10.The Anime Trope System: Stone vs. Viper, #10 a LitRPG (ATS) Read online

  Episode 51 (Part 4)

  Friday. Week 3. Month 2. Year 1. Season: Late Autumn.

  [School: Active day. Classes: Monday, Wednesday, Friday.]

  [Stone mode: still recharging. You must rely on your learned strength for now…]

  [You have triggered exotic sleep! All stats except paranoia and hidden stats are boosted by 10%. You received an endurance boost of 50% for the day!]

  [Challenge reminder: Private dinner with Noona.]

  Clyde sighed. Noona was incredibly difficult to pull into any kind of intimate relationship. Dense, innocence, beauty, and…roleplay served as just small pillars of the woman. He’d be fine with remaining friends with her, anyway.

  Could this be a result of the young man getting greedy with the amount of women for his harem? Considering the circumstances in which he met everyone, not really. Noona was simply dense. This kind of thinking crushed his motivation, so he slapped it to the side. He liked the ridiculous cosplaying demoness. What if she…swung the other way, which could explain why she didn’t react to men. Not that Clyde knew for sure. He hadn’t hung out with her as anything more than basic friends. This private dinner, being her idea, maybe had meaning behind it. Pfft. Clyde doubted it.

  Clyde awoke to the faces of all five of his fiancées and not bickering. No, they were watching him sleep. He sighed, doubting that he’d ever feel embarrassment again. Although if he was being honest with himself, the young man didn’t particularly like being a show while asleep.

  He took notice of freshly ironed clothes, socks with shoes, and organized supplies.

  “Good morning, darling,” Melody said, exactly the way anime girls said it in…well, anime.

  “Good morning,” Clyde said and for once, that was actually the truth. Alice, Melody, Harumi, Tear, and Chika sported their rings. Did they have a talk?

  He decided that none of that mattered.

  “Come on, get up,” Chika said. “We have exams. And no time to handle that.”

  “Handle what?” Clyde said. His answer came to him upon rising. Some of the women smiled smugly. He shrugged. A walk one morning in the woods…

  “I still can’t believe you tried to cook breakfast,” Natalia blabbed at Chika as she walked in. “You didn’t make it past Yuki’s threshold before getting the boot.”

  The silver-haired girl rolled her eyes.

  “I just wanted to surprise someone with breakfast in bed.”

  Clyde reached for his toothbrush. Natalia snatched it.

  “Pervy-nii let me!”

  She squeezed a shit ton of Alice’s toothpaste onto his electric toothbrush. “Now if I climb onto this sink, I should—”

  She froze, possibly feeling the angry aura from the half-demoness that stood behind her. Tears streamed from her eyes. “Onii-chan, Alice…is bullying me.”

  As she was dragged away by the force, Clyde saluted the loli, then brushed his teeth. With all of that toothpaste…

  “We’ll wait for you in the dining room,” Tear said then kissed his cheek. Melody did the same, but stayed. The minute he finished brushing up, she actually pinned him for a passionate kiss. Clyde almost took it to the next step, but someone cleared their throat.

  The duo turned to see Harumi glaring at them.

  “Breakfast and exams.”

  Clyde smiled sheepishly. That didn’t stop the pink-haired woman from getting her kiss. Melody sighed.

  “It’s not like I can keep him for myself,” the redhead said.

  When Clyde arrived to breakfast, everyone was seated at the table, food untouched. Alice claimed her seat next to the young man as usual. Harumi flanked his left.

  The women never started the meal until he arrived. That included Natalia. The hellhounds too.

  “These waffles are so good,” Clyde said after a few bites.

  “I know right?” Natalia said. “Pass me the maple.” Airi passed it over to her.

  “She made these from scratch,” Harumi said, seeming to be savoring a bite.

  “I can’t believe you guys ate like royalty for breakfast,” Kitome said. Yuki smiled smugly, knowing how much of a badass cook she was.

  [Yuki is very qualified to be a MasterChef. You may encourage her to make it official. Contrary to popular belief, a restaurant is not required. She could create a name for herself through cookoffs and especially while traveling with you.]

  Clyde silently vowed to try. One day, he’d face her, maybe as a final cookoff boss. Or maybe he’d be her customer for any original dishes.

  “Thanks for the extra bacon,” Ruri said. Matsume nodded in agreement.

  Neko and Ako looked at each other, smiling. Instead of orange juice , they had glasses of milk to accompany their breakfast.

  After everyone finish, Clyde and other Sato Academy students started outside to Jump. Tear intercepted the young man, delivering a kiss that promised more, regardless of his exam results.

  “Good luck,” she said. “Maybe we can enjoy Chika’s tears over dinner.”

  Clyde laughed, arms around her waist, the succubus pulled close. She looked as if she planned to shift the passion into the next level, but Kanako barged in.

  “Good luck with your exams, Master,” the beautiful genie said. Clyde chuckled, hand caressing her head. Tear didn’t allow her to gain a kiss, plucking her with a single hand.

  “He’ll be late if you clamp onto his waist,” Tear said in a nonchalant voice.

  As Clyde left the giant house, Tear almost felt a withdrawal symptom. She could wait. As soon as the finals were over, he’d be free to do whatever he wanted for the winter break. Truthfully, she wouldn’t mind if he decided to ditch the annoying human college.

  She let go of the teary genie, that seemed to watch the door at least thirty percent of the time like a dog awaiting its master.

  “Come on,” Tear said. “You’ll be working with me again.”

  Kanako sighed.

  “I can’t help it you know. I should probably seek help, maybe therapy.”

  Tear placed a hand on the genie’s shoulder.

  “Remember what I told you. Clyde will never abandon you. The people who left you were not your friends. Besides, Natalia had a foretelling, but my little devil asked me not to tell you.” She eyed the grinning woman trapped in a child’s body.

  “It may happen today, could be tomorrow, who knows,” Natalia said. “But no matter what, we cannot tell you. You must keep strong—”

  “That’s a really cute dress, Kanako,” Yuki interrupted, causing Natalia to pout. “Where’d you get it. It reminds me of a belly dancer.”

  “I bought it with my earnings from Tear,” Kanako said cheerfully. “This job beats being a lousy cashier.”

  “You were a cashier?” Neko asked. “Nya, talk about mundane for a genie.”

  “Tell me about it,” Kanako agreed. She took a seat on a nearby sofa. Tear briefly glanced at Maki and Sophia putting away the dishes, laughing and joking with each other.

  “Tear you really are kind,” Ruri said.

  Tear shrugged. Natalia smiled smugly.

  “That’s why she’s my best friend,” Natalia said, wagging a finger at Ruri. “Although, it pisses me off to wait any longer for my ring.”

  All eyes turned to her. Even Ming was interested. Tear facepalmed.

  “What ring?” Matsume said.

  “Uhmm,” Natalia gulped.

  “It’s nothing to worry about right now,” Tear said, breaking in for the save. “You’ll know when the time comes.” She glanced at the table for the person most likely to push for clarification. Airi for once said nothing.

  They knew what Natalia meant—no one could miss the incredible, reality-bending rings that Clyde gave them. She felt the power pulse on her own.

  Tear pointed at Ming with an idea in mind.

  “Ming, I have a favor to ask.” She walked over and pulled the young, possibly nervous, woman close to her. “I need you to scope out Misaka’s house.”

  “Why?�
�� Ming asked. “I know Misaka. She’s a good person.”

  “Oh I know she’s fine,” Tear said, “but… her mother. I’d love to meet a legendary phoenix goddess.”

  All eyes turned to her, widened. Stars gleamed into Airi’s eyes. Tear braced herself as the purple-haired Super Druid dove into her.

  **

  When Clyde and Team Stone approached the school gates, a boy with green hair stopped in front of them. He was definitely the pretty-boy type with girls fawning over him constantly. He nodded at Chika and Toru, then grabbed Harumi’s hand.

  “Harumi, I like you! Will you go out with me?”

  Silence as everyone stared at the rich boy wide-eyed. Even the student passing by stop to stare. Some shook their heads. Some girls seemed visibly jealous.

  “And who are you supposed to be?” Clyde said as he strode toward him.

  “That’s Hijo,” Toru said. “The son of…You know what, no one cares.”

  “Good, you have learned something from me,” Clyde said.

  “Sorry Hijo, but I’m engaged and I wouldn’t pass up my engagement for anyone else,” Harumi said—and holy shit the boldness seemed to stop time. Seth and Toru looked at her.

  “Later,” Clyde told them then faced Hijo.

  “You…you can’t turn me down—that…well, you’re engaged,” he shrugged. “Damn. Well, congratulations. If the lucky fuck doesn’t treat you right, I’ll beat him up to a pulp for you.” Hijo walked over to Chika.

  “If you’re trying to treat me like a second choice, I’ll kill you where you stand,” Chika said.

  “No, I was simply going to congratulate you for the launch of your corporation. Everyone in my circle’s talking about it.”

  “Oh,” Chika said, then giggled. “Thanks.”

  “But, it’d be so much easier by marrying me—think about it. My family’s corporation and yours could—”

  “Alright Broccoli-head Johnny Bravo, it’s time for you to fuck off,” Clyde said, giving him the shoo motions. People around snickered. “Get going, Chika’s mine and she’s not interested in some womanizing loser.”

  Hijo sneered.

  “Did this nobody actually say something? I think I’ll kick your ass.”

  “Hijo, no,” Toru said, then stepped forward. “I thought you would’ve grown the hell up by now. If you make a threatening move toward my friend, I’ll save him the trouble of knocking you to mars with one finger.”

  “You fucking traitor,” Hijo said. “Standing up for that nobody. The entire circle will know about this.”

  “Go ahead, spout your troubles to them,” Toru said. “They’ll laugh you out. Nobody has time for your childish high school ways.”

  Hijo threw a punch that Toru blocked with a single hand. With a light chop, the green-haired boy went down.

  “You do realize that I’m a practicing martial artist,” Toru said then turned to Clyde. “Hijo’s an idiot and he took his hurt from the rejection out on you. Don’t kill him. He’ll get over it.”

  Clyde chuckled.

  “Fine, let’s just get inside. We’ve got to defend our places at the top of the—”

  “If you ever threaten or insult my Clyde again, I’ll make you regret it,” Chika said to Hijo in a dark tone. Harumi stared at the green-haired boy with a murderous look in her eye. Purple aura flowed around her like angry, curling snakes.

  “I second that,” she said.

  Seth laughed.

  “You’re on Harumi’s shit list. Sucks to be you.”

  “It’s too damn early in the morning for this,” Melody said.

  Alice was writing something in a notepad.

  “What’s his address again, Seth? If I don’t have the time, I’ll send about sixty hitmen.”

  Hijo’s eyes widened and he began to sweat. Clyde grinned.

  “Look man, starting shit with Team Stone for no reason isn’t a good look.”

  He strolled forward. Alice and Melody stuck their tongues out at the downed man as they passed. Kitome flipped him off.

  “Fucking idiot.”

  Around, mouths were wide open.

  **

  Hijo watched as they walked, blood boiling with deadly fury. His plans to fuck Harumi’s brains out were gone. Well, there were actually no such plans—a girl like that was probably still a virgin… Oh what did it matter. Why wouldn’t someone like her be taken? In fact, he was glad. Someone that perfect…but who? He only joked with Chika, but she was as humorless as ever.

  Hijo gave himself a mental pat on the back for not revealing his magic to floor Toru. His clan would not appreciate him revealing evidence of their existence. Brutal punishment would be the least of his worries.

  He stood and caught the glimpse of an extremely beautiful woman sending a boy named Yusuke off. Never in his life had he… His heart may have actually skipped a beat like the lame stories. Long black hair, enormous breasts, and glistening purple eyes. The goddess of a woman sported a half-kimono that matched her eyes. She couldn’t be wasted on…Yusuke. He wouldn’t know how to treat someone like that. For fucks sake, she was walking home.

  Hijo had just the spell to show her the truth. Screw exams. He’d get his father to set him up for a different time. The woman of his dreams—she had to be the one…

  He waited for Yusuke to enter the building then hurried after the goddess.

  “Excuse me.”

  She turned around to look at him.

  “Ah, you’re a student at that college,” the goddess said. “Good luck on your exams.”

  “I’m excused for the day,” Hijo said. “I noticed you walking and would love to offer you a ride. An incredibly beautiful woman such as yourself shouldn’t be forced to walk. Especially so far.”

  The beautiful girl tilted her head.

  “Flattering and such a gentleman.” She smiled. “A ride sounds great right now. I’m Undine.” She offered a hand.

  “I’m Hijo,” Hijo said, a bit nervously.

  As Hijo drove off with Undine, he began to have hope for the first time in his life. Yusuke didn’t have the assets to support someone this amazing. The question is, where they together? Couldn’t be. It wasn’t like this woman teleported—how could he make her walk. That fucking loser.

  A shame. Hijo liked Yusuke, but seeing how he treated a beautiful lady, his opinion changed. He’d put his full devotion into the beauty that smiled beside him.

  Undine could not believe that someone else compatible, lived in the same city…He hid his magic, but wasn’t a pushover. Who could this mystery man be?

  She sensed desire on him, typical of men—but he…he was smitten with her and so soon. Undine supposed she should be flattered. A man leagues handsomer than Yusuke, flaunting his human assets.

  But the compatibility was there. Something like this shouldn’t be possible. Yet…Ruri revealed a pulse for Clyde, despite him having a life mate. The world sure is strange…

  She smiled at Hijo.

  **

  Somewhere…

  Aunder smirked at the altar. His student was on a simple task of shopping. Fortunately she was a grown woman, so she didn’t need Olivia, Su Yang, or Momo to assist. She’d transform long enough to buy what she needed and be gone. Her magic shrank and grew clothing.

  Aunder thrusted his hands forward.

  “Wajakuru, descend! Come face me!”

  Nothing happened. The man smirked. Not every deity had an altar—not the smart ones—but for the cocky, smug…well, he had a pleasant surprise. “Wajakuru, god of the Humming world, I forcibly summon you to this world. And you will fight me!”

  ((Aunder triggered Altar Activation, Forced Return))

  [Warning, this is a highly forbidden use of chakra. Abuse. You have a chance of attracting the Punishment Squad. Sentence is execution.]

  Aunder waved the prompt’s pathetic threat away and watched his chakra pull the god from his world. A grin emerged on his face.

  “This will be a test run, before I plan my re
velation.”

  **

  Sato Academy…

  [You have entered an exam!]

  [Subject: Satovia History.]

  Clyde allowed the knowledge of everything he studied to return to him like the call of a boomerang. From Chika’s lectures and study time with Harumi, he focused. This was where it counted.

  [What is a Hypervian Point? Name an example. Who tried to incorrectly write the first written works and what were the secondary motives?]

  Clyde gulped. It felt like they simply made up shit in this world, but that unknown word simply translated to, “ a significant time in history.” This question was…hard as fuck! He thought…

  He looked up to see Professor Natalia grinning at him. Somehow she teleported to class without being noticed.

  Ugh. Hinako…what the fuck was up with this test?

  He inhaled and exhaled. Suddenly, all of it came back to him. A man by the name of Kosuke Nobunaga declared victory too early and well, winners wrote history. Unfortunately for him, he met an unexpected blade, which truly ended a war that threatened civilization itself. His secondary motives were to supposedly impress the world’s most beautiful goddess.

  Clyde struggled with the rest of the exam, but managed to recall the answers. Or at least he hoped so…

  Fuck, there was no way he’d beat Chika. She even finished first, looking smug.

  The other exams were also incredibly different, except the crafting. Thanks to his crafting skill, he once again created something that the professor asked to keep. Some of the other students sneered with jealousy as he left.

  And at last, school was out until winter. They’d be able to look up their scores online or visit the academy. A teacher would post a bulletin.