Leveling up the World

Chapter 816: Realm Jumping

A stone path rose up from the sea as Dallion rushed towards his opponent. Using magic would have been way easier, but realm manipulation was good enough.

Meanwhile, his two guardians were engaging with the rest of the invading forces. Vihrogon was having no issue dispatching the high-powered echoes. Harp, on the other hand, was presented with some difficulties. The copyette facing her was definitely not to be trifled with, creating copies of itself without breaking the rules of the duel.

Onda, a bit of help, Dallion thought.

What can I do? The teen nymph replied, not daring to appear at the scene. Everyones stronger than me. Ill only get in the way.

Sharp cliffs erupted beneath the viscount ship, rising to the sky. The noble easily jumped off, avoiding any damage whatsoever. However, the goal hadnt been to hurt him, but to block the portal arch.

Wanting to test the skills of his opponent, Dallion launched a series of line attacks. His expectation was for the viscount to deflect them using a line attack of his own. Instead of that, the opponent twisted his body, combining acrobatics with athletics to avoid the lines midair altogether.

Sequence building? Dallion asked, surprised. It had been a while since anyone had attempted to use skill bonuses against him. Seeing that almost made him feel a whiff of nostalgia, but he still had no intention of letting the man succeed in completing it.

With a slight smile, Dallion followed up with a few point attacks aimed at disrupting the guard skill sequence.

Annoyed, the count counterattacked with a few line attacks of his own.

Thats more like it, Dallion said, using his music skill to add overconfidence in his words. You should have started with that to begin with. He slashed the air again.

ATTACK NEGATED

You have negated VISCOUNT JALLY SALISTAs attack.

Attack has no effect.

Of course, youll have to do better than that to win against me, Dallion added, this time adding weight and slowness.

Much to his surprise, the music attack ended up being successful. For someone so eager on the challenge, Dallion would have thought that his opponent would have done his homework better.

Having no intention of letting the viscount recover, Dallion leaped up, ready for a mid-air clash. Getting closer, he opened with a standard series of slashes and attacks, only to find that he was slashing air.

REALM INVASION ENDED

A red rectangle emerged. A quick glance around revealed it to be true. The echoes were gone, as was the copyette that Harp was facing. Looking at her, though, she had sustained a few minor wounds.

Whats your game? Dallion returned to the real world.

The segments of the chain saber moved on, still attempting to surround him.

Using his speed, Dallion pushed away at the weapon, rushing towards the viscount. Everyone was cheeringmost likely for his opponent. Out of habit, Dallion listened into the cheers, ready for a music attack. Thankfully, no one was attempting anything of the sort.

Got you! Dallion thrust the tip of the harpsisword straight at the others leg. The attack was quickly parried by a series of large sky steel scales that tore out of the viscounts left trouser, forming a protective shield around it.

Shapeshifting armor? Dallion thought.

That was the second impressive piece of equipment hed seen. Unlike the saber, though, Dallion could feel the low hum of disdain that came from it. Without a doubt, this piece of armor was borrowed, and it didnt take kindly to it.

Shapeshifting armor and a corrupted saber. The unfortunate noble probably was clueless regarding the true nature of the gear. It was almost sad: one pretty much despised him, and the other was controlling him. The void wouldnt reveal its true intentions, of course. Like Vihrogon, it would help the best it could, possibly even providing useful advice in ways that only copyettes could. Then, out of nowhere, it would make its move. Or maybe there was more to it?

Spark! Dallion thought, doing a triple slash spin.

The first hit disarmed the viscount, sending the sword flying off in the distance. It was only thanks to the quick reaction of the observing overseer that it failed to hit anyone. The second hit was barely blocked by the scale armor piece. As for the third, it was about to strike the nobles arm, when suddenly, his clothes turned into diamond.

That had to be an item improvement. Clearly, Jally Salista wasnt that bad if he could defeat the guardian of his shirt all the way to diamond. Although there was no guarantee that the saber hadnt done it for him. Although not in his hand, the weapon was linked to the viscounts personal realm.

HARPSISWORD REALM INVASION

This again? Dallion mentally hissed.

His opponent was using an annoying hit-and-run approach, rather than taking the attacks head on. By the looks of it, his goal hadnt been Dallion, but his weapon. After all, Hurting Dallion too much risked having consequences. Destroying a valuable heirloom, on the other hand, would be the ultimate humiliation, not to mention get him in trouble with Duchess Elazni.

ITEM AWAKENING

Dallion immediately ventured into Harps realm. By the time he got there, though, the viscount had already gone.

Are you alright? he asked. At first glance, there didnt seem to be any new wounds on the nymph guardian. Soon enough, he noticed the scars done to the realm itself.

Its alright, she said in her proper voice. Hes strong, but not that strong.

If only she could use her magic, this wouldnt even be a contest.

I wont let him invade again. There was a ring of determination in Dallions voice.

Youre being reckless again.

No. This time Im being focused.

Reality shifted once more, returning Dallion to the real world. Twisting around at such speed that even nobles found it difficult to follow, he twisted, landing a punch on the viscounts diamond clothes. Normally, this wouldnt have resulted in anything. At most, Dallion would have wounded his hand at the strike. Yet before everyones eyes, the hardened fabric shattered like glass.

Time seemed to stop as everyone slowly realized just what had happened.

Two can play at that game, Dallion whispered as his punch continued on into the stomach of his opponent.

What had occurred was that a split second after his fist had come in contact with the diamond, Dallion himself had invaded the realm. Since it was nothing but a piece of clothing, it was not linked to the viscounts personal realm. As a result, it had been easy to defeat the guardian there, changing the material into something Dallion wanted, namely glass that could be easily shattered.

Similar to before, sky steel scales wrapped themselves around Dallions arm, attempting to lighten the blow, but even half a blow with such intensity was enough to send a substantial amount of pain throughout the viscounts body.

Suddenly, all the shouts and cheers stopped. Everyone carefully observed the noble freeze in place for a few seconds, then stumble to the ground.

Let go, Dallion said, looking at the piece of armor still round his hand. Aware of his strength, the item guardian obeyed him.

Bending down, Dallion took hold of a piece of the mans glass shirt. A week lateror a second in the real worldthe item of clothing was back to its normal self, and fully restored. Despite everything that had happened, Dallion was in no mood to leave an item half destroyed.

Cheat! a woman with the Mizovy crest shouted. He used magic! We all saw him! The strike that disarmed Jally had magic in it.

Jally, is it? Dallion narrowed his eyes. This was another noble of House Mizovy on a first name basis with the viscount. It didnt take a genius to see what was going on. In fact, it was far more difficult to pretend it wasnt.

That wasnt magic, the overseer said, calmly making her way to the noble on the ground. It was spark. She attempted to return the saber to him, but Dallion grabbed it.

I claim this as my prize, he said.

You cant do that. Another voice from the crowd shouted.

Unfortunately, he is correct, Baron. The overseer looked at him. If the two of you were equal in level, it would have been different. Yet, your victory was largely expected. Claiming any of his possessions would be no different from stealing.

Dallion didnt believe a word of it. True, his victory had been likely, but everyone was secretly hoping that thanks to the borrowed items, the viscount would stand a chance of doing some damage, or possibly even draw blood. Unfortunately, he didnt have the political strength to argue, not yet in any event.

Then I claim the right for him to stake his saber should he challenge me again, he said. Is at least that acceptable?

Perfectly, the overseer smiled. If someone jumps into a pit despite seeing it, thats their own fault. Congratulations on your victory, Baron. It was a most splendid performance.

No one in the crowd clapped, not even those supposedly on Dallions side. The Mizovys and their allied nobles gave him a series of dirty looks and went off to other parts of the capital. The rest soon followed. Only Ber remained, concern emanating from him. While Dallion didnt think the leech had anything to do with the targeted duel, it was obvious that he wasnt too glad of the result.

No celebrating? Dallion asked, adding a subtle music nudge to find out what was going on.

Therell be reprisals for this, his cousin said. They wont do anything on your first week, maybe more, but theyve already started their plotting.

How is that different from my own family? And thats a bad thing? Dallion glared at him with more confidence than was healthy. Therell always be plotting. Besides, hes just a viscount.

He was invited to the capital.

The sentence said it all. Only people with backing were allowed here, and it was pretty obvious who the backers were.

Want to end the tour here? There was a sharp edge in Dallions tone. Just as he hadnt let enemies push him around, he wouldnt let his new family look down on him.

The concern emanating from Ber quickly turned into fear. Whichever member of House Elazni had set him up to keep an eye on Dallion was, apparently, more scary than the baron himself.

Of course not. He forced a smile. Ill be glad to show you to a few more interesting places.

Lead on.

The tour continued. Reluctantly, Ber showed Dallion a few more highlights of the city of wonders, though this time, he paid attention to what the baron wanted to see. A few blacksmiths were visited, including one of noble origin. Anyone could tell at immediate glance that only nobles worked there, but what was of greater interest was that so did several domain rulers.

Count Pilih, the leech said as they observed from an acceptable distance. Story is that his ancestors crafted the first emperors sword and shield. Nonsense, if you ask me, but their skill has earned them a few favors. Though they cant be considered major players, its always good to have them on your side rather than against you.

How do I get an introduction?

you dont? Ber sounded shocked at the question. Youre an Elazni. We let others come to us.

There was no way Dallion would let the chance pass. Having reached his ripple quota for the day, or more likely the week, he had no intention of acting beneath his rank. Talking directly wasnt the only way he could get a message through, though.

Hey, he addressed the item guardians. Id like to talk to one of your creators. Can you arrange that?

There was no answer. With so many overseers, not to mention an emperor empath, the local guardians had learned to be tightlipped in front of strangers. Even so, that was no reason for Dallion to give up.

I wont hurt or challenge anyone. Im a forger as well.

A pair of tongs fell off the rack it was on, hitting the stone floor of the open forge with a loud clang. Everyone from the count to the last apprentice looked at the tool. Judging by their reaction, this was the first time anything of the sort had happened.

Several seconds later, Count Pilihs glance shifted from the instrument to Dallion.

Subtle, Dallion thought as he nodded slightly.

The other didnt react, but there was no denying that contact had been made. Now the ball was in the counts court.

Lets go. Dallion turned around, quickly followed by Ber.

By the time Dallion returned to his mansion, the structure was unrecognizable. While the basic shape remained the same, Vihrogon had added thousands of small touches, making it not only complete, but elegantly comfortable. More interestingly, Taem was also present, waiting in front of the front door, dressed in an unmistakable butlers outfit of white silk and green jade threads.

Welcome back, young master, he said with a slight bow.

Hi, Taem. Ill be having a guest. He was kind enough to show me about the city.

That is indeed commendable, young master, but I fear it wont be possible.

Possible? Dallions expression changed to serious. What wont be possible?

The duchess has invited you to dinner, sir. Your presence alone is required.