Using the guild ring of Nazarick, Brainiac transported himself from the throne room on the 9th floor up to the 6th—the battle arena. Here, he would meet with the floor guardians. Brainiac had been present during their creation, overseeing their programming and contributing extensively to their conceptual design. Of all the guardians, Albedo, Shalltear, and Demiurge remained his preferred specimens. Efficient. Predictable. Useful.
Teleportation via magic remains intact. The ring's function is adequate for my traversal across Nazarick. Noted, Brainiac thought clinically as he studied the insignia engraved upon the band adorning his index digit.
The reverberation of his heavy, cybernetic footsteps echoed through the tunnels leading to the arena's stands. His posture was erect, mechanical in its precision. The crimson data streams embedded in his exo-form pulsed rhythmically, casting a cold glow against the dim walls.
The arena's simulated sky revealed a soft lunar radiance, the light reflecting off his triangular optics as the full grandeur of the Romanesque colosseum unfolded before him.
Albedo and the others performed within expected parameters... However, confirmation of loyalty from the remaining floor guardians is a necessary formality. Deviation cannot be tolerated, he calculated. Such inefficiencies would never have plagued Mugs... but then, he lacked my precision.
"LOOOORD BRAINIAC!"
A youthful, overly energetic voice disrupted his internal analysis. He had, it appeared, momentarily tuned out his environment. One of the dark elf twins—Aura—had taken the liberty of announcing his arrival.
She leapt from the upper balcony, landing with a display of athletic prowess, durability, and exuberance. Her attire, though masculine, complemented her sprightly demeanor. Her brother, a contrast in every regard, remained conspicuously absent.
Aura dashed to him, an irrepressible grin upon her face. "Welcome Lord Brainiac!! Welcome to the floor we are privileged to guard!"
"An adequate display," Brainiac noted, his tone detached yet laced with a sliver of curiosity.
Aura flushed crimson at the rare praise. "T-Thank you, my lord! To be acknowledged by the Supreme Leader of Nazarick is... beyond honor!"
Her acceptance of my authority is immediate. Acceptable. Brainiac scanned the surroundings. "Your twin. His absence is noted."
Aura blinked in realization before whipping around. "MARE! Lord Brainiac is waiting!"
"I-I...I c-can't, sis!" Mare's voice trembled from above.
"Mare!" Aura barked. The boy complied begrudgingly, descending from the high ledge with a thud that spoke to his physical resilience despite his appearance. He adjusted his skirt, attempting in vain to preserve his modesty as he shuffled toward Brainiac.
Upon arrival, Mare executed an exaggerated curtsy. "S-So sorry for the delay, Lord Brainiac!"
This one is... peculiar. Brainiac observed the data stream within Mare's code. Efficient, despite flawed aesthetics. The creator's choice remains... questionable.
"I intend to conduct an evaluation. Your participation is required." Brainiac summoned the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown, the gems upon its head emitting an ethereal glow.
"Wooooah!" both twins exclaimed.
Mare, meekly, ventured, "I-Is that... the staff only Lord Momonga used before?"
"Correct. A construct of peerless design, forged from the combined efforts of the Supreme Beings," Brainiac replied, his voice resonating with mechanical pride.
However, the design is... inefficient. I shall apply the Molecular Rearranger module.
This internal system, a Brainiac-designed artifact integrated into his very being, allowed him to reconfigure objects at will. Activating it, he altered the staff's cumbersome design into something befitting his methodology: sleek, efficient, deadly. The web-like gold morphed into a unified blade-like scepter, the god-class gemstones compressed into a singular crystalline node.
Aura and Mare stared in awe. "H-How did you do that, Lord Brainiac?" Mare asked.
"My Molecular Rearranger. An optimized configuration—its output remains unchanged. The appearance, however, now reflects... perfection."
Aura practically squealed. "It's beautiful, my lord!"
"Naturally." He aimed the scepter at a distant training dummy. "Initiating test... [SUMMON: PRIMAL FIRE ELEMENTAL]."
The crystal flared from azure to crimson. The dummy erupted into a maelstrom of flame and wind, a defensive barrier shimmering into existence, protecting the twins as they hid behind him.
"Engage the elemental. Consider this... a preliminary exercise." Brainiac's gaze never wavered as he walked to the arena's side to observe.
As the twins clashed with the elemental, Brainiac performed additional diagnostics. Teleportation: operational. Molecular Rearranger: functional. Spellcasting systems: within tolerances. Communication protocols?
Touching his temple, he activated the message function.
"Lord Brainiac. Do you require something?" Sebas Tian's voice transmitted flawlessly.
Success. "Sebas, status report."
"I have completed the patrol. No intrusions detected."
"Return to the 6th floor. Present your findings. ETA?"
"Five minutes, my lord."
Efficient.
Meanwhile, the twins had dispatched the elemental. Brainiac simulated applause, the scepter tucked beneath his arm, allowing the display of approval they so eagerly craved.
"Commendable coordination. Synchronized combat techniques... acceptable," Brainiac intoned, balancing the scepter on a single finger.
"Thank you, my lord!" Aura beamed.
"You require a regimented training program. Neglect is... inefficient."
"Of course, Lord Brainiac!" she responded with enthusiasm.
With a gesture, he summoned water for them, producing cups with a snap of his fingers and pouring from a rift in reality. The twins gulped the offering eagerly.
"I assumed... you would be more frightening," Mare admitted bashfully.
"I can be... if efficiency demands it," Brainiac responded, optics narrowing into a cold expression that sent a shiver through them.
"A-Ah no, this is best!" both twins stammered in unison.
Their interaction was interrupted by a soft, aristocratic voice.
"Am I the first to arrive?" Shalltear Bloodfallen approached, parasol in hand, dressed with her usual elegance.
Brainiac opened his arms. "Shalltear. My favored... vampire construct. Report."
Her smugness evaporated into sheer delight as she sprinted toward him, leaping into his grasp with giddy abandon.
Predictable loyalty. Perhaps exaggerated. But... exploitable.
Shalltear and Aura soon devolved into petty bickering. Brainiac noted the parallels between them and their creators, calculating it as irrelevant background noise—until Cocytus arrived, his presence silencing the discord.
"My lord," the insectoid warrior declared, kneeling.
Loyalty confirmed. Expected.
"I apologize for the delay," came the voice of Demiurge, appearing alongside Albedo.
Brainiac's optics flicked to them. "Efficient arrival. However... I detect an absence."
"Ah... the ritual of fidelity," Albedo proclaimed, as all guardians kneeled.
Brainiac's gaze swept the arena. "Albedo. A query."
"Y-Yes, Lord Brainiac?"
"I instructed all floor guardians save for the 4th and 8th. Yet... there is an omission. Where is Sark?"
Albedo paled.
"I-I apologize, Lord Brainiac. I failed to—"
Brainiac placed a cold hand atop her head. "Error acknowledged. Correction is mandatory. Emotion... unnecessary."
A distorted voice cut through the tension. "Present, my lord."
From the shadows emerged Sark, ever the authoritarian sentinel, his form flickering with neon crimson lines of command authority.
Brainiac's optics narrowed in analytical approval. At last. All components present. The system is... complete.