"I think the combat supporter for this mission should be… Benezia!" Alex declares.
"What?!" Menchi wonders.
"I hope you aren't mad, Menchi, but I think you should sit this one out. There are a couple of reasons for this choice," Alex says, looking slightly guilty.
"I am a little disappointed. I thought One Piece was all about food," Menchi says, visibly downcast. "How can I not be the Combat Supporter?!"
"That's exactly it… I think you'll be more effective if you stay inside the city and use the local cuisine to improve your skills. Look, I can summon you to any settlement or town, and you can buy any kind of ingredient there. You still have all the [Gold Bars], right? This is a huge chance for you. Of course, we'll try to hunt various rare animals, beasts, and fish—maybe even a small Sea King! That way, you can still dismantle them yourself, except for the biggest ones, which probably won't fit into my inventory. We have to cut those down to size. What would you actually gain from becoming a combat Supporter? It would mean you can't spend days inside the towns cooking, you would have to focus on the mission instead."
Menchi's face lights up. "I guess that's true… I would prefer cooking and researching. Going around killing and fighting isn't how I want to spend my time in the Realm. Okay, sorry for doubting you, your choice makes sense."
"So what are the other reasons?" Tereza asks. "Not like I have any problem with Benezia, but I'd have liked traveling with Menchi."
"Well… frankly, I need to see what Benezia can do in combat," Alex says. "One Piece has technology, but I doubt you'll get access to your weapons. It would wreck the balance… so what's left of your equipment? If we're unlucky, you'll go in completely… naked."
"Pervert…" Tereza mutters.
"Is that the true reason you picked her over me?!" Menchi demands.
Princess Jewel is always naked for her Soulmate ❤️
"I'm talking about her lack of equipment! No armor and no weapons! Of course, she'll still have clothes, you idiots!" Alex defends himself.
"Surely you three jest. Would Alex be interested in someone like me? I am a Matriarch, almost a millennium old—though I feel at least a century younger, and in perfect condition ever since I entered the Realm," Benezia says, a mocking smile spreading across her face. "Not that it would make a difference."
"You couldn't be more wrong," Tereza says, shaking her head and looking at Menchi. "Even we are… no, forget I said anything."
Menchi smiles. "You look beautiful, Benezia. You need to be careful not to get deceived by men. Thankfully, Alex isn't the type who actively approaches women to pick up, so you'll be safe!"
"... Thanks. That sounded more like an insult, though," Alex comments.
Soulmate is the one you need to be most wary of!
"Jewel…" Alex says, reaching for her, only for her to sidestep and dart away.
"Why do you say that, little Jewel?" Benezia asks, curious.
Check out Soulmate's hidden folders on his computer. His Mass Effect collection has a Benezia folder with quite a few—
"Shut up!" Alex snaps, standing up to grab Jewel, but she leaps to the ceiling before he can catch her.
Why the fuck do you know my password?! I protected these folders to avoid this kind of bullshit situation!
Princess Jewel loves to sneak around using Zetsu—she knows everything about her Soulmate.
This is genuinely creepy… please stop it…
"I do not comprehend…" Benezia says, clearly confused.
"Haha… let's just eat. More importantly, do you think Alex is right about your equipment? Will you really go in with nothing? I mean, you still have your biotics, right?" Tereza asks.
"I have no proof, but I don't believe I'll go in unequipped. I am quite sure I will get one of my favorite weapons," Benezia answers confidently.
"Which is?" Alex asks, confused. "Not like you will get a gun… trust me, Mass Effect weapons would be incredibly broken inside that world. Without Armor, which blocks a lot of damage, they are way too dangerous and lethal.
"My beloved sword, of course," Benezia replies.
"What the fuck? A sword? Is that even lore accurate?! I haven't seen a sword in Mass Effect," Alex mutters, confused.
Soulmate… Princess Jewel told Soulmate he should also research Mass Effect: Andromeda. The Asari use it as a powerful weapon, allowing them to perform a lighter, swifter version of Biotic Charge. It reminds Princess Jewel of the common 'teleport' or 'blink' ability in games.
"Her description is quite simplified, but accurate. It is part of my culture, and I have studied the sword since I was fourteen years old. Granted, I haven't used it frequently in battle, but if you count my accumulated training time, I would say I've been practicing for at least two or three decades. As for armor—my robe is crafted from the finest materials, though it doesn't contain actual technology. This will work in my favour, as I expect the system will let me use it."
"You'll be allowed to wear your robe…" Alex says, gulping.
"Does that bother you?" she asks, raising her eyebrow.
"No… it's just… it's a little slu—sexy. It might distract Tereza, or even cause characters—or other players—to target us because of you."
"It distracts you!" Tereza interjects. "Who cares? If anyone tries to touch her, I'll kill them!"
Alex sighs. "I guess that's true…. It's not like we can change your robe."
Benezia smiles softly. "This is indeed a strange situation. I would have never expected anything like it. It makes me feel like a maiden again. I haven't felt this way in half a millenia."
"You'd better get used to it," Tereza says smugly. "If you want, I could help you create a few young, beautiful Asari chi—"
Alex, picking up a chewed-off skewer, throws it at Tereza. She reacts instantly, catching it between two fingers.
"Hehe," she giggles. "I'm just joking… calm down!"
No, she isn't…
Princess Jewel thinks she truly is just joking. She loves her Soulmate… Princess Jewel is saying this to Soulmate alone. Despite the flirting, she isn't serious. Princess Jewel senses it through her vague connection with both Soulmate and Tereza.
Really…?
Alex perks up. "Okay… let's get back to it. No more bullshitting. Benezia, Menchi, Tereza, Jewel… and I guess I too. We all need to learn a bit of lore. Benezia might get access to her sword, so let's prepare for that situation as well. Before the mission starts, I'll gamble once more, ask Glimmerwhisk about buying time, and maybe purchase a few skills for Benezia."
"Alright!" Tereza says, sounding motivated.
"Let's do our best to prepare!" Menchi adds, excitement in her voice.
"I will do my utmost to be useful," Benezia comments calmly. "Another World… New laws, Magical abilities. I am curious, indeed. This has piqued my interest more than I thought."
Are there any spiders in the world of One Piece?
"... yes, but not where we're going," Alex blurts out. "At least not in Arabasta. Come to think of it, there are actually three people with spider-related Devil Fruits, though only one has been fully revealed."
Does Soulmate want to become a spider like Jewel?
"NO!" Alex yells. "Sorry, Jewel, but I really don't. Also, didn't you want to find a way to turn more human? That would just reverse the situation."
"..."
"Tereza, are you up for a little adventure? I want to get outside… test something," Alex says once the food is finished and the dishes are dutifully cleaned—under Menchi's strict observation.
"It's a little late, but it's not like we have to get up early. Let's take our usual drive to the mountain!" she responds with a smile.
Can… can Princess Jewel come along?
"Of course," Tereza says warmly.
Alex looks at the others. "What about you?"
"Go ahead, enjoy some time between yourselves," Benezia replies.
Menchi shakes her head. "I'm okay. Next time, alright?"
"Sure," Alex answers.
An hour later, in the mountains, Tereza shifts into her hybrid bat form and begins flying ahead. Together, they slowly make their way to the top.
Once there, Alex readies himself. He stares at a rotten tree, half-decayed and leaning dangerously to the side. Pushing his hand forward, he attempts to use Warp.
To his surprise, the ability bursts forth instantly. A bright-blue orb of glowing Biotic energy shoots from his palm, rocketing forward at incredible speed. It smashes into the log with a dull, thunderous crack—splintering the wood into countless fragments.
"Damn, this feels good!" Alex yells.
"Biotics are so cool… That looked weirdly powerful, Alex. How come?" Tereza asks, wide-eyed. "I get the feeling I could maybe take one of those abilities… but two would already be very dangerous for me."
"It's no surprise… with all my previous Gold Quality drops: [Body Surgery: Retroactive Eezo Exposure and Asari Alpha Implant], [Kunrith's Biotic Tome], [Savant M], my starting point is seriously busted."
Over the course of half an hour, Alex slowly cycles through all of his Biotic abilities—Warp, Stasis, Barrier, Throw, and Pull. He tests Stasis on Tereza, which proves extremely effective, locking her in Biotic stasis for several seconds. His Barrier easily withstands both Jewel's and Tereza's combined physical attacks, only breaking after a few seconds of constant hits, satisfying him immensely. Finally, Throw and Pull allow him to crowd-control opponents or manipulate objects with unexpected precision.
It almost feels like I'm using an aimbot. These abilities are so easy to use, I love them!
Even though his BP regenerates quickly, Alex grows exhausted after just twenty minutes. His stomach rumbles loudly, his clothes are soaked in sweat, and his face is dripping.
"I see… so it tires you out that much, huh? You look ready for bed, and we just ate," Tereza comments.
"Yeah… but I need to test out a few more things!" Alex replies.
He switches gears and turns his attention to his newly unlocked Orbal Arts, granted by [Destiny Watch (Orbment) R2]: Tear, Teara, Aqua Bleed, Frost Edge, Hydro Cannon, and Crystal Flood.
The healing arts Tear and Teara are unspectacular but practical, usable even from medium range. They create a sparkling blue aura, vaguely water-like, that envelops the target and restores HP. He uses it on both Tereza and Jewel.
"It feels rather pleasant," Tereza remarks. "Now we both can heal. That's great!"
Princess Jewel likes it as well. She will never use the shower again and demands that Soulmate wash her with Tear instead.
Spare me, please…
Alex moves on to offensive arts. Aqua Bleed fires a high-pressure water bolt strong enough to bore through boulders. Frost Edge is unexpectedly lethal, summoning thin frost blades that cut and freeze their targets, looking even stronger than Blizzara. After a small break where Alex takes out a few snacks and eats he turns his attention to the last two of his arts, using up an insane amount of MP, specifically 160 and 210.
Hydro Cannon unleashes a double burst of water with immense range, tearing smaller trees straight out of the earth. Finally, Crystal Flood creates a massive wave of frozen crystals, devastating everything in its path; the one time Alex casts it, it turns half the clearing into jagged, icy debris, freezing and destroying anything in its path.
"I like those spells! Incredible!" Tereza says, clapping in excitement. "They're way more flashy than anything I can use! Even your Black Magic looks rather plain compared to this. You look almost superhuman—that's what I call true magic."
"They aren't even true spells…. You should know that," Alex replies. "But I'll admit, I like that they scale with my MNA. Obviously, they are quite powerful."
Breathing hard now, he finally concludes, "Too flashy. Too slow to cast. And they're inefficient—drain way too much MP. Black Magic is clearly the superior system. Still… they have their uses. Specifically, the healing arts could be lifesavers."
Princess Jewel can web Soulmate's targets so he can unleash devastating Biotics and Arts! Of course, this strategy is vastly inferior to the Ultimate Secret Technique!
"..."
"..."
"Let's drive home," Alex says at last.
"Yes…" Tereza responds.
Princess Jewel does not like this reaction…
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