Gladio Bael, Lucky or Unlucky? -
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If there was one downside to being a Bael, it's that everything was a spectacle and everything had to be grand.
So his turning eight was a significant milestone because there were oncoming Bael traditions that he'd be part of.
He got some control over who was invited. He invited Ravel, Ruval, Riser, and Rainer Phenex. He invited Rias, Sona, and Seekvaira. He also vetoed Diadora Astaroth showing up. Might not be what he is yet, but Gladio wanted no contact with him. Tannin would show up, as would Rudiger Rosenkrutz, Diehauser Belial, Bedeze Abaddon, and Roygun Belphegor because of the influence of the Great King Faction and the fact that they were in the top ten and his father was father, and Lord Zekram is Lord Zekram.
On the bright side, he would see people he actually liked. With Boosted Gear now squarely in his possession, it kind of did fall to him to save Rias from Riser.
One way or another…
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Zekram Bael, Nurture or not -
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There was a simple question he'd been debating since taking Boosted Gear. Nurture or not.
To be more specific, the question of seeing if his youngest descendant had his own plan for his development or if he needed guidance.
In a few hours, most of the Underworld's elite would descend upon the Bael Castle.
All to celebrate the birthday of Prince Gladiolus. Most of the top ten would be in attendance, and Serafall Sitri, Sirzechs Gremory, and Ajuka Astaroth would also be making appearances. The lazy Glasya-Labolas would probably be asleep, so while a courtesy invite was sent, he wasn't expecting the lazy Satan to arrive…
…
…
Zekram was a little irritated.
A system? He'd looked into it; it was apparently a popular sub-genre in the human world, something called fanfiction. Most were written by writers who had a smattering of talent; a few had actually caught his interest. Not that he'd ever speak that aloud. But the general theme was largely the same as what Gladiolus described to him.
Which brought him to his descendant.
''Are you ready?'' He asked the boy.
''As ready as I'll ever be. Which is to say probably not enough.'' He smiled. The boy was too mature for his own good.
''Keep it simple.'' He said before moving on to a more important topic. ''Do you have any wishes for your development? Anything specific?'' He asked.
''It makes sense to build towards Tannin's mountain. As it stands, I have free time between 8 AM and 9:30 AM, and 10 AM and 11:30 AM. I would like to fill one of those spots learning under my aunt, and the other training under Rudiger Rosenkrutz in Magic. '' He raised his brow.
''And why Rudiger specifically?'' He asked, slightly intrigued.
''I would have chosen Lord Mephisto Pheles, but his dislike of the Clan and you in particular, my lord, is hardly a secret. And to be honest, learning under the Upsetting Sorcerer, who is one of the few outside the second, third, fourth, and fifth ranked Rating Game Champions able to give The Emperor a challenge, seems more likely to happen. Besides, it will give me an edge when I finally come up against the upsetting sorcerer in the Rating Games, knowing his skillset, how he thinks magically, and him thinking he knows how I think magically, but not knowing enough.'' Zekram smiled.
''He's expected so I'll see if he's amenable to it.'' Zekram said, before pausing. ''Has anything changed?'' He asked. ''New rewards?''
''Was going to spin four times later on.'' Gladiolus said.
''Do it, I'm curious what you'll get.''
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Gladio Bael, Prince of Bael -
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-||- 200 AP used, 800 Total AP left, Spinning the Wheel… -||-
Reward(s) Granted:
Reward: Merchant (Support)
The User can summon a Merchant to spend AP to acquire special weapons, tools, equipment, and temporary boosts. The merchants stock updates twice a month and not everything is available when it updates.
Reward: Sword Saint [Unrealized] (Support)
Despite the heretical title given your true nature, you possess natural talent in swordsmanship. As it stands you're unrealized, meaning until you receive training in the art from a master swordsman or you receive any one of a specific number of other system rewards your true ceiling as a Swordsman is unknown.
Reward: Compulsion (Passive)
Much like Niklaus, Rebekah, Elijah, Finn, Kol, Marcel, and Mikael, you can compel people to follow a specific command usually without fail. People who possess exceptionally strong willpower can strongly resist the compulsion as can beings who are both older and more powerful than the user. Similarly,, individuals whose minds are broken by trauma are resistant to most compulsions,, largely because they are already broken.
Reward: Edicts (Support/Passive/Active)
The user can utter a sentence as fact, and until the user invalidates the Edict or replaces it, it will remain a concrete truth. Effectiveness depends on the user's creativity and intent. You can set a rule onto reality that affects an area around you and everyone inside it. There can only be one rule at a time. These rules must be simple, no more than a single sentence, but the user's intent behind the edict matters most, since while a single sentence can only be used, it can be used with a wide range of implications and effects depending on the user's intent.
-||- System shutting Down -||-
''Huh, well that's interesting. I can compel pretty much anyone with some restrictions, have the ability to call upon a Merchant, can impose a rule on reality for a period of indeterminate time, and as heretical as it sounds am now an unrealized Sword Saint until I receive any one of an unknown number of Swordsmanship skills from the system or training from a master swordsman.'' Lord Zekram raises an eyebrow at the last one.
''Like Telos Karma?''
''No, it's not probability that is affected. Let me just show you. Original First Generation Devils detest tea.'' Immediately, the edict took effect, and as Zekram swallowed his tea, he choked and gagged as the edict took hold.
''Release.'' He released the edict immediately after the reaction.
''By Lilith, was that a most repulsive experience. Don't ever do that again without telling me beforehand or getting permission.'' Lord Zekram muttered before cleaning up his mess and looking thoughtful.
''As you wish, my Lord.''
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The party was in full swing, and for intents and purposes, everything had been going great.
The one problem though…
Apparently his veto didn't mean shit. Diadora Astaroth arrived with a valid invitation.
''Why is Diadora Astaroth here? I explicitly said he was not invited.'' He demanded answers from his father.
''He is the he-''
''I don't care.'' He cut his father off. ''I told mother, I told Lord Zekram, and I sure as hell told you he wasn't invited.'' He was seething.
''You will not speak to me this way boy.'' Father's tone got harsher. ''He is the heir to Astaroth, and-''
''And I don't give a flying fuck!'' He said sharply. ''It's my fucking party. Not yours. I decided on the guest list. That's the tradition, and you spat on that.'' Father wasn't backing down; neither was Gladio.
But it was only when Gladio started to release his Demonic Power that someone intervened.
''Come now, this is a party, not the place for disputes.'' Sirzechs intervened with that smile of his, causing Father to scoff and walk away. ''Are you alright, Gladio?'' Sirzechs asked.
''I'm going to kill him one day, and Lilith willing - that day will come sooner rather than later.'' He meant every word before walking off.
Choosing his guests was part of a coming-of-age ritual. It was to figure out who he wanted to connect with and who he didn't, in order to form connections. But Father overriding his decision was a slap to the face.
It was just the latest in a very long line of grievances. If there was one thing that he hated more than anything else, it was that his father didn't even give him the illusion of a choice.
…
…
…
…
You know what? It would cost him with Lord Zekram, but it was better than atomizing Diadora Astaroth and father both.
So fuck it…
He walked right up to Tannin and kicked as hard as he could, even slipping into the first gate of the Eight Inner Gates.
Tannin raised a single hairless Draconic eyebrow at him, while the guests who had begun to chat amongst themselves again stopped in shock.
''I challenge you and your entire mountain and brood.'' Tannin sipped his cider before speaking.
''Come back in a few years.'' Tannin grunted.
Gladio, already hot and riled, slipped into Ultimate and past the second gate, as Tannin took on a more interested mood.
''Gate of Life.'' His skin turned red, and his eyes went completely white as he entered the fourth Gate and kicked Tannin again before exiting the gates completely.
''Very well, I'll send for you.'' Tannin drained his glass of its cider and left. Gladio didn't move for a long minute; everyone would make of it what they would, but the reality was he was letting his body repair itself. It was all of eight seconds, but fucking you know who on the stick, his muscles had partial tears. After about a minute and a half, he moved stiffly, and as he turned, he was met by Ruval Phenex and Ravel. Ravel was five, maybe six, and was looking at him like a mystery that needed solving. It only reinforced his desire to have her in his peerage.
-||- Feat(s) Achieved: -||-
Earn Ruval Phenex's attention, 125 AP Granted, 925 Total AP
Become Ravel Phenex's Childhood Crush, 25 AP Granted, 950 Total AP
Gladio ignored the notifications for the moment.
''Interesting technique.'' Ruval offered.
''It's called Ultimate. As for the Gate of Life, it's a technique, and that's all you're getting from me.'' It wouldn't completely save him from Zekram, but Father was a cunt. Was Gladio having an autistic moment? Yes. Did he give a shit? No!
''We'll see.'' Ruval said before Ravel began tugging on her brother's sleeve. ''Ah, forgive my rudeness; this little firefly is my beloved little sister Ravel.'' Ruval introduced, and Ravel blushed slightly, though at what was a slight mystery to him, because it could be the childhood crush or it could be the nickname.
Gladio took Ravel's hand and placed a light kiss on her knuckles as devil politics in first meetings demanded. ''A pleasure, Lady Ravel; welcome to the Bael Castle. It's rare a beauty such as you graces our castle. Least of all, one as young as you.'' He offered her a genuine smile, and her blush intensified slightly.
Okay, definitely the crush.
''T-thank you, Prince Gladiolus.'' She said with only a slight stutter.
''I hear you have two servants already.'' Ruval said conversationally, but clearly fishing for information.
''Two Pawns, both Mutation Pieces on the higher end of the Pawn Value Scale. My original Pawn is very much my secret weapon. He's worth eleven Pawns. My second Pawn is Kuisha Abaddon, Lord Bedeze's niece; she's worth Seven Pawns.'' Ruval's eyes sharpened slightly while Ravel's eyebrows rose slightly.
''He was aware of the fact that Sona and Rias were within earshot. A Mutated Pawn said to be his secret weapon with a Mutated Pawn value of eleven would be quite the puzzle for Sona.
''How many Mutation Pieces do you have?'' Ravel asks.
''Eight. Though I'll leave what the other six pieces are up to your imagination.'' Ravel frowned, rather cutely, at that, but said nothing.
Feat Achieved: Become the Mystery that Sona wants to solve, 100 AP granted, 1050 Total AP
That's going to be interesting to deal with.
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'Stats.' He called upon his stats.
-||- User Stats: -||-
Name Gladiolus Bael
Species: Devil (Pure-Blooded)
Clan: Bael
Clan Trait: Power of Destruction (Mutated), Liontaming, King of Flies
Rank: High-Class Devil
Servants: 2 Pawns
Power-Level: Upper High-Class
Potential Power Level: Mid-Tier Satan Class
Reputation: Semi-Famous Clan Heir
Age: 8
Titles: Prince, Heir of Bael
Equipment: Regulus Nemea, Boosted Gear (Blocked)
System Rewards: Silver-Tongued (Passive) Lv-1, Dancers Grace (Active) Lv-1, Observe (Passive) -Lv1, Charm (Semi-Active), Eight Gates (Support), All For One (Passive),
Potential Unleashed (Support),
Senju (Active),
Massage King (Passive), King of Flies, Merchant (Support), Sword Saint [Unrealized] (Support), Compulsion (Passive), Edicts (Support/Passive/Active).
Total AP: 1050
Aside from his age, nothing had changed. Well, as soon as he was done with this shit he was getting.
Gladio glared at his father who looked indifferent at the whole situation. Lord Zekram was more or less between them and was playing mediator.
''We can't ignore this any longer. I can't. You are father and son, more than that, you're both Bael's. If we aren't united, then we are not a house to be feared and respected.'' Gladio sat there, arms folded, refusing to look at his father. ''Prince Gladiolus, I gave you explicit instructions not to reveal the Eight Gates. You ignored that, albeit as a direct result of your father's decision to override yours regarding the guest list, but you still ignored it.'' Gladio kept his mouth shut. ''As for you…'' Lord Zekram turned to Father. ''Tradition is important, it is a longstanding coming-of-age ritual to have the heir choose who they want to come and who they do not, in order to grow and mature politically and socially. You impeded that by preventing even the illusion of a choice and you did not bother to inform your son, letting him find out until the one person he insisted on not inviting showed up with a valid invitation.'' Says Zekram before sighing. ''We are not leaving here until you both stop acting like small children.''
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(Author's Note:)
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And with that Chapter 4 is complete and fuck me Chapter 5 is next. Yeah, so still not revealing what my mate rolled but that second roll as a direct result has lowered eight others to about 0.06% chance of being hit. And of course with his luck he hit two big guns in a row.
Ah well, no use crying about it any longer. One thing I do want to address is that some skills will not begin to fully develop and improve until post-timeskip, but we will level up at least 1 in the next chapter. Still finding my rhythm with a system fic, and I think part of the reason I am keeping it simple is that aside from this being my first System Fic, I don't often start with a protagonist so young, but it's both something I wanted to explore and I felt would provide the most opportunity for long term character development. Plus we get to see Gladio act his physical age a little bit instead of acting childishly later on. I quite enjoyed the heated moment with Gladio and his father. Gladio might actually be an autistic devil… It's an interesting idea since I myself am also autistic, amongst other things. Something that I have never tried to hide.
I would have completed this sooner, but I've been suffering from gastrointestinal problems coming off of back-to-back food poisoning issues, still haven't completely kicked it which is really annoying but there isn't much I can do about it.
Anyways, before I finish off, The current total of rewards on System Roulette is 239 and I'm just going to keep on adding to it because there's about 60, maybe 65 rewards locked behind a prerequisite reward and there's another good 28 or so additional ones that have more than one prerequisite reward required. I mean a good example of this is Sword Saint, since or order to make himself a fully realized Sword Saint, Gladio will need to acquire at least half of the 28 Swordsman/Swordsman adjacent rewards and defeat at least seven Elite or near-Elite Swordsmen and 5 Swordsmanship adjacent Combatants.
Thankfully it's a big list and there's more than a few crossovers tossed into the mix.
In the end it all goes back to that one sentence about the reward of System Roulette being a long-term investment. Just acquiring stuff is half the battle.
Well, that's more than enough yapping from me, I'll see you guys at the next chapter.
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Thanks to Mitchell Howard, David Martinez, ROGUE505 Saver, Mathew T Linderman, Luck George, Kyle Diano, Julien, Morgan Sinn, Tom A, Nicholas Berenguer, Arimar26, Robin Kristiansen, Dragon emperor87, Daniel Setchell, James Fleming, Zero 12995, Rowdy_Rich, Blood For The Blood God, Dymarkus Tillman, Lorra Thorsdottir, Parker Kessinger, Ryan, Jacob Hixson, Luci Alarra, Robert Hernandez, Luis, Berat Saziman, Jose Newcomb, and neven guy for their support on P-atreon.
And also a big thank you to Cody, TJ Cruz, Kunta, Availon90, Gavin Barclay, Dragonslayer29, Jacarya Robinson, Nathan Just, Francisco J Guzman, Axlii, Reece Hutton, Ken Harris, Zeldris Wrath, Duy, lonelynib _, Austin, D3EATH707, Cutler1812, Aleksander_402, Lewis Wilson, Profound Magician, Arzard, HxC 740 VxD, Attila Kovács, Ruby Uzumaki, Mudit Chadha, Maciek, Joao Goncalves, Dwhateverprof, Jibreel Kamal, Luis, Zeca, Bent, Jason, Solus 1994, Evil King, Manuel, Benoit Valtin, Craig Butler, Joseph Brann, Cristobal Ahumada, Nathaniel Lessord, GGbeejee, Trey-Way, FisherKing711, Calvin Ellis, adrian szydlowski, James Lloyd, Ryan, Meet Parikh, Kyle Santora, Toros Silver, Vlone_Icy, reikon aijin, weird song, Cameron Krueger, Nattapat Attachat, Natalie McCowen, Spencer Davidson, Birhaledin, Kazim Zaidi, John Burris, and Beastmode2003 for their past support on Patreon.
The next Chapter is currently available on my relaunched and rebuilt P-atreon, to access simply search the following link, but without the dash between the P and A, Two tiers with the same benefits but different contexts. The chapters on P-atreon will be published when the chapters following them are done and dusted and ready to publish over here on this site.
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