A Legion's Task

"Actually, Shuma. Becoming a Legion's a very tough feat. Even the toughest one out of all us, that dead-serious guy there? I heard he only felled 5000 Black Knights."

Stunned, I took a pause while Hiro-san remained as the usual...

'—... 5000?! He's that guy who just spurned me!'

"Ehhh? I only defeated 2500 though?"

"I beat 3300..."

"..."

"What? It's normal."

"Hiro-san... Are you perhaps an idiot?"

He gave off an exasperated answer while stomping his foot "how rude! Am not!" And thus, I responded seriously "But, beating 3300 of those, is by no means normal!"

"But it is... I'm an Elf. Elves have High Magia Affinities."

A sudden revelation — One that made me speechless.

'Elf?!'

"To be precise, I'm a Half-Elf. I only came to join the Legion because I happened to get lost and happened to think that the portal those adventurers were entering were something leading to a Guild"

'This guy really is an airhead. — an Airhead that can't even realize he's a airhead'

"Are all elves, strong? Like crazy, strong."

Stroking his chin, he answered "Hmm, I guess our race are strong but we can't match the other 4 Major Races. If anything, we're the weakest profound race."

"Can you tell me more about the 5 ma—" A Palace Knight interrupted "All silence!" As someone from the front door appeared.

Whispering towards Hiro-san. "Who's the beardy?" Replied quietly, about to burst in laughter "Pfft, it's the King! Weiss VI!" Flustered, "Sorry, please don't hang me."

"You have no need to worry. Despite looking like that, he's a good king."

'Why would even a king clothe like a Tactician? It makes no sense!'

As the King, Weiss VI reached his throne... In a deep voice, he declared. "Kagezuchi, Shuma. Suisei Yuuki. Step forward."

And so we did thus... Staring at us, he said "Mhmm, Mhmm... Truly a miracle."

I kept silent... Suisei kneeled and bowed her head. I followed her example... A sudden useless thought popped to mind.

'To think... That the oh-so-exceptional Shuma, will bow his head to the likes of a King! 'tis Unacceptable!'

The King exclaimed "Raise your heads, my subjects!" hence, we did so... He added "Having to witness the birth of 3 Legions in a lifetime is truly an honor. I, as your King, recognize your effort!"

In a stern voice, I uttered "If I may, my King. Whatever do you mean by that? See, I came from a remote country. Consequently, came here once I heard of your accepting and wonderful Kingdom. To say, I am but a man, uncultured of your Highness' traditions."

"Umu... Put simply, a Legion's emergence, is nothing so common. No-less, 2 Human, Legions!"

Staring at Rimu "And a slime withal... As you can observe from this room... Demi-humans..."

'Rimu's adorable, I know. But, now that he pointed it out...'

"—I offer my deepest gratitude, for entertaining my question."

"I see. I see. Well then, let us move on." From his throne, he stood. approached me...

"Both of you, reach out your hand."

As we did, the king touched our extended arms... Closing his eyes, a magic circle surfaced and surrounded our wrists. Subsequently, i kept my cool.

'This girl... Suisei, seems collected. Not a tint of emotion. Just cold, dead eyes...'

Ol' man Weiss instructed "Now, consciously draw out all your power and project an Image." Then appeared... Numerical measurements of my Status...

"I surmise, you know what those signify... If that is so, you may take off and explore the Palace."

'Palace? Why explore?'

"Your Majesty, may I ask?" Answered "What might it be?" I questioned "Why the palace?" Responded "Why, of course, as Legions, you all are welcomed at the Royal Grounds"

'Hmmm... That means, I can live here like a freeloader... Easy'

"Is that so... Once again, My deepest thanks for acknowledging my ignorance" Raising his arms, he gestured an okay, palms faced outward. Hence, the Legions in the room were dismissed... Thus, Suisei and I, followed...

From the throne door, waited... "Well, Shuma. That was quite bold of you. Speaking to the King..."

"Really?"

'I thought it was normal... After all, that was how I played the Virtual Games I created...'

We started walking in the stretching halls... Carpets so red... ' This really gives off a Medieval feel' Interrupted, "Shuma, you're an airhead."

"— Hey, I'm not!"

'Now, I kinda get how he felt when I said the same thing...'

"Anyways, how about I give you a tour to the palace's grounds?"

Thus he did so... First place he introduced me to was the Courtyard as it was the nearest... There bloomed, flowers of different breeds. There were Roses, Hibiscuses, Chrysanthemums, Asters, Azalea and many more.

With a beaming smile. "Beautiful right? The King often visits this place."

Admiring the courtyard's beauty while walking steadily... "The king must love flowers..."

Chit-chattering, we arrived at the next one...

"This is the kitchen..."

Numerous chefs moving harmoniously, preparing cuisines, so delectable

We moved on to the next... The Dining Hall. Decorated, ever elegantly... Visited countless areas, then we arrived at the Central Library

"As you already know, outside is the Outer Library which is a collection of books, new and old. In the Central Library, resides the more advanced literary works."

'I found it!'

With a serious expression, I muttered "So this is where the Magia Record lies..." Curious, Hiro-san turned and queried "You're quite knowledgeable." Scratching my head... "Well, yeah... I did, ask a few people, here and there before I decided to try becoming Legion"

'Truthfully speaking, I deduced almost every information I know...'

"Here we are... The Legion's Quarters"

"Woaaah!" A portion of the Castle, with rooms so many... I counted... "1, 2, 5, 10, 20, in total" So spacious, yet so cultivated. Hence, I thought 'Refined...'

"Surprised?" Hiro-san stated. "Am I really staying here!?"

'Goodbye low-class Hotel, hello Noble Castle!'

—"Yes, Shuma. By the way, my Room's next to yours..."

Together, we strode towards our rooms. As we were nearing... "Well then, Shuma and Slime. Have fun contemplating in your room."

'How'd he know that?'

Wobble

"—Yeah, will do... Later, Hiro-san"

I opened the door, entered and shut it close... There, laid... A bed, very distinguished, a shelf half-filled with books and scrolls, a desk, a table coupled with chairs of top-quality. From the side — The restroom. Beside it — the washroom.

Looking around, I sensed magic circles. 'Hmm, they applied complicated magical formulas...'

"Whoever did these is a genius..."

I examined the formulas of the circles and surmised "Mhmm, seems like there's nothing bad written in these..." I sat on my bed, placed Rimu on my lap, and then laid flat.

Wobble

'Let's recheck our stats'

"Swoosh" Appeared in front of me...

[Status : Shuma Kagezuchi]

[Race : Human]

[Rank = R]

—"What's with an 'R' Rank?"

[Physicality = 4,033]

'— Seems like Calisthenics training paid off.'

[Magia Capacity = 200]

'Tsk, still a disappointing number'

[Intelligence = 30,594]

'That's higher than I expected!!'

[Skills: [Skill: Passive Progression], [Skill: Dimensional Control], [Skill: Empirical], [Special Skill: Systemize]... |Hide / Show| ]

[Titles : Legion, Reincarnate]

[Calculated Strength Level = SSS]

—"Doesn't this mean I'm overpowered?!"

"Oh. no, no" I shook my head

'I'm pretty sure I'm the weakest Legion as of yet... I can't discern that girl, Suisei's strength though'

"But... Just, wow. This Stat-tool is made so intricately. The skill is pretty easy to use but the formula is comparable to that of an extremely-high-end-super-computer."

Got up, I decided... "I need to look at Hiro-san's status." Picked up my adorable Rimu, "Hup" I placed her at my head, once more and went next door...

Knock-Knock... Click

"Shuma. What brings?"

"Would it be wrong of me to ask for your Stats?"

He gestured a welcoming hand... "Come inside." I intruded. Hiro-san then added "Take a seat." He served tea and as he finished "Here goes..." His Statuses appeared...

[Status : Takahiro]

[Rank = Unranked]

[Race : Elf]

"I thought you joined a guild?"

"No, I didn't I became a Legion so why not? Ahahaha..."

'How simple-minded'

[Physicality = 1,243]

'Figures... Elves aren't that strong, physically... But they are, Magia-wise'

[Magia Capacity = 120, 390]

'This proves my previous statement.'

[Intelligence = 700]

"Say, Hiro-san... You really are an air-head, are you?"

"—Hey! That's blatantly rude!"

"I'll call you Hiro from now on..."

"Shuma... Blehhhh"

'Now he's acting like a brat... Kinda cute...'

[Skills: [Ultimate Skill: Prophecy]. [Special Skill: Systemize]... Hide / Show]

[Titles : Legion, Magician, Bowman... |Show| ]

[Calculated Strength Level = Immeasurable]

—'I guess I really am far from overpowered'

Thereafter, he closed his panel... Asking me in return, "Shuma, show me yours."

[Skill Activated: Trickster]

Thus, I revealed my Stats...

"Mhmm, it's fairly decent."

'Yeah, since I altered it.'

"Honestly... If not for my relatively good stats, I would've never become a Legion."

"Well... You became one so that's what matters..."

"Yeah..."

—"Shuma. Go talk to Rimu-chan or something. I'm pretty sure you've never had the chance to entertain her today..."

'Again... I didn't tell him Rimu's name... That only means one thing... He can perceive the Future.'

"Yeah, sure. Thanks..."

Therefore, I went back...

From my bed, I laid. Rimu besides my head, I conceptualized...

'From today's encounters... I'm the weakest Legion. Daily Life here is boring. — Rimu keeps me Happy. I need to become stronger in order to read-analyze that Magia Record. Ramble-Ramble...'

"Tomorrow, I'll visit the Central Library..."

'The Diameter of the Central Palace is estimated to be *** Feet while the Library surrounding it is *** Square meters... Technically speaking, the design of the Palace itself is very prone to attacks but the Legion's presence prevents that from Happening... Blah-Blah.'

I carried on with my detailed, precise blather until Night arrived...

"Oh, damn... I went on for too long... Rimu's already asleep..."

Thus, I took Rimu, hugged her tight... Went to sleep...

A new day starts!

"To the Library we go!"

'Hehhh, it's not huge... But not quite small either...'

Approaching the Librarian 'A female Elf... I run into lots of elves lately... Maybe they're the largest population next to Humans? — I'll look that up.'

"What can I do for you, Sir Legion?" asked in a tone, so sweet... I uttered "This Author, named Mash...'The Shielder' I need all her books."

Checking her device... While she was at it, I analyzed its formula... 'Everything is an opportunity to learn... Let's see... Ah, the structuring's not very practical. But, every small details can, be important.'

"There are, a total of 100 Volumes."

'100... Volumes... Might take me... Hmmm... Roughly, 2 weeks!'

"I'll borrow them all."

Subsequently, I verified my Adventurer's Pass... Shortly, [Skill: Systemize, Activated]. Created a sub-skill [Spatial Vault, Activated]... A dark, abysmal hole, sucked the butt-load of heavy books inside it. Leaving none, left.

I exalted 'Mhm, this is easier! Thank you, Magia!' And so, I went back.

[Skill: Dimensional Control, Activated]

Thus, I arrived at my Royal room. Leaped and fell completely fat on my royal bed - - Boing - Rimu was thrown afar - Splutch - and hit the corner. "Oh no!" Hurriedly, picked her up and positioned her in front of me. "I am extremely sorry! Rimu!" — I did a Dogeza sincerely...

'Out of all the errors I've made thus far... This one, is something I really messed real bad!'

Boing — Jumping in my head, she then 'Wobbled'. "Rimu, I... really am, sorry" — "Wobble"

'She seems to have forgiven me so... I'll just, start with Volume 1'

I went to the oh-so-royal-desk and sat on the oh-so-royal table. After then...

[Skill: Dimensional Control, Activated]

Took the first book... Subsequently, I began flipping pages... And I read.

'Ah, still cryptic messages. It's written like a Light Novel so I'll enjoy this.'

"Long Live MASH!"

With countless hours of reading and decoding...

I finished Volume 1... It was arduous, yet it filled me with blithe. Committing to memory, every single word, paragraph, every single decoded messages... Basically, every single thing I've read, I extracted ever again, essential information.

Volume 2... "Heh, encrypted message, solved"

Volume 3... Flip-Flip... "This, is kinda... Hard... I'm a single guy, alright? Hell, I've never had a girlfriend!" Covering my face out of frustration, 'How am I supposed to solve this?!'

Accordingly, I brainstormed... Wasting all my precious braincells, I reached a conclusion. Therefore, I proceeded to Volume 4...

Boing-Boing-Boing. Rimu, playfully prancing, meanwhile I read in deep thought... Couple few minutes after finishing the Book...

ZzzzZzzzZzzz

I fell. Face flat with drool on my mouth...

Shortly, after regaining consciousness... It was already morning... "She's fast asleep... Guess I should go by myself. It won't take long after all."

"To Arche, I transport!"

[Skill: Systemize, Activated]... [Remote Transfer, Activated]

From the path of stone, I strode....

Arche's village, ever-once-so inactive, is now oh-so hectic... The stalls and buildings — crowded, the villager's jolly expressions... Improved profoundly.

'I guess all I did wasn't for naught... The place I once departed, once more, Shuma doth return! — Is what I'd want to say, but adventurers would probably be suspicious'

'Going without Rimu feels weird. I'll go visit Tsuki-San to dismiss the sentiment...'

Hence, I arrived!

As I opened the door... "Clack" Faces, all familiar and some of new, bumping their cups together... Having the same, usual fun. I looked around.

'Ah, there he is' I gestured a wave. "Tsuki-san!" And so, he excused himself from the crowd and approached me... "Shuma... You've changed"

"Heh, did I?" Stroking his chin, "I can't really put it into words but there's something different about you"

'There goes the cliched line: Probably the aura I emanate is the one that changed?'

"The aura you give off... It's not that of a feeble man but that of an intimidating one"

—'Told ya... I can read minds! Meahahahahah!' From inside my head, I reacted like a crazed Demon Lord.

"So, Tsuki-san. I see that, ever since then, the village's got back its visitors..."

Beaming a huge grin, Tsuki-san exalted, "Mhmm! It was all thanks to you! You don't know how far your name spread. People call you The Slayer"

—'I might act like a Chuuni, but... That name sounds lame as HELL!'

I stepped back a few steps behind and awkwardly, "H-Hehh? So I-I'm now famous?"

'Now that I've become a Legion, knowing my name most likely won't trigger any flags... But... The name! The name is the problem!'

"Shuma, what's with that despondent look? You sure you slept enough?"

Snapping back to reality, regaining composure, "Oh, sorry... It's nothing. 'It's obviously that Lame title! Walking around being called that, is embarassing!' "I'm just thinking stuff"

"By the way, Shuma. I neglected to ask but. Where's Rimu?" Tentatively, with a straight face, he added "You didn't sell her off did you? 'Hell I wont!'

"If you did sell her... Shuma... I'm disappointed in you as a man."

Swiftly, I gestured a hand to deny his claim and exclaimed, "No, I did not! 'I love Rimu. Rimu L.O.V.E' I couldn't possibly sell her off!... Tsuki-san, I'm disappointed in you for even thinking something like that" I replied with a face so disgusted...

'Feels like I just pulled out the UNO reverse card over here'

"Ehhh? Now I'm in the bad? Ahahahahaha! I see, you're still you..."

'Uwah, and I see you're still noisy... That's what makes Tsuki-san, Tsuki-san'

Bzzzzt-Tssss

Briefly, a static tone, rang in my head, leaving me bemused. I excused myself as to figure out the cause.

"Tsuki-san, I'll be taking my leave here. Give my best regards to Tsugio-san and the folks!"

Thus, I went out... [Remote Transfer, Activated]

I relocated myself some place in the far forest...

'That sound came from this crest'

I checked my statuses... Later did I notice, "Ah, I missed it before but... There's an icon in the upper left.'

Clicking the icon. a quest-like sentence appeared...

[Slay the High Spirit Demon: Location, 13 miles, northeast.]

"Hehh"

'I think I figured it out... Basically, Legions are hunters of Prominently dangerous beasts...? I mean, from that Demon's name I can already hear danger.'

"Whelp, nothing much to do but take my leav —'

[Slay the High Spirit Demon: Location, 5 miles, northeast.]

'Huh?'

[Location: 20 meters, northeast]

I turned my head... There stood, a humongous horned beast. Skin hued in black. Its back, with wings and a whip-like tail of 3.

"I am, in deep, crap..."

Smash!

Attacked so suddenly, I came to evade.

[Skill: Vacuum, Activated]

'No one can escape nature's attacks'

Cast the skill. Surrounding his body, "Roaaar" But it left no damage! Surprised, I jumped a few steps back. "Analysis - Whoosh!"

'Guess i can't really -Whoosh- on cheap tricks forever. Judging from Magia's movements... Figures. -Whoosh- It forcibly absorbs Magia to strengthen its body'

'Magia, help me out!'

[Skill: Physical Reinforcement, Activated]

Bang — As it started to use skills, I was baffled.

'Tsk, It's strong. But not strong enough for me to lose to!'

'Our body enhancements should be more or less proportional now!'

With a fierce "Slash!" I rent it devoid of life

[Slay the High Spirit Demon: Successful]

'Feels like... Things are a lot more easier. It's not a bad thing, but... If my life were a story, It'd be boring...'

"Worry about that later, Idiot Shuma! Dispose of the body!"

[Spatial Vault, Activated]

[Warning: Magia Overload... Continue?]

"This might be stupid, but. Continue"

Its body, dematerialized as its Magia got absorbed within a seemingly infinite Blackhole.

[Remote Transfer, Activated]

Before anything worse happened, I went back to Weiss. Rimu still asleep, I crashed myself beside her, lying on my bed...

'Ah... My head, kinda hurts a bit. I can't think straight'

I covered my face, with hands, placing it on my forehead. "Ughh"

'It's annoyingly disturbing." Shook my head as to lessen the pain, In a voice ever weak, "Hopefully, a few minutes nap would make it fade. Ugh"

Therefore, I took a short nap.

...I awoke. Blinking, I scratched my pretty eyes. Felt a weight pressing on my stomach, I redirected my stare.

'Ahh, it's Rimu. Haha. This hardly happens so I'll just stay steady for a bit and concentrate'

Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath and started my succint conceptualization.

'High Spirit Demon... It was insentient... Sentient Beings are superior... Legions — Hunters of Bizarre and extremely perilous monsters...

'Monsters... Those guys are tremendously stronger than the Legion Knights. A numerical estimate on its strength, would be... 1000 of them, roughly. So we Hunt those types of monsters?

After an exact 15 Seconds, I sensed Rimu's wake from [Perception] She was indeed cute,

"Had a good sleep?"

Wobble

"Well then, if that's the case, you can have fun doing anything, your Shuma won't be going anywhere."

'I'll just read 30 Volumes for 3 days. Screw 2 weeks! Speed-run it is.'

Consequently, with clear conviction, I stood up, went to my desk, took Volume 5, and started flipping pages, batting no eye.

"Mutter-Mutter. This means,.. Yes... That..."

I read up to volume 10... 20... I felt extremely exhausted. To the point that my brain cells were slowly depleting... Until, "Volume 32!"

'20... Hours of... Reading... Committed to memory'

Afterwards, Rimu jumped on the desk. Acting like a pillow, I hugged her unconsciously. It made me feel... Comfortable, protected... Thus, the great I... Fell asleep