A Nascent Kaleidoscope

Chapter 134 - 127

Chapter 134: Chapter 127

"Wilhelm."

My hand stopped as I looked up to see who spoke. "Oh, hey Jinn." I was caught off guard by a yawn overcoming me.

"You've been working for over a day now, you need to stop." Jinn crossed her arms, staring at me intently.

"It's fine, I'm a half-devil I can do this for awhile." I started moving my brush again. Dozens of stacks of Talismans all stood around me.

She walked over, yanking the brush from my hands. "No." She said sternly.

"Aren't I supposed to be the Master here?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Do I have to tell Meridia?" Jinn threatened.

I opened my mouth but shut it. "Fine." I scowled, leaning back in my chair. I took another look around, there were quite a few Talismans ready for use, more than I've ever had before. Letting out another yawn, I checked the time with a surprised blink. I guess hearing how long it's been and actually seeing it was the difference between it sinking in or not.

Maybe I was working too long.

Mental exhaustion is still a thing even if I didn't suffer from any physical ailments from the lack of sleep.

"I guess I'm lucky I have you looking out for me." I smiled.

"And don't you forget it." She grinned.

"Wait." I just realized. "What's this about Meridia, how would you even contact her?" From what I know, they hadn't met yet.

"We chat." She said simply, a smile that shouted 'I know more than you'.

Huh.

"Well then....do I dare ask what about?"

"Any random thing." She moved over, plopping herself in my lap. "The last time she stopped by for a few minutes, we spoke at length about animals. She professed that she had a little pond of ducks she kept hidden away that she sometimes visits to feed. I told her about some animals native to Remnant but not here."

"That is painfully adorable."

"I expected something like the brothers. I was pleasantly surprised with how Meridia treated me. I enjoy her presence very much." Jinn admitted.

"I'm glad you're both getting along." I enjoyed the warmth she brought as my arms wrapped around her and my head rest on her shoulder. It was amusing that despite her body looking as if it was water, it didn't feel any different than normal skin.

"She even invited me to see her realm. Apparently, there are many different creatures there that are not native to Nirn."

"Huh.....I've only been to a small little area." Now that I think about it, she should have much more in her realm, not just a throne on a floating little island. Well, I'm sure she didn't want any of those she ruled over to see her being teased by me. "I'm going to need to give her a key as well." It was in the shape of a key, but it did more than just unlock the front door.

It basically checked her into the various bounded fields I had up, and stopped any magical protections from going off.

With everything I set up so far, I feel confident that not even Meridia could spy in here without me noticing. She could easily tear through the defenses if she wanted, but no peeping without my knowledge.

Well, I didn't really care if she did, but It was pretty much all or nothing. She will be able to come and go as she wishes.

"Got any plans?" I closed my eyes, feeling her beating heart and movements of her breathing. I wondered if she actually needed to breath or was 'created' to act as a normal human but wouldn't actually suffer if she stopped.

"I have a few more sections I need to organize in the library." She I felt her hand gently play with my hair. "I also have some books set to the side for when I'm done." Her little giggle was always pleasing to my ears.

"The temporary 'door' in the college is working fine?"

"Mmm, I haven't had any troubles and the Archmage was a help in keeping that closest clear."

"He didn't ask any questions?" I was a little surprised.

"I offered him an explanation based on what your told me was fine to reveal. He responded with 'It's more fun to figure it out myself'."

"That....sounds like him." I didn't even question it. The Archmage was eccentric but a very good person.

Basically, I requisitioned a random closet in a far off corner that was stricken with dust and cobwebs to be a temporary anchor while I find somewhere to set the house down permanently over there. "Learn any new magics?"

"I've been mostly focusing on work, but I have cracked open a book here or there. I've been having fun with the illusionary school. Such magics were rare back in Remnant."

"I can see that. From what I understand, the magic on Remnant lent itself mostly for destructive purposes, and considering where magic came from, that wasn't surprising." The God of Darkness was the one who gifted magic onto Humanity in an ancient era. "A focus on Elemental manipulation with an emphasis on destruction, to repurpose it for anything else seems to be a task suited for only talented mages."

"What about you." She gently prodded my cheek. "Any running around to do, or are you going to laze about all day?"

"Laze about? I was fine doing work and until a certain woman comes along and drapes herself over me."

"Excuses, excuses." She sniffed.

"You're just asking for a punishment, don't think I won't."

"Don't make promises you can't keep~"

I grumbled as she softly giggled next to my ear. "I'll probably go see Thorum, I want to catch up with my Thu'um. I kind of neglected it and I realize it's a very potent avenue to learn from. I had a dragon do something to me during the fight, I thought it was a curse, but it merely bypassed my normal defenses to start draining my vitality at an alarming rate."

It was an avenue of attack I hadn't much experience in defending against before. I wouldn't be quite as taken off guard the next time, but it was still something to be wary of.

"Sounds like it would be beneficial." She agreed.

"Yeah, there's still a lot I can learn here. A few more schools of magic I need to touch up on as well. I would add Alchemy and Enchanting to that list, but since Rin made a comment about them I wasn't really going to encroach on them just yet." Would rather she get more adept and if I had a interest later, I would go to her with questions and help. I think that would be a big confidence boost for her.

It was already almost noon, I would take a nap in a little bit then go check up on Thorum, see if he had some free time. He was probably just at the Companion's building, drinking and having fun.

***

I hummed to myself, walking through the street of Whiterun. Most the people had already settled down for the night, but taverns and such were still open and the occasional shout or cheer could be heard when you passed by.

Out of the corner of my eye, a sharp object came hurling towards me. I let out a sigh as a caught an arrow about a foot from hitting me.

Curiously, it didn't appear to be targeting a vital spot on me, and I could vaguely see something on the arrow head, a sort of chemical I was unfamiliar with. A poison of some kind?

That brought up an interesting question of my confidence in avoiding death by poison.

Most definitely something I'll look into for the future.

[Your dragon heart should make you immune to most mundane poisons, along with your devil biology.]

Yeah, that was my initial thought, but something I should double check and know the limits of in the future.

Several shrouded silhouettes jumped over the roofs of the buildings, and leaped out from coverings nearby

The most striking thing about them, was the fact that they all had red eyes. Not only that, but low hisses sounded out, mouths filled with fangs shown under the few lights in the area.

They looked like rabid beasts, but their movements were strikingly elegant. There was no loss of wisdom in their eyes even if they looked at me like a piece of meat.

My circuits flared to life as the first made a movement, his hand reached out to grab me, sharp nails threatening to burrow into my skin. My Aura burst out without me even moving, the iridescent light blocking the attack, much to its surprise.

I grabbed him by the throat as the others attacked. With a flick of my free hand, I used Telekinesis to actually grab them and accelerate their momentum towards me, making them stumble, practically falling over themselves.

Sliding my foot across the ground, earthen spikes shot up, a simple cantrip that often proved fairly lethal in situations like these. These....vampires were pierced through, spikes protruding from their backs as they coughed blood and gasped, trying to free themselves

The one I had in my grip struggled and even tried to pull a dagger out and stab me. I smacked it away with ease, but the nasty feeling on the blade gave me pause, like it was heavily cursed.

Surprisingly, even as the magic dissipated, and the bodies fell down, they didn't stay down. Even with holes in their chests, they growled and hissed, leaping at me again.

I side stepped the first lunge, and shattered the space around me at the next, leaving them bewildered as I appeared a few dozen feet away, my prisoner still in tow.

I was analyzing their capabilities. The vampires in this world were actually somewhat interesting, and their origin wasn't too different from the ones back home. The fact that I had intimate knowledge on vampiric species since in many iterations in my previous life, I was a Dead Apostle.

But, enough was enough.

I snapped my fingers, and discharged a burst of ice from below my feet, freezing everything in the vicinity. We were somewhat secluded, so nothing was harmed no people came running over. Had I started throwing around lightning or fire, I'm sure I would have caused a much bigger commotion.

I grabbed the dagger from the ground, the cursed blade that just felt disgusting to hold, and I made sure to stab every one of them in the heart with it before my eyes finally fell on my prisoner who still struggled in my grip, except there was a look of fear in his eyes now.

Letting out a snort, I toss him onto the ground as he gasped and rolled. I took a moment to flick a few runes in four directions, creating a basic bounded field to keep off sound and vision. "Right now, my curiosity is piqued, but my whims can changed quite easily."

The thing rolled around, eyes turned back at me as it shuddered up to its feet. "W-what do you want?"

"Ah, so it can talk." I didn't know if it could or not if I was being honest. I haven't exactly delved into research on the subject. "An explanation may relieve any unresolved anger I have at the moment."

"We were...." He paused like he was going to hyperventilate. "Ordered to bring you back...."

"Someone is interested in me? How did you know I would be here?" I guess I haven't exactly been subtle about my comings and goings.

"W-we were told you were friends with the Dragonborn. We didn't know you would be here we were going to take him hostage to lure you out."

"What." My lips thinned and I felt a faint release of anger. The area got noticeably colder, and it wasn't because of the remnant ice magic I had used prior.

"We were going to kidnap the Dragonborn to lure you out so we could –"

I stomped on his chest, blood spraying from his throat. "Who."

"I don't –"

Mirage appeared in my hand as I thrust it through his thigh. "Who?" I very calmly asked again.

"AAAAHHHH" He screamed, profanities littering the area. "I can't!" He managed to spit out.

Whisper appeared, hovering above his groin. "Last chance."

"FUCK YOU!"

I didn't even bat an eye as it shot down. The scream would have made me wince in any other circumstance, but at this moment, I was absolutely livid.

"L-Lord Harkon." He cried out. "Lord Harkon made us do it!"

"Very good." I nodded, withdrawing my swords. "Now...." I growled, pulling him up and staring at him in the eyes. "Where can find this – Lord Harkon?"

***

Wilhelm just wants to have a nice and amicable chat with the Vampire Lord.

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