The Least Common Denominator

Interlude XVI: Ica

Ica wasn't one for games.

Being a literal embodiment of her Master's untapped abilities, the phoenix hadn't expected to mold herself into this demeaning approximation of her Master's... preferences. She was power. Pure Essence made manifest. To think that she'd stoop to lower herself simply in a vain attempt to knock some sense into the idiot that was her host?

Inconceivable.

And yet, as Ica watched her Master reabsorb each and every page of her repressed memories, she couldn't help but roll her eyes at the lengths she had undergone for this event to even happen. Creating a human analog of herself had been the first step, despite her host already being able to understand her through her sheer thoughts. Next came the complete overhaul of the mindscape, which would enable her Master to better understand the place that was her own mess of a mind.

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• The Least Common Denominator   XXXIX.I Quantum Theory

  Questions... the fundamental building blocks of curiosity. Any child would have these in spades, as would any other OCD-riddled adult that just refuses to accept any answer at face value. Of course, it wasn't that easy to seek the answers to any question, especially during the late-age information era when the very concept of the truth had been distorted and mangled by those that wished to control it. Anyone with a narrative had their own set of truths, as would those that simply had their own beliefs and principles. Unfortunately, the hivemind that was society had a tendency to spit out those that went against them, and as such, thinking for oneself became radicalism."Crimson?"Radicalism, in turn, becomes extremism. After which would come the gradual degradation of rational thought and basic common sense. Now that I think about it, I think even I, myself, wasn't immune to i

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  Okay, let's think this through...I apparently have an ability that's supposed to be exclusive to Numerators. I already have access to my missing memories because of Ica. Ica explained that the reason I blacked out was that I was reabsorbing the lingering Essence still present in this abandoned village..................Fuck me, I don't understand how I'm supposed to spin this."..Yeah..." I found myself hesitantly agreeing to Love's comment, her eyes oddly judging despite knowing that their owner wasn't as such. "I did say that...""How did you know then?"I grimaced as Lace presented the fucking question. Of course, I wouldn't be able to dodge this thing forever. But did that mean that I couldn't buy

• The Least Common Denominator   XXXIX.III Quantum Theory

  A few minutes had passed since I had a nervous breakdown when I had decided that I was back to being a presentable person again. The twins were back in the old, dilapidated room that we were staying in; our dinners being cooked by the bafflingly dangerous campfire they've somehow set up on a floor made of wood. I would've questioned them on this, but I honestly couldn't give a shit anymore as this day just kept on getting longer and longer. I couldn't even tell if it was already past midnight already at this point. I was just surviving through sheer conviction and the potential guilt that would well up inside me if I put this thing off for tomorrow.Not that that was out of the cards, however. I could still drop unconscious out of sheer fatigue at any point in time."So, I have a theory..." I started off the discussion, my eyes probably still red from earlier as the twins look

• The Least Common Denominator   XL.I Synchronicity

  "Focus."Focus, huh... Such a nebulous term, at least in my opinion. Forcing one's mind to remove all distractions just to solely aim at one subject, focusing is a vital skill used by both adults and students alike in their everyday lives. Whether as a learning tool or to simply get shit done in as quick and accurate a fashion, the amount of time one can stay focused can dictate whether or not one would be successful in their chosen field. It will always take a certain amount of focus to-*SLAP!*"Oww!"The stinging sensation of a wooden plank hitting its mark threatened to break my skin as I rubbed my reddening arm. My eyes opened in an instant, the visage of Love holding a whacking stick looming above me from where I sat. Was it unwarranted? Was it premature? I don't really know. Then again, I guess I did ask for this

• The Least Common Denominator   XL.II Synchronicity

  I felt my brows twitch as I heard my alter ego's sarcastic remarks. Sure, I might not be the most accurate tool in the shed, but did she really just say that to me? "What do you mean took you long enough?""It's exactly what I mean, Master," Ica smirked at me from her fiery chair as she floated in the air all menacing-like. Totally not jealous about it though, "At the very least, you managed to do so as soon as you put your mind to it.""Haha, very funny."Ignoring the blatant show of power and elegance by Ica's admittedly awesome way of being seated, I found myself looking around at the oh-so-familiar library that was apparently my mindscape. Not much of a difference from last time, at least; same bookshelves, same wooden floors that somehow won't combust despite the literal fire that Ica was emitting, even the same damn chair and table combo with

• The Least Common Denominator   XL.III Synchronicity

  Were my ears deceiving me? Did I hear her correctly? "I thought you're not supposed to lie to me?"I was supposed to be that normal Denominator isekai chick. At least, if the cosmic being that put me here had the idea of entertaining itself with my own misery. I didn't show Numerator powers back when I wanted it to appear, and Mother flat out told me that being a Den or a Num were mutually exclusive from each other. And then here came little old me just suddenly being capable of doing both? It felt like a massive cop-out, not to mention the fact of why did it not appear earlier? If I had Numerator powers, surely I would've noticed it years ago. I find this shit highly suspect."And yet here we are," I heard Ica answer my thoughts with a sigh. "I, myself, do not know how or why this is the case, only that I am the manifestation of your power."'Mani

• The Least Common Denominator   XL.IV Synchronicity

  "Focus, you idiot."Now, where had I heard that before...Flicking my right wrist, I did my damn best to pretend that I was throwing out my so-called 'other Essence' as I threw out my arm like a fucking weeb on steroids. And as predicted, nothing came out of my palms except some of my dignity as I grimaced at what I was doing. It was demeaning, humiliating; probably the most cringe-worthy action I had ever done in my life."Even worse than posing awkwardly trying to do your best approximation of an Iaido?""Oh shut up." Of course, she'd respond to my thoughts like this. "Now tell me if I'm doing this right."It might have been a slow start in terms of actual learning, but I would at least like to think that I was doing pretty well despite being only at it for about an hour or so.

• The Least Common Denominator   XL.V Synchronicity

  What in the actual fuck?!"Ica-"I couldn't even finish my sentence before I was smothered once again by a veritable sea of fire and cuddles as the phoenix woman just never seemed to let me go despite her earlier wishes of doing so. It was far from her dignified self, but who the fuck am I to judge on another person's mental being when I'm seriously considering jumping what was essentially my own alter ego? Shit... I have to get her off me before my inhibitions completely erode themselves against my will."PLEASE, MASTER! USE ME! USE ME TO YOUR HEART'S CONTENT!"Ignoring the borderline lust-filled ravings of the woman keeping me captive in her arms, I steeled myself with a sigh before doing my damn best to pry myself off of Ica's clingy grip. My arms snaked their way through her... voluptuous defenses; my hands bracing

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