"Oops, have we been found out?"
Sora shrugged nonchalantly.
"Using your skill right in front of me? That's way too bold..." Shaka complained, then asked casually, "So what did you find out?"
Sora wore a strange expression as he spoke: "It says you're a transmigrator who tried to build a harem in the everyday world but failed so now you're continuing your quest in another world..."
"And get this it claims you went after really young kids. You're a total monster, huh?" Sora laughed, his smile carrying a hint of mischief.
Shaka remained calm on the surface: "Do you actually believe all that stuff about another world?"
Holy crap how does this skill know everything? It dug up all my old history! I was just a kid back then, trying to make friends how did that get twisted like this?
Shaka's mind was racing, and he wanted nothing more than to mimic Sloth from Fullmetal Alchemist and pull off a head-tilt attack.
But Sora wasn't one to take things at face value he shook his head immediately: "Of course not. It's just game setting fluff, right? Like being the Astraea Familia leader, or your magic skills."
"The craziest part is that it says you know everything that might happen to us in the future. That's totally ridiculous."
Thank goodness you don't believe it...
Sora summed it up: "In short, it shows your skills, magic, and some backstory 'lore' pretty impressive stuff."
"At least we now know we have to protect you. Seems like our existence here depends on your magic."
He paused as if remembering something: "By the way do we have a respawn system? With how detailed everything is, I'm guessing not, right?"
Please just stop looking into me already! You've seen way too much!
Shaka looked worried, but then Sora added:
"I wonder if the so-called 'gods' can see all this too."
Please stop tempting fate!
Shaka quickly changed the subject: "You shouldn't have been able to unlock your magic this fast. How did you manage it?"
He picked up the parchment and kept reading. Below their magic descriptions, both siblings had the exact same skill listed:
Skill: The Ring of Beloved
- Players with this skill must stay within 20 meters of each other
- Stats are severely reduced if separated beyond range
- Within limited range, the two can share stacked ability values
"Wow." Shaka looked at Sora with mock disdain: "Sister complex, lolicon, pervert."
"This isn't something we chose!" Sora shot back loudly.
Shiro didn't seem to care: "Onii-chan said he'd never leave Shiro."
"But..but I'm not a kid anymore! I need to find a wife someday! I have needs, desires all kinds of things!" He was practically panicking.
Shiro blinked innocently: "As long as you stay close to Shiro, it's fine."
"Doing things in front of your sister is completely inappropriate!!!"
"Then we just need to stay just within range."
Shaka watched the siblings' antics with mixed feelings. [Ring of Beloved]must be tied to their bond from their world. It's so powerful it bypassed the usual adaptation period and manifested directly in their Falna.
The Falna truly was incredible.
But there was no time to waste:
"Enough fooling around we're running out of time. The monster tide is our top priority."
Shaka took Blank to the blacksmith shop and addressed the guards he'd arranged beforehand:
"These two are commanders of our Familia. Please escort them to the city gate."
"Yes, sir!" the guards bowed in response.
Before they left, Shaka bowed deeply to Sora and Shiro:
"Whatever you think of this world, please help us protect the gates. To me, everyone here is real flesh and blood, not just data to be reset. So please do your best."
The siblings' expressions grew serious: "We understand. Minimizing casualties is part of the challenge too."
After watching them depart, Shaka returned to the shrine.
By now, everyone's Falna had been activated, and four members were comparing their ability sheets.
Yui shouted excitedly: "Did all of you start with I0 in every stat?"
Tachibana Kanade nodded blankly: "Me too."
Yuuki quickly pulled out her parchment: "What does 'precocious' mean here?"
Yuuki
Level: 1
- All Ability Values: I0
Magic: [][][]
Skills:
[Superspeed Neural Network]
- Activates when focused
- No growth cap on "Agility" and "Dexterity"; gains accelerated development
- Dexterity is greatlyenhanced while focused
[A Flash of SwordHeart]
- Grants "Swordsman" development ability when wielding a sword
- Consumes mental energy to perform an extra high-speed slash; success chance depends on Agility
"Precocious? Does that mean we grow faster?" Yui looked just as confused: "I have no idea."
Tachibana Kanade shook her head quietly, then handed over her own sheet: "Take a look at mine."
Tachibana Kanade
Level: 1
- All Ability Values: I0
Magic:
[Angels' Inspiration]
- Vibration (sound) imbued magic
- Uses sound vibrations to form weapons for combat or defense
- Chant: "Guard skill activated."
Skill:
[Skill Creation Software]
- Activate at will
- Can freely alter the form of current magic within specified limits
While Yuuki's skills were straightforward, Kanade's were more abstract. Shaka looked them over, scratching his head in thought.
"Precocious does mean accelerated growth or in game terms, doubled experience gain," he explained to Yuuki first.
Then he turned to Kanade: "Imbued magic usually means attaching a property to something. But yours uses vibrations to create weapons or shields directly."
"Your skill gives your magic huge potential you can do almost anything with vibrations."
He looked at her curiously: "Have you ever watched One Piece?"
Kanade nodded eagerly, her eyes shining: "I love it, it's Teacher's work."
Does she mean me? I have been adapting and referencing a lot of series for ten years now...
Shaka continued: "Do you know about the Tremor-Tremor Fruit? You might not reach that level, but your skills give you unlimited possibilities."
"Let your imagination run wild do whatever you want."
Kanade nodded slightly in understanding.
"Wow, everyone's skills are so cool! I want awesome skills too!" Yui pouted and whined.
"Let me see yours then." Shaka took her parchment.
Yui
Level: 1
- All Ability Values: I0
Skill:
[Full of Energy]
- Maintains high mental alertness; significantly boosts physical recovery
It was simple compared to the others, but perfectly suited to her. After being bedridden for so long, it made sense she'd desire boundless activity and she'd been practically bouncing around since arriving.