire.'

You can never be too safe.

The two of us quickly began eating, and as I took a bite of the grilled Wyvern, the king spoke up. "You asked me what I wanted to speak about, and so I will. I can see your potential. You are a young man with a bright future ahead of you. However, as I said, that potential is dangerous. You destroyed a major part of a forest by accident. A forest that is right next to a minor trade route, what if an important diplomat was using that route? What if a merchant was using that route? Who is to say what you will destroy next? For that reason, I want to help guide you. I want you to join our kingdom and support the crown with your strength."

He was totally trying to manipulate me. Before I could speak up to reject or try to take a step back to negotiate, the king continued. "However, I also know that you are young and full of desire for adventure. For that reason, I will make a special exception. A compromise to let you flourish and grow to your full potential."

I swallowed down the Wyvern as I slowly nodded. Shizu had said that there would likely end up being an opportunity that could benefit me. If the king offered me a good deal, one that didn't restrict my freedom, then I could perhaps consider it. 

"I wish to grant you the honor of becoming a Baron of Ingrassia." The king stated.

My eyes widened. "Wh-What?!"

I hadn't expected the offer to become a noble.

The king raised a brow. "I know it might be shocking. However, it was through our meeting that I settled on that decision. As I said, the easiest way for me to wave the crime of destroying the forest is to have you rise and become a noble. However, I will not force you, Altair. Even if you reject my offer, I will still act and stop any punishment from reaching you because of the forest. You are not a criminal child, not in my eyes." I held back my snort. The game he was playing was super obvious to me, but playing along was in my best interest for now.

Before anything, I wanted to know more. "What sort of responsibilities would this entail?"

The king calmly took a sip of his wine before he answered. "As a Baron, you will answer to the crown. Should there be a meeting that requires your presence in the palace, you will be expected to attend. You will not be assigned a territory as I assume that would be counterproductive to your wishes. However, when the time comes for you to settle down, you may request a meeting, and we can discuss which piece of land can be given to you."

I nodded.

"Other than that, you merely must act in the kingdom's best interest. And as I said before, I want to nurture you and let you reach your full potential. As frowned upon as it might be by the other nobles, I will offer one more special benefit. In line with your magical interests, I am willing to allow you to look at the books in the royal library." 

I took a deep breath as I thought things through. Becoming a Baron would tie me to the kingdom, but those would just be political ties. If I really decided to separate myself from this kingdom, who could actually stop me? Ingrassia was strong, but it wasn't that strong. As long as I continued to grow steadily, before long I would be beyond the Kingdom of Ingrassia. 

The resources I could get as a Baron could be useful. I'm sure there is a stipend the crown gives its nobles, so I wouldn't need to worry about money. I would have the political backing of the kingdom as well. It wouldn't interfere with my goal of making sure Rimuru ascends into a True Demon Lord. In fact, it could even be beneficial. 

I would also get to hopefully learn some new Magics if the royal library had anything good. Despite having Wise Grimoire, it couldn't just create random new Magics out of its ass. It needed the foundational knowledge first. It could just expand upon that knowledge rather easily.

In the end, a Baron was one of the lowest-ranking nobles, so I wouldn't be that honor bound to help the Kingdom of Ingrassia in crisis. Plus, the Kingdom would continue to thrive. Even when canon comes around, it will still be a powerhouse in the West.

Now, what were the downsides? For one, I'd likely have to play politics to a certain extent, but in the end, I would just be a Baron. I don't think the higher-up nobles would care for a "lowborn" like me. The nobles of this world tended to be a bit deluded like that.

Another one was the king. Though he was acting nice, I could tell there was more behind it. He was most definitely trying to manipulate me, honestly if someone else were in my shoes it could have worked but I knew the tropes. But he wanted to use me, so I can use him as well. 

My own reputation would also likely be tied to the Kingdom of Ingrassia's which wasn't really a bad thing since I knew the kingdom would continue to rise in the coming years. 

In the end this was an opportunity, it was a risk, but I could afford to take risks now.

I took a deep breath. "I accept."

___________________________________________________________________

I am highly motivated by your guys' reviews and likes, so do that! I'll probably keep writing or something.

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Author's Note: Sup everyone, a new chapter of Graviton. We get to see Shizu's perspective on things a bit, and Altair recreates the Six Powers. 

Altair also becomes a noble! Overall I'm rather iffy on this chapter. I think I thought of all the connotations of becoming a noble but I'm not perfect so hopefully I didn't miss anything.

Let me know what you all think, if any big issues are pointed out I'll go through it again.

Anyways, thanks for reading. Peace.

"King? More like 'Slay Queen,' gaslight, gatekeep, girl boss. Keep thriving" – Bon

Thanks to Best Boy @Bonvoyage, @Salante, and @Flowerman for beta'ing this chapter.

Also, you guys should check out @BonVoyage Tensura fic, it's pretty damn good.

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