Symbiotic Ascension : A Progression Fantasy Adventure

Milena remembered the olden days when she was just a kid living in the grand Dela Luna mansion. She recalled the chalk-white bricks, the small forest, and the pear orchard that her grandfather loved so dearly. Her bedroom, filled with fluffy toys and training books about Mana. The warmth of the hearth when she sat on her father's lap, listening to her grandpa's stories.

She didn't have many friends, even though she wasn't exactly sheltered. Her parents, thanks to some absurd miracle, agreed on one thing. School. Aristocrat school. That's where she learned the right way to behave as a noble, the basic principle of magic, and the path to rule her subjects. There was no Dela Luna Duchy per se, but it was still a required education for any self-respecting noble of the Court. If one day she married someone ruling over a provincial county or simply established one herself, she would find these skills incredibly useful.

The truth of it, though, was that the aristocratic school was only a place meant for networking between noble children. Create alliances through blood and marriage and other sort of unsavory things. Because of her status as the sole daughter of Duke Dela Luna and Duchess Sorenas, nobody had been brave enough to approach her. Anything remotely close to the Sorenas was like the plague to self-respecting nobles. And there were rumors about the Omniscient and his son threatening to rip in half anyone who dared to harm her, which didn't help her case.

Her childhood had been pretty lonely. Actually, her entire life until a certain point, had been lonely. The only times she experienced actual happiness was when she shared time with her father and her grandfather. These two were her heroes, so close yet so far away, living lives she could only imagine. Always busy protecting Munirp from one threat or another, fighting on the front lines. Exan had become incredibly famous, the Omniscient, while her father acted in a little more... discreet way.

All to say that in the end, it was her mother who took care of her at home. Well. Taking care might be a little generous to qualify how she interacted with her sole daughter. Duchess Sorenas was and still is, a haughty woman with that disgusting, recognizable pride Court-born nobles often seem to possess. A petty personality and jealousy stemming from a deep-rooted inferiority complex toward her husband, something Milena understood only much later in her life.

Lily Sorenas was a terrible mother. Honestly, the word's meaning was lost on her. She never fed Milena milk herself, instead pushing the responsibility on her servants. Not once had she touched Milena in a loving—or any remotely positive—manner. The only times she bothered were to hit her with that accursed belt, which the Duchess carried solely for that purpose. Milena clenched her teeth as she remembered how hard she was forced to study the Sorenas' old magic, mind magic, which none truly mastered since the time of their ancestor. She would have much rather studied her father or grandfather's way, but they were adamant about letting her carve her own path.

A sentiment the Duchess didn't share, unfortunately. Every time Vanderian and Exan left the house to fight monsters and invaders, she would use the opportunity to cram as much knowledge about mind magic inside her daughter's head, resorting to violence to force her to study seriously. It was also Lily who insisted on "executing" her, in her own words, if she failed that ancient, traditional Test and made her identity known in the 'slums' (also in her own words) of King's Rise.

'An abject woman,' thought Milena. 'I still can't understand why my father would decide to marry this person. I can't even fathom what made him come to such a decision.'

The key to the matter was that now, she was stuck doing her mother's bidding. Which was very, very annoying, but she didn't exactly have a choice. Milena stole a glance at the older man sitting across her, his eyes stuck on her figure disgustingly. The Sorenas family tasked Sir Rakis, a mind magic expert, with watching her. There was no doubt she could fight back against him, for a time. Sadly for her, he was an Archmagi with a lot more Mana to waste on submitting her mind.

'Right now, Glenn and the others should have noticed something is wrong,' Milena thought, 'I hope they'll be able to ask dad or grandpa' for some help. And rescue me. Damn it, here I am, hoping I'll be rescued... Am I one of those fairy tail princesses?' She laughed dejectedly at herself, ignoring the insistent glare from Sir Rekis.

The flying ship rocked slightly as a gust of wind destabilized them slightly. Even if the Sorenas' ships were of noble quality, they were complete garbage compared to what Lucian brought out of the kingdom's treasury. It made sense for the Crowned Prince of Munirp to own the best of the best, after all.

"Are you still not going to tell me where we're—ugh!" Milena scowled in pain as Rakis attacked her mind silently, casting spells to mentally torture her. She drew on her well of Mana to fight back, the robotic spine her grandfather gifted her providing subtle support. She was certain Exan had installed something to help—something beyond the two additional robotic arms.

Rakis grunted and withdrew his presence, leaving Milena gasping for air, her face flushed red and foaming at the mouth.

"Keep your mouth shut." He leaned back in his seat, ogling her with a smirk. Milena gritted her teeth and straightened up, refusing to let that pervert enjoy her suffering. If there was one thing she refused to abdicate to her mother, it was her Onnea-damned dignity!

She forced herself to breathe in deeply. There was one last thing she'd prepared just in case, but she doubted whether her friends would find it. It was hidden in her mother's belongings, right where Lily wouldn't expect it. But... considering how Glenn and the others were, if there was even a slight chance of them meeting the Duchess, then perhaps. Perhaps it would work.

Right now, she needed to focus. There was something more about this 'marriage', something she couldn't understand. Her mother was short on time, she wouldn't have acted in such precipitation otherwise. Milena steeled herself and crossed her arms, trying to figure out what her mother's plan was.

She would uncover her mother's secrets and wield them like a weapon, severing herself from that damned woman once and for all.

***

'Oh wow, that's not too bad. I think he can see me, by the way. Oh, he's looking this way. Oh shit. Well, it was a pleasure, Glenn!' Diamanes' impressed and panicked voice rang through Glenn's head as he looked up at Munirp's King, Lucian's father, and the strongest being he'd ever met. Aside from gods. But did they even count as beings? He pushed the thought away.

"Fighting at the reward ceremony..." The King spoke slowly before shaking his head, his arms crossed. His cape fluttered behind him as he stayed still "You'll never change, will you, Noir?"

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Duke Noir bellowed with a broad laugh as he went and patted Glenn's shoulder. It was more of a spine-shattering slap that a pat, but the intention was there.

"You know me too well, Alaric! Maybe you're jealous? Why don't we duke it out, hmm? Aura against Magic. It's been a while!"

The King, Alaric Magnus, frowned. "Why would I do that? Considering you were wounded against an Archmagi, I think you're just getting too old for that. Maybe it's time to put those Iron Fists of yours on the shelf."

The Duke's jaw dropped open as he searched and failed to find words. "B- but we weren't done—"

Alaric waved him away. "Enough. I'm busy as it is, I don't want to hear an old man complain about an interruption in his unfair duel against a weaker opponent. Even if the latter did somehow defend himself..." He squinted at Glenn, his eyes stopping momentarily on his left hand.

"Glenn the Devil's Hand, I take it?" Alaric flew down to Glenn's height, his gaze hardening. Glenn forced himself not to gulp heavily and readied himself to draw out his spells, even though he didn't have much hope of successfully fighting back against an Eight Circle mage, a True Ruler. He similarly fought back against the urge to activate his Mana Sight to check the King out, feeling it was probably not a good idea.

"I-I am honored, your Highness." Glenn bowed clumsily, suddenly at a loss. How was he supposed to act in front of literally the biggest man in the room—no, the biggest man in the whole of Munirp?!

"Yeah, sure." The King sighed. "I heard enough about you from my idiot of a son. My deepest thanks for your actions on Retni's Plains," he turned to Liara who was watching uncomfortably, "And to you as well. I would have extended my thanks to all of your teammates, but it seems..." The corner of his lips curved upward slightly. "...that they have better things to do. I'll trust you to transmit them their rewards, Devil's Hand."

Glenn nodded tensely. "Of course, Your Highness."

Alaric stepped closer and pressed one hand on Glenn's shoulder. The world suddenly came still as if time itself had stopped.

"Keep it to yourself, but thank you for going along with my son. And sorry for not taking all these matters more seriously. With all of the mess Munirp's going through, I'm all over the place..." Alaric said in a much more relaxed yet weary tone. Glenn felt he was hearing not the King's but Lucian's father's words.

"Just doing what I do best, Your Highness. I would also say that Sir Tuleam—"

"What about him?" Alaric grunted in annoyance.

"Oh, he helped us to fight against the Pope and that ancient beast he brought out." Which were things Glenn only heard from Lucian and the others. The seaweed-headed researcher had been too annoyed to properly show off his achievements.

"He did?" Alaric's eyebrows rose in disbelief. "That lazy fool?"

Glenn chuckled in understanding. "I believe Lucian was the one who forced him out of my manor."

The King smiled softly. "Yeah, that does sound like him. Now, this was a pleasure, but I must return to my duties as the King. I hope the rewards I prepared were enough. Sorry about your friends, but it was either that or enslavement to the realm." He paused and pointed at Glenn's purple hand. "Also, do tell if you want to get rid of this thing. I'll do you the favor in exchange for helping my son."

"Wait, what—" The world suddenly resumed from its break, the King already a few steps away. The latter flicked a finger, restoring Glenn and Duke Noir's clothes magically. Their wounds were restored in an instant, as if nothing had ever happened. Even the shattered ground was fixed, each blade of grass replanted the way they were before the fight.

'What the fuck was that?' Glenn thought as he watched everyone else's expressions. They all looked unaware of that exchange between the King and him. 'Did he stop time?'

'He did what now?' Diamanes exclaimed in irritation. 'Why do I feel like there's a blank in your memories? Another one? This fucking sucks!'

"That's strange. It's like I just forgot to... exist? for a minute or two." Nelg muttered in incomprehension. Glenn dismissed both of them and concentrated back on the King.

"You have all my deepest thanks for attending this event, destined to reward those who serve the kingdom well," clamored Alaric as he rose once more above the noble crowd. "This place houses the future of Munirp, who will one day bring this realm to an even higher standing. These young heroes deserve to be pushed forward!"

The noble applauded with unveiled admiration, grateful for the King's speech.

"Lucian!" The King's call rang through the Mortelli Estate. Glenn froze as he mentally cursed himself.

'Shit, that's another plan falling through. I won't be able to trap this damned hoe like planned. Unfortunate. I hope Sahro's doing his job.'

'He probably isn't.'

'Shut it.'

The Crown Prince Lucian suddenly appeared in a flash of orange light, grinning like the setting sun himself. "You called me, Your Highness?"

Alaric threw a scroll at him and turned away. "Take care of the rest. You're free to do what you want after that. Act accordingly, understood?"

Lucian's grin grew only wider, reaching his eyes. "Of course, Your Highness."

The King flashed away in an orange and purple deflagration, returning to whatever business he was supposed to attend. 'A king's life sounds real tough,' thought Glenn.

Diamanes sneered. 'You don't say...'

Lucian unfurled the scroll and cleared his throat. "By the order of his Majesty, Alaric Magnus the First, King Of Munirp and True Ruler, Count Mortelli's title has been officially revoked. The Count himself is to be treated as traitor to the Kingdom and captured on sight for interrogation by the Inquisitors."

Worried murmurs traversed the nobles. Glenn nodded slowly. So far, this was nothing unexpected.

"As such, his family will be detained until further development. Everything he owned, such as the lands that were conferred to him by his title, will be repurposed by the Crown after a thorough investigation. Following that thought..." Lucian drew a short breath and glanced at Glenn.

"Young talents who contributed to the glory of Munirp deserve suitable rewards. All lands that once belonged to the traitor Mortelli will now be transferred to Glenn, known by his title as the Devil's Hand."

Glenn's eyes widened. What? The worried whispers around him turned to disbelief and outrage.

"His Majesty the King has therefore decided to give Glenn the title of Count. His ennoblement ceremony will take place at the full moon, in one month's time. All of his comrades will receive appropriate rewards, with the possibility of receiving Honorary Count titles."

Lucian rolled up the scroll and shoved it into a dimensional pouch, and grinned at the discontent noble crowd. "The Crown hopes the nobles serving Munirp will show the same fervor as your fellow new Count in these times of needs and hurdles."

Glenn blinked.

"I am a Count now?"