Hey so I kinda realized Tempest should be much more developed then what I showed. Granted I didn't show much, here is a picture. Anyway, I hope yall enjoy.
Tempest but imagine under construction
Chapter 54: inspection and introspection
Varion and Milim stayed locked in their embrace a little longer, neither quite ready to let go. When the tears finally stopped, Milim pulled back just enough to look up at him, her bright eyes still a little glassy but already sparkling with that familiar mischievous light.
She wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand, then flashed a wide, playful grin — the chaotic Demon Lord mask sliding back into place as naturally as breathing. "Okay, enough of the sappy stuff! I've waited centuries for something like this and you're gonna make me cry again if we keep standing here like this." She poked his chest with one finger, twin tails swishing behind her. "I wanna see what you've been up to! And those two girls from earlier had your scent all over them. You need to introduce me to them. I have to see if they are worthy!"
Varion let out a soft laugh, the tension in his shoulders melting away. "Yeah… I'd like that." He smiled, warm and genuine. "Come on. The food here is really good — Rimuri's been introducing recipes from her old world. You're gonna love them."
He offered his hand. Milim took it without hesitation, squeezing once like she still needed the reassurance he was real. Together they walked back toward the village, the morning sun painting the growing city in soft gold and green.
Varion could feel Rimuri and Prinz waiting near the main square, their presences warm and steady even from across the town. He led Milim straight toward them.
The moment they stepped into view, Milim's eyes lit up with pure curiosity. She let go of his hand and immediately began circling the two women like a cat inspecting new toys. Her gaze flicked over them with sharp, appraising interest. No one else noticed the faint shimmer of her Unique Skill **Milim Eye** activating, scanning their energy, their intentions, their very souls.
Milim stopped in front of Rimuri first, then Prinz, nodding slowly. "Mmm… not bad. You both have an ok amount of energy. Except yours could be a little higher, Prinz, but you're strong enough to stand beside my little brother. That's important."
Rimuri blinked, caught off guard by the sudden inspection, but she smiled anyway. Prinz simply raised an eyebrow, not insulted. Varion and rimuri were anomalies and were way too strong for their age.
Milim's expression turned serious for a heartbeat. A protective intensity from earlier flashing across her face bordering on threatening. "So… what do you feel about Varion? Be honest. I'll know if you're lying."
Rimuri didn't hesitate. "I love him," she said simply, golden-yellow eyes soft. "He's my partner. My equal. The one I want beside me for the rest of my life."
Prinz stepped forward, voice steady and warm. "Same here. I love him. He makes me feel safe and seen in a way I never expected. He's family now."
Varion blushed brightly at the bold declaration but smiled brightly at their words.
Milim studied them both for a long second, then her face broke into a huge, sunny grin. She threw up both hands in a dramatic thumbs-up. "Approved! You pass! Anyone who can make my little brother smile like that gets the official Milim stamp of approval!"
Varion rubbed the back of his neck, a faint embarrassed flush coloring his cheeks. He wasn't used to this, having an older sister who could tease him so openly. "Milim… this is Rimuri Tempest And Prinz Grimwald my girlfriends." He paused, the words feeling strange as if it didn't fit anymore after what they just said. " And girls, this is my big sister, Milim Nava."
Milim puffed out her chest proudly. "That's right! I'm the big sister! And I expect food and treats and sweets. Lots of them. With extra honey. Varion said you make good food, so impress me!"
They headed straight for the main administrative building, a sturdy two-story building that served as both meeting hall and dining area for the leaders. Tempest was no longer a simple goblin village. It was a living, breathing city still under construction, but already full of life and promise.
Inside the main hall, long wooden tables had been set with simple but elegant place settings. Chefs, under Shuna, moved efficiently in the adjacent kitchen making a large feast knowing how much a Dragonoid could eat if they truly wanted to due to Varion. Rimuri had spent the last few weeks recreating dishes from her old world with Great Sage's analytical help, adapting ingredients and techniques until they were almost perfect. The smells wafting out were incredible.
Milim's eyes lit up the moment they sat down. "Whoa! It smells amazing in here!" She plopped into the seat beside Varion, twin tails swishing excitedly. Rimuri took the spot on his other side, while Prinz sat across from them, watching with an amused smile.
Plates started arriving almost immediately. Pancakes stacked high with meats and vegetables covered in different types of sauces milim had never had before. Milim dug in without hesitation, her fork flying through the food eagerly.
Her first bite of the honey-glazed pancakes made her freeze mid-chew. Then her eyes went wide. "This… this is incredible!" She pointed her fork at Rimuri, mouth still full. "You made this? You're my best friend now! Official! No take-backs!"
Rimuri laughed brightly, her core glowing with pride. "I'm glad you like it. It's been fun figuring out how to bring some of my old world's food here."
Milim was already on her third pancake, cheeks puffed out like a chipmunk. "Best. Friend. Ever."
As they ate, conversation flowed easily. Milim's eyes sparkled with literal stars. " I remember you mentioned you still have younger siblings in your world?! That means I have more younger siblings now!" She bounced in her seat, twin tails whipping around. "Since you're their big brother, I'm their big sister! I get to spoil them rotten! We're gonna have so much fun when I visit!"
Varion chuckled, then thought about her and natsu getting together and paled at the amount of destruction they would cause, but laughed it off as them just bonding. Then told her in a bit more detail about them, the guild, and about erza, lucy, mira, brandish, and ultear, he talked on and on happily remembering all the great time they had.
Milim listened with her chin propped on her hands, cheeks still full of food, but her expression soft behind the cheerful mask. 'He didn't do what I did,' she thought to herself, the playful grin never slipping. 'He didn't shut everyone out and fill the emptiness with having fun and games. He went and made a whole family. Friends. People who love him. I'm really, really happy for you, little brother, you did well, even better than your big sister.'
She kept the thought private as she quickly wiped at her eyes and went back to nodding along enthusiastically as he described the guild hall, the missions, the laughter. "Sounds like a fun place! I wanna meet them all someday!"
The meal continued with easy laughter and 8 more helping for the Dragonoid duo at Millim's insistence he needed to eat more. Milim declared the bacon "a masterpiece" and demanded the recipe for future visits. Prinz teased her about eating like she hadn't seen food in centuries.
Eventually, as the plates were cleared and they leaned back in contented fullness, Milim's expression shifted. She tilted her head, curiosity sparkling in her eyes.
"Hey, Varion… I've been meaning to ask something." Her tone was casual, but there was genuine confusion underneath. "Why are you so weak?"
The table went quiet.
Varion blinked. Rimuri and Prinz exchanged puzzled glances.
"Uh… what do you mean?" Varion asked, genuinely confused. " I thought I was doing pretty good so far. I haven't run into anyone stronger yet."
Rimuri leaned forward, golden-yellow eyes concerned. "We all thought you were incredibly strong."
Milim shook her head, twin tails swaying. "Nope. Not at this point. As a Dragonoid — as *our* kind — you should be wayyyy stronger. At least low-tier Demon Lord level by now. Maybe even mid-tier if you've been training properly." She poked his arm lightly, as if testing. "But right now you feel like… how do I put this… kinda broken? Like something's missing or not fully connected yet. It's weird. You've got the potential, the essence is there, but it's like you're running on half power or something."
She tilted her head again, looking at him with honest, childlike curiosity. "You train like you should. You eat like you should. That's what I did. So… what happened?"
Varion stared at her, the easy smile from moments ago fading into thoughtful silence. Rimuri and Prinz looked equally stunned, the weight of her words settling over the table like a sudden shadow.
"Uhhhh the only thing I can think of would be maybe the ambient magic in earth land vs here. When I arrived it felt like I had been barely breathing and didn't notice then all of a sudden I was taking full deep breaths that's the best way I can describe it I guess."