Complete Private Providence Meeting Abnormal Individuals

[Ueno Mizuki]

It had been a grey day, with clouds obscuring most of the sky as they drifted high above, the few gaps allowing rays of gold to shine down upon the land as if a blessing from a higher power. No rain had fallen, which thankfully left the unpaved roads solid enough for large wagons to roll forward without the passengers having to fear mud or pits. Most of the day had already passed, and while dusk had yet to arrive any travellers who were still on the road were beginning to look for a place to set up camp before it became too dark to see.

At least, most travellers.

Mizuki sniffed the ground, wrinkling her nose as she caught the stench of sweaty and dirty men. Far from the most pleasant smell, but it meant that she was on the right track. Bandits were an eternal problem in this world where much of the land was yet unclaimed by civilisation, and if you had no other tasks on hand the Adventurer's Guild could always hand you a contract stating that some merchant or organisation wanted Travelers to trim down on the population of highwaymen.

This was Mizuki's purpose for being here, running across the plans towards where the robberies had been taking place. It was one of the busiest roads connecting Falderen to Astorea, crossing the borders close to the northern edge of both kingdoms. It was commonly used by merchants which meant that the average thug wouldn't dare to mess with it, but also made it an attractive target for bandits who were either confident, numerous, or desperate.

The contract didn't specify whether the bandits had to be killed or not, only that proof had to be brought back that they had been dealt with. Mizuki imagined that tying them all up and bringing them in to be captured would be an acceptable blend of humane and effective. Bringing in the corpses would be less trouble... but just because Mizuki had embraced the primal nature of a caenis didn't mean that she was without ethics.

She made her way forward through the rocky terrain that sloped down towards the plains down south. If she focused on her hearing she could hear the bandits in the distance, and she knew that they were getting close to the road. It seemed like she would be catching them in the middle of their latest raid, which might make things more complicated as there would be bystanders to consider.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

The road was long, and walking was tiring. Even a machine had to obey by those rules, it seemed. Fatigue could seep in, cause one's body to break down, and land them in a less-than-optimal situation. Especially as a newbie, MAI wanted to avoid such a fate. And after some testing, she also knew that her flight could not last forever either. She was getting much better at it, but no matter how hard she tried, she would eventually run out of energy either way. Not to mention the amount of eyes it would undoubtedly draw once in a more populated area.

Thankfully she managed to land a deal with one of the many merchants that frequently moved around. For a bit of gold, the magia was free to sit at the end of the man's carriage, which was transporting goods. Fruits and veggies, judging by the smell. And so she did. The entire cart was covered by a roof of thin fabric, just in case the rain would catch them off-guard. Although MAI wasn't exactly allowed to make any use of it. No matter, she was still more than happy.

As her feet dangled from the edge of the cart, she looked up at the skies and adjusted her hood. Instead of the normal clothes, she was wearing much more this time around. Several layers of pale brown fabric that wrapped around her body like a long dress, she wanted to make sure her Magia nature was fully hidden away this time around. At least until she was sure of how people would react to one of such race.

Even with the occasional golden rays of hope, it felt as if there was something in the air... a smell of danger, so to speak. She had no idea what was coming, but she had a feeling there would be some unpleasantries to be dealt with.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

The bandits Mizuki were tracking were numerous enough that they were willing to risk getting into trouble by attacking merchants on this popular road, but that didn't mean they were particularly clever or creative. Perhaps they simply didn't have the resources for anything more advanced, but even from a distance, Mizuki could tell that they mostly relied on crude weapons and simple armour. They probably relied on mob tactics more than actual skill or ability. Now that she was close enough that she could see them with her naked eyes she moved more cautiously, stalking them as they prepared themselves to descend upon the single wagon that was approaching from Falderen.

Once the wagon was close enough the bandits began to move, one jumping forward only to be followed by all the others. Letting out threatening cries they ran in front of the wagon and threatened the horse with their weapons to force the beast to a halt, after which the remaining bandits surrounded their target to ensure it couldn't turn and escape in any other direction. None of them made a move just yet, but they all had their hands on their weapons and were giving MAI and the merchant dirty looks.

Good day sir, would you be so kind as to step away from the wagon? We ain't gonna hurt you if you cooperate.

The merchant went pale at the sight of so many weapons pointed at him and his wagon. However, he mustered what courage he had to respond to the bandit's offer.

You miscreants better scramble before anyone hears of what happened here! The Travelers will string you all up before the end of the week!

The bandit who was doing the talking scoffed, lifting his sword a bit higher so it was aimed squarely at the merchant's face.

Now listen here: we're giving you and your daughter the opportunity to leave with your skin intact. You can either take our kind offer or we can do this the hard way. I'm sure we can find a use for a fat man like you, and we both know what the girl would endure.

The merchant didn't bother to correct the bandit's assumption that MAI was his daughter, in part because he was busy considering his options. There was no way he and MAI would stand a chance against these bandits if a fight broke out, but he couldn't just abandon his wares either.

Fortunately, that conundrum got resolved when a wolf's howl was heard, followed by Mizuki bursting out from seemingly nowhere to pounce on top of one of the bandits. With her full weight behind the jump, she smashed her first target against the ground, a solid crack resounding as his skull bounced against the beaten and packed dirt. The luna wolf gave the man another fist against the head to make sure he'd stay down before she quickly rolled around, balancing on fingers and toes as she dashed towards the next bandit and swept his legs out from underneath him.

The bandits, suddenly under attack by a hunting wolf, released cries of outrage and surprise as they quickly converged upon Mizuki, brandishing their weapons as the ones carrying spears were already jabbing at her to force her away from the man she was currently beating on.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

All peaceful travels had to stop at some point, that was the law of fantasy games. It seemed that TerraSphere was no different in this regard. As the cart stopped, the Magia bobbled in her seat like some kind of strange doll, only really looking around once the entire vehicle got surrounded by burly men, demanding that whatever was inside of the cart be handed over to them. Knowing exactly what they were demanding, the girl blinked a few times in surprise.

"The cart is only fruits and veggies. Probably won't make you much gold, unless you're really hungry."

That said, her explanation didn't seem to go over at all. However, the situation quickly escalated in a completely different direction as a howl of a wolf could be heard and then the sounds of struggle followed. Did wild animals attack at the same time? This time, MAI felt compelled to act. Leaping from her seat, she simply floated up into the air above the cart, her eyes quickly going over to the merchant.

It was difficult not to notice the wolf girl, however. So it was not just wild animals, but a person... yeah, beastfolk existed. She instantly recalled Kyra, the fox healer who was the first player she had met after logging in for the first time. Since she was attacking the bandits, then that must have meant she was on the merchant's side. Well, no better way to help than to grand them a bit of defense.

❰ Protection Matrix γ ❱

Tiny drones flew from under MAI's clothing, latching onto the clothing of both the merchant and Mizuki. So small and light that one could barely notice them, they started generating something akin to a hologram, but solid. Flickering partially transparent blue scales that were projected over their bodies, not hindering their movement in any way, yet ensuring that any attack would almost bounce right back.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

The bandits didn't appear to care much about MAI's argument regarding the value of food, one of them yelling at her to shut her mouth while another snarled that she'd better get off the wagon if she valued her hide. Her clothes did a good job hiding her nature as a magia, leaving them to assume she was a flesh and blood human.

Once the fight broke out the merchant quickly dove into his wagon, hoping to remain safe together with his wares while whatever was happening outside resolved itself without the merchant's involvement. He did have a dagger on him, but if one looked at how tightly he was gripping it he clearly was hoping he wouldn't have to use it, keenly aware that it would be a symbolic resistance at best against a group of bandits.

Mizuki, meanwhile, had been forced to move back out of range of the spears before something small and swift attached itself to her clothes. Before the luna wolf could take steps to get rid of it the minuscule mechanism began to project some kind of spectral barrier, the spears which had been jabbing at Mizuki deflecting from the defensive holograms. Her heterochromatic eyes shot towards the girl who was now standing on top of the wagon, but she didn't have time to ask questions. If she was being supported in her assault she might as well make use of it.

Keeping her stance low, Mizuki would dash forward and pounce upon another unfortunate soul, striking his throat with the edge of her hand to leave him gasping for air as he fell onto the ground. Several weapons came down upon the luna wolf, but MAI's holograms blocked them all and left the huntress to focus on the offensive. The bandits, realising that things weren't going as smoothly as they'd hoped, kept their distance from Mizuki for the moment, only for Mizuki to close the gap as she lunged at the next target.

Three men had already been laid out, unable to continue fighting, and so far the bandits hadn't figured out any way to prevent Mizuki from taking out more of them. MAI's barriers were responsive enough that attacking the wolf from behind didn't help, only serving to earn them Mizuki's ire.

Attack all at once! There's got to be a limit to those shields!

The other bandits yelled as they all moved in, some with more hesitance and uncertainty than others. Spears, swords, axes, and clubs came down, but before they could land their attacks Mizuki dug into the ground with her fingers and spun herself like a breakdancer, her legs extending to sweep all the bandits at the same time. The concentrated attack turned into an outright mess as the bandits formed a tangle of limbs around Mizuki, cursing and swearing as they tried to get back up only to get in each other's way.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

The difference of power between the wolf girl and the bandits was nothing short of apparent. One on one, they stood absolutely no chance. No, the girl had crushed them before they could even lift their weapons and steady themselves for any kind of defense or offense. But, ultimately, they did have the numbers advantage. The way they all fought, too, made it difficult for MAI to do anything without also affected the one ally they had.

At least until the end, when she felled the rest of the still standing bandits. While they were scrambling to get back up, the Magia found at least some opportunity for an interjection. The armor bots from Mizuki's body would scramble to leave the wolf girl, instead forming a circle around the bandits. One that did still include Mizuki in it due to its size, but unlike the bandits, she had the chance to dodge. That was because instead of some kind of armor, the tiny drones started projecting something else onto the ground. A bright red circle with large red letters in the middle.

WARNING
GRAVITY FIELD INITIALIZING
CLEAR OUT​

A few moments later, the bandits would be forced back down onto the floor as if an unseen giant stamped on them and kept its foot on their backs. It wasn't enough force to seriously harm them, of course. But certainly enough to ensure that they could barely crawl. MAI, in the meantime, hopped back down onto the ground, almost floating - the opposite force applied to her from the bandits. Her eyes fixated on Mizuki.

"Are you some kind of law enforcement?"

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

With all her opponents knocked down due to them committing the mistake of clustering around her Mizuki was deciding how she'd keep them from getting back up when the small things which had attached themselves to her clothes flew up into the air and formed a circle around herself and the bandits. It seemed that the girl standing on top of the carriage was doing something, and given that her abilities were unlike anything Mizuki had seen before she was curious to see what was coming next.

Of course, when the warning showed up that a gravitational field would be applied within the circle the luna wolf didn't waste any time getting out of there, using hands and feet to jump out of the area before the bandits all had a powerful force pull them flat against the ground, unable to do more than weakly crawl. Spinning around in place Mizuki would study MAI's handiwork, pushing herself up to stand on two legs once more as it looked like the fight was over by this point.

Instead, her attention was drawn towards the girl responsible for messing with the laws of physics. From the way that she slowly descended back towards the ground she was also capable of lessening the effects of gravity if she wanted to, which meant that those little machines she was using utilised Astramancy in some manner.

Law enforcement? Hardly.

It was a sensible question to ask for a Traveler: generally speaking, dealing with criminals was left to the police on Earth. There wasn't an Earth equivalent for adventurers. Mizuki walked around the circle of trapped bandits to look at MAI from up close, sniffing the air as well to catch the girl's scent.

There's a bounty on the heads of these bandits, so I figured I'd clear them out. Now, my turn: are you a magia?

MAI's clothes did a good job hiding all her mechanical features, but Mizuki's sharp nose could tell the difference between flesh and whatever it was that a magia's body was made of.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

The bandits were out of commission, but what now? The merchant clearly hadn't gathered the courage to move out of hiding just yet, and the wolf girl, well... there was no way to determine whether she truly was an ally or a foe, was there? MAI only knew that she ought to be wary of strangers, especially ones that seemed to be hunting others, even if others were bandits.

In fact, the moment Mizuki asked the question, the Magia started mentally preparing to make her escape. Her synthetic body was sturdy and spry, able to spring into action at any moment. Opting against making any hasty movements, she merely continued to eye the wolf before giving her answer.

"Yes. If that is a problem, I will run."

Nothing better than some old-fashioned honesty. In the meantime, her gravitational field started weakening as the small bots could not keep on working forever with their tiny mana batteries. But since most of the bandits were passed out from the pressure at this point, it was highly unlikely that there would be any further issues even if they were released from the clutches of Magitech combined with Astramancy.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Hmmm... It seemed that the girl had bad experiences with people asking about her race. Or maybe she was just the cautious type? Whatever it was, Mizuki's question caused the gravity-wielding magia to be on guard, openly declaring that she was ready to run if Mizuki had any complaints about her being a magia. The female caenis raised an eyebrow and planted a hand on her hip while raising an eyebrow.

It's not a problem. I just don't think I've met one of you before.

She didn't have any reason to be prejudiced against magia, so she wasn't. It was as simple as that. Hearing some groans coming from behind her Mizuki looked over her shoulder, noticing that the bandits were moving more easily than before even if they lacked the strength to lift themselves up.

Hold on a moment.

Placing her hands together Mizuki would first gather her energy, then crouch and place her hands flat against the ground. After a brief interval roots began to rise up from the dirt, coiling themselves around the thugs before anchoring themselves in the land once again until all the bandits were firmly secured. As she formed the plant-based restraints Mizuki addressed MAI once more.

There's a bounty on these guys. This route is frequently travelled by those who need to go from Falderen to Astorea or vice versa, so having them prey upon those who use it made a lot of people unhappy. I'm guessing you're a Traveler like me?

People of the Land weren't as varied as Travelers, given that their nature was determined by their birth rather than some character creator which gave access to lots of options. In Falderen the majority of Landers were humans or faerin, with the occasional felis. In Astorea felis were more common alongside elves, with caenis rarely showing up closer to the Hylands.

The point being that if MAI was a Lander Mizuki would eat her pouch.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

"I see. Then I guess there is no problem then."

Dismissing the issue as quickly as it was brought up after the canine girl dismissed the idea that there was an issue to be had, MAI simply proceeded to readjust her clothes a bit before mostly covering herself up, hood, hand-wraps, and all. She observed as the bandits(?) were quickly restrained on the side before turning back to the wagon. It didn't seem like it sustained any real damage, but the owner was clearly still hidden inside. The sounds of fighting died down, did he still think it was too dangerous to come out? Then the other girl asked if MAI was a Lander.

"Wouldn't you already be under attack if I was a Lander?"

As far as she understood things from explanations of others, NPC Magias and Magitech in general were rather hostile toward anything and anyone that got too close. Which the primary reason for MAI's entire getup. It felt appropriate to consceal her nature if something like that really was true in this world.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Fortunately, it didn't take much to convince the girl that Mizuki had no reason to be hostile towards her. It would've been a bit embarrassing if they clashed because both sides were worried the other posed a threat. She finished tying the bandits up while MAI rearranged her clothes to conceal her true nature. The merchant had been hiding inside the wagon all along but was slowly poking his head out now that there was no longer any sign of combat and instead there were only two females conversing.

D-did you take care of them?

It wasn't clear whether he was addressing MAI or Mizuki, or that he was even aware that Mizuki was there until he saw her with the restrained thugs. His cheeks reddened a little as he realised that his behaviour could be considered quite cowardly, hiding inside the wagon while his passenger and a random passerby took care of the bandits. Scraping his throat he tried to climb out of the wagon quickly, although it took him long enough that Mizuki had the opportunity to answer MAI's answer first.

If us Travelers can be magia that means magia can be fully sapient. If they're fully sapient it would be short-sighted to assume all of them are hostile.

It wouldn't make sense for Terrasphere to allow Travelers to become a type of creature without higher brain functions. Mizuki wasn't even sure if that was possible. And if magia could think like the other races that meant individuals could have their own goals and behaviour. Once she was confident that the bandits weren't going to get up any time soon she turned fully back towards MAI and the merchant.

That said, it's probably still safer to not flaunt your race.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

The Wolf girl tried to argue, but it didn't seem like a wholly persuasive argument to the Magia. At least not in a place like this. She didn't want to open up a philosophical debate here and now, given the circumstances, but she did at least make her feelings known.

"Just because players can choose this race does not mean the NPCs of this race have the same capabilities as normal players. Especially as an AI race, just about anything could be justified."

Including something like all non-player Magia being part of a single hive mind or some such. Not like anyone actually knew the truth, including the two of them. As the merchant finally showed himself, MAI would turn toward him and nod her hood-covered head.

"Trouble dispersed. Travel can resume."

Then, however, she looked back at Mizuki as she got a word of warning.

"Wasn't planning on it."

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Perhaps another time, under different circumstances, they could have had an exhaustive conversation about what the existence of player magia meant for magia that were native to this world. As it stood, however, Mizuki just nodded in acknowledgement of MAI's arguments.

The truth could be a lot more complicated than I assumed, but I'll still give Lander magia a chance. (She smiled.) And if I didn't do that we might have come to blows.

The fact that the magia had been travelling with the merchant would have been enough reason to hold back, but Mizuki still thought it better not to attack magia on sight. While the other female reassured the embarrassed merchant that the situation was under control the luna wolf considered her options for bringing the bandits back to a settlement where they could be turned in for their bounty.

Say, do you have space in your wagon?

The merchant blinked at being addressed so suddenly, his eyes going from MAI to Mizuki, and then to the tied-up bandits. Realising the caenis's intentions he shook his head.

Well... not enough for all of them, no. You're welcome to join us, of course, given that you helped protect my wares...

Mizuki nodded as she folded her arms, looking at the bandits, then at their surroundings, then at MAI.

My apologies, I haven't introduced myself yet. I'm Ueno Mizuki, Mizuki for short. Pleased to meet you. (She'd pause to give the magia the opportunity to return the greeting, then continue speaking.) I'd like to take these thugs with us, but I might need your help. Can your drones help us construct some kind of transport that could be attached to his wagon?

She pointed at the merchant, who looked a little put off that Mizuki didn't ask him whether he was okay with that plan. After several seconds he sighed and scratched his head while turning back towards the wagon, realising that after he hid inside the vehicle he couldn't exactly talk back if both Mizuki and MAI, who'd gone out of their way to repel the bandits, wanted to take the miscreants with them.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

160 / 160

Taunting‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Protected‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Aura Protect‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Vulnerable
Empowered‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Inspired‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Hasted‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ Other

MAI simply shook her head at the idea.

"Negative. No blows would be exchanged as I would run instead. I'm not strong or clever enough to face another player."

Perhaps the girl underestimated herself a little, but she had some rather bad experiences with PvP in games. Terrasphere might have been realistic, but it was still a game, too. And perhaps this realism only aided the uncertainty. That said, she did at least have good news about the bandits.

"You can address me as MAI. My drones or myself cannot build anything without raw materials, but I can partially negate the effects of gravity to make their bodies light. If they're put on the roof, it won't collapse under them. Or you could carry them like luggage."

The idea might have been amusing, though it was likely to raise some eyebrows as they reached a more populated area. Either way, however, the Magia's astramancy was likely to be to solution to their problem in one way or another.

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

It wasn't often that Mizuki met another Traveler who openly admitted that they weren't confident enough in their abilities to hold their ground in a fight. Given that most people still treated Terrasphere as a game, even if it was a game that could kill them, bluster and recklessness were common traits.

Running away from an enemy you might not be able to defeat sounds clever to me, but I see your point. For now, let's just be glad that things turned out for the better. It's nice to meet you MAI.

She rubbed her chin as MAI explained that she could control gravity but wasn't capable of fabricating new structures. From the sounds of it she'd specialised her magitech for the purpose of manifesting supernatural effects rather than machinery. However, that'd still serve Mizuki's purposes.

We're some ways away from civilisation, so you'd have to keep them light for a long time. Better to keep the effort to a minimum. (She looked at the merchant.) We'll take care of bringing the bandits with us. I suggest you take the opportunity to calm down your horse.

The beast wasn't as frantic as when the fight was still ongoing, but it was still nervous. The merchant, realising he wouldn't win an argument regarding the bandits, nodded and returned to the draft horse to take care of it.

Mizuki squatted and placed her hands on the ground, her mismatched eyes on the ground underneath the restrained thugs as she focused. The roots which kept their captives from escaping first rustled, then grew longer as Mizuki expended more of her energy. Dirt was pushed aside as the roots combined into a wooden shape underneath the bandits, eventually forming a crude sled with the bandits all bound to the surface.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead Mizuki stood up and looked back at MAI.

If you use your drones to lighten the load some we can pull them along just like this. Should be easier than if you had to keep that wagon from collapsing.

The wagon's roof was clearly designed primarily to keep the weather out. It had held MAI's weight without any difficulties, but an entire gang of rugged thugs would be another matter entirely.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

‎

‎
‎

It was somewhat amusing for someone to be talking about a method being far too tiring, then present a different solution that quickly and visibly tired them out. Either way, it would probably work. It was a glorified cart, anyway.

"Whatever works is fine."

With that, her small drones flew past her and started gathering around the wooden structure, small clasps at the bottom of their structure allowing them to be attached to the sled. Even with the bandits on top, they would start dragging the whole thing over to the wagon, where they could then attach everything together.

"Drones have their own battery recharged from my own core when they are dormant. Energy should not be an issue."

Especially if she herself remained mostly dormant during the remaining journey. In other words, they appeared to have a good solution at hand that they could execute effortlessly. Though, MAI did stop to say one more thing.

"...squatting with a bodysuit like that is pretty suggestive."

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki noted that MAI had a rather subdued reaction to her creating a wooden sled for them to transport the bandits with. She'd thought that the female magia was new to this world, but maybe she was already more familiar with it? That, or she was just smart enough to feel like if she could use drones to alter gravity someone crafting objects out of plants wasn't that strange.

Given that you're a magia, do your drones act as extensions of yourself?

She watched as the drones first attached themselves to the sled, then dragged both it and the bandits over to the merchant's wagon to attach it. Given that lately magia had become a rather popular topic amongst Travelers she did have questions, but her thoughts were pushed aside when one of her ears twitched in response to the small comment MAI made about her posture.

The luna wolf blinked, first looking down at her legs and then at her purple-haired companion.

...You think so?

She gave the fabric of her pants a weak tug. It was pretty thick, so she figured that it wasn't like anyone could see anything they weren't supposed to.

I know that in some places females are still supposed to wear a skirt, but I wouldn't advise you to adventure while wearing one.

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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"They are an extension of my Magitech. But since I am a Magia, I could modify my own body with the mastery, so I suppose you could say, yes... in part."

The drones buzzed, and the sled was attached behind the cart, at which point the entire swarm returned back to MAI. The horses would probably be able to drag the whole thing without too much of a problem, but the Magia still walked over and put a single finger on the wooden structure. Sure, it would be difficult to keep all the bandits weightless, but lowering the hold of gravity on the whole thing just a little bit was something she could keep up for a good while.

"Combat skirts are different from normal ones. But I'll try to remember the advice."

Not like this body was her own as far as her real-world self was concerned, so not like she would be embarrassed if she accidentally flashed someone.

"Gonna join in the cart?"

@Ueno Mizuki

 

[Ueno Mizuki]

Mizuki nodded as MAI explained that while she could use her Magitech to make the drones an extension of her body that wasn't necessarily the case yet. It was an interesting idea, but it made sense that the female magia hadn't yet reconfigured her own body to that extent. Even if her race meant that her physique was probably more malleable than most she still couldn't get too careless with it.

I understand. Well, you seem to control them with but a thought already, so you already have most of the benefits.

The magia did mention combat skirts, which gave Mizuki pause. She'd never really thought about it, but even now she wondered if skirts of any kind were a good idea.

If they're short enough that they don't get in the way I'd expect them to not do a very good job covering your important bits. (She frowned.) Not unless you wear shorts underneath.

In response to MAI's question Mizuki nodded and climbed into the cart, quickly making herself comfortable even as the merchant encouraged his horses to start moving again. With a rumbling the wagon began to move once more, now accompanied by the sound of the wooden sled dragging along the dirt.

Mizuki's seated posture was rather similar to that of a canine, with her legs folded up at her sides and her hands resting on the floor in front of her. At first she focused on the bandits, making sure that they were securely tied down by the roots, but once she was confident that they wouldn't fall off she turned her attention to MAI.

So, what are your plans once you get to Astorea?

@MAI

 

[MAI]

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"Is it really that important to cover everything sensitive in the middle of a combat? To someone who wishes to claim your life, I don't think seeing that would be of utmost importance."

As MAI said her piece, she too calmly floated across the dirt and then directly into the cart. It was somewhat cramped before, given that it was meant to carry goods for the merchant rather than people... and now that there was one extra person, it was even more so.

Although there was likely some semblance of gratitude for this shelter, as not too long after the cart's movement resumed, droplets of rain started falling and staining the ground. Didn't take long before the drizzle turned into a full rain, much to the dismay of the bandits, who were far more exposed than the two girls.

MAI herself sat herself against the soft interior wall of the cart, legs to the side.

"Mm... find someone knowledgable about the area and be shown around, I suppose."

@Ueno Mizuki