Thud! Thud! Thud!
Somewhat heavy steps resounded from within the Veiled Arcadia Gate as it emitted a presence only found when it was in an active state. The steps sounded distant and happened at a uniform pace, miraculously maintaining the same rhythm without fail.
For some reason, Hekaina felt her heart palpitate, subconsciously lifting her hand to the middle of her ample bosom. Her eyelids trembled and her riveting eyes quaked.
The pressure wasn't suffocating but it was unusual, feeling as if it didn't belong in this particular realm.
"What's wrong, Master?" Agatha questioned. She noticed the change in Hekaina's demeanor but couldn't sense the source of Hekaina's disturbed thoughts.
Agatha's sensitivity regarding the mystical energies and pressures couldn't compare to Hekaina, which is why she had yet to ascend to the throne as the next Enchantress.
"It's strange, Aggy," Hekaina said, calling Agatha by her endeared nickname. "I thought this presence to be Aatrox, but it's hard to tell. Whatever is emerging from that gate… it's not who or what we sent inside."
"Is that so?" Agatha absentmindedly replied.
A powerful mystical formation appeared before her eyes as Agatha activated her True Discerning Eyes coupled with a Mystic Cipher of Eni. Once she performed this action, Agatha's ability to discern rivaled her master's normal condition, but it let Agatha understand Hekaina's worries.
It felt as if a walking storm of mystical energies was approaching the gate and the energy signature embedded within the storm was monstrous!
"Could… Eni have conjured a weakened avatar to walk this plane?" Hekaina uttered, questioning the source of her current state. Aside from curiosity and anxiety, Hekaina felt rampant anticipation, so much so that her palms began to perspire.
Considering her ancient age, sweating from excitement was something she should have evolved past.
Eventually, the steps came to a halt, but in return, a familiar presence appeared from within the Veiled Arcadia Gate.
Naturally, it was Kieran!
However, his current appearance made Hekaina and Agatha subconsciously hold their breath.
The mystical storm was a result of his eyes and mind!
If Kieran's eyes could be considered attractive enough to enthrall someone, his current eyes felt mystical enough to enrapture.
His eyes released a prismatic sheen despite neither the True Unveiling Eyes nor the Eyes of Profound Discerning being active. Furthermore, his eyes occasionally between a soft ruby color and profound black color the color of the abyss.
The change in his eye color resulted from Blood Mania's Source Rune and the Archaic Verity Compendium battling for supremacy within his soul. Kieran didn't coax battle, instead, he let it happen naturally.
Blood Mania's Source Rune was at a natural disadvantage given the Archaic Verity Compendium's identity as a True Relic, but something truly strange occurred.
The Source Rune sapped energy from the Archaic Verity Compendium and borrowed energy from Kieran's Vengeful Soul to bridge the disparity in their natural strength!
'There's surprisingly no pain from these two things clashing, so I'll continue to let them vie for supremacy. I suppose both these things possess a subtle Ego, so I will not intervene,' Kieran inwardly thought.
The concept of Ego was touched upon briefly, but in short, Ego referred to the sentience of inhuman and non-human entities. It was incredibly difficult to perform because oftentimes, it required a piece of the user's soul to act as a seed for the Ego to grow inside.
For a weapon to become a Soul Armament, it must first develop an Ego and a Link. Legacy Armaments were another type of item that possessed an inferior Ego, but they remained powerful nonetheless.
After emerging from within the Veiled Arcadia Gate, Kieran casually shifted his gaze between Agatha and Hekaina's astonished expressions.
"Is something the matter?" Kieran questioned.
"Very much so! Why do you feel like a walking mystical amalgam? This goes beyond merely completing the trial to become a Mystical Runemaster. Did you… meet with Eni's avatar?" Hekaina said, ending with a question.
"I did," Kieran truthfully answered. He wasn't surprised by the fact that Hekaina was aware of Eni's distant presence within the Ancient Rune Oasis. It was indirect and purely speculation, but Kieran believed the few referred to Hekaina and others.
"And what were the results?" Hekaina asked, her eyes expectant and eager.
"The result is… I don't have a normal Mystic Gate nor am I a regular human. I… am a High Human and I hold the Archaic Verity Compendium," Kieran admitted.
His voice was deep, his words were clear and his tone lacked concern or fear.
On the other hand, Hekaina's eyes widened, and the urge to congratulate the young man before her with a sublime kiss welled up inside her but she refrained from showing something unsightly.
"Y-you succeeded!" Hekaina uncharacteristically shouted, even surprising Agatha, who stood beside her.
"The Archaic Verity Compendium? Is that the item the avatar tried to merge with us after completing the Trial of Ancient Mysticism?"
"Correct! But the type of soul required is astronomical. Furthermore, if you fail once, you can never try to bond with the relic again. Otherwise, our predecessor would have tried again after becoming Enlightened," Hekaina explained.
The fervent light in her eyes grew more heated as she looked at Kieran with the unconcealed intention of devouring him.
This naturally made Kieran feel somewhat uncomfortable. However, this discomfort arose from the fact he couldn't fathom how long Hekaina awaited someone's successful bonding.
When she mentioned his path to Ascendancy relied upon his talent and fate, this was what she was referring to. The matters concerning the Archaic Verity Compendium were entirely out of her power.
"Besides the True Relic, did Eni's avatar leave you with anything else?" Hekaina asked.
"Yes, but I'm unaware of their presence or identity. Eni's avatar said they would reveal themselves once I am ready. Or more specifically, once my mystical proficiency becomes acceptable," Kieran answered.
Hekaina nibbled her finger, unable to contain her excitement. He had succeeded!
"From this day forward, you'll be known and referred to as our Mystic Light."
Ding!
〈System: You have received a Legendary Sole Title «Mystic Light»!〉
「 Title Name: Mystic Light
Title Rank: Legendary (Sole)
Effect(s):
- Maxed Favorability with the Wykins. (Revered)
- Grants a status equal to the Heiress without the ability of succession. (May enter the Enchantress' residence without requesting permission from the Mystic Guardians.)
- Allows the holder to borrow the renown of the Enchantress. (Can only be wielded against allied forces.)
- Allows the holder to request aid from the Keepers of Serenity in times of need.
- Permits unmitigated entry into the «Mystic Rune Colony».
Description: A title awarded to an individual of brilliant skill and verity, capable of becoming the future hope for the fate of the Wykins. 」
"The Mystic Light," Kieran muttered, softly nodding his head.
The name rolled off the tongue effortlessly and there were no strings attached that would limit his actions or force him to ensure the Wykin's safety.
Of course, given his attachment to Hekaina, he wouldn't ignore them should they ever require help. However, that was only true if he could provide the necessary aid.
What if the enemy was far beyond his capabilities?
Granted, he could ask Scar to assist, but if Hekaina couldn't handle the said threat, would Scar be any help? From what Kieran sensed, she was many times more powerful than Scar.
Agrianos was another choice but getting in contact with him was difficult, even for Scar because when he was guarding the Chasm of Apogeton, Agrianos' whereabouts were unknown.
Soon enough, Hekaina walked up to Kieran and touched his chin, pointing his face down so that she may peer into his eyes.
Although Hekaina was tall for a woman, standing nearly 1.75 meters, Kieran's body seemed to have become larger recently, possibly an effect of Blood Mania's upgrade.
If he were to be remeasured, his character's height would surpass 1.9 meters.
"Yes, Enchantress?" Kieran answered.
"What else did you receive? Aside from the two unknown gifts. Eni's avatar wouldn't have left you without a way to maximize what you were given," Hekaina stated.
While she spoke, she gazed into Kieran's eyes trying to sense for deceit or the unwillingness to divulge the truth.
Surprisingly, she didn't find it.
"This," Kieran remarked.
As he lifted his hand, a prismatic cipher composed of blue and gold motes spiraled around both of his arms. However, when he opened his palm, it recoiled back to his palms as if attached to a string.
"That's… the first of the Nine Supreme Cipher of Eni. Isn't it?"
"It is," Kieran nodded.
The moment he confirmed this, Hekaina revealed a heartwarming smile. "You truly carry the incredible fate of a Harbinger. One that pierces beyond legend. I have no doubt that you'll come to realize my aspirations."
〈System: Due to your insufficient level and power, the Hidden Realm Quest «Aspirations Beyond Xenith» has been archived. Once you reach the prerequisite strength to learn more, the details will be revealed.〉
'An archived quest? That isn't a bad thing. It'll be there for when the time is right,' Kieran inwardly thought, dismissing any feelings of disappointment.
While the Hidden Realm Quest could act as a goal, focusing solely on Hekaina's aspirations would cause his own to become morphed. Before he could worry about these aspirations, he had to deal with the issues of his meager strength.
"If I recall, you have items in your possession that you wished to know the effects of. Right? It's the perfect time to unveil the details."
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