Chương 70: First Trial’s End (2)

Maximus stared at the list of skills and, without wasting much time, chose Tornado. I would love something like Chain Lightning, but that will have to wait until some other time. For now, if I think about the next stage, this skill will be an ace up my sleeve, he thought.

Tornado (B) Level 1 – Summon the wrath of nature, the rage of the winds, and wipe your enemies and their settlements from the face of the earth. The summoned 6-meter -tall tornado will last for 10 minutes and move in a straight path until time elapses or it is destroyed. The area within a 6‑meter radius around the spell will be swallowed by violent, razor‑sharp winds. Once an enemy is trapped within the heart of the spell, there will be no escape. The size and strength of the winds will improve with level.

Spirit Cost: 1800. Cooldown: 3 Days.

"Just what I needed! Next!" He opened another set of rewards. [Comet Strike (B)], [Fly (B)], [Summon Ice Elemental (B)], [Conjure: Greater Lightning Weapon (B)], [Mindshatter (B)]"Hmmm, I already have strong offensive skills, but I don't have anything like these." He chose Mindshatter, a skill he knew all too well and had used more than he'd like to admit.

Mindshatter (B) Level 1 – Shoot an invisible beam of mana into your enemy's mind. Their consciousness will be overwhelmed by a surge of mana, incapacitating them for half an hour. The weaker the enemy's mind and the stronger your mana, the greater the damage dealt. Some targets may never recover, their minds forever broken. Enemies under the effect of Mindshatter can be interrogated, and they will speak only the truth. Mana Cost: 800 (more mana used increases potency). Cooldown: 12 Hours.

To unleash the full mind-breaking power of the skill, three circles are required.

If I'm going to investigate Maximus's old life, I might need something like this. His face darkened as he checked the last reward and upgraded the skill; he would need to survive whatever came next. Skill Evolved Sanctuary (C) to Dryad's Sanctuary (A) Dryad's Sanctuary (A) – Create a sanctified 8-meter radius area with you as its center where spirit energy is abundant. Wherever you move, the Sanctuary shifts alongside you.

The verdant area will heal your allies and you by 12% of your max health every thirty seconds for 30 minutes and raise overall Spirit and Mana regeneration by 6%. Enemies within the area will be attacked by large plant tendrils, and Solar and Lunar Lilies will bloom around you, firing flames of their respective natures at your targets.

Spirit Cost: 3500 Spirit. Cooldown: 4 Days A true power of nature and its will. With this, when needed, we can fight as much as necessary.

"I must say, Astrae, you have really overdone yourself this time!" Maximus clapped, satisfied, and turned toward his companions. Tamed beast Silex unlocked a skill: Watery Grave – Release a vortex of fast‑spinning water with you at its center, sucking enemies toward you, slowing them down, and lowering their defenses. Tamed beast Vesper unlocked a skill: Blood Iron Armament – Extract the iron from blood to create a set of armor that merges with your very existence.

Your defenses and attack power rise by 35% when armored, and your claws grow larger and sharper, unlocking the sub‑ability Iron Devastation – Descend upon your target and unleash a storm of slashes that rend the enemy and leave them bleeding. Tamed beast Jade unlocked a skill: Verdant Haze – Attune to the nature of the wind's devastating force, allowing you to create an echo of your very being, making every attack and skill strike twice by releasing a wind‑attuned copy of the attack.

Silex released his new skill, creating a large vortex around him that immediately began pulling Vesper in, who leapt away in a blur, landing beside Maximus.

"Hahaha, this is great. Did you get scared, furry?" Silex roared with laughter. Vesper activated his new skill. A set of slick black armor grew over his form, his claws expanded into sharp dagger‑like weapons, and his tail became encased in a whip‑like sheath of iron. Vesper howled, "Want to get a taste of these bad boys?" He slashed the floor, leaving deep gouges.

Seeing the duo test their new skills, Jade burst with bright green light as verdant winds enveloped her form, creating what looked like a delayed green copy of the wasp. Jade swung her scythes, sending arcs of sharp wind, while the green shadow followed with verdant arcs of its own.

"Alright, enough, everyone. I'm glad you're satisfied with your rewards, but you might hurt one another, and I won't stand for that!" Maximus said seriously. Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

"Calm down, Max, we're just playing around, right, pup?" Silex said nonchalantly.

"Sure…" Vesper growled while Jade buzzed around Maximus, sad.

"Come now, you did nothing wrong. You're still a baby, after all." Maximus petted her head. She brightened instantly and began flying in fast, excited circles.

"Hah! Daddy's favorite, bleh," Silex mocked, a hint of jealousy in his voice.

"Daddy likes you too, you big baby," Maximus teased when the system cut in again. This time, everyone heard it. Do you wish to open a conversation window with the following beings: Serpent of Chaos, The Weaver of Shrouds, The Heavenly Asura, and Lord of the Wild Things? [Yes.] [No.]"Everyone, now be quiet; this is about to get interesting. I accept." Maximus said calmly. Serpent of Chaos:"Aurelius, you old bastard, I knew I recognized that smug ripple in the Weave. What in the Hydra's name happened to you?

Have you traded your old ears for a new set?" The being hissed, and the white realm echoed, as if the force of a planet were about to crash into it.

"Pep? I should have known you'd be the one peeking through the curtains. And as for what happened, I died. I highly recommend it; it's done wonders for my complexion." Maximus teased. Weaver of Shrouds:"Snake, how do you know this child?" An old, heavy voice echoed, as if darkness itself spoke. Serpent of Chaos:"We go way back, when he was but a hatchling, trying to unravel the rules of creation. Accidentally broke into my nest, he did." The snake hissed, amused, remembering the old days. Weaver of Shrouds:"I see.

Finally, some use out of you." The old man spoke lowly, annoyed. Lord of the Wild Things:"Ignore this riffraff. I have a proposition for you, child. You, the one who guards my domain, who walks with the beasts, who tends the wild gardens, serve me as my champion, and I will grant you even stronger blessings." A voice echoed like trees shifting, winds passing through forests, and beasts grazing in distant fields. Heavenly Asura:"Enough! This warrior succeeded where almost all failed.

He followed my most secret method, the very same I used to conquer the Heavens, and not only that, but he also improved upon it, touching the realm of Perfection. He now walks the path of Animus and the path of War Asura. He is to take me as his master, and I will accept him as my student. Together we shall conquer all realms!" A crisp, powerful voice shouted, slightly lost in its own grandeur.

"If I may, judging by the existence of my old friend here, you all must be gods from different realms. What is your connection to Astrae? And why would I serve anyone when I have fought your kin in my past life? I don't see any benefit here." Maximus replied strongly. Serpent of Chaos:"Uhm, Aurelius, you old fool, these three, unlike me, are 'higher.' They represent laws and ideals." Heavenly Asura:"You fought gods?" He asked, amused and excited. Weaver of Shrouds:"Snake doesn't count.

He is a lower god of my Pantheon. I could erase your soul, child, if I so willed it." Lord of the Wild Things:"Let him speak, you damn dog!" The sound of a rushing river echoed.

"I did fight Pep once, but that was a friendly spar. I don't count that. Before I died, I defeated a faceless being of pure light. I do not know its name, but the powers it wielded were much stronger than Pep's." Maximus explained, hiding nothing. He even thought this might earn him some grace with the mad gods. Heavenly Asura:"Hahaha, you are mine!" Weaver of Shrouds:"He speaks the truth. Though it was his past life, he carries the knowledge to surpass it.

By the marks etched into his soul, the Council deemed him a prospect." Lord of the Wild Things:"You two understand that he wields my domain? He is to follow me!" Heavenly Asura:"Don't be ridiculous, old stag; you are not what you used to be. Other gods have replaced you as the main divinities of wildlife. This warrior fought the clone of an Outer God and not only survived but defeated him. He is to take me as his master!" Weaver of Shrouds:"He crossed death's doors and returned.

He survived the curse of my followers and even gained their blessing. He is meant to be my Reaper."

"Enough! As it stands, none of you is willing to explain anything, and as I said, I am not planning on serving anyone. I will be joining you folks this time around, as one of you." Maximus said simply, as if it were predestined. All three gods, except the serpent, burst into loud laughter, shaking the very foundation of the white space. Lord of the Wild Things:"Child, it has been eons since a mortal ascended, and even longer since the last god was created. Don't be foolish, join me as my Champion."

Weaver of Shrouds:"Ridiculous wish, mortal. You must first survive Astrae's trials and endure the Synchronicity. Of which I shall speak no more. Now pick one of us as your patron, and we shall aid you on your journey." Heavenly Asura:"Even if you do not choose me, I shall cheer for you, you crazy bastard! I ascended to godhood the same way you want to. I shall watch your every step eagerly! Or, you know, you can pick me." The warrior god laughed.

"If any of you wishes to bestow a blessing upon me, I shall not object. But as I said, I am not serving anyone." Maximus said loudly. Alert: The user has chosen not to take a Patron at this moment. The window shall remain open for 2 more minutes. Weaver of Shrouds: " So be it, child. I shall observe your journey. But I do advise you to choose me next time." The god disappeared. Lord of the Wild Things: " Next time, then, child. Continue on your path as the Warden of my creation."

The voice faded like rustling leaves. Heavenly Asura:"I have already bestowed upon you one of my blades, but I cannot be the only one who didn't give you a blessing, even if you did use my method! I won't be beaten! Take this and fight more, slaughter through the enemies on your way to the Heavens!" The last high god laughed and disappeared just as a crimson sword‑glyph engraved itself into Maximus's right hand, right in the center of his palm.

He sensed a surge of power enter his body and slowly merge into his bones, leaving crimson swirls etched across them. Serpent of Chaos: " You are as crazy as I remember. You managed to gain three blessings from three different High Gods without joining them. Hahaha!" The serpent almost choked from laughter.

"Pep, why did you help me back then? Why did you pick Toby as your champion?" Maximus suddenly asked. Serpent of Chaos:"Oh, you figured it out, huh? Toby Reid is an exceptionally deranged person who managed to clear one of my conditions perfectly. Why wouldn't I choose him? And he even agreed to serve me, no complaints, no conditions. A full servant contract, as long as I give him power. Pretty sweet deal, right?" The snake cackled. Serpent of Chaos:"And why wouldn't I save you? I owe you, after all.

I pay my debts, Aurelius. Though next time he is free to do as he wishes. Even that was going against Astrae's rules. I paid a high price, you know."

"Alright, I thank you, Apep. You are released from your debt, old friend. Do you maybe know what the state of Veridiyum is? Or what is the purpose of all this? What these Outer Gods are?" Maximus asked hopefully. Serpent of Chaos:"Well, since some crazy bastard actually blew the realm's damn god into dust, it has been freed and is now in the process of being integrated into the Myriad of Realms, exempt from any limits after being enslaved for eons to the false World Tree. You really did a grand deed, Aurelius.

The rest I am not allowed to say. I wish you luck, though by the looks of things, you won't need it!" Apep laughed, and the connection cut.

"Thank you, old friend. I am glad they are all free to live!" Maximus smiled gently.

"Damn, Max, even these powerful beings owe you? That's my damn Max!" Silex roared pridefully.

"Boss, I am glad to serve such a leader!" Vesper bowed. Even Jade, Embi, and Sprout cheered, though they understood little of what had happened.

"That life is long gone, boys. This life we must build from scratch and ascend together even higher than I ever did." Maximus said decisively.