This energy was no jokeit felt overwhelming and full of danger.
"Calm down," Takumi said calmly. "It's just my power. Don't panic."
He began the analysis, studying the gear's construction, materials, and structure in detail.
After a few minutes, he finished.
"Not bad," he murmured, withdrawing his hand.
He activated his own powerand then, another identical Boosted Gear began forming in his hand.
Rias was stunned. "Whawait, seriously!?"
The Red Dragon Emperor was even more shocked. Did he just... clone it?
"As expected from you, Takumi. The Herrscher of Reason's power is amazing," Akeno said, impressed.
His ability really was convenientsee a weapon, copy it instantly.
"No need to be too surprised," Takumi said. "My power is beyond your understanding. And now, replication complete."
He smiled, the newly formed Boosted Gear fully assembled.
The Red Dragon Emperor was completely speechless. This was absurd.
"Can it transform?" Rias asked curiously.
"Of course," Takumi replied.
The gear on his arm began transforming, gradually spreading over his body and forming a crimson armorBalance Breaker mode.
"I don't even need to chant," Takumi said with a smug smile.
The room fell silent.
He hadn't just copied ithe'd optimized it.
This was true top-tier power.
Everyone in the room was stunned by the display.
After playing around with it for a bit, Takumi dismissed the gear.
"Not that useful for me. Good as a toy though."
With that, he tossed the Boosted Gear into the Imaginary Space.
He didn't need it for combatjust added it to his collection.
Some people liked collecting figures or characters. Takumi liked collecting famous weapons.
After finishing all that, he relaxed and started chatting casually with Rias and the others.
Not long after, Kaguya finally arrived.
Unlike Takumi, she wasn't teleported outside. She emerged directly into the room.
Seeing that, Takumi was puzzled.
"Why was my portal outside and hers inside?"
From the spatial gateway stepped a stunning beauty with the perfect Yamato Nadeshiko aesthetic.
Maybe the classic concept of a Yamato Nadeshiko was based on her image.
Her outfit resembled a kimono but wasn't entirely traditionalit mixed in other fashion styles.
She had long, straight black hair in a hime cut, complete with flat bangs. An absolute stunner.
As long as she didn't open her mouth.
"What are you talking about?" Kaguya asked, clearly confused by Takumi's muttering.
Takumi shrugged. "Nothing really."
No point getting into it.
Kaguya tilted her head but didn't press the issue. Instead, she politely greeted Akeno and the others.
It was Akeno's first time seeing Kaguya, and her eyes flashed with interest.
Chapter 64: I'm Really Interested in the ExE World
Houraisan Kaguya was truly beautifulan ideal image of an Eastern beauty. Everything about her seemed just right. While her figure wasn't overly large and concealed beneath her clothing, Takumi, who had long since trained himself to gauge sizes accurately, estimated her at a B+perfectly hand-sized.
"Nice to meet you, Kaguya."
Kaguya nodded politely and greeted everyone present with grace. Anyone unaware might have mistaken her for a well-bred noble princess. But Takumi knew betterher elegant demeanor was just an act. He understood her true nature well enough.
"Take a seat. The real event starts tomorrow. Rest for now," Takumi said.
He gestured for Kaguya to sit, then turned toward the quiet nun who had been silently watching everything. Kaguya didn't respond right away; instead, she focused intently on Takumi.
By then, Takumi had already approached Asia.
"Asia-chan, could I take a look at your Sacred Gear? In exchange, I can turn you into a magical girl~!"
Asia blinked at him, surprised.
"Eh? My Sacred Gear? Sure! Takumi-sama, go ahead."
She extended her hand, revealing her Sacred GearTwilight Healing.
Takumi gently grasped her small hand. Asia blushed instantly, feeling flustered by the sudden touch. But Takumi was already analyzing the artifact.
Kaguya came over, watching curiously.
"You're planning to copy it, huh? Twilight Healing seems pretty nice. Could you make one for me, too? Eirin would definitely love it."
She had clearly understood Takumi's intention at a glance. Kaguya had already reviewed all the chat group's information and knew the Sacred Gears of this world quite well: the Spear of Twilight, Thunder Prison of the Sky Emperor, Beast Creation, Mist of Extinction, Boosted Gear, Divine Dividing all the way to the Azure Garden of Rebirth and Ultimate Karmic Wheel.
There were thirteen Longinus-class Sacred Gears, and even more had been discovered laterlike Evil Eye of Time Domination, Lamentation of the Emerald Ocean, Crown of the Abyss, Mechanical Prince, Star-Shattering Sword, and Meteor-Piercing Gun.
Each had strange and powerful effects.
For example, the Spear of Twilight had abilities like length manipulation, space locking, enemy tracking, teleportation, damage absorption, flight, and clone creation.
Thunder Prison could control weather and command elemental forcesif used in Teyvat, one could probably manipulate all seven elements.
Beast Creation was especially powerfulit could literally create life.
Still, of all the artifacts, Kaguya had her eyes on Twilight Healing.
It could heal people, after all.
Not that she needed it herselfKaguya could recover even from death. Sometimes she didn't even notice she was wounded before her body healed itself. But Eirin would definitely appreciate such a tool.
"500 points," Takumi said without skipping a beat.
Kaguya narrowed her eyes.
"You're seriously trying to drain me dry, aren't you? Using just a little power to make this, and you're charging me for it?"
She was annoyed. To Takumi, replicating it was trivial.
"Power is money~! If you want it, pay up. Otherwise, go copy it yourself," Takumi replied.
He pulled his hand back and instantly created a replica of Twilight Healing.
Kaguya stared at the ring in his hand with envy.
"Another one for the collection~!"
With a grin, Takumi tossed the artifact into his Imaginary Storage.
"Takumi-sama, would you like to copy my Sacred Gear as well?" asked Yuko Kiba.
He had already copied the artifacts of both the club president and Asia.
"Yours? Nah. I know how to forge Holy Swords. A glance is enough to recreate one. Not really necessary."
"I'm more curious about the other Longinus out there. Once I round them up, I'll copy them too."
There were still many Sacred Gears left to acquire, and Takumi intended to collect them all at his own pace.
But first, he wanted to finish up Akeno's business here.
And maybe kidnap a cute dragon girl.
Actually, maybe he should go check out the ExE world?
At that thought, Takumi's eyes lit up.
Yes. The ExE world.
Yuko Kiba, hearing his decision, felt a little dejectedbut she couldn't argue. Her Sacred Gear really wasn't worth replicating.
"Fine, just make me one already. I'll pay you once I get more points," Kaguya said.
Takumi grinned and got to work crafting her copy of Twilight Healing.
"After I wrap things up here, I plan to visit the ExE world," he announced.
Hearing that, Akeno looked over sharply.
"Are you sure, Takumi-kun? Is it really safe to go there?"
That place was filled with unbelievably powerful beings. Even Great Red had been decapitated in a single strike. Was Takumi really confident?
"No problem~! No matter how strong they are, they're just a bunch of machine-beings."
"Mechanical lifeforms? Have you heard of the Herrscher of Corruption? I'm practically their ancestor."
Even if he had to go head-on, Takumi wasn't worried at all.
Hearing that, Akeno relaxed.
"True~! Then I won't stop you."
If he could handle things over there, their world would benefit too.
Takumi really was intrigued by that world. At the very least, he had to bring something back.
A civilization of machinesor rather, a fusion of machines and magic, even with gods.
Too tempting for someone like him to ignore.
He handed the newly copied Twilight Healing to Kaguya and turned away.
Kaguya happily played with the artifact. Thanks to Takumi's tweaks, anyone could use it nowit wasn't limited to specific wielders.
Otherwise, giving it to Eirin would've been pointless.
Now? It would work perfectly.
Chapter 65: Did You Forget Two Words?
That night, Takumi and Kaguya stayed at Kuoh Academy, lodging in the old school building.
Though the exterior looked rundown, certain parts were surprisingly luxurious. Rias and the others had prepared quite a few guest rooms there.
Kaguya and Koneko became fast friends over their shared love of games. Kaguya was thrilled to play games from other worlds and even used a small amount of her points to buy a new gaming setup from the system's shop.
Of course, all of this had been uploaded by Takumi.
When Koneko saw the new gear, her eyes lit upit played so smoothly.
Takumi sat nearby, watching the two girls play.
"When someone from a Sword Art Online-like world joins our group, let's go there and bring back full-dive games."
He wasn't interested in playing right now, just observing.
Rias and Akeno were also watching, sipping tea. None of them were worried about the ranking match tomorrow.
It was Riser who should worrysurviving the next day might be his real problem.
"Full-dive games? Those helmet ones?"
Hearing Takumi, Kaguya's eyes sparkled.
"Exactly. Plenty of worlds have themjust waiting on someone to join."
He shrugged. If one came, he'd definitely get the gear. It'd be perfect for military training, not just games.
"That sounds great. Too bad we can't invite people into the group. Otherwise, I'd bring in Eirin. I wonder if the group will get that feature someday."
She sighed. If only invites were possible. But members joined randomly with no known pattern or timing.
After chatting with Takumi, Kaguya went back to gaming with Koneko.
Akeno turned to Takumi. "Why don't you just make one yourself? You've absorbed so much tech."
"Why make one when I can copy and optimize it?"
He said this with absolute confidence.
Sure, he had the knowledge, but why bother remaking something that already exists?
Rias raised an eyebrow. "Different worlds have unique techeven yours has elements unfamiliar to us. But sometimes, different paths lead to the same result."
"Some even use tech to mimic magic, or redefine magic as 'superpowers.' The multiverse is full of surprises."
Seeing their puzzled looks, Takumi smiled and explained.
They noddedthough still a bit confused.
"Well then, it's getting late. I'll head to bed. You guys should rest too."
She looked at the gaming-obsessed Kaguya and gave up. If she dropped dead from overplaying, she'd just revive. No need to worry.
"Okay, I'll handle things tomorrow," Takumi assured her.
Akeno and Rias left with the others. Among them, Takumi was only familiar with Akeno. The rest he'd only met today.
It wasn't some harem novel where he'd immediately swoon over every girl and start sharing beds.
Once they were gone, Takumi glanced at Kaguya still immersed in her game, then headed back to the room Rias had assigned him.
Lying down, he opened the group chat.
Raiden Mei:
[Feeling conflicted...]
[Can't believe how deep the darkness runs in our world.]
[Otto is just...]
Takumi:
[Pure Love Warrior!!]
[Only dead Otto is a good Otto.]
[Even if we wanted him to climb the tree again, better keep the coffin lid shut.]
Seeing Takumi chime in, the others got curious.
Fujiwara Chika:
[You're already in Akeno's world?]
Takumi:
[Yeah, I'm lying in Akeno's room chatting with you.]
Akeno:
[????]
[Don't spout nonsense!!!]
[You forgot two words~~!!]
She meant he left out "assigned to." Typical Takumi, stirring up misunderstandings.
Fujiwara Chika:
[Emm...]
Even she was speechless.
Raiden Mei:
[@Takumi, what should I do next?]
Takumi:
[Report to Bronya!]
[What else can you do?]
[If all else fails, go find Alicia in the Elysian Realm.]
[She'll definitely help.]
[Alicia is the cutest girl in the world.]
[love_Alicia.jpg]
Bronya:
[Takumi's usual insanity again!]
[@Mei, don't panic. Save up points and post a task. I'll come along. Maybe I can't help much, but I'll be there.]
Bronya popped in, completely ignoring Takumi's madness, and started comforting the anxious Mei.
Raiden Mei:
[Alright... I'll try to gather points.]
That was all she could do for now.
Even knowing the future, she couldn't shake the fear.
Is a known future still the future? Would it change now?
She hadn't told the others in her world about the group chat yet.
All day, she'd been brooding over what might happen.
Kiana suspected she'd gone crazy. Even Bronya was baffled.
Maybe not knowing was better. Now that she did, would the future still play out the same?
She hesitatedthen typed a question into the chat.
Maybe the others had been through this too...
Chapter 66: It's a Great Item, Please Put It On for Me
Raiden Mei:
[Excuse me, if we know the future, will it still happen?]
Everyone in the group was momentarily stunned by Mei's sudden question.
Megumi Katou was the first to respond. She claimed to have some experience in the matter.
Megumi Katou:
[It seems not... When I found out what was going to happen, Aki was punched into the sky right before my eyes.]
[A standalone case, though. Not sure if it's a valid reference.]
Akeno:
[Ara~ In that case, I have something to say as well.]
[Issei Hyoudou died a little earlier than he should have.]
[The future did change, but certain things that were meant to happen still did.]
Miori Shiba:
[Already immigrated. Not a reference!]
Yuu:
[Same here!]
Sagiri:
[I have no idea, I stopped streaming now.]
Chika Fujiwara:
[If we're going there, the future definitely changed. I avoided doing some things, and the timeline shifted.]
Bronya:
[No clue!]
Zhongli:
[From a general theoretical perspective, the moment you learn about the future, it's already changed.]
The chat group burst into discussion about this topic.
When you become aware of the future, it may already be altered. After all, there are things you don't want to happen. So maybe storylines should only be considered as reference.
