The Least Common Denominator

VI.V Solve for X

"Amazing..." Backus whispered as he eyed the runes etched onto the metal itself. "Squared angles to provide durability... and is that one of my open circles that I see?" the elder chuckled at his observations. "You certainly have a talent for picking up ideas, young Crimson."

"It's not just me. Olivia etched the runes herself," I preened, while at the same time giving my little sister most of the credit. "I just gave her the rough draft. She actually made it work."

Which was true. It was her adjustments that made the thing work. At best, I only gave her the idea to use those specific runes. Maybe she could've come up with a much better version if I didn't give any-

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• The Least Common Denominator   VI.VI Solve for X

  *CLANG!*And with a resounding clang, the third iteration of the rifle was complete. I watched in fascination as Backus's Essence slowly seeped into the rifle's runes; giving them the rudimentary power to activate and do their jobs."Time to test it, no?" the elder jovially asked, one hand hefting what now amounted to something like a sawed-off shotgun in size. "From what I've seen, it should lessen the energy required of us by a considerable margin."I simply nodded in response, too engrossed on what the old man was doing as he proceeded to aim his rifle down the range. Like an old light bulb, the rifle began gl

• The Least Common Denominator   VII.I Analytical Geometry

  "What do you mean 'you can't use them'?!"It was the day after our supposed breakthrough with our rifle, and as Backus has mentioned, there were a few of our fellow Denominators that showed up just before I woke up, I think."It's as she'd said, Crimson," the tall muscular man piped up, hefting a rifle of Backus's design. "Not everyone can spare that much Essence on something that has no guarantee we can hit. Not to mention that any Numerator worth their salt could easily rush us and disarm us anyway."I put a palm on my forehead as I briefed my two new 'assistants', as they might as well call themselves. One was

• The Least Common Denominator   VII.II Analytical Geometry

  "I think you're going to have two groups of people leading the charge," Emerald started, a finger on her temple as she pieced together my non-existent strategy. "You surely have skill with a blade if you can kill the Bloodmoon, so you're going to lead the charge against the guards with the rest of us wielding these rifles at the back.""Hmm..." I nodded in false understanding as I ran her idea through my head.From a basic, military standpoint, it has some merit as a basic strategy. Seeing as I, and on some capacity, Olivia, were the only Denominators present that has proven combat experience, we'd have to be the ones to break the enemy formation.

• The Least Common Denominator   VII.III Analytical Geometry

  ..................."Huh?"Train? Master? Strong?"Master?" the lime-haired woman repeated with rapt reverence as I felt my brain melt at the incredulous proposition offered to me. "Are you okay?""I-I... M-Master?" I stuttered like a blubbering idiot. "I-I'm fine..."

  The Least Common Denominator   Interlude IV: Backus

  Backus was an old man. He'd seen how the Empire had transformed from its small, humble beginnings, to becoming the continent-spanning behemoth that it was today. It was a different time, back then; back when Denominators weren't treated like the scum of the earth."Gramps. Have we seen all the exits yet?""Not yet, little Olivia," the elder addressed the curious girl by his side. "We have one more to go.""Okay..."As the pair continued on their merry stroll throughout the scorching-hot Furnace, the elder coul

• The Least Common Denominator   VIII.I Integral Calculus

  We should've had enough time."Sis! The guards are closing in!"I gripped my katana with grim determination; its edge still left dull due to my attention being poured on to other projects. I didn't have a rifle on me, but it wouldn't matter in the long run."What do we do now?!" Behind me, a few of my motley band of fellow Denominators shouted out, mostly at me. "Crimson!-""I know, dammit! Stay calm!"It w

• The Least Common Denominator   VIII.II Integral Calculus

  "Took you long enough!""C'mon! What do we do?!"I suppressed a nervous chuckle from escaping my lips as I turned to my detractors. I honestly wouldn't blame them. I would've left a long time ago if I could."We're not escaping. Not by a long shot," I began, noting the gasps and cries of some of my fellows. "They've blockaded the only way out of this place. The only thing we can do is fight!""Fight?!" a burly Denominator shouted incredulously. "You're sending us out to die?!"

  The Least Common Denominator   VIII.III Integral Calculus

  Battle cries rang from both sides of the fight as we waited with bated breath for the Decimals to begin their charge. The blazing, hot fires around the Central Hub visibly distorted the air as whispy mirages of the enemy forebodingly continued their approach."GET READY!" I shouted at my ragtag army from behind the veritable wall of Denominators blocking access to the Central Hub. "THEY'RE COMING!"*THUD! THUD! THUD!*I tensed up as the march grew louder, their footfalls now reverberating through my body as the Decimals now visibly lined up in front of us. We waited...Latest Chapter

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