Crimes of transmigration

Getting back to my senses, what I saw before my eyes was everything but expected. I was in the arena, but the arena was no more. It was a skating rink.

Ice engulfed everything and I'd lie if I said I wasn't impressed.

Piles of corpses everywhere, human and monsters but the battle was coming to an end. Odysseus was relentlessly casting spells one after the other, while his crew was engaged in battle with weapons covered in Aura.

Although the situation was chaotic, everything seemed to be slowly turning for the better, so I exploited this chance to check upon myself.

I could feel it clearly. My magic circuits were basically everywhere, not only large, but sturdy and efficient as well. My mana was running around at a speed I didn't expect and my body itself felt way stronger then before.

To top everything else I looked at my circle.

It really changed. My once serpentine like circle seemed now woven from branches.

[1st circle - circle of nature, the Dryad]

"Motherfucking Master wasn't lying. That elixir wasn't a joke"

As I tried to leave the scene to investigate, I was blocked by what I assumed was an invisible barrier, but as soon as I tried to punch it the barrier dissolved.

"Dimitris"

Turning around I saw a clearly tired Odysseus looking at me with sparkling eyes.

It irked me.

"Good work Captain, I'm taking my leave now. I need to investigate what's going on."

"Wait! Your Master told me to protect you! I can't leave you go alone!"

"Merlin told you to protect me?"

Does that bastard have a death wish?

"Well, thank you for protecting this unworthy disciple of a half bastard creature who clearly doesn't understand human emotions, but as you can see, I'm good to go."

"I insist, I can't exactly go against a favour asked me from a constellation my patron respects…"

My eyes shook, I was so astonished I almost forgot to breath.

Merlin had revealed himself as a constellation, but more importantly…

"Your homegirl respects who?"

Someone respected Merlin.

"HAHAHAHAHAH YO MASTER WHAT DID YOU DO REALLY? DID YOU THREATEN TO CHANGE THEIR SEX OR SOMETHING?"

While Odysseus was shocked I could read the glee Merlin was experiencing.

[the mage of flowers considers your idea extremely hilarious and promises to use it for troublemakers]

Since he's amused at the idea I could threaten my girl Hera's husband eheheh.

"Well since my Master ordered I shall comply, follow me and try to do something about your mana, it's clear your exhausted."

Like a loyal puppy, Odysseus promptly followed me regaining his composure and begun explaining how these half dog creatures were the first of 3 waves of monsters.

And seeing how troublesome they were, the situation was dire. Not for their strength, but for their numbers. Then he recounted how "my" past advice on derivative magic helped him and how his Territory Creation spell basically won them the first wave.

"There's a couple of hours left, we should regroup with the others to get ready for the second wave…"

Odysseus was dejected, maybe he thought I wouldn't even waste my voice on him after all that happened and tried to confront me about it, but I rejected saying I didn't care.

I really didn't, this was no man and as soon as possible I was going to leave for my own journey.

"What's a Territory Creation spell?"

"It's a spell you'll unlock when you reach the 5th circle, it'll come to you naturally, but you'll need to research to understand it. Now we should really regroup Dim."

"You can go Captain, I have other plans."

"But your master…"

"Enough. Merlin doesn't care, he knows I can protect myself. Leave, I said I have other plans."

[skill: negative answer, success]

Thank you Hera, this is the real mvp of skills.

Odysseus, on the verge of tears, turned around and left me alone. I really had other plans. I was looking for a spear.

[The Boar who roars challenges you to demonstrate his right judgment]

[kill 100 of the enemies in the next wave with a spear. Reward: spear made of celestial bronze]

Although Ares is a complete maniac, I'm not going to complain for a basically free lunch.

"Fuck I just planted a death flag. Fuck my life."

After sometimes wondering around I finally found a spear as long as my height and went hiding in the shadows abusing my past training.

The only thing I know about spears is that during armed combat you should always be mindful to keep the blade of the spear at you eye level to easily protect yourself. I doubt this will be armed combat.

Leaving the useless thoughts aside I looked around and found Odysseus ordering around the other men and building barricades out of ice to easily manage the expected number of enemies to come.

He truly is a genius when it comes to war and crafting.

"Oh someone is having honest thoughts for once?"

"I'm always honest, unlike an half incubus I know that keeps boasting about being someone's master. Also, stop talking in my head, it kind of disgusting."

"I'll stop, but did everything go smoothly? No repercussions from the Dryad spirit formula?"

"All good Merlin, now leave, the enemy is about to approach."

"Sure, they are asking about you though, the psycho was smart enough to tell you were on a solo mission and would try and rescue those in need, thought I'd let you know."

"That disgusting being now cares about human life? Surprising. I'd have done it either way, but thank you."

No answer came to me, it wasn't really needed.

I could feel it, monsters were coming. And big number was a cute way to describe it.

It was a colony of spiders, enormous arachnids waiting to chew on human meat.

The bull size spiders were already scary enough, but when they caught sight of Odysseus the went in a frenzy.

Oh I guess they are the children of Arachne.

Still in hiding I decided to flank the colony and observe their behavioural patterns before foolishly entering the fray and maybe experiment with my only offensive spell in the midst of it all.

Contrary to popular belief, these spiders weren't really fast, but their legs and abdomen were extremely tough, even aura infused weapon had difficulty cutting through that skin.

How am I supposed to kill these monsters with a regular spear and no aura at my disposal?

Then I noticed it, a pattern clearly meant to protect.

Whenever one of these creatures was about to be attacked they'd rise on their hind legs and use their abdomen as a shield.

They do have a weakness.

Getting back into hiding I weaved my way to Odysseus who was having trouble since his magic could not get through these monsters.

Appearing behind him I grasped his shoulder and barely evaded a punch coming my way.

"Is this a new form of greeting? Should I try in you?"

"How the fuck did you appear behind me?! I didn't even notice you!"

"Whatever, can you transmit my voice to your colleagues with a wind spell or something?"

"Our colleagues. And yes I can…"

"Great, get going then."

A grey circle appeared before my face and when Odysseus gave me the okay I delivered my findings.

"Comrades! It seems like our captain isn't in a great state of mind since he's making you run like headless chickens! Blame it on his patron, poor Arachne was simply too good. Anyway! The weak spot of this creatures is in between their eyes, instead of attacking their abdomens when they rise to evade your attack, make 'em slip. If you can't, aim for the joints and then stab their ugly foreheads. You're welcome."

Ending my comment and getting ready to flee and fight I was once again stopped by a stunned Odysseus.

"How did you know?"

"Their weak spot? Behavioural patterns."

"No, about my enmity with spiders…"

But I was long gone and couldn't quite catch the delusional Odysseus claiming I still cared about him.

It was time for me to officially enter the scene. Looking around I found my first target. A monster was making its way to one of the injured soldier about 10 meters away from me.

Rushing over to my comrade I parried the heavy strike of the spider with the body of my spear.

They are strong.

The hit was almost numbing, but to me, that, wasn't even considerable as a scratch. Urging my comrade to get to the back line of defence I engaged my first monster hunt of the day. The spider was surely strong, but I too was filled with newfound strength, it was just a matter of getting adjusted to it.

Legs came raining on me, I dodged what was possible to dodge and parried away what I couldn't, but I wasn't left unscathed. Cuts were slowly accumulating. I had to go on the offensive.

Creating a mental image of the casting circle for Thorny path twice I focused as much as possible on maintaining both circles in my mind while evading and parrying my enemy. Once I was sure of myself I sprang into action. Retreating from the enemy I baited him to come my way and immediately casted the first circle in between me and my enemy.

I didn't know how much I could influence my spells with my knowledge and mana, but I was ready to bet everything on it.

Lavander, give my thorns a strong fragrance of lavander.

"Thorny path"

Soon thorns appeared in my designated area and a strong smell of lavander erupted from the ground. The reaction was instantaneous. Lavander is known to be a great natural repellent for spiders in my old world and it seemed to be the case here as well.

Soon the spider rose to his hind legs and I immediately cancelled the spell to activate the second circle right underneath the creature's legs

Rose like descending thorns, pitcher plant surface.

"Thorny path"

Magic was exactly that, magical. As soon as my mind formed the existence of the thorns I imagined, they came to life. The spider faltered and I quickly jumped on its head plunging my spear in between its eyes.

I was right.

Although the mental strain of keeping the 2 circles ready with their respective attributes while fighting was heavy it was still somewhat manageable, the mana I used was basically unnoticeable since the duration of both my spells didn't even add to 3 seconds and with practice I could easily get used to it, lucky me was full of practice targets.

I still need to kill 99 of this monsters.

[!attention! Second condition to unlock skill: parallel thinking, achieved]

[multicasting will be easier for you, last condition to fully unlock the skill unfulfilled, please continue your training]

[willpower +0.4]

A pleasant surprise came my way. If multicasting would be easier than these monsters really were in it to the bitter end.

No time to dingle, let's keep going.

Life was too precious to end at the claws of these creatures and death was always unforgiving. I needed to survive, and helping others survive was a nice medicine to my shattered soul.

The battle was fierce, but after listening to my advice, my companions were slowly getting the hang of it, even Odysseus was having a better time now that he knew what to do and had calmed from the presence of these gigaspiders.

I on my hand was bulldozing through the battlefield appearing everywhere, but in just a few seconds disappeared leaving a dead spider on my walk.

My voice, like the song of a siren brought my scared friends solace and with the enemy taken care of they could retreat to get treatment.

I was so focused on my mission I didn't even realise how much I was actually bleeding, nor how the spear once unfamiliar was slowly becoming an extension of my limbs; my spells more efficient by the cast, my circle becoming denser and denser.

I only came back to reality when the system announced the end of the 2nd wave.

[2nd wave ended. Announcing contribution rankings]

[1st- Odysseus, 1.167 points

2nd- Dimitris, 287 points

3rd- Eurylochus, 93 points

.

.

3rd wave will begin shortly, be ready for the Spider Queen - Arachne, holder of the fragment]

That bastard is so fucking strong. But I showed everyone that I can protect myself.

"See Merlin? I told you I was good"

"Go heal yourself"

"Sure"

[Challenge objective exceeded]

[The Boar who roars laughs maniacally]

[The eternal Owl looks at you]

[the mage of flowers offer a change of sex]

"HAHAHAHA MERLIN YOU DID NOT! I WAS HOPING TO THREATEN THAT MANWHORE"

"Oh don't worry, we can play with Zeus at a later time"

[celestial spear obtained, transferring to internal space]

"Right, you need to teach me about this internal space or whatever"

"I took a look around your timeline… just think of it as that inventory thingy in video games. Also, you will need to play with me sometime, your time has so much entertainment"

"How stupid am I to not have thought of that? Anyway, sure we'll play."

Making my way to the makeshift camp in the arena, drenched in blood from head to toe I was received both by an angry man and an enthusiastic crowd.

"THE SECOND COMMANDER! DIMITRIS! HAS NOT FORSAKEN US, OUR HERO IS BACK!"

Looking straight at Odysseus who was showing symptoms of mana depletion I inquired.

"What are they even talking about, you killed 5 times more enemies than me"

"You forgot even that. Every time there's a war you send the injured back saving their neck and only come back to me when you're fully covered in blood. Usually yours. I thought since you're a mage you'd stay with me in the back !"

"It seems you forgot I've been a mage for less then 2 weeks, but a melee my whole life."

"Never mind."

Dejected, Odysseus was about to go to rest when I stopped him.

"Where do you think you're going? Follow me you psycho bastard."

Making my way with an extra puppy behind me to the place all the injured soldiers were I sat in the middle and started forming the magic circle in my mind.

"Friends! I won't be able to battle in the next fray, but please accept this gift."

Let's show them a glimpse of Avalon

"Garden of the illusory flowers"