Lumi VS The Red Berserker King (ROUND 2)

The little pigeon was once again laid out like trash on the ground. I stood my ground effortlessly. Why fight the inevitable? Then again It reignited my love of conflict. It felt good to be able to flex like this again. It was all too easy, it took less than ten minutes till his face hit the dirt. Why did it even take that long? To reframe it in context of my current life, It was rude to just dig into your meal. Conversation and pleasantries were just as important as the food if not more so. You didn’t just gobble up the entire plate or stuff the hors d’oeuvres into your pockets like a vagrant. That was how I lived in my previous lives, now I take my time and enjoy the experience.

“I rather enjoyed that, Pigeon. I might have you entertain me again sometime.” I raised a fan up to my lips as I taunted him, it was how I envisioned an emboldened tyrannical noblewoman would speak to such a weakling.

“Even your skill appears to be more beak than claw. Tell me what is you are even fighting for? What was the point in challenging me?”

The rust-haired pigeon groaned and scrunched his hands into the dirt, I could hear a vague whisper.

“What was that?” I beckoned.

“Let me leave with my master.”

“Hmm. You see to be misunderstanding something, I’m taking both of you. Think as a punishment for being weak and a reward for being not as weak as others. This is the problem with uneducated, dull rabble. You get so tunnel visioned in your own point of view and don’t take the time to think things through. You are not going back, there isn’t anything that can change my mind on this point.”

“You’re taking both of us?” He lifted his face off the ground and raised himself to his knees.

“Sit up any farther and I’ll knock you back down again.” I warned, “Yes, I will be taking in both of you.”

“Don’t we get a choice?”

“Very well, if he wishes to refuse me then he may leave. Will that appease you?”

“No! He can’t leave me. He wouldn’t. Why would you say such a thing?”

“Doesn’t he get a choice? Aren’t we being a possessive little princess, I should know. It doesn’t matter in the end. I always get what I want and I want your blossoming power.”

The only people around were Tanjir, the boy, and I. There was always the possibility of lingering ears, so it was best not to divulge too much. Mother was shrewd as she was powerful. I’d already showed off a bit top much, perhaps.

“Do you know about your skill beyond just it’s ability to turn you tall red creature.” The boy responded with silence, “Your skill is Red Berserker King. Tell me what can you glean from that, Tanjir?”

“It’s a higher order skill, milady.”

“Correct. Skills can roughly be placed into three “levels”. There’s your average, generic skills and then there’s your higher order skills which have some kind suffix or prefix like, “King” or “Emperor” or “Overlord” or “Knight” etcetera and above all of those are “Divine Core Skills”. Now, skills don’t necessarily have to have titles like those to be in the same league, aside from Divine Skills, but it is a direct indicator that it has that power, and when up against a lower tier skill of the same line there is no comparison.”

“In other words, I’m special. That’s why you want me.” The little pigeon mumbled. I slapped him with my fan sending him back to the ground.

“Don’t get a full head when you’re kneeling in front of my divine visage. You are no more special than your master or my maid when in my presence.”

“Do you have a Title Skill?”

“No, I’m blessed by the gods with Beauty! Talent! Strength! Haha!” I posed on each exclamation.”

“Milady?” Tanjir piped up behind me. I knew I had shown off too much for that to be a believable excuse. I ignored her.

“So, you will you join my personal entourage?”

“Like the royal guard!” He suddenly spat the words out.

“Such hostility. Calm yourself, pigeon, or I’ll clip your talons.”

“I’m so sick of you nobles thinking you can do whatever you want with those less privileged than you. You think you can order me around and I’ll just roll over like I don’t have a choice!”

“Well, yes. You don’t in fact have a choice.”

“I can fight! That’s what my master taught me.” He stood up with fists clenched.

“Here we go again.” I was annoyed. This just would not end. I could feel Tanjir getting ready to spring forth to protect me, “My, oh my. I suppose I must beat this lesson into you a little harder.”

The little pigeon became a hulking red pigeon and charged forward.

Light began collecting in Lumi’s palm. Tanjir could feel an immense amount of pressure building as mana encircled Lumi. The palace sat on a large convergence of leylines, one of the five largest on the continent which essentially meant you could cast any size spell you wanted as long as you were capable. Mana processing, or the bodies ability to cast spells using the available mana, differed from person to person, some people had minimal ability and could only cast low intensity spells like spark or water ball, while other with high processing ability could level an entire city block given the needed mana.

Lumi’s abilities far surpassed that.

Alfeo swung at Lumi. Lumi waited for him to get in close then released the light in her hands. A white aura spread out in the shape of a circle, cutting off the giant’s hands, toes, and the skin from his face. Lumi had not taken a step, she calmly watched as the giant stood still from the shock then it backed away and fell over. His mouth was agape. Tanjir approached the felled giant, up close she could see him shaking.

“Stupid boy.” It wasn’t Lumi or Tanjir who spoke but a limping stick-man.

“He’ll be fine. A lesson needed to be taught. He can be healed so long as he’s still alive.”

I put a hand on the pigeon’s chest and a golden light spread out across his body. The skin, bones, and muscle instantly regenerated, as the same time the large form slowly shrank back to normal size.

By now I was starting to a dip in the area’s mana. It wasn’t anywhere near being tapped out but it was being nominally taxed. It was best to leave it at that for the moment. He would regain his strength with some rest.

“Now, let’s bring this back inside and have a chat-”

“Lady Lumi!” Tanjir suddenly interrupted, “If I may speak frankly, I’ve had about enough of this. I would like to have a talk with you as sooner rather than later.”

I supposed I’d put this off for too long.

“The sun is dipping, why don’t I leave the pigeon with you, Scraggles. I trust you can find your way back to the healing ward. We’ll have a chat in the morning.”

“Yes, princess.”

“Ooh, I like the change of attitude, just the right amount of contempt too. Keep it up. As for you, Tanjir. Let us retire to my chambers and have the talk you’ve been so craving.”