《A Protector's Circumstance》


 1.00

    Earth is the intersection of numerous worlds. People with enough strength can enter earth including runaway criminals from other worlds. Those with potential are trained to deal with such individuals ¨C they are officially referred to as ¡°Protectors¡±.


    Protectors are divided into classes based on the amount of strength they have. A C-Class can take on a hundred soldiers. A B-Class can defeat a huge army. An A-Class can conquer a whole country. And lastly, an S-Class can destroy the world.


    Only three have made it to the S-Class since the creation of Protectors. Noel Orseus wishes to be the fourth due to a promise with his childhood friend, but he¡¯s still far from becoming one. He¡¯s at mid A-Class at most. It¡¯ll take a very long time before he reaches that goal.


    He¡¯s currently jogging with a set of five-ton weights underneath his dark blue tracksuit. There¡¯s also a gravitational spell on him which increases his and his equipment¡¯s weight by a hundred fold.


    The pressure on his body greatly surpasses what a normal human can endure. The only reason why he can accomplish such action is because he constantly infuses his muscles with mana.


    That way, the mana will sync with his body at an atomic level whenever his body regenerates from the damage sustained during a workout. After countless repetitions, his body will naturally evolve into something much stronger.


    The only real disadvantage with it is that his body will be dependent on magical power. Even when he¡¯s idle, he¡¯ll have to feed mana to his body. Failure to supply enough might lead to the deterioration of his physique. Worse, it might even lead to his death. On the side note, it raises his magic resistance.


    Upon completing his morning jog, he took a ten-minute break at his apartment. Afterward, he went out and swung a two-ton blade for an hour ¨C he also cast a gravity spell on the blade.


    His movements were sharp and controlled. Each of his swing involved at least half of all his muscles. When the final second came, he slashed with all his might and the ground trembled in response.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.


    Satisfied with his morning exercise, he relaxed his body and sat on the ground. Sadly, it was a mistake.


    In a fraction of a second, a magic formation appeared beneath him. He immediately canceled the gravity spell on him, but with fatigue taking a toll on him, he couldn¡¯t get away from the spell¡¯s range in time.


    A blinding flash temporarily robbed him of his sight. Searing pain followed, but it was incomparable to what happened next. Amidst the pain, he could feel his body changing.


    His face became rounder, the lump on his neck disappeared, chunks of flesh grew on his chest, and the part which makes him a man was replaced by something a man shouldn¡¯t have.


    When his vision returned, when the pain finally subsided, he wasa one hundred percent woman.


    He hurriedly scanned his surroundings to look for the caster of the spell, but only tall trees entered his sight. There were no signs of other people.


    He jumped at full strength and surveyed the area, but all he saw were animals that he would never see on earth. He also saw two moons in the morning sky ¨C one was gray, the other was green.


    His face darkened.


    He¡¯s in another world and he¡¯ll need the cooperation of the culprit to return home. It isn¡¯t just about the spell. He knows teleportation magic and he can make up for his lack of mana with tons of magic crystals. What he needs is the location of his world.


    He has to hurry! The culprit should still be around! He has to find the caster or else he''ll have to rely on luck to locate earth!


    **(Somewhere in the continent of Enga)**


    The king stared at the magic formation in disbelief. The best magicians of his kingdom sacrificed their lives along with the final goddess fragment to summon a hero, yet nothing appeared.


    Seeing that, the dark-skinned demon with silver hair dropped to the floor and started rolling. She held her stomach as she laughed out loud. ¡°Ahahahahahahahahaha!¡±


    Her youthful voice echoed throughout the throne room, pulling the king back to his senses.


    ¡°I can¡¯t believe it! They actually died for nothing! Ahahahahahahahahaha!¡± The female demon couldn¡¯t stop laughing. Tears formed under her scarlet red eyes in sheer amusement.


    The king ignored the mockery on his men and drew his sword. With everything gone, the only thing left for him to do as a king was die fighting the enemies of his kingdom.


    But as expected, he was struck before he could take a single step. The male demon that looked similar to the one laughing appeared before him in a flash, stabbing him in the heart with a jet black sword.


    ¡°You¡¯ve been killed by the demonic sword Superbia. Pass on with pride.¡± He heard those words from the male demon before his soul drifted to the afterlife.


    The male demon pulled the sword shortly and stabbed the dead magicians. Afterward, he slammed the pommel of the sword to the female demon who was still laughing. ¡°Julia, let¡¯s go.¡±


    ¡°Ouch! You didn¡¯t have to hit me in the head!¡± Julia complained as shewiped off the blood that fell on her face. "Bleh! Some got into my mouth! Pthu! Stupid Juno!"


    Juno ignored her rant and waved the sword to get rid of the blood. After hanging the sword on his waist, he headed out of the throne room.


    Seeing Juno walk away without paying heed to her pout, Julia followed him with a frown. She tried making a ruckus as they left the kingdom Juno destroyed, but she never got a response.

 1.01

    A few days have passed since Noel was transported to another world and now she has completely given up on searching for the culprit. With the caster out of the picture, she can only rely on her own method and that is to cast a universal scale tracking spell.


    Her first priority is to gather the resources needed so she¡¯s currently in search of a civilization ¨C she¡¯s running at a pace that she can keep for long distances. A total of seven tons is weighing her down due to her equipment, but her speed is still close to the speed of sound.


    She paid no heed to the different landscapes she passed through. There was no way she could enjoy the sceneries when there were so many problems she has to solve.


    ¡°**** ****** *** ****¡± A loud voice echoed throughout the canyon, stopping Noel in her tracks.


    In a matter of seconds, a colossal monster descended from the sky. It was a long-necked lizard ten times larger than an adult man. Silver scales covered its body and two large wings sprouted from its back. Atop its head were two horns which curved upward, making a ¡°U¡± shape.


    She was surprised, but not by the sudden appearance of the monster. The monster spoke in a different language ¨C that raises the possibility that people in nearby areas speak in a different tongue.


    ¡°I¡¯m in a hurry¡± She uttered before dashing to the monster¡¯s side.


    Speaking was only a waste of energy, but she wanted to check if the monster knew her language.


    The monster let out a grunt of surprise before sending its tail towards her. Despite its massive size, it was fast enough to hit and capture her. It was obviously not meant as an attack though.


    It felt like a rough hug. The monster didn¡¯t mean harm; at least for now.


    ¡®Can you understand me now?¡¯¨C ???


    Noel heard the monster¡¯s voice in her head as she casually broke out of its tail.


    Holding a part of its tail, she replied. ¡®Yes¡¯


    ¡®Good, now for starters, you don¡¯t need to keep holding my tail. The link has already been established, we can keep talking like this even without physical contact.¡¯


    ¡®Sorry¡¯ Noel apologized as she released the tail.


    ¡®No need to apologize. In fact, I should be the one apologizing for my rude behavior.¡¯ ¨C MonsterUnauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.


    ¡®¡­¡¯


    ¡®Now that that¡¯s taken care of; what language was that just now?¡¯ its eyes sparkled with interest.


    Seeing the monster¡¯s expression, an idea crossed Noel¡¯s mind. ¡®It¡¯s English¡¯


    ¡®Interesting, interesting, truly interesting, there¡¯s actually a language I haven¡¯t heard of.¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®Want to learn English?¡¯


    Noel¡¯s expression remained blank, but the monster could tell she wanted something in return.


    ¡®What do you want?¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®Nothing big, I just want you to teach me a language I can use in this continent.¡¯


    ¡®So it¡¯s a language for a language¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®A fair trade is it not?¡¯


    ¡®It is and I have no problems with it.¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®That¡¯s good to hear.¡¯


    ¡®Since it looks like you¡¯re on a journey, I presume we won¡¯t be staying in one place.¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®Will there be any problems with that?¡¯


    ¡®None actually, but I would prefer it if we stay at my home.¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®I¡¯m in a hurry so you¡¯ll have to accompany me in my travel. If you don¡¯t like it, I¡¯ll find someone else.¡¯


    ¡®Can you really find someone else? A telepathy spell that translates thoughts is extremely rare you know? I know three aside from myself that can use it, but they¡¯re not as friendly as I.¡¯ - Monster


    Noel stared directly at the monster¡¯s eyes for a while before heaving a sigh. ¡°Haaaa¡± ¡®State your price.¡¯


    ¡®It¡¯s nothing really. I just want to settle it with a match. If I win, we¡¯ll stay. If you win, I¡¯ll follow you.¡¯ - Monster


    ¡®You should¡¯ve said that from the start. Time is precious you know?¡¯ Noel stretched her body and pulled the dark-green blade hung on her back. It was five feet long from tip to handle with a double-edged blade that¡¯s a foot wide.


    ¡®Hahahahaha, sorry, sorry, I just wanted to get a better grasp of your personality. After all, whether I win or lose, I¡¯ll be stuck with you for a while.¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®If we¡¯re going to be together from now on, you should know that I hate wasting time.¡¯ A large amount of bloodlust burst out of Noel¡¯s body, making the monster twitch for a second.


    ¡®I¡¯ll keep that in mind.¡¯ The monster flew to the sky and prepared for combat.


    ¡®Before we start, how many are stronger than you?¡¯


    ¡®Hahahahaha, is that really something to ask your opponent?¡¯ ¨C Monster


    ¡®Well, I¡¯m curious.¡¯


    ¡®Very well¡¯ the monster flapped its wings, generating violent gusts of winds. ¡®I am Valsrath, one of the five dragons of chaos.¡¯ Lightning burst out of his body and coursed through his skin. ¡®There are only three beings in this world stronger than me and you¡¯re definitely not one of them!¡¯


    ¡°ROAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!¡± Valsrath released a deafening roar, shaking the space itself.


    ¡®I¡¯m Noel Orseus, an A-Class Protector known as the Blade of Annihilation. And just like you-¡¯ in her world ¡®there are only three individuals-¡¯ that are currently active ¡®stronger than me.¡¯


    Noel immediately swung her blade, firing a crescent air pressure at Valsrath. At the same time, Valsrath opened his mouth and released a ball of white lightning.


    Upon contact, a huge explosion occurred. But it barely shocked the two. Instead, they fired a flurry of the same attack, filling the air with gigantic explosions ¨C it looked like a massive fireworks show.


    When smoke cut her vision of Valsrath, Noel hid her bloodlust and jumped to where she last saw her enemy. But midway, she swung her sword to block an incoming attack.


    The clash generated a powerful gust, pushing away the smoke in the air, revealing the large monster that she was supposed to get by surprise.


    She gritted her teeth and pushed forward.


    Though Valsrath did the same, he was sent flying by Noel¡¯s superior force. He stared at her in disbelief as she fired a flurry of air pressures at him. What kind of monster was she?


    In the face of danger, Valsrath grinned. He didn¡¯t make a mistake. It was the right decision to challenge her. Finally, after a very long time, he can fight with everything he has.


    ¡°ROAAAAAAAAAAAAR!!!¡± He released an earth-shattering roar while casting a large number of spells.


    A dozen barriers appeared to block Noel¡¯s attacks. Numerous firestorms that could engulf mountains spawned from the ground. The sky darkened and spammed lightning on all life. Lastly, cracks formed on the fabric of space, generating mini black holes.


    ¡®HAHAHAHAHA!!! LET¡¯S FIGHT TO OUR HEART¡¯S CONTENT!!!¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    Seeing Valsrath¡¯s display of power, Noel cast a gravitational spell on her and her equipment, drastically decreasing the weight. Then she cast a spell on the edge of her blade. ¡°Anti-Matter Enchantment¡±


    With a small yet noticeable smile, she replied. ¡®As you wish¡¯

 1.02

    Noel desperately cut through an army of invaders to help the one most important to him. But he was a step too late. The battle was over. His best friend won, but she could no longer be saved.


    Noel rushed to his best friend¡¯s dying body, tears forming on his ocean blue eyes. ¡°Lacie!¡±


    Hearing his voice, Lacie opened her eyes and looked at him with a grin. ¡°Heh, I killed their leader.¡±


    Noel knelt beside Lacie and placed his hands over her body.


    ¡°It¡¯s no use, Noel. A curse was placed on me. I can no longer be healed.¡± -Lacie


    Noel continued, but like Lacie said, his healing spell was rejected. He kept using the same spell, but the same thing happened over and over again. ¡°Why!? Why won¡¯t it work!?¡±


    ¡°I just told you why.¡± ¨CLacie


    Seeing Lacie indifferent to her own condition, Noel fumed with rage. ¡°Why are you so nonchalant about this!? Look at yourself! You¡¯re dying you idiot!¡±


    ¡°You want me to cry or something?¡± ¨C Lacie


    ¡°Damn it! I told you to stall for time! I told you to wait for me!¡±


    ¡°Sorry- *cough*¡± Lacie coughed out a mouthful of blood.


    ¡°Lacie!¡±


    ¡°Noel, I don¡¯t have much time left so just listen to me.¡± ¨CLacie


    ¡°What are you saying!? You won¡¯t-¡±


    ¡°Please¡± Lacie pleaded as blood flowed out of her mouth.


    ¡°Kuh!¡± Noel gritted his teeth and tried to hold back his tears.


    ¡°When I first entered the organization, all I cared about was getting revenge. I¡¯m sure it was the same for everyone. After all, we lost people important to us during the invasion.¡± ¨C LacieIf you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    That¡¯s right, many died from the invasion fifteen years ago. Noel was three years old at that time and he saw with his own eyes how everyone he loved was killed.


    He became a protector so he could kill invaders knowing full well that the new enemies might not have any connections to the past invaders. He just wanted to sate his thirst for vengeance.


    ¡°I didn¡¯t care about those around me. I had zero intentions of using my power to protect people. I just wanted to cut anyone that was considered the same as those who killed my parents. But then I met an idiot like you.¡± ¨CLacie


    ¡°Hey!¡±


    ¡°You thought you had the worst experience. You rejected the idea that there are others who feel the same pain as you. I saw my idiotic self in you and I hated it.¡± ¨CLacie


    ¡°¡­¡±


    ¡°I wanted to show you that your pain is nothing compared to mine, and you wished for the same thing. We fought every time we could, but as time passed, we lost our initial reason for fighting. We started enjoying our little competitions and we slowly got over our past.¡± ¨CLacie


    ¡°Lacie¡­¡±


    ¡°I don''t regret approaching you. I¡¯m truly happy that you became my friend.¡± ¨C Lacie


    ¡°I too, feel the same.¡±


    Lacie¡¯s lips curved into a smile. ¡°Noel, can I ask you a favor?¡±


    ¡°Tell me, I¡¯ll do everything I can to accomplish it.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ve been competing over who¡¯ll be the fourth S-Class protector. I don¡¯t want anyone aside from us to get that spot. Since I¡¯m out of the picture, you definitely have to take it.¡± ¨C Lacie


    After a long pause, Noel replied: ¡°I will¡±


    Lacie forced her arm up, extending her pinky finger to Noel. ¡°Promise?¡±


    Linking his pinky finger with Lacie¡¯s, he spoke with a resolute voice. ¡°I promise¡±


    **(Valsrath''sResidence)**


    Upon waking up, Noel found herself inside a cave.


    Surprisingly, she was on a bed and there were many treasures around her. It was well decorated for a cave and there were lanterns hang on the wall for lighting.


    A little shocked, she didn¡¯t notice she was naked until she took off the blanket.


    ¡®Oh, you¡¯re awake.¡¯ She heard a familiar voice.


    Immediately covering herself, she looked around and saw a young man approaching her.


    ¡®Valsrath?¡¯


    ¡®Yup¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    Instead of a monster, now Valsrath looks like a guy around his teens. He has spiky silver hair and golden eyes. He¡¯s around six feet tall and a gray armor with yellow lines covers his body.


    Noel squinted in suspicion. ¡®Are you really Valsrath?¡¯


    ¡®I can return to my dragon form if you want, but I¡¯ll have to strip here to avoid destroying my armor. I don¡¯t mind showing my body, but I don¡¯t think you would like to see me naked.¡¯ Valsrath grinned. ¡®Or would you?¡¯


    With soulless eyes, she replied ¡®Couldn¡¯t you just strip somewhere else?¡¯


    ¡®That works too, but where¡¯s the fun in that?¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    ¡®Forget it, I believe you.¡¯


    ¡®Trusting a stranger so fast is bad, my dear partner.¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    ''I can just kill you if you betray me.¡¯


    ¡®How ruthless, as expected of the girl who defeated me.¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    He was defeated, but Noel lost consciousness afterward while he was left with enough energy to keep going for days. Overall, his raw power is greater than Noel¡¯s ¨C he lost only in efficiency. Still, a victory is a victory. And during the last moment, Noel could¡¯ve killed him regardless of his remaining strength.


    That one clash made him more interested in her.


    ¡®So, when are you planning to give me clothes?¡¯By the way, her things were destroyed during the battle.


    ¡®Ah, sorry, I forgot. Wait here.¡¯ Valsrath rushed out of the cave chamber.


    When he returned, there was a white dress on his hands.


    ¡®Don¡¯t tell me you plan on giving me that¡­¡¯


    ¡®Why? You don''t like dresses? But you¡¯ll look good in one.¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    ¡®I don¡¯t care. Throw that away and give me an armor.¡¯


    ¡®But-¡¯ ¨C Valsrath


    ¡®Don''t make me repeat myself.¡¯


    ¡®What a pity. You¡¯re so cute yet you want to wear boyish clothes. You even keep your hair short. Were you raised as a boy or something?¡¯ Valsrath went out, ignoring Noel¡¯s murderous glare.


    Valsrath was more talkative than expected. Noel was starting to regret her decision. ¡°Haaaa¡­¡±