Aghanim's Rubick Chapter 3

Chapter 3:

Damn, I love it when things work out. Obviously, I hadn’t planned to get into a battle almost immediately after leaving that accursed cave system, but it had worked out for the best. Thanks to my strange body, I could immediately figure out and copy any spell or ability that relied on Magic that I could see. So for some light inconvenience, I obtained a Shield spell, and a cheap magic bullet!

I was already excited to experiment with them. Could I make the shield be out of lightning? What about the bullets? Could they be fire? If I overcharged them, will I be able to create a fireball? I looked forward to finding out.

You see, those months I spent in that cave taught me something, something that seemed obvious but was ingrained onto my very being from what happened down there.

I fucking loved magic.

Being able to just snap my fingers and create something from nothing? That was cool. I couldn’t get enough. With my latest altercation, I proved that I could now learn the magic of other mages. That made me salivate, I wanted it all. Greed welled up within me, I wanted to take the magic of everyone in this world, improve on it, make it my own and better.

I don’t know what I would find, what the limits of magic in this world even was, but I was desperate to find out. I always enjoyed experimenting and finding out tricks that no one else did, that is why Dota appealed to me as much as it did. Now I was able to do that with something that might as well be a cosmic force.

It’s no wonder that I was so excited.

Leaning back further in the bath, I sighed in contentment. The warm water felt divine, making me idly wonder how my body even worked. In the cave, I had lost my arm to a giant snake once. It had snuck up on me and struck before I realised it was there, due to me being distracted from working on my staff. I managed to sense it at the last moment, and dodged, but not before it had chomped off a limb.

Rather than panic and go into shock, I was able to remain completely calm. I could feel the sensation of my arm being missing, but no pain at all. After a short while, the Magic that digesting Veldora constantly supplied me with coalesced and reformed into a new arm, completely indistinguishable from the old one. After restraining and Devouring the snake, I even came out ahead on the amount of Magic I possessed.

It did confuse me a bit. How come I could feel so good from the hot water, but not feel pain at all? How did my body know the difference from the two sensations? Would I be able to feel pleasure if I couldn’t feel pain? Most would be content to chalk it up to ‘Magical bullshit’ and leave it at that, but I wanted to know.

Such deliberations were put on hold when the door to the bathroom in which I had been led opened, admitting a female Ogre with pale, purple skin and hair. She was completely naked except for a rustic towel and paused upon noticing me.

“Oh, this is the Bath you were using. It’s usually for the Guard’s personal use.” She said, before bowing, “I apologise, I shall leave you to…”

“If you don’t mind, you can share it with me.” I replied, unbothered. I had been to mixed baths before, “I wouldn’t want to inconvenience any of you.”

“No! No! You saved us, you don’t have to be so considerate.” She quickly moved to reassure me, before taking in a fortifying breath, “Then, excuse me…”

She stiffly moved to the washing area, starting to clean herself but occasionally shooting me hesitant glances. Deciding that relaxing like this would be more difficult that the alternative, I decided to speak.

“You don’t have to be so scared of me.” My voice was warm, holding amusement, “I won’t get offended and attack you, unless you attack first.”

“Yes, I understand!” She straightened up, startled before relaxing. Slightly.

Rolling my eyes, I did my best before electing to pretend she didn’t exist, closing them and attempting to slip into a slight meditative state. It was a trick I picked up in the caves, allowing me to focus purely on magical senses rather than physical ones. Amusingly, it actually allowed me to fight near indistinguishably from when I had my eyes open, as absolutely everything in this world was soaked in magic.

Still, the process was relaxing and was good training asides, allowing me to practice focusing on smaller and smaller details I could pick up in the magic around me, while still remaining aware of my surroundings.

My focus was interrupted however, but the purple Ogress spoke, “Uhm, my Lord… May I ask you a question?”

I opened my eyes, smiling in her direction, “I’m no one’s Lord. But if you are curious, I don’t mind answering a few things.”

“Sorry!” She quickly replied, before her question tumbled out, “How did you get so strong?”

“I don’t know if I am that powerful. I am new here, so my understanding of how strong people are on average might be a bit skewed. However, I believe that it is the way that you use your abilities that make you strong, not the abilities themselves.” I mused, before sitting up from where I had reclined and looking at her more seriously, “Are you asking to get stronger yourself?”

“I, that… Yes.” She admitted, blushing and looking down, “I am a Guard, but if you had not arrived… We would likely all be dead. There was nothing we could do against a force like the one you easily crushed, so I wanted to ask if there was a secret to your strength.”

“There’s no shame in that. Even the greatest masters started somewhere, after all. Besides, you are likely much more knowledgeable about how things are done here than I, so there are things you could do that I cannot.” As I spoke, she lapped up my words. Taking them in with wide eyes.

“I see. Still, if you do not mind, would you be okay with talking with me? I wish to learn what I can from you.” She asked, blushing and fidgeting slightly as she took a seat in the bath with me.

“Sure, let’s talk.” I accepted, before we went into a long discussion about her abilities and how she could use them in new ways.

I even advised that she pick up magic of some kind to supplement her close range attacks, something that she admitted never came to her mind as she lacked all talent in the field. Well, with a mental block like that, it was no wonder that she didn’t excel. You could only accomplish something you believed to be possible, after all.

Still, I found myself enjoying her company. She was straightforward and a bit simple, but in an earnest way that did not come off as annoying. Looking into her eyes, I could see no guile behind them. Dealing with someone so transparent and honest was quite a relaxing experience, something I was grateful for.

As I got out of the bath, I was struck by a question that I had forgotten, and so feeling quite rude I turned back to ask, “By the way, may I ask for your name?”

Her eyes widened as they shot up from where they had been looking, “Ah! Uhm, I’m grateful that you think I have one, but I am Nameless.”

“I see.” I frowned.

Well that was annoying. How was I supposed to address her? Purple Guard Lady? Guard Ogre? The way these people could apparently get by completely fine without identifiers baffled me.

“Would you be offended if I gave you one?” I asked, wishing to avoid this inconvenience.

I knew that Naming was a significant deal for the denizens of this world, but I had no idea about the rules surrounding it. So I asked to make sure I was not overstepping my boundaries. By her reaction, a totally shocked expression, I seemed to be correct in making sure before just jumping in both feet. The fact that it was not common meant that the one doing the Naming likely gave something up, but Veldora managed to Name me with no ill effects so it seemed to be something that could be overcome.

“I… I would be honoured!” She shouted, before calming herself and blushing, continuing more quietly, “I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity. But, are you sure?”

I shrugged, thinking that this is helpful for my testing as well, “Sure. If you are fine with carrying a name I gave you, I would like to have something to call you by.”

“Thank you. I gladly accept.” Her eyes sparkled, her gaze locked on me in anticipation and longing.

Looking at her, I was struck by a thought. Her colour scheme reminded me of a character from Dota, Templar Assassin. Her most primary colour was also purple, but their personalities could not be more different. She was completely open, honest about everything whereas Templar was very secretive, part of a dubious Temple dedicated to hiding and preserving knowledge.

Was naming her after a character I liked rude or insensitive? Especially because I found their differences amusing?

…

Eh, the only other name that came to mind was Murasaki due to the obvious Japanese influence of their culture, but that was painfully unimaginative. Lanaya it is.

“Very well. I hereby Name you…” I could feel my Magic surge, taking a massive amount to bestow the name.

This was the most amount of magic I had used at once since coming to this world, and it left me feeling slightly woozy. It took so much out of me that it seemed like it was even taking something more than magic, the only way I could describe it was it was taking a piece of me with it.

Thankfully, ever since I used Devour on Veldora my magic was overflowing. The prison he was in seemed to interact oddly with my skill, causing his magic to be fed to me overtime instead of all at once. This allowed me to quickly rebuild the energy that was taken from me with the naming.

Still, the quickly flowing tides of magic within me was disrupting, causing me to feel slightly woozy.

I managed to speak out the name I had decided, the transfer of energy intensifying, “Lanaya.”

Although still reeling from the strange backlash Naming caused, I was still cognizant enough to see as the newly Named Lanaya started to glow, an almost heavenly shine coming over her. As the glow receded, it revealed a changed Ogre, her purple skin had lightened to a peachy hue, her tusks receding, the skin markings growing smaller. All in her, her appearance became remarkably more human.

The experience gave me several questions. I didn’t glow like that when Veldora named me, and additionally, the humanising effect from the Naming made me wonder if that was a standard effect or a holdover from me previously being human. Those questions flitted through my mind as I swayed slightly, causing Lanaya to shoot out of the water in alarm, completely disregarding her nudeness.

“My Lord! Are you alright?!” She quickly waded her way over to me, pausing only as I raised a palm.

“I’m fine, just that was the first time I Named someone. The sensation took me by surprise.” I shook my head, clearing it, “Also, not your Lord.”

Her eyebrows furrowed, “Naming me means I am your subordinate, part of your clan, my Lord. I will always owe you a debt for this gift.”

“I see.” I mused, not knowing that part.

I felt no loyalty towards Veldora, was that a quirk unique to myself or is this just part of Ogre culture?

Either way, “I find myself sleepy from all the excitement. We can handle all this tomorrow, unless you disagree?”

“Of course not my Lord!” She saluted, fist over her chest, causing a rather pleasant jiggle, “Sleep well!”

Nodding in response, I made my escape. I just Named her because it was convenient to me… surely that didn’t warrant this degree of affinity towards myself? Regardless, I needed some distance to ponder what to do regarding my newly gained ‘subordinate’.

---XXX---

That night, I was disrupted from my meditation by a timid knock on the door to my room. I was guided to this rather spacious Japanese inn-like space by one of the attendants after my bath, apparently the Ogres keen on treating me as well as the could. It made sense, but it seemed that Power could buy respect rather easily in this world.

Wondering who was interrupting me, I called out, “Come in!”

The door slid open, revealing the pink haired Ogre who had replied to my question about the bath, that had caused the Gel-something dude to flip his shit. From what I could overhear around the village, apparently she was the daughter of the Chief, so many called her the nickname of Princess.

“Well now.” Was my response to her appearance, “I was not expecting any visitors.”

“I apologise for disturbing you, Lord Rubick.” She responded, bowing to me gently as she moved into the room, closing the door behind her, “I wished to speak to you about what occurred earlier today.”

“Ah yes, the attack of those Orcs on your village, I think you called them?” I made sure, causing her to nod, “Very well, what did you wish to discuss about it?”

She sat down facing me, sitting in the stereotypical Seiza position, “I believe I should inform you as to the reasoning behind that attack, what led up to it.”

“It’s fine.” I responded, waving it off, much to her shock, “I don’t really need to know hat that was about. I helped you, you repaid me, we are even. I’ll go off on my way and you guys can get back to your own business.”

She looked panicked at that, “But they will attack again! We believe that the Orcs will soon overrun this forest, killing everything in this area!”

Man, I hated having to cause her distress like this, but life is not a story, “Sorry Princess, not my horses, not my rodeo. I intervened because I was attacked and could learn from my opponent, no other reason. Does this area not have a protector of its own?”

“We used to...” She looked down, “Veldora, the Storm Dragon, used to be in this forest. The whole area was under his protection. But a while ago, he disappeared…”

Ah.

Well, shit.

Turns out the enormous, magically powerful dragon was important. Who could have known?

“I see. That’s a problem.” I mused, “Is there no one you could entreat for help?”

“Yes.” She replied, gaze rising to stare into my own, “You.”

I sighed, “I’m not a protector, or a Lord or a Leader. I don’t want to rule over anyone.”

“What do you want, then?” She asked, “My people’s lives are at risk. I will do anything in my power to prevent that.”

Guilt gnawed at me, my mind torn between helping the Ogres with this issue I had accidentality caused them and my intense desire to master Magic. I would need to travel far and meet many different Magic casters in order to achieve my goal, hence my desire to not be tied down to one particular place.

But that guilt was perhaps why I was honest, “I wish to master Magic. Learn everything I can about it, meet everyone who can cast spells in the world, learn all I can from them and make it my own. To live up to my title of the Grand Magus.”

She sucked in breath, “I thought I saw that in your fight. You can copy other people's Magic, can’t you?”

It’s not really something a magic caster could combat, even if they knew about it, so I admitted it, “I can. So you can see why I want to leave and explore all I can, can’t you?”

She nodded, a considering look on her face, “Do you have a home, Rubick?”

“I don’t. Not any more, at least.” I replied.

“My condolences.” Her eyes turned sympathetic, but an intense energy overtook that as she leaned forward excitedly, beseeching me, “But, would it not be good for you to make a new one? A place to return to after your explorations, for rest and respite? We would gladly offer a place for you in our village, as our Lord or not. You would have a place to call your own.”

“Whether you call me your Lord or not, if I am responsible for your protection then I am de-facto in charge regardless.” I pointed out, causing the Princess to shrug in response, smiling coyly.

“You are stronger than anyone here. That cannot be helped, it is merely the way of the world.” Confirming my earlier thoughts.

I sighed, “Day one above ground and I’m already finding myself in trouble.”

I stroked my chin and started to think, holding up my other hand to quiet her response. My earlier meditation confirmed that my Magic store was undiminished from Naming Lanaya, the bulk of the Magic having been restored from the unlimited battery that Veldora had turned out to be. Did that mean I could name as many people as I wanted, so long as I spaced them out correctly?

Lanaya had some sort of innate loyalty to me after her Naming. Could I use that? The Ogres just wanted me to stick around due to the Orc problem, but what the Princess had said about having a home here did appeal to me. If I decided to make this place my home, it would be better if the people who made up the village would be disinclined to stab me in the back.

Quid pro quo, with a side of mystic manipulation.

“I will agree to stay here and protect your village.” I cut off her excited thanks with my next words, “However, I will require something from you.”

She composed herself, taking in a steadying breath before nodding, “Ask, I am prepared to do anything in exchange.”

Dangerous words to say to man, but thankfully I am not led by my urges. Besides, turning transactional relationships sexual always ended badly.

“I want to name you. Every single one of you will carry a Name of my making.” I wanted this for two reasons, the aforementioned enforced loyalty, as well as my own convenience. They were somehow able to navigate conversations without names, but I had no such luxury.

“You…” She seemed stunned at that, “You want to name us? But the Magicules required… Are you sure?”

Thankfully, I had a weapon to deflect that question, “Are you going back on your word? Or is this asking too much?”

“No!” She quickly denied, “This is just… I accept these terms.”

She still seemed bewildered at me requiring granting them all gifts as a stipulation, but that was fine. I did not need her to understand, merely agree.

“Very well then, to seal the deal, I shall give you your Name now.” I spoke, causing her to stiffen before relaxing and nodding as I stood, “I hereby Name you… Hanako.”

Her hair was pink in a way that reminded me of Sakura Blossoms, but just calling her ‘Sakura’ would be too obvious, so instead I called her what I remembered the Japanese word for ‘flower’ was. Then the feminine signifier, ‘ko’. I had no idea if that was the correct way to construct a name in Japanese, but I doubted that someone who would tell me otherwise would just magically appear.

There’s no way that could happen, right?