“And that is why you must experience a fight to the death once again.” Skepsi said, her smile turning bewitching. Leaning forward as she spoke, she made sure to let her shirt hang.
Noting how Eldrian was attempting to not look down her shirt, she giggled. However, she did not push her teasing any further.
“You fear losing control, but that is fine.” Her smile grew more bewitching. “Let go of control and experience the true depths of your powers. Only by doing such will you be able to truly grow.”
Seeing that Eldrian was still reluctant, she threw in some extra bait. “What if I create a quest for you? How about… oh, I don’t know? How would a ring of teleportation sound?”
Seeing the flash in Eldrian’s eyes, albeit brief, Skepsi continued to push. “It would, of course, have some limitations in its use. But simply put, you will be able to assign any location you have been to with it as a beacon. Then, should you ever wish to return there, simply activate the ring.”
‘That’s useful, but…’ Eldrian did not feel it was worth the risk. He was torn between growing stronger and being less reckless. He certainly wouldn’t accept this if it meant he had to put others in danger.
‘No, I need something that will make me fight with my life on the line. A guarantee of sorts.’
Sadly, Eldrian did not know what to ask for. He could ask for Skepsi’s guidance. She was the goddess of magic, after all. While Ziraili was also a goddess, their functions were completely different.
Knowledge, however, was not enough for Eldrian. He had not gotten to this level by his scientific achievements, but rather because of luck and his queer connection with magic.
Ziraili had already gifted him plenty of knowledge, which he failed to understand. That knowledge had become useless words that meant nothing to him. Because of this, Eldrian understood he would not make much progress unless he placed himself in a situation that forced his growth. However, he was still unwilling. The risks were too great.
This wasn’t just a case of him risking his life in a fight. If he truly lost control, his auras would devour him. Eldrian didn’t know if Earth had a heaven, and he doubted he had a place in the heavens of ANW.
Still, the thought of being turned into a being of anger, or one detached from all emotions. Eldrian did not want to end up like that. He had always thought there would be nothing after death, but in these cases, he would continue to live as a failed being.
His will destroyed, but his life continued. Perhaps losing control to tranquility he would keep only his will but lose all that made him human. Regardless, Eldrian dreaded both in equal amount.
“Still not enough?” Skepsi asked, struggling to hide her frustration at Eldrian’s cowardice. She had thought he would eagerly agree. After all, he had never shown much constraint before. “Fine, what is it that you want?”
‘What should I ask for?’ Unsure, Eldrian decided to try to buy some time by asking the goddess a question in turn. “I’ve been making little progress because I’ve been fearing to truly rely on my unique powers, however… can you explain how they came to me?”
Ziraili had explained plenty of things to Eldrian. However, how he obtained a bloodline that was not due to true descent, and how he obtained his auras. Those were not topics she had answered.
He now understood how these powers worked, but not their origin. Sadly, despite knowing how they worked, he had failed to grow.
‘I’m sure she knows… no, I think I already know too.’
“I’m sure you already connected the dots.” As if reading his mind, her words forced Eldrian back to their conversation.
“Can I truly trace it all back to that one event?”
“No. Something of this magnitude doesn’t happen simply because of one chance occurrence.” Skepsi smiled. “However, I won’t answer further until you accept my request.”
“Then I won’t accept.”
Eldrian’s blunt denial stunned the goddess. For a moment, her anger boiled, but only for a moment. Instead of shouting, she started laughing. “Good, very good. Yes, this is what makes a conversation so much more worthwhile.”
“But,” Eldrian paused, letting the word hang in the air. Drawing out the goddess’ emotions. She was shockingly easy to read once he got over his fear of her divinity and supreme control of magic. “I might consider it if you can give me a few guarantees.”
“Oh? Wanting to bargain with a goddess?”
“Yes.” Eldrian replied without hesitation. “First, the ring of teleportation must be capable of teleporting multiple people. I would appreciate it if it will teleport everyone I have set as my party members.”
“A party is limited to twenty people. Do you not think that is greedy?”
“Surely it isn’t something past your abilities.” Eldrian countered back. “And besides, you are asking me to not just enter a fight where I will lose and need to push past the natural restraints of death to continue fighting and seek victory. You are even asking me to risk being devoured by my own powers.”
Continuing, “Surely, asking for a ring that can teleport a dozen people isn’t something outlandish to ask in return for the dangers I will face.”
“A dozen…” Skepsi murmured, as if displeased he had chosen that word instead of stating the facts that it would be twenty people. “Fine, however… if that is the case, then there will be long cooldown on the ring’s ability.”
“That is fine.”
“Alright then—”
ƒ𝔯𝗲𝗲𝙬𝒆𝚋𝐧oѵℯl.𝒄𝑜m
“That is not all.”
Stone faced, the goddess let her mana leak from her vessel. A visible mist of pure chaotic energy forming around the little girl that was sitting on the bed of water. Lightning cracked from within the charged mist and the temperature in the room dropped to freezing.
“If you wanted to kill me, you would have done so long ago.” Eldrian said, forcing down the fear he felt. His body wanted to run, but at the same time, the pressure made it impossible to even move. He only barely got these words out.
Recalling her mana, Skepsi smiled. This time, it was not a mischievous smile of a kid pulling a prank on someone, nor was it bewitching or teasing one. It was a smile of happiness. Of contentment.
“What else do you wish for?”
“Two things. The first is a must. If you can’t guarantee me this, I won’t accept your request, no matter what.”
“What is your condition?”
f𝐫ee𝘄ℯ𝚋no𝐯𝐞l.c𝘰m
“Should I lose control to any of these powers I have… Kill me.”
Eldrian’s words momentarily shocked the goddess, and then her smile widened even more in joy. The resolve Eldrian had spoken this condition with made it clear she had already gotten him to agree.
“Alright. Should you lose yourself to your auras, I will end your suffering. What is your second condition?”
“I want to meet with those in the afterlife.” As soon as Eldrian spoke the words, it was as if time froze. Skepsi’s smile disappeared and her gaze turned deadly.
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