Marchioness Iris's Gift and Unexpected Condition!

[A/N: We sadly didn't reach the 1k Collection Goal I set, Haiyah. We are currently at 812 Collections, which is very close...]

[Anyway, not meeting goal won't change this story much. I will keep uploading new chapter every day, but only one chapter or two a day unlike the previous week. From now on, I will start stocking new chapters and put them on my P@treon]

[Enjoy the chapter, peace out -Nine_Clouds]

--- Chapter 30 ---

"Very well, this Marchioness will give you a greeting gift."

Marchioness Iris's heavy voice is like music to Tenma's ears, but he kept himself from grinning like a fool. After all, he only wanted to test her and didn't want to look too greedy.

Yes, Tenma actually wanted to test her. If Marchioness Iris comes from the same Omniversal Order's Realm as him, he might get a strong backer in this early life.

Marchioness Iris sighed in helplessness, "There are many treasures in the Silver Mold-Breaking Ring, but neither you nor I can access them due to how thin the Celestial Energy is in the area."

"My soul got injured for unfortunate reasons, so I can't pick too much, or the Silver Mold-Breaking Ring will absorb me."

"I noticed that your body can produce an entry-level Celestial Energy, but it wasn't enough. So, I will let you choose two between three items here."

"Remember, choose wisely."

Three items appeared before Tenma's eyes but were mere holograms instead of real things. They also have an introduction beneath them.

The items are a book, a scroll, and a rock.

A book with a futuristic silver-plated cover hovered in the air. Beside the sun and moon crests crossing each other on each side of the cover, the book looks ordinary.

The book is named Stellar Activation, a 'basic' breathing method from an advanced civilization, usually used to introduce 'Celestial Energy' such as Solar and Lunar forces to one's body, meridian, and mind.

Tenma's instinct told him Stellar Activation was no ordinary book. If he followed the routine of trashy reincarnation cultivation novels, this book might be an underdog heaven-defying technique with a hidden effect.

The next item is a grand-looking scroll made of unknown white leather and attached to a gold-plated handle. Unrecognizable runic characters were 'beautifully' engraved on the leather and shone dimly with purple light.

The scroll is named The Toran's Heavenly Gift.

An infamous Mystic Arts from the long-lost Toran Race.

Anyone can practice it, but it requires immense mental power to use and master. Upon a 'certain' level of mastery, one could create stars and traverse between universes.

'Certain level, yeah. When I conquered this world and reached godhood, that is.' Tenma couldn't help but snort inwardly after reading this scroll's introduction because it was a lot of nonsense.

Creating stars and traversing multiple universes required more than mental power.

This mystic art sounds like a trap more than anything.

His attention quickly moved to the last item.

The rock is like quartz but green and no bigger than a fingernail. It has several cracks inside and flashes with kaleidoscope-like lights.

The rock's name is Stellarite, a mineral condensed from dying stars that exploded at their end time. Stellarite is usually used to power a low-class intergalactic ship.

Tenma frowned slightly upon reading Stellarite's introduction. This rock couldn't be a mere fuel. His deep and rich instinct told him otherwise.

"So, which two are you going to choose?" asked the Marchioness.

Unknown to Tenma, the living soul in the silver ring also wanted to test him by letting him choose these treasures.

They are testing each other without realizing it.

"Do you have a recommendation?" Tenma asked her instead

"..."

'This boy is not following the script!' The Marchioness was speechless.

Cough! Cough!

"Ehem... Just pick the ones you think are good for you."

"But I don't know these items, so how can I know?"

"Follow your feelings!"

'Hah, my feelings... Your ass.' Tenma thought mockingly. He tapped his chin with his finger thoughtfully.

After faking his thoughts for a few minutes, Tenma picked two items.

"Give me Stellar Activation and Stellerite."

"Are you sure you don't want The Toran's Heavenly Gift?" The living soul asked solemnly. "Just you know, I can sense your immense mental power and know you have enough talent to train this Mystic Art."

Tenma waved his hand, "Stop trying, and give me the ones I want."

"Hmm, very well~!" The Marchioness Iris's voice becomes lighter, pleased by Tenma's choices.

After saying that, the Stellar Activation Book and Stellarite appeared from thin air. Both items emitted faint radiation, which hit and merged after some collisions.

Tenma experienced needle-piercing pain in his skull and used Sharingan instinctively, causing his red eyes to clash with the radiation.

His breathing became heavier until the book and gems turned into pure light and shot his glabella.

Then, Hestia's voice echoed.

[Ding! You have learned "Stellar Activation Lv. 1"]

[Ding! You have absorbed "Primordial Stellarite" and obtained a "Growth Skill: Stellar Transformation (Common)"]

Tenma clutched his head and felt his body burning like a bitch. He huffed and controlled the impulse, exhaling heat with Tao and Spear Breathing.

"Huh, what was that voice?" The Marchioness Iris was shocked by the existence of another voice in Tenma's consciousness. "This, did this backwater boy have an advanced AI Program?"

"How is that even possible?"

"Unless..." Her eyes widened in realization.

"OH MY GOD, I ACTUALLY MET THE LEGENDARY REINCARNATOR AND ASKED HIM TO BE MY INHERITOR!"

Tenma hissed, "Stop yelling!"

"Yes, yes, yes. But answer me first. Are you a reincarnated person?" The living soul was eager to know.

'Hey, how come she could hear you, Tia?' Tenma ignored her and asked his system.

[Her soul perception is powerful enough to sense me]

[Don't worry, Tenma. Anyone connected to you through me isn't an evil person]

[This is another function of Limitless Path, Fate-Crossing]

[You can encounter your fated allies faster than you are supposed to]

'Which means I will meet this Marchioness in the future?' Tenma raised his eyebrow.

[Yes, but Fate-Crossing won't make it easier for you]

[You still have to unravel the ring and her secret by yourself]

"..."

'Your ability is so random, Tia...' Tenma couldn't help but comment.

[Well, the Goddess of Wisdom created me, so...]

Tenma's mouth twitched. There is no way he'd complain to Aurelia. That's just another level of courting death.

[Also, my functions are 'deeply' related to my host's ascension. You can't do it without 'strong' and reliable allies]

"Hey, answer me, please~!" The Marchioness's voice kept pestering Tenma.

Tenma shook his head bitterly. He should have read the term and service first.

"Yes. Yes, I am a reincarnated person." He replied with a sigh.

"Now, can you calm down and explain what happened earlier?"

The Marchioness cleared her through, "Kuhum. As your AI has notified, you have learned Stellar Activation and obtained Stellar Transformation from the book and rock."

"They are inherited items I made myself to test whether my future inheritor has sharp decision-making ability." 

"I'm sure you noticed something is wrong with Toran's Heavenly Gift, so you picked Stellar Activation due to its clear introduction and Stellerite because of its blandness."

"While the Toran's Heavenly Gift is a legit Mystic Art, only those at the pinnacle of the Godfiend Realm can reach it. Your mental capacity isn't enough to use 0,001% of it."

"...So, what would happen if I chose Toran's Heavenly Gift?" Tenma asked calmly.

"Nothing!" The Marchioness answered proudly.

"I will think only of you as an arrogant brat who wants to bite more than he can chew."

"Of course, I'd still take you as my inheritor. I don't have much choice right now."

"However... Now that I know you're a 'reincarnated' person, you must have a great fate!"

"Hehehe, you might be able to help me recover faster~!" She joyfully laughed.

"No, let's keep a few things straight first." Tenma stared at the silver ring solemnly. "Although I've agreed to be your inheritor, we should set some boundaries."

"Sure." The living soul shrugged inside the ring. "But I will also add my conditions later."

"First, you will not meddle with my life and decision..." Tenma stated while closing his eyes.

"Accepted, but I can still give you advice, right?"

"Yes."

"Second, you will not meddle with those close to me. The only exception is when I'm not around to protect these people. Do your best to protect them on my behalf."

"Noted. I'm not interested in anyone but you, though."

"Third and last, don't ever, ever betray my trust." Tenma opened his eyes and revealed a frosty look. His eyes glared into the silver ring, making the Marchioness gasp in shock.

The silver ring trembled slightly.

'S-Such an intense Spiritual Pressure.' The Marchioness thought. 'As expected of a reincarnated person!'

"Okay, I agree with your conditions."

"Can I say mine now?"

"Go ahead."

"First, I want you to inherit my inheritance with all seriousness."

"No problem."

"Second, I want you to make a new body for me."

"Also, no problem, though it will take time."

"Don't worry. I have more than enough patience."

"As for the last..." The Marchioness paused and smiled a little.

"I want a priority spot in your future harem~!"

"..." Tenma.

[...] Hestia.

Fate-Crossing?

More like Waifu-Crossing!