Another month went by, making it four months since Meliodas found himself in the new world.
The days bled into one another at first, but the last three months had been anything but idle. Training, relentless and unforgiving, had reshaped him. His once boyish frame now bore the sharp outline of a new warrior, lean muscle bound to flexible strength, his body hardened but not bulky, like tempered steel.The air itself seemed different around him now.
But while he trained, the world beyond had not stood still.The Kingdom of Re-Estize, once plagued by corruption and internal strife, had fallen. Not to another human empire or a rebellion of the oppressed, but to the will of Nazarick, the domain of the Sorcerer King, Ainz Ooal Gown.
What was once a proud human kingdom now bent its knee to the rule of an undead Overlord and his host of inhuman subordinates.The news spread across the continent like wildfire.
In the Theocracy, prayers turned to curses. To them, the very idea of monsters ruling over humans was sacrilege, an abomination that spat in the face of their gods. The high priests and cardinals seethed in silence before moving swiftly, determined to extinguish this new blight before it spread further.
And so, they turned to the new trend. The Obsidian Chains, an infamous organization whispered of in backrooms and battlefields alike. Their blades were said to never miss their mark, their assassins and agents, unseen until it was far too late.
If anyone could pierce the veil of Nazarick and strike down the Sorcerer King, it was them. But when the Theocracy came with promises of gold, the Obsidian Chains only laughed.It was not that they lacked the strength to attempt such a mission. The price was simply not worth the effort.
Those words alone echoed louder than any refusal, striking the Theocracy with a realization they dreaded, the Obsidian Chains were not neutral. They had chosen a side. And it was not humanity's.
They should have understood that a while ago, the head of Obsidian's Chains was the king of Re-Estize. How could he just give up his kingdom like that? On that day, the Theocracy declared both Nazarick and the Obsidian Chains as enemies of mankind, vowing war not only against the Sorcerer King but also Meliodas. As for Meliodas…He could not have cared less.
Nations could rise and fall, crowns could change heads, and holy men could rage at monsters all they wanted. None of it mattered to him. The world was shifting under his influence, and he knew that.
Back to the present, after finishing today's training session Meliodas tightened the last button of his shirt. His body still carried the faint warmth of training, muscles taut but relaxed. He flexed his hand once, testing the firmness of his grip anf examining the calluses on his fingers.
Shoko insisted on healing his fingers but he refused. 'Yeah… I feel like this is finally enough. I've been training and waiting for this moment since the day I got wish upon a star rings. I feel like Im ready now.' Meliodas thought to himself.Standing a few steps away, Rem watched him attentively, hands folded neatly in front of her apron. As always, her eyes following her master, waiting, ready, and patient.Meliodas exhaled, his voice calm but carrying a finality that made the air tighten.
"Rem… I think I'm ready. For that." Her eyes widened for a moment, then softened with warmth.
The corners of her lips lifted into a smile so genuine it almost sparkled. She bowed slightly, her voice filled with joy. "Congratulations, Master. I knew all this training would finally bear its fruits. I'll go immediately and let Lady Makima and Lady Tatsumaki know. They will be pleased."
Meliodas scratched the back of his head and smirked, though his tone stayed serious. "Pleased, huh? Not sure Tatsumaki will be pleased about anything. But Makima… she'll probably act like she knew this was coming all along. Anyways, yeah. Tonight we will do it."
Rem's smile grew fonder. She enjoyed these rare moments when he let a little humor slip through. "Please leave everything to me. I'll make sure they're ready for when you step out of the shower." With a small bow, she hurried out, her soft footsteps echoing against the hallway floor, heading to the two ladies her master needs for the last step.
Rem entered gracefully and bowed to the two individuals higher than her in status. Makima sat on a chair near the window, sipping tea with perfect posture, eyes fixed on the horizon as if she were already calculating the next hundred moves ahead.
Tatsumaki, floating in the air lazily with her arms crossed impatiently."What is it now? If you're here to waste my time with more chores or useless reports, I'll throw you out the window." Tatsumaki muttered, her green curls bouncing slightly as she spun in the air.
Rem bowed deeply. "I bring important news. Master Meliodas has completed the stage of training he intended, and he has declared himself ready." Makima's eyes shifted slightly toward Rem, the faintest hint of a smile forming. She placed her cup gently on the table. "As expected. I've been watching his progress closely. He's right on time." Her voice was smooth, steady, carrying the weight of absolute certainty.
'Good. He's reached the minimum threshold. That means he'll be prepared for the next step…'
Tatsumaki raised an eyebrow and floated closer, narrowing her eyes. "So all that running around, sweating, lifting weights was actually for something? About time. I was getting bored of watching him act like a wannabe bodybuilder."
Rem's lips curved slightly, she didn't argue, but her tone was gentle. "Master has worked very hard. He has been thinking only of the moment when he would be strong enough to move forward."
Tatsumaki rolled her eyes but muttered under her breath, "Hard work, huh? Well… I guess he's tougher than most idiots I've met."
Makima's gaze shifted toward Tatsumaki. Calm. Icy. Controlling. "You underestimate him. That would be… unwise." The psychic huffed and crossed her arms tighter, but she didn't reply.
Inside, she hated to admit that Makima's words had weight.
Rem clasped her hands together, bowing slightly again. "Please prepare yourselves. Master is taking a shower now. He will join you both shortly."Makima stood up smoothly, her every movement deliberate. She adjusted her gloves and smiled faintly.
"Very well. Let's welcome him properly, then."After a while, Meliodas finished his shower, Rem returned to his chamber, and helped him dress up. "Master, Lady Makima, and Lady Tatsumaki are waiting for you in Lady Makima's room."
"Alright let's head there then." Meliodas said as he rushed forward. He was quite excited for what was to happen next. He always wanted it, unfortunatly it was not possible. But now he can.
At least he believes so.
Makima and Tatsumaki were waiting in the room, Meliodas walked directly in without knocking, followed by Rem.
Makima leaned casually against the wall, serene and unshaken, hands behind her back.
Rem stood near the door, posture perfect, eyes glowing with quiet pride for her master while
Tatsumaki floated near the ceiling. Meliodas scanned them all, then smirked. "Alright, alright. No need to get so worked up. One at a time for the autograph." His tone was sarcastic.
"Humph, who wants your auograph." Tatsumaki commented, folding her arms under her small chest.
"I do..." Rem muttered under her breath.
Makima shook her head slightly, voice honeyed yet commanding, ignoring what was said so far. "You've prepared yourself well. Now… let's see if what you want is possible or not."Rem stepped closer, her voice soft but firm.
"Master, no matter what lies ahead… you won't face it alone. Even if it dosen work we will always be here for you. Please, remember that."For a moment, Meliodas let his eyes rest on her, on her unwavering faith. 'She really believes in me more than I do in myself sometimes.'
He gave a small nod."Yeah. I know." He said.
The room filled with tension, each personality clashing yet aligning toward a single unspoken goal. The real beginning was about to start.
"Alright, it's already dark outside. Let head out" Meliodas placed his hands in his pockets.
Kurogiri's warp gate swirled open like a living shadow, swallowing Meliodas, Makima, Tatsumaki, and Rem before spitting them out into a barren stretch of land. The air here was still, no animals, no people. Just silence.
Meliodas let his boots sink slightly into the dirt as he glanced around, his hands on his hips, scanning for movement.
"Always so careful," Makima murmured, her sharp eyes following him as though she were dissecting every motion.
Meliodas gave a small chuckle, though his eyes never left the horizon. "When you're trying something big, it doesn't hurt to make sure no one's peeping." He turned slightly, glancing at Tatsumaki.
"Oi, grass head, you sense anything?"Tatsumaki floated lazily in the air, arms crossed, legs bent as if she were sitting on an invisible chair. Her emerald eyes flickered with faint light as her psychic field stretched outward like a net."…No one. No living being within a good radius," she said after a moment, though her tone carried its usual snappy edge. "This place is practically dead. Happy now?"
Meliodas grinned, scratching the back of his head. "That's perfect. Thanks, shorty."
Tatsumaki's face twitched. "What did you call me?"Before she could launch him into the stratosphere with her powers, Rem quickly stepped forward, her soft voice cutting in.
"Please, Lord Meliodas… if we're here for something important, we should focus." She bowed her head slightly, her blue hair sliding over one eye.
Makima watched her with faint amusement, lips curling into a small smile. "She's right, Meliodas-sama. Show us." For a moment, Meliodas hesitated. His normally carefree aura was weighed down by a seriousness they rarely saw in him.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out something small, something that gleamed faintly even in the dim light.The others leaned in.
"A ring?" Tatsumaki said flatly, unimpressed.
Rem blinked, her eyes widening slightly at its gentle shine. "It's… beautiful."
Makima's gaze sharpened. She had seen contracts, weapons, curses… but this ring radiated something different. Something that didn't belong to ordinary worlds. "…What are you planning, Meliodas-sama?"
Meliodas didn't answer immediately. He held the ring between his fingers, looking at it as though it carried the weight of his fate.
Then, without hesitation, he slid it onto his ring finger. The moment it touched his skin, it shrunk, molding itself perfectly to fit. A soft hum echoed from it, almost alive.The others watched silently.
Meliodas exhaled slowly, his chest rising and falling. "This… is the Wish Upon a Star Ring."
Tatsumaki tilted her head, her short hair swaying slightly. "Wish? What is this, some kiddie fairy tale crap? You gonna wish for candy too?"
Makima narrowed her eyes, studying the ring as if peeling its layers apart. Her tone was calm, almost teasing. "So, Meliodas-sama. What's the price? Rings that grant wishes don't exist without a leash." Meliodas smirked faintly but didn't answer her right away.
He raised his head to the sky, staring at the endless void above them. The others watched, their own thoughts colliding. Tatsumaki crossed her arms tighter, tapping her foot in midair. 'He's insane if he thinks some ring is going to grant him a wish.'
Rem clasped her hands in front of her chest. 'If this really grants a wish… what if something bad happens to him? What if it costs him his life? Please, let this not harm him.'
Meliodas clenched his fist, the ring glowing faintly.He took a deep breath. Nothing guarantees what he wants would actually happen, even though in the new world, the wish upon a star ring can grant any wish.
But now there is a different variable in play. The system.
"Alright… here goes nothing." His voice was softer than usual, stripped of its bravado. "I wish to be able to use superpowers too. Anything. Mana, chakra, mutant gene… I don't care what it is. I just want the power for myself. Prefereably mana..."
TO BE CONTINUED —→