Paradise of Infinity: 362

Title: All Paths Lead To Rome

“So?” June drawls, walking to Nik alongside Toph.

“What was so urgent that I couldn’t continue training this lazy jerk?” Toph sniffs haughtily, pointing her nose upward before grinning. Her hand swiftly spanks June’s trained rear, making the latter roll her eyes, largely unbothered by Toph’s antics.

“See?” Toph complaints. “No reaction. How are you going to move mountains when you can’t move your fat ass?”

“It’s not fat,” June scoffs, prompting Toph and Nik to look over. Their gazes determine otherwise.

“Well,” Nik clears his throat. He expected Toph to follow. She’s been friendly with June for some time now and likes practicing with the woman. He raises two square earthen blocks beside the beach. “I want to go over your situation again, June.”

“Having second thoughts?” June smirks, tracing her choker.

“Not that,” Nik scoffs, “It’s about your bending.”

Intrigued, the girls sit down as Nik continues, “So, I’ve been going through the different power systems. I won’t bore you with the details—”

“No,” June interjects. “Please, do. Most of the hentai are based on other verses with various power systems. I want to know more about this.” The Bounty Huntress is admittedly knee-deep into the hentai package Ray gifted Nik during their first meeting. She’s scoured several things and read many amazing stories, even for Hentai.

Nik nods.

“The Chi we practice is similar to other systems revolving around manipulating our life force,” he begins, observing how Toph has already lost interest as she cleans her ear. Unlike Toph, June invests herself in the topic, nodding in understanding. Ray pointed out how most power systems only differ because of the different verses and people, not because of said energy.”

“The chances of someone like Toph using her chi to manipulate earth, lava, and metal forming the best armament haki in One Piece’s verse are high. It’s a general agreement among hosts like us that one’s abilities are based on origin and attribute. For example, the attribute of someone like Katara is probably water. But it’s not all clear-cut. Mai and Yue inherited special energybending skills. Meanwhile, the origin is even more distinct.”

“Remember how I dealt with your issue about a spirit haunting your body by enlightening you?” Nik questions rhetorically. “It was similar to how a spirit shares its essence. The only difference was I connected your mind and heart internally, allowing you to earthbend. You must have watched some hentai about it, right? Does it sound familiar?”

Toph looks at June as Nik waits.

June squints and mutters, “Mind and body… where did I read it?”

“Oh,” June’s eyes snap open. “Kaguya’s Cumhouse! It’s chakra, right?”

Nik shrugs. “That’s what I thought, too. But chakra is the concise fusion of spiritual and physical energy. Theoretically, you should have chakra. But you don’t. It’s still chi. That’s because you are different from someone originating from Naruto’s world.”

“Naruto?” June raises an eyebrow.

“You probably read a sexed-up version of that world,” Nik smiles. “Also, even with Chi, you aren’t spiritually aware like Sokka. None of you can see the spirits that hide in plain sight, but Sokka can. Still, he cannot bend any element.”

“So, Mr. Boomerang is better than us?” Toph scoffs.

“Different,” Nik answers. “It probably means he’ll get to control things more effortlessly than others. And that is my point. I should have noticed it before. While your training includes bending of the element… it should also have more precise control over your chi.”

Toph and June frown.

“Earthbending is about being stable,” Toph interjects. “June’s got that down. She just lacks more energy—”

“Her chi constantly fades,” Nik drops the bomb. “I never noticed it because June’s reserves haven’t been high. But I’ve been using my spirit senses since you got here… and I finally noticed that your chi leaves your body, dissipating in nature.”

He sighs. “I’m sorry. I should have noticed this sooner. You would have been—”

“Come on,” June rolls her eyes. “We’re way past apologizing for honest mistakes. The only reason you’ll have to apologize to me is either hurting Nyla or not stopping by my room for fun occasionally.” She grins. “Unless it’s our honeymoon. Then I get to keep you for myself.”

“What if I marry you all together?” Nik blinks as Toph and June exchange glances.

“We can still have separate honeymoons…” June nods.

“And then a super-long shared one,” Toph smirks.

Nik smiles as June returns to the topic.

“So? How do we deal with this?”

“Well,” Nik cups his chin. “I noticed this mistake while reading on Nen. It’s another power system based on life energy. In its description, the awakening of Nen from a third party, like your case, can be harmful. It’s due to two reasons. First, the party awakening another’s Nen has malicious intentions. Second, the recipient of this process has no experience with Nen, and their life energy dissipates without their control, weakening and often injuring them.”

“Then why’s she alive?” Toph picks her nose, something Poppy would never allow in public.

“Because Nik just said it, genius,” June connects the dots. “People from different verses interact differently with the same kind of power.”

“Yep,” Nik nods. “And thank all the spirits for that. I don’t know what I would have done if you were crippled or fatally hurt because of me.”

“Relax,” June remarks with an easygoing expression. “You would have just been more into vegetables then.”

Nik and Toph choke on their breaths at June’s words.

He shakes his head. “Anyway,” he points out, “Since the problem is similar to Nen’s power system, I figured the answer may lie there, too. I’ll perform the same energy-bending skill daily until you get a good and precise feel for your chi before controlling it. Other benders probably never had this issue because they were born with this talent.”

June nods before tilting her head. “So, others can become elemental benders now?”

Nik works his jaw.

“Not until I form some practices to generalize the issue. Let’s deal with your situation and see how your skills grow before thinking about others.”

“Great, let’s get started,” June smirks.

<<<>>>

[Bio-Fuel (Rank 2): A condensation of pure, unattributed lifeforce capable of healing and temporarily boosting the consumer’s energy and stamina reserves. (Additional Info: The higher the user’s stats, the less pronounced effects on the energy reserves.)]

Nik stares at one of the most significant advantages of sharing his Kopi Kopi no Mi with Ray—Bio-Fuel. It’s an index-long-glass capsule with a red cap and a thin stream of blue liquid.

Nik also had other considerations when revealing about Kopi Kopi no Mi.

First, sharing is caring… well, not really. However, Nik would rather not risk any resentment in Ray by keeping such a profitable avenue where the duo can grow together.

Why?

Why not?

Despite possessing several chances, Ray hasn’t given him any reason to believe she’s unworthy of trust. She isn’t like his former caretaker, who snitched on him the second she got the chance, leading to their demise.

Second, as he reasoned with Ray, they stand to gain a LOT by working together on this rather than alone.

Third, a successfully offered trust often leads to multiplied reciprocation. Although Nik cannot be sure, he feels Ray won’t stint on their relationship when she receives something of Kopi Kopi no Mi’s caliber.

As for this Bio-Fuel? It temporarily raises his chi reserves from 305 to 655! He only needs a few hits of this good stuff to master Prana-Bindu.

Still, Nik notices a peculiarity within Kopi Kopi no Mi.

Logic suggests copying and pasting the Bio-Fuel should cost around 300 points of his chi reserves. Yet Nik can create the item for less than 50 points.

‘Why?’

He muses before realizing something.

‘This is probably because the fluid reacts to the body, producing the necessary boost. It’s also why the boost is temporary rather than permanent. Based on my raw capabilities, I can only use it 3-4 times daily. If I’m too strong, I’ll have to seek Rank 3 and higher variants.’

Nik smiles.

‘What do you think, Mokshi? Will I get to learn your true name if I find a way to increase my energy reserves permanently?’

There’s a shift within Nik’s being as he feels Mokshi’s contemplation before denial.

“Huh,” Nik shrugs. “Well, I’ll still try to form a Zanpakuto. The Shikai and Bankai release of those weapons feels similar to what you said about our channel being too weak.”

What should have been an acceptable path in Nik’s book proves less than stellar in Mokshi’s.

“Didn’t know you were so moody,” Nik scoffs, to which Mokshi sends its denial.

‘Still, you must have a reason to feel slightly against a Zanpakuto. It won’t hurt me to research it carefully before deciding. Nik uncaps the capsule and downs the content.

The cool stream of liquid enters his stomach before seeping through his stomach lining as a dense blue fog enters his bloodstream and the meta-physical origins of his Chi. But it takes a few seconds for Nik to feel his chi bolstered.

Closing his eyes, Nik feels the ‘flaky’ chi rolling. He grins.

Mastering Prana-Bindu so early is an unexpected surprise for Nik. Still, he displaces the chi into his body, letting it cover, slather, and seep into the tiniest corners. Nik allows his chi to melt into his physical structure down to the last particle.

Sure, he will miss out on the general discipline of mastering Prana Bindu the right way, but he cannot allow himself to fall for such issues when other monstrous hosts exist with better skills, items, and experience.

Nik is aware Iroh would encourage him to follow the proper path. That’s who Iroh is.

But Nik is also aware that the cheerful old man would pull him aside and urge him to practice such a fantastic skill as quickly as possible.

Nik can only feel giddy at the thought of such control. He can control the growth of his bodily hair.

He can manage his sperm count, removing the issue of unwanted pregnancies once and for all.

Heck!

If the girls eventually learn it, they can decide the gender of their babies at inception.

Prana Bindu is busted.

It’s a skill that gives the body a ‘mind.’

Yes, the brain is part of the biological system. But the process of consciousness lies beyond the flesh. Prana Bindu allows the flesh to tap into such sources.

Some extreme examples of Prana Bindu reveal the inheritance of an ancestor’s consciousness through their cells. One may as well live on after death!

Hosts like Ray and Accu-mulet are privy to such skills.

Still, Ray lacks the required discipline of orthodox practice, or she wouldn’t have quivered in her boots when facing an intimidating person like Sofia despite being a literal nuclear warhead.

Or a nuclear trap?

It’s never simple with Ray.

The succubus can quite effortlessly grow a dick or dig a cunt.

‘If we do it… and she’s a girl… but she grows one out the next day… would that mean I fucked another person instead of the boy Ray?’ Nik muses. Not that he would lay with Ray. No, sir. He fucks to marry…

That’s usually the plan, and it has worked well till now.

So, Nik doesn’t see himself and Ray as a thing. Despite her ridiculously tantalizing scent and that cute little—

‘Huh,’ Nik snaps out. ‘Succubus are dangerous.’

He uncaps another Bio-Fuel capsule before feeling comfort wash over his being.

‘What can I achieve with Prana Bindu, an Osmosian Gene Kit, and Kopi Kopi no Mi?’ He fantasizes. ‘Say, Mokshi… all this is quite suitable with the Freedom Paradox, right?’

While a host can walk any power system’s path, they usually need a starting item. For instance, to be a spell caster, a Host must use a mage’s reconstruction pill to produce magic, purchase a wand, and practice several spells. Similarly, to be a soul reaper, a host must transform into a being of reishi and purchase an Asauchi Primer for their preferred weapons or items.

But Mokshi?

It’s in a class of its own.

Nik shouldn’t have been able to manipulate chi and bend elements, but he could without upgrading his bloodline, which is the typical route for power for an average host.

He feels Mokshi’s nonchalance that almost betrays its smugness.

Not only that but Nik isn’t limited by elemental affinities. He can generate fire and lightning and manipulate earth, lava, metal, water, air, and ice. He’s also growing closer to applying airbending to sounds, and he suspects that’s his path to becoming an airbending master.

If that isn’t enough, his metalbending differs from Toph’s skills. The latter manipulates the earthen mineral within processed metals to manipulate them.

Nik?

He straight-up bends metal without a hint of earthen mineral within.

‘The only probable reason my stats don’t show anything about being a Metal Master is that manipulating metal is a basic thing, but it is the stuff of masters for an earthbender to achieve the same.’

Nik shrugs, unbothered.

After going through all the reading material from Ray, Nik believes Mokshi’s paradox has opened a wide path for Nik where he can manipulate other aspects… hopefully, like light and darkness.

‘Maybe luck, too?’ Nik feels greedy as he chugs down the third bio-fuel capsule. Mokshi only ‘rolls’ its eyes at his lust.

But there is also encouragement from his spiritual partner.

They are unaware of their limits in this nigh unending multiverse… and want to test it.

By the time Nik consumes the fourth capsule, he feels extraordinary. He can make any fiber of his body twitch at will. He can make a peculiar length of capillary swell, then some more. His cock turns rock hard in one second and deflates in another.

It’s like bloodbending oneself… but so much more.

And…

‘I’m rid of the urges of my bloodline,’ Nik takes a deep breath. He hates how weak he feels during those times.

Kyouko… Yuuko…

He didn’t want it to be that way during his party. Sure, he admits they are charming. But he never wanted to almost override their senses with lust before bedding them beside others.

He grunts and thins his lips.

Well, not anymore.

He’s now the master of his mind and body.

A part of him wonders if his growth is fair to others.

Then he recalls the manifestation of an outer god as a ball of yellow frenzied flames that took a few decades of his life.

Yep, it’s worth—

‘Can I copy lifespan?’

Nik blinks.

If he can copy soul and sentient living beings… what about lifespan?

What is a lifespan?

The blueprint of his biological age and the ticking timebomb marks physical deterioration. Can’t he control that using Prana Bindu, no longer needing to fear aging?

His thoughts stall, and he glances at his stats.

It’s still showing the same lifespan.

Frowning, Nik simply forces his body to maintain his current peak. Naturally, such a thing requires internal energy, but the effects are immediate.

[Age: 20 (- -)]

‘Huh,’ Nik smiles, achieving something else.

[Age: 20→ 18(- -)]

“What do you know?” He snickers. “I’m forever eighteen.”

How a particular forever seventeen-year-old mother will lament with envy at this revelation.

‘That said, I also need to focus on those girls… and form a few more engagement chokers.’

His priority shifted from Koro to his family and Scar of Infinity the second he completed one of the Rank 6 missions. He has enough rewards and won’t entertain thoughts of killing a friend.

‘Uh, that yellow perverted octopus is my friend…’ says the perverted incubus.

Life has its show of irony, muses Mokshi.

Nik ignores the rare sass from the spiritual hitchhiker and sits near the Spirit Oasis. He dips his hand in the water, feeling the supercharged chi-water brim to life.

He cannot help but wonder.

‘Since I control my lifespan, can I use the Flames of Nirvana as I wish?’

He understands the loss of lifespan is linked to his body’s aging. The older he grows, the weaker his bodily functions. That’s basic. The use of the golden flames increased the pace of this aging.

What now?

Will he experience the same thing?

The best way he knows is to test it out.

So, Nik ejects a lick of blue fire from the tip of his index finger and brings it over to his right palm. He thins his lips, enduring the scorch as his body still cannot resist the more intense heat of blue flames unless he charges and heats his chi within for some fire resistance.

Exhaling, Nik extinguishes the blue flames before using his Flames of Nirvana. The gentle golden fire seeks his injuries before healing him.

‘Nothing,’ Nik observes giddily. An excited grin appears on his lips.

But now he’s more in control. It’s quite a paradox. He only lets himself go if he WANTS to.

Nik can now appear as stoic as the next whore in the multiverse, but he likes feeling happy. It’s a pleasant sensation. So, he won’t ever inhibit his reactions unless they cause him unfortunate losses.

As for the golden fire?

‘It doesn’t consume my lifeforce but chi… a LOT of chi.’

That superficial burn took over 20 points of his reserves—yes, it’s a LOT. To put things in perspective, Nik uses the same amount to bend an almost hill-sized boulder!

Still, he moves out from the Scar of Infinity and enters it again, appearing beside Saki.

“Eek!” she squeaks before blushing. She almost lets go of the glass of water as Yue frowns, berating her fiance. “You should start entering the room with a knock, Nik.”

“I will,” Nik promises before glancing at Saki. “Say, Saki. Do you want me to heal your eyesight?”

Only Saki and Yue are in the kitchen. His words stump the latter, who gives him a worried look.

Nik never told others how his Flames of Nirvana worked after he healed Toph’s eyes. But as the group’s healer, Yue knows that the cost of this skill must be considerable since Nik doesn’t always offer to use that skill despite his affection for the group.

“It’s fine,” Nik notices Yue’s worries. “Ra must have never expected me to deal with that skill’s issues so quickly. So, Saki? I can make your eyes better. You won’t have to wear glasses again.”

Saki touches the red-rimmed glasses—Nik’s present.

Hesitant, she ducks away from his gaze before questioning.

“Could I… still wear these glasses?”

She sneaks a glance as Nik smiles broadly.

“Of course, why can’t you? I just want you to be healthy.”

Saki blushes, making Yue giggle.

The two cannot understand each other for now. Still, Saki pouts at the comforting white-haired girl.

“Thank you,” Saki nods.

“That’s not needed,” Nik chuckles. “But I appreciate it.”

He creates a ball of golden fire before tossing it over her head—

“I’m on fire!” Saki screams, hitting her head against the shelf before falling unconscious.

Her reaction happened to be instantaneous.

Nik: “...”

Yue: “... pfft!”

“Shut up,” Nik pouts as he helps Saki up before cleaning the glass of water the girl let loose.

“Ugh,” Saki rubs her head and hurriedly looks around before showering Nik with her indignance and hitting his chest. “Why would you do that?” She adopts a whiny tone as Nik appears speechless.

“Don’t say it’s normal,” Saki reads his look. Her cheeks flush as she recalls something while clenching her thighs. “You’re not normal…”

“How are your eyes?” Nik accepts it all with a smile as Saki blinks and removes her glasses. Her eyes widen.

“Better!” she gasps before smiling at Nik and swiftly hugging him.

“I’m glad.” Nik smiles.

***

Alternate Title: June’s Ass Is Indeed Fat; The Honeymoon Plan?; The Balls Shrivelling Plan; Apologetic Nik; The Cause of June’s Mighty Bending; The Power System Appropriation; Imagine Fate Characters With Harry Potter Spell: Hehe, Bombarda Goes Brrrr; How To Get Started on Power Systems 101; June’s Training Plan; Kopi Kopi no Mi OP, Please Don’t Nerf; The Benefits of Sharing; Now Read Nik and Ray Speedrunning To Share a Bed; Mokshi Doesn’t Want To Share The Spirit World?; The Prana Bindu Effect; You Have To Be OP To Be a Slut In The Multiverse; Free From Bloodline; The Mokshi Effect; The Mythical Steel Bender; Forever 18; Shuuko Komi’s Destined Rival; Nik Can Make Several Things Legal… Let That Sink In; The Important Question Is… Can Nik Become a Shota?; The OP Flames of Nirvana; Nik Can Heal; Nik: You Get a Heal, You All Get Heals; Saki’s Aqua-Worthy Reaction; Saki’s Scarred… And She Needs a Cuddling Session; Nik Masters Himself and All His Powers; Shifting Priorities