Roman taught Fujimaru Ritsuka how to box in the training room as promised, while Mash, clad in her Mystic Code, engaged in real combat against virtual Servants in the simulated battle chamber.
After getting the answer he wanted, Bai Ming returned to his room, unfolded his portable magecraft workshop, and pondered, I have too many things on me. I don't even know how to deal with them all at once. Considering my system excels at altering history, perhaps I can farm Japan's gods like dungeon instances in an online game, over and over, for drops.
Bai Ming then made his plans.
Vortigern's White Dragon heart would be refined into dragon pills. His body would be restored by the system from human form to dragon form, then its scales stripped, its teeth, claws, tendons, and bones extracted as materials for artifact forging. Its flesh and blood would be used for food. The same applied to Fafnir and the Japanese gods, though Fafnir's heart had already been fed to the dog by Bai Ming, so there would be fewer dragon pills at least.
The souls and minds of the Japanese gods would be ground away by the system, becoming pure soul power and mental power. The mental and soul power would be used to sustain Olga Marie, Bai Ming would absorb some himself, and the rest would all be refined into pills.
"Setanta, Jinling, Penghou."
At his words, the Black Dog, the white dog, and a monster clutching money appeared before Bai Ming in response to his summons. Jinling and Penghou spoke up. "What are your orders, Master?" Setanta could only bark once. The dumb dog still could not speak human language.
"Jinling's main ability is making people name a price, then fighting three arena matches to obtain money from thin air. It requires an enormous amount of magical energy, so I will strengthen your magical energy next. Also, don't limit your concept of money solely to currency. After all, things used in bartering also fit the concept of money."
The monster Jinling accepted the order, then waited at the side for Bai Ming's next instructions. Bai Ming grabbed Setanta, and the black Shiba Inu stared at him blankly. "Setanta can already transform into a dragon, but he lacks mental strength. Next comes secluded cultivation and strengthening his mind. If you can't fix it, I'll make dog meat hot pot."
Bai Ming tossed Setanta aside, then looked toward Penghou, the last one.
Bai Ming's silence made Penghou uneasy. "Master."
"You're just too weak. Your magical energy is neither strong nor weak, your mental strength is neither strong nor weak, and you don't even fly as fast as I can run. If I hadn't seen that unlucky senior brother of Taigong riding Sibuxiang last time and didn't want to lose face, I wouldn't have summoned you at all. Resources will be prioritized for you from now on. Don't embarrass me. I'll forge you a set of armor later. Focus on your cultivation."
"Yes, Master."
It was a monster to begin with. It was only natural that it was weaker than Sibuxiang, which had originally been its master's teacher's mount. Besides, time had been short and urgent. At most, it was a great monster over a thousand years old, nothing compared to those old fellows with over three thousand years behind them.
"Then Bai Ming's little family meeting is over. Jinling and Setanta, go train. Penghou, guard the door for me. I'm refining pills."
A Long Rest and the Chu-Han Simulation
Rest Day
With only four Singularities remaining, every Chaldea staff member breathed a sigh of relief. Barely more than a month had passed since the Humanity Foundation incineration began, yet nearly half the work had already been resolved. The day humanity was saved was now in sight.
At Bai Ming's insistence on a proper balance between work and rest, after arranging the basic shift schedule, Chaldea's remaining twenty-plus staff members began taking turns on leave.
Early the next morning, after finishing his morning training, Bai Ming arrived at Chaldea's cafeteria. There were not many employees there at the time, only a handful having their meals. Naturally, the restaurant's chef was the omnipotent Da Vinci.
In present-day Chaldea, "omnipotent person" had become synonymous with a brick: wherever it was useful, it got moved there.
When Da Vinci saw Bai Ming making the rare appearance of coming to the cafeteria for breakfast, she immediately greeted him warmly. "Good morning, Bai Ming. Would you like a special breakfast made by Da Vinci?"
"No thanks. I don't really feel like Italian breakfast food."
Bai Ming took two boiled eggs from the counter, then sat beside Da Vinci and chatted with her idly. "I heard you were depressed for a long time yesterday because of the Grand Spirit Origin matter."
"That is true, but if Bai Ming wants to mock me, don't blame Da Vinci for getting angry on the spot, okay?"
Mona Lisa's smile was pleasing to the eye, but beneath it was someone like Da Vinci, who loved interrupting and talking nonsense. No matter what, Bai Ming could not see even a trace of femininity in such a trademark beauty.
"Let me give you an example, Da Vinci. I don't think Roman properly explained Grand Spirit Origins to you. A Heroic Spirit is like a pond, while a Spirit Origin is like a cup. An ordinary Spirit Origin can hold one liter of water, while a Grand Spirit Origin can hold one ton. That's why Grand Servants are much stronger than ordinary Servants. But not every pond has a ton of water, and not every pond's water is suitable for the cup of a Grand Spirit Origin."
"Ah, Bai Ming is good in every way except for that extra mouth of his." Da Vinci spoke with a smile that did not reach her eyes. "Even if I don't have the aptitude to become a Grand Servant, don't say it so bluntly!"
Bai Ming calmly peeled a boiled egg. The egg looked tiny in his hand, and he swallowed it in a single bite. Only after swallowing did he speak. "Reality is always harsher than fantasy. Da Vinci should thank me for personally shattering your unrealistic fantasies."
"Are being sharp-tongued and thick-skinned necessary requirements for becoming a Grand Caster?" Da Vinci complained helplessly. "Roman said you have the aptitude too. You just haven't brought out the Magus side of your traits, nor left your own information in the Throne of Heroes."
"More or less—"
Just as Bai Ming was about to say more, a blond, chubby man entered through the cafeteria doors. He wore glasses and eagerly greeted Bai Ming when he saw him. "Good morning, Acting Director Bai Ming!"
"Morning, Kingel Abel Muniel."
Kingel Abel Muniel had once been the warehouse manager of MOONLIGHT/LOSTROOM and was now the main person responsible for the Spiritron Frame. Compared to the other Chaldea employees, Bai Ming was more familiar with Muniel.
"Ah, just call me Muniel."
The blond, chubby man scratched his head awkwardly, then took a sandwich from the counter. "May I sit here?"
"Then just call me Bai Ming. Roman is the acting director. At most, I'm the one protecting Director Olga Marie's soul from collapsing." Bai Ming said, "Sit wherever you want."
"Thanks!" Muniel sat across from Bai Ming, then began talking with him. "Mr. Bai Ming really is that legendary Duke Joslin Brando... no, it wouldn't be wrong to call you King Joslin, would it?"
Muniel was good at everything except for one flaw—he had an inexplicable fanaticism toward historical figures. When faced with requests from living legends like this, he often did things like, This is XX's request, screw the salary and bonuses, then helped them with matters that violated regulations but would not cause trouble.
"Yes. Is there a problem?"
"That is so cool! Being able to talk with the living King Joslin, I have no regrets in my life!"
Muniel devoured a sandwich as he spoke, then happily began asking about strange things concerning King Arthur that interested him. For example, what frame of mind had made Joslin kill King Arthur, and what exactly did that knight Mordred, whose existence defied morality in the current era, think of Joslin?
Bai Ming patiently answered every question.
"I killed that king only because she took every problem onto herself. And in that environment... as Britain's last Red Dragon, if she had not died, the Age of Gods and the Age of Man would have continued grinding against each other. In the end, that king's heart would have suffered terribly, and the people of the British Isles would have been affected as well. So after that king and I arranged for a human king to succeed her, we chose to leave the stage... As for Mordred... sorry, I don't really want to mention that rebellious daughter."
While the two talked, inside Chaldea's training room—
Sweat had soaked Fujimaru Ritsuka's beautiful red hair, yet she still wore sportswear as she continuously performed weighted exercises. Roman sat to one side, quietly eating a small cake while watching Fujimaru Ritsuka train.
Of course, most of Roman's attention was on the Magical☆Merli beside him.
After Fujimaru Ritsuka finished her weighted exercises, Roman finally stood. "The warm-up Bai Ming arranged for you is over. Now it's time for practical combat training."
"Why is Doctor even stricter than Senpai?!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka braced both hands against her knees and panted heavily. Seeing that Roman did not intend to give her even one minute of rest, she immediately complained, "Even that inhuman guy Senpai gives me a few minutes to rest."
"Well... because I'm not just acting on Bai Ming's orders. I'm also doing this to gain the happiness and fulfillment of being human! Anyway, my training will be stricter, but I'll make sure to handle your treatment afterward."
In truth, after meeting Bai Ming, Roman understood something. The future of humanity's end that he had seen in the gap before becoming human had been deliberately brought about by some pigeon bastard's twisted sense of humor. That one look had stripped him of all freedom.
But Bai Ming was someone capable of tearing apart others' fated destinies and freely rewriting the world. Roman had staked all his retirement plans on Bai Ming.
Reining in his thoughts, Roman assumed a fighting stance. "Then, Ritsuka, be careful!"
Roman then launched a heavy punch at Fujimaru Ritsuka.
No One Cares Whether Roman Lives or Dies
Roman's punches were several times lighter than Bai Ming's, but even so, they were not something an ordinary girl like Fujimaru Ritsuka could easily take.
After exchanging a few simple moves and confirming Fujimaru Ritsuka's basic strength and reaction speed, Roman stopped and said seriously:
"What I will teach you is the legendary fighting art, Jacob's Limbs."
Fujimaru Ritsuka immediately replied, "I've never heard of it."
"This—" Fujimaru Ritsuka's words left Roman at a loss for what to say. He immediately explained, "In terms of combat performance, my style is stronger. If practiced to the limit, it can kill angels and split the sea with one punch."
Fujimaru Ritsuka nodded and asked, "Then what about Senpai's style?"
"His... turns the practitioner into an immortal." Roman could see Fujimaru Ritsuka's disdain for his fighting style and added, "And it requires a foundation built from childhood. It's already too late for you to learn it now."
"Okay, then..."
"Mine has great prospects!" Roman could not help complaining. Fujimaru Ritsuka spoke as if humoring a child. "Yes, yes~"
"Believe me! Bai Ming and I are evenly matched in fighting technique!"
"So Doctor can kick apart that specially reinforced automatic door with one kick like Senpai?"
"...I can't."
Roman sank into dejection. No wonder that bastard Bai Ming had told him to train Fujimaru Ritsuka. This kid Ritsuka's words hurt too much!
"Anyway, we'll start practical combat now."
After suffering such a blow, Roman decided to skip the teaching phase entirely and choose practical combat training, the fastest way to improve strength.
"Eh—?"
Doctor Roman was definitely angry, wasn't he?
Fujimaru Ritsuka could not help worrying, but she had no time to think. Just as she tried to counterattack, pain shot through her body. Her vision blurred, and Roman put her on the ground.
"Again... again!"
Fujimaru Ritsuka quickly stood back up. Roman let out a long breath. "Let me witness your will, Fujimaru Ritsuka."
The red-haired girl was getting beaten up, while the orange-haired middle-aged man grinned viciously. Bai Ming heard neither Fujimaru Ritsuka's cries nor her pleas for help.
At that moment, Bai Ming was watching Mash train diligently in the virtual battle chamber.
The enormous cross-shaped round shield whistled through the air in Mash's hands, while the virtual Servant facing her was the legendary Child of Light of Ireland, Cú Chulainn.
The crimson bone spear struck the black shield face, sending sparks flying. Powerful, swift attacks descended on Mash's shield like a torrential storm.
Mash kept retreating, letting out faint whimpers amid the fierce assault. The barrage was so dense that she could not find an opportunity to counterattack.
Under the relentless assault, the girl knew that if she remained on the defensive, defeat would come sooner or later.
So she gritted her teeth and charged straight at virtual Cú Chulainn with her shield raised. The sudden impact made the Child of Light stagger, but it had little effect.
The crimson bone spear thrust out at a vicious angle and plunged directly into Mash's neck. The virtual Servant then vanished.
Covered in sweat, Mash knelt on the floor.
Bai Ming deliberately entered with a stern face. "What was that posture? And what kind of expression was that?"
"Senpai... sorry, I lost."
Mash stood and looked at Bai Ming's icy expression, believing that he was deeply dissatisfied with her current performance.
"Tell me, Mash. What is the sword at your waist for? Why are you so fixated on this dining table?"
"Sir Galahad left me no memories of swordsmanship, so taking it out would only become a burden!"
"Fine. Take out your sword. I'll teach you personally."
"Yes! Mash Kyrielight is deeply grateful!"
Considering his own dual nature of god and demon, Bai Ming chose the Japanese divine artifact Kusanagi-no-Tsurugi, which likewise possessed nothing but hardness.
"Swordsmanship is the art or skill of dancing with a sword or using one to stab and kill. Of course, if you are forced into a life-or-death fight, don't use a sword unless it can fire beam attacks when thrown."
"Yes."
"Then I'll demonstrate the sword's basic moves once. Watch carefully."
While both sides were busy training, Akuta Hinako was still in her room, cracking sunflower seeds and reading a book in utter comfort.
More than half the morning passed, and as noon approached, Akuta Hinako finally sensed something was off and checked the time.
Akuta Hinako wondered, Why hasn't that Bai Ming guy come to drag me to the training room today? Could that idiot be sick?
She immediately rolled out of bed, quickly washed up, and went to look for Bai Ming.
When she entered Bai Ming's room, Akuta Hinako did not see him. She only saw Olga Marie sitting by the table and reading, with Fou and Setanta lying beside Olga Marie's left and right feet.
Olga Marie stopped what she was doing, looked at the silent Akuta Hinako, and asked:
"Bai Ming went to train. Didn't he call you?"
Akuta Hinako coldly answered Olga Marie's question. "No."
Akuta Hinako then headed to the training room without looking back. There, she saw Doctor Roman, his eyes vacant, clutching his head as a black-skinned beast-eared girl cornered him against the wall, while Fujimaru Ritsuka silently fought some imaginary enemy by herself nearby.
Old Bai wasn't here.
Thinking that, Akuta Hinako headed straight to the virtual battle chamber, completely unconcerned with what was happening between the dark-skinned beast-eared girl and Roman in the corner.
After all, Akuta Hinako did not care whether Roman lived or died, and neither did Fujimaru Ritsuka.
Inside the virtual training chamber, Mash had already thrown her cross-shaped round shield to the other side and was gripping a sword as she relentlessly attacked Bai Ming.
Akuta Hinako could tell that Mash had already reached her limit, while Bai Ming showed no intention of letting her off.
"What a heartless man."
Though Akuta Hinako said that, her face held nothing but endless amusement. She casually drew her twin swords and entered the simulated battle chamber.
"If you don't mind, teach one more person."
Bai Ming stopped moving and fell silent as he looked at Akuta Hinako, who was asking to train for the first time. He wondered whether this woman had knocked something loose in her head while sleeping last night.
She had always disliked training and fighting, yet she was actually requesting training on her own initiative? Had the sun risen in the west?
Meanwhile, Mash began recovering as much of her strength as possible. Her sweat had long since soaked the underwear beneath her Mystic Code, turning her pink hair into wet strands.
Her fair face was covered in the flush brought on by intense exercise.
Before you continue