《Bloodline of Gods: The Genius at Olympus Academy!》


 Chapter 1 1. The Gods exist and they are calling for you....

    In a dark small room, only the faint whirrs of a heated PC could be heard.¡¸Game Over¡¹


    Looking at the flashing light on the screen, the boy just sighed before leaning back in his chair. Right now, even gaming had lost the same thrill and excitement it used to have.


    "What am I actually doing¡­."


    The boy couldn''t help but mutter in a slightly exasperated tone.


    Aiden Evans, that was his name.


    A 16-year-old orphan since birth with nothing given to him except his name. His childhood had been equally just as ordinary; he was cleanly funnelled through the American orphanage system, and at the age of 16, Aiden Evans felt like his life couldn''t get any more dull.


    It was so bad that sometimes he felt like he was living in solitude.


    But It wasn''t always this way.


    Back when he was younger, Aiden Evans had a few friends back in the orphanage, but due to funding and other issues, the orphanage was forced to shut down.


    After that, he and his friends, who were basically like family, were split up and sent to various different orphanages across the states that had space and could afford to take them.


    He had never spoken to them since that day. As a result, his personality became more reserved. He wasn''t necessarily a complete introvert; it was just that nobody really bothered to speak to him, and he didn''t bother to speak to anyone else in turn.


    As an orphan, if you don''t really make an effort to speak to anyone, no one will really speak to you.


    Aiden thought about this and couldn''t help but sigh. It was summer break, and he was starting high school soon, and yet his life couldn''t feel more bland.


    High school.


    It was supposed to be some of the most fun and impactful years of your life, and yet Aiden didn''t really have much anticipation for it. After all, won''t things still be just as they are now?


    Aiden didn''t want to dwell on such gloomy thoughts any longer and decided to get up and get a drink, but just as he did so, he heard a sudden sound.


    Knock! Knock!


    "Who is it?" asked Aiden curiously, swivelling around in his chair to look at his door.


    But after waiting for a few seconds, there was no response, just another loud knock.


    Knock! Knock!


    "I said, who is it?" asked Aiden, now slightly annoyed. But just like last time, he was only greeted by another set of knocks.


    Unable to stand it any longer and a little annoyed, Aiden got up to open the door, but as he did so, his jaw almost dropped to the floor.


    ''What the hell is this?! Cosplay!''


    Aiden couldn''t even be blamed for this sudden outburst, as in front of him were two figures that appeared pulled straight out of fantasy. There were two giant men, each standing at a minimum of 6''10. Their presence alone brought an invisible weight that didn''t allow Aiden to speak rashly.


    The two men were clad in gleaming bronze armor that seemed to shine with an awe-inspiring and mystical light, leaving any viewer breathless. At the same time, in their hands was a terrifying spear that gleamed with a menacing light.


    On their heads was a large Corinthian helmet, its horsehair crest dyed deep crimson, sitting on their heads like a crown of blood.


    Aiden wanted to get a better look at the two strange men, but the helmets partially obscured their faces, and what Aiden could see remained stern and shadowed. At least for Aiden, it was completely inscrutable.


    Just as Aiden was observing the strange pair, the two men were also observing him.


    "Aiden Evans?" asked one of the men.


    "Erm, correct? How can I help you?" Aiden was a little thrown off by the sudden question, but the strange pair of armored men didn''t seem to care.


    After confirming that they got the right person, they simply walked right into his room. Seeing this, Aiden was stunned! Even if he was caught off guard by their sudden presence, he couldn''t just let them walk in.


    "Hey, hold it! Where do you think you''re going?! This is my room! No, how did you even enter the orphanage in the first place?!"


    The two soldiers didn''t seem to care about Aiden''s outburst and waited a few moments for him to calm down before starting to speak.


    "Aiden, I am going to keep things simple with you," said the man. "Do you want to change your life?"


    As soon as Aiden heard this question, his heart skipped a beat. It was ridiculous. Two strange men barged into his room, but for some strange reason, deep down inside his heart, on an instinctual level, Aiden felt like this man wasn''t telling any jokes.


    From that moment on, whether he wanted to admit it or not, Aiden''s whole demeanor and attitude began to change. The two guards saw this change but still kept professional and carried on explaining.


    "I will explain this in the simplest terms that you can understand and believe. Aiden, you are special."


    Hearing this, Aiden didn''t really know how to react. For a nameless orphan, this was the first time he had ever heard those words in his life. It was embarrassing, but Aiden was even slightly happy to hear it. Fortunately, Aiden kept his expression completely stiff and avoided embarrassing himself.


    The soldiers didn''t notice Aiden''s little thoughts and continued. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aiden, your blood is divine. By this, I mean you are a descendant of the gods. Those magnificent beings from myth and legend exist, and they are calling for you."


    As Aiden heard this, his mind went blank for a second. Gods? What the hell! A pair of cosplayers barged into his room, and now they were talking about gods. Instead of believing what they were saying, Aiden started to believe they were crazy!


    But as if reading his mind and suspicions, the air around the two soldiers started to change. Suddenly, one of the soldiers'' eyes glowed golden before his body burst into blinding ripples of lightning that danced all over his body like dazzling golden snakes.


    As if not to be outdone, the other soldier clenched his fist and a blood-red flame bloomed from his hands, spreading across both his arms like a terrifying flame demon!


    As Aiden saw this, his jaw dropped to the ground, and his glasses nearly slipped off his nose!


    "M-m-agic..." said Aiden, stuttering so hard the words barely escaped from his mouth.


    "So, what about it? Do you believe us now?"


    In response to the guard''s words, Aiden could only take a hard gulp. Aiden didn''t know what to say. He wanted to deny the discovery, to say it was an illusion. It had instantly shattered the worldview and understanding of the world that he had built for the past 16 years, so Aiden couldn''t accept this sight easily.


    But when he remembered the warmth of the raging flames and the slight sparks he felt as some of the lightning radiated through the air, Aiden knew that the sight any normal person would label as an extreme hallucination was all too real.


    "Since ancient times, the gods have existed and walked among men. The gods saw their creation and loved them. From this came divine union between man and the divine, giving birth to demigods.


    The demigods had children, and their children had children, and so forth, until the blood of gods had spread throughout the human population."


    "Aiden, you are one of them. The blood of gods flows through your veins, separating you from other mortals. You just need to awaken it."


    "So, what do you want from me?" asked Aiden.


    Seeing Aiden''s cautious appearance, the soldiers just smiled.


    "We don''t want anything from you," stated the soldier. "Instead, we want to offer you something¡ªa chance. A chance to change your life and live up to your divine heritage."


    "We can give you a chance to awaken your divine blood, train your abilities, and develop your divine power with us at Olympus Academy."


    "Olympus Academy?" asked Aiden.


    "Consider it the formal education institution for descendants of the gods throughout the worlds."


    Aiden was confused and about to ask further when he suddenly realized something.


    "Hold on, worlds?" asked Aiden, confused.


    Seeing Aiden''s confusion, one of the soldiers quickly added,


    "Of course there are other worlds. Although Earth may have been the favored world for the gods at one point, you don''t think beings as powerful as the gods would only be limited to this one world, do you?"


    All this news flowing into him at once was just too much for Aiden to take in, and the two soldiers seemed to notice all this. Reaching out, they handed him a small card.


    "Here are some websites and a number you can call to get some more information if you''re still confused."


    Seeing this made Aiden even more confused.


    "Wait, you guys have phone numbers? Hell, you even have a website?!"


    As the two soldiers heard Aiden say this, they turned to look at him like he was a complete idiot.


    "Kid, we''re in the 21st century. Surely you don''t think the gods don''t even have something as simple as the internet? Even the gods have to keep up with the times?"


    Hearing these words from two men dressed up in ancient Greek armor left Aiden speechless.


    "Whether you change your mind and believe us or not, we will come back in a week to pick you up. Of course, if you still refuse to join by then, you can carry on with your life as usual. The memory of all this would gradually be erased from your mind as if this never happened."


    Aiden wanted to talk to the soldiers a lot more. The brief conversation wasn''t enough to solve his endless questions this brief meeting had left.


    His worldview had completely changed within a few minutes, after all. But unfortunately for Aiden, the two soldiers promptly declined. In their words, they still had many more descendants they had identified that they had to meet with.


    So after handing Aiden the card and leaving him with a few more words, the two soldiers said their goodbyes before exiting outside his room.


    Aiden got up and quickly followed them outside his room, but he soon found that the two disappeared from his sight, leaving behind only a faint golden mist, almost as if they had never been there in the first place and it was all just a dream.


    It was only the card in his hand that stopped Aiden from believing that he just had a crazy episode.


    Walking back to his room, he looked at the card. Eventually, he couldn''t contain his curiosity and dialed the number.


    "Hello and welcome to the call line for Olympus Academy. How can I help?"

 Chapter 2 2. Leaving

    Since that fateful day when Aiden met the two soldiers, nearly 2 weeks had passed by already.Aiden had already spoken to the director and sorted many things out.


    Right now, he stood at the door to the orphanage with a suitcase at his side and a large backpack on his back.


    His bags were already packed, and his decision was firm. There was no going back; all he had to do now was wait.


    Thinking about the admission process, Aiden couldn''t help but admire them. He didn''t even have to say much to get through with the deal.


    Olympus Academy was a real, listed private school that could complete his high school education and was even recognized by the government.


    With just a few phone calls, the entire ordeal was completed before he could even believe it.


    There were even people that called and spoke to the director on his behalf. Aiden even wondered how such a magical and mystical organization could have people so adept and specialized to deal with modern-day bureaucracy.


    Laughing to himself that he even had such silly thoughts, Aiden looked up at the glowing moon hanging in the sky. The bright silver sphere poked its head out of the curtain of misty clouds to shine over all the people below. Aiden took a moment to admire the scenery, rare to see in the modern age, when he suddenly froze.


    Within a second, Aiden''s surroundings seemed to have transformed. It was instantly flooded with a faint golden hue. Aiden suddenly turned around, sensing something, only to have his heart skip a beat when two familiar soldiers walked out of the golden hue.


    It was the two soldiers he had met before, standing there proudly like two legendary heroes of antiquity, their bronze armor shining.


    As the two appeared and saw Aiden''s surprised look, they both showed a rare smile.


    "Seeing as you''re here, I''m taking it that you talked to the number I gave you and you''ve made your decision." S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although they were happy to see Aiden, they didn''t forget to confirm one last time.


    "I know that you are excited right now. You do know that although the academy will try to nurture and grow you, the academy will be more dangerous than anything you can imagine. There is still time to turn away now if you choose to do so."


    Aiden heard this and just shook his head.


    "A little danger is a small price to pay to enter such a world. Besides, something in my blood boils when I hear the stories you told and the powers you described. If I turn back now, I don''t think I''ll be able to forgive myself until the day I die."


    As the soldiers heard Aiden say this, a smile couldn''t help but appear on their faces.


    This was their nature! It was something they couldn''t fight, something they couldn''t resist. As ones who carried the blood of heroes, the very descendants of the gods themselves, when given the chance to seek glory, to gain honor and renown, they could never resist!


    "Good! Good!" laughed the soldiers, satisfied with Aiden''s response. "Try as you might, you can''t deny the blood of the gods!"


    Seeing Aiden''s eager looks, the two soldiers didn''t wait any longer.


    "Well then, there should be no need to wait any longer. It''s time to journey to the domain of the gods!"


    As the man spoke, he brought out a small wooden sculpture about the size of a palm.


    The sculpture in question was that of an exquisitely crafted aquila, made from a beautiful dark brown oak filled with beautiful and artistic lines that traced across its entire body. The eagle had a laurel wreath crowned on its head.


    The soldier then threw the aquila into the air, and to Aiden''s disbelief, the aquila continued to grow and grow until it was at least several meters large.


    "CAW!"


    The bird let out a strangely lifelike roar as its terrifying giant eyes shone with an awe-inspiring golden light.


    The two soldiers didn''t hesitate for a second and easily jumped onto the back of the giant wooden eagle.


    Aiden just stood there, embarrassed with his large suitcase in hand, until the giant wooden eagle lowered its stance and expanded its wings like an easy ramp for Aiden to walk up.


    Aiden took the invitation and easily walked up the back of the giant eagle and stood behind the two soldiers.


    In that moment, the giant eagle sculpture unfurled its wings and, with a massive flap, soared right into the sky.


    With just one flap, it was as if they had switched into fifth gear. Aiden felt the wind flash past his body as the eagle covered tens of meters in mere seconds.


    At the same time, Aiden felt his body shake, and a deep feeling of fear flooded his body, snapping him out of his amazement. It was only now that he remembered when a white mist flowed from the wings of the giant eagle, wrapping around everyone on the back of the great bird and holding them in place. Even Aiden''s luggage was safely secured.


    Realizing he was still safe, Aiden breathed a deep sigh of relief but only dwelled on things for a moment before he began to admire the strange sight he had seen for the first time in his life. He boldly reached out his hands, grasping the clouds that quickly passed by.


    The giant wooden eagle only continued to soar until it completely broke through the cloud line, and when it did so, Aiden''s jaw dropped to the floor.


    It wasn''t the beautiful scene of the sky above the clouds that shocked Aiden but an actual object.


    It was a giant flying ship of completely gargantuan proportions.


    If Aiden had to describe it, it would be like an extremely sized-up galleon.


    But it was not just the size that impressed Aiden. It would be no exaggeration to describe the ship as an art piece.


    Made from a beautiful sleek material that seemed to be a strange synthesis of some sort of wood and strange metal. Not to mention the embellishments composed of marble and glowing white metal, that made it look less like a ship and more like a holy temple.


    It truly took Aiden''s breath away.


    Seeing Aiden''s awe-filled look, one of the soldiers soon explained, "That beauty right there is a Void ship. It''s the means used to travel between the worlds under the gods'' domain. Without it, transporting so many people would be near impossible."


    ''A Void ship¡­''


    Aiden was impressed by such a magnificent behemoth.


    He quickly looked around. He was surprised to see that he could see many other giant wooden eagles with other people on them.

 Chapter 3 3. Bloodline lineage

    The many giant eagles were constantly flying towards the designated landing area on the ship, offloading different people and their luggage, and it wasn''t long before the eagle Aiden was standing on started heading in that direction as well.The giant eagle soon perched on the edge of the ship, allowing Aiden and the two soldiers to easily step onto the Voidship.


    After dismounting, the two soldiers quickly greeted another man in similar armor. If Aiden had to pick a difference, it would be that this man''s armor shined with a more golden glow, and combined with the more respectful attitude, it was clear that this man was their superior.


    After a brief word, the two soldiers came back to Aiden with a smile and handed him a wooden token.


    "Everything''s good on our end, feel free to head to your room. It''s on the token."


    "So, what will you two be getting up to?"


    "Us? We''ll be picking up other students. It''s gonna be a long night."


    Laughing, the two men headed back to the landing area and disappeared on the back of a giant wooden eagle down to the world of mortals below.


    Aiden looked down at his token.


    "Room 202..."


    Knowing his destination, Aiden didn''t waste any time and quickly found his way around.


    Although the ship was enormous, the symbols were pretty simple.


    Entering his room, Aiden noted that there wasn''t much to note; it was just a plain old wooden cabin with a single bed and a small desk.


    Aiden''s body was still buzzing with the excitement of setting off on this mystical and mysterious journey. Even though he hadn''t arrived at his destination yet, if he continued to stay in this small room, it would be no different than suffocating him.


    So, after quickly organizing all of his luggage, Aiden quickly opened his room and rushed out towards the deck.


    But Aiden barely made it a few steps before he brutally crashed into an unsuspecting figure.


    Aiden and the poor young man both tumbled on the floor, a little dazed.


    Aiden, realizing what happened, was quickly embarrassed and immediately apologized.


    "Sorry about that, I wasn''t watching where I was going."


    Fortunately, the victim wasn''t too hard on Aiden and responded,


    "No worries, man, it''s not all on you. I should have been paying attention as well."


    Aiden got to his feet and stretched out his hand, helping the unfortunate victim onto his feet. It was at that time that Aiden got a clear look at the man.


    He was a handsome youth, a few inches taller than Aiden, with dark, messy ginger hair with faint freckles on his face.


    Given the ridiculousness of the current situation, Aiden eventually ended up introducing himself.


    "Aiden Evans, and what about you?"


    "Oliver McKinley," replied the young man.


    Aiden and Oliver got talking and quickly hit it off. Maybe it was because of Aiden''s nature.


    "So, are you headed to Olympus Academy as well?" asked Oliver.


    "Aren''t we all?" replied Aiden, confused.


    "Of course not! How don''t you know this already?"


    "Well, am I supposed to know this?"


    "Huh? But everyone knows this!"


    It was only now that Oliver took a proper look at Aiden with a shocked expression.


    "Wait, don''t tell me that you''re a true mortal!" sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "True mortal?"


    Oliver saw Aiden''s confusion and explained.


    "Although we are all descendants of gods, the blood of gods is too powerful for most mortals to handle and exists in a suppressed state. Only Olympus Academy has the way to safely awaken the blood of the gods in their descendants.


    But despite the blood being suppressed, there are families that have regularly gone to Olympus Academy, allowing their bloodline to be awakened and maintain a strong bloodline lineage of considerable purity.


    A true mortal is, as the name suggests, a person whose ancestors lost their bloodline lineage, and in doing so, their bloodline''s purity fell to that of a mortal. At that point, even if you head to Olympus Academy, they won''t be able to awaken your blood.


    In cases such as your own, there are people who experience something called bloodline regression. Despite being no different from mortals, due to a recessive mutation, your divine blood is revived, allowing you to regain the chance of awakening your divine heritage.


    Unfortunately, divine descendants awakened in this way tend to be weaker than those of other divine descendants at the same level who have maintained a bloodline lineage. Because of this, even if your family passes on for hundreds of years, without a divine lineage, you won''t be taken seriously and will be looked down on."


    Oliver looked at Aiden and couldn''t help but feel a sense of pity.


    After speaking with Aiden for a while, he found that he really got on with him, and he could clearly sense his pure eagerness and happiness to go to the Academy. He couldn''t imagine how much of a blow this would be.


    "So, do you care about bloodline lineage?" asked Aiden cautiously.


    "Me? Fuck no. In my opinion, it''s all kind of stupid and cringe. Most matters about bloodline lineage are just a group of grumpy old men huffing and puffing at a table. It''s not worth my sanity caring about such a thing. Besides, my lineage isn''t even that outstanding.


    If it was, we wouldn''t be on Earth but on Olympus itself."


    Hearing this, Aiden internally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn''t care too much about this so-called bloodline lineage and the weakness it brought, Aiden wasn''t stupid. If the discrimination was enough to get rid of the friend he had just made, Aiden''s approach to his life at Olympus Academy would have to change very quickly.


    Oliver looked at Aiden and spoke up.


    "I might not look it, but my family says I''m very talented. I might not be the best, but I can guarantee that no one will be picking on you."


    Aiden was quite touched by Oliver''s gesture, but as for being weaker due to his lack of bloodline lineage? Aiden simply didn''t care at all!

 Chapter 4 4. Gate of fire

    Oliver''s view wasn''t wrong per se, but when it came to his view on Aiden, it would best be described as some sort of cognitive dissonance.For Oliver, he had known about the gods and their power, so naturally, he would have a stronger yearning for power. From his point of view, that could only be the normal reaction to such a devastating realization. For Aiden, he was a complete and ignorant mortal up until only a few days ago. Now he was told he could be a super-powered being.


    After all, no matter how weak they were, a slap from a divine descendant against a mortal was enough to set them up with an appointment with Lord Hades himself! What Aiden was feeling was not depression; no, he was on cloud nine!


    Oliver obviously couldn''t read minds and cautiously avoided the topic of bloodline lineage while continuing to talk to him about some basic knowledge about the life of a Divine descendant and life in Olympus as they walked around the ship.


    As they journeyed around the ship, Aiden looked up to the bow of the ship and saw a strange sight.


    It was a woman.


    Aiden took a closer look, but the more he looked, the stranger she seemed. Her figure seemed to be shrouded in mystery, standing poised, enveloped in a flowing robe of greyish-white, highlighted with crimson red accents. The fabric shifted and shimmered as if the red patterns were burning flames begging to burst into life.


    Her face was hidden behind a pure white veil of the same ethereal material as her robe, but this time it only bore a burning red flame pattern on it.


    Besides her obscured face, in her hands was a chalice. A large golden ornate vessel that seemed almost too heavy for her slender fingers to hold, yet she managed to do it with ease. And this wasn''t the most impressive thing. No, what drew Aiden''s attention were the raging flames held within the chalice, dancing and flickering like a strange ethereal spirit.


    Just by looking at it, Aiden''s eyes seemed to be drawn in, yet at the same time, his own eyes started to heat up, almost as if he was standing right beside a wild bonfire.


    "Who is that?" asked Aiden, amazement evident in his voice.


    But this time, Oliver didn''t explain much. A small smile appeared on his face as he spoke.


    "You''ll see soon enough, just watch."


    Oliver''s words weren''t wrong either. After a few short minutes, a deep and commanding voice rang out from the quarterdeck of the ship.


    "Everything is in order. Fire up the enchantments and ready the ship, we set sail immediately."


    Aiden looked up to see the origin of this voice, and in a high position looking over the deck, he saw a gruff-looking middle-aged man. His hair was starting to gray, but his face didn''t seem too old, like that of a man in his forties or possibly even late thirties.


    His face could even be described as rather handsome, but because of the permanent frown it was placed in, it was extremely hard to see it.


    Maybe it was fate, curiosity, or maybe even Aiden''s bad luck, but the man above seemed to notice him looking over towards him.


    For him, it must have been a mere scan. He probably wasn''t even directly looking, just a quick scan of the area, but for Aiden, his heart skipped a beat. Just one look at the deep blue eyes made it feel like his entire body had been struck by a whip of terrifying lightning.


    Aiden gasped to gather his breath and looked over to see that even Oliver was looking a little pale. At least it wasn''t just Aiden that was embarrassed by a brief glance of this powerful captain.


    As Aiden was recovering, the ship began to writhe and shake. Aiden quickly turned around and looked towards the origin of this strange phenomenon¡ªthe bow of the giant voidship. At that place, he saw the strange woman from earlier raise her burning chalice into the sky.


    The chalice shook violently as the flames began to rage, but the woman''s slender hands were as stable as a mountain as a deafening incantation left her mouth.


    "Via Pyrignis, anoig¨­ emprosthen me!"


    With those words, the fire burst forth from the chalice, tearing across the sky, forming a giant gate of fire that dwarfed even the giant voidship. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Above the clouds, a giant gate of fire was formed¡ªa truly enormous whirlpool of crimson fire covered, radiating a deep divine golden mist. If Aiden looked carefully, he could be sure what he saw was an endless sea of glowing gold.


    "This is..."


    "The gate of fire..." said Oliver, placing his hand on Aiden''s shoulder.


    Although Oliver was educating Aiden right now, his voice was still filled with awe.


    "I had heard about it before but never imagined that it would be so magnificent. It really does live up to its title of ''Gate to the gods.''"


    As Oliver spoke, the voidship shook as a faint white translucent barrier appeared, covering the entire deck as the ship moved forward, heading straight for the gate of fire!

 Chapter 5 5. Void shark

    After they entered the gate of fire, Aiden was greeted with a sight he swore he would never be able to forget in his life.Aiden was greeted with what he could only describe as a golden sea. No matter where he looked, whether it was up or down, forward or behind, Aiden and the voidship were completely surrounded by a boundless ocean of dazzling golden energy.


    Judging from the faint excitement Aiden could feel deep in his blood, he didn''t need anybody to explain what exactly this was. It was a sea of divine energy, the power of the gods themselves!


    Aiden had just started on this journey for a short while, but it seemed like everything was moving forward and quickly surpassing even his wildest of imaginations and expectations!


    ...


    Time passed as Aiden continued in his journey towards Olympus. Instead of staying inside, Aiden spent more of his time admiring the sight of the sea of divine energy he could see from the deck. From what Aiden had heard, it was something similar to a highway created by the gods, allowing one to travel between the void of worlds at a much faster rate than one would have been able to otherwise.


    It just went to put the power of the gods into perspective. For a mere mortal like Aiden, it was something completely beyond his comprehension.


    As Aiden and Oliver were talking, their entire bodies suddenly shook.


    "Bang!"


    A loud bang sounded from the right-hand side of the voidship, causing the entire ship to shake and even helpless passengers like Aiden and Oliver to lose their footing.


    "Damn it, what happened!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What on earth is going on!"


    Panicked and disgruntled screams of displeasure sounded across the ship deck as various passengers recovered from their embarrassed state.


    A particularly bold young man wandered to the edge of the ship where the first impact had rocked the ship to have a closer look. He placed his hand on the railing and leaned over, moving so close that his nose was almost touching the faint translucent barrier that was covering the entire ship when suddenly-


    "Roar!"


    "Bang!"


    A horrifying roar sounded out as a blackish-purple behemoth lunged out of the divine sea, snapping at the young man! If it wasn''t for the barrier that was now flashing bright white, the young man would have turned into a ghost on his way to the underworld.


    This time, after attacking, the creature didn''t disappear into the divine sea, allowing Aiden to get a clear look at the attacking creature.


    It wasn''t small by any means, at least 10 meters long if not larger, with thick blackish leathery skin with a purple hue. It was shaped like a shark with a terrifying fin shooting out its back. This was the most purple feature on its body, and it glowed with ominous light.


    Aiden was no creature expert, but he could be nearly one hundred percent certain that it wasn''t a good thing.


    "V-void shark! Fuck, it''s a void shark!"


    Aiden heard the despair-filled cry from one of the prospective students near him and his heart sank. Although he didn''t know the strength of this so-called Void shark, if it could cause...


    As if things couldn''t get bad enough, Aiden soon realized something. It wasn''t just one of these monsters that were here. There were tens of void sharks circling over the roof and sides of the voidship, simply refusing to move.


    Like a pack of sharks that had smelt blood, now that these Void sharks had discovered some fresh prey, these guys would not be going anywhere!


    "Bang!"


    "Crack."


    The void sharks began to grow restless, wildly attacking the barrier around the voidship, even going so far as cracking it. In that moment, everyone present on the deck collectively felt their heart sink. It didn''t take long for total panic to break out as people began shouting and shoving each other as everyone tried to get further away from the barrier as possible.


    Just as Aiden and Oliver were beginning to move to get into a safer position for themselves, they suddenly stopped.


    "Tch! What''s the use of all this panic? Just a few monsters can cause you to lose all your composure."


    The clear, confident voice drowned the murmurs of panic on the deck. It was like a bright torch in the middle of the night, grabbing everyone''s attention. Looking towards the origin of the voice, they all saw a stern-faced middle-aged man.


    He stood confidently on the quarterdeck, looking down on the chaos below, his armor shining splendidly under the rays of divine light that rained down from the surrounding sea of divine energy.


    And the captain didn''t just spend his time chastising the aspiring students.


    "And you soldiers, what are you doing? Monsters are at your door and you''re just standing there?! Organize yourselves and protect all passengers on the deck!"


    With the words of the captain, the few guards quickly began to move into action, rounding up the people on the deck and forming a temporary guard perimeter, protecting the aspiring students as best as they could.


    While this was going on, the captain decided to focus on the monsters at his front door. His cool blue eyes locked onto the Void sharks at the front of the pack and let out a cold snort as he stretched out his hands and opened his mouth.


    Caelum bront¨¥ doru (sky thunder spear)


    As the captain murmured the archaic chant, lightning began to crackle and rage as it writhed up his arm, gradually coalescing into a giant golden spear of divine thunder! The captain''s eyes glowed with a terrifying deep blue fury as the cape on his back fluttered wildly. He pulled back his arm, like a sharpshooter drawing his bow, and then released.


    "Boom!"


    It was impossible for Aiden''s mortal eyes to see the attack; all he heard was a deafening explosion as the terrifying thunder spear hit its location, causing even the void ship to start shaking.


    Aiden looked at the aftermath and his jaw dropped.

 Chapter 6 6. Power of Divine Descendant

    The Void shark hit head on was instantly annihilated.It quite literally got blasted into nothing more than a plume of blood mist on direct impact, and with said impact, the lightning spear exploded, spreading the web of golden lightning out and frying many of the surrounding void sharks into a pile of charcoal!


    The void sharks saw this tragic sight and backed up as they let out a tragic and mournful wail. But what made the captain frown was that although the void sharks backed up, they didn''t completely retreat.


    Instead, he could see them gathering some distance away. As they gathered together, he could see that the dorsal fin on the backs of the void sharks started glowing an even deeper purple. At the same time, purple lights began to flicker between the dorsal fins of the dozens of void sharks, resonating and harmonizing, creating a terrifying multiplicative effect.


    As the captain saw this, his cold blue eyes narrowed even further as his expression turned completely ugly. The void sharks weren''t retreating; instead, they were just regrouping to form an even stronger attack!


    "How dare a mere monster stand in front of me! Not only do you invade the domain of the gods, you dare treat a vessel under the banner of the gods as prey!"


    Although the captain felt slighted, what truly enraged him was that after breaking into the divine pathways, the void sharks still dared to remain.


    It wasn''t an insult against him but one against the gods! His divine ancestors were being mocked, and by some brainless creatures no less! Seeing that they dared to confront him, he wouldn''t hold back.


    Since ancient times, the punishment for ignoring the domain of the gods had always been one thing¡ªcomplete and utter annihilation!


    The divinity in his body began to bubble as he finally moved.


    [Feat of Renown: Ogre Slayer!] S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The captain let out a low growl as a tragic wail emanated from his body. It wasn''t like that of a raging beast, but more like the tragic wails of a butchered animal. Even the most ruthless killer would feel cold after hearing such a tragic cry, much less these ignorant academy aspirants, but the captain didn''t seem to notice or care.


    Slowly, an 8ft tall phantom appeared behind the captain. It was bulky and muscular, emitting a wild aura that made one not dare look at it, just like an ogre from legend! Even the captain began to change. His bones crackled as his height jumped up a few centimeters, and muscles in his arm ballooned and squirmed as a familiar call escaped from his mouth.


    Caelum bront¨¥ doru (sky thunder spear)


    With the ancient call, a familiar golden spear coalesced in the captain''s hands once more, only this time it was much larger, and the golden color was even darker. The giant arm of the ogre phantom merged with the captain''s normal arm holding the spear.


    If before, when pulling back his arm, the gathered power felt like pulling back a bow, now it was like pulling back a catapult¡ªno, it was even more than that. Now it was like loading a howitzer! The very air around him began to tremble and shake as an unbelievable amount of power was gathered, the golden lightning erupting like a raging hurricane.


    The captain''s blue eyes flashed with a mystical divine light as he fired the spear.


    "BOOM!"


    For a few seconds, the world turned completely white. It wasn''t as if he had fired a spear but more like a laser beam! The void sharks roared and charged towards the beam, with their entire pack wrapped around with an ominous purple energy.


    The two energies clashed beautifully for a few seconds, but it amounted to nothing more than that. When a descendant of the gods got serious, how could mere monsters be a match?


    The tide of golden energy didn''t stop and swept across the entire group of sharks, painfully annihilating them on a molecular level until there was nothing left behind but a pile of ash.


    Be it the aspiring students, the watching soldiers, or even a few unlucky passengers, all that were on the deck just paused in silence to admire this truly overwhelming display of might!


    Watching his enemies get annihilated, the captain spoke out to the people below.


    "Watch and watch properly! This is the power of divine descendants, the power of the gods! This is the power you will all be capable of in the future. So remember, with the blood of gods in your veins, nothing is impossible! Spread the glory of the gods throughout the cosmos and your power will be eternal."


    The captain waved his hand, and the giant phantom and scattering lightning instantly disappeared, but this didn''t make him any less intimidating to the people watching from below. His figure only grew mightier in the mind of the aspiring cadets watching on from below.


    Aiden on the deck floor looked to Oliver with shock still evident in his eyes.


    "Are all divine descendants that strong?"


    "I don''t know about the elders of my family, but I can guarantee that amongst the regular people in the family, absolutely none of them are his match. Even within the world of Olympus, such a man can never be considered weak!"


    "The power of the gods, huh."


    Aiden''s anticipation for Olympus Academy just seemed to keep growing with each passing day.


    ...


    Time continued to pass after the attack of the void sharks, and Aiden didn''t have to wait too long before they arrived at the destination they had all been anticipating and waiting for, Olympus Academy!


    Maybe it was because they had encountered enough bad luck, but after encountering the void sharks, their journey had been completely smooth.


    Later, Aiden learned that encountering monsters inside of the gods'' divine network was an extreme anomaly. Some people have been regularly using the divine network for decades and never ran into monsters inside of it.


    They were really just that unfortunate.

 Chapter 7 7. Training Camp

    Fortunately, their misfortune during the journey couldn''t affect them any longer.The mysterious lady appeared once again holding a new chalice of fire, and after starting an inaudible chant, a new gate of fire was opened. And under the anticipated gazes of everyone, the voidship headed straight for the gate of fire!


    Suddenly, the surroundings began to twist as the old backdrop of endless flowing golden energy morphed into that of a boundless blue sky. From the deck of the voidship, Aiden could get a clear view of the world below, and he felt amazed.


    The voidship traveled through the air, and Aiden got to take a look at the world below. Below, he could see a beautiful and lush grassland scattered with beautiful flowers and blossoming trees, and it wasn''t just wilderness either.


    Although distant, Aiden could still see small pockets of civilization scattered around, be it small picturesque towns or splendid burgeoning cities lined with magnificent constructions of glowing marble and gold.


    But in truth, these things were just a sidepiece. From the moment Aiden arrived in this new realm, what truly grabbed Aiden''s attention was one thing: a giant majestic mountain range!


    It stood there, overshadowing everything in sight, looming so far above everything as to brush against the skies, radiating golden splendor that stood out against the backdrop of the clear, azure sky.


    As you would expect for the place called the residence of the gods, Mount Olympus was the center of the divine world. Such a title made it a verified hub for interdimensional travel. This was only made even more visible from Aiden''s position on the voidship as he could see that there were many other voidships converging on the location of the giant mountain.


    Each ship was as large as the voidship Aiden was on, holding hundreds of people if not even more than that. Aiden looked at the voidships flying to and from Mount Olympus and tried to count them¡ªtens, hundreds, maybe even thousands. Aiden saw so many that he just gave up trying to count!


    The gods ruled many worlds, and each would have countless divine descendants that aspired to join Olympus Academy. Only now did Aiden begin to start to understand how expansive and titanic the rule of the gods truly was.


    After that, the voidship only hovered in place for a short while before it began to move, but what surprised Aiden was that the voidship wasn''t headed for the famed Mount Olympus, but instead a small cluster of buildings some distance away.


    Soon the voidship landed, and all the people on board were asked to disembark. Confused, Aiden asked a few questions and finally got the gist of what was going on.


    Olympus Academy was a famous institute of all realms. If they truly accepted everyone that joined, how could they be worthy of the title ''the training ground of the gods''?


    The gods will favor and bless their descendants, but that only applies to the descendants that are worthy. To truly pass and enter Olympus Academy, you must pass an entrance examination.


    When Aiden first learned this, he would not lie¡ªhe panicked. Before all this, he was a complete and utter civilian, and after seeing the amazing display of power by the captain of the voidship earlier, he knew he was completely out of his depth. If the assessment was based on power, he would be finished.


    Fortunately, his worries were quickly alleviated by what came after. The Academy obviously knew such things. It wasn''t just Aiden who was in this situation; there were many other people who may have just lived a regular life.


    Besides, there was an even more grueling problem: regardless of whether they were civilians or descendants of high nobles, all students would be awakening their divine blood for the first time. It would take some time to train and master such abilities, even if it was just at a rudimentary level, and this is where the facility Aiden was currently at came into play.


    A training camp.


    Before the students entered the academy, they would be gathered and trained in basic combat and basic knowledge. Before Aiden could spend any time enjoying an idyllic Academy life, he would first have to survive a grueling and ruthless training camp!


    It didn''t take long for Aiden to come to terms with his new reality because right when he stepped off the voidship, he felt the entire aura of everything around him change.


    Different from the polite and cordial attitude he felt from the people on the voidship and even some of the soldiers to an extent, the people at the training camp were different. It would be wrong to say that they weren''t polite, but they definitely weren''t there to serve and cajole you. You either stepped up to the plate, or you were kicked to the curb!


    Aiden and Oliver were quickly shuffled along and given their place of residence before being given a prompt time to gather once again on the training grounds. Fortunately, since they specifically asked for it and there wasn''t much demand, Aiden and Oliver were allowed to be grouped in the same dorm.


    They didn''t have much time to celebrate and quickly moved and settled in their residence. After that, they quickly got changed into their new clothes: dark brown pants, leather boots, and a loose white blouse with some red accents. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After changing, Aiden and Oliver followed the signs and the slowly gathering trail of people and came to the training ground.


    There were hundreds of people gathered here, each in their own training clothes. Aiden saw people of different varieties; he saw some people short and tall. He saw people with seemingly inhuman hair, be it blazing red or a deep aquamarine blue, some even silver or even glowing directly.


    And Aiden wasn''t being rude, but there were some he wouldn''t even consider human¡ªa group of giants that stood head and shoulders above everyone else with a single eye or even some with scales growing out of their face and arms.


    Aiden didn''t dare look too long, so he only took a quick glance before looking away. Nobody was looking at him either.

 Chapter 8 8.Blood examination

    Instead, they focused on an elevated wooden stand in front of them. On the stand stood an imposing man.He didn''t look too old, but a stern expression was constantly fixed on his face, and his very body radiated an overwhelming aura that commanded respect. After waiting a few moments for the crowd to settle down, the man on the stand finally began to speak.


    "I won''t waste too much time giving you an introduction since you should have already known what is going on when you arrived here. This is a training camp. You all may be excited to join Olympus Academy and begin your divine journey, but remember if you fail the exam, all the hope and excitement will be for nought. In order to succeed in your ambitions, you will need to suffer and sweat.


    You may find it hard, but remember in this world, there is no medicine for regret."


    After saying this, the man on the stand showed a surprising smile.


    "I won''t hold you up after all, today is an important day for all of you. Enjoy the moment in which you awaken your divine blood, as today is the only day you will have off. From tomorrow, your training and mastery of your newfound powers will begin."


    Ending the brief speech, the man ordered the managers and assistants to begin the awakening process for these aspiring students.


    Aiden and Oliver were split into different groups, and then each group was herded towards a different sector to test and choose their divine blood. On the way there, Aiden learned more about the divine awakening process.


    Before the divine awakening process, divine descendants can actually carry the blood of multiple different gods. Thinking about it carefully, it was only natural; countless years had passed since the time of demigods. The gods themselves had a chaotic love life, how could they not expect their own descendants to follow suit and mix with one another? But this led to another problem.


    All gods are naturally vain and aloof. Although there may be some that are stronger, none viewed themselves as inferior to their counterparts. How could they accept the fact that there was the blood of other gods in their chosen descendants?


    The awakening process not only awakened the chosen bloodline but purged the blood of all other gods in your body. This was the unique benefit and power granted to Olympus Academy by the gods. Even the most powerful clans and families didn''t have this ability. If you were a divine descendant and wanted to go further, your only choice was to enter Olympus Academy or live your life as a mortal.


    Aiden learned more about the awakening process and followed the group into a different room. In the center stood a large glowing board with a shining crystal ball placed right in front of it.


    As Aiden was watching, one of the trainees was called to step forward. Following his instructions, the young man placed his hand on the ball, causing it to glow with a golden divine light as two symbols appeared glowing on the board.


    One was a hammer wrapped in burning red flames, the other was a golden crackling lightning bolt. One of the instructors turned his head to the man who had just placed his hand and spoke.


    "You contain the blood of both Lord Zeus and Lord Hephaestus. They are both found in similar concentrations and amounts, which means there will be no inherent disadvantages or benefits based on which bloodline you choose. Knowing this, the choice is up to you. So which god do you choose to follow?"


    The questioned trainee pondered for a moment before a resolute expression appeared on his face.


    "I choose to follow Lord Zeus."


    Hearing this, the instructor nodded and motioned to a nearby assistant to lead the trainee away. Where he was going, Aiden had no clue.


    After the trainee, many other trainees walked up and placed their hands on the ball, showing the dazzling various symbols of the gods. As Aiden watched the various trainees, he noticed something rather interesting.


    At first, Aiden thought that people would most likely choose to follow the gods that were typically known to be more powerful, but that was not actually the case. Instead, people would rather choose to follow the blood that had a higher concentration, showing that the power of the god you choose to follow may actually not be all that important at the end of the day.


    Soon it was Aiden''s turn to go. Aiden calmly stepped up and placed his hand on the crystal ball, causing it to burst out with a bright golden light. On the screen behind, a bright crackling lightning bolt appeared, but at the same time, an even brighter sun-shaped symbol appeared next to it. Seeing this, the instructor spoke to Aiden.


    "You contain the blood of Lord Apollo, but at the same time, you contain trace amounts of blood from Lord Zeus."


    But the instructor didn''t stop there and added a further point.


    "Although you have the blood of Lord Zeus, it is highly advised that you don''t make this choice. The low concentration of blood could create a lot of obstacles in your future. But this is just advice, the choice is still yours at the end of the day."


    Hearing this, Aiden didn''t hesitate for long before he made his decision.


    "I choose the blood of Apollo," said Aiden.


    As the instructor heard this, a faint smile appeared on his face before he placed his hand on Aiden''s shoulder.


    "It was a good choice and trust me boy, you won''t regret this decision."


    After saying this, the instructor motioned for an assistant to help take Aiden away. After that, he went back to help all the other trainees examine their blood and make important decisions that could affect them for the rest of their life.


    sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 9 9. Divine Blood awakening

    Aiden followed the assistant and received a brief warning.The awakening process was absolutely safe, but people would have different reactions, so it would not be unexpected to experience slight pain; he must not panic.


    In addition, there might be some slight physical changes in one''s body after the awakening process, so he shouldn''t be alarmed if such a thing happened to him.


    Soon, Aiden found himself outside an eerie room marked with a large sun symbol, with a line waiting outside of it.


    The line moved rather quickly, and soon it was Aiden''s turn to go inside. Aiden didn''t hesitate and stepped inside, but although he walked in confidently, he couldn''t help but flinch when the door closed behind him with a loud thud.


    As Aiden walked forward, he saw a man fully covered in a dark cloak, even his face completely hidden, giving the figure a strange and illusory feeling. The man''s cloak was lined with golden thread depicting glorious symbols of the sun and an enchanting lyre.


    Just as Aiden was hesitating on whether to move, a hoarse yet welcoming voice escaped from behind the hood of the cloaked figure.


    "Calm down, little one, there is nothing to fear."


    The voice sounded old, and although it was trying to calm him down, when he saw the hooded figure''s head turn toward him, Aiden felt goosebumps crawl all over his skin. Despite this, Aiden suppressed these uncomfortable feelings and walked toward the hooded figure. Seeing this, the figure chuckled.


    "At least you''re not a coward."


    Aiden didn''t know how to respond to such words, and fortunately, the hooded figure didn''t seem to be looking for one either. Instead, he turned around and brought out an exquisite goblet, but instead of wine, what was contained inside was a strange glowing golden liquid.


    The second Aiden laid eyes on the goblet, time seemed to freeze. His heartbeat sped up as his pupils dilated.


    "Huff! Huff!"


    At the same time, his breathing became crazed and erratic, almost like that of a wild beast''s. Aiden''s mouth opened as every last fiber of his body seemed to go berserk.


    Although Aiden had never encountered this substance before, something deep inside of his body knew exactly what it was. There was only one thing that could leave him so crazed and have all his body cells agitated.


    "The blood of a god..."


    Aiden spoke in disbelief, almost not believing his words, but it was impossible to deny his genetic instincts.


    The thing in front of him was the blood of a god.


    Although there may be other substances, it didn''t change the fact that the main component was the true blood of the gods! Aiden''s body was twitching at him and screaming for him to take and consume the drink without hesitation. S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The blood of the gods was the best elixir to increase your strength, and Aiden knew that. Aiden was sure that if it wasn''t for the eerie and intimidating aura emanating from the hooded figure, he would have rushed at him like a crazed beast and snatched it out of his hand.


    The hooded figure looked at Aiden and secretly nodded his head. He was slightly impressed by Aiden''s composure at this moment in time. He had seen on multiple occasions trainees coming in contact with the blood of the gods that they lost all composure, becoming no different than feral monsters.


    If he had known that the only thing maintaining Aiden''s sanity was not composure but instead fear, his expression would definitely change.


    Fortunately, the hooded figure didn''t want to torture Aiden, so after showing some brief appreciation, he quickly spoke up.


    "Boy, there is no need to resist the urge. Go ahead, drink it."


    Receiving the final confirmation, Aiden didn''t think anymore and reached for the goblet. His hands moved faster than they had ever done in his life, and he gulped down the blood of the god. Aiden instantly felt a warm feeling slide down into his stomach.


    At the same time, a warm fuzzy feeling began to spread all over his body. Instantly, his cells squirmed and were overwhelmed with a feeling of pure pleasure. The feeling of biological ascendance was so euphoric it was hard to put into words.


    But Aiden''s pure joy didn''t last forever. The fiery feeling in his stomach started to go wild and rage and writhe all through his body.


    "Badum! Badum! Badum!"


    His heart started beating like a deafening war drum as creaking and popping sounds started echoing out from his bones. Aiden fell onto his knees. His skin turned as red as a boiling prawn as the veins started writhing all over his body like a nest of twisting snakes. The hooded figure watched this and frowned.


    "This is not normal. Although they are supposed to show a level of reaction, it should never be to this level."


    Realizing there was an issue, the hooded figure reached out to touch Aiden, but before he could, Aiden let out a deafening roar.


    "ARGH!"


    A pained and tortured cry escaped from his mouth along with a streak of golden gushing flames.


    It wasn''t just his mouth either; soon, a raging stream of golden flames was gushing out of his eyes and mouth, streaking all over his body, wrapping Aiden in a sea of flames. For Aiden, it was like he had been placed in a pit of magma, his skin and flesh constantly being scorched, torched, and reformed.


    At the same time, he wanted to curse the assistant that had brought him here and told him what to expect during the awakening process.


    Slight pain my ass!


    Where the hell was the slight pain?! This was jsut pure torture!


    Although the pain was horrific, Aiden didn''t dare give in and lose consciousness. His instincts were warning him that such a thing was unacceptable.


    During a process that was no different than a biological transcendence, losing consciousness would be no different than suicide. Even if he didn''t die, his path towards godhood would definitely be cut off in the future.

 Chapter 10 10. Embers of creation

    Aiden gritted his teeth and held onto his consciousness with pure determination. But Aiden was just a regular boy at the end of the day. He held on for a while, but his consciousness soon began fading.Just as Aiden was about to lose all consciousness, he noticed a strange feeling. As quickly as the terrifying pain had arrived, it began to recede.


    As Aiden stood to his feet, the golden flames slowly extinguished themselves on his skin.


    The cloaked figure looked at Aiden, and if his face hadn''t been covered by a hood, the shock on it would have been shockingly evident.


    He had been conducting the awakening process for the descendants of Apollo for many years, and this was the first time in his entire career that he had ever seen such a violent reaction.


    He didn''t know the complete implications of such a powerful reaction, but one thing he did know was that the boy in front of him would definitely not be an ordinary person.


    As the hooded figure looked at Aiden, his eyes shook once again.


    "Is that... is that still the same boy from before?"


    In the eyes of the hooded figure, the new Aiden was completely unrecognizable from the old Aiden.


    The training top Aiden wore had been completely burnt off, revealing a sleek and fit body. Although the slight physical changes in Aiden were impressive, what truly shocked him was Aiden''s change in appearance.


    It would be wrong to call the previous Aiden ugly; in fact, he had been rather handsome, but his new looks could put models to shame.


    His skin became smooth and clear, completely without any spots or blemishes, like that of a newborn baby''s. At the same time, all his features became sharper and even more charming. His brown eyes morphed into deep glowing amber, which seemed to completely enchant anyone who made contact with them.


    But the most distinctive change was his hair. His originally dirty blonde hair had changed to a vibrant gold, like that of a dazzling golden sun shining in the sky.


    "Is anything the problem?" asked Aiden.


    Hearing Aiden''s voice, the cloaked figure snapped out of his stupor and replied, "No, there''s no issue. It''s just that your body changed quite a bit after the divine awakening process, so I was a bit surprised, that''s all."


    Aiden was still incapable of looking at himself, so he just took the cloaked man''s words at face value and didn''t think too deeply about it.


    After this, the cloaked figure handed him a red stone no bigger than the palm of his hand. Soon after he held it, the small stone began to heat up until it was practically scalding. A sharp burst of flames shot out, branding Aiden''s hand with a bright red diamond shaped mark.


    Aiden wanted to throw the stone away, but a calm old voice quickly sounded in his ear.


    "Calm down, boy. This is an essential process you need to go through, and it won''t hurt you in any way." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Aiden calmed down, he was still a bit panicked and asked,


    "What exactly is this?"


    "It''s an ember of the Fire of Creation," responded the cloaked figure.


    "For the mortals of Olympus, everything begins and ends with the embers of creation from the fire of the hearth located at the peak of Mount Olympus. In this life, you may not know many things, but you should know that for mortals and divine descendants, the Fire of Creation is your everything."


    After the hooded figure finished speaking, the ember completed the branding process and soon lost all color, becoming a simple and unassuming plain rock.


    Aiden put the rock aside and looked at the bright red diamond mark on the back of his hand. Seeing Aiden''s curiosity, the hooded figure instructed Aiden on how to activate the mark and fed some newly awakened divine power into it.


    Since Aiden''s control of divine power was poor, he had to rub the mark with his hand to get it to activate. Soon, a burst of flames grew from the back of his hand, forming an information panel composed solely of deep crimson flames:


    ----


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: N/A


    Strength: F+


    Agility: F


    Endurance: F


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F (1/100)


    [Feat of Renown: Descendant of Apollo (A) ]


    Feat type: Passive


    -Increased healing affinity


    -Increased fire affinity


    -Increased archery affinity


    -Increased strength


    ----


    "This... This¡ªwhat is this!" Aiden''s mind struggled to accept the strange phenomenon before his eyes, buzzing with countless questions. But as the hooded figure heard this, his half-hidden expression quickly contorted into one of utter disgust.


    Only the gods knew how many times he had been asked that question, not just today but throughout his entire career. If he had to explain such a complicated thing every time to each trainee, he would be there all day.


    "Don''t think about too many things too fast. It''s not my job to teach you the basics; you''re at the training camp for a reason. If you have any questions, just ask your instructor. Everything will be explained to you soon enough anyway."


    Aiden wanted to ask again and pry him open for more answers, but one look at the man''s half-covered face told Aiden that his actions would lead to a complete dead end. Sighing, Aiden suppressed his curiosity and left the room, heading toward his dorm room.


    What he didn''t know was that the hooded figure kept his eyes on Aiden''s back the entire time. Even after Aiden left, his eyes remained glued to the door.


    It was only after the next trainee came in that the hooded man finally drew his attention away.


    Aiden''s transformation had left that deep of an impression on the poor old man.

 Chapter 11 11. Changes

    Aiden quickly walked back toward his dorm room. As he stopped outside his door, he ran into a familiar figure."Oliver, is that you?"


    Aiden was surprised to see Oliver''s changes.


    His appearance had become more refined, and his hair color had even changed slightly. If Aiden''s hair was like the dazzling sun, then Oliver''s was like the setting evening sun, a deep and mesmerizing reddish-orange.


    But if Aiden experienced a slight surprise, then what Oliver experienced was near a heart attack.


    "A-Aiden, what the fuck happened? How did you change so much?"


    Oliver walked closer to Aiden but suddenly cursed all over again.


    "Fuck! Why are you at eye level all of a sudden?"


    Before, Oliver clearly remembered that he had a few inches on Aiden, but now they were the same height. This was not to even mention the rather drastic change in Aiden''s appearance.


    The gods are vain and arrogant, so for mortals to mate with the gods, their looks were without question, making it natural for divine descendants to be beautiful and handsome. Apollo, as a god of music and song, was naturally charming, his looks were without question, but even so, Oliver couldn''t believe his eyes.


    "I''m just curious, but which god''s blood did you use to awaken?"


    Hearing this, Aiden tilted his head to the side and answered, "The blood of Apollo."


    When Oliver heard this, his disbelief only grew further. "Fuck! So you''re telling me we drank the same shit?"


    It was either Oliver was scammed or Aiden was cheating. Of course, Oliver knew that something like cheating was impossible, but that just put into perspective how ridiculous Aiden''s transformation was. Such a claim wasn''t a crazy response but instead a logical deduction.


    As Aiden and Oliver talked more about the divine awakening process, Aiden finally understood how freakish he appeared to others. As the two were throwing out possible theories, Aiden guessed,


    "Maybe my recessive mutation was enough to mirror the effect of a strong bloodline lineage. I''m sure there have been cases of such a thing happening in the past."


    Oliver paused for a second.


    This wasn''t a completely impossible claim. It was possible for recessive mutations in powerful bloodlines to show strange phenomena during an awakening, but the problem was that in the cases Oliver had heard about, they at least came from a rather minor bloodline lineage.


    Such an occurrence happening from a true mortal was unheard of, but at the very least, it wasn''t statistically impossible, so there was no way of ruling it out. If it wasn''t for the fact that Oliver knew that Aiden came from Earth and was an orphan, he would really be questioning who his father was.


    Who knows, maybe he was the abandoned child of a powerful bloodline lineage and was about to start his counter-attack to the top of the divine world.


    Laughing at their own crazy conspiracy theories, the two continued talking before finally settling into their new dorm and preparing for the new day.


    As Aiden was falling asleep, a hooded figure was rushing through the hallways. He quickly came before an instructor''s office and loudly knocked on the door.


    "Come in," responded a voice.


    The hooded figure walked inside and saw a familiar figure. If any of the new trainees were here, they would recognize that this man was the chief instructor who had given a speech earlier today.


    The man put down the files and notes in front of him and looked at the man who suddenly arrived in his office.


    "So, what brings you here?"


    "Instructor Kyros, you may not believe it, but today I conducted the awakening ceremony for a strange trainee. They showed a strange phenomenon during the awakening, meaning the power of their blood could be extraordinary!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Instructor Kyros raised an eyebrow and asked, "So what is the name of this trainee?"


    "Aiden Evans. Aiden Evans is the boy''s name."


    Hearing this, Instructor Kyros nodded before waving his hand. "The information you gave is noteworthy, and I will pay attention to it. If that is all, you can take your leave now."


    Hearing Instructor Kyros speak, the old man was shocked. "Is that all? Instructor, I don''t think you know how rare it is to witness a strange phenomenon during the awakening process."


    "Old man, you need to be aware of your roles. You are merely a guide to the awakening process, a servant of the gods. While we may note his potential, only his performance can shake us. The only ones who care about powerful bloodlines are the families obsessed with their bloodline lineages.


    Remember, old man, I don''t care what happens in the academy, but at the training camps, the families can have no influence at all. If anything happens, you won''t be able to bear the consequences."


    With Kyros''s last words, the old man felt like he was choking as an unbelievable pressure descended on his body. "Y-yes, sir!" stuttered the shaking old man.


    Realizing his blunder, the old man didn''t dare stay any longer and quickly left the instructor''s office.


    Watching the old man leave, Kyros couldn''t help but sigh.


    Despite the restrictions, the claws of these bloodline families never knew when to calm down and kept stretching forward. Despite this, Instructor Kyros couldn''t help but smile.


    "What number does that make now, three? Each one with a strange phenomenon during the awakening process. Maybe this is fate?"


    Instructor Kyros didn''t dare ponder too deeply on something even the gods would struggle to predict.


    "Whether it is fate or not, this training camp will at least be rather interesting," muttered Kyros to himself, chuckling as he did so.

 Chapter 12 12. A simple run

    The next day, just after the crack of dawn, Aiden was woken up by Oliver''s rough shaking of his shoulder."Get up! We can''t afford to be late on the first day! Who knows what punishments these vicious bastards could cook up for us."


    Aiden heard this and shivered.


    Yesterday, Oliver had told him about the training he had endured with his own family and reminded him that the training at this camp could only be worse.


    Who knows what sort of old and archaic punishments these weirdos could cook up


    The two boys quickly got ready and changed into their newly picked out training clothes before rushing to the training field.


    They had only stood on the training ground for a short while when a familiar figure walked out. It was the man who had given their introductory speech yesterday, and it didn''t take long before he started speaking once again.


    "It''s good to see all of you out here again. I am the chief instructor of your training camp, and you can call me Instructor Kyros. I take it you had a good time yesterday. Awakening your divine blood must have you feeling an immense amount of power, but you are still new trainees after all." As Instructor Kyros spoke, a slight smile appeared on his face.


    "Your first task as trainees will be something simple, a warm-up if you will. Your task is simply to run a short distance and go from point A to point B."


    After saying this, Instructor Kyros raised his hand and pointed into the distance.


    "Your goal is to reach the marked destination at the top of the cliff."


    As the trainees looked over, they could see Instructor Kyros pointing to a cliff in the distance. Between them and the cliff was a lush, packed forest with hilly terrain leading up to a distant and tall cliffside.


    "The faster you arrive, the better your rewards will be. Additionally, there will be a penalty for all those who finish later, so you better get a move on." Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    After saying this, the instructor''s figure flickered before disappearing from the spot, leaving the group of trainees looking at one another completely confused.


    It was only after a few moments that someone finally began to start moving. That one action was like throwing a rock in a pond. Instantly, the entire group of trainees began to move and head for the forest.


    Aiden and Oliver were no exception. After taking a look at each other, the two also headed toward the forest.


    It didn''t take long before the large group of trainees quickly split up. Shortly after entering the forest, the group of trainees saw many different paths branching out and scattered across the various paths in front of them.


    Aiden and Oliver didn''t think too much about it and headed toward a random path, running alongside each other at a steady rate. But as they ran further and further, Oliver suddenly noticed something.


    "This fog, it''s suddenly becoming strangely thick all of a sudden."


    As Aiden heard this, he finally noticed the gradual change in their surroundings and the fog. But just as Aiden was about to speak, Oliver''s face suddenly hardened as he dived toward Aiden, dragging him to the floor.


    Aiden was about to complain, but that''s when a large wooden tendril swept over where their heads were just a moment ago.


    "Fuck!" cursed Oliver. "If I hadn''t felt something, we would have lost our heads."


    Aiden listened to Oliver, and his skin crawled.


    "This forest, no, the entire area to the cliff, it''s all filled with traps!"


    Just as the words escaped his mouth, Aiden was suddenly filled with a strange feeling. The strange feeling he had only felt during the awakening process was vaguely activated, a fuzzy feeling crept into his mind.


    "Move now!"


    Aiden didn''t even think and dragged Oliver to his feet and ran, just in time.


    "Boom!"


    Another giant tendril slammed out of the mist, crashing down onto their previous spot! Aiden and Oliver just couldn''t get a break. They started running through the forest, with strange objects breaking out of the mist trying to attack them.


    Fortunately, with their newly awakened divine blood, their senses had been boosted to near unimaginable levels, and when put to the test, they were forced to activate and were slowly being polished and refined.


    At the same time, every time Aiden''s senses were activated and he dodged, a warm and fuzzy force started swirling inside his body, slowly growing stronger with each passing second. Aiden didn''t need a teacher; he instantly recognized what this feeling was.


    Divinity.


    The mystical power was coursing through his body, and even with Aiden''s current primitive and rudimentary control, it had a clear strengthening effect on his body.


    Sayings don''t get passed down for no reason; the best way to learn is truly with experience. Aiden only wished that this "experience" wasn''t giant objects trying to crush his bones.


    Just as Aiden had this thought, the ground beneath him started to shake.


    Aiden and Oliver could only watch wide-eyed as what could only be described as a wave of earth rushed toward them. It was like someone had grabbed the earth and shook it like a dusty blanket, causing ripples to rush forth.


    Oliver''s jaw dropped in disbelief.


    "What the actual fu¡ª"


    But Oliver didn''t even get to finish his sentence before he and Aiden were flying into the forest with a panicked scream.


    The two friends landed harshly on the ground, and Aiden was certain that if it wasn''t for the transformation he had undergone yesterday after the divine awakening, he would have broken several bones by now.


    But just as they were getting themselves together, they suddenly heard some rustling in the forest around them as a group of creaky wooden puppets walked out from the tall grass and started approaching them.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me."


    This time, Oliver wasn''t even shocked; he had really seen it all at this point. Aiden looked at the group of puppets, his face showing confusion before a sudden light flashed in his amber eyes.

 Chapter 13 13. The true situation

    Aiden looked at the group of puppets, his face showing confusion before a sudden light flashed in his amber eyes. Aiden looked at the group of puppets once again and burst into laughter."So that''s it. We were never supposed to reach the cliff from the start; we weren''t even expected to get close."


    When Oliver heard this, he almost slipped over.


    "Damn it! These vicious instructors are heartless enough to screw over their own trainees."


    Oliver, now realizing what was going on, looked towards Aiden.


    "That means that we''re totally fucked, right?" asked Oliver.


    "Completely fucked, my friend," responded Aiden.


    Just after Aiden responded, a wooden puppet suddenly rushed over, but although the puppet was quick, Oliver was even quicker. He stepped forward and raised his fist, covered in glowing divine light, and smashed it into its head.


    "Bang!"


    A cracking sound emanated from beneath Oliver''s fist as the puppet was flung back, crashing against the dirt. Looking at the puppet, Oliver scowled as he shook his now slightly pained hand. "Even if it''s a trap, I''m not going down without a fight!"


    The puppets seemed to respond at the same time another wooden puppet tried to sneak up on Oliver. Fortunately, Oliver wasn''t fighting alone. Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Stepping forward, Aiden pulled back his hand and used his willpower to mobilize the slithering sense of divinity he had recently become familiar with and punched forward.


    "Bang!"


    Aiden felt his hand sting and even felt a sense of recoil rush back along his arm. Fortunately, at the same time, the divinity in Aiden''s body rushed along, strengthening his arm. It was poor, simple, and rather crude, but Aiden was now capable of fighting with divinity!


    Aiden and Oliver quickly got up and fought fiercely against the approaching wooden puppets.


    "Bang! Bang! Bang!"


    Their fists glowed like rockets as they smashed down into the mob of attackers. The two boys didn''t back down, and their determination was impressive to see, but it was just that¡ªonly impressive to the eyes.


    The two young boys clearly weren''t trained fighters, and without a proper mastery of their own divine power, their weaknesses were eventually revealed. Eventually, the defenses of the two friends were quickly breached, and each was struck with a hard blow to the head, knocking them out cleanly.


    ....


    An unknown time later...


    "Urgghh..." A pained groan escaped Aiden''s mouth as sharp pain was ringing in his mind.


    "Where am I?"


    Aiden''s eyes opened as he looked up at a completely unfamiliar ceiling. The last thing Aiden could remember was being swarmed by the attacking wooden puppets before suddenly waking up here in this strange new location.


    Fortunately, Aiden''s nervousness only lasted for a short while before he quickly calmed down. That was because he realized he wasn''t on a battlefield or any other dangerous location. Aiden''s current location was an infirmary room!


    Breathing a sigh of relief, Aiden slowly sat up and looked around. The infirmary room was filled with countless groaning trainees; some unlucky ones were even bleeding and bandaged. Aiden looked at the carnage and secretly shook his head.


    "Tch! They really didn''t spare anyone. Everyone got hit pretty bad."


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, he felt himself being tapped on the shoulder. Looking up, Aiden found himself looking at a pretty nurse checking on him.


    "Trainee Aiden, you''ve been diagnosed as fine and not deemed to be suffering from any major injuries. As such, you''ve been instructed to head to the grounds to gather with other trainees."


    Hearing this, Aiden was left speechless. Didn''t he just wake up from being knocked out? He didn''t stay silent and made his confusion heard.


    "I have to go right now? I just woke up. How does that make sense?"


    The nurse looked at him helplessly and said, "It''s the instructions we''ve received from the chief instructor. If the trainee can walk, he should head to the grounds."


    Aiden could only groan and hide his displeasure. A body with awakened divine blood was truly superhuman, so although Aiden was feeling some displeasure, he could still move without any major trouble. Slowly but surely, Aiden headed towards the gathering hall...


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden was sitting among other trainees. Aiden could hear the uncomfortable groans of a few trainees, or even in some cases, curses flying at the lunatics that led them to go on such a mad run.


    Soon, Inspector Kyros walked in.


    His walk was the same as ever: a calm and commanding posture with a steady gait.


    But that was just Inspector Kyros. Although the trainees maintained basic respect and didn''t cross the line, there was still a subtle level of anger or even hatred in their eyes as they watched Inspector Kyros walk in.


    It was only natural.


    This time they had been completely played.


    Being sent on a wild run they were never destined to complete, only to be brutally ambushed and knocked out before they even made it a fraction of the distance along.


    When Aiden thought about it, even his teeth would ache with anger. Much didn''t need to be said for the tired descendants of the divine families that had lived prideful lives knowing that they were descendants of gods. They had never been so humiliated in their lives.


    Instructor Kyros didn''t seem to care about any discontent and casually laughed it off. "Hahaha! I can see you guys were having fun. The newbies always leave their first run with a memorable experience!"


    Although Instructor Kyros was laughing, only other instructors joined in on his light chuckle. Where the new trainees were, it was only filled with deathly silence. Anyone watching on could see the glares at Inspector Kyros get more ugly and even slightly murderous.


    But the second Inspector Kyros'' eyes swept over them, they quickly awakened to their senses, and the murderous intent disappeared even faster than it appeared. A few were even left shaking.

 Chapter 14 14. Weak

    Soon, Inspector Kyros'' smirking face disappeared, morphing into a vicious frown."A lot of you are unhappy even if you don''t dare openly admit it," said Inspector Kyros calmly. "Do you think what I did was unfair? Do you think what I did was cheating? Well, I stand here to tell you that not only is it not unfair or cheating, but it is deserved."


    No one dared speak after they heard this, but Inspector Kyros had been doing this long enough to know that no trainee who ever heard him say this had accepted it in their heart. Despite this, Inspector Kyros continued on.


    "What do you think you even faced? It was not the dangerous creatures of legends, but instead just low-level monsters and constructs barely even considered skilled creations. Such creatures left you embarrassed to the point you couldn''t even fight back, and yet you dare hold onto something so pathetic as your pride at this moment in time."


    "Pride without substance isn''t admirable, it''s simply stupidity. You have only just awakened your divine blood and you feel like nothing could stop you, but you need to curb your arrogance."


    "You may be something in the world of mortals, but in the world of the gods, you are nothing. If you want to have pride, if you want to earn respect here in the world of the gods, you can''t rely on your divine blood like you did in the world of mortals. Divine blood isn''t an anomaly anymore, it is the norm.


    The only thing that can get you respect here in this world is your strength, and you weaklings are just beginning your journey."


    The field was completely silent. No one dared speak, but they could feel it completely in their hearts: just how fragile and powerless they were. These arrogant children who had lived their lives believing that they were part of an exclusive superior class, a great cabal of elites, realized that there were mountains above mountains, a sky above the sky.


    In the grand picture.... they were really nothing.


    For the newly awakened divine descendants, such a feeling of inferiority and nothingness was unbearable. It''s much harder to go from wealth to frugality than the other way around. After living as members of the superior class, how could they accept that they were falling down again?


    For these new trainees, even if there was no entrance exam into Olympus Academy coming up, they would train with unprecedented vigor! Inspector Kyros saw this and smiled. As descendants of the gods, they inherited some of the bad traits of their forefathers. Pride. To truly subdue these prideful youths and command them with any sort of respect, you had to break them down first.


    Only then could you build up a strong and terrifying foundation.


    The interesting days at the new training camp were finally starting to begin.


    The next day, after getting a good rest and recovery, Oliver and Aiden dragged their bodies to the training ground along with the others. As they arrived at the training ground, the new trainees couldn''t help but pause; the place had changed completely. In terms of size alone, it seemed to have multiplied, but that was not all.


    All sorts of strange training equipment could be found all over the training ground. But the most eye-catching change would have to be the weapons rack. All sorts of weapons were lined up: swords, spears, war hammers, daggers, flails¡ªyou name it, it could be found.


    "Is this what they meant by free training period..." murmured Oliver, a little stunned.


    Like Oliver had said, the morning of today would be taken up by a free training period where instructors encouraged the trainees to practice the weapons they knew so they could get a rough average of the abilities of the trainees. Aiden and Oliver didn''t linger around looking on for too long. Soon, Oliver dragged Aiden to pick up a set of bows and arrows and headed to the archery range.


    Aiden and Oliver stood behind a wooden fence, and in front of them were many shooting targets arranged at varying distances away from them: 20 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, etc. Aiden had no experience in any form of combat, but he was determined to follow down the path of archery. He hadn''t forgotten what happened to him during the awakening process.


    Besides the horrifying pain, he saw a strange thing on a screen of fire:


    [Feat of Renown: Descendant of Apollo]


    Feat type: Passive


    -Increased healing affinity


    -Increased fire affinity


    -Increased archery affinity


    -Increased strength


    -Ancient Greek


    -Latin


    As a complete novice, he was being handed his next steps on a plate. If he still refused to pick up archery, then he would be a complete and unsalvageable idiot.


    As Aiden thought this, Oliver got ready to practice. He pulled out an arrow from the quiver on his back. From the outside, it looked like Oliver was harmonizing with his bow; even his small breaths were completely in line with the small tremble of the bowstring. Suddenly, a sharp look passed through Oliver''s eyes as he released the bowstring.


    "Bang!"


    The arrow soared through the air, crashing into the target like thunder, but that wasn''t the end. Oliver''s hands moved in a blur, and Aiden couldn''t even see how Oliver drew the next arrow.


    "Bang!"


    Another thunderous shock erupted as another arrow trembled inside the target! And that wasn''t the end.


    "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"


    Within seconds, five arrows flew out and slammed into the target in rapid succession.


    "Hisss!"


    Aiden took a mouthful of cold air.


    How terrifying!


    Such power! S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Such accuracy!


    Aiden imagined himself in the place of the target and shivered. How was a person even supposed to dodge that!?

 Chapter 15 15. Archery

    Oliver put down his bow and quickly burst out laughing."Hahaha! So this is it! This is just the start of the blood of the gods!"


    Hearing this, Aiden turned to look at him a little confused, and Oliver quickly explained.


    "My skills have improved quite a bit just by awakening my bloodline. Before, I would struggle to fire three of such arrows; now I can fire five without even breaking a sweat!"


    Hearing this, Aiden''s jaw dropped.


    "Is the blood of the gods so powerful?"


    Seeing Aiden''s shock, Oliver just chuckled and motioned towards Aiden.


    "How about it? You have a try and see how much you''ve improved?"


    When Aiden heard this, an awkward look appeared on his face. Oliver quickly rubbed his head in embarrassment.


    "I forgot you used to be a complete mortal before all this and have no training."


    It wasn''t just no training; before this, Aiden had never touched anything that could even be considered a weapon before!


    Oliver laughed and patted Aiden on the back.


    "Well, now''s as good a time as any to start. If it''s just basic archery, I can help you get started. Look." S§×arch* The NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As he spoke, Oliver moved and took up a basic shooting stance for Aiden to watch. Aiden looked for a while before copying him, and that''s when Oliver walked around him, using a stick to shift his feet around while moving his back forward.


    "The first point I can teach you about archery is stance. If your stance is off, everything you shoot won''t work."


    Any time Aiden''s body tended to drift out, Oliver would quickly try and correct it, but even so, from his eyes, Aiden''s stance was still a complete mess. He could only sigh in his mind.


    ''It''s better than nothing, I guess.''


    It had taken him years to get his stance up to par; how could Aiden do the same in moments with just a few words? So instead of worrying, he continued his explanation.


    "The next part of archery is actually to draw your arrow and shoot, and this is where people get confused. Don''t be deceived and focus on appearances. The trick to shooting doesn''t focus on the arms; instead, it all stems from your back. Your back is your anchor and your lynchpin. Most of your strength and power originate here. Use your back to control the drawing process."


    Aiden did as he was told and drew out an arrow, using his arms and his back to draw the arrow. As he did so, he suddenly heard Oliver''s voice.


    "Don''t be too stiff! There''s no such thing as a rigid bow! The more fluid and relaxed the muscles in your back, the easier it is to quickly adjust your aim and redraw your bow. Develop that habit now!"


    Aiden adjusted his movements as Oliver kept on speaking.


    "Next is the final piece of the puzzle: your breathing. While it might seem trivial, this is the thing that separates the good from the bad. Controlled breathing can help you steady your aim and your body, so don''t underestimate it."


    Aiden tried controlling his breathing as Oliver guided him from the sidelines.


    "Take steady breaths. Feel your bow. Feel the upper and lower limb. Feel the bowstring, even the wind in your surroundings."


    Slowly but surely, Aiden started to feel a sense of harmony flow through his entire body.


    Soon his eyes narrowed on the target in front of him, and then he fired. His bow let out a yellow sound as the arrow soared through the air.


    "Thud!"


    Aiden''s arrow quickly landed, but to his despair, he not only missed, but he missed horribly! Seeing Aiden''s appalled look, Oliver just chuckled.


    "That was your first shot; it''s normal to miss. Adjust yourself and go again."


    Aiden calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and fired again.


    "Thud!"


    Like his last arrow, Aiden missed, but this time it was much better, with his arrow landing at the foot of the target.


    Oliver wanted to encourage Aiden once again, but he quickly found out that there was no need. Aiden calmly redrew.


    "Amazing, you hit the target, Aiden!"


    "Aiden?"


    Oliver called out to Aiden but found his friend was completely unresponsive. He seemed to be in a complete trance-like state, solely focused on the target.


    "Bang!"


    An arrow was fired out of Aiden''s bow with much more power and accuracy than the previous shots, and that wasn''t the end.


    "Bang!"


    Another.


    "Bang!"


    And another.


    "Bang!"


    Aiden and his arrows just showed no sign of stopping, each one only becoming more lethal and accurate with the next one fired.


    If one looked closely at Aiden, you could see the muscles on his arm and back subtly squirming and shifting with each arrow fired. His body was slowly but constantly adjusting and perfecting itself like some biological autocorrect.


    Aiden himself didn''t seem to be aware of the strange state his body was in and continued uninterrupted. The fire of arrows continued. It was nowhere near as fast as Oliver''s almost instantaneous barrage of arrows, but it was a quick and continuous fire of arrows that did not show any sign of stopping.


    Oliver watched on, first puzzled, then amazed, then terrified!


    "M...monster!"


    As Oliver watched Aiden, his heart dropped.


    In just a few short moments, Aiden had shifted from the 20-meter target to the 50-meter target to even the 200-meter target, and yet he was still firing each arrow with deadly accuracy!


    If he hadn''t been the one to guide Aiden, he wouldn''t believe this was the same person that had picked up a bow only mere moments ago!


    Such a speed of learning couldn''t even be classified as a simple genius anymore; no, this was a monster of a completely different caliber!

 Chapter 16 16. Talent

    Aiden was completely unaware of the shock he was inflicting on Oliver and was still trapped in the mysterious state. Aiden drew another arrow, but this time something happened."Huh?"


    Aiden suddenly paused. He grasped around in his quiver and felt nothing. It was only after that Aiden snapped out of whatever trance he had been in for the last few minutes.


    "What¡­ what happened¡­"


    Disoriented, Aiden looked around at the targets littered with arrows, completely confused.


    "Did I¡­ did I do all this?"


    Before Aiden could second-guess himself, someone else responded for him.


    "Yes! Yes, you did! Don''t tell me you can''t remember anything?"


    Oliver looked at Aiden, completely stunned. How could someone put on such a magical performance and barely even know how they did it?


    But Aiden was truly helpless at this moment in time.


    "I really can''t remember anything," said Aiden helplessly.


    But although Aiden couldn''t remember anything, he would be lying if he said he didn''t feel any different. The bow in his hand was completely different; if before it felt like a foreign object, now it was much more familiar.


    It would be exaggerating to say it felt like an extension of his arm, but at the very least it felt like a snug glove. Something comfortable that could be manipulated with ease.


    Even Oliver didn''t believe that Aiden was the same after that shocking performance and handed him an arrow.


    Aiden nocked his arrow and instantly had a new feeling. It was strange to put into words, but he felt like he could hit any target. It wasn''t something that needed to be focused on too deeply. As long as he tried, he felt like he could do it. It was as simple as taking a walk or breathing.


    Aiden took a calm and controlled breath and¡­


    "Bang!"


    The arrow was released, streaking across the air and nailing into the target with a loud impact. Bullseye! And to prove it was not just some freak coincidence, Aiden fired off three more arrows and all three expertly found their mark.


    Aiden looked between his hands, elated but still a bit confused. But soon, Aiden calmed down.


    Since he had met those two soldiers of the gods all that time ago, not a single thing had made sense!


    If something strange was happening, then it was the blood of the gods that was at fault, not him!


    Aiden also remembered that Oliver said he received an improvement in his archery after awakening his blood, so Aiden was not alone in this phenomenon.


    Aiden looked towards Oliver, impressed by the power of the blood of the gods.


    "The blood of the gods is really impressive. Just after picking up a bow once, I can already use it at such a high level."


    When Oliver heard this, he nearly fell over!


    The blood of the gods? What a joke!


    He didn''t know what blood Aiden had, but it definitely wasn''t the same as whatever he got!


    If the blood of the gods was so powerful, what was the point in all the time he had spent training?


    If all that was needed to become proficient in your weapon of choice was the blood of the gods, then, even if his father chased him around with a sword, Oliver would never train hard a day in his life!


    This simply wasn''t normal.


    It could be seen from the changes after his blood awakening that Aiden''s god''s blood was stronger than average, and the display today only further proved it.


    Even amongst those with the blood of the gods, there are levels. The commoners and the geniuses. The mundane and the monsters. It was obvious to anyone who had seen Aiden''s performance that he was clearly in the latter. This was the realm of elite monsters!


    Oliver looked at Aiden and wanted to sigh. Thinking back to the time he said that Aiden would have a hard time for coming from a mortal family, he felt like laughing at himself.


    This guy? Have a hard time?


    From what he could see, he was bound to fit in just like a fish in water.


    As Oliver was having these thoughts, he suddenly saw Aiden grabbing a new bunch of arrows and putting them in his quiver.


    Aiden once again stood in front of the shooting range with his familiar bow in hand. But this time, instead of drawing just one arrow, he drew two!


    Seeing this, Oliver''s eyes jumped.


    "Aiden, you''re not trying two at once, are you?" sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Aiden looked towards Oliver and smiled.


    "Since learning how to shoot a bow and arrow came quite easy, I thought why stop there? Why not try two?"


    Hearing this, Oliver''s mouth twitched.


    Such a train of thought was extremely arrogant, and for someone who had been practicing archery for a long time, it would even come across as plain disrespectful. But Oliver would be lying if he said he wasn''t curious. He wanted to see just how far Aiden''s monstrous talent could reach.


    Aiden didn''t keep Oliver waiting for too long. He calmed his breathing, steadied his body, and locked onto his targets. His back and arm muscles activated as he pulled back the bow with tremendous force and¡­


    "Bang!"


    One arrow nailed into the target with a powerful force, while the other was sent flying off into the horizon. Aiden saw this and frowned before quickly calming down. It was just one failure; he didn''t succeed on his first try last time either. Calm and patience were the keys.


    Aiden tried again and again, but to his dismay, nothing seemed to be working. He could manage to hit at least one target with his arrow, but the other would always end up missing. Aiden didn''t stop, continuing to fire until his arm was sore.


    He went through at least two quivers worth of arrows, but nothing seemed to be working. The mysterious and amazing state that had helped him master archery before showed no sign of resurfacing.


    Eventually, after firing the last two arrows in his quiver and not being any closer to his goal, Aiden finally couldn''t remain calm and cursed.


    "Fuck!"

 Chapter 17 17. Lecture hall

    "Fuck!""Why is nothing I try working!"


    Aiden was about to head back and collect more arrows when he suddenly heard a voice from behind him.


    "If you''re trying to shoot two arrows at the target, it isn''t going to happen if you keep trying as you are now."


    Hearing the voice appear behind him, Aiden nearly jumped out of his skin. When he turned around to look, his fear only grew even further.


    "I-Instructor Kyros!"


    The instructor didn''t seem to care about his sudden ghost-like appearance and continued explaining.


    "The way you learned archery is magnificent, yet it is also unorthodox. For you, shooting an arrow would be less systematic and more instinctive, almost like moving a body part. Naturally, if you wanted to accurately aim two arrows at once, it would be like using your mind to do two separate things at once.


    So before you continue, let me ask you this: can you do two separate things with your arms at the same time?"


    As Aiden heard Instructor Kyros''s question, he paused for a second before shaking his head and replying.


    "Instructor, I''m afraid I cannot."


    Hearing Aiden''s words, Instructor Kyros wasn''t disappointed and instead smiled.


    "Well then, you know where to start. When you can confidently move your arms to do two separate things at once, shooting two arrows should come to you as naturally as breathing."


    Hearing this, Aiden was naturally excited and started thinking about how to train this and develop this ability. He quickly came to the conclusion that the first step would naturally be to develop a sense of ambidexterity.


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, Instructor Kyros lightly smiled and then turned to look towards the trainee next to him.


    Feeling Instructor Kyros''s gaze, Oliver''s skin jumped, but he didn''t dare make any large moves.


    The instructor looked at Oliver and nodded.


    Although he was paying special attention to Aiden due to his unique circumstances, if there was a student in front of him, he wouldn''t ignore their struggles. Although he could appreciate talent, normal trainees were still important. Furthermore, the trainee in front of him could still be considered very talented, even if it was not to a monstrous level.


    "You also seem to be sharing a similar problem to the boy from before. Although you can shoot arrows in rapid succession more skillfully than your friend, you have talent and can go much further. The next step for your archery should be just like what your friend is trying to achieve: shooting two separate targets at once."


    Realizing what was happening, Oliver''s eyes showed a look of joy before he bowed respectfully.


    "Please guide me, Instructor!"


    Instructor Kyros smiled before beginning to speak.


    "Unlike your friend, your archery is conventional and follows the orthodox training system. Your foundations and fundamentals are perfect and as solid as rock. Learning to manipulate two arrows like your friend will only do more harm than good. Since you learned systematically, you should continue to do so.


    Calculate with your mind the two different trajectories of your arrows before you even draw them. Although your archery will lack a sense of fluidity and change, such problems can be fixed when you can shoot multiple targets at once."


    Oliver thought for a while.


    If the instructor''s words were correct, then his next step forward would be to develop his mind''s separate and parallel thinking while also developing his calculating and predictive abilities.


    Realizing he had found his next path forward for his immediate training, Oliver was overjoyed. Just as he looked up to thank the instructor, Oliver was left speechless.


    The instructor that had clearly been in front of him only moments ago had completely vanished.


    It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.


    Oliver stood there confused for a second, but when he looked over to Aiden and saw that he had already started training with impressive vigor, he just chuckled.


    Even a complete newbie like Aiden was training hard. How could he fall behind?


    Without wasting any more time, Oliver picked up his bow once again, ready to work his heart out!


    After training, Aiden and Oliver quickly rushed back to their dorms to take a shower before their next class.


    Their first training session had passed, and now it was time for the first actual lecture of the training camp.


    No one knew how long the lecture would be, and Aiden and Oliver didn''t dare risk being crowded in a room filled with hundreds of other trainees after sweating it out this morning.


    The two took their notebooks and rushed towards the lecture hall, which wasn''t too hard to find. As they walked in, they could already see it beginning to fill up with other students.


    Since the front seats were already packed, Aiden and Oliver walked up and found some seats about two-thirds of the way up the auditorium.


    After sitting down, the two friends watched for a few minutes as the lecture hall quickly filled up. Then, a slightly older, middle-aged man walked into the room.


    The man was dressed neatly, with dark brown pants and a loose robe covering his body. He wore silver-rimmed glasses.


    The man was calmly walking into the room, but with just one glance, you could sense that he had a strong scholarly air about him.


    The second the man walked into the room, the light background chatter quickly disappeared as the hall descended into silence.


    None of the trainees were stupid.


    Theory was just as, if not more, important than physical training.


    Everybody was ready to write down every word spoken.


    The teacher didn''t need to ask the class to be quiet or anything like that.


    If anyone dared to mess around and disturb the lecture, the first one to deal with them would not be the lecturer but the furious students all around them! sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The professor looked at the full lecture hall and smiled.


    "Good afternoon, class, and welcome to your first lecture at Olympus Academy."

 Chapter 18 18. Feats and Divinity

    "Good afternoon, class, and welcome to your first lecture at Olympus Academy."Seeing the eager look on the hundreds of students, the lecturer lightly chuckled.


    He could tell from the looks on their faces that they didn''t want to waste time on simple introductions, so he wouldn''t torture them with boring details either.


    Clearing his throat, the professor spoke up.


    "The first lecture will be on the most important thing you will learn here: your strength and where it comes from. Of course, this includes how to grow stronger."


    The second the professor said this, the trainees couldn''t control themselves and broke out into chatter, but how could you blame them?


    This was the thing that had drawn them here to struggle and train.


    This was their path to true power!


    Fortunately, the chatter only lasted for a brief moment before the students controlled themselves.


    Seeing this, the professor smiled before continuing his lecture.


    "All of you here have the blood of the gods flowing in your bodies and must realize that you are different from regular mortals. This feeling would have only become more evident after awakening your divine bloodline through the awakening ceremony.


    The blood of the gods grants us a special advantage that regular mortals don''t have. Any training we do would be at an accelerated rate and magnified, but if it was simply that, then descendants of the gods wouldn''t be anything special. At best, we would be slightly stronger mortals.


    And in fact, for a period of time, this was how descendants of the gods lived. The further and further you were born from your first demigod ancestor, the weaker you would become.


    The gods, in their infinite grace and mercy, saw this problem and thought about how to fix it.


    But this wasn''t a simple problem. The gods, like the predecessors before them¡ªthe primordials and titans¡ªwere born with their power, but in addition to this power, they were born with something else that helped separate them.


    Divinity.


    Inside the gods lay a burning flame of divinity, allowing them to accept the worship and praise of all beings, enabling them to claim their rightful positions as rulers of the universe!


    As descendants of the gods, although we don''t possess a divine true fire, our blood is still able to gain and contain fragments of divinity, and this was enough.


    The gods discovered this and would grant their descendants some of their purified divinity, allowing them to grow and strengthen themselves beyond their mortal limits at an alarmingly fast rate."


    As the professor spoke, he brought out a fist-sized see-through bottle, but inside lay a swirling deep golden liquid that enchanted anyone who laid eyes on it.


    Instantly, every student present felt their thoughts grow itchy as a strange sense of hunger started to well up from within them, but this hunger didn''t come from their stomachs but instead their own blood!


    "Ambrosia¡ªthe food of the gods."


    "It is divinity condensed and made into physical form for the consumption of divine descendants. Without the formation of ambrosia, simply accepting divinity would lead to a whole host of problems.


    Ambrosia is helpful, but simply accepting divinity can only take you so far.


    Divinity in itself is not something destined to be controlled by mortals. If you want to continue mindlessly accepting divinity, your body will reach a limit, and if you continue past it, your body will burst and explode.


    To continue to accept divinity and tread the path to the gods, you must shed your mortal coil and transform your being.


    Divine descendants are classified into Heroic Ranks, and each time you ascend a rank, you must break past a mortal limiter known as a divine shackle.


    The power of divine descendants and plain divinity alone is not enough to break a divine shackle, so a theory was proposed: What if divine descendants generated their own divinity with the reaction between their own divinity and the gods''? Would it be enough to generate a transformation strong enough to break the divine shackle?


    Divine descendants don''t have a divine flame to accept the worship of countless beings, so the gods came up with an alternative.


    The gods grant each of their descendants an ember of the fire of creation, a fragment of the eternal flame burning in the hearth located at the center of Mount Olympus.


    With the flame of creation acting as a nexus, all divine descendants are linked to a pseudo fire of divinity, but instead of accepting the worship and faith of countless beings, they must do something similar.


    Spread renown!


    Spread your tale through the world, accomplishing heroic feats of renown worth admiration and awe amongst the endless masses. Only then would you be allowed to take steps to become heroes, demigods, and even the gods themselves!


    Why do you think the powerful heroes of legend were always adventuring, slaying beasts, fighting and starting massive wars, and even risking their lives saving beauties?


    It was all for Renown!


    As soon as you complete a feat of renown, you can instantly break your divine shackles, and from then on, there are no limits to the levels your strength can reach.


    If you have the talent and ambition, the realm of the gods is no longer a ridiculous dream!


    If you don''t believe what I am saying, then you can just look at one of the greatest alumni of Olympus Academy, one of the few men to ascend to godhood!


    Like every other Divine Descendant, he completed 12 feats of renown, spreading his name throughout the world with many of you knowing them right now.


    You may know them as the 12 Labors. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As you can guess, this man is none other than Lord Hercules, the god of strength and power!"

 Chapter 19 19. Divine Ember Rank

    "As you can guess, this man is none other than Lord Hercules, the god of strength and power!"As the professor said these words, the class broke out in excitement.


    Many of them already knew this fact; after all, the origins of the god of strength and power were no secret, but having them confirmed by the professor was still stimulating.


    They were talking about the gods!


    A being capable of standing next to all other Olympians as an equal in divine status. One that wasn''t born a god but fought and worked his way towards that status.


    Everyone was having the same thought.


    If they worked hard enough, if they fought hard enough, then maybe they could become gods too!


    Of course, no one dared to say such thoughts out loud. Not only was it borderline blasphemous, but it was also incredibly arrogant.


    Olympus Academy has existed for countless years, but the number of people that could truly become a god from a mortal are few and far between.


    Beings so legendary that they wouldn''t even be qualified to kneel in their presence haven''t made that final leap. It was truly audacious if they dared to voice such enormous ambitions when they hadn''t even begun their journey.


    As this was happening, a trainee raised their hand and asked.


    "Excuse me, professor, but what exactly are the Feats of Renown, and how will we know if we have accomplished one?"


    Hearing this, the professor smiled.


    "Good question.


    The truth is that in this world, anything can become a feat.


    A world-shaking speech that shaped an era, an idea or philosophy that influenced the thoughts of thousands, or even something as unique as an incredible piece of art¡ªthese are all things worth notoriety and acclaim and, as such, are all worthy of being Feats of Renown. Not all feats have to be tales of legends about fighting wars or slaying monsters.


    It is the world that determines whether it is a feat, not the individual themselves.


    And as for the question about how you will know if you have accomplished a feat."


    As the man said this, a comedic smile appeared on his face.


    "The simplest way to put it is, you''ll just know."


    As the students heard this, they all froze in disbelief. For a second, you could probably hear a pin drop anywhere in the room.


    Seeing the stunned look on all the students after giving such a blunt answer, the professor burst out laughing.


    Of course, his explanation wouldn''t end there, but it was always funny watching the new students pause in disbelief every time he said it.


    "Achieving a Feat of Renown is not something scientific; it is something intrinsic that goes down to the core genes and blood of the gods that flow through your body.


    After achieving the feat, your divine blood will react with the Ember of Creation within you and form a link with the Fire of Creation located at the heart of Olympus.


    The Fire of Creation acts as your divine fire for all the descendants of Olympus, allowing one to gain abilities and magic powers similar to the gods.


    The abilities you receive are solely dependent on the type of Feat of Renown you accomplish, with each feat having its own unique abilities.


    I''ll show you myself as an example."


    As the professor spoke, he closed his eyes and stretched out his hand as he stimulated the Ember of Creation deep within his body.


    Slowly, a wave of fire burst out of his hand to form a translucent red screen that was wrapped in flickering flames.


    [Feat of Renown: Slayer of the Two-Headed Giant]


    Feat Type: Active


    When feat is activated, gain:


    Giant Slayer (Aura effect)


    Partial Giant Strength S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Increased strength of attacks against all beings deemed as ''Giants''


    Active Skill¡ªOne Sword, Two Heads


    The entire lecture hall watched and read the display with awe.


    Who could have thought that this warm-looking middle-aged man used to be so fierce!


    From the title and effects, "Giant Slayer," the Feat of Renown doesn''t sound like an easy one to achieve either.


    The lecturer looked at the slightly intimidated trainees and shook his head.


    "Achieving a feat is not something you need to worry about, at least not for now.


    The first Divine Shackle you had was already broken when you awakened your divine bloodline, as at that moment, you had already achieved your first Feat of Renown."


    Aiden thought back to the strange screen of fire he had seen after the harrowing awakening process he had endured.


    When he survived, he saw the strange screen; he was shocked and confused and eventually just ignored it, but now everything started making more sense.


    Although the awakening process was extreme and brutal, if it was all to achieve a Feat of Renown, it seemed understandable.


    Poor Aiden didn''t know that his awakening was anything but regular.


    If he knew that none of the other students had to endure self-immolation to awaken and get their first Feat of Renown, he would be so angry he might faint on the spot!


    Regardless of this, Aiden continued to listen.


    "The Heroic Ranks are split into 12 ranks, and the first rank you are currently in¡ªand by far the easiest¡ªis known as the Divine Ember Rank.


    At this rank, your sole aim is to accumulate divinity in your blood and use it to fuel and strengthen the Ember of Creation deep within your body, located in your inner relam.


    you can think of your inner realm a closed internal space formed by your body .


    Fortunately, you don''t have to worry about opening your inner realm as this was done during the bloodline awakening.


    The process is largely simple at this stage.


    After consuming ambrosia, you will use your mind to guide your divinity towards your inner realm where it will feed the new the Ember and grow it to the limit.


    Once your Ember of Creation reaches the point where it can''t grow anymore, you will encounter your second Divine Shackle and your first real test.


    But that point is still going to be a way off for now. Your goal should be to become proficient in the process of activating and linking with your Ember of Creation in your inner realm, as well as feeding it divinity to grow and increase the divinity in your blood."

 Chapter 20 20. Moonlight

    After some final instructions and guidance, Aiden''s first lecture at Olympus Academy ended.After the lecture, each student rushed out of the lecture hall and went to the respective sites for their chosen god on the training ground.


    At each site, each student was given three bottles of ambrosia infused with the divinity of their chosen god. Afterwards, they didn''t hesitate to rush back to their dorm rooms.


    After Aiden and Oliver arrived in their dorm room, they didn''t speak to each other much and remained in their own worlds.


    Aiden placed his three bottles of ambrosia on the bed as he sat down cross-legged.


    He took a few deep breaths and took some extra time to prepare his mind.


    The professor had already told him earlier that there isn''t any danger in the Divine Ember stage and that everything would come easily, but Aiden didn''t want to develop any bad habits.


    If he was going to meditate and train his divinity, he would try to do it in the best possible way.


    Eventually, when Aiden felt like his mind was ready, he unscrewed the bottle and brought it to his lips.


    Soon, the golden liquid poured into his mouth.


    ''Delicious,'' Aiden thought.


    He wanted to describe it as delicious, but ambrosia, the food of the gods, went beyond the simple sensation of taste.


    Aiden felt his very being savoring the moment and the sensation that came with it.


    Aiden had never done drugs before, but he was sure that even they couldn''t beat this feeling.


    A soothing sensation warmed his entire body, but at the same time, Aiden was flooded with a sense of boundless strength.


    For a while, he felt like he could crush mountains and fling continents with just a move of his hand. It was just an illusion, but that was how terrifying divinity felt to a Divine Descendant.


    As time went by, Aiden eventually came to his senses. He quickly realized that now was not the time to become lost in his false illusion of strength but to focus on controlling divinity.


    Divinity that is not properly absorbed can only be wasted.


    Aiden focused up, concentrating on drawing the divinity that was now spreading wildly throughout his body and concentrating it in his already divine blood.


    If one looked at Aiden''s body, they could see countless tiny golden strands wiggling around and feeding their way back to Aiden''s blood cells before condensing and merging with them, giving them a faint golden hue.


    But the job wasn''t over yet.


    Aiden; ''s mind concentrated and groped around in his body before it locked into a faint space. his mind was sucked in and found pure black space illuminated by the faint flickering wisp of deep crimson fame.


    Seeing this Aiden smiled. He had found it, his inner space ad ember of creation


    Finding the faint crimson flicker deep within his body, Aiden started to control his divinity to flow towards the flicker. With each passing minute, the flicker seemed to get more and more lively, jumping around and turning a bright reddish gold.


    Aiden continued in this mystical state for an unknown amount of time before he felt a slightly painful ache occurring in his veins, causing him to stop his training.


    Right now, his veins were completely saturated with divinity, and he would have to stop training for the short term until his veins recovered.


    This was nothing to worry about, as the professor had told him that this was something that would naturally occur within all Divine Descendants once they officially began their practice.


    As Aiden got up, he looked over towards Oliver and saw that he was still deep in meditation.


    Not wanting to disturb him, Aiden stretched his body a little and decided to head to the training ground.


    The training camp had no curfew that he currently knew of, and now that he had increased his divinity and strength after training, Aiden wanted to practice his archery again to really test his new limits!


    ...


    Aiden walked out of his dorm and was greeted by the cold night air.


    He had never been outside at the academy this late, and even if he had been outside, it was never this quiet.


    Because all the other trainees were stuck inside meditating and training, it created an almost deathly silence that was quite unsettling.


    Aiden didn''t dwell on it too much and headed to the training ground, picking up a bow and several sets of arrows before heading towards the shooting range. But as Aiden arrived at the entrance to the shooting range, he suddenly paused. No, it would be best to say he was stunned.


    The sight in front of him completely took the young man''s breath away.


    Aiden watched, stunned, as a beautiful figure stood there under the cold glow of the moon.


    The beautiful figure wasn''t human¡ªor at least not completely.


    Wolf-like ears poked out from her hair on the top of her head, and a bushy tail swung with the wind.


    But despite all this, what caught Aiden''s attention the most was her striking silver hair.


    It was beautiful and enchanting, flowing down her back like liquid moonlight.


    The mysterious girl wasn''t just standing there but was instead performing a set of archery moves that left Aiden breathless. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He watched as she calmly nocked three different arrows before firing them all at once.


    The arrows soared through the air, twisting and twirling with a graceful, smooth, fluid motion.


    The arrows overlapped and crossed each other before nailing into the target.


    The beautiful young lady continued to shoot three arrows simultaneously, constantly sending out arrows in flashes of silver that seemed almost like parts of the moonlight itself!


    The scene was almost otherworldly, as if he had stumbled upon a moment that wasn''t meant to be seen¡ªa perfect harmony between the young woman, her bow, and the night.


    Aiden almost felt like an intruder in a sacred space, where the moon itself watched over this lone, silver-haired archer practicing her art.


    What was truly scary was that despite showing enough force to crack stone, each arrow that landed was deceptively silent.


    This wasn''t archery for sport or theatrics.


    It was archery designed for one thing: bloody hunting.

 Chapter 21 21. An Idiot

    "Amazing¡­."Entranced by the display, Aiden couldn''t help muttering in admiration. But the second he did, the world seemed to freeze. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden saw two glowing eyes lock onto him like a bloodthirsty hunter in the night, sending shivers down his spine.


    Aiden was sure that if it had been a few days ago, he would have fallen over in fear.


    Fortunately, Aiden had begun his training as a Divine Descendant and was much stronger than he was days ago, so he could avoid an embarrassing situation.


    But even with his newfound strength, Aiden was still intimidated and remained silent.


    It was only when the arrow in the girl''s hand was aimed at him that Aiden didn''t stay silent anymore for fear of being shot.


    "Whoa! Whoa! I''m a student here too. There''s no need to be so on edge. I''m just here to train, just like you!"


    Aiden quickly brought out his token as proof of identity, fearing he might be too late and get shot on the spot.


    "I came to practice my archery when I noticed you were already here. Your archery was so impressive that I stood and watched for a while. If I offended you in any way, I didn''t mean to."


    Seeing the shocked look on Aiden''s face, the mysterious girl quickly realized she was in the wrong and dropped her bow.


    She looked at Aiden before slightly bowing her head. Then, she replied in a cold and clear voice,


    "I''m sorry, I was too focused on practice and overreacted. I shouldn''t have responded in the way I did."


    Seeing that the girl wasn''t an unreasonable lunatic who would shoot on sight, Aiden finally relaxed a little before replying,


    "It''s okay. You don''t have to take it to heart."


    After Aiden said this, there was a long, awkward silence.


    Eventually, Aiden couldn''t stomach the awkward silence any longer. If she wasn''t going to talk, then he could only bite the bullet and try to start a conversation.


    "Your archery, it''s really impressive."


    The girl looked up at Aiden with her bright blue eyes and blinked.


    "Thank you. I practice a lot."


    Looking at the bow in her hands, Aiden''s eyes shone with a curious glow.0


    "I''m interested in the archery skill you were practicing before. Can you teach me to shoot like you do?"


    The girl looked at Aiden and saw the bow and arrows in his hand. Seeing that he had come out to practice so late at night, he must at least be somewhat serious about archery.


    She had also been rude earlier, so she didn''t immediately reject Aiden''s request and just asked,


    "How long have you been practicing archery?"


    Hearing this question, Aiden froze before becoming utterly embarrassed.


    "One¡­ one day."


    Hearing this, the girl, whose face had been as cold as the night moon, finally showed a mixture of emotions as she asked again in disbelief, "Sorry, I must not have heard correctly. How long have you been practicing archery?"


    "One day," replied Aiden.


    The girl''s face twitched as it turned red, before shifting into a terrifying expression as an endless amount of hostility burst from her eyes.


    Aiden, who was actually the target of this hostility, felt all the goosebumps on his body stand up as he tightened his grip around his bow.


    Just now, he actually felt his life was being threatened.


    Not caring about Aiden''s reaction, the girl stared at him with a pair of wolf-like eyes that threatened to swallow him whole.


    "Are you¡­ Are you mocking me right now?"


    She had spent endless hours training and bleeding to perfect her craft, and now somebody who had barely touched a bow for a day was asking her to teach him something she had spent her life perfecting.


    If that wasn''t mocking her, then what was?


    Aiden, unfortunately, didn''t know the reason for the sudden burst of hostility, but he wanted to de-escalate the situation regardless, so he quickly spoke up.


    "No. I think you''re misunderstanding the situation. It was never my intention to insult you at all. Although it''s embarrassing to say it with my own mouth, everyone around me says I''m pretty talented in archery. Your archery is the most advanced I''ve ever seen, so I thought that since I''ve progressed this far, I should start learning from an expert like you."


    Hearing Aiden''s explanation, the girl was left speechless.


    Talented?


    Progression?


    If she heard correctly, this boy just said he had barely even been practicing archery for a day. How much progress could he possibly achieve?


    The girl didn''t want to believe it, but she could tell from the look in the boy''s eyes that he was being honest.


    This time, the girl wasn''t even angry; she was genuinely confused.


    The girl looked at Aiden and could still see the innocent and confused look in his eyes, and it was then that she realized something.


    This guy¡­ He wasn''t mocking her. He really was just an idiot!


    He truly believed that he could start learning her expert archery after picking up the bow for just one day.


    There really were people this ignorant in the world!


    It was then that she remembered what her father told her before leaving for Olympus Academy.


    Here, she would meet geniuses that would leave her questioning reality, and she would also meet idiots that would leave her thinking the same thing.


    The boy in front of her was obviously the latter.


    Realizing this, the hostility in the girl''s eyes vanished as her body completely relaxed. She spoke with a look of realization,


    "I see. You''re just an idiot."


    Now it was Aiden''s turn to be confused.


    "Idiot? Where are you getting that from?"


    Ignoring Aiden''s words, a look of pity appeared in the girl''s eyes.


    Sometimes people say something so stupid, you can''t even get mad.

 Chapter 22 22. Raelia

    Aiden was happy that the hostility had been dissolved, but he was uncomfortable being called an idiot and tried to defend himself. However, the more Aiden spoke, the more the pity in the girl''s eyes grew.To her, it was one thing to be stupid, but people who are stupid and unaware of it are truly the ones to avoid.


    Who knows, trying to reason with them might have the opposite effect and turn you into an idiot just like them!


    Realizing this, the girl shivered. She didn''t dare stay any longer and patted Aiden on the shoulder, speaking in a comforting voice.


    "Keep trying hard at archery; I''m sure things will work out, okay?"


    "Cough!" Aiden couldn''t stand it anymore and nearly choked, but by the time he had recovered, the girl had completely vanished from sight.


    The girl disappeared, treating the incident as a rare and ridiculous encounter.


    If the girl knew Aiden was someone who could get the hang of archery within just one day of picking up a bow, her reaction would have been completely different.


    It just goes to show that Aiden wasn''t the one who was crazy¡ªhis talent was!


    The things he did were so outlandish and unbelievable that normal people would think you were crazy if you tried to convince them it was the truth!


    ...........................


    The night turned into day, and Aiden was awake the next morning, preparing for their morning training. After Aiden got back from the encounter last night, he had told Oliver about his strange experience. But when Oliver heard it, he couldn''t stop laughing.


    "Wait, so you met a mysterious and beautiful lady, but after speaking to you, she treated you like an idiot and ran away?"


    Aiden tried to explain and defend himself, but unfortunately, even Oliver wasn''t on his side this time around.


    "If somebody insisted that they had mastered archery in less than a day, I would look at them like they were an idiot and try to avoid them as well!"


    Because of that, Aiden had a disgruntled expression on his face the entire morning. Fortunately, they were having combat-related training this morning, so Aiden didn''t have to think too much and could blow off some steam.


    Soon, the boys made their way to the training grounds and were greeted by the stern-faced Instructor Kyros.


    "All of you will have made some progress in your training and absorption of divinity, but you should know that strength is only maximized when it is used in conjunction with the appropriate skill. Regardless of which weapon you use, regardless of which god your blood comes from, a basic mastery of weapons and close combat is imperative for a student at Olympus Academy.


    So, as you can guess, that''s what today''s training will be based on. You will be split into pairs and duel against someone as a way to temper and polish your close combat skills."


    After Instructor Kyros gave the instructions, each trainee was given a specific number and told to head to a specific area to begin their close combat sparring.


    Although the training ground was big, there wouldn''t be enough space to have the entire cohort dueling at once. Fortunately, there was more than one training ground in the camp, so they were able to allow everyone to spar simultaneously.


    Aiden was one of the lucky ones who didn''t have to trek halfway across the camp to go to another training ground, as his assigned area was still there. After talking to Oliver for a while, Aiden made his way to his assigned area, but as he arrived, Aiden was left stunned. But it wasn''t just Aiden¡ªhis sparring partner was equally stunned.


    "It''s you!" they both blurted out at the same time.


    "Idiot boy."


    "Wolf girl."


    Aiden was about to ask more questions when he froze. "Idiot? Just what about me makes you think I''m an idiot?"


    The beautiful wolf girl tilted her head to the side and blinked her beautiful blue eyes. "I would explain it to you, but you''re an idiot, so I don''t think you''ll get it."


    Hearing her say this, Aiden''s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. He was ready to bring out his years of online gaming experience and curse her into oblivion, but Aiden calmed himself and took the higher ground.


    "Let''s introduce ourselves. It''s rude to call people by strange titles, after all. My name is Aiden Evans."


    "Raelia."


    As they spoke, a faint, malicious air began to form between them. After all, Aiden would be lying if he said he didn''t want to use this training experience to teach this little girl how to respect her peers. Raelia obviously sensed Aiden''s intention and met it in kind.


    The two quietly drew their wooden training swords, but before anything could happen, Aiden suddenly smiled as he spoke.


    "Ah, you might think I''m an idiot because I mastered archery in a day, but just because you''re not talented enough to do it doesn''t mean others aren''t. You shouldn''t dismiss others'' achievements; it just makes you look ignorant."


    As Aiden spoke, there was an obvious mocking smirk on his lips.


    Even though Raelia had classified Aiden as an ignorant idiot, hearing another person mock her and put down her talent and hard work greatly irritated her. When she looked at Aiden, a light snarl escaped from her mouth as she growled,


    "You''re noisy." sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Before Aiden could get out another word, she leapt forward at him like a wild beast, swinging her sword.


    Not wanting to be outdone, Aiden snorted as he stepped forward and swung his sword, ready to meet Raelia blow for blow but Aiden instantly regretted it.


    "Bang!"


    The two wooden swords clashed, but Aiden''s expression immediately changed. He felt a terrifying power in Raelia''s sword that passed through every bone in his body.


    Shocked and embarrassed, Aiden could only stumble backward as he tried to control the recoil from their last clash.

 Chapter 23 23. Arrow Sword

    Aiden still couldn''t believe it.How could such a young girl possess such terrifying strength?


    He wanted to back off and create some space to reassess the situation, but Raelia wasn''t about to let him do as he pleased. She stuck to him like a relentless predator, determined to exhaust and frustrate her prey.


    As Aiden endured her suffocating pressure, Raelia''s sword shot out in what could only be described as a blur. Fortunately, due to his bloodline awakening and recent divinity training, Aiden''s body and senses had been strengthened immensely. His dynamic vision was strong enough to track the sword, allowing Aiden to twist his body and narrowly avoid the blow.


    Aiden barely got to his feet before Raelia was upon him again. This time, it was too late to dodge, so Aiden had no choice but to meet the attack. Yet, he still didn''t dare to match the wolf girl''s horrifying strength directly, so he deflected the attack to the side.


    A rapid clash of swords ensued, with Aiden competently holding back each of Raelia''s attacks despite the clear difference in strength. But suddenly, Raelia raised her sword high¡ªAiden had already anticipated her next move.


    "Bang!"


    Instead of the expected sword strike, Aiden was greeted with a fierce kick to the stomach that sent him sliding backward, gasping for breath. He paused for a moment, trying to collect himself after being utterly winded by the unexpected attack. Raelia saw this and chuckled.


    "You leave a better impression when you''re quiet. At least then you don''t come across as idiotic or annoying." Her words were an obvious jab at him, payback for his earlier mocking.


    Even though Aiden knew he had it coming, he wouldn''t take it lying down. He snorted, and his amber eyes flashed with a golden light as the divinity within his veins surged to the surface. Raelia noticed this and just chuckled with a wolf-like smile as she pounced on Aiden once more.


    The exchange between them was vicious and exhilarating, but anyone with a keen eye could see that Raelia was clearly winning. It wasn''t that she had an advantage in swordplay; both of them could be deemed novices when it came to the sword.


    Instead, Raelia''s true advantage lay in her combat experience. Everything she did was calculated, and Aiden felt his movements choked and stifled, though he couldn''t understand why.


    Aiden knew that if this continued, his defeat was inevitable. But what was he supposed to do? He was a complete novice in swordplay and didn''t have the otherworldly talent that had assisted him in archery.


    Suddenly, Aiden had an idea¡ªone that seemed crazy, perhaps even the pipe dream of a madman.


    Who said swordplay and archery were mutually exclusive? Why couldn''t they be combined?


    In theory, there was nothing wrong with the idea, but theory and practice are often worlds apart. Success depended on his talent, and Aiden was determined to find out just how far it could take him.


    Aiden backed away from Raelia, his mind focusing intently on his new plan. The three components of archery¡ªarms and back, breathing, and stance¡ªcame to the forefront of his thoughts.


    The first thing Aiden corrected was his breathing. Instead of being rapid and disorganized, it became condensed and controlled, like that of an archer harmonizing with their surroundings.


    Raelia, with her beast-like senses, immediately noticed the change, but surprisingly, she didn''t act. She actually felt a terrifying threat emanating from Aiden and cautiously circled him, like a wolf stalking its prey.


    Aiden noticed this but didn''t care. He had only achieved the first step. After correcting his breathing, he adjusted his stance, widening it slightly with a lower center of gravity¡ªmore suited to close combat than traditional archery.


    Finally, Aiden focused on his arms and back, shifting his muscles as he pulled his sword closer to his body. It was a subtle change, but if one looked closely, they would see the muscles under Aiden''s clothes were pulled taut, like a large hunting bow drawn to its limits.


    Raelia began to realize that the threat Aiden posed wasn''t diminishing but increasing. She looked at him, now exuding a menacing aura, and her eyes shook with a mix of fear and determination. Gritting her teeth, she decided to go all out, launching a desperate attack rather than waiting for inevitable defeat.


    When backed into a corner, any beast will burst forth with unprecedented strength¡ªmuch less a vicious wolf!


    Raelia blitzed forward in a flash of divine light, her sword aimed directly at Aiden. But just as she moved, the divine energy that had been accumulating in Aiden''s body burst forth like an erupting volcano. Simultaneously, Aiden''s tense muscles released, springing forward with unprecedented power as his sword lunged ahead. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For a brief moment, Raelia''s world froze. She seemed to see an illusion of a giant, all-encompassing arrow launching straight for her throat. Though the vision was terrifying, Raelia''s strong will broke through, and she raised her sword to defend. Despite her best efforts, Aiden''s sword smashed through her defenses, her beast-like strength no match for Aiden''s newfound technique.


    She was sent hurtling across the floor, her sword fracturing in the process.


    Raelia lay there, stunned, trying to comprehend the overwhelming power Aiden had just unleashed.

 Chapter 24 24. Talent

    Aiden wasn''t one to boast, but after being taunted, beaten, and taunted by Raelia the entire fight, he wanted somewhere to vent.Turning towards Raelia with a wide smile on his face, he asked,


    "So how about it? Am I genius enough for you to believe me yet?"


    Raelia looked at Aiden and then at the shattered sword in her hand and let off a defeated smile.


    "Fine, I admit it. You are talented."


    Although Raelia came off as hostile, it was because Aiden''s claims were too crazy to believe that she instead thought he was mocking her.


    Now that proof was in front of her eyes, she had nothing else to say.


    A person that could turn swordsmanship into archery? She had never heard of something so crazy! If she continued to insist that Aiden wasn''t talented, she wouldn''t be stubborn but just plain stupid!


    With his level of talent, his claims of familiarizing himself with archery in just one day don''t even seem that outlandish.


    In this regard, Raelia could accept that she was in the wrong.


    But just because she could accept that Aiden was talented didn''t mean she had accepted defeat!


    She smiled as she looked towards Aiden.


    "Aiden, you are talented, but talent doesn''t always equal strength. In the world of the gods, all kinds of forces exist!"


    As Raelia spoke, she threw away her broken sword, leaving Aiden confused.


    But before Aiden could even ask, a deep growl escaped from within her body as her bones started to creak with a terrifying aura.


    Aiden completely froze, his heart started beating rapidly, and he found it even hard to breathe.


    Slowly, her nails started to sharpen as dazzling silver hairs began to grow out of her arms.


    But fortunately for Aiden, before Raelia''s terrifying transformation could continue any longer,


    a deafeningly loud bell rang out, causing all students on the training ground to freeze.


    "That''s it, end your sparring. Today''s training session is over."


    As Raelia heard this, a dissatisfied snort escaped from her lips before she quickly ended her transformation before it had truly even started.


    Aiden was quite literally saved by the bell.


    Seeing this, Aiden breathed a sigh of relief.


    But as he put his sword away, he suddenly noticed something


    ''Sweat?''


    He was actually sweating from fear?


    What was even more horrifying was Aiden truly wasn''t afraid. This was something put his control, It wasn''t emotional; it was biological fear!


    As Aiden realized this, his heart trembled slightly.


    Who was Aiden?


    A divine descendant with the blood of the gods flowing in his body.


    Although Raelia was also a divine descendant, she had completely suppressed him on a biological level!


    What terrifying creature could cause him to feel fear on a biological level?


    That girl, what exactly was she?


    All of a sudden, Aiden saw Raelia slowly walking towards him.


    Pausing for a second, she looked up at Aiden with her sparkling blue eyes and smiled.


    "Aiden Evans, you fight well."


    Hearing this, Aiden was surprised. The previous tension he had felt from Raelia''s intimidation quickly left his body as his entire body relaxed.


    Smiling, Aiden chuckled to himself.


    "You too, Raelia. The fight with you taught me a lot."


    As Aiden spoke, he stretched out his hand, and Raelia didn''t think too much about it and shook it.


    Leaving Aiden with a smile, Raelia turned around to leave, but before she could take a few footsteps, Aiden quickly grabbed her arm and spoke.


    "Since we both agreed that my talent is up to par, don''t we have an agreement to fulfill?"


    "And what is that?" asked Raelia.


    "Teaching me your archery techniques, of course."


    As Aiden spoke, a wide smile appeared on his face.


    This was his ticket to learning an exquisite set of archery for free; he''d be damned if he just let her walk away. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Raelia looked at Aiden and could see one emotion in the boy''s eyes¡ªgreed.


    He was greedy for her archery!


    But after seeing the boy''s display today, she couldn''t really blame him.


    If she was as talented in archery as he was, she would probably be more obsessed with archery than she already was.


    Realizing this, she burst out laughing.


    "Okay, Aiden Evans, if you want to take my techniques, then I''ll teach you. But be warned."


    "You''ve already seen my talent, there''s no need to worry."


    Hearing this, Raelia raised an eyebrow.


    "Oh really? I''ll make sure to put that to the test then."


    With those final remarks, both Aiden and Raelia put away their weapons before leaving the training grounds.


    Aiden knew that there was still an afternoon class today, and after working up a sweat, he quickly wanted to head back to his dorm and shower.


    But on his way back, Aiden unexpectedly saw Oliver, who was also heading back from his training.


    His reddish-orange hair, that used to look like a majestic morning glow, had now been ruffled into that of a crazy bird''s nest.


    His shirt was slightly torn, and he was completely covered in dust.


    Instead of dueling, Aiden almost thought that this man had been rolling around in the mountains!

 Chapter 25 25. Friends

    "What happened to you?""I don''t even want to think about it."


    Aiden just chuckled as the two walked back to their dorm.


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden and Oliver left for the afternoon class. But on the way there, Aiden saw a familiar face. A beautiful girl with silver hair and a cold, hard expression on her face. It was Raelia.


    As she walked, she seemed to be radiating an invisible barrier that pushed everyone else away from her. Anyone would look at her stone-cold face and icy aura and subconsciously avoid this mean-looking girl.


    Seeing this, Aiden wasn''t bothered and chuckled as he walked over.


    "It''s nice to see a familiar face after we just finished our sparring match."


    Hearing Aiden''s voice, Raelia suddenly paused and looked up at him.


    "Idiot boy?"


    Aiden''s eyes twitched.


    "My name is Aiden, not Idiot. I thought we already cleared this. I''m not an idiot, I''m a genius."


    Although it was a little arrogant saying it like that, Aiden felt like he had to clear up the misunderstanding.


    Hearing Aiden''s words, Raelia just rolled her eyes.


    "It''s true that you''re talented, but it doesn''t change the fact that your brain is weird."


    Raelia didn''t care to elaborate on her statement and asked with the same static expression,


    "Anyway, why are you here?"


    "Why can''t I be here? Is it wrong to hang out with my fellow classmates?" responded Aiden.


    "Why would I want to hang out with you?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, confused.


    "Why wouldn''t you? You don''t have anyone else to hang out with."


    Aiden''s words seemed to hit a sore spot, causing Raelia to snap back.


    "How do you know I have no one else to hang out with? I could be waiting for them right now."


    Aiden heard this and shook his head.


    "Your cold and icy aura might make you look cool, but it also means that you''ll have few friends, and from the looks of things, you don''t seem to be waiting for anyone."


    "Ugh¡­"


    Being found out, Raelia groaned, but she didn''t bother to defend herself and flipped the script.


    "The way you speak makes it seem like you''re somebody with a lot of friends."


    Aiden was about to talk when he suddenly paused. Thinking about it, Aiden''s only real friend was Oliver. Although he was better off than Raelia, it was not by much!


    Aiden had been found out, but even so, he would never admit it!


    "I have many friends actually."


    "How many?" asked Raelia, not believing him in the slightest.


    "One¡­" said Aiden, slightly embarrassed.


    When Aiden turned to look at Raelia, he could see the cold expression on her face had been replaced with one of pity.


    Seeing this look, Aiden''s body shivered, and he thought back to the time when he first met this strange wolf girl.


    ''Fuck! She''s treating me like a complete idiot again.''


    Aiden was determined to beat the idiot accusations and scoffed.


    "Humph! One is still infinitely larger than zero."


    As he said this, Aiden turned around and grabbed Oliver, who was trying to slip away from his friend''s embarrassing performance, and pushed him out like a proud father showing off his child.


    "See, my friend is here with me."


    Seeing herself being obviously proven wrong, Raelia viciously glared at Aiden before turning towards Oliver, her intimidating aura causing him to take a step back, but Aiden just pushed him forward.


    "She may look scary, but she doesn''t bite¡­ at least I think she doesn''t."


    Ignoring Aiden''s remarks, Raelia looked at Oliver in utter confusion.


    "You''re friends with this idiot¡­ willingly?"


    Oliver heard this and sighed.


    "While the guy may lack common sense¡­ he''s a nice guy at heart."


    "Hold on? How do I lack common sense?"


    Oliver didn''t humor Aiden at all and quickly replied.


    "Experiencing a strange phenomenon during your bloodline awakening, while also mastering archery in one day? You treat it as if it''s a normal thing to do, where is the common sense in that?"


    "I mean it''s not common, but surely it can''t be that rare¡­"


    Aiden spoke up, trying to defend himself, but when he saw the crazy looks he was getting from both Raelia and Oliver, he didn''t dare continue. Instead, realizing he couldn''t win, Aiden expertly changed the subject.


    "Anyway, I''m not here to debate you on whether I''m weird or not. I''m here to make friends."


    "Friends?"


    Raelia was confused, but she quickly seemed to realize something and spoke.


    "If you''re doing this for me to teach you archery, there''s no need. I''m a person of my word, and I won''t go back on my promise."


    But this time it was Aiden''s turn to be completely confused.


    "Why on earth would I do that?"


    "Huh? Then why else would you want to become friends?"


    "Just because."


    Raelia blinked.


    "So you just want to become friends for no reason¡­ just because?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, confused.


    "Isn''t that how it normally is?"


    Raelia found out that this guy she thought was an idiot was actually quite simple. Simple people act in simple ways, I guess?


    Realizing this, a slight smile started to form.


    "Well¡­ I guess if you''re asking so nicely, I can reluctantly agree."


    Aiden heard Raelia''s words and raised an eyebrow, but after he looked behind her, he just sneered.


    "You put it like that, but you seem quite happy."


    Raelia just scoffed.


    "If it wasn''t for your incessant pleading, I wouldn''t have agreed at all."


    Aiden just chuckled.


    "I don''t quite believe that."


    "And why is that?" S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Check for yourself, your tail is wagging."


    Shocked, Raelia looked behind her, and her cold expression instantly collapsed. Her face turned red before she growled,


    "Are you trying to die!"


    But before anything could happen, Oliver''s voice rang out.


    "Everyone''s already going inside."


    Realizing now wasn''t the time to make a scene, she glared at Aiden before walking inside.


    "Snort!"


    But as she walked past Aiden, a cold voice sounded in his ears.


    "It''s a natural and random reaction. Don''t think too much of it."


    Aiden just snickered.


    "Yeah, sure it is."


    Raelia''s eyes twitched, and she suddenly had the urge to punch Aiden in the gut, but unfortunately for her, the group had already walked into the lecture hall by then.

 Chapter 26 26. Divine techniques

    The trio walked inside before finding a place to sit in the middle row of the lecture hall before moving on.As they sat down, the lecturer walked into the class, and it was the familiar middle-aged man from yesterday.


    He looked at the class, smiled, and began his lecture.


    "Good afternoon, class. From the looks of things, I can see that you''ve all remembered what I taught you yesterday well and started to walk the road of divine ascendance.


    But while training the ability to accumulate divinity is impressive, it''s all useless if you end up dying before you complete your journey. I''m sure you have realized it from the abundance of combat-based lessons, but actual fighting is a core ability that all Divine Descendants must develop.


    Feats of renown are impressive and grant wonderful and powerful abilities, but feats are too specialized and lack the ability to grant you comprehensive strength. At lower heroic ranks like yours, this is essential.


    That is why separate from Feats of Renown, there exist methods of using divinity and the divine abilities granted to you by the blood of the gods, called divine techniques.


    Divine techniques are techniques used for fighting or the grand manifestation. Another word you might be familiar with that people use to call divine techniques is magic.


    You see, the blood of gods grants the ability to manipulate forces inherent in the universe. This process is beyond the understanding of mere mortals, as it is an inherent ability of the gods akin to the laws of physics this world is built on. While manipulation as easy as the gods is hard, the blood of gods still flows in our veins, and thus divine techniques were created.


    There are four key components to actually performing divine techniques:


    Blood of the Gods


    Visualization


    Chanting or Incantation


    and Manifestation


    The first component, the blood of the gods, is simple to explain. As Divine Descendants, you should know by now that all your powers, your abilities, and even the divinity you refine, all come from the gods. Without the blood of the gods, even if we trained until our bones fell apart, we wouldn''t have even a fraction of the power we have right now.


    The blood of the gods is our greatest strength, but it also comes with some restrictions. A Divine Descendant of Lord Poseidon would easily be able to learn powerful and magical divine techniques based on water, but if they wanted to learn divine techniques created to manipulate fire by the descendants of Lord Hephaestus, then they would have to forget about it for the rest of their lives.


    The same would also apply in reverse.


    This does not mean that you are solely restricted to learning divine techniques created for the house of the god you follow. You can also learn divine techniques from other houses to an obviously lesser effect.


    It''s just that some techniques are specific and impossible to learn, while others might just be completely opposite to the attributes of the blood flowing in your body, making it naturally impossible to learn."


    "If you can get past the barrier of god''s blood and choose a divine technique to learn, the next three components will come into play.


    First is Visualization. This is the most vital stage. Without visualization, everything crumbles into nothing. At this stage, you must mentally visualize the intricate details and casting of your divine technique. The visualization of such will help guide your divinity to follow your visualization and begin to generate your divine technique.


    After Visualization comes chanting.


    Speak in the language of the gods and chant the name of your divine technique. This helps focus and refine your visualization as well as activates the divinity in your body.


    The last and final aspect is Manifestation. This involves reacting with your divinity to bring your visualization into the physical world¡ªthe creation of force from pure divinity.


    Manifestation is the final aspect of performing divine techniques, but all steps are important and linked to each other.


    Think about it like this: If the manifestation of a divine technique is like driving a car, then the blood of the gods is the fuel, visualization is the engine, and chanting is the spark to start the ignition. Only when all things are used in tandem can divine techniques be properly cast.


    Despite this, there is still a clear and most important aspect that you must focus on when performing a divine technique.


    Going back to the car analogy, the more vivid and powerful your visualization, the stronger your engine. The same divine technique performed by Divine Descendants in the same rank can show vastly different levels of power depending on the caster''s mastery of visualization.


    Visualization is important, but it is not easy to master. Divine techniques involve the intrinsic manipulation of your blood and divinity. It is something hard to convey via word of mouth, and for someone to truly begin to understand and master the visualization of divine techniques, it needs to be truly experienced.


    For that, we have Visualization Scrolls.


    They contain the true visualization of powerful Heroes and Divine Descendants that have mastered the divine technique to a near-perfect state. It allows you to experience visualization at a high level, which will help you in the subsequent visualization and mastery of your divine technique. Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Basic spells and techniques can be cast without the need for a Visualization Scroll, but for the truly powerful techniques, a Visualization Scroll is a must.


    This time, I am unfortunately unable to give you a demonstration of any divine techniques or Visualization Scrolls.


    As the professor said this, there was an air of disappointment lingering around the lecture hall.


    But the professor didn''t leave them in that state for long.


    "I can''t give you a demonstration because there''s something even better. Today, right now, you will be picking out your first divine techniques at Olympus Academy!"


    The crowd couldn''t contain their excitement; after all, the mysterious world of magic and god-like abilities was right on their doorstep.


    Everyone had already gotten up and was quickly packing away all the things they brought to the lecture hall.


    Nobody wanted to wait another second!

 Chapter 27 27. Camp library

    A short while later, the entire class arrived at a new building in the training camp."This is the library where all the information needed for basic trainees can be found," the professor explained.


    "I don''t know if any of you have been here already, but it wouldn''t be a bad thing to visit from time to time to read up on information. Combat is important for a divine descendant, but so is theory¡ªyou never know when information can save your life."


    Afterwards, the professor led the group of students into the library.


    As Aiden walked inside, he was instantly amazed. He didn''t know what magic was used, but the interior of the library seemed much larger than the outside would have let him possibly imagine.


    Inside, the air was cool and faintly musty, carrying the scent of aged papyrus and parchment. Light filtered through narrow windows set high in the walls, casting long, golden beams that illuminated the dust particles hanging in the air.


    The floor was made of smooth stone, worn by the footsteps of countless people who had come before, showing not only the age of the library but the entire camp as a whole.


    All around him, Aiden could see rows of wooden shelves lining the walls, filled with scrolls and codices meticulously organized by subject. The scrolls, wrapped in leather or linen, were labeled with tags for easy identification. But even more eye-catching than this mystical den of knowledge was a giant crimson flame burning in the heart of the library.


    At first, Aiden''s initial instinct was to curse.


    "Which crazy bastard dared to set a fire in the library? Was he not afraid of being struck down by divine thunder?!"


    But after closer inspection, Aiden soon realized that there was a faint translucent barrier encasing the giant flame. Obviously, this had been placed here with careful consideration, so Aiden''s fears were completely unwarranted.


    Despite this, Aiden still found it a little odd.


    Even if there were backup measures, was it necessary to have a giant bonfire in the middle of the library? It was quite literally playing with fire!


    It wasn''t just Aiden who was confused; other students had similar looks of bewilderment on their faces as they saw this strange sight. The professor noticed this and smiled as he spoke. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The fire of creation is linked to all Divine Descendants and acts as a nexus enabling them to accumulate and develop feats of renown. The true effects of the fire of creation do not stop there by any means. The Gate of Fire, the divine network for transport, or even the devices you use for communication¡ªall of it can be linked to the fire of creation.


    It lives up to its name and acts as the origin for the creation of countless things."


    He continued, "Think of it like the main server of all the gods'' domains and facilities. As a library, even though it''s just a minor offshoot for the camp, it''s naturally linked to the fire of creation back on Mount Olympus."


    Hearing this, a few students couldn''t help but marvel at the gods and their methods. But one student had a question on his mind and asked, "If the divine fire of creation is so important, doesn''t that mean anything that happens to it could affect everything? What if someone tries to sabotage it?"


    Hearing this, the professor tilted his head and almost burst out laughing. With a dazzling smile on his face, he turned to the student who asked the question.


    "The fire of creation is located at the peak of Mount Olympus and at the heart of the domain of the gods. If someone enters such a place with malicious intentions, you shouldn''t be worried about the fire of creation; instead, you should be worried about why someone chose to commit suicide in such a strange way!"


    It was only then that the student realized how ignorant his question was. But Aiden had another thought. If there really was a being that could cause such a ruckus upon Mount Olympus, his worries wouldn''t be limited to just the fire of creation. Shaking such ominous thoughts out of his head, Aiden and the other students listened to a few more instructions.


    Looking at the vast, large library, Aiden was stunned and didn''t really know where to start. The library was built on three floors, each floor being at least 12 feet high.


    Aiden saw this and was left breathless.


    There were many different gods, and naturally, divine descendants of all these gods would create and pass down various techniques, so he naturally expected there to be a lot, but even so, Aiden was still a little intimidated.


    He had to remember that this was just a small branch built specifically for the training camp. These trainees and students were just 1st rank Divine Descendants in the Burning Ember stage¡ªhow many techniques could they possibly learn?


    Imagine how vast and magnificent the main library located at Olympus Academy would be. As Aiden thought about this, his resolve to enter the main academy was only strengthened once again.


    Aiden finally began to look around and browse the bookshelves for the descriptions of the techniques they wanted. Fortunately, the library was properly labeled, allowing one to find the sections for their bloodline without much hassle.

 Chapter 28 28. Movement

    Aiden, Oliver, and Raelia didn''t need to go far from each other. Although Aiden already had his suspicions, Raelia turned out to be a divine descendant of Artemis, and techniques for the bloodlines of Artemis and Apollo were placed right next to each other. Of course, this was all relative. Each section contained a vast sea of books that would take anyone a decent amount of time to get through.Aiden browsed through the divine techniques and magical abilities. Naturally, he found himself drifting towards the section that held divine techniques based on movement. His thinking was straightforward: since he planned to focus on archery, he would definitely be somewhat lacking in close combat.


    Unlike other divine descendants who had trained their entire lives for this moment, Aiden had just been thrust into the combat world. His talent was in archery, not fighting. While his fighting ability couldn''t be considered bad per se, he was definitely behind his peers in comparison.


    Don''t misunderstand his duel with Raelia¡ªshe was a divine descendant of Artemis and someone who didn''t specialize in swordsmanship. In the eyes of a true expert, it looked like two children throwing dirt at each other. Despite this, Raelia had controlled the tempo and momentum for the entire fight.


    If it wasn''t for his amazing talent and newly created sword technique that had effectively stunned Raelia, his defeat would have been assured. There was also the fact that Raelia obviously had some hidden cards and didn''t go all out.


    The more Aiden thought about it, the more his expression darkened. At least in the early stage, this would be difficult to fix.


    If there was time, Aiden would be more confident, but the one thing he lacked was time. Although the true assessment for entering Olympus Academy was still some time away, the assessments at the training camp were already looming.


    Performing well could allow you to receive extra bottles of ambrosia, increasing the rate at which you gathered divinity. It could even allow you to come back to the academy with substantial benefits. With such large rewards at stake, Aiden knew he couldn''t give up on the training camp''s rewards. He needed immediate results, not long-term gains that would make him suffer now.


    Aiden''s thoughts were clear: since he would be at a disadvantage in close combat, he would just avoid it altogether. Instead, he would rely on his talent in archery to crush his opponents. Naturally, there were risks, like what to do if a true master broke through and closed the gap, but Aiden would just have to accept the stopgaps until he could take some time to focus on archery.


    Besides, his newly created sword technique, while not a divine technique, was clearly not something ordinary. If he could further tap into his archery talent and spread it to other areas, his gains might be worthwhile.


    Aiden didn''t rush. He read through several books and finally narrowed his choice down to three techniques: S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Chariot''s Blaze]


    A powerful technique inspired by Apollo''s chariot that drags the sun across the sky. The practitioner channels solar energy into their body, building up an intense glow before exploding forth with terrifying speed and force capable of obliterating everything in its path.


    [Sunbeam Ascension]


    The practitioner gathers solar energy beneath their feet, launching themselves high into the air. They then descend rapidly, delivering a powerful strike infused with solar energy to crush their opponent.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    The practitioner gathers solar energy and divinity, transforming their body into a semi-photon state, allowing them to move as fast as light, granting them illusive and erratic movements. The semi-photon state also offers partial resistance to purely physical attacks. However, in the light energy state, the practitioner would be slightly vulnerable to energy-based attacks.


    Aiden looked at these descriptions and paused to think. All three techniques were different and had their own advantages.


    [Chariot''s Blaze] offered a powerful burst of movement as well as some defensive and even offensive capabilities when moving. The only downside would be the lack of agility when using this technique. After activating it, it would be difficult to quickly change direction and move.


    [Sunbeam Ascension] was also a strong technique that offered not only strong burst movement but also great vertical mobility as well as offensive capability. The vertical capability would add an extra dimension to Aiden''s movements, making them more versatile and harder to predict.


    The only downside would be that with vertical movements, it''s hard to make any adjustments once in the air. If used at the wrong time, instead of adding to your evasive capabilities, it would just make you a sitting duck.


    [Sunlight Shuttle] was seemingly the least interesting of the three. In a sense, it was the most traditional of the movement techniques, focusing not just on fast and continuous speed but also on high agility and dodging potential.


    Although it did not share any offensive capabilities, its semi-photon state did offer some levels of physical resistance. The only weakness would be that in the semi-photon state, you would become slightly vulnerable to energy-based attacks. In addition to that, any physical attacks you would want to make would require you to exit that state before continuing.


    From just a simple look, this technique seemed to be the most challenging. Effective use of the technique would require one to be able to quickly enter and exit the light energy state.

 Chapter 29 29.[Apollos Archery - True Dawn]

    Aiden looked at all three books and hesitated. The advantages brought by all of them were really enticing. If possible, Aiden would have wanted to collect all three. But as soon as that thought appeared, Aiden quickly shook it out of his head.Ignoring the fact that he didn''t have the ability to choose that many techniques, Aiden knew it would be a horrible idea to bite off more than he could chew. He was just starting his journey of divine cultivation; he couldn''t afford to get greedy and waste time falling behind his peers.


    Aiden believed in his talent. As long as he performed well, there would always be chances to return to the library. Right now, he just needed to steadily train, and he would definitely see results.


    With that thought process in mind, Aiden knew what technique he was going to choose: [Sunlight Shuttle]. Although it was the most difficult to get started, it was clearly the most traditional movement technique with the most versatility.


    Although [Chariot''s Blaze] and [Sunbeam Ascension] were powerful techniques, they also demanded a certain type of fighting style to get the most use out of them. Aiden was still learning the basics of combat, and it would be too daring to try to master those demanding fighting styles.


    Even though [Sunlight Shuttle] was challenging to get started with, its versatility would not only allow him to follow a stable combat approach but also give him the freedom to develop other styles. And although not as obvious as the other two options, if used properly, even close combat wouldn''t be off the table.


    Aiden wasn''t the type to second-guess himself. Now that he had made his decision, he would stick to it. He put the books on the other techniques away and continued to hold the book on [Sunlight Shuttle].


    The book didn''t actually contain more than just the basic descriptions, as well as some weaknesses and advantages. Aiden held onto it because he needed it to redeem the true full book at the reception. Even then, the book alone would not be enough to truly start with¡ªthe visualization was essential.


    But before all that, Aiden''s journey in the library wasn''t finished just yet. New students could pick up two divine techniques for free, and Aiden had only chosen one. Since Aiden had already chosen a movement technique, his mind was already made up on what technique to choose next: fighting


    Before coming here, Aiden had spoken with Oliver, who had actually informed him of a little secret. Well, it would be inappropriate to call it a secret¡ªit was more like an open secret; anyone who asked would be able to discover it anyway.


    For Divine Descendants of Apollo, there weren''t many restrictions, but there was a certain archery technique that was highly recommended to pick up. The technique was the core staple divine technique that all Divine Descendants of Apollo should learn, and many other divine techniques were developed that built on it.


    Walking towards the archery section, Aiden saw that it was crowded with other Divine Descendants of Apollo. As he expected, the technique in question was popular, with many people standing by the bookshelf.


    Perhaps already knowing the popularity of the technique, the library was ahead of the game and had already made many duplicates of the divine technique''s introductory manual so many people could read it at once.


    Aiden didn''t wait long and found the practitioner''s manual:


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn]


    The practitioner draws his bow, fueling it with divinity and solar energy, before channeling it into his arrow, imbuing it with the power of devastating solar fire!


    The description wasn''t long, but Aiden didn''t dare underestimate this technique. For something to be considered the staple technique of House Apollo, its power could only be devastating. Besides, the simpler the description, the stronger the emphasis on visualization¡ªwhich wasn''t necessarily a thing that made the technique easier to master; in fact, it was probably the opposite.


    Taking a deep breath, Aiden could no longer contain his anticipation. Besides, he didn''t want to stay in the library any longer to read more techniques. Staying any longer would only make his heart ache with jealousy at his inability to acquire more techniques. Rather than suffer any longer, it would be best to start learning his new techniques.


    There would always be a chance to return to the library anyway.


    Aiden didn''t waste time and quickly headed to the reception. As he walked over, Aiden noticed a slight line had formed, so after waiting for a while, it was finally Aiden''s turn. Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The receptionist was a beautiful woman with deep black hair and deep crimson eyes. Although the woman was beautiful, the thing that earned Aiden''s attention was the badge on her chest. It was a small badge with a simple symbol of flames erupting out of a bowl.


    Aiden wasn''t a complete novice anymore; he knew what that symbol represented. It was the divine symbol of Goddess Hestia!

 Chapter 30 30. Token

    As the goddess of the hearth, she is the guardian and overseer of the fire of creation located at the heart of Mount Olympus. Aiden had heard that while her combat power may not be high, in terms of influence, none of the gods dared to underestimate her.As it stands now, the fire of creation was at the heart of essential functions in Olympus. Things as majestic as Feats of Renown, or even something as trivial as travel between worlds, all relied on the fire of creation. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Divine Descendants of Hestia would naturally inherit some of her divine authority and be able to manipulate the fire of creation to a lesser extent. One could not underestimate how vital this was to the daily upkeep of Olympus and her vassal worlds.


    Aiden heard that they don''t even have to pass any combat-related assessment to enter Olympus Academy. As long as their affinity with the fire of creation was up to par, their entry was basically guaranteed. Divine Descendants of House Hestia were not valued for their combat prowess but their utility.


    A perfect example of this would be the mysterious lady Aiden had seen open the Gate of Fire for the giant voidships Aiden was riding to Olympus Academy. Only Divine Descendants of House Hestia are capable of opening the Gate of Fire.


    "I''d like to redeem these two divine techniques," Aiden said as he put the books for both [Sunlight Shuttle] and [Apollo''s Archery¡ªTrue Dawn] on the counter for the exchange.


    The receptionist brought out a red gem which shot out a red light and scanned the books. Before Aiden knew what was happening, the red light shot out towards the back and after a short while returned with two new books floating along with it.


    Aiden''s eyes widened with shock at the display of these strange supernatural means. The receptionist just smiled. She had seen several similar reactions from the new trainees already today.


    The receptionist put the two incomplete books to the side and handed Aiden the complete manuals. Aiden didn''t hesitate and quickly took them, but as he was looking through the manuals, the receptionist suddenly called out to him.


    "Your token."


    Aiden, realizing what she was asking for, reached into his pocket and found the identification token he had been given when he registered at the training camp. He then passed it to the receptionist.


    She took Aiden''s token and reached to the side, bringing out a crystal ball that seemed to have a small crimson flame flickering inside of it.


    As Aiden gazed into the crystal ball, the crimson flame inside captivated him. The flawless glass amplified the flame''s fluid, hypnotic dance, casting a warm glow as it swirled with graceful energy.


    Aiden watched carefully as the receptionist brought his token to the crystal ball, causing the flame to shake and shoot out a crimson light that merged with the token.


    Aiden saw his token emit a warm white flash before quickly returning to normal. The receptionist took one last look at the token before nodding and passing it back to Aiden.


    When Aiden received the token, he instantly realized that the token in his hand was obviously different. Now, instead of just being a cold, lifeless token, it carried a warm, soothing feeling¡ªalmost as if holding a warm mug. The receptionist knew what Aiden''s confusion was about.


    "I have recorded your redeemed divine techniques and passed the information onto your token. With this token, you can gain one-time access to the Visualization rooms that contain the visualization scrolls for your chosen technique.


    It should be noted that while the first-time use for the visualization scroll is free, subsequent uses will require points to redeem, so try to make the best of the free chance you get."


    Hearing this, Aiden nodded and thanked the receptionist before walking away and letting the person behind him redeem their techniques.


    Aiden walked through the library¡ªwell, technically it couldn''t be considered the library any longer as it was instead a building attached to the library, the Visualization Hall. Walking through the hallway was highly confusing.


    Aiden didn''t even need anyone to tell him before he realized that some sort of space magic had been applied to the entire building, allowing for the inside to be far larger than the outside would make you believe. It was large enough that an unguided person could easily get lost.


    Fortunately, the facility was well-built enough that there were proper signs placed around that could accurately guide anybody to their desired destination.


    Because of this, Aiden rather easily navigated the hallways. As he was doing so, Aiden was looking through his newly received divine techniques. Unlike the introductory manuals, these ones were complete with tips and tricks to help one get started. They included circulation pathways that would be best for one to use to pass through divinity and stimulate the power of the god in their veins.


    Aiden was slowly becoming absorbed in the mysteries of the book, but soon had to stop reading¡ªthat was because he had arrived at something more important than the manual, the visualization scroll.


    Aiden stopped before a door, and a room hanging above the door was a simple plaque that stated what technique the visualization scroll inside was for. Aiden looked up and smiled.


    "[Sunlight Shuttle]"


    Aiden knew that he had arrived at his destination. Bringing out his identification token, Aiden walked towards the door. The door was strange. It was plain and simple, composed of a strange type of golden bronze, but even stranger still was that the door was completely bare.


    By that, I mean there was nothing on it¡ªno door handle, no doorknob, no bars to pull, or even buttons to press. Aiden looked around and the only thing he could see was a strange small crystalline hemisphere poking out of the wall to the right of the door. Aiden looked at it and hesitated before bringing his token and placing it over the hemisphere.

 Chapter 31 31. Visualization

    As Aiden did this, he saw the crystal light up with a bright red glow before the door in front of him started to tremble slightly.Slowly, the door in front of him began to slide open, revealing a strange room inside. The room wasn''t too spectacular; there was a strange crystal hanging from the roof, acting as a light source. But even with that, the room was still rather dim.


    Aiden looked to the floor and saw two rows of cushions placed there, all pointing in one direction.


    Aiden looked forward and saw what the cushions were all facing¡ªa visualization scroll.


    Although it was called a scroll, it would be more accurate to describe it as a painting. It was a large tapestry of art. Aiden was a novice in things like art, but even he knew that this was a masterpiece. A truly exquisite piece of art, each stroke seemed to contain the soul of the artist, each detail so vivid it seemed to jump out of the page.


    Aiden gazed at the picture, captivated by the scene before him. A man sat calmly on a massive rock, his body engulfed in countless ethereal rays of sunlight that seemed to coalesce around him like a divine aura. As Aiden continued to stare, he felt a strange, inexplicable sensation stir deep within him. It was as if the image itself had come alive, reaching out to him across the distance.


    The feeling was both unsettling and mesmerizing.


    Aiden quickly resisted that feeling and sat down on one of the cushions, crossing his legs. He took a second to control his breathing before opening his eyes.


    Once again, when Aiden looked at the scroll, he was drawn in by a mysterious feeling, but this time Aiden didn''t resist and let himself be taken away.


    Instantly, Aiden felt his senses churn, as if the very world itself had been flipped on its head, and his vision was clouded with an imperceptible blindness.


    Aiden closed his eyes and opened them, and when he did, everything around him changed.


    Aiden suddenly found himself outside in the middle of the day, surrounded by a wooden forest. The slight rustle of the trees, the wind gently brushing against his skin, even the distant chirping of birds¡ªAiden felt as though he had been transported to another world. The scene before him was so vivid and realistic, it was as if the boundary between reality and imagination had dissolved.


    "Visualization scroll," he murmured to himself, marveling at the mystical power it held. Only now did he truly grasp the depth of its enchantment¡ªhow just one glance at the scroll could pull him into an entirely different realm.


    Maybe this was the true goal of Visualization that everyone sought to master: to visualize an image so perfectly that it was no different from reality.


    Aiden looked forward and saw the exact same image he saw in the scroll, but this time it had been brought to life.


    A man calmly sat on a large boulder, meditating as if completely integrated into the world around him. Aiden tried to look at the man''s face, but it was obscured by a blinding white light that only made his face more hazy the more Aiden tried to focus on it.


    Realizing this would get him nowhere, Aiden moved on. The more Aiden paid attention to the breathing, the louder it became¡ªfrom a small whisper to a sharp whistle, to booming thunder! Aiden''s body shook and subconsciously harmonized with the booming breaths.


    Aiden soon discovered that the more he focused on the man, the more he could uncover, as if looking through an endless treasure chest. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With each breath, the man''s chest rose and fell, and as Aiden looked again, he saw a small stream of light descending from the sky and entering through the man''s mouth and nose in a magnificent stream of flowing energy.


    Aiden could see into the man''s body and saw that as the light entered, it would quickly break apart. Like ink placed in water, it would quickly dissipate and spread throughout his body before merging and transforming with every cell the light encountered.


    The light shimmered and danced. Aiden tried to copy and memorize the pattern of the light''s flow, but it was completely impossible.


    This realization caused Aiden to despair.


    If he couldn''t memorize the pattern, how could he properly visualize this image? How could he perform this divine technique?


    Aiden''s entire plan for future combat was based on this technique. If he couldn''t even get started, how was he supposed to fight properly?


    How was he supposed to enter Olympus Academy?


    Aiden''s thoughts were swirling, growing more and more chaotic and erratic, when he suddenly paused.


    "That''s it!"


    It was as if a switch had been flipped in his head.


    The movement technique, [Sunlight Shuttle], wasn''t about specific pathways or precise circulation, nor was it about intricate and mesmerizing footwork. The movements themselves were ordinary, but the true technique lay in transforming your body into light.


    If you could achieve that, everything else became secondary. If you could move at the speed of light, all other techniques would be unnecessary, and perhaps even a hindrance. The essence of the art was not in the complexity of the motions, but in the mastery of becoming light itself¡ªa state where all other skills faded into irrelevance!


    Boom!


    The second Aiden made this realization, his mind seemed to pop open, it was almost as if a completely new world had been unveiled to him.


    The man seemed to respond to Aiden''s realization, standing up before floating into the sky as if trying to compete with the sun. In that moment, the man appeared more than human¡ªhe seemed to embody the very essence of a mythical deity, newly born into the world!


    Just as Aiden was beginning to tap into that mystical feeling of divine transcendence, his vision went black as the world spun. The next time Aiden opened his eyes, he was back in the room, sitting cross-legged in front of the scroll of the man sitting on a rock.

 Chapter 32 32. True Dawn

    Aiden took one last look at the painting and closed his eyes. He started breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling like ocean waves. As Aiden did this, he visualized the dazzling scene he had just experienced.The man rising from the stone with the glorious sun at his back, bursting forth with radiant light like a god descending into the mortal world!


    At the same time, as this was happening, light in the room began gathering and forming a stream, flowing into his mouth. Aiden could feel the energy scatter throughout his body, and when he looked down, his body was surrounded by a golden glow!


    Aiden saw this and smiled. His body hadn''t truly been transformed into a semi-light state, so he couldn''t be said to have even started with the Sunlight Shuttle technique, but Aiden was satisfied.


    He had gotten the direction correct; perfecting the art was only a matter of time.


    Satisfied, Aiden left the room and walked a small distance until he came before a new room and read the title:


    Apollo''s Archery¡ªTrue Dawn.


    Seeing this, Aiden brought out his token and opened the door.


    As soon as the door opened, Aiden noticed a large difference between this room and the last. There were people, and not just a few. Aiden could see a large group of people, each sitting on a cushion, looking at the visualization scroll at the front of the room, completely immersed in a trance.


    Aiden was a little shocked, but when he thought about it, it made sense. Unlike [Sunlight Shuttle], [True Dawn] was a staple technique for Divine Descendants of Apollo. Since everyone wanted to learn it, it was only natural for the room containing the visualization scroll to be full and busy.


    Aiden sighed and looked around for a place to sit. He found an out-of-the-way spot in the second row, sat down, and looked at the visualization scroll: a man holding a bow in front of a dark sky.


    As Aiden looked at the scroll, he felt a familiar feeling calling to him, drawing him in. This time, Aiden didn''t resist.


    Aiden felt his world swirl as the world around him vanished, engulfed in darkness. When Aiden opened his eyes, he was already in a completely different realm.


    Unlike the sunny scene from the last visualization, it was now night, but Aiden could tell that the darkness was nearing its end.


    Aiden saw a man, their face obscured, but he could sense a dazzling smile on their lips. The man stood at the edge of a cliff, the night sky pitch black above them. The wind brushed against their back as they gazed out toward the endless dark horizon from the high peak.


    The man didn''t speak but instead slowly raised his bow and drew his arrow.


    Aiden could feel the terrifying amount of divinity flowing through the man''s veins like raging magma. Mesmerizing golden strands of divinity leaked out, wrapping around the man''s body before slowly tracing along the man''s arm and concentrating in the arrowhead.


    As the man pulled back the arrow further and further, the air and the ground around him started to tremble violently!


    It continued until the effect reached near-cataclysmic levels, and just when Aiden thought the floor was about to shatter¡ªit happened.


    A dazzling blast of golden light erupted, blinding Aiden''s world for a few seconds!


    When he looked again, the night had faded, and the entire world seemed to have brightened as if touched by Lord Apollo himself.


    Aiden gazed upward and saw a streak of light arcing gracefully into the sky before bursting into a dazzling explosion that burned with an intensity reminiscent of the sun itself. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Though it was merely an appearance rather than a literal celestial event, the sight was still utterly breathtaking. To shoot something as radiant as the sun into the sky¡ªhow magnificent! How awe-inspiring!


    This was the power of the gods! This was what he desired!


    Aiden''s mind opened as he realized something. His innate talent for archery, his personal understanding, and even the blood of the god Apollo¡ªit was all reacting and coming together.


    Aiden understood it all:


    An arrow that pierces through the darkness. An arrow that cuts a path across the horizon. An arrow that heralds the arrival of¡­ Dawn.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, Aiden''s body began to shake as divinity stirred within him. His mind was racing, visualizing every second of the magnificent scene he had just seen in exquisite detail.


    Aiden raised his arms and looked for a bow. He was certain that as long as he drew a bow at this moment, his archery would be able to display a dazzling brilliance not too dissimilar to the sight he had just witnessed.


    But just as Aiden thought this, he felt the world spin, and his vision went black.


    The next moment, Aiden opened his eyes and found himself back in the room with the other trainees sitting on their cushions as if nothing had happened this whole time.


    Only the memory of his transcendent experience was there to remind him that this was not, in fact, a hallucination.


    Aiden stretched forth his hand in a drawing motion, and he could already feel his divinity starting to bubble violently within him.


    Although Aiden couldn''t wait to unleash this new, profound archery, he quickly suppressed the phenomenon. Only the gods knew how much destruction he could cause with this new skill. If he somehow ended up damaging the visualization scroll, the academy would never let him off, even if he cried until his tears ran out.


    Not wanting to endure such an uncomfortable feeling any longer, Aiden calmly made his way out of the room, and once he was back in the hallway, he rapidly made his way to the training grounds.


    The power of the gods¡ªit was now in his grasp!


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden was walking toward the training grounds with a bow on his back and a large set of arrows.

 Chapter 33 33. Explosion!

    To nobody''s surprise, the training ground was absolutely jam-packed. Everyone, of course, had similar ideas to Aiden¡ªnow that they had gotten their hands on these mystical divine techniques, they wanted to test them out.As Aiden walked through the bustling crowd, he observed the intense focus on the faces of those around him. Each trainee was driven by the same ambition, the same hunger for power that had ignited within him.


    Determined to find his own space, Aiden maneuvered through the crowd and managed to make his way to a relatively empty section of the training hall.


    Finally, in his chosen spot, Aiden stretched his body, loosening his muscles as he prepared for what was to come. He then drew his bow and notched an arrow, feeling the familiar weight and balance in his hand.


    The second he pulled back the bow, Aiden felt a surge of joy. His muscles moved with precision, his very cells seemed to sing with pleasure at the simple act of drawing the bowstring. It was as if his body had been waiting for this moment, craving the harmony that mere act of holding bow could bring him.


    Anyone who saw Aiden would have thought he was born with a bow and arrow at his bedside¡ªthe fluidity and grace with which he moved were in complete harmony.


    Smiling to himself at the sensation coursing through his body, Aiden didn''t hold back and fired.


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Phew!


    The arrows flew out in a storm, but this time, they could no longer be described as mere bullets¡ªthey were more akin to cannons! Each arrow exploded forth with devastating power, propelled by Aiden''s enhanced physical strength and divine energy. They struck the bullseyes of their targets with such force that the very stone seemed to tremble before shattering into pieces.


    Aiden surveyed the destruction he had wrought with a vicious smirk on his lips. His blood was boiling with exhilaration. It had only been a few days since he had arrived in the realm of the gods, and yet, his strength had already surged to this incredible level. Aiden was at the progress he had made, but deep down, he felt something more¡ªa hunger that gnawed at him.


    It wasn''t enough.


    Aiden didn''t know if it was greed or hubris driving him, but the power he had just displayed didn''t satisfy him. He wanted more¡ªhe craved even greater strength.


    He paused for a moment, considering the dangers of his ambition. Aiden was aware that eagerness and overconfidence could lead to one''s downfall. Perhaps in the future, this relentless pursuit of power could be his undoing. But that was a concern for another time. Right now, all he knew was that he would charge down the path to power with full speed and no second thoughts.


    Any doubts or cautions lingering in the back of his mind were swiftly buried beneath his resolve. If the instructors at Olympus Academy knew of his thoughts, they wouldn''t be worried; they would welcome them. After all, one could not dare to call themselves a god without an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride, arrogance, confidence¡ªthese were traits deeply embedded in the very essence of divinity.


    Putting those thoughts to the side, Aiden drew an arrow and his mind drifted back to the magnificent visualization he had experienced earlier, to the dazzling ball of fire that had been shot into the sky. The memory was vivid, as if the scene had been etched into his soul.


    As his mind replayed the image, something incredible began to happen within him.


    His body was reacting.


    The divine blood in his veins surged with energy, exploding like a torrent that flooded his entire being. It gathered and concentrated in the tip of the arrow he held, a force that was both terrifying and exhilarating.


    Aiden''s amber eyes began to glow, transforming into a brilliant, dazzling gold. He could feel the power thrumming through him, a connection to something far greater than himself. His mouth opened, and words spilled forth, spoken in a language he had never learned but which came as naturally to him as breathing.


    "Arcus Apollinis - E¨­s Veritas."


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn]


    As soon as the words left his lips, a light burst out from his arrowhead, so blindingly bright that it eclipsed the setting sun. Aiden felt an immense heat radiating from the arrow, a searing power that shot forth in front of him with a terrifying intensity.


    "BOOM!"


    Aiden''s eyes widened as he witnessed the devastating impact. The target he had aimed at was completely consumed by a ball of solar fire, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake. The sheer destructive power was enough to make anyone''s heart race with fear¡ªor with exhilaration.


    Aiden stood in stunned silence, taking in the scorched floor, the obliterated target, and the lingering heat in the air.


    Such power... it was beyond anything he had imagined. But the shockwave of the explosion hadn''t just affected Aiden. All around him, the training ground erupted into chaos as trainees panicked at the sudden explosion.


    "What the hell is going on?!" a helpless trainee cried out, his voice tinged with fear.


    "An attack! It must be an attack! Quick, run for cover!" screamed another, his words sparking a wave of confusion and terror.


    Some froze in shock, while others scattered in all directions, trying to escape the perceived danger. Amidst the chaos, Aiden stood numbly at the scene of the explosion, his mind still reeling from the power he had unleashed.


    As the trainees scrambled, a figure quickly approached Aiden. It was a beautiful young woman with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, her wolf ears standing alert atop her head. Her striking blue eyes locked onto Aiden, flashing with a strange light.


    "It''s you!" she exclaimed, recognition and something else¡ªcuriosity, perhaps¡ªflickering in her gaze.


    Raelia wanted to continue speaking, but when she looked at the devastation in front of Aiden, she paused, her mouth falling open in shock.


    "What the actual hell!" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.


    She turned back to Aiden, her eyes narrowing as they scanned him up and down, suspicion evident in her expression.


    "This guy¡­ Is he really human?" Raelia wondered aloud, her disbelief growing. After all, what sort of human could display such monstrous power?


    As Raelia tried to process what she had just witnessed, a familiar ginger-haired figure appeared behind her. Oliver, who had been around Aiden the longest, couldn''t help but shake his head in disbelief as he took in the scene.


    "This fucking monster¡­" he muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice.


    Oliver had seen enough of Aiden''s antics to develop a certain immunity to the shock. Although the display was still deeply unsettling, he was no longer as easily rattled as he had once been. Aiden''s knack for pulling off the impossible had become almost routine¡ªthough still no less extraordinary.


    As more trainees arrived at the scene, the reality of Aiden''s actions began to sink in. They gawked at the destruction, their expressions ranging from awe to fear.


    "Fuck! You''re telling me this was an actual trainee, not an instructor?" one trainee exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "He did this naturally?! I don''t believe it. That guy is definitely on drugs!" another shouted, trying to rationalize what he had just seen.


    It didn''t take long for word of Aiden''s actiosn to spread like wildfire, drawing even more people to the scene.

 Chapter 34 34. True Dusk

    Two people were walking side by side, engrossed in a heated discussion about the recent events on the training ground."I''m telling you, man, it wasn''t just an accident. The young man was really a trainee," one of them said, his voice filled with conviction.


    The friend walking beside him shook his head in disbelief. "Who are you trying to fool? We just got our divine techniques today. How could a trainee cause such destruction? Humph! If it really was a trainee, then I''ll eat my own shoe¡ª"


    "Fuck! It really was a trainee!"


    The doubter, now standing among the crowd, looked at Aiden with a mix of awe and fear , as if he were some kind of monster.


    Aiden, who was the center of attention, remained motionless.


    He stood there with his eyes closed, deliberately ignoring the crowd''s gaze. His calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the chaos around him. Many onlookers were whispering amongst themselves, speculating that Aiden had experienced a sudden burst of enlightenment and made significant progress with his visualization technique.


    This speculation only led them to sigh, reflecting on the obvious disparity in talent between themselves and Aiden.


    Unfortunately, Aiden''s situation was far from enviable. The reason he stood still wasn''t due to any divine blessing or newfound enlightenment.


    In reality, he was quite literally unable to move!


    The shot he had fired from his bow had been so powerful that it drained all the divine energy from his body. The sheer magnitude of the shot left him completely exhausted.


    It required every ounce of his willpower just to remain standing; even the simple act of moving was beyond his reach.


    As Aiden struggled with these thoughts, he took a cautious glance at the training ground.


    The sight of the wreckage made him break into a cold sweat. He began to worry about the potential consequences. Would he have to pay a hefty fine for the damage? In this place, where the laws were unfamiliar to him, he feared that if he couldn''t cover the costs, they might resort to selling him into slavery to settle the debt.


    Aiden''s mind raced with anxiety. He shook his head, trying to dismiss these thoughts. After the huge commotion he had caused, even the other trainees were visibly alarmed. He couldn''t believe that such a dramatic scene had gone unnoticed by the instructors. They hadn''t emerged to confront him or to assess the damage, which led him to relax.


    Obviously, the situation wasn''t as dire as he feared, no there was only one problem left on Aiden''s mind.


    ''How on earth am I supposed to leave this situation when I can not walk!''


    So as the group of trainee was watching Aiden in both awe and amazement they never noticed the slight tear, that was forming in the corner of the poor boy''s eyes,


    ....


    Away from the group, a figure stood in front of a path of cracked and torn earth. A terrifying burst of murderous intent swept around his blade in a horrifying storm.


    His deep crimson eyes, cold and calculating, swept over the crowd with intense focus. When his gaze landed on Aiden, a cruel, bloodthirsty smile slowly spread across his lips.


    "Interesting..." he murmured, his voice tinged with dark amusement.


    The smile on his face was one of malicious pleasure, as if he derived satisfaction from Aiden''s situation and the destruction he had caused.


    "They didn''t lie after all. This academy will be quite fun," he muttered.


    ¡­


    Time passed, and several days went by. S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden had spent these days cultivating his divine energy and mastering his divine techniques. Now, he stood in a clearing on the training ground, some distance away from Oliver, his bow raised and ready.


    "Are you ready, Aiden?" Oliver asked, his voice steady.


    "Yes, you can begin," Aiden replied, his eyes sharp with focus.


    "Alright then," Oliver said, drawing his bow as his auburn hair flickered with divinity.


    With a deep breath, Oliver released his arrows one after another, sending them shooting into the sky before they rained down on Aiden like a deadly shower.


    Aiden had been watching carefully. As soon as the arrows hit the air, golden divinity began to radiate from his body, flickering like a dazzling light ray. With a simple step forward, Aiden''s body blurred, dodging through the falling arrows with ease.


    Seeing Aiden handling the challenge well, Oliver smiled and decided to increase the difficulty. Now, each arrow was channeled with divinity, streaking toward Aiden like a rain of light-infused missiles.


    Aiden could only concentrate on maintaining his semi-light state while narrowly evading the vicious arrows pouring down toward him. His every move was calculated, his body reacting instinctively to the escalating danger.


    Watching from the side, Raelia smiled and spoke, "He managed to pass the first two levels we set up. Let''s see if he can finally pass level three."


    Raelia drew her bow, her wolf-like eyes locking onto Aiden with predatory intent. Divinity flowed out from her body, feeding into her arrow. Unlike Aiden and Oliver''s reddish-gold divinity, Raelia''s was a deep silvery blue, like the cold light of a moon overlooking an endless wilderness.


    She exhaled a breath of misty, cold air as she spoke,


    [Artemis''s Archery ¨C True Dusk.]


    As soon as Raelia spoke, Aiden''s body shivered, sensing the deadly precision of a vicious predator locking onto its prey. Quickly, he phased out of his semi-light energy state and drew his bow, but by then, Raelia''s attack had already finished charging.


    Unlike Aiden''s True Dawn, which heralded the birth of a new sun with dazzling, blinding light, Raelia''s was the complete opposite. The silvery light transformed into a vicious beast that devoured all nearby light, turning it into an even more menacing silver attack.


    The arrow flew forward with terrifying speed.


    But just before it smashed into Aiden, an arrow left his bow, trailing a brilliant streak of silver-cold energy.


    [Apollo''s Archery ¨C True Dawn.]


    "Boom!"


    The surrounding area was engulfed in a shockwave as the ball of silvery and golden divinity clashed, blinding everyone with its aftermath. As the dust cleared, Aiden stood slightly embarrassed but still relatively unharmed.

 Chapter 35 35. Surprise exam

    His attack had spent as much time charging as Raelia''s, but it was still naturally weaker. However, Aiden couldn''t help but smile.He had managed to resist and that was enough for aiden. His performance just now just assured him in how much his techniques had progressed


    The technique, True Dawn, didn''t take much time for Aiden to master after all; archery for him was just as easy as breathing.


    The real challenge came when it was time for Aiden to learn the Sunlight Shuttle technique. He quickly grasped the basics, managing to enter and exit the semi-light state after some trial and error.


    However, to truly master the technique, there was one crucial aspect that he needed to perfect: the ability to freely transition in and out of the semi-light state.


    When Aiden was in the light state, he was physically incapable of attacking. This limitation meant that he couldn''t counterattack or defend himself while in this form.


    In other words, once he entered the light state, it was an all-or-nothing situation¡ªhis only option was to dodge. This was further complicated by the fact that energy-based attacks actually caused greater damage to him while he was in the semi-light state.


    This wasn''t a significant problem if Aiden could move at the speed of light, but he was nowhere near that level yet.


    Aiden couldn''t always dodge every attack, and the increased damage from energy-based assaults made it even more challenging.


    The only reasonable solution was to lift the semi-light state temporarily and either face or deflect the attack. That was exactly what Aiden had been working on.


    He had been training to develop the ability to sense and identify attacks he couldn''t dodge and to react and counter them effectively


    . Aiden first tried this with Oliver alone, but he noticed that, perhaps because they were both divine descendants of Apollo, Aiden could always sense Oliver''s attacks and react with ease.


    So, he switched to training with Raelia. The first time Raelia attacked, Aiden completely missed the reading. He was critically injured and out of commission for an entire day.


    It was only due to the magical healing abilities of Olympus that he recovered so quickly, Otherwise, he might have been out for at least several weeks.


    After his recovery, Aiden trained relentlessly and eventually got the hang of it, to the point where he could perform the technique as he just did. Looking at himself, Aiden couldn''t help but smile, and when he turned to his two friends, his smile only grew wider.


    "Thank you, guys. I really couldn''t have done it without you."


    Hearing this, Oliver just chuckled, "No need to over-thank us. With your talent, you were bound to figure it out anyway."


    Aiden just shook his head


    "No, you guys were essential. Even if I could figure it out on my own, there''s no way I could have done it this fast without your help," Aiden insisted, his gratitude evident.


    Raelia, far less modest than Oliver, accepted Aiden''s praise with a satisfied nod. After this, the trio gathered to discuss their techniques and exchange ideas.


    Since all three were archers, their conversations were not just helpful, but necessary for refining their skills.


    After a while, each of them felt satisfied with their discussion. Aiden then asked,


    "Do you have any idea what''s planned for the afternoon lecture?"


    "I have no idea," Oliver responded with a shrug.


    Over the past week, they had been delving into more theory-heavy subjects¡ªhistory, tactics, monster biology and weaknesses, breeding patterns, and other intricate details.


    What had initially been exciting quickly turned into a monotonous chore as the sheer volume of theoretical knowledge began to feel overwhelming.


    Just as they were contemplating the rest of the day, a thunderous voice echoed across the academy campus. "All trainees gather at the training ground immediately!"


    Aiden and the others froze for a second before exchanging surprised glances. Without wasting any time, they hurried toward the training ground. As they arrived, they saw others doing the same.


    A murmur rippled through the sea of trainees, but no matter what they were saying, all eyes were fixed on one figure standing tall and proud on the platform before them¡ªnone other than Instructor Kyros, the head of the training camp.


    "I''ve called you here for one thing," Instructor Kyros announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs.


    "A surprise examination."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Aiden heard curses being muttered all around him, and he completely understood their sentiments.


    Nothing was worse than going about your day, only to be blindsided by a surprise exam. Although Instructor Kyros didn''t say "pop quiz," the effect was just the same.


    The instructor clearly sensed the displeasure among the trainees, but he didn''t care.


    "You''ve had a week to familiarize yourselves with the techniques, and now we''ll test and rank you. Naturally, since you''re hearing this from me, this exam will be about your combat abilities."


    As soon as Kyros said those words, Aiden felt the entire crowd tense up. Everyone had been expecting something like this, but hearing it confirmed still sent a jolt through them.


    Once again, Instructor Kyros continued without any concern for their reactions.


    "Olympus Academy is known as the training ground of the gods. Only the best of the best are accepted here. The gods refuse to train any waste.


    If you''re not up to par, you may as well quit now. There''s no pity for the inferior, only admiration for the strong. If you believe you belong here, then prove yourself in the arena! Prove yourself in battle!" sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group of students followed the instructors, their excitement palpable as they approached the massive arena built near the training grounds.


    Aiden and his fellow students had glimpsed the arena upon their arrival and had even attempted to explore it, but the guards had promptly shooed them away.


    As they drew closer, Aiden couldn''t help but be captivated by the grand structure. The arena towered over the training grounds, its stone walls standing strong against the elements. It loomed over them like an imposing sentinel.

 Chapter 36 36. Kain Sanguinos

    The arena towered over the training grounds, its stone walls standing strong against the elements. It loomed over them like an imposing sentinel.Three tiers of graceful arches encircled the arena, each supported by sturdy columns. Some of these columns were adorned with intricate carvings of gods and heroes, adding an air of ancient majesty to the structure.


    The group spent only a brief moment outside before they were ushered in. Inside, they were met with an equally impressive sight.


    A vast expanse of golden sand stretched out before them, bearing the scars of countless past conflicts. Surrounding the sand, the seating tiers rose sharply, creating a seamless circle that provided an uninterrupted view of the arena floor.


    Each row of stone seats was meticulously arranged, ascending gracefully to ensure that every spectator had a clear and commanding perspective of the action unfolding below.


    The group of students made their way to the stands before Instructor Kyros started speaking.


    "When your name is called, you will begin the assessment."


    "First up, Kain Sanguinos."


    As the name was called, a figure stood up¡ªa handsome man with crimson red eyes and black hair streaked with deep blood-red. Immediately, murmurs began circulating among the crowd of students. Aiden noticed the commotion and turned to Oliver at his side.


    "Who is this guy? Is he someone I should know?"


    "You''re too focused on training, so I expected you not to know," said Oliver with a smile.


    "You know, during the first trial to scale the mountain, when everyone else was left unconscious, he was the only one to make it back on his own. Plus, there''s an even more ridiculous rumor, but I don''t know if it''s true."


    Aiden, already impressed by the first statement, leaned in for more details.


    "What is it?" asked Aiden.


    "I heard that he''s already unlocked his second Feat of Renown."


    Aiden''s eyes widened.


    Normally, it was he who amazed others with his accomplishments. Now, he found himself on the receiving end of surprise.


    This wasn''t the same as simply walking out of the difficult mountainous trial; this was completely unprecedented.


    "How is that possible? We just awakened our bloodline a few days ago. How could he have already accomplished a Feat of Renown?" asked Aiden, his shock evident.


    Oliver shook his head. "It''s a little-known fact, but if you achieve something worthy of a Feat of Renown before awakening your divine blood, it is possible that you can automatically generate a feat for that.


    Although this doesn''t directly promote you to such a rank, it completely breaks your divine shackles, meaning that if there is enough divinity, you can be directly promoted to the next rank."


    Oliver''s voice was filled with admiration, but he was still a bit dubious.


    "Although it sounds impressive, it''s still a bit ridiculous to believe. He''s the same age as us¡ªat most 16. How could he have accomplished a Feat of Renown at such a young age?"


    Aiden was taken aback. "Many people don''t believe it. They''re even saying that after what you pulled on the day we got our divine techniques, he might not be as good as you." Sear?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden looked toward the man named Kain. Their eyes met, and Kain''s face curled into a chillingly confident smile. Seeing that smile sent a shiver down Aiden''s spine. In that moment, Aiden realized the truth. He didn''t know if the rumors about Kain having a Feat of Renown were true, but he knew Kain was no ordinary person.


    Aiden had been training his body''s sensitivity to threats to perfect the Sunlight Shuttle technique. From that heightened awareness, he could sense that the threat posed by this young man was overwhelming. The aura emanating from Kain was intense; it was like a dark wave of murderous soldiers rushing at him.


    Kain''s gaze remained fixed on Aiden for a moment longer before he turned away, his confidence unwavering.


    He stepped forward, his body leaning into the air before gracefully landing on the arena floor.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Kain''s bold and confident demeanor and nodded with a smile.


    "As expected of someone who could show a special phenomenon during his awakening."


    "Trainee Kain, the test will begin whenever you''re ready."


    When Kain heard this, a wide smile appeared on his face.


    "You can start at any time. I''m always ready."


    "Very well, trainee. The test will now officially begin."


    Clank. Clank.


    Chains rattled, and metal scraped as one of the massive gates slowly opened.


    "Roar!"


    A vicious, blood-curdling roar echoed from the depths of the hallway as the crowd felt the presence of a beast rushing out from within. And then, it appeared.


    A giant and ferocious lioness.


    Though it resembled a lion, it was clear this was no ordinary beast. Its fur had a metallic sheen, giving it an almost armored appearance. Anyone nearby could see that ordinary weapons would shatter upon contact with its defenses.


    But although its defense was formidable, its size was even more striking.


    The lioness stood on all fours, towering over an average man by at least a head. Its limbs were massive, more akin to a bear''s than a lion''s, yet they still conveyed an unsettling agility.


    What made it even more terrifying was that this was a lioness. If these creatures followed typical biological norms, it meant there was an even more formidable male somewhere out there.


    The crowd of trainees collectively gasped at the sight. The ancient, wild aura radiating from this crazed beast was enough to send some into a state of shock.


    Kain, however, felt no fear¡ªonly excitement. His heart raced as his usually ice-cold face warmed allowing a dazzling smile to spread across his lips. Perhaps if he were facing a regular human, they might have paused to admire his handsome features, but here, against this wild beast, there was no such pause.


    The ferocious beast let out an enraged roar and charged straight at Kain, leaping forward with its massive claws swinging down on him, but Kain remained unfazed.

 Chapter 37 37. [Bloodlust]

    Kain leaped forward as the beast''s massive claws swung down at him, but he remained unfazed.A grim smile stretched across his face as he brandished his sword to block the strike.


    "Bang!"


    The beast''s devastating blow clashed with Kain''s sword, sending a metallic screech echoing through the air.


    The claws of the beast, as formidable as the strongest metals, scraped harshly against Kain''s weapon. The ground beneath Kain''s feet cracked and crumbled from the force of the impact, but he stood steadfast, his muscles tensed and veins bulging as he pushed back against the lioness. The sudden force made the beast stagger, creating a momentary distance between them.


    But Kain wasn''t finished yet. A blood-red aura, ominous and divine, flowed from his veins and enveloped his sword.


    This was the colour of his divinity and the god he descended from.


    The divinity of Ares!


    To the watching students, the scene blurred into a whirlwind of red, only the devastating sound of Kain''s attack landing allowed them to know what was going on and when the attack landed it landed with devestating effect


    Despite the beast''s heavy armor and thick fur, Kain''s sword cut through it like a hot knife through butter, leaving a gaping, brutal wound.


    "Roar!"


    Blood poured out the wound like a burst dam as The beast howled in agony.


    But for such a ferocious and primal creature The horrific wound only seemed to fuel its rage, making it even more aggressive.


    Kain snorted in response and activated his divine technique.


    An ominous air quickly descend onto the field as he spoke in a booming voice


    [Bloodthirst] Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Instantly, Red sparks erupted from his eyes, and a crimson wave surged over his skin.


    The metallic scent of blood filled the air, igniting an insatiable hunger for battle within him. His body expanded, bulging with power as crimson energy flickered like raging serpents across his form. His bloodthirsty gaze locked onto the vicious beast.


    In an astonishing display of strength, Kain''s hand shot out like a spear. With a burst of speed, he grasped the lioness by the throat holding onto it in a vice like grip and slammed it to the ground with a thunderous crash.


    "Boom!"


    A cruel smile curled on Kain''s lips as he stomped down, crushing the lion''s head with a sickening splatter, like a burst watermelon. Blood sprayed across half his face, but he didn''t flinch. His gaze remained locked on the instructor.


    "Is that it?"


    Although those words were rather straightforward, when Instructor Kyrs heard them, his lips curled up into a smile. "Of course not. The test ranges from level 1 to 10. You''re free to choose any level to progress to."


    "So what level will you choose?"


    Kain looked at the corpse of the lioness and the pool of blood gathering at his feet, falling into thought. Although confident in his abilities, he knew that in combat and war, arrogance could only lead to his downfall. So he decided to test the waters a little more.


    "Level 5."


    As Kain spoke, the entire arena was bathed in a golden light, causing the corpses and blood of the previous battle to vanish.


    Simultaneously, five gates around the massive arena began to shake and open. A symphony of low roars filled the air as five majestic and imposing lionesses emerged from their respective tunnels. Kain hadn''t completely suppressed his aura from the previous battle, so his vicious war presence was keenly felt by these beasts and their terrifying instincts. Lions are pack hunters.


    While one may be strong alone, a group is where they truly show their terrifying might.


    The lionesses let out a few low roars, quickly communicating with each other. This time, they weren''t quick to pounce but prowled around Kain in a circle, slowly closing in on him with a terrifying presence. A normal mortal might have gone insane with fear in such a situation, but Kain instead smiled.


    [Bloodthirst]


    Right iut of the gates Kain activated hsi divine techniques as his crimson eyes brust forth Without hesitation, Kain unleashed his divine technique.


    Crimson lightning crackled from his eyes as his aura surged violently. His foot slammed into the ground, shattering it into fragments as he launched himself forward in a blaze of speed. His body blurred red as he raised his sword, slashing toward the lioness directly in front of him!


    The lioness barely had time to react, raising her claws in a futile defense.


    With the divine fury of god of war coursing through his veins, Kain''s sword cut through the air, creating a crimson wave of blood that sprayed through the air like a torrential downpour.


    The lioness was hurled backward, but Kain didn''t relent. Just as he was about to drive his advantage home, a sudden shift in the air froze him in place.


    Spinning around, Kain saw two colossal lionesses attacking from both sides. The arena above erupted in gasps as the students realized the brutal nature of the challenge. This was no longer a simple duel; it was a savage, full-scale battle. If Kain advanced, more would come to restrain him.


    For the first time since stepping into the arena, Kain felt a genuine surge of danger. He roared defiantly, his divinity pulsating through his body like a living storm. As his sword clashed with one lioness''s claws, his glowing crimson fist met the other''s attack head-on.


    "Boom!"


    "Bang!"


    The two lionesses were sent flying backward when another set of growls snapped Kain''s attention. The lioness he''d first attacked was charging at him from behind, while two fresh lionesses surged forward, claws bared. Kain''s eyes narrowed in realization;


    he had underestimated the ferocity of these beasts.


    It seemed he needed to fight a little more seriously.


    Taking a deep breath, Kain felt the world around him slow to a crawl. As he raised his sword, a profound shift occurred in the arena.


    An ominous and ghostly aura descended from Kain''s body, enveloping the arena. It felt as if they had been transported to a cruel battlefield haunted by tragic wails and unfulfilled dreams, where the very essence of despair and sorrow flourished and ran rampant.

 Chapter 38 38. [Millennium Killing Sword]

    If the Kain from before seemed to carry the rage and fury of war this Kain was the complete oppositeKain seemed to embody the very essence of war''s despair¡ªthe tragic cries, the unwilling roars, the shattered dreams.


    All the dark and unpleasant aspects of war and conflict that everyone dreaded and feared but didn''t dare to talk about, about manifested before everyone''s eyes, furiously spewing forth from Kain''s blade like an endless torrent


    The aura it emitted was horrifying; just one glance at it seemed to freeze the very soul.


    Next a gloomy, blackish-red light swirled menacingly around the sword as Kain spoke in a haunting voice.


    [ Millennium Killing Sword!]


    Brr!


    The sword in his buzzed and roared to life as Kain swung it with terrifying force at the lioness.


    A reddish-black storm erupted from the blade, swirling with the twisted faces of hundreds of crimson skulls that seemed to scream in torment as they rushed toward the helpless beast.


    The lioness, sensing the deathly aura, froze in terror, her soul quaking with dread. She could barely muster a pitiful whimper before she was completely obliterated.


    Her body exploded in a gruesome shower of flesh and shattered bones, painting the arena in a thick, bliniding mist of blood.


    But Kain wasn''t done. His sword arced through the air like a ravenous dragon, turning with lethal precision toward the two lionesses that had dared to encircle him.


    The beasts let out desperate, guttural roars of despair, their eyes wide with the realization of impending doom. But their cries were swallowed by the cacophony of agonized wails emanating from Kain''s blade, the embodiment of the countless souls that had died at his very own hands.


    In an instant, the storm of crimson divinity smashed into the two creatures with bone-shattering force.


    Their bodies were torn apart in an instant, limbs and entrails scattering like confetti in a twisted celebration of gruesome carnage.


    Their tragic cries echoed briefly before being silenced forever, their souls joining the legion of wailing skulls that fuelled the endless development of Kain''s killing sword. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Kain''s eyes, cold and devoid of emotion, surveyed the carnage with ruthless indifference. He stepped through the river of blood and shattered bones forming at his feet, the ground slick with gore, as he advanced toward the next two lionesses.


    He moved with the relentless inevitability of a constructed war machine, like a demonic entity that had just crawled from the darkest pits of the underworld, thirsting for more slaughter.


    The crowd of students that had been worrying about Kain merely moments ago all froze.


    No one spoke, but those watching collectively broke out in a cold sweat.


    An eerie sense of fear descended onto the stands.


    Except for the instructors, probably none were spared.


    Aiden would admit it too¡ªwhen he looked at Kain bathed in that bloody light, he was slightly afraid.


    The sword strike was just too horrifying! A mere swing seemed to contain the screams of hundreds of unwilling victims.


    Aiden had entered the world of the gods from regular civilian society.


    While the world of mortals may have been slightly boring, for Aiden, it was exceptionally safe.


    Things like violence and murder were so far removed from Aiden''s life that they were nearly incomprehensible.


    But being from the world of mortals wasn''t enough to explain the sense of fear that Aiden was feeling.


    After all, there were many other trainees from the world of gods, and they were also feeling this inexplicable fear.


    Take Oliver, for example.


    No, it should be said that because he was from the divine family, he was not only feeling fear, but his fear was much deeper than Aiden''s.


    After all, unlike Aiden, who could only feel the terror instinctively, Oliver knew exactly how horrifying the sight in front of him was.


    Oliver, by his side, was much better¡ªno, he was much worse¡ªbecause, unlike Aiden, he actually knew what that sword represented.


    "The Millennium Killing Sword. He actually used the Millennium Killing Sword!"


    Oliver''s voice contained equal parts shock and amazement.


    Aiden, to the side, heard this and frowned.


    Just looking at the sword was enough to elicit an instinctive sense of fear. Aiden wouldn''t feel comfortable if he knew nothing about such a horrifying move, so he asked, "Oliver, what exactly is this Millennium Killing Sword?"


    Oliver took a deep breath before speaking, his voice low and almost shaking


    "The sword technique isn''t something simple. It''s a divine technique that only the most talented divine descendants of Ares can hope to wield. But even though those talented divine descendants may have it available as an option, it''s strongly advised that most steer clear of it.


    The power of the technique may be beyond comprehension, but so is the challenge of mastering it, particularly for those who are new to the art of war.


    "The essence of this sword technique lies not just in its formidable strikes and elaborate visualization. No, the true enigma of this technique lies in grasping the essence of war and death itself¡ªa concept so elusive that it can only be understood by those who have walked the fine line between life and death countless times on the battlefield.


    But do you see the problem? How can a mere student, a teenager yet to fully live and start his life properly, hope to comprehend the endless horrors of war?


    Legend has it that the creator of this divine technique wandered the blood-soaked fields of battle for a thousand years, slaying without mercy, until the true nature of war revealed itself to him in a moment of grim enlightenment.


    It was only then that he forged the Millennium Killing Sword, hence the prefix millennium killing.


    Even if getting started didn''t require you to immersive yourself in killing for a thousand years, the time definitely wasn''t short


    For Kain to wield such mastery over this horrifying technique, it means he isn''t just someone who''s tasted the bitterness of war a few times¡ªhe is a true veteran, a spirit forged in endless conflict.


    War isn''t something he''s experienced; it''s something he is living and breathing at all times


    Aiden took a deep, cold breath.

 Chapter 39 39. Lion King

    He knew his situation well. He was an exceptional talent. If he still denied it, it wouldn''t be being humble but instead just ignorant.His Talent was amazing and clearly his biggest asset, but talent was just a possibility. Aiden knew he lacked actual combat experience and field practice, but this Kain looked to be even more of a monster than he was.


    He had endless talent and somehow had endless battlefield experience. How were other students even supposed to compete?!


    Kain could care less about the thoughts of the trainees watching from the stands. He charged forward at the remaining lionesses, raising his sword.


    The two lionesses didn''t even get a chance to react. The second Kain swung his sword, it sliced cleanly through their necks, sending their heads flying and causing blood to splatter across the floor like spilled paint.


    Ignoring the pool of blood gathering at his feet, Kain looked at Instructor Kyros with cold, emotionless eyes. S§×arch* The n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Let''s move on to level 10."said Kain


    "Very well then." responded the instructor


    The entire arena was once again bathed in a golden light, causing the corpses and blood from the previous battle to vanish.


    Soon after, a familiar trembling could be felt throughout the arena as five gates around the massive arena began to shake and open. Terrifying growls and snarls echoed as ten lionesses stalked into view.


    But this time, it didn''t end there.


    Behind the steps of the giant lionesses, there was a loud, thunderous thud. The growl that followed was much deeper and more vicious, emanating from the shadows within.


    And soon, the origin of this monstrous sound stepped into the light.


    It was a giant lion, towering over its female counterparts with two heads, each as menacing as the other. Its muscles rippled with every movement, causing the very air to tremble. Its flowing mane glistened with a metallic sheen, a faint mystical light emanating from it.


    "ROAR!"


    A world-shaking roar escaped its lips as it declared its dominance over the arena, glaring at Kain with an uncaged rage and bloodlust that seemed to fill the entire space.


    In response, Kain simply let out a faint smile.


    The lionesses crouched, their bodies tensing as they prepared to spring. A golden beam of light arced from the lion king''s mane, surging toward the lionesses before returning to the mighty beast.


    Once it did, a faint golden glow began to swim across the bodies of all the lions.


    Kain frowned. He didn''t know what it meant, but he knew it couldn''t be good.


    "Roar!"


    A vicious roar erupted from the lion king''s mouth as all the lionesses charged forward. Kain instantly noticed the change.


    The charge was more coordinated than before. They were coming at him from all angles, trying to cut off any chance of escape.


    Seeing this, he just sneered.


    Since they didn''t want him to dodge, he would just meet them head-on!


    [Bloodlust]


    Kain felt the divine power in his veins surge as a crimson light burst from his eyes, wrapping around him like a shroud.


    Badum! Badum! Badum!


    His heart thundered like a divine war drum, his muscles bulging and flexing to their absolute peak. Raising his sword, the crimson divinity coiled around him, making him look like a warrior straight out of myth.


    Kain swung down, his sword crashing onto the attacking lionesses like a mountain.


    "Bang!"


    The sword collided with the iron-hard fur of the lionesses, the sound echoing as if two iron blocks were grinding against each other.


    But as the attack landed, Kain quickly frowned.


    The scene he had expected of the lioness '' body bursting open simply didn''t . In fact, he barely drew blood with his slash.


    For some reason, the defense of these lions had increased to an alarming degree.


    Kain looked toward the gargantuan Lion King and saw it glaring down at him from its towering height with an almost human-like mocking expression.


    ''It''s because of this bastard.''


    Kain had found the source of the problem, but even so his fighting rhythm had been completely thrown off but before he could adjust, he saw another lioness pouncing on him from the side.


    Kain coldly snorted before wrapping his fists in crimson divinity and punching out.


    "Boom!"


    Kain fist shot out wrapped in the blackish red divinity of Ares and smashed into the hard skull of the lioness, but with its now enhanced defense, it barely managed to stun it. Instead, the attack only seemed to increase the cruel beast''s ferocity as it bit down hard on Kain''s arm.


    Kain didn''t cry out in pain¡ªhis expression only turned colder. With his arm restricted, he moved to kick, but under the Lion King''s leadership, these lionesses were now more vicious than a pack of hyenas.


    Another lioness shot out from nowhere, sinking its teeth into Kain''s thigh.


    He groaned, but before he could react, yet another lioness appeared, gnawing down on his other leg.


    Kain was now furious, the divinity in his body surged, ready for Kain to unleash it.


    But before he could act, the giant Lion King, which had been watching arrogantly from afar, disappeared and reappeared before Kain in an instant.


    Kain tried to react, but it was too late.


    The massive claw of the Lion King slammed into Kain, swatting him away and sending him hurtling through the air like a comet.


    "Boom!"


    Kain crashed down with terrifying force, creating a human-sized crater in the wall of the arena.


    The crowd instantly fell silent, everyone watching in fear of the worst. But just as they thought it was over, a faint rustling was heard as the shattered bricks around Kain''s hand were all dislodged.


    Dusted and slightly roughed up, Kain walked out of the damaged wall. After stretching his neck, Kain smiled.


    Touching the corner of his head, Kain looked at the blood that had now stained his fingertips and was slightly shocked.


    Blood? My own blood?


    How long had it been since he had fought like this?

 Chapter 40 40. Kains offensive

    Kain suddenly halted his thoughts and laughed''It had been too damn long!'' sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    His cold and emotionless facade had been completely shattered. Now, his face had morphed into a crazed grin as blood flowed down from his forehead, streaking across his features like war paint.


    The drums of war pounded relentlessly in his mind.


    This was the kind of battle he craved¡ªthe kind where he could feel the sting of injury, where there was even the slightest hint of risk. It was a battle that truly made his blood boil, where the thrill of danger was palpable, and the line between life and death blurred!


    Kain pulled out another sword, his eyes gleaming with an unholy fire. Now armed with a blade in each hand, he was completely fearless, a whirlwind of death and chaos.


    [Bloodlust!]


    Activating the divine technique, the aura around Kain twisted and churned violently, a thick, red mist seeping from his body.


    The bloodlust was so intense that even the spectators in the stands could feel it. It was a suffocating presence so daunting that it made even the lionesses hesitate, their primal instincts recognizing a predator, a killer in fact, that was far more dangerous than themselves.


    Even the mighty Lion King paused, as its colossal frame trembled slightly under the rush of Kain''s overwhelming killing intent.


    But Kain didn''t wait. If they wouldn''t come to him, he would bring the fight to them.


    With a thunderous stomp that cracked the arena floor, Kain surged forward, tearing through the ground like a living meteor.


    In a blink, he was in front of the Lion King, his twin swords blazing with crimson divinity as he brought them down in a vicious, X-shaped slash.


    "Bang!"


    The Lion King raised its massive paw to guard against the attack, but the force behind Kain''s strike was immense, sending shockwaves through the arena.


    Sparks flew as Kain''s swords clashed against the beast''s metallic fur, a screeching sound that echoed like the wail of damned souls.


    The attack had a minimal effect but Kain wasn''t finished. His figure flickered, disappearing from sight, only to reappear above the Lion King''s back. With a powerful spin, he slashed down with all his might.


    "Bang!"


    The beast roared in pain, but Kain''s face darkened. Despite the power behind his strike, he had only managed to leave a faint mark on the creature''s hide.


    The Lion King''s defenses were near impenetrable after being bolstered by the mysterious light that had arced off the lionesses and into the beast earlier.


    "Fine," Kain muttered through gritted teeth, his resolve hardening. "I''ll just change the strategy."


    Without hesitation, Kain ran along the Lion King''s back, his speed blurring his movements as he stepped onto its massive head.


    The Lion King was enraged by such a blatant display of disrespect and let out an earth-shaking roar, but Kain paid it no mind. Instead, he leaped into the air, and a horrifying aura descended upon the arena.


    A blackish-red light engulfed Kain''s swords as his voice boomed with divine authority.


    [Millennium Killing Sword!]


    A bone-chilling storm erupted from the blades, a swirling vortex of countless roaring skulls, their hollow eyes filled with the agony of a thousand wars


    But Kain wasn''t done. He brought the two swords together, and with a powerful twist of his body, the storm around his swords, wrapped around his body transforming him into a mind-numbing tornado that embodied war and death itself.


    The killing tornado, a vortex of pure destruction, descended from the sky like the wrath of the gods, crashing down upon a pair of helpless lionesses.


    Kain''s swords, bathed in the bloodlust of the Millennium Killing Sword, slashed through the creatures. But this time, it wasn''t an instant kill.


    The Lion King''s defensive aura still protected them, but faced with this hinderance, Kain''s resolve to kill them only grew stronger.


    His eyes turned a deep, ominous red, crimson lightning crackling from his pupils until the whites of his eyes were completely consumed, making them appear as if they had been soaked in an ocean of blood.


    [Bloodlust!]


    The divine technique surged within him, deeper and more ferocious than ever before. His muscles bulged, adrenaline pumping through his veins like molten fire


    Kain roared, his voice containing a godly war cry that shook the very foundations of the arena as his swords tore through the lionesses like a raging river, sending their heads soaring into the sky.


    A fountain of blood erupted from their necks, drenching Kain''s body in a crimson rain.


    His now blood-soaked eyes scanned the remaining lions, locking onto his next victim with a savage grin. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his movements an eerie blur of blood red divinity.


    The Lion King, realizing the danger, let out a devastating roar and charged to block Kain''s path. But all it received in response was a cold, disdainful snort from the warrior.


    The Lion King''s defense was formidable, Kain admitted that much. But if you looked at it from another perspective then the only thing of note to Kain was also the beasts formidable defence.


    If he ignored that then their really was nothing left for Kain to fear,


    If the beasts dared to confront him head on then Kain would face it on fearlessly. When it came down to a contest of strength Kain never once thought he could lose!


    With a roar that echoed the fury of a thousand battles, Kain swung his swords with unmatched ferocity, the air itself trembling under the force of his strikes.


    The Lion King''s massive frame shuddered as Kain''s blades clashed against its hide, sparks flying like molten steel, but this time, the Lion King felt the sting. Kain''s relentless assault was like a storm, each strike more powerful than the last, as he pushed the beast back, step by step.


    "Get out of my way!" Kain roared a thunderous command that shook the arena.


    His skin glowed an ominous red as his muscles expanded, his veins bulging with what felt like infinite raw power.

 Chapter 41 41. Dissapointment

    Kain''s eyes narrowed and with a single, earth-shattering swing of his arm, he unleashed a devastating attack. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality."Boom!"


    The Lion King''s eyes widened in disbelief as it stumbled back, its massive frame unable to withstand the sheer might of Kain''s blow.


    The beast, once so proud and untouchable, was thrown aside like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.


    By the time the Lion King had managed to recover, shaking off the daze, Kain had already moved on.


    He appeared in front of a new group of lionesses, his blood-soaked figure casting a terrifying shadow over them. His eyes, glowing with a fierce crimson light, locked onto the frightened beasts as he prepared a devastating strike


    "Kill!!"


    The cold war cry erupted from Kain''s lips, echoing through the arena like the toll of a death knell.


    Phantoms of his countless sword strikes descended upon the two lionesses with relentless fury, each slash a promise of death.


    Blood-red sword lights flashed in the air, painting a gruesome picture that left every one breathless. The moment his strikes landed, a torrent of blood erupted, blooming like forest dark bloody roses.


    As the blood splattered across his face, Kain''s expression twisted into a cold and victorious smile, He turned his head slowly, locking his gaze on the Lion King, who watched in horror from across the arena. Kain''s voice dripped with cold certainty.


    "I knew it. If I take down the lionesses, your defenses will weaken with each one."


    With his conjecture confirmed, Kain''s cautious approach evaporated.


    Confidence surged through him, manifesting as a murderous intent so palpable it seemed to darken the air around him.


    He stepped forward, and the pools of blood on the ground seemed to follow, as if the lifeblood of the fallen beasts was drawn to him, their new master.


    Anyone who witnessed this sight could not help but tremble. The once-ferocious beasts in the arena were no exception.


    With four lionesses now dead, the mood among the remaining creatures shifted drastically.


    Despite the Lion King''s imposing presence, these once-fearless monsters began to falter.


    A faint dread crept into their hearts as they stared at the much smaller human who now radiated suffocating pressure.


    It was a complete and utter dominance that made them feel like helpless victims.


    For the first time, these giant beasts were afraid.


    They had been wrong from the very start. They were never in control, never the true predators of this battlefield.


    From the beginning to the end, they had always been prey.


    This realization sent a wave of fear through their massive bodies, almost bringing them to their knees.


    Kain tilted his head to the side, watching the scene unfold with mild curiosity.


    "So, even monsters can fear war," he mused, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.


    But despite his intrigue, there was not a trace of pity in his heart. War was a place where many emotions could thrive¡ªanger, hatred, greed¡ªbut pity?


    For the life he lived, that was an emotion that only led to death.


    For someone like Kain, pity was a concept that had likely been killed off at birth.


    With a heart as cold as the steel in his hands, Kain raised his sword, and gathered a storm of killing intent, blood, and despair.


    Kain swung out with brutal efficiency.


    The relentless hurricane of violence tore through the battlefield, obliterating another lioness in a single, devastating blow. Their weakened defenses left them as helpless as newborn cubs before Kain''s relentless onslaught.


    He raised his sword again, and like the merciless executioner he was, he swung it down and systematically chose another lioness to slay.


    One by one, they fell helplessly, dropping like flies under his blade.


    The Lion King, once so proud and invincible, roared in wild desperation, running aimlessly around the arena. But with each lioness that fell, the confidence and arrogance drained from his demeanour, replaced by a growing sense of dread.


    When the last of his kind was cut down by Kain''s crimson-stained sword, the Lion King found himself alone, trembling under the boundless weight of Kain''s murderous gaze.


    The once-mighty beast, now a shadow of his former self, quaked with fear. With each step Kain took toward him, the King retreated, each movement betraying his growing terror.


    Kain continued his slow, inevitable advance, his eyes locked onto the Lion King with a predatory gleam. The King, once the ruler of this arena, was now nothing more than a cornered animal,


    Seeing the Lion King cower before him, Kain didn''t feel any pride or elation but instead what he felt was a deep wave of disappointment.


    "King? No, you''re just a coward," Kain spat, his voice laced with disdain.


    The intensity of the battle, the thrill of bloodshed, the brush with death¡ªit was all slipping away from him, further and further with each pathetic whimper from the once-mighty beast.


    Kain had actually thought, even if it was only for the briefest moment, that he had actually found it again in this arena¡ªa true battle that could push him to his limits.


    It was only now that he realized just how wrong he had been.


    True battle? These pathetic beasts didn''t even warrant the use of his Feat of Renown.


    The more Kain thought about it, the more his anger grew, boiling within him like a raging storm.


    He looked at the Lion King¡ªthis cowering, scared creature that had disappointed him so greatly¡ªand felt the murderous intent in his heart surge forth, unrestrained.


    The Lion King''s soul trembled, and in the blink of an eye, it found itself in a completely different realm.


    The sky above was painted a deep crimson, as if the very air had been soaked in blood. The ground was littered with corpses, bones, and broken bodies, a hellscape that reeked of death and decay.


    Facing the Lion King was a lone figure.


    It had a set of crimson eyes that burned with a terrifying intensity, a terrifying physique forged by countless battles, and a more horrifyingly sword that embodied the very essence of killing.

 Chapter 42 42. Lion King Slayer (C)

    The Lion King looked upon this sight and felt a deep, soul-crushing regret.It regretted the day it had dared to face such a monster. Deep down, in the primal instincts that guided its every move, the Lion King knew it had met a superior lifeform. It may have been the king of its species, but now it stood before an even greater king.


    The king of the battlefield.


    The king of war.


    That was the last thought the beast had before a dazzling blade shot out, severing its head and sending it on a journey to meet King Hades.


    As the Lion King''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground, the arena fell silent. The atmosphere was completely stagnant, the remaining trainees watched in fearnas they looked on at the being of what they could only describe as carnage incarnate.


    This was the level of someone that had already gained a second [Feat of Renown] during their awakening!


    There have been some doubters about the rumors of Kain, but now all of them had been completely convinced.


    They refused to believe that such a monster was on the same level as them!


    Soon after, Kain had defeated all his opponents.


    An excellent display, perfect score¡ªnaturally, there will be regards.


    As she said this, the arena began to shake as golden light bounced off the walls before falling on Kain like angels'' warm embrace.


    As this was happening, the Ember of Creation swirled, and a panel of fire appeared in front of Kain''s eyes.


    -------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    Lion King Slayer (C)


    Rank: C


    Effects: Enhanced Physical Abilities, Strength Boost


    Description: This divine blessing significantly amplifies the user''s physical abilities, enhancing speed, endurance, and overall combat prowess.


    --------


    Kain quickly felt a warm feeling coursing through his body as it was washed over by a euphoric sensation.


    Kain quickly raised an eyebrow; not only could he feel his physical abilities increasing, but he also felt something else.


    ''Divinity?'' thought Kain to himself in surprise.


    It wasn''t like the divinity of Ares he was used to but instead more mellow and pure. This was divinity in its purest form. It could directly increase his cultivation level without any side effects.


    Even the usually stoic Kain was rather excited. If he could just get a few more doses of this treatment, the 2nd rank of Heroic Cultivation would be right around the corner!


    Smiling to himself, Kain activated his Ember of Creation and looked at his panel.


    ------------


    Name: Kain Sanguinos


    Bloodline: Ares/Mars


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E ¡ú E+


    Agility: F+ ¡ú E


    Endurance: F+ ¡ú E


    Charisma: F


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (25 ¡ú 50/100)


    --------


    A substantial increase.


    Kain clenched his fists, adjusting to his newfound power, and suddenly looked back at the arena, secretly hoping that another group of monsters could find their way out. S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Seeing this sight, Instructor Kyros looked at Kain and then back toward the rest of the trainees and spoke reassuringly.


    "Don''t be surprised; that''s just a blessing from the gods.


    Don''t be afraid to perform your best; the gods will always reward their greatest champions."


    The trainees looked towards Kain, but this time their eyes no longer contained any fear but instead endless jealousy.


    In another breath, they also realized just how cruel the world of gods really was.


    The strong would get rewarded, and the weak ignored.


    In such a world, the strong would only get stronger while the weak would fade into irrelevance.


    Although it was rather cruel, it also made a lot of sense.


    The gods had countless descendants throughout the myriad of worlds. If each descendant was given equal resources, even the gods would find it hard to provide for all of them.


    As a result, they could only go the elite training route. The ones who shine will flourish.


    Instructor Kyros looked at the group of trainees that were about to explode with fighting intention and smiled; his purpose had been perfectly met.


    He chuckled to himself and spoke up.


    "Well then, next up is¡­"


    ....


    Time passed and soon, countless students had been called up to the arena.


    At first, they were all excited and eager. All of them had been expecting things to go rather well.


    They hadn''t expected to steamroll the lions like Kain, but they at least expected to do decently well. But they soon realized how helpless they had been.


    The average level people could reach was only around 3. Some excellent students had managed to reach 5, but there were just a few exceptions.


    This news struck the students like a lightning bolt.


    Every so often, the trainees couldn''t help but look at Kain, who was only watching the scene, obviously bored.


    This monster made the levels people couldn''t pass seem like an idle walk in the park.


    Instructor Kyros didn''t seem to be fazed at all by the performance of the trainees. He had been here a long time and knew that people like Kain were extreme anomalies.


    After all, if it was a common thing to reach level 10, why would the gods reward it?


    The gods only reward and pay attention to those who have the potential to walk down the roads of heroes and legends.


    As he was having these thoughts, he saw yet another trainee struggling under the barrage of numerous lions. Yet just before an attack could land, Instructor Kyros snapped his hands.


    Instantly countless, terrifying thunder spears manifested themselves from the heavens, striking down the beasts until only ash remained.


    Instructor Kyros looked down on the trainee he had just saved, not even acknowledging his feat of slaying the beasts the trainee was struggling with.


    "Trainee, you have failed the level 4 challenge. Please return to the stands. Train hard. There will be more opportunities to prove yourself in the future."


    The trainee could only groan before he sighed with regret and walked away.


    Instructor Kyros looked down at his sheet and called out yet again.


    "Orphalon Melthyr, please come up to the arena."


    As soon as the instructor called out the name, there was a small commotion. When Aiden looked over, he instantly recognized why.

 Chapter 43 43. Orphalon Melthyr

    Although it was shaped like a man, the being that walked out could only be described as a giant.He stood towering completely over the crowd of students. The muscles on his body popped and quivered under his clothes as if they threatened to burst out of his shirt at any moment. Each step carried with it an oppressive air that made many trainees feel suffocated.


    Its eyes, or more correctly, eye, shined with an intelligent light as it quickly scanned the arena as if assessing something.


    And yes, Aiden meant singular eye, and that was because the being in front of him was no regular human; it was a cyclops!


    Aiden knew that in the world of gods there were many mystical beings and not all the descendants of the gods would necessarily be ''human,'' but it was still the first time he had met such a monstrous being up close.


    The Cyclops Orphalon was unfazed by the incessant murmuring and jumped down onto the arena, causing the floor to tremble under his weight as he did so.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Orphalon and asked,


    "What level would you like the trial to be on?"


    Orphalon looked back at Instructor Kyros and spoke calmly.


    "Level 9."


    As Instructor Kyros heard this, a slight smile appeared on his face.


    "Very well then."


    The gates started to tremble as nine low growls escaped from the shadows.


    Soon the golden-furred lionesses were out of their confinements and on the prowl once again.


    They slowly circled Orphalon, but he didn''t buckle at all. His body remained stoic and unfazed like a stone statue, unaffected by the elements.


    "Roar!"


    The lionesses no longer tried to stalk and instead charged out at full speed, surrounding him from all directions.


    Orphalon just scoffed as he finally made his move.


    [Drowning Waves]


    Orphalon stamped hard on the ground, causing it to crack as geysers of deep blue waves poured out from it and rushed towards the lionesses.


    The effect could be seen immediately as the lionesses'' movements were greatly hindered by the sudden appearance of raging waves. Every single one was struggling to maintain steady footing, much less continue with their attack.


    As the floor around Orphalon quickly flooded, the only person that remained unfazed was Orphalon himself. He stood completely still at the center like an ancient titan, as the elements brushed against him¡ªbut this didn''t last for long.


    Orphalon stepped forward, his feet cruising along the floor and walking through the surrounding waves completely uninhabited. He quickly appeared before a lioness and raised his giant warhammer into the air before bringing it down with inhuman ferocity.


    "Bang!"


    There was a heart-wrenching sound as the hammer crashed down on the lioness''s head, popping it like a balloon.


    As the trainees watched this, they couldn''t help but gasp!


    Fuck! That cyclops was too fierce!


    In certain ways, the sight was even more harrowing than watching Kain at work. At least with Kain, you could see the traces of years of technique and experience, but when it came to Orphalon, all that was non-existent.


    What was on display was pure biological brutality that they could never hope to match.


    Seeing one of their own die such a brutal death, the lionesses were only further enraged!


    A few managed to break through the suppressing waves and launch themselves at Orphalon, but his single eye was already shining with an ominous light as he had already predicted all this.


    Instantly, his muscles tensed as the veins on his giant arms popped. A low growl escaped from his lips as a deep blue divinity poured out from his body and wrapped around his warhammer.


    Orphalon sensed the time was right and lowered his hammer, allowing it to wrap around the waves, and swung out with the power of a deep-sea behemoth.


    "Boom!"


    A cataclysmic shockwave echoed as three more lionesses were swatted away like a baseball.


    Each vomited up a litre of blood as they roared their death throes.


    Orphalon lowered his hammer and exhaled deeply. Even if he didn''t show it obviously, sweat was beginning to build up on his brow as a sense of exhaustion piled up.


    Although his physical abilities were far from reaching their limits, the cost of the divine technique he used to create a miniature ocean was far from light. Orphalon thought he had calculated everything perfectly, but it seemed that he had still overestimated his limits.


    Knowing things would get ugly if he continued at this rate, he quickly deactivated [Drowning Waves], causing the water to quickly recede almost as if it had never been there in the first place.


    The remaining lionesses took this as their chance and rushed over to attack Orphalon, but they had made a vital mistake.


    His divinity reserves were low but not completely finished! S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As the lionesses leapt towards him, Orphalon''s eye glowed with an ominous black light.


    In that instant, the air seemed to freeze, and a booming voice seemed to resound in the ears of all the attacking beasts simultaneously.


    [Gaze of the Abyss]


    All of a sudden, in the minds of all the lionesses, Orphalon''s figure seemed to vanish and was instead replaced with an all-consuming whirlpool.


    It carried with it a deeply ancient and harrowing aura. Each second gazing into it seemed to bring that aura closer and closer until the beasts had completely lost their minds.


    In their moment of madness, everything became an enemy, and the attacks that were initially directed at Orphalon were now all headed towards each other!


    Orphalon didn''t just stand there and watch, however. Now that they were enemies, he wouldn''t hesitate to kick them while they were down!


    Rushing up, he raised his trusty warhammer once again and brutally smashed it down once again like he was playing a deadly game of whack-a-mole.


    Three more lionesses had their heads exploded in their state of confusion under the assault of Orphalon''s deadly hammer.


    It was unknown if the death of their companions that shocked them to their senses or if the effect of Orphalon''s divine technique simply wore off but soon the remaining two lionesses came to their senses

 Chapter 44 44. Strange Cyclops

    With a furious roar, one of the lionesses moved in a blur and bit down furiously on the hand wielding the mighty warhammer.Orphalon let out a painful groan as his warhammer was knocked far to the side.


    His eye glowed red with fury as he used his free hand to form a fist and struck the lioness on the head repeatedly.


    The lioness could only let out a tragic whimper as it rolled off to the side, twitching repeatedly, its life or death unknown.


    Orphalon breathed rapidly, the wild and brutal aura brought out by his cyclops DNA now completely unleashed.


    He stood face to face with the remaining lioness, looked at the injury on his right arm, and frowned.


    The warhammer was too far away to reach without falling victim to the lion''s attack.


    ''Well, since I can''t retreat, we can only go forward.''


    Orphalon took in a deep breath, let out a furious war cry, and charged towards the beast.


    The two giant monsters collided, their wild nature on full display.


    The lioness roared as she bit down on Orphalon''s exposed body, scratching and gnawing at his skin.


    Orphalon didn''t just sit there and take the beating.


    His massive arms wrapped around the lioness''s neck, wrestling and slamming it to the ground.


    The two monsters rolled around for a while, each one writhing and struggling in a bloody mess for control.


    The struggle continued, but eventually, the arena fell silent as everyone heard a deafening and sickeningly loud crack.


    Orphalon, victorious, threw the now limp and lifeless lioness to the side. Ignoring the blood on his body, he looked towards Instructor Kyros calmly, as if the furious and ferocious giant on the battlefield wasn''t him just moments ago.


    "Instructor, I have finished the assessment."


    Instructor Kyros frowned slightly.


    "You don''t want to attempt the tenth level? If you need, you can be given time to recover your stamina and divinity reserves. The benefits of passing the tenth level can''t be understated. Early-stage advantages can have a great effect on your path to true godhood."


    Orphalon smiled and shook his head.


    "I''ve already calculated my chances of winning, and even if I sustain a life-threatening injury, my chances are still not up to standard. Fighting is only a means to an end, a method of self-preservation, but not the end goal. If there isn''t an optimal chance, then there''s no point in fighting. Harming yourself without any benefit is simply operating at a loss."


    The instructor looked at Orphalon, slightly stunned. It wasn''t that he disagreed with Orphalon''s words or that he hadn''t heard a student say something similar before, but he had never heard it from a cyclops.


    He had taught a few cyclopes in his time as an instructor, and to put it simply, they were all rather simple.


    Brutal and fierce battles were their preferred activity; such sophisticated words were completely beyond their capabilities.


    Such words were often said by educated children from divine families. Hearing them from a cyclops made him take a second glance at Orphalon.


    From the looks of things, this cyclops wasn''t a simple character.


    And it wasn''t just the instructor, many trainees couldn''t help but look at this massive being once again.


    ...


    After many trainees took their turns to test their skills, none were as astounding as Orphalon. The person who came closest to his record was, surprisingly, Oliver, who reached level 8. What surprised Aiden the most wasn''t Oliver''s archery technique¡ªhe was already familiar with Oliver''s excellent archery/


    No, what truly reorganized Aiden''s view was Oliver''s close combat technique.


    When the lionesses broke through the barrage of arrows, Oliver actually dropped his bow and used his fists to blow the heads off two lionesses.


    It once again made Aiden realize that, although his initial combat style had some advantages, there were still some flaws that needed to be addressed.


    For example,one obvious flaw was that he lacked a truly powerful close combat technique.


    Aiden knew about these things but he didn''t regret it.


    He was confident in his decision. All he had to do was remain calm and prove that his choice was the right one.


    Fortunately, Aiden didn''t have to wait too long because after a few more students, he heard what he had been excitedly waiting for.


    "Trainee Aiden Evans, please head to the arena."


    Hearing his name called, Aiden calmly stood up, feeling Oliver pat him on the shoulder.


    "Good luck out there."


    "Thanks," said Aiden with a smile.


    But before he stepped out, Oliver paused and then asked curiously,


    "What level are you going for?"


    Aiden didn''t answer straightforwardly and instead asked with a mysterious grin,


    "What level do you think I''m going for?"


    Oliver paused for a few seconds, then thought back to the crazy deeds his friend had accomplished these past few days and looked back at Aiden with the utmost certainty. sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Level 10. Only level 10 makes sense for someone as ridiculous as you."


    "Hehehe¡­"


    Aiden didn''t respond, only chuckled.


    Seeing Aiden act like this, Oliver just shook his head, thinking, ''This monster''s about to do something crazy again.''


    Unaware of Oliver''s thoughts, Aiden stepped forward and deftly landed on the arena floor.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden and asked,


    "What level would you like the trial to be on?"


    Aiden felt the arrows in the quiver on his back and looked back with a confident smile.


    "Level 10."


    Instructor Kyros heard this, and his face bloomed into a wide smile. Eventually, he couldn''t contain his excitement and burst out into a loud chuckle.


    "Good! Good! The young should be bold and dare to take risks! Since you dare to be bold, don''t hold back in the slightest. Show everyone that you are ready to walk the path of the gods!"


    Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden with excitement. He was one of the three trainees who had shown a special phenomenon during his awakening ceremony.


    But unlike the others who came from a background and experience, he was the only one who was truly a mortal and had no connection to the gods before this.

 Chapter 45 45. A Genius (1)

    Instructor Kyros wanted to see it. He wanted to see if a mortal really had the potential to stand at the peak of the realm of the gods.Aiden gazed at the excited instructor and a confident smile grew on his lips.


    Call it pride or call it hubris.


    Aiden couldn''t quite put a name to what it was exactly, but ever since his divine bloodline awakened, he revlled in the thrill of shattering limits and defying expectations.


    Perhaps it was the suppressed nature within him, or perhaps it was the blood of gods coursing through his veins creating an insatiable hunger to rise above all others and be worshiped and envied by the masses .


    Aiden wasn''t entirely sure. But there was one thing he knew with absolute certainty: he relished the intoxicating feeling of being a genius.


    Aiden chuckled to himself as he thought about his new found quirck, when suddenly the ground all around him trembled violently, and a terrifying roar echoed through the air.


    Slowly, the shadows in the tunnel began to shift, giving way to the towering presence of the Lion King.


    Despite having encountered a Lion King before, its colossal majesty still struck fear into the hearts of many trainees, leaving them trembling in its overwhelming presence.


    Aiden fixed his gaze on the monstrous behemoth. His body was shaking too, but not from fear¡ªhe was trembling with excitement!


    Adrenaline surged through his veins, his blood boiling with anticipation.


    The Lion King unleashed another earth-shattering roar. In response, the lionesses roared in unison, their combined voices sending out a shockwave so powerful it made bones tremble and hearts falter.


    But in the face of such terrifying waves, Aiden simply smiled, standing motionless.


    Seeing that Aiden wasn''t intimidated The lionesses snarled as they advanced with lethal intent whilst the Lion King observed silently from behind.


    Slowly, they circled Aiden, closing the gap from all sides, ensuring there was no possible path of escape.


    When they were close enough, the lionesses unleashed a feral roar, their ferocity fully unleashed, eyes blazing with murderous intent.


    Five of them lunged simultaneously, their massive jaws aimed at Aiden''s throat and limbs.


    Yet Aiden remained still and unmoved.


    The trainees watching saw this and gasped, their eyes widening in horror.


    "It''s over!"


    "He''s dead!"


    But just as the lionesses closed in and bit on Aiden;s body the result was unexpected.


    Aiden''s body flickered like a glitching screen and then suddenly burst into a cloud of light!


    "No, it''s an afterimage!" someone cried out in disbelief.


    High in the sky, a streak of light instantly condensed into Aiden''s smiling figure. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He looked down upon the lions below, his bow fully drawn as a surge of golden, divine energy poured out of his blood. His bow trembled under the terrifying power as it all coalesced into a dazzling yet menacing flame that danced around the tip of his arrow


    [Apollo''s Archery- True Dawn]


    A blast of golden light shone as a second sun appeared in the sky


    Aiden unleashed a volley of golden arrows, sending them hurtling towards the earth like a cascade of falling stars.


    "Roar!"


    Sensing the imminent danger, the Lion King roared, slamming its massive paws into the ground. A golden wave of energy erupted from its body, expanding outward and synchronizing with the lionesses in perfect harmony.


    "BOOM!"


    Aiden''s arrows collided with the golden wave. The resulting impact was like a rain of missiles crashing down from orbit


    His sunlight-infused flames clashed violently with the metallic sheen of the each lions defenses, creating a magnificent explosion that shook the ground beneath them to the core, kicking up a dust cloud that engulfed and blinded the entire arena


    But Aiden wasn''t finished. His eyes glowed with a brilliant golden hue as he nocked another arrow, releasing it with a sharp whistle as it streaked through the air!


    Meanwhile, in the cloud of smoke, an unsuspecting lioness had barely recovered from Aiden''s last attack when an arrow cut through the smoke, appearing right in front of its face!


    "Boom!"


    The lioness had managed to close its eyes at the last minute, and relying on its horrifying defense, stacked together with the aura of the Lion King and was able to survive the lethal attack.


    If it were any other creature, it would have died on the spot!


    But before the beast could breathe a sigh of relief, its body trembled as its instincts screamed at it to move. It didn''t need to look to know what was happening.


    More arrows were being shot over to finish the job.


    It desperately tried to dodge, but the arrows fired were locked onto it like heat-seeking missiles, having already predicted its movements. Each arrow was like an inescapable curse and was fired with expert precision, viciously drilling into the same wound and breaking away at the defense.


    Even drops of water can wear away stone, so how could a mere beast''s defense stand up to the continued arrows of the descendant of the sun god?


    A final arrow landed on its eyelid but the lioness was no longer so lucky. The arrow drilled through and burst the Lioness head


    The beast howled in despair, but it was all for nought.


    A final arrow landed on its eyelid but the lioness was no longer so lucky. The arrow drilled through and burst the Lioness head


    The last thing it saw was a set of merciless golden eyes looking down on it like a tyrannical king would look down on a single crawling ant as Aiden watched the last arrow that he fired sealed the beast''s death.


    It had only been a few moments, but when the smoke cleared, they saw that the lioness was already kneeling over dead before anyone had realized what had happened.


    The trainees saw this and instantly felt their backs grow cold.


    A few from divine families even remembered the sharp warnings from their elders.


    "You can fight the average students but No matter what you don''t offend the talented descendants from the twin houses. If they really want to kill you, you won''t even know how you died."

 Chapter 46 46. A Genius (2)

    They weren''t the strongest, nor the fastest, or even the most magical, but they were the only ones among the Divine Descendants adept in ranged combat.Naturally, their attacks would be extremely hard to guard against.


    As a result, most would tend to avoid forming deadly feuds with them, or if they did, they had to kill them on the spot.


    But this was only natural. Be it in the world of mortals or the world of the gods, the last person you would want after your life would be an expert sniper!


    Seeing the sight of his dead companion, the Lion King was not only furious but also secretly shocked.


    He knew better than anyone how shocking the defense of the lioness stacked with his aura could be, but now she had simply died just like that?


    No! This couldn''t continue. If he left things as they were, that cruel human would pick them off on the spot.


    The Lion King roared and furiously charged towards Aiden.


    But Aiden had already anticipated that the Lion King would make such a move.


    He instantly reached into his quiver and nocked two arrows at the same time.


    With such a daunting enemy in sight, Aiden didn''t hold back in the slightest. His heart pounded furiously as divinity surged, causing golden flames to burst out of his skin!


    Instantly, the very air around Aiden seemed to ignite as terrifying heat surged, making the stone ground beneath his feet start to turn into magma.


    The stream of flames rushed forward, concentrating in his arrows in a blinding flash of light. Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In this world of blinding golden light, only one commanding voice rang out that seemed to shake their very souls:


    [Apollo''s Archery- True Dawn]


    Screech!!


    The two arrows whistled through the air, charging straight towards the Lion King like two emerging fire dragons!


    "BOOM!"


    A devastating explosion went off, leaving a buzzing ring in many people''s ears.


    It was as if a little nuclear blast had gone off.


    Although the blow was devastating, it had still drained a lot of divinity from Aiden, and what was even worse was that Aiden knew it was not enough to put the Lion King out for the count.


    Fortunately, though, it at least bought him enough time to finish off the remaining lioness, and after that, the Lion King''s head would be his!


    Aiden''s glowing golden eyes looked over towards the lioness, and the second he did so, every lioness on the arena floor felt their hearts shake!


    Before they even knew what was happening, Aiden had already drawn his bow as his killing intent locked onto their weak points.


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Within seconds, countless glowing arrows were shot out, hurtling towards the lionesses like gunfire!


    But as Aiden fired more arrows, his expression turned quite ugly.


    These damned lionesses just weren''t dying!


    See, although Aiden and Kain had both managed to kill a lioness that had been stacked, Kain was like a ruthless bulldozer and used his overwhelming might to completely shatter the lioness''s defenses.


    Aiden was different. He was like an exquisite surgeon. Each arrow was fired with superb accuracy, landing on the same weak spot time after time before eventually breaking through their defenses.


    Obviously, one way was much harder to do than the other, but Aiden didn''t do this because he wanted to show off; he did it because he had no choice.


    He may be a genius, but that only meant that he had outstanding potential, and potential needed time.


    His physique was still quite shabby when compared to other Divine Descendants that had always lived a life expected of the bloodline of gods in their body.


    The most exercise Aiden used to do before was curse at his useless teammates in online matches, so how good could his physique become in such a short span of time?


    The lionesses had also realized that Aiden''s arrows would be rendered ineffective if they failed to hit the same spot, so they just gathered in a group, using their own giant bodies to body block for each other.


    It was a disgusting and shameless strategy, but it was one that unfortunately worked!


    If it was any other creature, even if Aiden''s arrows couldn''t kill them, they would leave terrifying wounds that could bleed them out and exhaust them to death.


    These gargantuan monsters were no ordinary creatures.


    Their defenses and vitality were outstanding; they could be shot so full of arrows that they looked like porcupines and would still have enough energy to run rampant on the battlefield.


    The secret to Aiden''s technique had been found out, and Aiden was annoyed by the shameless moves of these lionesses.


    A cruel purple light subtly flashed in his eyes.


    His divinity had been slightly drained, but it was far from over. If these beasts thought he would just roll over, they were in for a big shock!


    Aiden''s eyes burned, the muscles all over his body contracted and pulled to full strength as terrifying geysers of flames erupted all around them.


    "Eat shit!"


    With a hate-filled cry reminiscent of his old gamer days, Aiden shot countless arrows that arced into the sky before falling back down in an apocalyptic rain of fire.


    It was as if he had called in divine artillery.


    The scene quickly engulfed in flames as if the world had been turned into a primordial hellscape!


    Earth cracked and fire raged, but within the flames, a proud figure was still standing, uninhibited by the sea of fire that was running rampant all around it.


    The lionesses, on the other hand, were instantly thrown into chaos.


    These arrows were not like the ones Aiden had fired before; all accuracy had been traded away for pure damage. They couldn''t simply shrug these off and were sent roaring and stumbling in pain.


    The lioness looked back towards Aiden, wanting to get a look at that brutal and hateful archer had left them in this sorry state


    But that''s when their hearts collectively sank.


    That hateful archer was¡­ gone...

 Chapter 47 47. A Genius (3)

    Just as they realised this as they realised this a mystical streak of light had appeared in the centre of their group , quickly materialising into a handsome young man[Sunlight Shuttle]


    Using the utter chaos he had created as a sort of smokescreen, Aiden had used the Sunlight Shuttle technique to sneak into the newly created gap between the lionesses that had descended into utter chaos.


    Aiden''s hand gripped tightly around the hilt, divinity in Aiden''s body began to bubble as Aiden''s muscles tensed and pulled like an enormous bow.


    ''Now!'' thought Aiden with a vicious glint in his eyes.


    Arrow Sword!


    Buzz! Buzz!


    Aiden''s sword let off a metallic screech as it roared out of its sheath!


    The lioness trembled as her entire body froze in place.


    What she saw in Aiden''s hand was not a sword but instead a giant flaming arrow heading straight for her!


    With his expert accuracy, Aiden''s sword flew out, landing on a shallow wound he had already created with his previous arrow barrage.


    "BOOM!"


    "Roar!"


    A tragic wail erupted as hot blood spilled like a flood. The lioness stumbled to the ground with the gaping sword wound on its neck.


    The group of lionesses looked back and were both shocked and angered. How dare this human play them like this!


    The furious beasts charged forward, but Aiden just smiled confidently as his body flickered into a beam of golden light.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Easily phasing past their attacks, Aiden''s body reappeared in the sky several meters away, but this time his sword had been swapped back to his bow.


    Suddenly, a dazzling golden light burst out from Aiden''s hands as he shot down another barrage of arrows like crashing meteors.


    The lionesses could do nothing but rage as these brutal arrows pierced deep into their skin.


    This was the true lethality of Aiden''s moves. With his superb movement technique, he could easily sneak into the gaps and deal a lethal blow at a simple moment of distraction. But when they tried to close the gap, he would simply move away and switch to his bow to fight back at range. He simply couldn''t be touched!


    The lionesses were enraged and charged forward, leaving the one seriously injured lioness on her own again.


    Aiden didn''t say anything and just transformed into a beam of light.


    The lioness saw Aiden appear in front of her and just looked at him with a pair of tired eyes.


    Of course, Aiden wouldn''t show any pity to the beasts that had tried to devour him mere seconds ago. He gripped the handle of his sword, and his attack didn''t disappoint.


    With a horrifying screech, his sword roared out of its sheath like a burning fire arrow, and after landing on the previous terrifying wound, it cut cleanly through the beast''s neck, sending its head soaring high into the sky.


    The lionesses let off a tragic wail to mourn their fallen companion and charged towards Aiden even more recklessly than before, but Aiden just shook his head.


    Their anger wouldn''t change the outcome.


    The only winner in this arena would be Aiden!


    His figure was quickly wrapped in a dazzling light as he leaped high into the air.


    But as Aiden pulled back his bow, his body froze for a second as every alarm he had in his body went on high alert.


    Aiden desperately tried to react but it was already too late!


    ¡­..


    A few seconds ago, deep within the sea of flames that Aiden had created, a giant, golden figure was stalking along the ground, its figure completely covered by the torrential fire.


    The Lion King''s gigantic body didn''t seem to have the same bold and fearless posturing it had before.


    Now it was hunched and crouched like the vicious stalking predator it had always been. It didn''t like to behave like this, but once it did, it meant that it had met an extremely formidable enemy. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Its cold golden eyes had been watching Aiden terrorize its lionesses, and even though it was angered, it controlled its emotions and remained calm. But when it saw Aiden arrogantly jump high into the sky once again, its eyes lit up with actual bestial glee!


    It had recovered a while ago but had hidden itself in Aiden''s sea of fire, waiting for the opportunity to strike. And now that it came, it wouldn''t be polite.


    "Roar!"


    With a horrifying roar, its titanic body emerged from the flames, looking like an ancient mythological creature that dared ti even fight the gods!


    Aiden saw this and felt goosebumps all over his skin. He poured all of his divinity out to defend himself, but it was futile.


    His divinity barrier was easily shattered by the Lion King''s gargantuan paws as Aiden''s body was slapped up into the air, blasting off into the sky like a group of unlucky pet snatchers.


    Aiden felt his mind go blank, and his world spun as he even lost consciousness for a second.


    Aiden quickly regained his senses, but his mind was ringing as the terrifying gust of air ripped against his skin as he continued to soar high into the air.


    The vicious Lion King didn''t smash him to the ground but into the air. This crafty beast was trying to kill him directly with fall damage!


    Aiden''s heart sank; he was still flying up, but this would naturally not last for long, and besides, the higher he flew, the worse his trip back down would be!


    The more Aiden thought about it, the more the anger in his heart burned.


    That damn lion, a mere beast, actually dared to sneak attack him?


    The fire of hatred burned bright in Aiden''s heart, raging and furious like a flame that wanted to devour the entire world.


    The hatred burning in Aiden''s heart was hotter and more fierce than any flame his divinity could ever hope to create, as an ominous purple color started to dye his eyes completely.


    But as Aiden felt this feeling, he quickly realized something was wrong.

 Chapter 48 A Genius (4)

    Anger? Hatred?Sure, he was annoyed at the attacks of the Lion King, but was he really so angry?


    He had never been so enraged in his life, so was it normal to feel so angered over a mere test fight?


    No, this was not normal!


    These were not his feelings. Something wasn''t right here!


    As Aiden realized this, the ominous purple light faded as quickly as it had come. Although this took a long time to describe, it all happened in under a second.


    But the strange occurrence wasn''t without any benefits. After Aiden suppressed the burning anger, he felt his mind grow calmer and more clear than ever before. It was a good thing too, as just after this happened, Aiden began to crash back into the earth!


    The terrifying winds cut past his face like sharp blades as Aiden started to tumble.


    Despite his perilous situation, Aiden''s mind was as calm as a lake.


    His mind even had time to wander and appreciate the situation.


    Ignoring the impending fall, the sense of soaring through the air made Aiden smile. The rushing air, the feeling of pure weightlessness, even the deafening winds¡ªin a sense, it was strangely liberating.


    It was almost as if he was just like one of the many arrows he had fired into the sky.


    Hold on¡­ Arrow?


    As soon as Aiden had this thought, it was like a spark had gone off in his mind.


    Yes, that''s it!


    He had already started to see his archery in everything he did. Last time, he had used his experience in archery to use his body as a bow and his sword as an arrow, but why stop there?


    Why limit yourself? Think broader, think wider, think to¡­


    The realm of the gods!


    Since everything in the world could become a form of archery in the right situation¡­


    Couldn''t he himself also become archery?


    The thought was bold and even more ridiculous than the one he had when he tried to turn his swordplay into archery. But when he thought about it, Aiden couldn''t suppress his wild thoughts.


    His mind started to run wild, and the gates couldn''t be closed anymore.


    His body would become the arrow, and the sky, the earth, and gravity would become his bow.


    An arrow transformed from the body and a bow that became the world!


    It was a grand and courageous concept but Aiden didn''t back down


    He thought back to the time when Oliver taught him archery and applied it perfectly.


    First was stance.


    Thinking about this, Aiden corrected his body posture perfectly, facing head-on like a sharp spear that wanted to pierce straight through anything.


    Next came muscles.


    As he thought this, his heart began to beat like a deafening drum as divinity began to bubble, and a golden divine light poured from his veins like a raging river gushing out and surrounding his body, strengthening his muscles to an almost inhuman degree.


    Last came breathing.


    As Aiden entered this state, he felt everything was extremely different


    . This time, he wasn''t just trying to harmonize himself with the surroundings but with the very essence of the world and the beauties that came with it.


    Of course, it would be impossible for Aiden to truly complete this step, but if he could achieve just a fraction of this skill, the strength he could achieve would be unimaginable.


    And so, that''s exactly what he did.


    Even as Aiden was falling, his mind began to wander as his breathing became stranger and more ethereal.


    The wind, the sun, the clouds, even the minuscule trembles of the ground far beneath him, Aiden tried to feel it all and draw it towards himself, becoming one with it.


    Aiden was so preoccupied with the process that he didn''t even notice that as this was happening, a strange phenomenon was forming.


    Golden clouds of light started to slowly gather in the sky above him, forming a dark and ominous cloud that hung over the arena.


    Hailing winds began to rage as a storm from heaven began to descend and surround Aiden''s body.


    In this strange state of breathing, Aiden felt a sudden enlightenment and went even further.


    Visualization.


    This was the true core of divine technique and separated mere parlor skill and street techniques from the techniques of the gods.


    Aiden thought towards the two divine techniques he started to practice, drawing them to himself.


    He thought back to the man that absorbed light rays and turned into a true manifestation of heavenly light. He also thought back to the arrow that tore through the sky like a rising sun.


    Intrinsically stowing away the insignificant parts, Aiden made a realization¡ªand that was all that was needed.


    BOOM!


    The last chain had been shattered, opening up the gates to a new world, and it couldn''t be stopped. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Fueled by divinity, the air around Aiden instantly combusted, turning into a massive streak of golden-red flames.


    The surroundings all around Aiden seemed to turn into a primordial hellscape!


    Fire from heaven descended from the skies, wrapping around Aiden and only becoming more ferocious and deadly as the winds raged even wilder.


    As this was happening, all light in the vicinity under the giant golden clouds was drawn towards Aiden and his raging flames, leaving the surrounding arena in a night-like darkness.


    It was as if a small world had been created under the golden clouds, and in this small little world, there could only be one source of light, there could only be one sun!


    That sun was Aiden!


    Aiden''s body had been replaced by a gigantic flaming arrow that made one''s scalp tingle and eyes burn just by looking, as if these horrifying flames would leap across space and burn anything in their path!


    The Lion King and his followers all froze as dread descended, nearly driving them mad with fear.


    A terrifying, malicious intent locked onto them from the skies.


    Their bestial instincts were screaming and afraid to the point of near collapse.


    It was as if they had been looked down upon by an immortal and omnipotent god in the skies!

 Chapter 49 49. [ Heavens Arrow ]

    Instructor Kyros saw this sight and jumped up from his seat, slamming the railing in utter surprise.That monster¡­ he had actually done it.


    He had actually created a divine technique!


    Even someone as experienced as Instructor Kyros, who thought he had seen a lot of things, didn''t know how to react. He simply stared at the magnificent figure in utter disbelief.


    His face morphed into a weary smile filled with countless emotions, and even his hands were trembling.


    What was a divine technique?


    It was the crystallization of a divine descendant''s mastery and understanding, their countless years of comprehension and experience visualized and brought to manifest.


    Even the simplest divine technique would take a long time to master, not to mention creating one!


    Such a task could only be measured in years, if not tens or hundreds of them, and yet what was he seeing now?


    A man¡ªno, a child¡ªone that had been a mere mortal, one only exposed to the world of gods for at most a couple of weeks, had done it.


    Something like this was the lifelong aspiration but now it had been done in a mere matter of weeks.


    How were others even supposed to process this!


    Seeing Aiden''s magnificent thought Instructor Kyros suddenly had a shocking thought


    It was a fleeting thought that had only been in his mind but even though he suppressed it the thought still crossed the Instructor''s ,mind


    ''Maybe he wasn''t just standing in the presence of a talented student maybe¡­ maybe he was standing in front of a future god!''


    Instructor Kyros quickly shook the thought to his head and continued to observe aiden.


    But it wasn''t just the instructor having wild thoughts at this moment, others were equally as shocked


    The second Kain felt the horrifying aura radiating from Aiden''s new divine technique, his body began to tremble as a truly horrifying smile appeared on his face.


    Yes, that''s it! Haha, this is it.


    A massive blast of killing intent and battle mania spread out from his body, so potent and overwhelming that some nearby trainees were knocked out on the spot.


    It was as if the surroundings had been transformed into an ocean of blood.


    But Kain didn''t care about the effects; his sight was solely locked onto one dazzling figure.


    Aiden didn''t know about the things going on in the stands in the arena.


    Right now, he was in a mystical state of enlightenment. It felt as if the world itself could move at his whims.


    His eyes opened and looked at the trembling Lion King rapidly approaching. He spoke in a voice that boomed across the arena like thunder.


    [Heaven''s Arrow]


    It was the perfect name to describe the technique.


    An arrow that tore through the skies, an arrow that was fueled by the very essence of the world, an arrow that looked like it was fired by the gods from their mighty seat in heaven on their high mountain.


    This was Heaven''s Arrow!


    BOOM!


    A blinding blast that looked like a miniature nuclear explosion landed straight on top of the Lion King.


    His once-terrifying golden aura of divinity barely even managed to put up a pathetic flash before being completely devoured in the sea of Aiden''s endless fire.


    A shockwave of light blasted out that sent some of the spectators stumbling backward.


    Everyone present couldn''t help but gasp at such a devastating attack, and that was because once the light cleared up, the scene was even more horrifying than they could have imagined.


    In the center of the arena, there was a giant crater that had been burned into the ground. Even after the attack landed, the ground was still a scalding, molten red as orange streams of magma streamed and bubbled around the impact site.


    Smoke was still steaming off the surroundings, revealing only a staunch figure still wrapped in golden-crimson fire.


    This didn''t look like the attack of a trainee but instead the impact site of a raging comet!


    As for the Lion King that had been on the receiving end of such an attack? The poor beast had been completely vaporized!


    Even the nearby lionesses that had been gathering near him to maximize his defensive aura had been thoroughly cooked into a black pile of charcoal.


    The remaining lionesses that had been fortunate enough to survive the impact of Aiden''s Heaven''s Arrow were shaking with dread.


    To them, the figure in the center of the crater was no human but instead a monster that had crawled out of hell.


    Aiden saw the despair in the beasts'' eyes and wouldn''t let them go. His golden eyes burned with relentless flames as he once again drew his arrow.


    [True Dawn]


    A dazzling beam of golden light fired off, tearing through the helpless lionesses in a devastating collateral shot! sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The lionesses were now deader than dead, even their ashes could barely be found.


    Seeing this sight, Aiden finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    He had passed the most difficult level that only one man had reached until now.


    Continue your journey with empire


    But before Aiden could even start to feel a sense of pride, his body started to falter.


    All of a sudden, a sickening sense of weakness poured into his body. It was almost as if he had been starving himself for weeks on end.


    Although his creation of the Heaven''s Arrow technique was a magnificent sight to behold, it was clearly a technique beyond Aiden''s current limits.


    Aiden was fortunate that he was the creator of the technique and that the technique hadn''t even been properly finalized and was still in the development stages.


    If he had tried to perform a perfect divine technique of this level, Aiden would have used so much divine energy that his blood would have been sucked dry.


    But just as Aiden''s body was starting to tip over, he bit the edge of his mouth, causing blood to splatter, shocking himself back to his senses.


    That was enough time for Aiden to place his bow in the ground and use it as a crutch to prevent himself from collapsing.

 Chapter 50 50. Strength Increase

    In front of everyone here, he would not fall.It might mean nothing to the countless trainees watching, but to himself, its value was immeasurable.


    It was proof that the Aiden from the past was truly no more.


    He, Aiden Evans, was a divine descendant that was inferior to no one!


    Mortal past or not, it didn''t matter. His only road from now was up towards the skies and towards the realms of the gods themselves!


    As if in response to Aiden''s thoughts, a majestic golden light surged as it bounced off the arena walls before descending onto Aiden''s body.


    As this was happening, the Ember of Creation inside of Aiden''s inner realm began to swirl, and a panel of fire appeared in front of Aiden''s eyes.


    -------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    Lion King Slayer (C)


    Rank: C


    Effects: Enhanced Physical Abilities, Strength Boost


    Description: This divine blessing significantly amplifies the user''s physical abilities, enhancing speed, endurance, and overall combat prowess.


    --------


    ----


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: F+ ¡ú E


    Agility: F ¡ú F+


    Endurance: F ¡ú F+


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (15 ¡ú40/100)


    ¡ª-----


    Aiden looked at his panel and smiled. His strength had increased by a significant amount, almost doubling in an instant.


    The simple blessing from the gods was worth countless hours of struggle for mortals.


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, a voice was heard sounding out across the arena:


    "Trainee Aiden Evans, congratulations on completing the highest level and receiving the blessing of the gods."


    As Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden, he paused as a complicated expression subtly appeared on his face.


    This calm and composed young man in front of him was a monster who showed a level of understanding and talent that was in a different world compared to others.


    Instructor Kyros knew that Aiden was talented when he first saw him and was notified that he exhibited a special phenomenon during the awakening process, but this was beyond his expectations¡ªit was far beyond his limits.


    He had initially intended to keep Aiden''s abilities a secret while he was in the training camp, to at least give him a small buffer period when he truly entered the academy before those divine-blood families would pounce on him. But now he knew that there was no chance of such a thing.


    It would only be a matter of time before they got the news, and then it would only be a matter of time before he was embroiled in things beyond his level.


    Instructor Kyros looked at the smiling young man and shook his head. "Maybe that might not be the case," he thought.


    He had tried to judge him with his understanding and realized just how wrong he had been. So maybe, if Aiden could defy expectations once, he could do it again.


    Aiden listened to the usual congratulatory words from the instructor and spoke with him for a short while before heading back to his seat.


    As Aiden walked towards his chair, he could feel the eyes of everyone in the arena on him. Aiden knew that the attention he was receiving, unfortunately, wasn''t because of his looks¡ªalthough, not to brag or anything, he did feel like he had become rather handsome over these past few days.


    The reason they were all watching Aiden right now was that his performance was too stimulating. Many of them had heard Instructor Kyros''s ramblings and also learned that Aiden had created his own unique divine technique.


    While they were still struggling to master their own techniques, he had already created his own unique one. So how were they supposed to compete? sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gazes were mostly filled with curiosity and disbelief. The few gazes filled with malice were passed over and ignored by Aiden. These people were just some rather spiteful or jealous individuals.


    Even if they were jealous of his ability and talent, it didn''t mean anything to him. He had left them behind in this moment, and this was the reason for their jealousy.


    The gap between Aiden and them would only grow even wider in the future. These people couldn''t possibly attack during the training camp anyway, and by the time they would want to make a move, it wouldn''t be Aiden who would be in danger.


    Walking towards his seat, Aiden saw Oliver looking at him and shaking his head as he spoke, "I knew you were going to do something ridiculous, but I never expected you would be able to go so far."


    Hearing these words, Aiden just sheepishly smiled and responded, "Would you believe me if I said that I didn''t expect things to go to this level?"


    At first, Oliver didn''t believe it, but as he saw the truthful look in Aiden''s eyes, he couldn''t help but take Aiden''s words seriously for a second.


    "Wait, you''re telling me you just came up with this on the fly?" Enjoy more content from empire


    Hearing this, Aiden instantly shook his head. As the creator of the technique, he knew his situation best. Saying that he came up with it on the fly was a gross understatement.


    "It would be more accurate to say that it was the accumulation of the right circumstances and a little bit of luck. Understanding and experience I had learned over time built up and exploded into what you saw back then."


    Aiden was a genius, not a god. His accomplishments were a buildup of breakthroughs until he reached his current state.


    Since it hadn''t been long since Aiden started, he could even clearly track the process. His first archery lessons with Oliver, his sparring with Raelia, and then his integration of the bow and the sword.


    His insights into his visualization techniques also played a vital role, and once all those things were combined with a little bit of luck, a magnificent technique was born.


    Hearing Aiden''s explanation, Oliver couldn''t help but wonder and asked, "If you don''t mind me asking, how did you even think up such a technique?"

 Chapter 51 51. Jealousy

    Hearing this, Aiden smiled as he responded."Well, I don''t mind telling you. It''s not like it''s some grand secret, after all.


    The truth is, when I was falling through the air, I just thought back to the things you taught me during my first time trying archery. As I was falling, I accidentally fell into a strange feeling.


    I felt like the world could become my bow, so I went with that feeling and transformed myself into an arrow that could fit the world''s bow. I simply followed the basic rules of archery that you taught, and once everything clicked, the rest was history. Explore more stories with empire


    As Oliver heard Aiden''s deceptively simple explanation, his mouth twitched.


    If it was anyone else who said such a thing, he might have jumped up and slapped them across the face for daring to speak such nonsense in front of him.


    But if Aiden said it, he would really come to accept it.


    He couldn''t forget that he was the one who taught him archery just that short time ago, and he had seen firsthand how Aiden broke his average cognition.


    Oliver looked back at Aiden, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions.


    He could barely even associate Aiden''s new figure with that shy young man from just a few weeks ago.


    It was ridiculous, but there was a time when he thought that Aiden would need his protection over here at Olympus Academy. Now, he realized just how ignorant he had been.


    Ever since he stepped into the world of the gods, Oliver watched as Aiden blazed forward, advancing at a rate which could only be described as blinding. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was a talent so bright and dazzling that sometimes Oliver felt like he was standing next to the sun.


    The young man in front of him, his first true friend he had made, was whisking to Olympus at blinding speeds while he¡­


    AS Oliver was thinking he looked down at his hands that were so tightly clenched he had even cut his skin slightly.


    It was only then that Oliver realized something and took a proper look at himself with widened eyes.


    ''Am I¡­ am I jealous of Aiden?''


    For the first moment that the thought crossed Oliver''s mind, he actually felt sick.


    Jealousy, it was such a pathetic and disgusting emotion, and Oliver knew that clearly.


    He had only known Aiden for a few weeks, but he truly considered him a close friend¡ªno, it was more than that; he was his closest friend.


    Naturally, as Aiden''s closest friend, he also knew that in addition to having an insane amount of talent, Aiden also put in a ridiculous amount of hard work.


    He had been there when Aiden was firing arrows again and again, long into the night, trying to master the dual arrow technique.


    He was also there when Aiden was learning Sunlight Shuttle, when he had been injured so badly it could even be considered life-threatening.


    Despite being there and knowing the full story, even Oliver felt slightly jealous.


    No, maybe it was because he knew the full story that it was natural to feel jealous.


    Aiden was too dazzling.


    Next to him, even someone like Oliver, someone who clearly stood out above the rest of the trainees, felt greatly inadequate.


    As Oliver was thinking, he suddenly felt like laughing.


    What was he getting so bothered about?


    Next to a monster like Aiden, it was normal to feel slightly jealous. No, if he didn''t even feel a little envious of Aiden''s talent, then there would be something wrong. The problem was not being envious but instead what he did with this feeling of envy.


    He could let it rot and fester, turning into something dark and twisted that could be his downfall Or instead, he could take it in and own it, using it as fuel to push even further.


    If he worked harder, planned harder, and dared to risk it all, how could he be inferior to anyone else!


    If he couldn''t make up for it with talent, then he would make it up with knowledge and effort.


    He wouldn''t let himself be suffocated by a brief feeling of inferiority!


    Aiden didn''t know what Oliver was thinking, but he subtly noticed a while ago that Oliver seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts. Realisng this, he opted not to disturb him and quietly sat down.


    As Aiden sat down, he didn''t just remain idle and do nothing. Instead, he took the time to gather himself and meditate on his thoughts.


    See, although Aiden had already left the mystical state of enlightenment he achieved when he first created the technique, he was still the one who created the technique in the end. The countless insights, thoughts, and experiences were all still firmly engraved in his mind and could never be removed.


    So although meditation and self-reflection won''t have any magical effects like enlightenment, its effects should not be underestimated.


    He closed his eyes, and suddenly the thoughts and experiences in his mind were flashing past like countless elusive shooting stars. Aiden took the time to focus on the image and exercise of [Heaven''s Arrow], feeling the image and bringing it closer to the forefront of his mind. But just as Aiden had the image in his grasp, he suddenly frowned.


    The reason Aiden stopped his meditation and frowned was because he sensed a presence standing right in front of him.


    Aiden grumbled as he slowly opened his eyes with a displeased expression on his face.


    When he saw the person standing in front of him, his eyes narrowed slightly.


    The man was tall and well-built, with a body that radiated a fierce and bloody aura.


    He had crimson eyes that glowed like those of a wild beast.


    Aiden didn''t need to ask who he was and instantly recognized him; he was the only other trainee who had passed the 10th level and succeeded in slaying the Lion King, so how could he not recognize him?


    It was Kain Sanguinos.

 Chapter 52 52. Fight me!

    Looking at the powerful divine descendant in front of him, Aiden calmly asked:"Hello, can I help you?"


    Although Aiden spoke politely, the displeasure was clearly evident in the tone of his voice.


    After all, nobody would take kindly to someone suddenly appearing out of nowhere and breaking them out of their own meditation.


    When Kain heard Aiden speak, he didn''t seem to recognize Aiden''s displeasure and instead showed a toothy grin.


    "Indeed, you can help me. That technique you showed back in the arena¡ªdo it again. I want to try it out."


    Aiden heard this, and the fake face of politeness he had put on completely shattered. If what Aiden''s face looked like before could only be described as a hint of slight displeasure, then now it turned as gloomy as a dark cloud.


    Who did this guy think he was? Was he some sort of circus animal that would perform?


    Aiden looked at Kain, his face cold.


    "I refuse. You can leave now."


    But instead of listening and going on his way, Kain took a step closer.


    "You might not understand. I''m serious. The technique you showed before was impressive. Show it to me again. Show me the technique again, and let''s fight."


    Now Kain had simply thrown off all pretenses; his true desire and battle intent were completely unleashed for Aiden to face. But instead of provoking him, it only made Aiden frown even deeper as he spoke:


    "No, I think you''re the one who doesn''t understand. I don''t care what your reason is; I refuse¡ª"


    But before Aiden could even finish his sentence, a deep and bloody aura pulsed around Kain''s body as his sword flew out, heading straight for Aiden''s head.


    Aiden''s eyes widened as he cursed crazily in his heart:


    ''Crazy fucking bastard!''


    Aiden''s body reacted instantly, morphing into a stream of light as he flashed away.


    Boom!


    The second Aiden left, the ground beneath his feet was split apart by a powerful sword wrapped in blood-red divine energy.


    Kain looked at Aiden with a wild smile as he called out:


    "Don''t run away! Fight me; there''s no need to hold back at all."


    As Kain spoke, tendrils of a blood-red aura twisted around him like countless oscillating snakes as he slammed his foot into the ground and charged headfirst towards Aiden.


    Aiden saw this and finally snapped. He had been avoiding this madman, but he still charged head-on at him like this. This crazy bastard must really think he was a pacifist or something. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The light in his eyes finally changed as old light flashed around Aiden''s body as he gripped his sword.


    Kain obviously sensed the change in Aiden''s aura and was even more excited, knowing his plan was about to work. But before the poor boy could even enjoy the fruits of his labor, he finally received his judgment.


    "BOOM!"


    A loud explosion of purple thunder shook everyone''s eardrums. Everything happened in a blur, and the people could only see the sorry figure of a red-faced young man flying into the wall.


    As Kain landed on the ground, sorry and embarrassed, a booming couple echoed across the stands.


    "Kain Sanguinos, you stubborn boy! If someone says they refuse to fight, then they refuse. You can''t just force someone to fight you against their will. This is against the rules of my training camp and Olympus Academy."


    Instructor Kyros looked at the talented boy he had just sent flying and was utterly speechless. He had read in Kain''s files that the boy''s upbringing was far from conventional, so he could sometimes act rather drastically and violently. But he had truly never expected him to pull something like this.


    Asking someone for a spar is all fair and well, but after being rejected, you nod your head and pull out your sword to attack the person?!?


    Instructor Kyros had been watching and saw that Kain really swung his sword with a tremendous amount of force, an ordinary trainee wouldn''t have rbrm been able to react and could have lost their head on the spot!


    What was this if not a mental illness?!


    What people didn''t know was that Kain was not stupid; he simply assessed that this was the quickest and easiest way to get Aiden to fight, so he took it without hesitation. To be fair to the boy, his plan would have really worked out if Instructor Kyros hadn''t intervened.


    What could you say? There really was a method to his madness.


    Kain would still stand by his thinking that his method was still the most optimal and efficient. Fortunately, those thoughts were still kept in his heart because if Instructor Kyros heard this, he might not be able to stop himself from giving this top student some extra shock therapy!


    Instructor Kyros looked at Kain and just shook his head. He thought that this trainee still needed to be educated on some societal norms and spoke:


    "Kain, take a moment to reflect on yourself. Just who would want to fight someone as crazy as you for free? If you want someone to help you do something, at least offer them an equal deal in response."


    Kain heard this and groaned as he stood up, shaking off the debris on his body.


    Although Instructor Kyros''s attack looked quite fierce, it was actually well controlled, and for someone with a body as tough as Kain''s, it was just a light scratch.


    But as Kain heard Instructor Kyros''s words, he really got to thinking. Although it wasn''t as efficient as simply grabbing them by the throat and beating them around the head until they did what you told them to, Instructor Kyros''s words did have some merit to them.


    Suddenly, a look of realization appeared on his face. He even lightly smacked his head as if he was chastising himself for making such a silly mistake.


    His foot slammed into the ground, causing him to disappear for a few seconds. Aiden saw this and breathed a sigh of relief. It''s not that he was afraid of Kain¡ªfar from it¡ªbut having to deal with such a crazy person was truly tiring.


    If the gods allowed it, he hoped he would never have to deal with such a crazy man again in his life!

 Chapter 53 53. Arrogance

    Now he suddenly started to understand Raelia''s thinking. When she had first met him and ran away, she must have thought he was an idiot. He hadn''t believed the words Raelia had said before, but now he was starting to think that such a level of lunacy might really be contagious!Unfortunately for Aiden, his relief could only last for a few seconds before a familiar red-eyed man showed himself in front of him once again.


    Once the man opened his mouth, it only made Aiden want to facepalm.


    "Hahaha! This time, I''m going to make an offer you can''t refuse, so let''s fight."


    Aiden heard it and didn''t want to listen for another second, so he quickly interrupted,


    "Listen here, I''m not going to¡ª"


    But before he could get the next few words out of his mouth, Aiden froze.


    The words he was about to speak were utterly silenced when he saw the golden glowing bottles in Kain''s arms.


    "Ambrosia¡­" Aiden finally faltered.


    Was this guy being for real? Was he really willing to trade ambrosia for just a simple fight? For a second, Aiden really wanted to crack open this guy''s head just to see which strange brain could even function like that. But besides that, Aiden was really starting to get tempted.


    It couldn''t be helped¡ªambrosia was really that important. It was quite literally the only known way to increase divinity and his rank. All his supposed talent and skill didn''t mean anything; even creating a new divine technique was negligible when it came to increasing your strength. Fighting across ranks might look cool, but in reality, it was just stupid and life-risking.


    The true kingly way was crushing your opponent with the difference in ranks.


    But just as Aiden''s eyes were beginning to glow, an arm stretched out and pulled him back as a cold growl sounded out.


    "He said he''s not interested, okay? leave him alone!"


    The woman stood in front of him, her silver hair shining like stars and her canines fully bared. From a certain angle, it looked like a mother wolf protecting her cub.


    Kain was stunned speechless for a second. Where on earth did this grumpy wolf girl even come from?


    When Raelia saw Kain looking at her, she just glared back even more ferociously. She just didn''t like this arrogant guy who came out of nowhere and started bothering Aiden.


    "And who are you?" Kain asked. S§×arch* The N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Raelia heard this and cleared her throat. She puffed out her chest as a proud expression appeared on her face, and her tail started wagging.


    "I am his first friend."


    When Aiden heard Raelia''s proud voice, a thought suddenly popped into his mind.


    ''Well, technically speaking¡­ you were second, but¡­''


    Aiden had these thoughts, but he didn''t speak them out loud. She was so excited to brag and say these words that if Aiden said it out loud, he was afraid she''d pop and deflate like a balloon.


    He could only let his good friend Oliver continue to suffer in silence.


    As Kain heard Raelia''s statement, he looked at Aiden suspiciously and asked


    "Is this true?"


    Aiden only nodded his head as he sighed


    "Yeah, it''s true."


    WHEN kAIN HEARED THIS


    Well, Kain was only bothered for a while before he moved his arm and tried to push past her.


    "Friend or not, it doesn''t matter. I''m not interested in you girl, you''re simply too weak."


    When Raelia heard this, she didn''t even get angry. Instead, she looked cold.


    "Weak?" She just looked at Kain with cold eyes and asked, "Oh, and what about Aiden?"


    Hearing this, Kain smiled and turned towards Aiden. "He''s still weak, but at least he''s interesting."


    As Kain spoke, even Aiden, who was at his side, had his face turn a little ugly. Kain seemed to sense the unhappy aura brewing in both Aiden and Raelia and spoke up.


    "Oh, but don''t be offended by these words. I''m not specifically targeting you two. Compared to me, everyone is weak. At least you still fare better than most."


    Aiden and Raelia were both stunned. How arrogant! Nobody likes being called weak, especially to their face, but what made it worse was that although his words sounded arrogant, his demeanor was anything but that.


    It was as if it was simply a matter of course, as if he was simply stating a well-known fact as common as the sky is blue.


    Although Aiden was displeased, he didn''t know what to say and only had one thought: ''Is a full power Kain really that powerful?''


    Kain and Aiden were still the same rank, and Aiden didn''t want to brag or anything, but when it came to people of his level, it wasn''t an exaggeration to say he was at the peak. His understanding and techniques were top-notch; at least, they were able to compete with the performance Kain had shown in the arena. If there was one difference it could only be one thing


    "A feat or renown.."


    The words escaped from Aidens mouth themselves and for a second, there was a burning light in Aiden''s eyes.


    Such arrogance¡ªhe really wanted to see if it was really justified and if the difference between him and someone with a feat of renown was so great. Kain sensed Aiden''s growing battle intent and smiled menacingly, but before he could act, a commanding voice sounded out.


    "Trainee Raelia, please head to the training grounds."


    At the same time, Kain and Aiden felt a large pressure bear down on their shoulders, and a cold snort sounded in their ears. No more needed to be said. It was obviously Instructor Kyros, who was now greatly displeased with their actions and was giving them a slight warning.


    While the two young men were heeding their warning, Raelia listened to her call and leapt down onto the arena floor.


    Seeing Raelia head out, Aiden also came back to his senses and secretly cursed under his breath.


    That bastard Kain had almost got him!

 Chapter 54 54. Werewolf

    His arrogant words really stirred up the will to fight deep inside Aiden.Realizing this, Aiden made a mental note to not fall for Kain''s tricks again.


    After this, Aiden headed back to his seat to properly watch Raelia''s match. But what made him unhappy was that Kain simply didn''t get the memo and continued to follow him.


    Fortunately, his seat was in a unique spot, meaning that only one person could sit beside him, and naturally, that was Oliver''s seat. Kain would at least not be able to sit next to him the entire time.


    Kain saw this and frowned. He then looked at Oliver with a cold look in his eye as his tall figure cast a shadow over him like a looming mountain.


    Only one commanding word escaped from his mouth.


    "Move."


    As he spoke, his aura and killing intent flared, completely locking onto Oliver as if he was strangling him.


    Some of the weaker trainees could have been directly knocked out by this move.


    But Oliver was no normal student. His face turned slightly red as he glared back at Kain.


    He might not be able to fight Kain one-on-one, but to scare him off with a simple gaze was completely underestimating him. He simply wasn''t taking him seriously at all.


    He could miss him with that nonsense!


    Kain saw Oliver glaring back at him, looking like he was about to fight back at any second. But Kain wasn''t angry, he wasn''t offended. Instead, he looked at Oliver and smiled!


    That''s right, he smiled back happily.


    As Oliver saw this, a cold tingle ran down his spine.


    Kain, on the other hand, was quite amused and thought,


    "Well, I guess someone talented won''t hang out with those who are not worthy either. Another person who is going to be quite fun."


    Seeing this, Kain nodded and smiled before sitting down next to Oliver with a grin as he stretched out his hand.


    As Oliver saw this, he shivered.


    "What''s with this guy?'' thought Oliver


    ''One second he looks like he wants to tear me apart and the next he acts like my best pal.''


    No matter how he thought about it, he couldn''t understand a thought going through this strange boys brain and simply came to one conclusion


    ''[This guy was not normal at all!''


    As Oliver realised this He secretly cursed Aiden in his heart.


    This guy shamelessly sat down and brought this weirdo along with him and was using him to block off this nut job.


    Tsk! How shameless!


    Aiden saw Oliver''s look but quickly pretended to ignore it and looked away.


    ''Sorry, friend, but you''re on your own this time'' he thought giving Oliver only a mental apology


    As Aiden had these thoughts, a loud series of roars escaped from the training ground. It wasn''t just a regular roar, it was the roar of the Lion King.


    Raelia had also chosen level 10!


    All of a sudden, a few lionesses broke out of the packs and charged straight toward her! S§×ar?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Raelia let out a cold snort as her eyes narrowed like those of a vicious predator eyeing up her prey.


    The arrow on her back was drawn as silver energy splashed around, transforming into an endless wave that seemed to swallow all the light, leaving the attacking lioness in a cold yet endless night.


    [Artemis''s Archery ¨C True Dusk.]


    Boom!


    A titanic explosion went off, and pained wails could be heard echoing from the arena, but due to the strange shadowy and silver lights that completely engulfed the arena, no one could even see what was going on.


    That''s when it happened!


    "Roar!"


    A furious, rage-filled roar shook the air as a mighty golden light emanated from the Lion King, rushing forward and breaking through the darkness.


    But the Lion King didn''t just stop there. It was furious, and all the muscles in its body swelled as its monstrous veins popped all over its body.


    The golden behemoth charged forward, acting like a biological tank, aiming to crush and destroy anything in its way.


    When Raelia saw this, she didn''t even bother to dodge or move out of the way. Instead, she just smirked menacingly.


    As she did so, a low growl seemed to emanate from deep within her body as her bones started to pop and creak.


    All of a sudden, a deep and cold aura descended onto the arena floor.


    Many trainees looking on felt their hearts begin to speed up as a sense of dread filled them.


    Only Aiden, who had been watching closely, quickly recognized this feeling.


    It was the same feeling he had encountered when he faced off against Raelia in the duel those days ago. It was the feeling of biological fear!


    Of course, Aiden was much stronger than he was back then, so he brushed it off much easier than he did last time And now there was no interruption from the instructor; he finally got to see the full transformation.


    Her nails sharpened and elongated as dazzling silver hairs, reminiscent of rays of moonlight, started to grow out of her arms.


    At the same time, her body started to grow. From a short girl, her body kept on growing and growing until her small frame became a towering silver werewolf with blue eyes that glowed with a feral madness!


    "HOWL!!"


    A soul-shaking howl echoed through the world, leaving everyone''s ears ringing as Raelia looked toward the Lion King and charged forward.


    Bang!


    Raelia and the Lion King collided, and it was absolutely brutal.


    Two ferocious roars echoed as boiling crimson blood splattered across the floor.


    No blades, weapons, or even techniques were used in the first clash. It simply descended into a true primal battle, using nothing but claws and fangs.


    Limbs and claws flashed around in a feral frenzy.


    Each of them had terrifying strength and defenses, so although cuts were being made and blood was spilled, they were all shallow wounds, and for monsters with vitality as horrific and terrifying as thiers. These wounds were basically non existent,

 Chapter 55 55. Beast

    Raelia howled as her beautiful blue eyes burned with a deep red hue.Her arms trembled as she lifted them into the air, as they quickly shot out wrapping around the lion''s massive body.


    A fierce growl escaped from Raelia''s lips as all the muscles in her body trembled before she lifted the giant lion into the air before suplexing it into the ground, causing it to shake like an earthquake!


    Seeing this sight, the crowd couldn''t help but gasp.


    What terrifying brute strength!


    The strength shown by Raelia was no longer in the realm of humans!


    It was so horrifying that it could even give the monstrous cyclops from earlier a run for its money.


    The lion king shakily rose back to its feet and charged back at Raelia.


    It must have it''s revenge!


    A terrifying collision between these two terrifying beasts occurred on the arena floor and continued for a while longer, but as the fight kept going on Raelia realized a problem.


    if things continue as they were, she would be making no more progress even if she fought for days on end


    Aiden and Kain hadn''t dealt with the remaining lioness first before slaying the Lion king for no reason.


    The lion king was simply too disgusting. If she continued to fight head on, exchanging blow for blow like this, she would only end up defeated.


    Her eyes flashed cruelly as her figure quickly disappeared from the Lion King, appearing above an unsuspecting lioness.


    Howl!


    A frenzied cry escaped from her lips that seemed to shock the lion in place as she raised her claws.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    An enchanting silvery light burst out of her claws as it simply pierced through the hard skull with a metallic screech before completely puncturing the poor beast''s brain.


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    The giant monster trembled for a while before falling to the ground, dead.


    Raelia pulled out her claws, cleanly flicking the remaining blood off them and onto the ground as a satisfied smile appeared on her face.


    This was the look of a beast that took pleasure in the hunt.


    When the remaining lionesses looked back at Raelia, they all started to tremble uncontrollably.


    This was a suppression and fear not even Kain or Aiden could inflict on these creatures. It wasn''t just a simple difference in strength, it was a different level in the class of monsters!


    Right now, they were facing a creature that was simply higher on the food chain.


    A true pureblood werewolf!


    Her figure flashed away, and it was quickly accompanied by the tragic wailings and shrieks of the lionesses in the arena as she moved around like a ghostly reaper.


    The lion king furiously roared as its metallic golden wave spread out from its body, but it didn''t mean anything.


    Even if their defenses were added on, Raelia could just brute-force her way through them.


    These once majestic and proud golden lions were simply helpless prey in front of this apex predator in the silver wolf!


    Eventually, her majestic and beautiful fur was tinted with the warm crimson glow of fresh blood, but Raelia didn''t stop until she saw the last lioness fall.


    Then her feral, yet somehow beautiful blue eyes locked onto the Lion King, and she flashed forward.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    As Raelia''s claw swung forward, her wolfish face curled up into a happy smile.


    "Finally, you''re bleeding properly."


    Her arms turned into a biological blender, cleanly slashing apart the lion king until it was left staggering, tired, on the floor.


    And that''s when Raelia decided to deal the final blow. She stepped forward, causing the ground beneath her feet to crack and shatter and appeared before the lion king in an instant.


    Both arms sunk fully into the king''s chest before she fully activated her muscles, causing the upper half of the lion king''s body to be completely torn off in a crimson geyser of blood.


    "Howl!"


    A victorious and feral war cry escaped from her lips.


    Raelia stood victorious over the lifeless body of the giant lion roaring into the air victoriously until she finally released her werewolf form.


    The bright silver fur slowly receded back into her body


    Her beautiful silver hair flowed down her back like a river of liquid moonlight, shining beautifully and charmingly with specks of crimson blood that now covered her.


    Her deep, watery blue eyes shone with satisfaction. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her form was slender and graceful, with a delicate, almost fragile appearance that fully accentuated her lithe, feminine beauty.


    In her right hand, Raelia held the massive head of the defeated lion, its once-majestic mane now soaked in blood.


    The lion''s dead eyes stared into nothingness, its face contorted in both pain and horror.


    Blood continued to drip from the poor beast''s wounds, pooling at her feet and staining her hands and forearms. Her lips curled into a beautiful, almost innocent smile, a stark juxtaposition to the gruesome scene she had created.


    Seeing the sight of such a beautiful girl happily smiling amongst the sea of corpses and blood made many of the trainees look at her in utter horror and fear.


    It wouldn''t be wrong to say that most of the trainees were looking at her like that.


    The world of gods was magical and filled with all sorts of beings and beasts. The gods had never been ones to restrict themselves, so their children could come in many different forms.


    But just because such things were said didn''t mean such things were truly the case.


    Humans were by far the most common and dominant divine descendants of the gods. Naturally, it was they who would use their human standards to judge everyone.


    In the eyes of many trainees, how was Raelia even human? She turned into a horrifying and feral creature that covered herself in blood. How was she any different from the beasts she was supposed to be fighting?


    Raelia''s senses were also superb, and she quickly noticed the fearful and horrified looks of the other trainees.

 Chapter 56 56. Fear

    Although she told herself that she wouldn''t take it to heart, deep down inside she was secretly a little hurt.It was never easy to be looked at like a monster, especially when you believed you had left those stares behind. Raelia thought she had escaped that kind of attention, but the more she tried to ignore the feeling, the more suffocating it became.


    She had hoped to leave those piercing, judgmental gazes in her past, but somehow, they had followed her even here.


    "What if..."


    Raelia didn''t want to look. She was afraid of confirming her worst fears, but her head turned anyway, almost against her will. Slowly, her gaze rose toward the stands, and her eyes locked onto a young man with glowing amber eyes and tousled blonde hair.


    But instead of the disgust and fear that hung on the faces of the other trainees, his face held something entirely different¡ªan excited and radiant smile.


    It was t he kind of smile that made her breath catch, so brilliant that even the sun seemed to pale in comparison.


    "What did I expect from someone like him?" she thought, half-smiling despite herself.


    There was no trace of fear or hesitation in his eyes, only a wide-eyed curiosity. It wasn''t the cold, cautious interest of others, but something warmer, something¡ªmore genuine.


    He looked at her as if he saw something fascinating, something magnificent, It was as if the idea of her being a monster had never even crossed his mind.


    For Raelia, in that moment, Aiden''s presence was light, one bright and warm that could chase away any darkness just by being near it.


    For a moment, even Raelia herself was caught off guard. But it only lasted for a short while before a beautiful smile finally bloomed on her face.


    As Raelia had this feeling a bright golden light fell front the arena and wrapped around her body


    ------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    [Lion King Slayer (C)]


    -------- S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Name: Raelia


    Bloodline: Artemis/ Diana


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E ¡ú E+


    Agility: F+¡ú E


    Endurance: F ¡ú F+


    Charisma: E


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (20 ¡ú45/100)


    -----


    Raelia smiled. The golden light transformed into a warm burst of energy that was transforming her body on a cellular level.


    The warm feeling of increasing her strength made her cells buzz with unmatched excitement.


    As Raelia was adjusting to her newly increased strength, a loud voice rang out in the arena:


    "Congratulations, Trainee Raelia, on passing the examination with flying colors and defeating the 10th level."


    Instructor Kyros looked at Raelia and smiled.


    As one of the three trainees who had shown a special phenomenon during her bloodline awakening, he had been keeping an eye on Raelia, and her current performance had not let him down.


    As for Raelia''s monstrous transformation? Instructor Kyros simply didn''t pay any attention to it.


    Not only had he seen things much more monstrous than a simple werewolf transformation, he didn''t have the simple ignorance of these surrounding trainees.


    Although the gods are depicted as looking like humans, they are anything but that.


    Many gods had children, as in direct offspring, that could only be described as monsters much worse than this.


    In a way, the biggest monsters on Mount Olympus were the progenitors of their bloodlines that they worshipped so highly.


    Since he was aware of this truth, how could he be fazed by a little werewolf?


    Instructor Kyros and Raelia spoke a few more times before he nodded and logged her exceptional evaluation.


    Afterward, Raelia made her way up the stands. As she walked, the entire area seemed to be enveloped by a profound silence.


    As she walked, she could feel the weight of the trainees'' intense gazes and catch snippets of hushed whispers.


    Trying to ignore them only made their scrutiny more unbearable. But then, her eyes landed on a familiar face amidst the crowd, and suddenly, all the strange feelings began to fade away.


    Suddenly, she smiled slightly as she spoke to Aiden.


    "How was it? Impressive?"


    Aiden smiled, "Very impressive." Continue your journey with empire


    "Will you admit that I let you off earlier?"


    Hearing this, Aiden raised an eyebrow and said, "I admit it, you let me off easy last time, but I don''t think things would be so simple this time around."


    "I''d be happy for you to try it. I also want to see how much your talent can improve."


    But as the two were looking at each other, a sudden voice interrupted.


    "Instead of fighting her, I think our fight would be much more interesting."


    As soon as they heard the voice, both of their faces turned ugly.


    Who invited this guy?


    But before Aiden could even get a chance to voice his displeasure, Raelia glared at Kain and spoke up.


    "Why are you still around? Aiden doesn''t need any weird friends like you."


    Kain heard this and smirked


    "Now, now. Aiden can make his own choice. I just want to fight him, that''s all."


    Hearing this, Raelia just snorted.


    "You just want Aide to get into a bloody fight with you, well If a fight is what you want, then I can fight you right now. Surely you still don''t think I''m weak after seeing my performance."


    Hearing this, Kain looked at Raelia and smiled.


    "You are indeed strong,"


    But after saying this he turned back to Aiden with a bloody glow in his eyes


    "Even so, I still find Aiden more interesting."


    When Raelia heard this, her annoyed face twisted into a vicious snarl.


    She didn''t know why and she couldn''t quite put her finger on it, , but for some reason, she really didn''t like this guy.


    Seeing Raelia becoming more and more feral, as if she was about to transform at any moment, Aiden decided that he had to calm things down.


    He knew that Kain was trying to get them annoyed. He was suspicious that if everyone here turned on him, he wouldn''t be worried or afraid but instead excited.


    What an Annoying guy.

 Chapter 57 57. Daybreak Fist!

    Knowing Kain''s thoughts, how could Aiden let them succeed?He just sighed and waved his hand.


    "You guys can keep on arguing if you want to, but I''m done. I''m going to grab something to eat."


    Hearing this, Oliver took it as a sign to be liberated and quickly chimed in.


    "If you''re going to grab something, then count me in. I''m kind of hungry as well."


    "If you''re going, then I''m going too," said Raelia matter-of-factly.


    The trio looked at each other. But when everyone had been expecting Kain to tag along and insert himself among them, his next words left them kind of shocked.


    "If you''re just going there to socialize and talk, then count me out. Beautiful, if you want to fight, then you can call me at any time."


    When the rest of them heard this, instead of feeling relieved, they felt even more weirded out.


    This guy was so strange. It was as if his whole life was simply based around war and fighting. How was it even possible for a normal person to live like that?


    But as he was having these thoughts, Aiden quickly remembered that this was the same person who had already started to master the Millennium Killing Sword at the same age as a high schooler.


    For someone to be so adept and familiar with war and killing, it was impossible for him to have been normal from the very start.


    They had been looking at this guy through the wrong lens right from the start.


    -------


    Time passed since the day of the arena examination battle, and Aiden was currently inside a private the training ground, slowly trying to digest the benefits he had gained from reaching the 10th level.


    After reaching level 10, Aiden, Raelia, and Kain had been rewarded with a unique currency known as divine credits.


    Divine credits were basically the unique currency used to exchange and buy things in Olympus Academy.


    After the battle, Aiden had sought to fix his one glaring weakness and chose to pick out a close-combat technique.


    Although his Sword Arrow technique could be used as a close-combat technique, in truth, its effectiveness was rather mediocre. It didn''t even qualify for the category of divine technique and was, at most, a rather fancy parlor trick.


    The only really wonderful close-combat technique he had under his belt was the [Heaven''s Arrow] technique that he had just created and still had much more room to develop.


    But he still couldn''t rely on that as his crutch because the attack was still very situational.


    If he wanted to eliminate the weakness of close combat, he needed to learn a powerful divine technique that could be activated at all times.


    So that''s exactly what he did!


    Aiden was currently standing inside an exquisite marble-lined private training room when the ground beneath his feet started to shake violently.


    A massive metal puppet thundered toward Aiden, raised a massive battle axe, and swung at him.


    The terrifying force behind the swing easily stirred up a miniature hurricane, but as the attack landed on Aiden, it had no effect. No, it would be more accurate to say that it passed straight through him!


    Aiden''s afterimage shattered into a shower of light as his figure instantly appeared in front of the steel giant.


    He stepped forward, clenching his fist as his muscles trembled.


    Golden divinity poured out from his blood, wrapping around his fist until it turned bright reddish-gold, like heated metal.


    [Daybreak Fist!] sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Boom!


    A circle of golden fire erupted as Aiden''s fist barreled forward, sending the giant iron puppet flying backward with a bright red fist mark planted firmly on its chest.


    Aiden took several deep breaths to reconnect and smiled.


    Success!


    Aiden was extremely pleased with his new technique. If there was any weakness, it would probably be that it was a boxing technique and not a weapon one, but that couldn''t be helped.


    When it came to divine techniques for the divine descendants of Apollo, the bow dominated by an overwhelming amount. After that came boxing. All other weapon techniques were either for much higher ranks or were completely mediocre.


    But if you thought about it, it made a lot of sense.


    Divine descendants of Apollo would almost always be archers anyway. For an archer to switch to close combat would often mean that they were fighting through extreme or unexpected circumstances.


    Regardless of what happened, the ability to switch to close combat as quickly as possible would be essential.


    And despite how quick you thought you were, nothing would be quicker than simply dropping your bow and using your fists!


    "End the training session."


    With his words, a white light flashed on the floor as a faint magic circle could be seen. Next, the giant puppet lit up in a magical flash of light as its giant body began to squirm around until it had melted into a liquid and seeped into a hole, completely disappearing from his sight.


    It was a truly strange sight, and Aiden couldn''t even begin to comprehend the strange technologies at play.


    The first time he had seen it, he was mesmerized and tried to figure out its inner workings. But after finding out the mountain of books he would have to read just to get a basic start, Aiden quickly gave up. Read chapters at empire


    Marveling at the mysteries of the realms of the gods once again, Aiden picked up a nearby towel and used it to wipe off some of his sweat. After taking a drink, he fixed himself up a little and exited the training room.


    Leaving the training room, he was greeted by the sight of a familiar silver-haired girl.


    Aiden noticed Raelia stepping out of another nearby training room. She was dressed in some breathable training clothes that hugged her athletic figure.


    Her silver hair was slightly damp and shimmering with sweat, while her tail swayed lazily behind her. Despite this, her face still had a rather content and confident look on it.

 Chapter 58 58. Theory Exam

    Obviously, she was extremely satisfied and happy with the training session she just had.Aiden smiled and walked over, tapping her on the shoulder, causing Raelia to quickly turn around.


    "Aiden? Why are you here?"


    "The same reason as you, I presume. I was simply testing out the new divine technique I picked up with my divine credits."


    When Raelia heard this, her mystical blue eyes shone with a strange light.


    "Have you already started to master it?"


    Aiden heard this question and shrugged.


    "More or less, I suppose."


    When Raelia heard this, she took a deep, cold breath. It was times like this that made her want to open Aiden''s head and see how that strange brain of his really worked.


    She just shook her head and smiled.


    "You''re already stronger than you were during the exam? How are other trainees supposed to even catch a break?"


    "Hey, you make it seem like I''m a mindless training drone. Even I take breaks, you know. In fact, I''m going on one right now. You just finished training as well, why don''t you come along?"


    When Raelia heard this, she just shook her head.


    "Unfortunately, I can''t join you. The results of the theory exam are going to be posted up soon. I''m going over to see how well I did."


    When Aiden heard this, his face turned extremely ugly. It wasn''t like Raelia had said something to offend him, but the word "theory exam" had evoked a kind of suppressed response in him.


    He couldn''t help but slightly shiver when he heard the words.


    Shortly after their surprise practical exam, their theory exam was also announced. Fortunately, the professor for their theoretical examination was much more humane than Instructor Kyros and had at least given them a week''s worth of time to prepare and revise beforehand. But even so, Aiden still knew that he was royally screwed.


    He had put his head down and revised like a madman. It was so bad that Aiden was sure that, despite having the blood of a god flowing through his veins, he had still lost years of his lifespan.


    What made matters worse was that when Aiden sat down in the exam hall, he could barely even understand half of what was written in the exam paper.


    He was cooked!


    After the exam, Aiden had been living like a ghost, so the word "exam" still caused him to have a trauma response.


    Raelia saw Aiden''s reaction and knew just how bad he''d had it these last few days, so she just patted him on the shoulder.


    "You''ve got to see your results eventually. After all the work you put in, surely it won''t be that bad."


    Aiden heard this and slowly came to his senses.


    Raelia was right.


    He had worked his butt off; there was no way his results could be that bad.


    Reluctantly, Aiden also accompanied Raelia to go see the results of his examination.


    On the way there, they ran into a familiar face.


    It was Oliver.


    To be honest, Aiden hadn''t seen Oliver much over these last few days. He had been busy training with his new technique, and Oliver had been busy doing his own things.


    Aiden had asked him about it, and he told him that he was busy doing research in the library. He had even invited Aiden to join him a few times, but after the horror experience Aiden had revising for the exam, Aiden would be lucky if he didn''t develop a new phobia.


    Oliver came close and patted Aiden on the shoulder as he asked, "How are you feeling about the exam?"


    "Like shit," said Aiden in a grim tone.


    Oliver didn''t say much else, just gave him a light pat on the shoulder to console him, and then turned towards Raelia and asked, "Raelia, what about you? How are you feeling?"


    Raelia placed her hand on her chin and thought for a moment.


    "I''m not feeling too bad, actually. I actually felt quite good after the exam, so I think I scored pretty highly."


    "And you, Oliver?"


    "I think I did great as well."


    Aiden looked at his two friends and just sighed.


    He was the only anomaly here. The other two were extremely confident. He was the only one who didn''t even want to look.


    Hopefully, his score was somewhat decent so he could avoid embarrassing himself.


    Soon, the trio appeared before the board that was filled to the brim with trainee names.


    By the time they arrived, there was already a large crowd forming around the results that had been posted. But when the people saw that the group walking over contained both Raelia and Aiden, two people that had reached level 10 in the combat assessment, they quickly humbled themselves and moved aside. sea??h th§× N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden and Raelia didn''t even need to ask for them to do this, they just did it of their own volition.


    This was simply the rule of the world of the gods; only the strong had the final say.


    Such a thing like moving ahead in line might be nothing, and it really was. But if you encountered a person with a bad temper, you wouldn''t even be able to plead your case before you were punched into orbit.


    Although there were rules to prevent such behavior, the perpetrator being punished wouldn''t heal your broken bones.


    Besides, such behavior was subtly acknowledged after all.


    Even the gods themselves can be quite temperamental, so how could they expect their mortal descendants to be much better?


    As long as you didn''t go too far, you would likely be able to get away with a lot of things, so nobody wanted to test how far people were willing to go.


    The group walked forward and looked closer at the board to get a good look at the names on it. When Aiden took a look at the names topping the board, he was so shocked that his jaw dropped to the floor!

 Chapter 59 59. Results

    No. 1 Oliver McKinleyNo. 2 Orphalon Melthyr


    Aiden didn''t know what to say. He just looked at his friend in utter disbelief.


    Oliver just rubbed his nose, a little proud of himself.


    "I went through hell to get these results."


    Aiden suddenly had to admit it. While he was trying to master his newly acquired Oliver had basically been living in the library.


    Of course hard reviso alone would not be able t turn ut such outstanding results but


    Aiden could acknowledge Oliver coming in first, but what was the deal with second place?


    Orphalon Melthyr¡­ If his memory was correct, then that was the name of the cyclops. A cyclops scored higher than him on the written exam? And not just higher than him, this cyclops had come second?!!? S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    What on earth was going on?


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, a small commotion broke out among the nearby trainees, and it didn''t take long for Aiden to figure out why.


    As soon as he looked over, Aiden''s eyes locked onto the massive figure of a giant that towered over all the other students.


    As soon as Aiden saw Orphalon, his mouth twitched.


    His appearance was truly strange. This giant cyclops was actually wearing glasses¡ªor well, he was wearing a glass?


    Imagine glasses, but with only one lens built into them. It was a strange sight to anyone who saw it.


    But Orphalon didn''t seem to care about any of the looks and continued to look at the board. When he saw the position of his name on the board, he suddenly frowned.


    Orphalon looked around the crowd until his singular eye locked onto Oliver''s figure.


    The cyclops didn''t waste another second and quickly walked towards Oliver, his steps booming along the hallway floor.


    Eventually, the giant cyclops was now towering over Oliver. Although it didn''t say anything, its mountain-like body brought a heavy suppression that made one feel on edge just by standing in its presence.


    Even Aiden was slightly on edge and secretly stirred his divinity, ready to act at any given moment to protect Oliver from the cyclops.


    But just as everyone was waiting for something to happen, Orphalon suddenly bowed his head and stretched out his hand as he asked in a booming voice, "Please be my study partner!"


    Oliver, as well as everyone in the hallway, was completely shocked and silent.


    What did he just say? Study partner?


    Oliver looked at the cyclops and carefully asked, "Orphalon, I''m not quite sure what you''re asking?"


    When Orphalon heard this, he tilted his head to the side, slightly confused.


    "I thought it was quite obvious though? You''re the first hero I met that is better at studying than me, of course, I would like your help so we can help each other study and improve. I believe it will be of great help to accomplish my dream of becoming a legendary scholar."


    Aiden heard Orphalon''s words, and his eyes widened.


    ''Hold on, did this guy just say scholar?''


    Aiden suddenly felt like he was dreaming! A cyclops, as a scholar? What was going to happen next? Was Zeus suddenly going to declare himself celibate?


    It was such a stark juxtaposition of concepts that Aiden didn''t even know where to start.


    Aiden suddenly understood the feeling of those high school coaches on Earth who forced students to join their sports team.


    What?! You''re 7ft tall and a freshman? Follow me to the sports department right now, we''re getting you on the basketball team!


    What?! You want to study?! Boy! Put down those books and pick up a ball, we''re going to the league! The Lakers are calling!


    A cyclops becoming a scholar? Ignoring the fact that most cyclops have impaired mental abilities. Even if his mental abilities were up to par, it was simply a waste of talent!


    Muscles that bulged and looked like they could smash a head in as easily as cracking an egg would not be used to wield a furious warhammer, but instead, be used to flip through books and scrolls, or endlessly stack scriptures high up on shelves.


    Anyone who heard this thought it was a waste!


    Orphalon didn''t care about the strange looks he was receiving and asked Oliver slightly nervously.


    Oliver looked at the strange cyclops and was slightly amused.


    Since he had seen something so ridiculous, Oliver wanted to learn more about this cyclops. And the cyclops'' scores were obviously the real deal. Studying with him would really bring him some benefits.


    Stretching out his hand, Oliver shook Orphalon''s hand as he spoke,


    "Sure. It''s never a bad thing to have an extra study partner, so why not?"


    Aiden looked at both first and second place shaking hands and didn''t know what to say.


    Oliver had brought him a big surprise by coming in first place, and so did the fact that second place was a cyclops but even Raelia''s score was a bit shocking,


    No.5 Raelia


    She had actually backed up her confident talk and coming directly in fifth.


    He knew she was smart, but damn, everyone was scoring highly.


    Aiden carried on looking down the ranking, trying to find his score when he saw something that made his knees go weak.


    No. 25 Kain Sanguinos


    "Fuck!"


    A foul curse escaped his lips.


    It couldn''t be helped. Aiden could accept being dumber than a lot of people, but how could he accept being dumber than that crazy bastard!


    There was something definitely wrong with the world.


    Aiden kept looking and eventually saw his ranking.


    No. 200 Aiden Evans


    Aiden looked at it and frowned slightly.


    His score was mediocre, if not slightly good, but Aiden was not satisfied.


    He had come joint first place in the practical assessment, so doing so poorly in theory was kind of a big blow.


    Amongst the hundreds of trainees, he had only managed to rank No. 200. It would cause him to receive all sorts of dodgy looks from the people around him, especially when you consider the fact that the people who got joint first place with him at least managed to make it into the top 25.


    Although it didn''t look good, in fact, Aiden was still being too harsh on himself.

 Chapter 60 60. SunStrider_19907

    He was still forgetting to take into consideration that, unlike almost all the other trainees here who had already come from the world of the good and existing divine bloodline families, before all this, Aiden was a complete mortal!Before the two divine soldiers had visited him, Aiden had originally thought that he was just a complete mortal. He even thought the gods were just mere figures of imagination and legend.


    Other children who came from divine families would have access to basic knowledge and information, while Aiden had come in with absolutely zero knowledge.


    In a way, it was like trying to start learning high school algebra when you hadn''t even learned elementary school-level math, and all this in just a few weeks.


    The fact that Aiden had even scored so highly was impressive.


    But even so, Aiden was still not satisfied. It was kind of unpleasant to say this, but ever since he had awakened his divine blood, Aiden was used to aiming for the best. Being humbled so badly left him feeling quite complicated.


    Unfortunately, whether it was in the realm of gods or the realm of mortals, the world never cared about one''s feelings.


    Aiden had performed poorly and missed out on some rewards allowing for other to close the gap between him and them


    Next, Raelia and the others in the top 5 headed over to receive e their divine credits


    Having already experienced this before Aiden knew that the entire process would take quite a bit of time


    Aiden decided that there would be no point in waiting around for them and doing nothing and doing nothing so he headed back to his dorm room to take a break


    So Aiden went back to this room and as he did so he sat down in a comfortable chair and booted up a computer.


    That''s right, a computer!


    Aiden was surprised when he saw the things he could buy with his divine credits and had discovered a computer was one of them.


    When he had first discovered this fact, Aiden could barely contain his disbelief but after remembering that they had a phone number and even a website, Aiden''s shock could be greatly reduced.


    As the soldiers who picked him up all those days ago once said, even the gods have to keep up with the times


    After booting up the computer, other then some default applications there was only one other application installed.


    Hovering his cursor over the application Aiden read out its name


    "Hermes Web"


    Clicking the icon, the application booted up with a line of beautiful text


    "Welcome to the Hermes Web!"


    "Would you like to create a Hermessenger account?"


    Aiden stroked his chin before he came up with a username. Not thinking too much, Aidne created a username


    "SunStrider"


    But as he clicked enter, he was met by a stream of red coloured words


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    Seeing this Aiden frowned and put in the name again


    "SunStrider1"


    But just like last time Aiden was once again met with an annoying stream of text


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    "SunStrider_1"


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    Aiden''s eyes twitched in annoyance but he calmed himself and continued and added something to make it different


    "SunStrider_19"


    Error! that name is already¡­..


    "SunStrider_199"


    Error! that name is already¡­..


    "SunStrider_1990"


    Error! that name is already¡­..


    "SunStrider_19907"


    Just as Aiden was beginning to wonder whether he had been trapped in some sort of genjutsu that would have him create a new username for all of eternity, he received a new notification and was saved from despair


    Congratulations on creating your Hermessenger! Please be polite and kind and use our service with respect and may the gods bless you!


    Just as Aiden was prepared he heard a light notification go off


    [Ding! New message received!]


    Receiving a new message so quickly Adien was a little surprised


    Huh? What is this?


    You have been invited to the group chat [Triumvirate Titans] would you like to join?


    After suddenly being invited to some strange group chat, Aiden was a little cautious. I mean something did seem a little off, but Aiden curiosity was bigger than his caution and he quickly accepted the invitation


    Triumvirate Titans ¡ª Online Members (3/8)


    LightningTheQueen1 added SunStrider_19907 to the group chat


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @Sunstrider_19907 Now that we got a hold of you I don''t think anymore needs to be said. I need you to come over and do your share of the work asap,


    Aiden just looked at the text that popped on his screen extremely puzzled. He didn''t have even the slightest clue what this person was going on about


    SunStrider_19907


    @LightningTheQueen1 I really don''t understand what you mean by work. I think you got the wrong person. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    LightningTheQueen1:


    Haha, very funny¡­. Your joke has gone on for long enough now though. It''s time to be serious for once. You''re behind on a lot of work that you need to catch up on, no type of bullshit excuse is getting you out of this one.


    Aiden saw this and felt extremely annoyed. He really wasn''t giving an excuse; these people were really accusing the wrong guy!


    Aiden felt like he had to clear things up to avoid things developing into a bigger misunderstanding


    SunStrider_19907


    @LightningTheQueen1 I''m telling you, you got the wrong guy. I''m not the one you''re looking for.


    But instead of making things better, Aidens excuses only seem dt piss off the other people in the group chat even more


    PuppyLover699:


    @Sunstrider_19907 ?_? I''ve been covering for your dumbass these past few days and now you still want to play around in one of your stupid pranks to avoid your work. If you keep this up i really will send you on a one way ticket to the underworld


    MuscleMan1212:


    @Sunstrider_19907 Bro, I really don''t think you should play around with the two bosses any longer. I''m afraid they''re really angry this time if you keep it up they really will kill you!

 Chapter 61 61. The trouble maker

    Aiden saw the message and felt his heart sink.''First off, I''m not your bro, and secondly¡­ what the actual fuck?!''


    Aiden''s thoughts were all over the place


    He had been just going about his day when, all of a sudden, he was added to a group chat by a bunch of crazy people who seemed intent on killing him.


    Sure, his exam results were mediocre, but were they so bad that the universe needed to punish him in this way?


    Aiden felt like he had to clear up this misunderstanding no matter what. It didn''t feel good having some unknown guys threatening to come beat him up at any moment.


    SunStrider_19907:


    It''s impossible for the person you''re looking for to be me. I only created this account today. Hell, I didn''t even get this computer until I redeemed it with divine credits.


    PuppyLover699:


    Are you being serious right now?


    SunStrider_19907:


    Of course I am. What reason do I have to lie?


    PuppyLover699:


    Getting a computer now still doesn''t add up unless you''re a first-year, but the first-years should still be in training.


    But right after sending that message, PuppyLover699 seemed to have realized something.


    Enjoy new adventures at empire


    PuppyLover699:


    Wait a second, what level did you get in the first practical test?


    SunStrider_19907:


    Level 10.


    PuppyLover699:


    ¡­..


    A few seconds passed without anyone saying anything, causing Aiden to think his screen had frozen. Then he finally saw the next message.


    PuppyLover699:


    @LightningTheQueen1, I think we might have really got the wrong guy. There''s no way that idiot would make up such a lie. The kid is telling the truth.


    It seems like the information Aiden gave was finally enough to convince them but that now brought on a whole set of other issues


    LightningTheQueen1:


    If he''s telling the truth, where did we go wrong then? Don''t tell me that this guy¡­


    While some people were racking their brains over their new situation, others couldn''t be bothered to think so hard and were more interested in other things.


    MuscleMan1212:


    @SunStrider_19907, you said you reached level 10, meaning you''re extremely talented. What House do you come from? sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    SunStrider_19907:


    ¡­


    Aiden didn''t know what to say.


    The question was so stupid he actually thought he was being trolled. And evidently, it wasn''t just him that felt this way.


    PuppyLover699:


    @MuscleMan1212, we''ve been friends for a while now, so be real with me. Are you seriously mentally challenged?


    MuscleMan1212:


    ¡­ That was uncalled for.


    PuppyLover699:


    The word "sun" is quite literally in his name. Think for a second: what bloodline do you think is flowing through his body? Think with your brain and not your muscles; this is how you keep getting tricked by that other idiot.


    MuscleMan1212:


    Aren''t you the ones being tricked right now?


    PuppyLover699:


    ¡­


    Knowing that he had no comeback, puppylover was silent for a while before he snapped back with another insult.


    The two kept going back and forth, with Aiden just watching in disbelief, as his two supposed seniors started utterly embarrassing each other.


    The messages continued until they were interrupted by an interesting notification.


    LightningTheQueen1 added SunStrider_19907 to the group chat.


    When Aiden saw this notification, he finally understood what was happening.


    This guy had given them the wrong username which just so happened to be the one aiden had chosen, but what made things worse was that his actual username was only slightly different from the one he gave them originally that had left them confused all this time.


    Aiden could already imagine just how annoyed and frustrated these people must be.


    SonStrider_19907:


    Hahaha! Guys, you finally solved it. Did you like my little joke? I gave you the username, so I thought you''d figure it out faster, but it still took you quite a bit of time.


    PuppyLover699:


    (¨p?_?) ¡­


    LightningTheQueen1:


    (?_?) ¡­


    MuscleMan1212:


    {-?-} ¡­


    No words were said, but Aiden felt like he could sense the annoyance radiating from the screen.


    Finally, Aiden saw hundreds of curses and violent threats flood the screen.


    PuppyLover699:


    @SonStrider_19907, you dumb bastard! You better not show yourself in front of me, or I really will kill you this time!


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @SonStrider_19907, you better give us a good reason for this dumb trick, or I will personally fry you to a crisp.


    The stream of curses and foul language seemed to go on for minutes until everyone had properly vented.


    SonStrider_19907:


    I know I goofed up a little, but it can''t be that bad, right? Hey, @MuscleMan1212, back me up here.


    But instead of the support he was expecting, he received another message.


    MuscleMan1212:


    Please don''t speak to me because I really feel like smashing your head in right now.


    Knowing that he had successfully pissed off everyone in the group chat, SonStrider turned toward the only person he hadn''t offended for help. That was, of course, the newly added Aiden.


    SonStrider_19907:


    Ahh, Junior, we''re divine descendants from the same bloodline, please tell your mean seniors to calm down. Who knows, maybe these cruel guys will try put up a good impression in front of their new junior


    Seeing this, Aiden wanted to curse.


    He didn''t know who this "SonStrider" was, but he was definitely an unserious guy. Now he was trying to drag Aiden into this mess. Aiden would be damned if he took his side.


    Knowing this, Aiden quickly typed out a message to distance himself from this clown.


    SunStrider_19907:


    Sorry, Senior, but I really don''t know enough about this situation, so I can''t help you.


    SonStrider_19907:


    You don''t need to know the most. I''ll give you a tip as your reliable senior: you shouldn''t take the words these grumpy people say too seriously.


    Before Aiden could even respond, someone interjected to cut off this dangerous train of thought.


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @SonStrider_19907, you better behave yourself. If I find out that you''ve corrupted a promising trainee to start behaving like you, I''ll put a spear through your head. As for you, Junior, I hope you don''t emulate his disappointing behaviour. It would be really disappointing if I had to fry a talented junior along with this immature idiot.

 Chapter 62 62. A hint

    Aiden read this message and felt his heart speed up.She was joking, right?


    Unfortunately, Aiden never got an answer for his growing concerns but was instead greeted with some new messages


    SonStrider_19907:


    Miss Sparky, how many times do I have to tell you not to speak to people like that? It''s really scary, man. My poor little junior has probably wet himself by now.


    Aiden saw this and snorted, but the annoying guy behind the screen just kept typing.


    Your journey continues with empire


    SonStrider_19907:


    My little Junior, you may have been scared by these big, bad seniors, but don''t worry, I am here. How about I tell you a little secret to make up for it?


    Despite the first impression that this guy was unreliable, Aiden was slightly curious.


    SunStrider_19907


    A secret?


    SonStrider_19907


    Yes a secret, and not just some useless garbage but instead that can help you a lot in the training camp and even your path when you enter the


    But before they could continue someone came in to pour cold water all over their conversation


    LightningTheQueen1


    Don''t you feel embarrassed deceiving your juniors with words? Giving information to the trainees is against the rules, someone with your rank is clearly aware of this


    Sonstrider was clearly annoyed by this accusation and quickly retorted


    SonStrider_19907


    Humph! What would you know you grumpy old lady? Who says I was going to trick my junior over here? I was actually going to give him some important information.


    But instead of making things better, this message only made things worse


    LightningTheQueen1:


    This is why everyone calls you an idiot! Giving information to the trainees is against the rules,


    SonStrider_19907


    And this is why everyone calls you a grumpy old lady. What are rules if they can''t be bent a little? Besides, it''s basically an open secret. The kids from the strong divine families already understand anyway. Surely you won''t object to this going on. Besides, after threatening this poor junior, don''t you even feel slightly bad for your actions if you do think of it as a way to make up for it?


    LightningTheQueen1: ...


    Although she didn''t want to admit it, Sonstrider had a fair point for once


    LightningTheQueen1


    Fine. You can tell him but only this once


    SonStrider_19907


    Poor Junior, for the grumpy sparky old lady to break the rules even slightly, she must be feeling really bad. How bad did these guys treat you whilst I was away?


    LightningTheQueen1


    I thought you were giving important information not just talking about unimportant things


    SonStrider_19907


    Alright, alright, I''ll stop messing around now. The secret I want to tell you junior is about the cliff trial.


    SunStrider_19907


    You mean the trap that we go through on the first day?


    SonStrider_19907


    Exactly. It seems the school still hasn''t fixed their bad habits though


    SunStrider_19907


    What about it then?


    SonStrider_19907


    Well, simply put, I''m telling you two things.


    First do not underestimate the cliif trial no matter how easy it seems the next things is complete it by any means necessary and reach the peak of the cliff as early as possible and remain there once you do. In addition to this, when the final cliff trial begins, make sure that whatever you do, you complete it as soon as possible and do not complete it alone.


    Bring as many strong people from your training camp as you can¡ªthe more, the better. And the last thing I have to tell you is... underneath the chin.


    Aiden heard this and was confused


    SunStrider_19907


    Underneath the chin? What on earth are you trying to tell me?


    SonStrider_19907


    Sorry my little junior a hint is just a hint, after all, there is no point in babysitting you.


    I hope you take these hints seriously, as this can be of great help on our road to godhood. There can be another talented child for House Apollo; we''re severely lacking when it comes to the other houses.


    I don''t mean to brag or anything, but I''m quite the talented big shot in house Apollo. If your are that talented I don''t mind helping you a few more times S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden read the message and just rolled his eyes.


    This shameless guy was a big shot?


    The world of the gods might not be as impressive as he thought, but even if the guy was being unserious, seeing as nobody else in the group chat jumped up to contradict him, the messages he sent should still be reliable.


    Aiden started to think for a while and condensed the hints he received into 4 points:


    1. No matter what happens on the final day of the cliff trial, reach the peak by any means necessary.


    2. Don''t underestimate the challenge of the cliff trial, and overprepare if you can.


    3. Team up and bring as many strong people as you can on the final day of the cliff trial.


    4. Underneath the chin?


    Aiden didn''t dare underestimate the trials now that he had this information. He had originally thought that he was strong enough to start to chill out a little for the rest of his days at the training camp, but now he threw the idea of chilling out right out the window.


    Instead of chilling out, he would have to put himself into overdrive. Anything that could affect your road to godhood was few and far between. If he missed this chance, he would regret it for the rest of his life.


    In a way, maybe he really had to.


    It might not be that much information, but the difference between someone that was expecting something and somebody who wasn''t was basically like that between night and day.


    Aiden looked at his status screen once again


    ===Status====


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E


    Agility: F+


    Endurance: F+


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (40/100)


    -----


    Divine techniques


    [¡ï¡ï¡ï Sunlight Shuttle] 15%


    [¡ï¡ï Apollos Archery- True Dawn] 25%


    [¡ï¡ï Daybreak Fist] 5%


    [¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Heaven''s Arrow] 0.1%


    (Note: stars have been introduced to show the difficulty of the technique whilst percentages are there to show the mastery of said technique )


    ....

 Chapter 63 63. The Mountain Cliff trial

    Aiden looked at his panel and frowned.''It''s not enough.''


    His stats appeared more and more inadequate the more he looked at them. There were only two things that could help him right now: Ambrosia and Divine Credits. Find more to read at empire


    Ambrosia was obviously used to increase his level and divinity, and Divine Credits were the hard currency of the world of the gods. They could be used to buy various treasures that could increase his strength and other attributes, as well as redeem new divine techniques.


    Aiden suddenly started feeling a great regret about his theory exam score. He had just let a great haul of Divine Credits slip through his grasp just like that.


    ''No, I can''t just sit down like thiss. I have to earn some more Divine Credits as soon as possible.''


    Aiden quickly stood up from his seat and reached for the door, but when his hand touched the handle, he suddenly froze.


    Aiden now realized a major problem.


    "Wait a second, how exactly do I even earn Divine Credits?"


    It was quite embarrassing to have only realized it this late, but Aiden was clueless on such a major thing. He had been so focused on mastering his divine techniques and increasing his strength that he had spent zero time learning how to earn Divine Credits. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden''s face turned ugly, and as he was frozen at the door in confusion and embarrassment, the handle he was holding suddenly turned, and the door swung open.


    A figure appeared in front of Aiden and looked at him strangely.


    "Aiden, what''s wrong with you? Is anything going on?"


    Oliver looked at his friend, who was now frozen with an ugly expression on his face, in complete confusion.


    The sight of Oliver snapped Aiden out of his stupor, and he eventually recomposed himself.


    Aiden just looked at Oliver and sighed.


    "Something is going on. I''m broke."


    Hearing this, Oliver was confused.


    "Broke? How?"


    "It''s simple. I''ve got no Divine Credits. I used them all already."


    Hearing this, Oliver quickly understood what was going on. After having just received his first reward of Divine Credits, he understood just how useful and important these credits would be in his life at Olympus Academy.


    Even though he had just been rewarded some Divine Credits, after realizing what they could do, Oliver himself had already been thinking about how to earn more Divine Credits.


    Knowing what was going on, Oliver looked at Aiden and smiled as he spoke.


    "Well, Aiden, if you''re stressed out because you can''t earn Divine Credits, then you''re in luck because I might already have a solution."


    Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes shone with a golden light.


    "Oh? And what is this solution?" asked Aiden eagerly.


    "You know how I''ve been doing some research in the library these past few days?"


    "Yeah, you''ve practically been living in that place."


    Hearing this, Oliver chuckled.


    "Well, all that effort wasn''t for nothing, and I finally pieced together some secret information. It has a lot to do with the mountain cliff trial we underwent on the first day at the training camp."


    Aiden was surprised at a certain phrase that Oliver had said.


    "The Mountain Cliff Trial again?"


    When Oliver heard Aiden speak, he was slightly confused.


    "What do you mean, again?"


    Aiden didn''t hide any secrets and quickly explained.


    "Well, I''ve recently received some information that there''s more to this cliff trial than meets the eye."


    Oliver looked at Aiden, and he couldn''t even close his mouth.


    After watching Aiden''s performance at the arena all those days ago, Oliver had been greatly stimulated, and he had been basically living in the library, not only revising for the theory exam but using it as a method to research ways to increase his strength.


    It was only after checking many books and double-crossing records that he came across this knowledge.


    Yet somehow, despite avoiding the library like it was a cursed land, Aiden had just simply received this information for free? What sort of luck was this?


    Aiden saw Oliver''s stupefied face and quickly cleared up his misunderstanding.


    "I only received some vague hints. There was no actual concrete information, so for all intents and purposes, I''m basically blind when it comes to the specific details."


    Oliver nodded his head and continued.


    "Searching the historical records available in the library at the training camp, I got a rough understanding of the situation surrounding the mountain cliff.


    The cliff appears to be a landmark, but it''s more than that. It appears to be distorting space around it. This means that the distance we see from the outskirts to the true mountain peak is just an illusion.


    The true distance inside could be tens, if not hundreds, of times the distance visible to the naked eye."


    Once Aiden heard the news, he took a deep breath.


    The world of the gods was just full of surprises.


    Another great wonder beyond his comprehension had been living underneath his nose just like that.


    What made it worse was that he had even entered the realm multiple times, but he had still not felt any strange change. And he probably would have never noticed it either if Oliver had never mentioned it!


    Slightly alarmed now, Aiden knew that he had to spend more time learning about his surroundings and quickly asked Oliver.


    "Is there anything else important worth noting?"


    "Of course there is. The area around the mountain cliff forms its own realm and is split into three sections: the outer area composed of the trial grounds, the inner area filled with dangerous domains, and the mountain peak, which is rumored to contain Rank 2 monsters."


    Aiden frowned.


    Rank 2 monsters were no joke. The Lion King was a strong monster that shouldn''t be taken lightly, and that was just barely classified as a monster nearing the peak of Rank 1. A true Rank 2 monster could only be way more terrifying.


    Unfortunately for Aiden, Oliver wasn''t finished bringing in the bad news just quite yet

 Chapter 64 64. Risk of Death

    The three different sections of the mountain cliff area have their own rules.The first section, for example, is really just the true training area for trainees.


    At first, it might be difficult for us, but by the end of the training in the camp, we should be able to pass the first area of the mountain cliff trial and gain the qualifications to enter the true trial for Olympus Academy.


    The second section is where things start to get serious.


    Instead of just puppets and constructs that were in the first area, the inner areas and mountain peak are filled with real monsters, and instructors will also not be present in these areas.


    Aiden heard this and frowned as he asked,


    "This means..."


    "Yes, it is as you''re thinking. If things go wrong in the inner area or on the mountain peak, the instructors will not save you. You can truly be killed."


    Although Aiden had a faint suspicion of this in his heart, when he had it confirmed he couldn''t accept it.


    "So what will the training camp do?, they just leave us there to die? What''s the point in training us or even bringing us here!"


    As Aiden spoke, his voice couldn''t help but rise.


    Deep down inside, there was a part of Aiden that was afraid.


    His talent, his bold performance, and his wonderful fight against the lion king.


    He was able to fight so fiercely because he knew that no matter what happened his life would never be in any real danger


    If we go back in time, would Aiden be willing to fight that fierce lion king if it meant risking his own life?


    Aiden didn;t know. He wasn''t sure if it was really worth it to risk his life to fight against monsters for some extra divine credits. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was talented , even if he missed out on this chance his road wouldn''t end here right? there will always be opportunities in the future.


    With this thought in mind Aiden asked Oliver the question that had been bothering im


    "Will the gods and the instructors let even their talented students die, don''t they care about our potential and strength?"


    When Oliver heard Aiden''s question, he just smiled self-deprecatingly.


    "The gods lack anything but divine descendants. Our numbers mean nothing to them.


    Our strength? Our talent? It doesn''t mean much before such beings


    Think about it for a second, do you really think the gods lack our measly strength?"


    Aiden didn''t speak, his frown only grew deeper.


    Oliver noticed Aidens expression but he still continued speaking


    "Although gods do want to use the strength of their divine descendants, it''d be wrong to say that''s their end goal. They value the utility of their descendants much more than their might.


    Believe it or not, even the weakest true god could wipe out our training camp, instructors and all, with just a simple thought.


    The gods are so powerful beyond our imagination that a slightly stronger divine descendant with no utility is completely useless to them. Olympus Academy sees a few of us dying as nothing more than a more optimal selection process."


    Aiden heard this and felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured down on him.


    Oliver''s words quickly sobered him up.


    He was new to the world of the gods.


    He was so enamoured with the mystical abilities that he had let himself get swept up in the propaganda being spewed out by the instructors.


    ''The gods are calling for you?''


    ''The gods need you?''


    What a joke!


    How could the gods care about the existence of a small fry like him?


    Explore stories at empire


    Even Politicians in his world that only held the ability to influence people''s lives view the average human as nothing more than a group of mere numbers. How could the gods, beings that exist on a completely different plane of life, be any better?


    No, if anything, they could only be much worse!


    Thinking like this Aiden quickly came to a new realisation


    He wasn''t doing this training and hardwork out of a sense of duty, nor was it a for any favour of the gods, nor for their reward.


    His purpose in coming to Olympus Academy and for his harsh training had aways been himself


    The gods obviously needed their divine descendants to serve a certain purpose, and Aiden would fulfil it, but at the same time, he would absolutely pursue his own interests first.


    He couldn''t get swept up in the rhetoric and act like a mindless soldier.


    The joyful and fanatical who believed that gods were always watching over and protecting them would be the ones who died first.


    Aiden''s heart was now clear.


    He couldn''t go into the world of the gods relying on charity or even his own talent.


    He wasn''t from a divine family; he was a complete mortal.


    Nobody would be there to watch over him.


    If he wanted to grow stronger, then he had to claw at every opportunity himself.


    Oliver didn''t know what Aiden was thinking, but he quickly realized that the panic that was growing in Aiden''s eyes had disappeared and was now replaced with a newfound calm.


    Oliver looked at Aiden and was once again impressed.


    He was from a divine family and had been brought up with the training that came with it.


    He had been told and taught how to fight and risk his life from a very young age.


    Aiden had lived a normal civilian life before this, so Oliver never expected Aiden to be able to accept this quickly.


    He was even prepared to spend some time convincing Aiden, but from just one look, Oliver could tell that was no longer necessary.


    Oliver couldn''t help but sigh in his heart.


    ''Talented people really are different from others. You can''t understand them with normal thinking.''


    Knowing there was no need to spend any time convincing Aiden, Oliver quickly moved on to the next step of his plans and explained them to Aiden.

 Chapter 65 65. Team

    Seeing this, Aiden raised an eyebrow.Continue your saga on empire


    "This is?"


    "A map I put together from the information hidden in the library," responded Oliver.


    "The map is composed of the information hidden in the library and notes the growing places of treasures that can be used to increase one''s strength and divinity."


    Aiden saw this and nodded, but before he got excited, he asked another important question.


    "This map was made from the information that could be gathered in the library, so how many people do you think know about it?"


    "As it stands currently, I think none, but there''s no way it''s going to remain like this for long," replied Oliver.


    "People aren''t dumb. Take Orphalon, for example. While I was speaking to him when we were redeeming our divine credits, I had a faint feeling that he was already onto the trail. He''s just the first, and many others will join after him."


    "That means we''re operating on a timer, then," said Aiden.


    "Exactly," replied Oliver.


    "We need to move as fast as possible to make sure that we can gather as many resources as possible.


    "Aiden, you said you also have some information about the mountain trial?"


    When Aiden heard Oliver''s words, he was a little embarrassed.


    Compared to Oliver''s comprehensive investigation, his information was much less detailed, but it was at least better than nothing.


    "The information I received wasn''t much and it could be summarized into four points," said Aiden.


    No matter what happens on the final day of the cliff trial, reach the peak by any means necessary.Don''t underestimate the challenge of the cliff trial, and overprepare if you can.Team up and bring as many strong people as you can on the final day of the cliff trial.Underneath the chin?


    Oliver heard Aiden''s words and fell into thought.


    "Well, we clearly know now not to underestimate the cliff trial," said Oliver.


    "The information you received seems to be slightly different from the one I got."


    "My information is just an overview about a certain area, whereas yours seems to be focused on a certain event" explained Oliver


    "the last day of the mountain cliff trial," said Aiden.


    "That''s right," replied Oliver.


    "Whoever gave you this information was warning you. Something important will happen on the last day of the mountain cliff trial. It will be an extremely difficult challenge and it''s something you absolutely can''t afford to miss."


    Aiden heard this and fell into thought.


    Oliver saw Aiden thinking and made a few proposals


    "So what do we do? Do you want to listen to that guy''s information and make a team now?


    We can invite Orphalon. Although the guy focuses on his brain, his physical strength is no joke. I''m pretty sure you could get Kain to join us with minimal persuasion."


    Hearing Oliver''s words, Aiden shook his head.


    "We can invite them later, but not yet."


    Aiden wasquite hesitant to bring in more people into their team so early; after all, the more people there are, the less share of the pie there is to go around.


    Oliver understood Aiden''s mindset, but he was still a little worried.


    Considering the fact that this was the first time they were going out, he still felt like they should bring in more people that could ensure their strength, just out of caution.


    Despite this, Aiden was still resistant to bringing Kain along for another reason.


    Orphalon, Kain, and the others could strengthen their team, but Kain was different from them.


    Simply put, Kain was stronger than he was, and it was by a rather wide margin.


    With the addition of such a strong individual, the team dynamics would obviously change, and while he had the most say, it would obviously be the person with the greatest strength.


    It might not be a big deal in most scenarios, but now that they were going to search for treasures, it wasn''t something that could be overlooked. S§×ar?h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Let''s ignore the fact that Aiden was uncertain that he could beat Kain in an all-out fight. Even if he could, it definitely would not be an easy one.


    Such a fight would leave him greatly wounded, and in an area like the wild, he would be leaving himself vulnerable to any watching predators.


    Aiden simply wanted to avoid teaming up with Kain if it was possible for the time being. At very least he wouldn''t want to team with him until he was more confident he could stand closer to him on equal footing.


    Aiden didn''t know if it was the realization that Olympus Academy views the trainees as disposable assets, but he started to approach things with less open-heartedness and more caution.


    Of course, the views of the academy may change once they became official students at Olympus Academy, but until then, Aiden''s outlook would inevitably be quite jaded.


    But he still understood an aspect of what Oliver was saying.


    Just the two of them alone would bring too much risk. They should at least bring one more person.


    "How about Raelia?" asked Aiden.


    In his mind, she was the perfect fit. She was strong but not unfathomably so like Kain. Even in the worst case scenario, Aiden felt confident he could fight back against her.


    Besides, it probably would never come down to that. After all, after Oliver, Raelia was the person he trusted most at this training camp.


    If he was still betrayed by such a person, then Aiden would really have to reevaluate his people skills.


    Not to mention that Raelia was a divine descendant of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. For the task they were doing, Raelia may even be more suitable than Kain himself.


    Oliver heard Aiden''s words and thought about them for a while before nodding.


    "Raelia is a good pick; she seems reliable and trustworthy. The next question is about the split of treasures."


    As Oliver said this, he couldn''t help but glance at Aiden secretly.


    This was the final part. Although he trusted Aiden, he couldn''t help but feel slightly nervous.

 Chapter 66 66. Arming up

    He had already shared his revelations and map with Aiden. If Aiden asked for an unreasonable share, he could only suffer in silence.Aiden heard Oliver''s words and didn''t put too much thought into it and said,


    "Let''s just share it equally. How about each person takes a third?"


    Hearing this, Oliver was shocked.


    "A-a third?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, curious.


    "Are you saying I shouldn''t take a third?"


    "No, I''m saying I shouldn''t take a third," said Oliver quickly.


    "All I did was bring the map. The main combat power is still going to be you and Raelia, after all. A third seems a bit unreasonable."


    Hearing Oliver''s words, Aiden just shook his head.


    "Don''t underplay your role in information gathering. Some heartless information brokers could even demand half of the total haul. You getting a third is more than deserved."


    Oliver wanted to still say something, but after seeing the resolute look in Aiden''s eyes, he quickly gave up.


    "Will Raelia be okay with a third?"


    "Of course, she will. Someone as proud as her won''t stoop so low as to argue about the shares of treasures. Remember, when it comes to divine credits, she''s currently richer than both of us."


    It was only then that Oliver remembered that Raelia was the only person who received divine credits from both the theory and practical exams. She really was a person that couldn''t be underestimated!


    "So, all that leaves now is the time we set off," asked Oliver.


    Aiden smiled.


    "Let''s set off as soon as possible. Theory lectures are happening less and less to give us as much time as possible to train. We should have no lectures for the rest of the week, so why not set off tomorrow?"


    "What about Raelia?" asked Oliver.


    "Don''t worry," said Aiden. "I''ll speak to her after this. She''ll definitely be able to join us tomorrow."


    After saying this, Aiden didn''t leave first but looked at Oliver with extremely serious eyes.


    "But before I leave, I need you to confirm something for me."


    "What is that?" asked Oliver, puzzled.


    "Whether creating a Hermes Messenger account will automatically add you into a crazy group chat."


    Oliver looked at his friend and secretly swore to help Aiden get as many credits as possible.


    The feeling of poverty had evidently fried his friend''s brain. Otherwise, how could he say such nonsense with a serious face?


    ...


    Like that, time passed, and the next day came.


    As roommates, Aiden and Oliver could help wake each other up and make sure they got up on time.


    The two had gotten up early and headed to the camp armory to get stocked up with a good bow and a full quiver of arrows. Since they were venturing into the forest for an unknown amount of time, they didn''t know when they would be able to restock supplies again, so they took as many arrows as possible.


    Every member of their team was primarily an archer, so having a stable supply of arrows was essential.


    After leaving the armory, now armed to the teeth, Aiden and Oliver headed to the meetup spot and saw that Raelia had already arrived, waiting for them at their destination.


    She was wearing brown leather boots and pants with a pale white shirt on.


    A quiver full of arrows hung on her back, and her silver hair was tied up neatly in a high ponytail. Her blue eyes were sharp, like those of a glowing wolf eager to hunt.


    Aiden could tell, just from a brief look, that Raelia was excited.


    She wasn''t a descendant of the Goddess of the Hunt for nothing.


    "You guys finally arrived," said Raelia in a complaining tone.


    Hearing this, Aiden just chuckled.


    "If anyone heard you speak, they would have thought we were late. We''re still perfectly on time, you know?"


    Hearing this Raelia scratched her head slightly embarrassed.


    "I can''t help it. It''s been so long since I went on my last hunt. I can''t help but get a little excited."


    As Raelia spoke, her tail wagged rapidly, and even her fangs started growing, a blush appearing on her face.


    Oliver saw the sight and was suddenly hit by a flashback of a crazed, silver-haired beauty standing amid a pool of blood and giant lion carcasses. He felt a cold tingle run down his spine.


    Aiden saw this sight and had a completely different reaction.


    ''Cute,'' he thought.


    Aiden smiled and subconsciously stretched out his hand, ruffling Raelia''s hair and her cute, fluffy wolf ears.


    "A-Aiden Evans! What are you doing?" cried Raelia, now flustered, her face blushing red. Enjoy new chapters from empire


    "Ah, sorry," said Aiden, quickly apologizing.


    "You reminded me of a puppy so much that I did it without even realizing."


    Hearing this, Raelia turned a little embarrassed and asked, is it because i''m a werewolf


    Aiden just shook his head


    "No, it''s because you''re cute."


    The second Aiden said these words, Raelia''s already blushing face turned completely red. She quickly rushed up and placed both her hands on his mouth, preventing him from saying another word.


    "A-As expected of a divine descendant of the God of Song, your words can cast a magical effect. You need to be kept in check."


    Oliver heard Raelia''s excuse and just chuckled.


    "I don''t think his bloodline is the reason those words left you so flustered, little lady."


    Raelia seemed to sense Oliver''s gaze and snapped at him. sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Mr. McKinley, what are you doing just standing there? Hand me the map!"


    Being targeted by the embarrassed wolf girl, Oliver grumbled under his breath, but he still handed Raelia the map.


    As soon as Raelia opened up the map and took a look at it, she quickly entered professional mode, and the flustered look quickly left her.


    Aiden and Oliver didn''t disturb her. Things like this should be left up to the experts.


    A few minutes later, Raelia rolled up the map and securely placed it on her belt as she spoke.

 Chapter 67 67. Not the same

    A few minutes later, Raelia rolled up the map and securely placed it on her belt as she spoke."Okay, I''ve familiarized myself with the map and planned a route we can take to hit all the treasure spots in the shortest amount of time."


    Hearing this, a majestic golden light bloomed in the eyes of the two young men as their divine blood boiled.


    Raelia looked at her two friends with a pair of glowing blue eyes and spoke with excitement.


    "Now everything is in order. Let''s hunt!"


    ....


    A short while later, three trainees entered the forest pathway.


    As the group walked, Oliver looked around and chuckled.


    "It brings back pleasant memories, doesn''t it?"


    Raelia heard this and just scoffed.


    "We''re not the same people we were weeks ago. We''ve grown stronger, and we won''t be stopped by just some preliminary trials. We didn''t come here as trainees but as hunters."


    "We''ve arrived."


    Aiden''s voice rang out, causing the entire group to pause.


    The trio looked forward and saw many different branching pathways, all covered in fog.


    Oliver eagerly stepped into the fog, grabbing the faint mystical mist and letting it trickle through his fingers. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "If my guess is correct, this should be the start of the space distortion barrier that allows for a much larger area to be contained within. From this moment on, things get serious."


    The trio looked at each other and just nodded.


    With that motion, they dove deeper, each of them channeling energy into their legs as they rushed forward fearlessly into the mist.


    The second Aiden entered, he noticed something off and frowned.


    He couldn''t quite feel it before, but now that his strength had greatly increased, he noticed it instantly. This fog seemed to have a faint suppression on his senses. He probably hadn''t discovered it earlier because his senses were so weak that the suppression effect was negligible.


    As the trio charged forward, Aiden''s eyes narrowed with a golden glow as he looked ahead before shouting, "Watch out, those tendrils are attacking!"


    Shortly after Aiden''s warning, a swarm of dark brown wooden tendrils burst out of the fog like a tide of raging dragons!


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden''s figure exploded with blinding radiance as he flickered with countless afterimages, practically phasing through the endless attacks.


    While Oliver and Raelia didn''t have as easy a time as Aiden, they still managed to comfortably skip past the raging tendrils.


    If it were the Aiden from before, he would''ve breathed a sigh of relief and thanked his lucky stars before continuing down the path. But how could the current Aiden be compared to his former self?


    Since he was being attacked, he would definitely fight back!


    Aiden''s eyes shone with a magnificent glow as he quickly drew the bow from his back. As soon as his hand touched it, the bow glowed with golden light, buzzing with excitement.


    [True Dawn]


    Aiden''s words echoed throughout the forest like a god-emperor''s divine judgment as his arrow blasted forward. A golden light tore through the mist, slashing straight into a towering ancient tree.


    Boom!


    An eruption of golden fire completely engulfed the tree, causing many of the attacking tendrils to go limp and instantly combust.


    And now that Aiden had fired the first shot, how could Raelia and Oliver let him have all the fun?


    Soon, a swarm of golden and silver arrows descended from the sky like a divine missile salvo, completely littering any tree that was releasing attacking tendrils.


    It barely even took a minute before the forest returned to its previous silence, meaning one thing: all enemies were eliminated.


    The group hadn''t even broken a sweat.


    Just like that, an area that had once left them no choice but to run helplessly a few weeks ago had been completely annihilated.


    If it weren''t for the cautious nature of the group wanting to retrieve their fired arrows, they wouldn''t have even bothered to look back at such an easy foe.


    After quickly retrieving their arrows, the group continued their run.


    Aiden and his group continued to move for a little while before they suddenly started to feel a violent trembling from the ground beneath their feet.


    Looking into the distance, Aiden could see what could only be described as a tidal wave of earth rushing toward them.


    Aiden remembered exactly what this was¡ªthe ground itself would try to fling the trainees off the pathway and into the forest to separate them and get them lost.


    Looking to his side, Aiden could see fine silver hairs starting to pop out of Raelia''s skin, an obvious sign that she was about to use her werewolf transformation. But Aiden just patted her shoulder with a confident smile.


    "You can relax. I''ve got this."


    While she was still stunned, Aiden''s body flashed forward until he was only a few meters away from the tide of earth.


    Stepping forward, Aiden took a deep breath.


    "Badum! Badum! Badum!"


    Aiden''s heart started to speed up echoing through his surooundings like a raging war drum as the divinity within him bubbled violently !


    Clenching his fists, the veins on Aiden''s arms popped as his eyes burst out with golden flames and he punched forward


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist seemed to contain the power of the sun itself as it made contact with the tide of earth.


    Boom! Your journey continues with empire


    The world was quickly covered with blinding gold as it was blessed with the radiance of a miniature sun, all emanating from Aiden''s fist!


    The collision created a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying everywhere!


    When the dust settled, they were all greeted with a sight of hellish carnage!


    They saw a gigantic fist-shaped hole stretching through the miniature mountain of earth. The ground around Aiden was still bubbling with violent crimson magma that had been generated from his scorching solar flames.


    All that remained was an imposing figure wrapped in golden, solar flames standing there motionlessly, almost as if he was oblivious to the utter carnage he had created with his own hands

 Chapter 68 68. Arrow storm

    But Oliver''s and Raelia''s shocked expressions couldn''t be blamed on their ignorance or even narrow thinking.Aiden''s display was really just that ridiculous.


    A mechanism meant to leave trainees helpless had been shattered by the force of just one man''s fist. How could they not be shocked!


    Just after redeeming a new divine technique, Aiden''s strength had jumped to a new level again.


    Aiden''s growth could only be described as exponential; he just kept on growing and showed no sign of slowing down.


    He was like an all-consuming flame. Anything and everything would be added and devoured within his flame, allowing it to burn stronger and stronger with each passing moment. S§×arch* The N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Looking at the burning path he had created in front of them, Aiden looked back towards Raelia and Oliver and spoke.


    "Let''s continue moving. This is just the beginning."


    With that, the group continued journeying forward.


    But as they were journeying through the mist, it didn''t take long before Aiden paused once again as a cruel smile appeared on his face. He turned towards his good friend.


    "Oliver, you sense them, right?"


    Oliver, in turn, responded with a smile just as cruel as Aiden''s.


    "Of course I do. They''re those bastards from before."


    Just after Oliver had finished his words, countless figures could be seen emerging from the mist.


    Several ominous dark wooden puppets walked out.


    The dark wood composing their bodies almost had a metallic sheen to it as they cut through the mist like a spectral army.


    Maybe it was because they hadn''t been knocked off the path, but unlike the last time they ran this trial, the puppets numbered in the hundreds.


    In addition, the darker coloring and more ominous aura emanating from the bodies of these puppets showed they were much stronger than the ones they had encountered when they first arrived.


    But once Aiden and the others saw this sight, they weren''t fearful or annoyed; instead, they were excited!


    These puppets were the ones that had left them brutally hospitalized and knocked out when they first came to the training camp.


    In a way, they served as symbolism for their awakening to the world of the gods and their inherent weakness.


    But what would it mean if they could now defeat this symbolism?


    It would mean that they had successfully started their journey towards true strength, no matter how small it may seem now.


    It was a step-by-step process that could reach unimaginable heights.


    The trio stared at the hundred different figures in front of them, and their eyes glowed with an unimaginable battle intent.


    Each of their hands flashed in a blur, and all of a sudden, a terrifying storm of arrows descended from the skies!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Apocalyptic explosions rained from the sky as Aiden''s figure flashed forward in a beam of golden light.


    Back then, he had rushed into the forest recklessly and hadn''t even thought to bring a bow, facing these puppets with just his fists, which caused him to be helplessly defeated.


    Now he would shatter these enemies with just these very same fists!


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Boom!


    An explosion of light appeared, annihilating these puppets as if they were early morning darkness before the rising sun.


    And Aiden''s reign of terror was just beginning!


    Aiden stepped forward, and the earth beneath his feet shattered as his body continued to lunge forward into the endless swarm of puppets.


    Countless fists and kicks rained down on Aiden''s body, but it was all for naught.


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    Aiden''s figure was like that of an elusive ghost. It was constantly flashing with a golden light as it flickered around, phasing through every attack.


    But Aiden wasn''t just dodging. After entering the semi-light state, Aiden would instantly phase back out of it to return a devastating punch that sent every puppet his fist landed on flying.


    This was all happening within the span of mere seconds, with Aiden''s body moving in a massive blur and his fists flying out like a storm of arrows!


    All of a sudden, Aiden''s mind seemed to wander off into a different space.


    A Storm of Arrows?


    A simple observation had awakened something in Aiden.


    As soon as that thought hit Aiden''s mind, his body began to tremble.


    Thousands of thoughts and theories flooded Aiden''s mind as the divinity within his blood surged with excitement.


    His fist techniques and his monstrous archery talent were reacting again to form something.


    Aiden could feel it and smiled as he leapt high into the air.


    Pulling back his fists, the muscles in Aiden''s arms and back twisted and coiled until they perfectly accumulated all the power in his body, like that of a fully drawn bowstring.


    Aiden took a deep breath and breathed out a cloud of white, mist-like air before his voice bellowed throughout the skies, calling forth the name of his newly created technique:


    "Fist like Arrow ¨C Arrow Storm!"


    The puppets all paused to look up at Aiden''s figure, and it''s a good thing they were puppets as well because if it were humans in their place, they would have all collectively shat themselves.


    Aiden''s fists seemed to have multiplied, forming countless shadows that seemed to blot out even the dazzling sun behind him!


    As these shadows fell, they no longer took the form of fist shadows but instead of countless deadly arrows that appeared as if they could pierce through anything!


    It really was a storm of arrows!


    Countless explosions sounded as the puppets exploded and were shattered under Aiden''s newly created fist technique.


    By the time Aiden landed, his feet fell upon a mountain of destroyed puppets.


    Howl!!


    Although Aiden''s performance was magnificent, he wasn''t the only one wreaking havoc.


    A short distance away, a towering figure wrapped in glowing silver fur could be seen howling manically as her terrifying claws dismantled any of the attacking puppets in a cold flash of silver light.


    Cruel, calculated, and fierce!


    Although each movement seemed wild and berserk, if one looked closer, they could see that they all contained a deadly amount of precision and accuracy.

 Chapter 69 69. passing the first area

    Unparalleled strength combined with genius-level precision¡ªit was enough to leave any opponent helpless.Anyone who was fortunate enough to gaze upon this sight would instantly admit in their hearts:


    Right now, an apex predator was unleashed on the battlefield.


    Suddenly the ground beneath their feet trembled.


    Aiden felt something wrong and quickly called out:


    "Raelia, look out!"


    But the warning came too late. A dark, heavy fist tore through the mist, crashing down on Raelia''s body.


    Boom!


    A deafening shockwave spread across the area as the ground trembled.


    Aiden looked at the terrifying aftermath of the attack, and his eyes burned with anger. But just as he was about to move, he looked closer, and his eyes shook.


    Underneath the giant fist, a burst of dazzling silver light shone out as an enraged cry shook the sky.


    "How dare you try to crush me? Do I look like some bug to you!"


    Howl!


    A furious wolf''s howl escaped from Raelia''s transformed lips as she flung the giant puppet''s arm away, causing it to stumble backward.


    Despite falling backward, the puppet mechanically raised its arm and readied to attack Raelia once again, but before it could act...


    Two flaming arrows pierced through the mist, landing squarely on its shoulder.


    Boom! Boom!


    Oliver had fired two arrows that disrupted the giant puppet''s movement, allowing Raelia to easily avoid its second blow.


    Standing a distance away, Raelia snarled viciously as her claws protruded from her hands, now glowing with a cold silver light.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    Raelia moved forward in a silver flash of light, and Aiden could just see Raelia appear behind the giant puppet before its legs exploded and were completely sliced and dismantled into falling wooden blocks.


    Despite collapsing, the giant puppet clasped its hands together and raised them to the sky, ready to bring them down like a divine warhammer, but Oliver was already a step ahead.


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn!]


    Oliver''s bow was engulfed in a dazzling golden flame as a blinding burst of light exploded from the arrow tip.


    The arrows tore through the sky, smashing through the giant fist, and that''s when Aiden made his move.


    His figure moved forward, appearing high in the sky as his eyes glowed with a cold golden light.


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist left a golden line through the air as it smashed down like a falling meteorite.


    The head of the puppet was as tough as iron, but it still shattered helplessly underneath Aiden''s fist!


    As Aiden landed back on the floor, he took a deep breath as he looked at the sea of shattered and destroyed puppets and smiled.


    "Clap! Clap! Clap!"


    Suddenly, Aiden and the others heard the sound of slow clapping coming from behind them.


    "Who!"


    Aiden frowned.


    He was just thinking about how much stronger he had gotten, and yet he hadn''t even sensed the person who suddenly appeared from behind him!


    But soon, Aiden''s caution quickly disappeared.


    "I-Instructor Kyros?"


    Seeing Aiden''s surprised look, the instructor just chuckled.


    "Congratulations, students. You are the second group to break through the first sector of the mountain cliff trial." S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Second? Who was the first group?" asked Aiden, a little surprised.


    "Well, it would be wrong to call them a group since it was only one person at the end of the day."


    As Aiden heard this, his expression hardened.


    If it was only one individual, then that could only leave one person¡ªthe only one who made Aiden feel unsettled and cautious throughout the entire training camp.


    "Kain."


    "Yes, it was that boy," replied Instructor Kyros.


    Aiden took a deep breath and clenched his fist. While Kain was ahead of him now, it would not be that way forever.


    Instructor Kyros saw this and nodded his head, looking towards the three trainees in front of him.


    "I won''t bore you with meaningless words. Unlike the fool before you, I came with a map, so I assume you''ve already done your research. From this point on, the area beyond is its own independent realm. You won''t be facing constructs made to test your abilities, but real monsters that would devour you at any moment.


    You could die."


    When Instructor Kyros said these words, he had expected the trainees in front of him to flinch or at the very least become unsettled, but instead, he saw them smile.


    "When I was first invited to Olympus Academy, I was already told about the possibility that I could die, and I still chose to come," explained Aiden.


    "In life, nothing can be gained without taking risks. This is even more true for us who desire the power of the gods. To seek such otherworldly strength, it''s only natural that your life can also be put up for collateral."


    Instructor Kyros looked at the confident and resolute expressions on the students in front of him and smiled.


    "Very well, then. Each of you are among the top talents of this year''s selection. I''m expecting great things from you, not just at the training camp, but at the academy in the future."


    As the instructor said this, his voice seemed to fade away, becoming distant as his body disappeared from the spot, making Aiden wonder whether the entire conversation he had just had was just an illusion.


    But after he turned to look at Oliver and Raelia and saw them with similarly confused expressions on their faces, he knew that his eyes weren''t deceiving him¡ªit was just Instructor Kyros acting mysteriously.


    Shaking his head, Aiden walked towards Raelia and Oliver, placing a hand on each of their shoulders as he smiled.


    "The real challenge begins now, so, shall we head out?"


    "Of course!" replied Raelia.


    "I can finally participate in a proper hunt again."


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    As Raelia spoke, her fangs started elongating as her eyes glowed with an ominous silver light.


    Seeing the eyes of both of his friends bursting with excitement, Oliver just shook his head.


    "You can get excited, but you still have to remain calm and follow our laid-out plans. We can''t afford to fail here. Our lives are at risk."

 Chapter 70 70.

    Aiden and Raelia calmed down for a second.Oliver''s words were correct. Whilst there was no harm in being confident, caution was still necessary.


    The group looked at one another and nodded as they walked forward.


    As they each took steps forward, the grey mist around them started to grow fainter and fainter until it completely disappeared.


    Aiden seemed to feel a faint cover pass over him, and when he looked up again, the mist that had surprised him had completely vanished.


    Now, the group stood amidst a vast, verdant forest. Towering trees loomed above as the gentle chirping of birds filled the air. The faint, earthy scent of the forest drifted by, carried on a soft breeze brushing against their faces. They had entered the second stage.


    .....


    An unknown amount of time later...


    Deep within the cliff trial forests, a faint growl could be heard as a large badger-like creature was tearing into a half-eaten rabbit.


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    But as the badger was eating, its ears suddenly stood alert as it roared into the sky, but it was too late.


    A bright silver light tore through the air and pierced the badger''s head, nailing it helplessly against a nearby tree.


    Shortly after the attack passed, three elusive figures could be seen walking out.


    A handsome blonde-haired boy yawned as he looked toward the silver-haired girl beside him.


    "How many creatures does that make now?"


    "Fifteen," replied the girl nonchalantly.


    After saying this, the girl calmly walked up to the monster and brought out a sharp dagger, beginning to dissect the creature.


    After a short amount of time dissecting, the silver-haired girl ignored the blood staining her body and showed off an enchanting smile.


    "We''re in luck, guys. We got another magic core!"


    Magic cores were the accumulation of energy and vitality within divine beasts.


    They were used in various industries throughout the world of the gods¡ªbe that forging terrifying divine weapons, crafting mystical potions, or creating heavenly enchantments. Magic cores could be used in nearly anything.


    But the most important thing about magic cores for the current Aiden was that these could be exchanged for divine credits.


    Despite hunting around fifteen divine beasts, they had only been lucky enough to get five magic cores, which wasn''t that good of a record.


    Aiden looked toward Oliver and frowned.


    "It''s as you said, hunting these weaker divine beasts is really an inefficient way to earn divine credits."


    In response, Oliver just patted Aiden on the shoulder.


    "Fortunately, this won''t have to continue for long. We''re now nearing the location of the first treasure."


    Just as Oliver said this, Raelia, who had now finished retrieving the magic core, wiped the blood from her hands and pulled out a map.


    Oliver then pointed at a specific location. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Here. This is the place where the Morning Dew Flower grows."


    The Morning Dew Flower is a golden flower that''s said to gather divine energy from the atmosphere generated at the start of each new day.


    Each petal on the flower is an amazing tonic that can greatly increase our divinity, but there''s one problem.


    "This treasure is also guarded by a divine beast, and an extremely powerful one at that," explained Oliver.


    "The Crimson Star Bear. Named for its crimson fur, constantly stained with dark red blood and glowing red star-shaped patterns along its back and chest."


    The Crimson Star Bear, like the Lion King you faced in the practical assessment, is a divine beast at the peak of the first rank.


    "You''re much stronger than you were when you faced the Lion King, but don''t underestimate the Crimson Star Bear¡ªit is also much stronger than the Lion King.


    It doesn''t have any glaring weaknesses that can be exploited like the Lion King, and it possesses terrifying levels of strength and vitality."


    Aiden heard this and tightened his hand around the bow, asking:


    "You''re giving us its threat level, but I''m sure you also have a plan to beat it, so tell us, Oliver¡ªhow do we kill it?"


    Oliver heard this and smiled.


    "Like I said before, the Crimson Star Bear has a terrifying level of vitality. Although we''re all archers, we could slowly wear it down and kill it from a distance, but the problem is that the Crimson Star Bear was never our target to begin with.


    Our real target was the Morning Dew Flower.


    The Crimson Star Bear is a divine beast, meaning it''s started developing its intelligence. If it realizes it''s being hunted for the Morning Dew Flower, it would eat or even destroy it before we could kill it off.


    To prevent that, we would need a frontline fighter to occupy and restrict the bear''s movements, and that''s where you come in, Raelia."


    As Raelia heard this, she frowned slightly.


    Oliver saw this and smiled helplessly.


    "I know it''s uncomfortable since you''re also an archer like the rest of us, but when it comes to frontline fighting, you are obviously the best pick.


    Among us all, you are the most experienced in hand-to-hand combat, and your werewolf form and bloodline grant you strength that can''t be matched by the rest of us.


    Although Raelia, you will be fighting on the front line, Aiden will also be there to assist you. While his physique and raw strength aren''t as good as yours, due to his mastery of divine techniques, his pure burst damage is still overwhelming and can pose a lethal threat at any moment.


    This, combined with his proficient movement techniques, allows him to be a constant and powerful threat to the enemy, able to attack from range and up close at any moment.


    He will be there to help you through any sticky situation you may get in. His role is more of a flexible fighter that can assist both the front and back lines.


    While this is happening, I will be in the rear, providing cover fire and restricting the movements of the Crimson Star Bear."


    As Oliver said this, he scratched his head, a little embarrassed.


    His friends would be fighting a terrifying monster.

 Chapter 71 71 . Crimson Star Bear

    His friends would be fighting a terrifying monster up close and risking their lives, whilst he, on the other hand, would be safely firing arrows from a distance.Aiden saw his friend''s embarrassment and patted him on the shoulder.


    Feeling that, Oliver regained a little bit of his confidence.


    Everyone had their role to play and he count let his doubts allow him to mess up his role which was also the safest,


    He wouldn''t let his friends down!


    ¡­.


    A short while later, the group entered deep into the forest, but this time, every single one of them was deathly silent.


    Even their breathing couldn''t be heard as they looked towards their target, killing intent rising within their eyes.


    A short distance away from them was a creature that could only be described as a small mountain. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


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    The beast was massive and covered in deep blood-red crimson fur, while orange-red star-shaped patterns were scattered across its chest and back.


    The beast lay down on the ground lazily, each breath it took causing the ground to tremble.


    But Aiden and the others didn''t fall for its tricks, as despite its lazy appearance, the creature was surprisingly alert.


    From time to time, it would open its crimson eyes and look towards a glowing golden flower with a look of boundless greed.


    All of a sudden, three dazzling beams of light shot through the forest and towards the bear.


    Two golden and one silver light beam roared through the sky like a group of enraged dragons, smashing into the crimson star bear!


    "Boom!"


    An explosion shook the forest as the crimson star bear reappeared from the dust with three deep wounds across its arm and back.


    "Roar!"


    The furious crimson star bear let out a defiant roar that sent earth and grass several meters around it flying.


    Its deep crimson eyes burned with endless rage as it locked onto the direction the arrows had originally come from.


    The enraged bear then charged forward. In its rage, it was no different from a bulldozer, shattering and trampling over any tree or boulder unfortunate enough to be caught in its path.


    Roar!


    The bear''s giant paw smashed down onto the ground, destroying its surroundings and causing a massive crater to form.


    But when the bear looked around, it was confused to find no enemies in sight.


    That''s when a terrifying screech shook the air as a bombardment of arrows rained down upon the crimson star bear''s body.


    The bear roared and writhed in pain and as this was happening, clarity began to return to the bear''s eyes.


    The Crimson Star bear had lashed out furiously before because it thought it was being attacked by another beast that had intruded on its territory, but the it wasn''t stupid.


    It knew there was no beast that acted this way.


    This was not normal behaviour for beast that roamed around in this forest


    Its instincts were warning it, so it decided to act.


    It would devour the morning dew flower right now to avoid any problems!


    The crimson bear rushed forward, ignoring all the falling arrows, but as it did so, a figure enveloped in silver light rushed out of the forest.


    Raelia''s eyes burned with ghostly blue light as her nails turned into sharp, elongated claws, and silver fur appeared on her arms and feet.


    "Bang!"


    The giant bear collided with the small, petite wolf girl in a horrifying show of force.


    But the wolf girl didn''t budge and firmly held the crimson star bear in place!


    A cruel snarl escaped from Raelia''s lips as she weaved past the bear''s massive paws and slashed across its chest with her sharp silver claws


    "Roar!!!"


    Blood spattered across the floor as the giant bear lashed out in pain.


    Its furious eyes locked onto Raelia once again, and it slammed down its paw with the force of a falling mountain!


    "Boom!"


    "Urghh..."


    Raelia groaned as she felt a sharp jolt of pain run through her entire body, causing her to freeze in place for a second.


    The crimson star bear saw the opportunity and wouldn''t let it slip by. It swung out its paw, ready to smash Raelia into a pile of meat paste, but Aiden was already on the move.


    The moment he saw Raelia freeze up, he flashed forward at blinding speed, easily weaving through the giant bear''s paws and appearing right underneath the massive creature.


    Right as the bear was about to land its attack on Raelia, Aiden''s fist was already under its chin, ready to deliver a devastating uppercut.


    [ Daybreak Fist! ]


    "Boom!"


    A flash of light exploded.


    Aiden''s punch sounded like a cannon shot, causing the crimson star bear''s body to lurch upwards.


    The force was so great that it caused the four-legged creature to rear up and stumble backward on its two legs.


    But Aiden wouldn''t stop there.


    Before the crimson star bear could recover, his fist was already in front of the monster''s chest.


    The muscles in his arms and back trembled as his eyes shone with a harsh golden glow.


    [ Daybreak Fist! ]


    "Boom!"


    Aiden went all out!


    His fist hit the bear with the force of a speeding truck, sending the hill-sized beast flying backward, crushing several trees in the process.


    Aiden quickly pulled out the bow on his back and fired a barrage of arrows toward the helpless bear.


    But right as the arrows were about to land, the bear''s eyes opened, revealing deep crimson pupils. Inside those eyes, there was no sanity, only raging, endless madness.


    "ROAR!"


    The bear''s massive body grew even larger as the stars on its back started glowing with an ominous red light.


    Boom!


    All of a sudden, the stars on the bear''s body seemed to explode as a sea of fire poured out from them.


    Some of the vicious red flames spread out, burning and annihilating anything they came into contact with.


    The rest wrapped around the bear''s body, clinging to its rapidly expanding physique like a set of living fire armor.


    "ROAR!"


    A deafening, berserk roar shook Aiden''s and Raelia''s eardrums, causing them to freeze in place for a second.


    Aiden looked at the raging monster in front of him and frowned.

 Chapter 72 72. Crimson Star Bear (2)

    Just a roar from the beast had almost left them paralyzed.If they were going to properly deal with this creature, they needed to be more careful.


    Unfortunately, the crimson star bear wouldn''t give them any time to think. It roared as it rushed forward in a sea of flames.


    It had completely lost its mind and didn''t care about its surroundings.


    If it got any closer, the morning dew flower would definitely be damaged, if not outright destroyed.


    "HOWL!"


    Raelia knew her role and let out a defiant howl as she fully transformed into a towering silver werewolf.


    Bang!!


    The two beasts collided in a brilliant show of force.


    The deep red flames of the crimson star bear burned furiously against Raelia''s skin, but she didn''t back down.


    Her cold silver divinity shone on her like the soft glow of the winter moon, allowing her to resist the terrifying flames. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While Raelia held back the crimson star bear, Aiden dashed forward, ready to strike it down with his fist.


    But he had missed something. In the crimson star bear''s berserk state, while its reasoning may be reduced, its instincts were heightened to an unprecedented level.


    It quickly sensed the aura of danger from Aiden''s movements and swung out in his direction.


    Aiden was completely caught off guard by the bear''s sudden movements and was sent flying through the trees.


    "Aiden!"


    Raelia cried out in horror at the sight of Aiden being flung through the air like a ragdoll.


    But that was the chance the bear had been waiting for. It took Raelia''s moment of distraction as its opportunity and smashed its claw down, sending Raelia flying through the air.


    However, the crimson star bear didn''t get to celebrate. Right after its paw smashed into Raelia, a golden glowing arrow shot through the air, nesting itself deep inside its eye socket!


    "ROAR!"


    Oliver had taken the perfect moment to greatly wound the crimson star bear.


    Now blinded in one eye, the crimson star bear howled as its arms flailed around.


    Suddenly, a bloodied and bruised figure rushed out of the forest and appeared right in front of the bear''s head.


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist drilled into the arrow that was still sticking out of the bear''s eye, lodging it deeper into the bear''s head and even reaching its brain.


    The crimson star bear''s rampage became even more frantic.


    The crimson star bear swung its arm, but Aiden''s body flickered as he disappeared, allowing the paw to pass straight through him.


    Next, Raelia made her move.


    Her claws elongated and started glowing with an ominous silver light.


    Her body flashed forward with a silver light, and a howl echoed through the air.


    There was a bright flash of silver and a devastating roar. A giant arm flew into the air, and blood poured out like a river.


    The crimson star bear was furious, with blood splattered all over its body. It looked at Raelia with eyes filled with hatred.


    The crimson star bear charged forward and collided with the wolf girl, sending her flying backward.


    But the beast wasn''t done. It rushed toward Raelia, its jaws wide open and its eyes completely bloodshot, ready to finish the job.


    But before its jaws could close, three golden arrows collided with it like a missile barrage, sending it stumbling backward.


    Aiden joined in, sending another arrow that smashed against the crimson star bear''s back.


    His arrow pierced its burning flame armor, digging deep into the bear''s back.


    With its grievous wounds accumulating, the bear had now lost all sense of reasoning. It simply targeted the person who had last attacked it¡ªAiden.


    Seeing the crimson star bear looking at him, Aiden stimulated his divinity, causing his aura to rise and provoke the bear.


    The bear roared and charged forward. Aiden''s body also glowed as he charged toward the bear as well.


    But the collision of forces they expected didn''t occur.


    Aiden easily weaved past the bear and rushed toward Raelia.


    He leapt onto Raelia''s arm, and she then threw him up into the air.


    Aiden''s figure soared into the sky.


    He could feel the wind rushing against his back as the air swirled around him.


    Aiden''s eyes started to glow with an ominous golden light as he began to harmonize with his surroundings.


    As this was happening, golden clouds started rumbling in the sky, and the crimson star bear far below trembled, feeling a horrifying will lock onto its body.


    [ Heaven''s Arrow ]


    Aiden''s body disappeared and was now replaced with a giant golden arrow that crashed toward the ground at a terrifying speed!


    The sky trembled as a pillar of golden flames shot towards the ground as the arrow finally made impact.


    Boom!


    A dazzling clash of gold and crimson erupted on the forest grounds. Your next read awaits at empire


    The two terrifying flames rushed at each other, trying to devour and overpower the other, but the result was quickly determined.


    By the time the smoke cleared, a tall, handsome figure could be seen standing calmly inside a crater of molten magma.


    It was Aiden, who had completely come out on top in the final clash between him and the crimson star bear!


    As for the crimson star bear in question?


    It had been completely blown apart!


    Aiden''s final move burst through the massive beast''s body, sending parts of its limbs flying all over the battlefield.


    And that was just the few parts that had managed to resist his terrifying flames.


    If it wasn''t for the crimson star bear''s already terrifying flame resistance, it would have been completely vaporized on the spot.


    "Aiden! Are you okay?"


    A silver-haired girl called out with clear worry in her voice as she rushed toward Aiden.


    Aiden saw this sight and smiled as he wiped the faint trickle of sweat from his forehead.


    "I''m fine, Raelia, there''s no need to worry about me. If there''s anyone we need to worry about, it should be you. You weer the one who was fighting on the front line and had to endure most of the damage."

 Chapter 73 73. Netherspring Lotus

    Raelia heard this and blushed slightly as she raised her arm."You don''t have to worry about me, Aiden. My body is far tougher than it looks."


    Aiden saw Raelia showing off to him, standing happy and proud, and lightly chuckled.


    As the two of them were talking, Oliver walked out of the forest with a bow on his back and patted both Aiden and Raelia on the shoulder.


    "Good work, guys. The Crimson Star Bear was definitely fiercer than the records I could find in the library, but you two still handled it with relative ease."


    Aiden heard this and smiled as he also patted Oliver on the back.


    "Things only went this smoothly because you two are such good teammates. Raelia fearlessly faced the Crimson Star Bear head-on, while you brutally punished any slip-up the bear made, allowing me to fully display my abilities."


    "Now that we''ve worked hard, we should at least get our reward."


    As soon as those words were said, an excited light flashed in the eyes of everyone present.


    They looked towards the direction of the Morning Dew Flower and felt breathless.


    Due to the relentless protection of Raelia and everyone else, the area around the Morning Dew Flower was the only place that was unaffected by the surrounding carnage from their fight with the Crimson Star Bear.


    In the center of this island of serenity stood a divine glowing flower.


    Its petals seemed to be made of pure gold, as dazzling rays of mystical light twinkled across the plant''s entire body.


    There were exactly six petals on the Morning Dew Flower, which meant there were two for each of them.


    After scouting their surroundings and making sure it was safe, Aiden and the others found a rather undamaged area and sat down to consume the Morning Dew Flower.


    As soon as Aiden put the petal in his mouth, his face blushed a deep red as the blood in his body stirred.


    The Morning Dew Flower had an intoxicating honey flavor that left Aiden wanting more.


    He quickly consumed the second petal, causing the divinity in his body to become even more excited.


    Divine energy started rushing towards the fire of divinity burning in his inner space.


    The ember of divinity burned brighter and brighter as Aiden could feel his blood strengthening throughout his body.


    Clenching his fist, Aiden looked at his status screen and smiled, slightly excited.


    Divinity: F+ (40 ¡ú 55/100)


    Just one-third of this rare treasure had been enough for Aiden to gain several weeks'' worth of training. It would be strange if Aiden wasn''t excited.


    At the same time, an unquenchable sense of greed was starting to grow inside of Aiden. If just one treasure was already this effective, one could only imagine how strong they would grow after they completely swept away all the treasures in the Forest of the Mountain Cliff Trial area!


    Aiden turned towards his two friends to see their eyes glowing with a similarly greedy light.


    Obviously, the two had tasted the sweetness of these divine treasures and were just as eager for more as Aiden was. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eventually, Raelia couldn''t contain herself any longer and looked at Oliver with a pair of wolf-like eyes.


    "Oliver, quickly tell us where the next location is! We need to get these divine treasures as fast as possible."


    Normally, Oliver would have been a little scared, seeing Raelia look at him with such wolfish eyes. But now, even Oliver, the most level-headed of the group, was subtly affected by the growing greed and was eagerly planning their next move.


    "You guys don''t need to worry about anything. I''ve already planned out the route; we just need Raelia to navigate us there."


    After Oliver''s words, Raelia didn''t waste any more time. She quickly pulled out the map and practically dragged Aiden and Oliver towards their next location.


    ...


    An unknown amount of time passed, and Aiden, Oliver, and Raelia were still hunting in the forest of the Mountain Cliff Trial.


    On their journey, they had hunted many different types of magic beasts and were lucky enough to accumulate quite a few magic cores. Most importantly, they had managed to find many different divine treasures, allowing their divinity to soar.


    [Divinity: F++ (55 ¡ú 80/100)]


    Of course, such a journey wasn''t easy. Searching through the thick and desperate forest was tiring, and if it weren''t for Raelia''s experience and the bloodline bonus brought by being a descendant of Artemis, things wouldn''t have been this manageable. Read latest stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    In addition, there were still strong divine beasts guarding these treasures.


    While they weren''t as horrifying as the Crimson Star Bear they had faced at the beginning of their journey, they were no pushovers either.


    If Aiden and his group were any weaker or had not taken things seriously, instead of rapidly increasing their strength and divinity, they would have been forced to leave the forest severely injured, if not outright dead.


    Aiden, Raelia, and Oliver were walking through the forest.


    Their expressions were slightly hardened, but the look of satisfaction couldn''t be concealed from their eyes.


    The Netherspring Lotus.


    It was an elusive and magnificent treasure that seemed to form and grow on the surface of lakes and ponds fed by tributaries of the River Styx, which sometimes breached into real space.


    The Underworld was a vast, endless realm, formed as a separate yet equal subspace to the real material plane.


    Despite being linked, the realms of the dead and the living are supposed to remain distinctly separate.


    For regular mortals, just an encounter with anything from the Underworld can be lethal, so gods and rulers of the Underworld like Lord Hades make it a top priority to stop breaches from the Underworld into the real world by keeping the barriers between worlds stable


    The universe is constantly expanding, and worlds are always shifting and moving. Sometimes, even the activities of the gods can cause the very fabric of reality itself to shake, so how could the realms be perfectly stable?

 Chapter 74 74. Weeping Soul Serpent

    Sometimes, the space between realms weakens and this allows for different realms like the underworld to overlap with the real word.The overlap had resulted in creating the nests for the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    There were two reasons that Oliver had saved the Netherspring Lotus to be the last thing they retrieved in their journey inside the forest.


    The first reason was that the Netherspring Lotus was the strongest and most potent divine treasure on the list of treasures he had been able to make from the records in the library.


    This was important because the very point of their trip was to quickly enter the forest and sweep away as many treasures as they possibly could.


    This was obviously a good thing, but it also came with its own drawbacks.


    Taking many divine treasures in rapid succession would naturally reduce their effectiveness.


    The body would gradually develop resistance against the rapid intake of supernatural medicine.


    That''s why children from powerful noble families would space out their consumption of drugs, so as to not encounter this problem.


    The good thing about the Netherspring Lotus was that since it was so potent, it could mostly ignore the resistance they had already built up, making it the best to save for last.


    The second reason that Oliver had saved the Netherspring Lotus for last was simply because it was the most difficult to grab.


    The beast guarding the Netherspring Lotus was no ordinary Rank 1 monster but instead a terrifying peak Rank 1 monster that could defeat even the Crimson Star Bear: the Weeping Soul Serpent.


    What made it worse was that the Weeping Soul Serpents were an associated species and lived in extremely large groups, all led by the peak Rank 1 divine creature.


    Saving the Netherspring Lotus for last also allowed them to increase their divinity and strength in preparation for facing the army of Weeping Soul Serpents.


    The trio of Oliver,Aiden and Raelia came to a large entrance hole at the side of the mountain and gulped.


    Despite standing near the entrance, Aiden could already feel the temperature drop as a faint, ominous air clung to his skin.


    Even for a divine descendant like him, the surroundings had started to feel eerie. One could only imagine how horrifying the area would feel to a regular mortal.


    Aiden then turned to Oliver and asked, "This is the right place, correct?"


    "Correct. This is the right area. From now on, we have to be careful. These Weeping Soul Serpents are vicious creatures that would not spare anything that intruded on their territory. Plus, they live in such large groups that total extermination is a ridiculous idea.


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    Our plan is to execute a beheading tactic.


    We will sneak into their nest and quickly assassinate the leader of their group, sending the rest of the Weeping Soul Serpents into disarray and buying us enough time to escape.


    I won''t lie to you two, this plan is risky, and there is a chance things will go wrong and leave us seriously injured, if not dead. But I believe in you guys and my plan.


    As long as we pay attention and work hard, there should be no problems."


    Aiden heard this and just shook his head.


    "Oliver, I trust your plans. They''ve got us this far, so I''m willing to take the risk."


    Raelia poked her head out from behind Aiden and also chimed in.


    After reconfirming their resolve, the group wasted no time and started to move.


    The tunnels leading to the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents were anything but small, their towering walls reaching several meters high. Looking into the entrance, you could feel an imposing and ominous aura stretch out as if it wanted to consume you whole.


    Despite the ominous aura they felt, the greed and ambition in their hearts suppressed their fear, allowing the trio to continue walking.


    As the group ventured deeper into the underground cave system, the echo of their footsteps bounced off the damp stone walls, creating an eerie rhythm that seemed to follow them through the passage.


    Inside the tunnels, the darkness was suffocating, so thick and complete that even Aiden and Oliver, who usually had sharp vision, found it difficult to see clearly. Shadows danced along the rough, uneven surfaces, adding to the oppressive atmosphere, as if the cave itself was alive, watching their every move.


    The unsettling aura, coupled with the distinct blindness, made Aiden feel extremely uncomfortable. Despite being divine descendants, even they could not adapt to this level of darkness.


    Only Raelia, with her excellent dark vision, fared slightly better, unaffected by her surroundings.


    Aiden thought about this and frowned.


    If things continued like this, he would be completely oblivious to any incoming attack until it was already too late.


    Aiden quickly extended his hand and used his divinity to create a small fireball that hovered above his palm.


    The surroundings instantly brightened up, but at the same time, Aiden quickly felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Oliver.


    "Aiden, what are you doing? Didn''t I say that we need to be as stealthy as possible? What we''re trying to execute is a beheading tactic against the leader. If the monsters discover us first, then it''s over!"


    Aiden understood Oliver''s worry but calmly explained his own perspective.


    "What you''re saying makes sense, but I still think it''s too risky. My senses are too poor to handle any surprise attack that might come from these shadows. Raelia might be able to fare good enough, but there''s no point in actually getting seriously injured for this treasure. If lighting up the surroundings makes the mission impossible, then we might as well just turn back right now."


    Oliver looked at Aiden''s firm expression and knew right then that Aiden had made up his mind, and he couldn''t convince him otherwise. S§×ar?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Eventually, Oliver just sighed as he relaxed his clenched fist.


    "Sigh... Aiden, you''re right. Our safety should still be the first priority, and as a main fighter, we can''t allow you to have any injuries before the main fight starts."

 Chapter 75 75. Weeping Soul Serpent (2)

    Aiden heard this and smiled, happy that his friend understood his thinking. But before he could talk, Oliver cut him off."The fire is fine for now, but when we approach the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents, the light must be out, or there is no point in taking another step forward."


    Aiden heard this and casually waved his hand.


    "There''s no need to worry about that. When it gets to that time, I won''t be a liability for the mission."


    Seeing this, Oliver nodded and brought out the map to begin leading the group again.


    With the light emanating from the orb in Aiden''s hand, the group seemed to gain some added confidence and moved forward at a faster speed.


    Despite moving much faster than before, the journey wasn''t easy. They were traversing underground tunnels that were teeming with potential monsters.


    Oliver didn''t want to take any chances and would often pause at certain times to make markings and double-check his path at crossroads.


    Oliver looked around again when suddenly there was a low, guttural hissing emanating from the shadows. A deep black serpent leapt out towards Oliver''s leading figure.


    Aiden, who had been paying attention to his surroundings, had his eyes flash with a strange golden light as his figure flickered forward.


    Bang!


    His fist glowed bright golden-red like hot molten steel and came crashing down from the sky!


    "Screech!"


    The attacked serpent let out an ear-piercing screech that made Aiden pause for a few moments as it writhed on the ground, but Aiden soon overcame the discomfort and stepped forward, crushing the injured snake beneath his feet.


    Bang!


    The bottom half of the serpent''s body exploded, causing the creature to writhe for only a few more seconds before coming to a complete standstill.


    Oliver came over to Aiden''s side and frowned.


    "Thanks for helping me back there, Aiden. I didn''t even realize that it had gotten this close."


    Aiden just waved Oliver off, not taking what he did as any sort of big deal, and crouched down next to the corpse of the crushed creature and asked, Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "This is¡­?"


    "Yeah, it''s a Weeping Soul Serpent," replied Oliver.


    "And that screech from earlier?" asked Aiden.


    "It''s the unique ability of the Weeping Soul Serpent. [Soul Weep]. It''s an attack that targets the mind and soul directly of the attacked creature. For regular mortals, it would prove lethal, but for divine descendants like us, even the leader of the group could only incapacitate us for a few seconds at most."


    Aiden heard this and frowned.


    "Is there any way to guard against such abilities?"


    "I''m afraid not. We can only overpower it with sheer will for now. That''s why the Weeping Soul Serpent is such a terrifying creature at early ranks. It''s one that can''t be guarded against, only endured."


    Aiden and Oliver kept talking for a while longer when their conversation was suddenly interrupted.


    Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!


    Low, eerie hissing came from every direction in the darkness, just outside the range of Aiden''s light source.


    The group paused as they could clearly feel the gaze of countless green eyes watching them from the shadows.


    They were surrounded!


    Raelia looked around and snorted. In contrast to Aiden and the others, who were blind under the glow, her blue wolf eyes could see as clearly as day.


    Before Aiden and Oliver could even realize what was happening, the bow on Raelia''s back had been fully drawn.


    Phew! Phew! Phew!


    A storm of arrows flew out as the small tunnel was flooded with silver light.


    Raelia''s arrows flew like a storm of silver bullets, piercing through the bodies of the serpents and pinning them to the walls of the underground cave passage.


    Raelia looked around and saw that the serpents had been cleanly killed off. She wanted to inspect the bodies for any magic cores when Oliver quickly pulled her back.


    "We have to leave now. Our fight has already started to attract the nearby Weeping Soul Serpents to our location. Remember, our mission is a beheading tactic. If we get bogged down by a swarm of serpents, we''re going to be in deep trouble!"


    Oliver didn''t need to explain any more to Aiden and Raelia before they got the gist of what was happening. They didn''t say another word and followed closely behind Oliver as the three figures flew through the cave passageways.


    Before, when they first entered, the group traversed rather slowly, making sure not to get lost and taking as much time as needed to ensure they took the correct path.


    Now, under the threat of encirclement by the Weeping Soul Serpents, the group didn''t dare stop and continued moving.


    They kept moving through the maze-like cave system at blinding speeds.


    Oliver''s eyes were glowing with a blinding golden light as they constantly darted about, processing all information and comparing it with their surroundings in the blink of an eye, readjusting their direction.


    Of course, since they were nearing the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents, no matter how cautious or careful they had been, they would inevitably run into a few serpents along the way. But that was a complete non-issue.


    Any serpent unlucky enough to run into their path would find itself completely suppressed and annihilated under Aiden''s ruthless golden fist or mercilessly eviscerated by Raelia''s silver claws.


    With the team working at such an efficient pace, it didn''t take long for them to reach the end of the tunnel and near their destination.


    Suddenly, the caves, which had been pitch black before, began to light up gradually as the tunnels became more spacious.


    The group''s rapid movement eventually slowed to a crawl as they traded speed for stealth.


    Over the past few days, since they had entered into the mountain cliff trial, Aiden and Oliver had learned a few things from Raelia. One important part of hunting they had learned was stealth.


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    The stealth that they had learnt wasn''t any grandiose divine technique or anything like that instead was something much more basic. But basic didn''t mean it was ineffective

 Chapter 76 76. king

    The stealth that they had learned wasn''t any grandiose divine technique or anything like that; instead, it was something much more basic. But basic didn''t mean it was ineffective.Sometimes, you also had to take a look at who was teaching you such basic techniques. Raelia was a divine descendant of the goddess of the hunt, and things like stealth and avoidance were as easy as breathing to her.


    Even basic techniques from someone like her would be enough to be considered a god-like skill in the mortal world.


    The trio used the stealth techniques to sneak up to the entrance and were quickly mesmerized.


    he tunnel gradually widened into a vast underground cavern, its scale overwhelming. Along the walls and ceiling, faint patches of glowing green moss twinkled like distant stars, casting an eerie, magical light across the space.


    The cool, heavy air felt alive, as if the cavern itself was watching them. The shimmering light gave the chamber a strange, enchanting beauty, but beneath the surface, a sense of foreboding lingered.


    Their awe was short-lived, as their gaze fell upon a sight that made their skin crawl. Beneath them, the cavern floor was swarming with snakes, their bodies writhing in a sea of endless motion. Each snake was covered in sleek, abyssal black scales, with eerie white markings resembling ghostly faces twisted in silent screams.


    The air was thick with the unsettling hiss of scales brushing against stone.


    At the center of the cavern lay a crystal-clear lake, its surface smooth and undisturbed, reflecting the faint light above. Floating on the water was a single large black-and-white lotuses, its petals glowing faintly, pulsing with an otherworldly energy. The flowers, beautiful yet ominous, seemed to draw in the viewer''s gaze, as if luring them into a trance.


    Eventually, Aiden managed to overpower the soul-charming effect of the Netherspring Lotus and took a good look at his true enemy.


    It was the Weeping Soul Serpent King that they had to eliminate.


    It lay calmly on a large boulder near the Netherspring Lake.


    Its body completely dwarfed the other Weeping Soul Serpents twisting and writhing around the lakeshore with its massive and thick frame.


    Its green eyes opened slightly from time to time, gazing over the surroundings with a grand sense of majesty.


    Aiden looked at it and could feel the threat the beast posed.


    He took a deep breath, loosening his muscles, and let the divinity inside his body flow through him. He turned towards his two companions.


    "Ready?" asked Aiden.


    "Ready," they both replied with confident smiles.


    As they said this, both of them dashed to the side, leaving Aiden all alone.


    The plan was to ambush and assist in defeating the Weeping Soul Serpent King.


    To do that, they needed a distraction, and in such a dark underground cave, what better distraction was there than a dazzling ball of golden light?


    Aiden took a deep breath, and the divinity within him began to surge. His dazzling blonde hair started to float in the wind as bright golden flames formed a giant whirlpool all around him.


    The second he acted, Aiden''s torrent of fire didn''t stop and surged forward, burning and annihilating any Weeping Soul Serpent that dared to get in his way.


    Within just a few seconds, Aiden had appeared in front of the gaunt Weeping Soul Serpent King.


    Aiden pulled back his fist, causing the golden flames around him to tremble as they coalesced around his arms.


    [Daybreak Fist]


    Boom!


    In that second, a burst of blinding light exploded in the darkness, like the rising sun breaking through the horizon.


    Even the massive Weeping Soul Serpent King felt its bones shake as a massive force tore through its scales, penetrating deep into its body.


    Roar!


    A soul-shaking cry emanated from the giant serpent''s lips. Explore stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    This was one of the unique techniques of the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    [Soul Weep]


    A loud, distinct cry that mimicked the wailing of souls crossing the River Styx!


    Even someone as resolute as Aiden ended up stumbling, raising his hands to cover his ears as he winced in pain.


    The surrounding Weeping Soul Serpents didn''t let the chance their king had created go to waste.


    Countless Weeping Soul Serpents rose up like an endless tide and rushed toward Aiden, hissing and crying as their countless green eyes burned with an ominous light.


    Aiden braced himself and channeled the divinity within his body directly toward his hands, ready to face the swarm, but his two teammates were a step ahead.


    A wave of golden and silver light spread across the roof of the cavern before a barrage of golden and silver arrows crashed down from above.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The sight was terrifying.


    The deadly arrows fell from the sky like a rain of death, piercing straight through the Weeping Soul Serpents and nailing them deep into the ground.


    Silver lights flashed from the tips of Raelia''s arrows like lethal blades, slicing and eviscerating anything they touched, while golden flames bloomed from Oliver''s arrows, crashing into the ground with a deafening explosion that swept out a wave of golden divine fire.


    Within seconds, the inside of the cavern had been turned into a hellish purgatory. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Blood spilled, and the wails of the slaughtered beasts filled the room as a sea of fire raged all around.


    With just one look around, Aiden knew that he didn''t have to worry about the remaining Weeping Soul Serpents for the time being.


    Right now, all he needed to do was repay his teammates'' trust and defeat the Weeping Soul Serpent King as quickly as possible!


    Aiden''s body flickered like a golden ghost, and before the serpent king could blink, Aiden was hovering over its head.


    Boom!


    Aiden brought down his fist, wrapped in golden flames, sending the upper body of the giant Weeping Soul Serpent King crashing into the floor.


    The serpent king howled furiously and swung its tail like a colossal whip with the force to shatter mountains, but Aiden''s body just flashed with a golden light, and he disappeared.

 Chapter 77 77. King (2)

    Boom!Aiden reappeared by the side of the monster with a cruel look in his golden eyes and buried his fist deep into the sides of the Soul Serpent King!


    An explosion of golden flames seared deep into the serpent''s skin, peeling off its hard outer scales and bursting its flesh.


    The body of the poor snake curled like a pretzel as a tragic wail escaped its lips.


    Tsssss!!


    Hot blood poured out of its wounds, burning away against Aiden''s golden flames and creating a crimson blood mist.


    Roar!!!


    The pain, coupled with the humiliation of being constantly wounded by such a small creature, made the Weeping Soul Serpent King lose its mind.


    [Soul Weep!]


    The Soul Serpent King, losing all sense of reason, activated its signature skill to its maximum effect.


    For a second, it even seemed like green flames were bursting out of its serpentine eyes!


    Regardless of the ominous visual, an impeccable force traveled alongside the sound waves that escaped from the creature''s mouth, penetrating deep into Aiden''s soul.


    The effect was much more powerful than the last soul attack and nearly dropped Aiden to his knees.


    Aiden gritted his teeth and activated the Fosbury in his body, causing him to pulse with a golden light.


    The attack had stunned Aiden for just a few moments, but a few moments were all the Soul Serpent King needed.


    By the time Aiden opened his eyes, he could only see a massive black scaly tail crashing toward him.


    Boom! Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden barely even had time to block before he felt the tail collide into him like a speeding truck.


    His feet were easily lifted off the ground, and he was sent flying through the air.


    Bang!


    Aiden''s body crashed into the wall, creating a human-shaped imprint inside the hard stone.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King let out a spiteful hiss as its long snake tongue flickered out.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King looked in Aiden''s direction and raised its upper body, ready to pounce on him and finish the job. But when it tried to move, it felt a massive amount of resistance as sharp pain penetrated deep into its tail.


    HOWL!!


    A furious, bestial roar echoed through the walls of the cavern, and when the snake king turned around, it could see a beautiful silver-furred werewolf grabbing onto its body with its sharp claws pierced deep into its tail.


    Snarling, the Serpent King''s eyes glared at Raelia before its massive head charged forward, hurling her away.


    But right as the Weeping Soul Serpent was about to finish the job, a blinding golden light filled the cavern as a calm voice spoke out.


    [Apollo''s Archery ¨C True Dawn]


    A golden flame arrow shot out like the rising sun, screeching through the air before it crashed into the head of the serpent, exploding in a giant fireball.


    The giant beast wailed in pain as it thrashed about, going completely berserk.


    When it opened its massive green eyes, it scanned the surroundings, looking for any of those pesky humans that it could use to vent its frustrations. But to its surprise, the humans had completely disappeared.


    It quickly turned around again, but there was nothing.


    Just as the beast was about to lose its mind and lash out, it suddenly froze.


    Not because it couldn''t find anyone, but because it sensed something, something ominous...


    As an extremely spiritual beast king, its senses were one of the things the Weeping Soul Serpent King prided itself on, and right now, its senses were screaming.


    The air around it seemed to tremble as it felt like its body had been marked by a supernatural being¡ªand this feeling came from above.


    Panicking, the Serpent King looked up, and it finally saw it.


    The small, insect-like human that had been bothering it before was hanging from the high ceiling of the cavern, glaring at it.


    Aiden''s golden eyes burned like torches and seemed to see through its very existence.


    But what... what was this ominous feeling it was getting?


    It was almost like... fear.


    At that very moment, Aiden exploded in a burst of golden light.


    Aiden kicked off the roof, and golden clouds of divine mist manifested as the entire cavern seemed to tremble.


    It was then that Aiden''s voice echoed.


    [Heaven''s Arrow]


    Despite being underground, it was as if the force of the heavens had descended.


    Aiden''s body was warped by the phantom of a giant flaming arrow and crashed downwards to the ground like the judgment of Lord Apollo himself.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King felt an overwhelming sense of dread and howled.


    In an instant, countless lesser Weeping Soul Serpents swarmed toward their king, but they didn''t stop there.


    They continued on like a tide, rising up above and trying to block Aiden with countless bodies. But it was useless.


    It was like a group of ants trying to stop a bullet train¡ªno, a high-speed rocket!


    Boom!


    Aiden''s [Heaven''s Arrow] tore through any opposition, burning any of the Weeping Soul Serpents that blocked him to a crisp, crashing down into the ground with a giant ball of fire.


    The impact was blinding and left the entire cavern shaking for what felt like several minutes.


    But when the smoke cleared, the aftermath was even more horrifying.


    A single figure remained standing in a crater filled with flowing magma, his golden hair flowing like the sea of flames all around him.


    As for the Weeping Soul Serpent King, only the cracked scales and burnt pieces of charcoal at his feet were left as proof of its existence. Discover hidden tales at My Virtual Library Empire


    "Aiden!"


    Just as Aiden was feeling dizzy, he heard a sudden cry snap him out of his stupor.


    Looking over, he could see two figures rushing toward him, and he couldn''t help but smile.


    Although he had dealt with the Weeping Soul Serpent King relatively quickly, it was because he had burnt through a ridiculous amount of divinity to do so.


    As he stood now, Aiden was covered in sweat, and even his legs were starting to feel a little weak.

 Chapter 78 78. Hidden Threat

    But Aiden still knew that this was no time for rest.Even though they dealt with the Weeping Soul Serpent King, they were still deep within the underground system, which was a nest of endless Weeping Soul Serpents. Sear?h the N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    There were no serpents attacking them right now, but that was only because of the mental backlash caused by killing their king. However, this state wouldn''t last forever.


    No matter how tired he was, Aiden knew he had to get the Netherspring Lotus and get out of here as soon as possible.


    But even if Aiden wasn''t one to worry about himself, there were still people who would worry about him.


    A silver-haired wolf girl dashed through the flames and grabbed Aiden''s arm.


    "A-Aiden, are you okay? I saw those snakes swarming you just now. I told you this plan was too risky."


    Aiden heard Raelia''s worries and just chuckled.


    "It''s fine, it''s fine. I''m just a little exhausted, that''s all. We can check for injuries later, but first, we need to get the Netherspring Lotus."


    Raelia still wanted Aiden to take it easy for a little longer, but that''s when Oliver''s voice sounded out.


    "Aiden''s right, this isn''t the time to worry about anyone. Time is of the essence."


    Raelia shot a glare at Oliver, causing him to flinch, but eventually, she just sighed.


    "Yeah, you''re right. We really should get moving first."


    Aiden and his companions walked toward the lake, captivated by its crystal-clear waters. At the center stood a glowing plant, its soft light casting gentle ripples across the surface.


    A thin, silvery fog hovered above the lake, swirling in delicate tendrils. This mystical haze gave the whole scene an otherworldly quality, as if time itself had slowed in reverence to the magic present. Each step Aiden and the others took toward the lake felt as though they were being drawn deeper into an ancient mystery, yet strangely enough they weren''t unsettled by this feeling


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    "It''s beautiful¡­."


    Raelia couldn''t help but whisper in admiration, and even Aiden and Oliver felt no different.


    They knew right away that what they laid eyes on was a divine object, something far beyond the realm of mere mortals.


    If it wasn''t for the time constraints, they would have definitely taken some time to relax and destress near such beautiful scenery.


    Aiden was never one to admire such scenic spots, but just one look at the ethereal landscape made him feel that emotion.


    Alas, the world was never what you expected it to be, so after an unwilling sigh, Aiden leapt up and swam across the lake, arriving at the Netherspring Lotus.


    Just arriving near the lotus, Aiden could feel the divinity inside his body circulating and speeding up. It had already started to recover somewhat.


    For a moment, Aiden even had the idea to forget everything and simply meditate here, enjoying the blissful sensation of recovering divine energy. But he quickly suppressed the idea.


    Aiden steeled himself and reached down toward the lotus, feeling a cold yet somehow energizing sensation spread from his fingertips to his entire body.


    But as the lotus was in his hands, Aiden suddenly felt uncomfortable.


    He didn''t know why, but his senses were completely unsettled, and he had the sudden urge to look down.


    One look won''t hurt, I guess.


    But he quickly became more and more uncomfortable.


    What on earth¡­?


    Aiden took one look at the scene below him, and his thoughts were sent into a mess.


    He could see a strange green light shining toward him, which only seemed to get brighter and larger as time passed by.


    Aiden was never one to scare easily, but somehow, this time, he was extremely unsettled.


    What is this ominous green light? A treasure? A new space?


    Although a morbid sense of curiosity was there, it was suppressed by a fear of the unknown.


    Aiden didn''t dare linger any longer and quickly swam away. But as he did so, the light below him brightened at an alarming rate.


    And the situation around him became clearer.


    Unfortunately, that was the worst possible scenario for Aiden.


    "Aura¡­ it''s the aura of a divine beast."


    A suffocating aura erupted from the lake below, swallowing everyone present like the jaws of a ferocious beast.


    It hadn''t even revealed its presence, but Aiden felt like he was being strangled.


    His heartbeat sped up, his breathing became fractured and erratic, and the blood drained from his face.


    My life¡­ it''s in danger.


    And it wasn''t just Aiden feeling this overwhelming sensation. Oliver and Raelia were suffering just as badly as Aiden was.


    Oliver''s face scrunched up as a look of despair flashed in his eyes.


    "R-Rank 2¡­ it''s a Rank 2 divine beast!"


    Oliver''s cry was the last thing Aiden heard before his brain shook.


    ROAR!!!


    A deafening cry rang out, leaving everyone''s minds buzzing as something emerged from the lake below.


    What emerged from below could only be described as titanic.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King was nothing in front of this behemoth.


    If the previous snake could be called a king, then this one was an emperor.


    The difference was like that between heaven and earth.


    All of a sudden, Aiden clenched his teeth as he burned through the divinity in his body.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden instantly transformed into a beam of light, shooting forward and grabbing both Raelia and Oliver, who were stunned by the beast''s presence, and dodged desperately.


    Boom!


    Right after Aiden disappeared, a humongous scaly black tail crashed down from the skies.


    It was a simple tail slam, but to anyone watching, it felt like Armageddon.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor slammed down its tail with the force of a mountain, obliterating anything in its path and cracking and splintering the earth beneath it.


    If Aiden and the others were unfortunate enough to be caught in that attack unprepared, they would be lucky if they even left any body parts behind.


    Oliver and Raelia were only snapped out of their stupor by the thunderous sound of the ground being torn to pieces all around them.


    The second they heard this, they were shocked out of the stun effect of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s roar.

 Chapter 79 79. Emperor

    Oliver''s face went pale as a look of despair flashed in his eyes."Shit! Shit! It''s actually a rank 2 divine beast. How could this happen? I scanned the records, and it assured me that there was only a rank 1 divine beast here. A rank 2 divine beast should only appear at the top of the mountain!" Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Oliver felt endless despair.


    Don''t look at the difference of one rank and underestimate it; for the normal man, the difference between rank 1 and rank 2 was like the difference between gods and mortals, completely insurmountable.


    Oliver was scared, but if it was just facing a rank 2 divine beast, he could still grit his teeth and face his death like a man.


    What truly made him despair was not the death of himself, but instead the death of the two friends he had brought along with him.


    He was neither as talented nor as skilled as them, but he thought that with his cleverness and planning, he could help them advance their strength.


    Yet despite his efforts, despite his countless nights planning and scouring through the records,


    all that effort not only failed to bear fruit but even betrayed him in the end.


    He had killed the friends he wanted to help with his own plan, with his own two hands.


    Oliver looked down at his hands and trembled.


    Is this it?


    Self-loathing and hatred bubbled deep within Oliver, rolling in like an endless dark wave, clouding not only his vision but even his mind.


    Fuck! I''m so useless! Because of me¡­ because of me.


    Slap!


    As Oliver''s mind was beginning to turn to shambles, a loud, crisp slap echoed.


    "Goddamn it, Aiden! You actually hit me! Instead of doing something so useless, leave behind and realistic and run. It''s my fault, so I''ll buy as much time as I can."


    "Idiot?! Instead of sacrificing yourself, we''re all going to escape from here!"


    Raelia growled, her silver light flashing from her eyes. "I get it; it''s a rank 2 divine beast, but can''t we kill it if we try?"


    Aiden looked at this beautiful wolf girl and suddenly felt like hitting her.


    "Look at this thing! Are you fucking crazy?! We won''t last minutes in a fight. We have to run. Now!"


    As soon as those words left Aiden''s mouth, his face contorted into an ugly grimace as he pulled all the divinity into his fist and punched out.


    [Daybreak Fist]


    The tail of the Serpent Emperor swung out like a cataclysmic whip, exploding against Aiden''s fist in a dazzling beam.


    Aiden had managed to block the attack and save his companions, but his arm made an unhealthy cracking sound as he was swatted away as fast as a bullet.


    Oliver and Raelia''s faces changed from hurt to anger as they glared at the Soul Serpent Emperor with hatred.


    Raelia''s hair whistled through the air crazily as she rapidly transformed into a dazzling silver werewolf.


    "You crazy snake! I''ll fucking kill you!"


    Her beast-like nature was fully revealed as she charged fearlessly at the gaunt serpent and slashed.


    Sparks flew as her claws scraped against the monster''s scales, like metal crashing against each other. Read new adventures at My Virtual Library Empire


    But the giant serpent didn''t even react and only looked down at Raelia with an almost mocking gaze.


    Raelia didn''t care and kept up from the ground, crashing the earth beneath her,


    and shot towards the monster''s giant serpentine eye with her claws glowing in a lethal silver light.


    Seeing this, the Serpent Emperor''s expression finally changed as cruel light flashed within its massive green eyes.


    It opened its jaws wide, and evil green energy started to swirl and form inside it.


    Before Raelia got too close, a small ball of dark green energy expanded into a giant beam and shot out.


    Boom!


    Raelia''s painful screech could be heard as her beautiful silver fur was singed, and she was sent crashing into the mountain.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor looked down on Raelia, the mocking light in its eyes calmly returning.


    Divine beasts of rank 2 were extremely intelligent. Some beasts were even capable of speaking the human language, so it wasn''t strange for a beast to take pleasure in hunting humans.


    The monster in front of them was obviously a type of that kind.


    It had been slumbering, waiting for the Netherspring Lotus to fully mature so it could advance further along the ranks as a rank 2 divine beast, but it woke up to find its lotus stolen.


    Fortunately, these three pests contained a high amount of divinity, and consuming them should have an even greater effect than taking the Netherspring Lotus as an elixir.


    But since it had been asleep for so long, it couldn''t help but toy with its prey.


    Unfurled, even though it was still young, it seemed it had taken things too far, and things had ended rather quickly.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent looked at Raelia''s fallen body and slithered toward her with a malicious look in its eyes when suddenly, a bright flaming explosion erupted and blinded the side of its face.


    The weeping soul serpent King was relatively unfazed by the attack only suffering some light bruising. But the attack definitely drew his attention and now it was completely pissed off


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor glared at Oliver but Oliver didn''t seem to be fazed and glared right back with an greater level of hatred and ferocity


    He had told his friends to trust him and had brought him here but now all it did was lead to their injury and near death


    Oliver hated himself for causing such a tragic situation for his friends but even more than his elf loathing was his endless hatred for this vicious beats


    It had seen it mockingly attack and dominate Raelia and held no fear and fired one of his strongest attacks towards it.


    Even if it was certain he would face death doing so Oliver was furious enough to do the same thing countless more times

 Chapter 80 80. Escape

    Even if it meant death, Oliver''s stance would not change.The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t care to admire Oliver''s fearlessness in the face of death. It coiled its body, ready to pounce on and destroy this puny human.


    But right before it did so, a golden arrow burst forth, crashing into the side of its head in a golden explosion. This time, the attack was much more lethal!


    Roar!


    Suffering from the same attack twice in a row from two different people drove the Soul Serpent Emperor to near insanity.


    It didn''t even think or try to toy around with its prey anymore and instantly lunged in the direction of the next attacker.


    But to the Serpent Emperor''s surprise, it found that when it landed, its assailant was nowhere to be found.


    Looking back, it saw a handsome young man with dazzling blonde hair and a streak of blood dripping from the edge of his lips, looking back at him.


    Aiden held Oliver under his arm and took a moment to gather himself.


    This entire sequence of events happened so quickly that Oliver barely had time to react. By the time he did...


    "Aiden! Don''t just pick up someone out of nowhere¡ª"


    Oliver didn''t even get to finish his complaint before Aiden''s figure transformed into a streak of light and flashed forward.


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    A few moments later, Aiden appeared in front of a crater on the opposite side of the cavern.


    He saw a beautiful yet brutal wolf girl, covered in blood.


    Raelia, who had taken on the full brunt of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s breath attack, was groggily standing back up when she saw a golden flash appear in front of her, whisking her off her feet!


    The wolf girl barely saw what was happening and was about to viciously bite down when she caught a sniff of his scent.


    "Aiden! What is going on?"


    Despite the wind blasting against them, Raelia barely managed to get out a question.


    "Can''t talk. Running!"


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor watched everything through its cruel, deep green eyes.


    Suddenly, it came to a realization.


    ''These bugs are trying to escape!''


    The Serpent Emperor''s head rose high into the sky as the obsidian-black scales on its neck trembled. It unleashed the unique skill of its race.


    [Soul Weep!]


    Instantly, a devastating sound wave mixed with soul power swept out, causing a storm within the cavern.


    Aiden stood no chance of dodging or blocking.


    The speeding Aiden stumbled badly and almost fell face-first onto the ground.


    The attack was vicious, as if a giant had taken a hammer and smashed it directly into his brain.


    Aiden bit down hard on his tongue, sending a jolt of electric-like pain throughout his body, causing his mouth to fill with blood.


    Although it was painful, the shock quickly allowed Aiden to break free from his stupor and start running again.


    So, despite his mouth being filled with blood, Aiden couldn''t help but smile. But that didn''t last long, as he quickly realized something.


    Despite attacking Aiden and the others, that had never been the Serpent Emperor''s true goal from the start.


    No, the goal of this insidious snake had been to reawaken its subjects.


    Soon, the sea of endless Weeping Soul Serpents all around them, which had been stunned by the counter blast of killing their king, instantly rose to their feet.


    Aiden''s expression quickly turned ugly as he looked around.


    The serpents had risen and were rushing toward him like a group of mad, mindless beasts. To make matters worse, the few exits that did exist were also being swarmed by the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    Aiden''s heart sank.


    ''No! We can''t be trapped here!''


    The group was low on divine energy and injured, while facing a divine beast that completely surpassed them in rank. S~ea??h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Defeating the beast was out of the question, so their only hope of survival was escaping. If that was cut off, then they were as good as dead.


    Aiden was carrying his companions. He was the only one capable of escaping at fast speeds, so it all rested on him.


    The exits couldn''t be cut off!


    Knowing this, divinity rushed through Aiden''s body like a berserk dragon, as a dazzling golden light burst forth from his eyes.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    In this desperate situation, Aiden activated his divine technique, reaching speeds he had never attained before, and beamed for the nearest exit.


    Despite moving at almost unbelievable speeds, a large number of Weeping Soul Serpents had already arrived at the exit first, coiling and snaking around each other.


    Aiden''s eyes burned with anger!


    After all his efforts, how could he allow a bunch of no-name snakes to stop him here?


    No matter how many there were, he was determined to break through.


    Aiden didn''t slow down in the slightest and crashed forward!


    Bang!


    The sound that resounded was sickening.


    The sound of a human comet crashing into what could only be described as a barrier of beasts was never pleasant, but Aiden didn''t care.


    Despite feeling his skin peel and crack, despite feeling his flesh and muscles burst and squirm, Aiden''s legs never stopped for a moment. He continued to run, leaving the cavern and the terrifying beasts behind him as far as possible.


    A short while later, a being of pure golden light that had been running through the endless, confusing snake tunnels finally came to a halt.


    Well, it would be inaccurate to call it a halt, as much as it was simply falling face-first from exhaustion.


    Oliver and Raelia, who were in Aiden''s arms at the time, also crashed face-first in embarrassment, but they didn''t care about that.


    Right now, their only concern was Aiden.


    Rushing to his side, they quickly flipped him over. But as soon as they touched him, Aiden''s body trembled as a deep red pool of blood was vomited from his mouth!


    "Aiden!"


    Raelia and Oliver''s worried cries echoed though the dark tunnels at the same time.

 Chapter 81 81. Injury

    Despite not receiving any medical training, they could both tell with just a glance that Aiden''s wounds were serious.They quickly turned him over onto his side, and Aiden''s eyes met their worried gazes.


    The two of them looked at Aiden''s body and were horrified.


    All over his body, patches of skin were peeled off, as if torn, and his flesh was shredded. In some unfortunate places, there were even tiny bone fragments stuck all over him.


    Just looking at the sight made them feel queasy. If the sight alone caused such a reaction, one could only imagine the immense pain Aiden was going through.


    But Aiden was prepared for it. The moment he chose to escape, no matter the cost, he knew something like this was bound to happen.


    Aiden had been moving at speeds that could put a sports car to shame. But despite these ridiculous speeds and having the blood of the gods in his veins, Aiden was still part mortal.


    He charged through and annihilated any Weeping Soul Serpents he came into contact with.


    A collision like that was bound to leave harsh damage on his body, especially when moving at those horrifying speeds.


    All things considered, Aiden could still consider himself quite lucky to have continued running for so long after such a fierce collision.


    Aiden looked towards his two worried companions and smiled weakly, opening his mouth, wanting to reassure them that he was fine. But that plan quickly backfired as soon as he opened his mouth¡ªa burst of blood shot out.


    This sight alone caused their faces to morph into pure horror.


    "No, we can''t leave him in this state! If nothing changes, he''s bound to die!" said Oliver in horror.


    "Damn it! I should have learned the healing divine technique of Apollo!" Sear?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Apollo was the god of many different domains, and healing was one of his most notable ones. There were many divine techniques in the library focused on healing, but Oliver had put off learning them for later. He had considered himself weak and thought the most important thing was to strengthen his own power.


    Although that decision may have been correct at the time, right now he fully regretted it.


    ''Damn it! If I survive this, no matter what happens next, I''m going to learn a healing technique!''


    Oliver swore and cursed in his heart, but he knew now was not the time to focus on his regrets. He had to concentrate on the present.


    With that, Oliver started brainstorming.


    Even if he didn''t know any healing techniques, he wasn''t completely hopeless.


    The divinity they possessed was derived from the power of Apollo.


    While Apollo''s divinity carried the power of the blazing sun, it also had strong healing properties, especially for his descendants.


    If given enough time and proper treatment, Aiden and Oliver''s divinity could be used to heal.


    But for Aiden''s current condition and level of injury, a simple infusion of divinity wouldn''t be nearly enough. No, what he needed was a large, powerful influx of divinity to help him.


    At that moment, Oliver''s eyes fell on something not too far away from Aiden.


    The Netherspring Lotus!


    When Oliver saw this, his eyes lit up like shining stars.


    "Haha! The gods have not forsaken us. If handled correctly, this can be turned into just what we need!"


    Although it was not guaranteed to work, it was better than just waiting around. So Oliver didn''t waste any more time thinking and sprang into action.


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    In just a few seconds, Oliver moved and started fiddling with the Netherspring Lotus.


    Raelia, who was at Aiden''s side tending to his body, noticed the quick and obvious movements and was alarmed.


    "What are you doing?" asked Raelia, confused.


    Oliver only glanced at Raelia for a second before quickly turning back to the Netherspring Lotus as he spoke.


    "I''m working on a way to heal Aiden," said Oliver coldly.


    He planned to give Aiden the Netherspring Lotus to boost his divinity reserves and heal himself, or at the very least stop his injuries from getting worse.


    Hearing this, Raelia was excited. Holding Aiden in her arms, she got a clearer look at his condition and noticed he was starting to worsen. She even began to fear the worst.


    But her joy only lasted for a short while before she realized something odd about Oliver''s words and actions.


    "If you want to give him the Netherspring Lotus, then why are you only breaking off a small part of it? If you want him to heal, shouldn''t he take the entire thing?"


    Hearing Raelia''s words, Oliver didn''t even turn around. He simply shook his head and quickly denied her.


    "Impossible! We can''t give Aiden all of it."


    Raelia frowned and looked at Oliver with cold eyes.


    "Aiden just saved our lives. Now is not the time to be greedy about some mere treasure."


    Oliver heard Raelia''s words and snorted.


    "What do you take me for? Do you really think im such greeddy and narrow mindeed person?"


    "If we give Aiden the full Netherspring Lotus, he will be forced to fully absorb it to prevent further injury. Such a large influx could take hours, if not days, to fully digest. We can''t afford such a thing right now. We''re running for our lives."


    "It''s not just for Aiden, but for ourselves, too."


    "Remember, Aiden is the only one fast enough to escape a Rank 2 Divine Beast. His movement technique is the only thing we can rely on. He''s our only hope right now."


    Oliver lingered on the words that came out of his mouth and felt disgusted with himself.


    He felt like a complete and utter piece of shit.


    The person they were relying on was severely injured from saving them. Now, they were trying to heal him just to rely on him all over again.


    His body was prcatically shaking from the sheer wait of his own uselessnes. Oliver had felt this feeling back in the cavern with the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor and he felt even more strongly now

 Chapter 82 82. Flickering

    Gritting his teeth, Oliver ignored the disgusting feeling of his own weakness and focused on tending to Aiden.Pulling apart the leaf of the Netherspring lotus, he carefully wrapped it in his palm, slowly crushing it between his fingers and into a test tube.


    But Oliver wasn''t finished yet. Pulling out a knife, he slit his hand, causing glowing reddish-golden blood to drip down.


    Divinity pumped from his heart throughout his body, concentrating into the blood that Aiden was now forcing into the test tube.


    As soon as Oliver''s blood, filled with divinity, made contact with the leaves of the Netherspring lotus, the test tube began to shake violently. An ominous sizzling sound could be heard as golden smoke started pouring out of the test tube.


    Holding the test tube, Oliver quickly frowned and called toward Raelia.


    "Hey, Raelia, get over here. I need your help."


    Raelia was a little surprised, but despite the sudden call, she obediently walked over.


    Crouching down, she looked at the test tube and asked, "Okay, so what do you need me to do?"


    "I don''t need you to do much. I just need your blood. Make sure to stimulate your divinity and concentrate as much of it into your blood as you can," Oliver instructed.


    When Raelia heard this, she was stunned.


    "Are you sure you want this? Isn''t the divinity of Artemis the direct opposite of Apollo''s? Won''t this have a negative reaction?" she asked, hesitant.


    Oliver, who was desperately trying to contain the reaction in the test tube, responded, "Of course I know that, you dumb wolf! But it''s because they''re opposites that it can act as a neutralizing agent in the right quantities. So stop asking questions and just give me some blood!"


    Raelia saw the furious look in Oliver''s eyes, and for the first time since meeting him, she was even a little intimidated by the man.


    Grumbling under her breath, Raelia reached out to slash her palm when Oliver quickly stopped her.


    "Not that much, we only need a few drops. Prick your finger instead," he instructed firmly.


    Raelia didn''t say much and complied.


    Soon, she brought her finger over, and reddish-silver blood, the color of liquid mercury, dropped into the test tube one drop at a time.


    It wasn''t until the third drop had fallen in that Oliver quickly pulled the test tube away and sealed it.


    Oliver''s divinity poured out from his hands as he tried to calm the violent reaction, sweat forming on his forehead.


    The reaction was stable, but it wouldn''t stay that way for long. Even now, the solution formed from the Netherspring lotus and the blood of divine descendants was still bubbling like boiling water.


    Oliver knew he couldn''t afford to wait and walked over.


    "You''re going to feed him that without even waiting for it to stabilize? Isn''t that like feeding him a bomb? Are you crazy?" Raelia exclaimed.


    Oliver snapped at her, "Yes, I''m fucking crazy, okay? But it''s either this or nothing. It''s all we can rely on right now!"


    In truth, Oliver knew Raelia''s words were correct. Proper safety protocol would be to wait for the solution to stabilize before even thinking about feeding it to a grievously wounded patient. Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    The only problem was that Oliver had no confidence that the solution would ever stabilize.


    To put it bluntly, with their shabby conditions and limited materials, it was a miracle they had gotten this far.


    And although this wasn''t their last batch of materials, who knew if they could even achieve similar results with another attempt?


    This was the best chance they were ever going to get.


    Ignoring any more of the words coming out of Raelia''s mouth, Oliver rushed toward Aiden''s side, picked up the test tube, and slowly fed the potion to him.


    At this moment, the world had already become blurry to Aiden. It was to the point that he didn''t even recognize Oliver when he walked over to him.


    He just felt the potion under his nose, and his body stirred back to life.


    A sense of clarity that had been slowly fading away started to return as he drank the potion without any second thought.


    At first, Aiden drank the potion with no obvious reaction, and Oliver even thought things were going well.


    But that didn''t last long before Aiden''s body began to convulse violently.


    His body spasmed as veins bulged all over his skin. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Divinity within him began to riot as golden flames roared all over his body.


    Pain.


    Horrible, mind-numbing pain.


    Aiden couldn''t help but cry out with such a wretched voice that both Oliver and Raelia began to shiver.


    Oliver looked at the sight and was horrified.


    What was going on?!


    Apollo was the god of healing. Even if Aiden burst into flames caused by an overload of divinity, Oliver had expected them to be endurable. There was no reason for Aiden''s own flames to cause him this much pain!


    Aiden''s mind surged with agony. The divinity and the flames were simultaneously healing him and burning his flesh away.


    Aiden cried, but what was the point? The tears evaporated immediately under the terrifying heat.


    Aiden''s body writhed and roared as he struggled to regain control over the flames ravaging inside him.


    Flames.


    Mere flames!


    Who was he?


    He was a divine descendant of the sun god! One with the power to manipulate divine solar fire, and yet here he was, succumbing to his own flames.


    No, Aiden wouldn''t accept it. He couldn''t accept it.


    The stubbornness of Aiden''s newfound pride turned into anger, and that anger quickly morphed into something more sinister, something darker- hatred.


    It was a strange sense of hatred, one that felt slightly misplaced,even but at the same time, it didn''t feel entirely foreign.


    Despite having no direction, no end goal or motive, this burning never ending hatred almost seemed familiar...


    Suddenly, a strange purple light began flashing in Aiden''s eyes, and if one looked carefully, they could see a faint flickering light.


    The flickering of something that threatened to devour the entire world

 Chapter 83 83. Recovery

    The second Aiden''s eyes turned purple, the raging flames seemed to stop, almost as if they had run into something much more terrifying.They immediately retreated back into Aiden''s heart, leaving only the mighty healing properties of his divinity to work on his body.


    Soon, the wounds began to close up, and even as his skin regenerated and his flesh and muscles regrew, Aiden felt the change and got to his feet, stretching.


    There was still some aching and pain coming from Aiden''s bones, but it was bearable. At the very least, he was in a much better state than he had been a few days ago.


    Seeing Aiden standing, Oliver approached and looked him up and down to get a better look.


    "Are you really... okay?"


    Aiden heard this and chuckled.


    "Everything''s okay. I''m as good as new," said Aiden confidently, waving his arms as if to show off his strength.


    Oliver heard this and sighed in relief, full of fear.


    "Thank the gods! In my recklessness, I almost killed you. I''m so sorry, Aiden."


    Hearing this, Aiden just smiled and dismissed it.


    "There''s no need to be sorry. You ended up saving my life, after all."


    Aiden wanted to continue talking for a while longer when they suddenly heard a loud crash.


    All of a sudden, the ground and walls around them seemed to be trembling.


    In that moment, the expressions on the trio of divine descendants simultaneously turned grim.


    They were all smart enough not to need anyone to explain what was currently going on.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor¡ªit was nearby.


    Gradually, the faint sound of hundreds of hisses could be heard coming from every branch and tunnel leading in their direction.


    This entire underground tunnel system was swarming with Weeping Soul Serpents, and they were rushing toward them from all directions.


    Without wasting a second thought, Aiden picked up Oliver and Raelia once again.


    "The rank 2 divine beast is getting closer, and we have to run once again. But this time, you guys have to help me. Destroy any Weeping Soul Serpent that gets close."


    As soon as Aiden said this, he didn''t even wait for a response from his two friends and surged with divinity as he activated his divine technique.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden''s figure began to surge forward. Despite moving in the complete opposite direction of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor, they quickly ran into a swarm of snakes.


    If it had been like last time, Aiden would have had to rush forward recklessly, risking his own life. But this time, his teammates wouldn''t leave him to handle everything alone.


    As Aiden ran forward, two silver and golden flashes of light shot ahead of him!


    Boom! Boom!


    Two explosions sounded as the blasts tore through the group of Weeping Soul Serpents, exploding them apart like a display of monstrous fireworks.


    Even as they ran, Raelia didn''t let up.


    Her hands transformed into a set of dazzling silver claws and stretched forward as she waved them around wildly.


    She didn''t even have to do much.


    With the amazing speed Aiden was moving at, just a bit of contact with the Weeping Soul Serpents was enough to eviscerate them.


    Even if there were a few serpents that managed to break past the attacks of Raelia and Oliver, just a few attackers didn''t pose much of a threat to Aiden.


    The combination of his wonderful footwork and divine technique allowed him to act like an otherworldly specter in front of these beasts.


    They couldn''t even lay a finger on him!


    Seeing this, Aiden gradually smiled subtly.


    If things continued like this, then their escape was inevitable!


    If only Aiden knew at that moment just how wrong he had been...


    ...


    Several unknown hours later, a golden figure could be seen speeding through the underground tunnels.


    Compared to his confident and hopeful expression from earlier, Aiden now looked completely embarrassed.


    His handsome features were nowhere to be found¡ªonly a body covered in hardened blood and torn clothes, looking like a complete beggar.


    Sweat constantly dripped from his brow like a miniature waterfall, and with every step his legs took, they shivered and quaked. And yet, despite all this, his legs never stopped moving forward.


    After all, the lives of him and his friends were resting on the back of this determined young man. Sear?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aiden, please stop and take a rest! There are no Weeping Soul Serpents nearby. You can rest, even if it''s only for a moment!"


    It was only when the loud and desperate cry came from his side that Aiden came to his senses and stopped. Stay updated via My Virtual Library Empire


    Aiden put down Raelia and Oliver, and the trio rested against the wall, looking at each other.


    Aiden''s chest heaved up and down like a trembling mountain as he desperately tried to catch his breath.


    Nobody spoke, but the atmosphere of despair was heavy.


    At first, they had thought they could make it out...


    But the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was too cunning!


    The number of lesser Weeping Soul Serpents under his command seemed endless!


    What''s worse, they seemed to be spread out across every corner of the tunnels, and yet somehow always managed to lock onto them.


    Nowhere was safe.


    If they could get past two serpents, five would be waiting. If they could get past five, there would be ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred.


    You get the idea.


    With every step they took, nothing got better¡ªonly worse.


    Aiden swore that if he managed to get out of here alive, he would definitely report the situation to the higher-ups at the trading camp and get a high-ranking divine descendant sent to annihilate these ugly beasts.


    Aiden looked over toward Raelia and Oliver.


    Although they weren''t as bad off as him, Raelia and Oliver were also showing signs of exhaustion.


    They had constantly used their divinity while making attacks to clear the way forward for him.


    Right now, they were resting at an intersection where the tunnel seemed to branch off into two different sections.


    The group had long since given up trying to map the tunnels.


    In their desperate attempt to flee, they seemed to have only gone deeper into the tunnels and completely lost themselves.

 Chapter 84 84. Bait

    Under normal circumstances, there would have been a chance to safely navigate their way back. But under the constant chase of a sea of snakes, there was no chance of doing such a thing.The group looked at each other and frowned.


    "This can''t go on," said Aiden. "If nothing changes, we''ll eventually exhaust ourselves to death."


    Raelia heard Aiden''s words, and her ears drooped in despair.


    "Aiden, we all know this, but what can we do? No matter what we do, they keep chasing us. If we want a way to escape, we need to lose them and find a way out of these tunnels without fighting. But that''s impossible¡ªthey can track us no matter where we go!"


    "Well, I''m not so sure about that," said Oliver. "I think there really is a way for us to lose them."


    "How?" asked Raelia and Aiden at the same time.


    "Isn''t it simple, really?" said Oliver. "Just abandon the Netherspring Lotus."


    But as Oliver said this, both Aiden and Raelia froze.


    The idea of abandoning the Netherspring Lotus was extremely obvious, but Raelia and Aiden hadn''t mentioned it¡ªnot because they hadn''t thought of it, but because they refused to consider it.


    Although a leaf had been broken off, the Netherspring Lotus was still extremely valuable. As the most potent treasure they had found, even if it was split between them, it could effectively double their divinity and push them to the peak of Rank 1.


    They had already put in so much effort and work to get this far, and now they were being asked to abandon it just like that. Anyone, especially a group of arrogant divine descendants, would struggle with such a choice.


    Oliver saw the hesitation on his companions'' faces and scolded them.


    "What use is the Netherspring Lotus if we''re dead? Although we''ve worked hard to get it, it''s not to the point where we can''t let it go. Don''t get absorbed by the idea of sunk costs. No treasure is worth our lives."


    Aiden, who had obviously put in the most effort so far, showed clear hesitation. But after struggling with himself for a few moments, he eventually relented.


    Even so, his expression didn''t soften, because there was still a hard problem to solve. Aiden voiced it aloud.


    "Even if we abandon the Netherspring Lotus, there''s no chance the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor will abandon us."


    Oliver sighed.


    "I know, that''s why... for us to truly escape, someone will have to serve as bait."


    Hearing this, Aiden''s expression turned stone-cold.


    Oliver knew that such a suggestion would be hard to accept, so he quickly explained.


    "Aiden, there''s no need to worry. I''ll¡ª"


    But before Oliver could finish his sentence, Aiden had already acted.


    His figure flashed forward, as quick as lightning, instantly appearing behind Raelia and knocking the unsuspecting wolf girl out cold.


    Oliver watched the entire process, stunned. His mouth opened, but no words came out.


    "Aiden? Really? Aiden... betrayed us?"


    Before that thought could even solidify, Aiden picked up Raelia and threw her toward Oliver.


    It was only then that Oliver snapped out of his trance, quickly catching the poor girl before she fell face-first onto the floor.


    "Aiden, you¡­ why?"


    Aiden saw Oliver''s expression and sighed.


    "It was the only way. You were about to say something like, ''I''ll stay behind and lure the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor away¡ªit''s my responsibility.'' So, I acted before you could."


    Aiden paused, looking at Oliver seriously.


    "We both know how Raelia operates by now. She doesn''t say much, but when she does, she''s incredibly proud and stubborn. There''s no way she''d let either of us be the bait. She''d insist on making the sacrifice to protect us, and we''d waste hours arguing about it. That''s time we don''t have."


    Oliver thought about it and slowly accepted the truth of Aiden''s words. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire


    Raelia was indeed arrogant and proud, but with that pride came a deep sense of responsibility.


    She was their strongest frontline fighter, and for that reason, she always felt like it was her duty to make the sacrifice when needed.


    Thinking more carefully, this really was the only way to convince her.


    But Oliver''s concerns weren''t fully settled.


    "I get why you knocked Raelia out, but why are you throwing her to me? It was my miscalculation that caused all this, so it''s my responsibility. I should be the one to¡ª"


    Before Oliver could finish, Aiden scoffed coldly.


    "Your responsibility to do what? What can you even do?"


    Aiden''s tone was brutal, and he didn''t hold back.


    "Are you as fast as me? Can you outrun the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor? Are you stronger than me? Can you fight better than me?"


    He glared at Oliver. "You wouldn''t even be able to serve as proper bait¡ªyou''d just be throwing your life away!" Sear?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Under Aiden''s relentless barrage of words, Oliver could only grit his teeth and endure, knowing that Aiden was right.


    But even if Aiden was correct, Oliver couldn''t just stand by and watch his best friend sacrifice himself.


    "Aiden, let me do this! Someone as talented as you¡ªyour story shouldn''t end here. Didn''t you say when we first came here that you wanted to explore the world, to see the mystical realms of the gods?"


    "They''re still out there, waiting for you. Don''t give up."


    Aiden smiled as he listened to Oliver''s words, and for a moment, Oliver thought he had convinced him. But just as that hope bloomed, Aiden''s hand moved in a golden blur.


    Oliver barely had time to exclaim before he felt a strong force slam into his chest, sending him flying down a tunnel that branched off from the one they were standing in.


    Oliver flew backward with Raelia still in his arms, rolling to protect her from the impact.


    Oliver quickly got up and rushed towards the tunnel but Aiden was faster.


    A bow had already appeared in his hand with a an arrow loaded that glowed in a divine gold light


    Boom!

 Chapter 85 85. Shattered Hope

    The roof above them exploded, collapsing in on itself and completely blocking off the route between them.Soon after the rubble settled, Aiden could hear Oliver''s furious voice coming from the other side of the wall.


    "Aiden, what are you doing?! You''re really going to die and throw away your life like this?!"


    Aiden heard Oliver''s cries and just chuckled.


    "Die? That''s impossible!"


    "I''m going to live and ascend the peak of Mount Olympus and become a true god! How could I die in a place like this?" said Aiden


    Oliver was so shocked by Aiden''s bold declaration that he was left speechless.


    "You shouldn''t stay around either," Aiden continued. "You''ve got to protect Raelia and figure out a way out of here. Oh, and apologize to her when she wakes up. She''s gonna go crazy, so make sure she doesn''t tear off your head."


    Oliver heard Aiden''s warning and shivered.


    ''Yeah¡­ that crazy b¡ªshe really will tear my head off if I''m not careful.''


    Oliver shivered a little as she imagined dealing with the aftermath of the furious wolf girl.


    But soon he seemed to realise something and spoke up


    "Aiden¡­ Aiden!"


    Oliver called out again, but there was no response.


    The person he was looking for had already turned into a streak of light speeding through the tunnels.


    But contrary to his earlier appearance, there was no smile on Aiden''s face. His expression was grim.


    Aiden wasn''t stupid¡ªhe knew that his chances of survival were low.


    Lady Fortuna, if you''re watching, please smile upon me today.


    Saying a quick, silent prayer to the goddess above, Aiden carried on moving.


    ...


    Time passed, and a reddish-gold figure could still be seen running through the tunnels.


    Blood from the countless serpents he had crushed to get this far stuck to his body like a grim layer of paint.


    How long has it been now?


    Minutes? Hours? Days?


    Aiden''s mind was in complete disarray. Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire


    After running and pushing his body for so long, he was nearing collapse. His mental faculties had all but shut down. Every step felt like it was ripping his legs apart, while each breath was like fire burning in his lungs.


    Despite the overwhelming exhaustion and being on the brink of death, Aiden refused to stop. The fire of hope in his heart still burned.


    A short while ago, he had felt a change.


    A slight breeze had brushed against his skin.


    Aiden knew what it meant¡ªairflow. And that meant an exit.


    Tracking the airflow, he had rushed in that direction, and with each step, he was getting closer. His footsteps pounded against the ground, and despite the pain, he smiled. Soon, he was rewarded.


    Light.


    It was brief and hazy, and his mind was spinning from exhaustion, but Aiden was certain it wasn''t a hallucination. In these tunnels of endless darkness, a light source was unmistakable.


    It could only mean one thing¡ªthe exit was nearby.


    Fueled by hope, Aiden''s steps quickened. Step by step, he rushed forward, the light blinding him, but he didn''t care. He charged through the tunnel, rushing towards the exit and into the sky filled with light.


    Aiden rushed out and felt like he was floating.


    Wait. Why am I floating?


    But soon, Aiden realized the problem. He wasn''t floating. He was falling.


    Bang!


    His feet slammed into the ground as he rubbed his eyes, adjusting to the sudden surge of light. But when he opened them again, his heart sank.


    Ha!


    Haha!


    Hahahahaha!


    In that moment, something inside Aiden seemed to shatter as he looked upwards.


    The sky?


    No.


    All Aiden saw was a ceiling full of dazzling white glowstone.


    What he had thought was airflow from the outside world was just a draft caused by the difference in air pressure between the tunnels and this giant cavern.


    Aiden hadn''t escaped. He wasn''t even close. He was still deep inside the tunnels of despair.


    Aiden''s mind went blank. He stared up at the glaringly bright ceiling. Even as the glowstone seared his retinas, he didn''t seem to care. He was already numb.


    Haha!


    Hahaha!


    Laughter, filled with both ridiculousness and despair, echoed throughout the cavern.


    I''m such a fool.


    He had really thought he''d done it. That fate was on his side. That his life could change, that he truly could be like the heroes of legend¡ªbrushing against death but still coming out alive to tell the tale.


    But now he realized it.


    Despite having the blood of gods, despite having talent¡­


    He was no champion.


    He was no hero.


    The gods¡­ they didn''t smile upon someone like him.


    As Aiden had this thought, a horrifying, loud rumble shook the entire cavern. But he didn''t care¡ªhe kept staring upwards at the glowing ceiling.


    All of a sudden, an endless swarm of Weeping Soul Serpents burst out of the tunnels, pouring out like a broken dam, slithering across the ground, crawling towards Aiden, and surrounding him.


    Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the cavern as a monstrous figure appeared in one of the tunnels.


    A massive snake head emerged, scanning the cavern with its gigantic, ominous green eyes.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor had arrived.


    Aiden finally looked away from the glowing ceiling and turned his gaze towards the serpent emperor.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor seemed to sense Aiden''s attention and raised its head high into the air, glaring down at him with what could only be described as a smug smirk.


    Aiden saw this, and his blood began to boil.


    As an intelligent Rank 2 monster, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was already as smart as a human.


    Aiden looked at the monsters eyes and all he could see looking back down on him was one emotion


    mockery!


    A human like sneer crossed the face of the divine beast .


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor cornered Aiden so how could it not mock him. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although It didn''t want to admit it, Aiden was an extremely tricky opoonnent.


    If he didn''t have the home field advantage of trapping him inside of these maze like tunnels or even if Aiden was just a bit luckier, then there was a real possibility that Aiden could have escaped from its grasp!

 Chapter 86 86.

    Now that it had cornered Aiden like a trapped mouse, it wouldn''t mind tormenting the poor little human.After causing it so much grief, there was no way it would let Aiden die so easily.


    But Aiden, who was on the brink of despair, filled with no hope of survival, saw the mocking look on the face of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor and heard something crack inside of him.


    "Fuck!"


    A curse escaped from Aiden''s lips as his expression turned foul.


    God damn it! He couldn''t even die with dignity!


    It was one thing to die in despair, but to die mocked and abused by a mere beast?


    No fucking way!


    Aiden just couldn''t accept it.


    He was on the brink of despair, teetering on the edge of madness, but the mockery from the Weeping Soul Serpent had sent him over the edge.


    The boy who knew his death was inevitable stood up once again in defiance.


    But it was just his ugly, petty, and despicable spite. Discover hidden stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    Thinking about it clearly, Aiden was losing his mind from being mocked by a creature that couldn''t even speak.


    Maybe he was going insane?


    No, maybe he was already insane.


    Perhaps from the time he started running through the endless tunnels with his life on the line, he had already started teetering towards insanity.


    Aiden didn''t care. He looked up at the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor with a chilling smile as he spoke.


    "Is it fun?" he asked.


    "Is it fun to see me running around like a headless chicken, squirming and struggling to survive?"


    Roar!


    The Soul Serpent Emperor wailed, and a shockwave echoed as all the subordinate Weeping Soul Serpents rose to their feet as if to pounce on Aiden.


    Instantly, Aiden''s body tensed as he got into a fighting stance.


    But the attack he was waiting for simply never came. Looking up, Aiden could see the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor shaking its head as its entire body trembled, almost as if it was laughing.


    Aiden saw this sight and gnashed his teeth.


    He had been tricked again.


    Fine! If that damn beast wants to mess around, I''ll show it that two can play at that game!


    While the beast was laughing, Aiden reached into his hand and pulled out an object.


    The second he pulled out his hand, the distortion in the air seemed to stir as the eyes of every creature present locked onto Aiden''s hand.


    And that was because floating in his palm was a beautiful, glowing Netherspring Lotus.


    Seeing that he had finally gotten the beast''s attention, Aiden smirked.


    "This is what you''re after, right? Despite being a mere beast, you must have put in a lot of effort to grow it to this stage."


    "You completely hid your presence from the academy and even created a fake Weeping Soul Serpent King to take attention away from you." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden didn''t know if it was because it was the first time it had spoken to a human, but the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor seemed to be lingering on Aiden''s every word.


    Aiden wasn''t one to complain either, so he just carried on.


    "You caused me to reach the end, ran me ragged, and cut off all hope. By all measures, you''ve won, so let me leave you with one last sentence."


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was the proud ruler of its race. A being so talented that it had already broken past the racial scale and done something even the brilliant minds at Olympus Academy had not expected.


    Seeing Aiden''s serious look, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor raised its head arrogantly into the sky once more.


    In its eyes, now that Aiden was approaching death, he was finally going to acknowledge its greatness.


    Although Aiden''s death was still inevitable and would still take place without question, at the very least, it would make Aiden''s death swift.


    But much to the beast''s shock, instead of any honorable words leaving Aiden''s mouth, the beast only saw him simply raise his middle finger as a smirk grew on Aiden''s face.


    "Go eat shit and die, you land-crawling bastard!"


    As Aiden spoke, he wickedly opened his mouth, stuffed the entire Netherspring Lotus inside, and swallowed it in one bite, not leaving a single piece behind!


    They say you can see someone''s true character in the face of death, and that statement couldn''t be more true!


    In the face of death, Aiden was no true hero, nor was he an honorable adversary. He was just one hell of a petty bastard!


    As soon as Aiden swallowed the Netherspring Lotus, the air seemed to freeze.


    It was a sight so unexpected that even the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was frozen in shock and couldn''t react.


    Remember, a potion containing only half a leaf was enough to make Aiden''s flames go out of control.


    After swallowing the entire thing, he would be lucky if he didn''t explode on the spot!


    But regardless of how good his luck was, his death was inevitable, and it would be one of the most brutal¡ªhis body decaying from the overload of divinity.


    Nobody could survive such a rush of divinity and stay sane.


    Even if you were going to die anyway, why not face your death swiftly and quickly like a man? Why torture yourself with such a gruesome and horrible death?!


    Aiden, of course, knew this, but he didn''t care.


    After sweating, struggling, and despairing, he had come this far not to be made fun of by a fucking snake!


    No! Aiden wouldn''t allow this annoying beast to have the last laugh.


    If the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor knew that this happened not because of Aiden''s strong will but because it chose to mock him, it would probably pass out on the spot.


    It had just wanted to flaunt its might a little.


    Who knew it would piss off this unreasonable guy so much that he would rather die in agony than leave it a way out!


    The poor divine beast had completely underestimated the full power of sheer human pettiness!

 Chapter 87 87. Hate

    ROAR!A titanic roar echoed through the cavern, one so terrifying that it directly killed a few of the weaker Weeping Soul Serpents right there on the spot!


    Fury!


    Boundless, unquenchable, raging fury!


    It had spent countless years of its life carefully planning and scheming, and now it had just turned into a dazzling way for this shameless human to commit suicide.


    The giant serpent couldn''t speak any human language, but if it could, just one word would come out of its mouth:


    Fuck!


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was so angry its mind went blank.


    A roar echoed throughout the cavern once more, one so clear that even if you couldn''t speak snake, you knew exactly what it meant¡ª


    Kill that shameless piece of shit for me!


    With that, the Weeping Soul Serpent erupted into a frenzy, but so did Aiden.


    Boom!


    Argh!


    An explosion of flames burst further from Aiden''s body as he screamed wildly.


    The divinity was slowly wearing down on his body, but at the same time, it transformed his flames into deadly weapons.


    The earth around him turned red and started melting into lava.


    But the Weeping Soul Serpents around him didn''t seem to care.


    The order of the emperor came down, and now they threw away their lives with reckless abandon.


    Aiden saw this and laughed divinely.


    His body was breaking down from the overwhelming power of divinity, and there was no way to save his life, so he didn''t hold back at all and decided to take as many of these damn pests along with him!


    Boom!


    His foot kicked against the floor as he rushed forward, gathering the terrifying flames onto his palm, burning anything in front of him into a charred crisp.


    With just a simple move, hundreds of Weeping Soul Serpents were annihilated, but the gap only lasted for mere moments before hundreds quickly took their place.


    The swarm continued, so not wanting to be held back, Aiden leapt up into the sky.


    He looked down on the rising tide of serpents as he pulled back his fist, dazzling flames flickering across his arms.


    [Fist like Arrow ¨C Arrow Storm!]


    The air around Aiden trembled as his fists seemed to multiply, forming countless flaming lights that rained down like a storm.


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    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Fire rained down from above like a torrent, and the wails of the beasts were endless.


    But even if their cries were endless, so were Aiden''s movements.


    He was like a relentless firestorm, a force of nature, if you will.


    Fire bathed around him and raged uncontrollably.


    Blood and burnt pieces of flesh were kicked up into a storm as his own body was being burnt and destroyed from the inside.


    If anyone took a look at Aiden''s state, you wouldn''t even dare to think that this was a descendant of a god.


    Only the term ''devil'' could fit such a being.


    His arms would reap and sweep countless lives.


    Aiden stepped out once again, but when he did so, the flesh on his leg simply exploded.


    Boom!


    Bright golden lights of divinity shot out from his legs, revealing pale white bone and disfigured flesh.


    As bright golden blood droplets fell onto the floor with an ominous sizzle¡ª


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    The Weeping Soul Serpents couldn''t stop him, but the overload of divinity got to him first.


    Aiden ignored the horrifying sound in his leg¡ªthat was only a sign of his impending death¡ªand continued to charge into the endless sea of monsters.


    But that brief moment of looking at his wound was enough to form a crack in Aiden''s defense.


    Chomp!


    Ignoring the specifics of its own life, one Weeping Soul Serpent braced through the flames and bit down on Aiden''s shoulder.


    Aiden scowled and quickly threw it off onto the floor, stomping on it.


    The backlash was so bad that it left him stunned for a moment.


    But a moment was all these beasts needed.


    They rushed at Aiden like a living torrent and knocked him onto his feet.


    Countless of these ruthless snakes bit down on Aiden


    Arms, legs, chest, throat, heart.


    Aiden was being cruelly devoured alive!


    Even if he burst out with a wave of fire to burn the attacking snakes to crisps, a new set would just devour the dead ones and start eating away at Aiden all over again!


    It was horrible!


    The feeling of being suffocated and drowned by countless bodies while your own body disintegrated was nightmarish.


    ''Ahh¡­ So this is how it ends¡­''


    From the moment he decided to swallow the Netherspring Lotus out of spite, Aiden knew that he wouldn''t have a good end.


    He knew it better than anyone, but why¡­ why couldn''t he accept his fate?


    He wasn''t proud of this ignorant and spiteful death. Instead, he hated it.


    He hated these snakes.


    He hated his weakness.


    He hated his luck.


    Hate! Hate! Hate!


    Once it started, it didn''t seem to end. The hate that had no boundaries or limits was overflowing from Aiden''s body like a dark purple tide.


    The veins in Aiden''s body shifted around as his once dazzling golden eyes turned dark, ominous purple¡ªas if collapsing from a radiant sun into the gates of the abyss.


    It was unknown if it was because of his near-death state.


    Slowly but surely, his once dazzling golden eyes turned a bright red-purple.


    As a faint whisper echoed in his ears:


    ''If you hate it all, then burn it all to the ground¡­. Don''t you agree?''


    Aiden didn''t know if it was a hallucination, but he didn''t care.


    If he was of sane mind Aiden would have instantly noticed something eorng. such ominous and cryptic words could only be the whispers of the devil if not even something darker.


    But blinding by the unstppabel evergtowing hate, Aiden welcomed the whispers with open arms


    His throat had already been torn apart, so no words could escape, but his mind was only saying one thing:


    "Yes, let''s burn it all!"


    And that was the last thought Aiden had before his mind went blank.

 Chapter 88 88. Khaos Child

    When Aiden next opened his eyes, he found that his surroundings had completely changed.He was floating inside an empty space, and a short distance in front of him was a bright, burning crimson flame.


    Aiden took a glimpse at it and instantly knew what he was looking at.


    "The ember of creation¡­"


    Or more accurately, it was his ember of creation.


    This was his inner space.


    The place where the ember of creation was born on the day of his bloodline awakening. It was also his link to the true fire of creation, located at the peak of Mount Olympus, and his key to his path towards godhood.


    His inner space was an empty void, with the only thing of note being the ember of creation he possessed, but calling it an ember didn''t really do it justice.


    The flame was burning brightly and violently, almost seeming to be out of control.


    And the flame was also¡­ changing.


    At first, it was slow, so Aiden didn''t notice much, but gradually a purplish-black glow started appearing, like ink being dropped in a pool.


    It was slowly engulfing the entire flame.


    It didn''t take long before the crimson-gold flame had turned into an ominous blackish-purple. Enjoy exclusive content from My Virtual Library Empire


    And that was just the idol''s effect.


    The second the change was finished, Aiden''s mind seemed to buzz as all sorts of strange things started happening to him.


    Whispers.


    At first, they were faint and distant, but soon they became louder.


    Slowly, Aiden walked towards the center of the flames, and as he did so, the manic and incomprehensible whispers slowly became clear.


    "Kha¡­"


    "Khaos¡­"


    "Chi¡­"


    "Child¡­"


    "Khaos¡­ Child¡­"


    Eventually, a few words could be heard clearly.


    But despite the words becoming clearer, the pain Aiden felt only seemed to worsen.


    Despite being unclear and chaotic, these words themselves seemed to be something beyond his comprehension.


    The mere sound of them seemed to be slowly fracturing his mind.


    But Aiden continued to walk forward, eventually placing his hand inside the flame when he heard a final set of words:


    "Accept my blessing¡­ Accept your fate¡­"


    A normal person would feel some sense of aversion to these words, but Aiden didn''t.


    As if this was a natural phenomenon, a natural way of life.


    These terrifying flames and their destructive tendencies were him, and he was the flame.


    They were one and the same.


    They were a flame that would devour everything.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Aiden, who had been smothered and covered in snakes, burst forth with a pillar of ominous purple-black flames.


    The flames were so hot the air itself started to burn!


    A scorching wave of heat burst out, causing the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor to close its eyes. When it opened them again, it couldn''t help but coil back in fear.


    Standing there was Aiden, wrapped in a sea of purple flames.


    His eyes glowed like a pair of demonic amethysts, and his once dazzling golden blond hair had now turned into a ball of purple, chaotic fire.


    But perhaps most unsettling of all was the strange smile plastered on his face.


    Aiden''s face wasn''t ugly by any means. No, it was extremely handsome.


    A perfectly sculpted face that could make one silently admire. Just looking at it would be enough to convince someone that he had the blood of gods flowing through him.


    Yet under the shadow of the light of these purplish flames, that handsome face couldn''t be any more disturbing.


    It was uncanny. It was something so perfect yet so desperately twisted at the same time.


    And as for the Weeping Soul Serpents that had covered him before? They had been burnt away so cleanly that not even their ashes remained.


    Aiden looked around at the carnage he caused, and the smile on his face curled upwards even more.


    He stretched forth his hand towards the remaining Weeping Soul Serpent and spoke a simple word:


    "Burn."


    For the flames at his feet, Aiden''s words were no different from an imperial decree.


    The flames bubbled and roared as they surged forward, engulfing everything.


    What was even more horrifying was that under Aiden''s perfect control, the temperature of the flames didn''t increase but decreased.


    In this new state, Aiden''s flames had now reached an unimaginable level.


    If they swallowed the serpents, they would turn to ashes in mere moments, which was far from what Aiden wanted.


    After suffering such humiliation at their hands, how could Aiden let these beasts have a good end?


    They had tried to devour him while he was alive, so for that, their ending could only be even worse.


    The flames licked and wrapped around every Weeping Soul Serpent as their once hard, metallic scales began to melt!


    Such a sight was absolutely horrifying to watch.


    Watching the surface of a living creature peel away and drop to the floor like hot metal was horrifying. What was even worse were the screams.


    As made evident by their name, the Weeping Soul Serpents were spiritual creatures.


    Their voices carried the power to reach the soul, and now these voices were being used to convey their unimaginable pain.


    By all definitions, this was an ominous scene.


    Devilish dark flames danced around while horrified screeches and screams echoed, sounding like they belonged in the deepest pits of Tartarus.


    The sick smell of burning flesh mixed with the bestial smoke to fill the cavern.


    It was tantalizing. But to Aiden, there couldn''t be a sight any more beautiful.


    More!


    I should burn more!


    I should burn everything!


    While Aiden was slowly being lost in the carnage, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was feeling the worst sense of fear it had ever felt in its life.


    As a genius ruler of beasts, its senses were nigh unparalleled.


    Yet the same senses that had constantly saved its life until now were blaring alarms so powerful it could barely breathe.


    ''That thing¡­ It''s no longer human,'' thought the Serpent Emperor.


    Before whwen it looked at the human it felt only contempt and disdain and even greed but now... S§×ar?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 89 89. a game

    Now, it didn''t even dare to look at Aiden!It could feel something within those flames.


    Something dark and chaotic, a primordial grasp that hovered through its soul.


    It was the shadow of a being beyond its comprehension.


    ''No! I can''t stay here any longer,'' thought the Serpent Emperor.


    With that thought, its massive body coiled up and quickly tried to slither away, but the poor beast didn''t get very far before a slightly mocking voice boomed in its ear.


    "Now, now, where are you going?"


    The body of the giant beast froze in fear.


    It didn''t know when, but that ominous flaming monster had now appeared in front of it, looking directly at it with a pair of purple mocking eyes so deep they shook its soul.


    Just a second of eye contact made it shiver uncontrollably.


    If it weren''t for the fact that the temperature was so high, it really would have pissed itself on the spot.


    Aiden looked at the beast. It was slithering against the floor, but due to its sheer size, even lying prone allowed it to completely tower over Aiden. Discover stories with My Virtual Library Empire


    Realizing this, Aiden''s face, which had an eerie smile, quickly morphed into a frown as he spoke.


    "I don''t like how you''re looking down on me, you filthy beast. Lie down."


    The request was really unreasonable.


    It was already lying down on its stomach, so how could it get any lower?


    Even Aiden himself knew this, but perhaps reason had never been Aiden''s goal from the start.


    Aiden stretched forth his hand, and the ominous flames gathered around the roof of the cavern, forming a giant purple burning hand.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t even get a chance to react.


    The chorus of dazzling purple flames surged into the air, colliding to form a giant flaming palm that smashed the Serpent Emperor into the ground.


    Boom!


    The flaming hand seared the divine beast''s scales as its massive body was forced several feet deeper into the ground.


    Aiden looked at the giant Serpent that had now been pressed into the ground and nodded as he smiled.


    "Much better."


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t even dare complain and just looked at Aiden with pitiful, helpless eyes.


    But how could Aiden show it any mercy?


    Even the old Aiden would have been ruthless enough to crush this beast.


    Much less this new Aiden that had found intense pleasure in slowly melting away countless living creatures.


    This was only the start of his twisted game.


    He just looked at the behemoth and smiled.


    "Now we can speak properly. Let''s play a game, shall we?


    You had quite some fun chasing me earlier, so now it''s my turn to chase you.


    Run for your life. If you can get far enough, I''ll really let you go."


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor looked at Aiden''s evil smile and knew that this person didn''t have any good intentions.


    But what could it do?


    The difference in strength was now obvious, and based on that terrifying aura emerging from Aiden''s flames, it had already lost its will to fight.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t waste another second and coiled its body before shooting out in the other direction!


    Don''t be deceived by its massive body. The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was deceptively fast.


    It had been only a bit behind the speed of Aiden before, and that was just in its regular state.


    Now, it had stimulated its body to the max and was practically burning its own blood, so the effects were worlds apart.


    Its massive body moved in a blur.


    Despite having a size comparable to the freight trucks back on Earth, its speed was dazzling.


    For a second, the Weeping Soul thought it stood a chance at escaping if it kept up this momentum.


    But just as the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was getting its hopes up, it heard an ominous voice ring in its ears.


    "10¡­."


    "9¡­."


    "8¡­."


    The voice had a sense of majesty but was still tinged with undeniable mockery.


    What was even more horrifying was that no matter how far the serpent ran, the voice still seemed to ring in its ears from the same distance.


    The Serpent''s humongous body quickly squirmed even harder, as faint blood-red mist could be seen leaking through its scales.


    It was burning every last bit of its blood as it scrambled to get as far away as it could.


    All this was happening while Aiden remained watching with a mocking smile.


    "7¡­"


    "6¡­"


    "5¡­."


    Each number was said with the same tone, but in the ears of the Serpent, they were no different from a death sentence.


    "4¡­."


    "3¡­."


    "2¡­."


    "1¡­."


    When the time reached its final point, the Weeping Soul Serpent had already covered an unimaginable distance, but it still wasn''t enough.


    "How disappointing¡­."


    Aiden''s cold chuckle sounded in the beast''s ears, almost as if he was standing right next to it.


    Hearing this, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s heart sank.


    Nothing¡­ nothing had changed.


    It was only then that the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor realized something.


    Right from the very start, there had been simply no chance of escaping from the hands of this ruthless monster.


    This entire game was nothing more than that¡ªa sham to give it hope and then ruthlessly tear it away and crush it.


    The feelings of a Rank 2 divine beast were no less vivid than a human''s, so the despair it felt was overwhelming.


    The giant serpent turned back in horror, but it could only see the tunnels all around it starting to twist and turn.


    Slowly but surely, the dark brown rock began to feel brighter and brighter until it turned a blazing hot crimson!


    All around, the tunnels made from the hardest stones seemed to be melting like hot wax.


    Purplish flames burst out of the ground and walls, mixing together with the burning crimson magma to create a hellish and apocalyptic sight that would haunt one''s nightmares for years.


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 Chapter 90 90.

    The weeping soul Serpent Emperor howled in despair as it drowned and burned in a pool of molten magma.But it was all futile.


    Aiden saw this tragic sight and smiled as he stretched forth his hand, pressing it against the back of the snake''s head.


    With that, the deep purple flames began to burn through the snake''s scales and flesh, tearing it apart like they were just flimsy pieces of paper before Aiden violently tore its head off its neck and threw it to the side.


    The blood didn''t even get a chance to splatter before it quickly boiled into a large crimson mist that seemed to circle around Aiden like the embrace of the devil.


    Crushing and torturing that annoying beast that had humiliated him for so long brought an unmatched sense of satisfaction to Aiden.


    But Aiden didn''t get the chance to admire this feeling for long before he felt some changes in his body.


    The second Aiden took off the monster''s head, he felt the divinity inside him begin to bubble.


    All of a sudden, deep inside of him, Aiden felt shackles that represented his mortality and human limits begin to shake and weaken.


    A familiar screen appeared in front of his eyes as Aiden smiled.


    [You have completed an unprecedented feat!]


    [You have slain a beast Emperor above your rank.]


    [Your divinity is boiling!]


    But just as Aiden''s divinity was reaching its zenith, the screen in front of Aiden cracked.


    [Error¡­ Error¡­ Ember of creation is being corrupted!] Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    [Resisting corruption¡­ Resistance¡­]


    [Linking your inner flame¡­ link blocked.]


    [Seeking Divine Intervention¡­]


    [Do you want to proceed with divine intervention from the gods? The gods will pay attention to your unprecedented achievement!]


    The temptation to seek was unimaginable.


    The cells throughout Aiden''s body seemed to be screaming for him to go ahead and break that divine shackle.


    But somehow, when Aiden heard this notification, he soon came to his senses.


    He didn''t know why, but a sudden thought, something akin to a murky whisper, began to grow inside Aiden''s heart.


    ''If I am seen by the gods in this state, I won''t have a good end.''


    The second this thought grew in his heart, Aiden only seemed to become more and more certain of that fact.


    The temptation of increasing in rank was unimaginable, but Aiden still managed to control his greed and mumbled:


    ''I refuse.''


    Aiden''s thoughts were simple.


    He didn''t want to take risks.


    Although the flames of chaos were bringing an urge for him to do nothing more than bathe the world in endless flame, it was this same desire that kept him sober right now.


    The gods were so powerful that they could eliminate him with an accidental sneeze if he was unlucky enough.


    If he was wiped from the face of the earth¡­


    What would burn?


    What would turn to ash?


    What would be bathed in flames?


    Ironically enough, his endless desire for destruction was the same thing that triggered his preservation instincts at this moment.


    [Ascension Failed. Your glorious feat is dissipating¡­]


    As those words appeared, he could feel the receding divinity inside of his body start to cool down.


    And the shackles of divinity began tightening around his being, restricting his rank to the peak of the first rank.


    All around him, Aiden felt a strange rumble in the air as some strange, imperceptible rules dissipated from his presence.


    Aiden knew instantly that his chance at ranking up had completely slipped from his grasp.


    But now that he was down here, he couldn''t be bothered crawling through the tunnels and finding a way back up.


    He stretched forth his hand towards the roof as purple flames rushed toward him, causing the space to tremble.


    Boom!


    A terrifying beam of concentrated purple flames shot towards the sky and shook the realm.


    All throughout the realm of the world, in regions of the mountain forest, a beacon of horrifying purple flames burst forth into the sky as if it were trying to reach the heavens themselves.


    The air around him instantly began to heat up as any plants or wildlife unfortunate enough to be within a kilometer radius of the beam were instantly turned into ash!


    With his exit in front of him, Aiden didn''t waste another second and made his way out.


    Stepping first, a cloud of purple flames gathered beneath Aiden''s feet, allowing him to fly out of the underground cavern and see the surface again.


    Only a few seconds after Aiden exited the caverns, the hole he made began to crumble in and collapse on itself.


    Aiden paid no attention to this and continued forward.


    He calmly stepped onto the surface, but the chaotic desire in his eyes was still burning just as brightly. However, as he stepped forward, he suddenly felt a horrible pain jolt through his body.


    ''No! What is this!''


    Looking inward, Aiden was surprised to find that all of his divinity had simply been burned away!


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    If Aiden had taken the opportunity to advance, things might have been different, but now he was completely dry.


    The thing Aiden had been using to fuel these terrifying, chaotic flames was never the puny divinity of a rank 1 being.


    How could that support the true flame of such a chaotic being?


    No, what Aiden had been running on was mere whispers of the chaotic being from his awakening as fuel for his flames.


    Now that those whispers had faded, so did the power that came with it.


    Aiden realized what had happened in mere moments and cursed his luck.


    His body was already falling toward the ground, his mind growing dark.


    Aiden''s only regret was that he couldn''t see more of the world burn in the bright purple glow of his flames.


    ...


    When Aiden woke up, he found himself looking up at a pure, blank, white ceiling.


    His mind was a foggy mess.


    He remembered leaving behind Oliver and Raelia.


    He remembered almost dying to the swarm of snakes.


    He even remembered the strange changes to his ember of creation and even the...

 Chapter 91 91.

    He even remembered the strange changes to his ember of creation and even..Even the Flames of Khaos


    "Eghh..."


    Aiden tried to move his body, but that''s when a howl of pain shot through his entire body.


    Just as Aiden was about to curse, he heard a rustle to the side and froze like a diver.


    Only now did he realize that, sitting in a chair next to his hospital bed, was a beautiful young woman with flowing silver hair, reminiscent of liquid moonlight.


    Just a glimpse of this sleeping beauty was enough to leave any mortal breathless.


    Slowly rubbing her eyes, the beauty looked over with a tired expression, but when she saw a pair of beautiful golden eyes looking back at her, the tiredness evaporated from her body. S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aiden! Are you really awake?"


    Without caring about her appearance, the young girl rushed over and grabbed the boy''s face.


    She pushed and pulled the handsome young man''s cheeks to make sure that she was not dreaming.


    "Raelia¡­ you¡­"


    The two of them didn''t speak, only looking at each other.


    A hint of sadness and melancholy lingered in Raelia''s eyes as she looked at Aiden''s body, which he had scarred and sacrificed to protect her and Oliver. But the sadness didn''t last long; the more she looked at the handsome young man''s face, the more she remembered the events of that day.


    That sadness quickly turned into another emotion¡­


    Aiden looked into Raelia''s eyes and was puzzled as he sensed the air growing cold all around him.


    "R-Raelia!"


    Aiden tried to speak, but Raelia was having none of it!


    "Aghh!! Why should I be worried about an idiot like you? Damn it, I really feel like strangling you right now!"


    Now that she had started complaining, the words simply wouldn''t stop.


    "How dare you sneak-attack me!


    How dare you leave me behind!


    Why did you even invite me onto a team in the first place?


    Do you even trust me as a partner?"


    Aiden wanted to speak, but no words came out of his mouth.


    Raelia was pissed off¡ªand rightfully so.


    Although Aiden''s actions had been a message at the time, in another sense, it was a complete and utter betrayal of trust.


    Having your partner knock you out and make a decision for you¡­


    "Raelia, I won''t make excuses. What I did was wrong, but¡­ if I were put in that position again, I would still make the same choice every time."


    "You!!"


    Raelia was so angry, Aiden felt he could see steam coming out of her ears.


    "You say you''re sorry but then go ahead and say this."


    Aiden just sighed and tried to calm her down.


    "Let me ask you this: if I told you to abandon me and run away, could you do it?"


    Raelia just shook her head.


    "Of course not. I could never abandon my friends!"


    Aiden just face-palmed and shook his head.


    "You see, that''s the problem!"


    Aiden and Raelia went back and forth for a while longer, but they made no progress.


    Eventually, they could only agree to disagree.


    In fact, Raelia knew that, from another perspective, Aiden''s decision had been the correct one.


    Instead of having everyone die, wouldn''t it be better to have just one person sacrifice themselves?


    It was true and logical, but Raelia didn''t care.


    Since when had the world of the gods ever been logical?


    Ascending from mortality to godhood was akin to going against the common rules of the world, so why should she care about logic?


    After arguing for a while longer, Aiden just sighed.


    "Since we can''t agree on the correct answer, let''s just agree on one thing then, shall we?" said Aiden.


    "Oh, and what is that?" asked Raelia.


    "It''s simple. Let''s just get so strong that this situation never occurs again in our lives. Explore stories at My Virtual Library Empire


    If you''re strong enough, then when would you ever have to make that kind of decision again in your life? Just deal with everything in front of you with the might of your fists!"


    Raelia heard Aiden''s words, and a light seemed to shine in her eyes.


    "Well said!" She couldn''t have said it better herself.


    If she were strong enough, that smelly snake wouldn''t even dare look in her direction, much less chase her.


    Seeing Raelia lost in her own thoughts, Aiden snapped her out of it and asked a question that had been bugging him for a while now.


    "So, how did you find me in the mountain forest, anyway?"


    Raelia sighed a little before giving her explanation.


    "Not long after you collapsed the cave and separated me from you, I woke up.


    Although it was hard to convince me at first, Oliver insisted that getting help was the fastest way to save you. We quickly made our way out.


    Since there were no serpents chasing us, we could use both my tracking and Oliver''s careful but steady navigation skills to find our way.


    By the time we got out, we saw a massive beam of pulsing fire shooting into the air and ran in that direction.


    By the time we arrived, we found you passed out in a massive circle of scorched earth.


    Afterward, we quickly took you away for fear of attracting monsters. Then, you received treatment until you woke up now."


    Aiden heard this and took a cold breath.


    Lucky!


    He was really lucky.


    In that strange state, when he awakened the Flame of Khaos, he didn''t seem to care about reason.


    Even if the power of the flames had lasted longer, all that would have happened was that he''d go on a senseless massacre a while longer before running out of energy and passing out helplessly.


    If he hadn''t been lucky enough to have been spotted by Raelia and Oliver and quickly brought back, such a show would have definitely attracted powerful monsters.


    By then, future generations wouldn''t tell a tale about how a man ascended to godhood, but instead, how a talented senior talent became a pile of horse manure.


    Aiden looked at the many gifts sent by students and instead looked for his water bottle.


    "What about Oliver¡­?"


    Raelia paused and just frowned.


    "He''s been taking it pretty badly.


    He''s been training like a possessed man every day, and no amount of talking will get him out of it."


    Aiden just sighed.


    He could understand why Oliver was like that. So, there wasn''t much he could say.

 Chapter 92 92.

    He could understand why Oliver was like that. So, there wasn''t much he could say.In a way, maybe it''s a good thing.


    The final train is coming up, so there really is nothing wrong with increasing your strength a little bit.


    Despite thinking this, Aiden still made a mental note to check up on him sometime.


    Enjoy more content from My Virtual Library Empire


    He couldn''t let him go completely mad.


    -----


    Soon after checking up on Aiden and making sure that he was truly fine, Raelia took her leave.


    It was unknown if it was Aiden''s words from before or simply the mention of Oliver again, but she left with a vigorous determination growing inside her.


    After Aiden watched Raelia leave, he closed his eyes and used his mind to look into his inner space.


    Aiden was brought to a completely dark realm with a bright, burning flame.


    And just like Aiden had suspected, the ember of creation burning in the center of his inner space was a bright, ominous purple.


    The Flame of Chaos. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden took a moment to calm himself.


    It was real.


    All the experiences he remembered feeling in his skin weren''t just illusions.


    He really did go crazy.


    Aiden tried to use his senses to explore this flame closer, but as he did so, his mind grew fuzzy, as a strange sense of anger started building up in his heart.


    Aiden quickly withdrew his senses and took a deep breath.


    Damn it! It''s that strange feeling again!


    Aiden had discovered this anomaly quite early.


    For some reason, if his emotions fluctuated too much, he could easily fall into a strange state of anger that seemed overblown and out of proportion.


    He was always confused as to why this was happening, but now there seemed to be a connection.


    It didn''t take a genius to figure out that his strange emotions had something to do with this.


    Aiden was about to pull his senses away from the Flame of Creation when he noticed something strange.


    Underneath the ominous purple flame, there was a small white puddle.


    It was not too eye-catching and actually quite easy to miss if you didn''t pay attention, so Aiden moved his senses closer, exploring this new substance when a sudden message popped into his mind.


    Life Liquid.


    For every action, there will be an equal and opposite reaction.


    If there is destruction, it will also give birth to creation.


    This is Life Liquid!


    A strange by-product of using the Flame of Chaos.


    Aiden wasn''t completely sure and stretched forth his senses to try absorbing it.


    The second he did so, Aiden felt a cool, fuzzy sensation, as if his body had taken in a cold, refreshing drink.


    The pain in his body and bones seemed to ease, and even his mind quickly relaxed.


    For a few seconds, Aiden was stunned.


    Healing!


    Complete and terrifying recovery that covered not only physical but also mental aspects as well.


    Aiden''s body and soul were being repaired to their complete and optimum state!


    Aiden immersed himself in that feeling for a while longer until it faded away.


    When he recovered, he eagerly looked toward the pool of Life Liquid.


    But his eager expression quickly turned into a frown.


    The puddle had now shrunk to barely even a single droplet.


    It seemed like the Life Liquid was all but consumed.


    Aiden wasn''t too surprised; surely he couldn''t expect to get such otherworldly healing for free.


    But what bothered Aiden wasn''t the consumption of Life Liquid but the fact that he had desperately needed more of this stuff.


    Life Liquid was a complete lifesaver, and anyone who was aware of it would be frantically looking for ways to acquire more of it, so it was inevitable that Aiden would be a little concerned.


    Life Liquid came from the Flame of Chaos, but Aiden already had his concerns about using such a strange power.


    When those flames were fully activated, he would turn into something that was him and yet not him at the same time.


    It was uncanny, and Aiden resolved not to use such power¡ªwho knew if the effects would worsen with more use.


    But the Life Liquid was too tempting to give up.


    Aiden just shook his head, sent his mind out of the inner space, and woke up back in the hospital ward.


    This time, all the aching in his bones and minor pains had disappeared.


    Even the hidden injuries he had gained from his arduous training at the camp over the past few weeks had completely cleared.


    This wasn''t the same as simply being healed; no, it was practically being reborn!


    Aiden took in a cold breath of air.


    Be it the Flame of Chaos or the Life Liquid, they were both forces behind his progression.


    Despite knowing that, Aiden grit his teeth.


    It was almost like a naked conspiracy.


    An obvious risk daring him to take it.


    Yet despite knowing this, Aiden resolved to face it head-on.


    After all, looking at it from another perspective, this wasn''t just a risk¡ªit was his chance!


    Aiden was talented and, in the eyes of others, nothing short of a complete and utter monster.


    But he wasn''t even the greatest monster at this training camp.


    That title belonged to Kain.


    If he wasn''t even the biggest talent in the training camp, how could he claim to be the greatest talent in the first year or even the academy as a whole?


    In a world filled with legends and monsters, all descendants of the gods aspired to ascend to true godhood as their dream.


    But it was really just a dream, a distant goal that people strived for but knew would never become a reality.


    Among the billions of descendants, how many became gods?


    Everyone said they would, but most ended up as nothing more than ashes on the wayside.


    Even for Aiden, although he was filled with youthful vigor and ambition, there was still a part of him that saw becoming a god as nothing more than a distant, foggy dream.


    But that wasn''t the case anymore.


    There was a truly god-given chance right in front of his eyes.


    As for the side effects?


    Who gives a damn!


    Countless people would kill for this opportunity, even if it meant turning into a madman on the spot.

 Chapter 93 93. [Sun Forged Body Refinement]

    Everything in life comes with a risk.His chance to become a true god is right here in front of his eyes.


    He must make full use of it by any means necessary.


    After reading this, Aiden''s mind wandered.


    After thinking this way, Aiden''s mind began to whirl.


    Life Liquid and complete body recovery.


    He needed a divine technique that could take full advantage of this ability.


    Although his venture into the mountain forest had left him half-dead, he and the others had earned a lot of divine credits, so money was not an issue.


    Knowing this, Aiden could barely contain his excitement and got up.


    From now on, he was only going to get even stronger.


    ...


    Hours later, a slightly tired figure could be seen leaving the divine library.


    Finding the perfect divine technique was much harder than he had expected.


    Simply put, nobody practices techniques that cause injury! Enjoy new adventures from My Virtual Library Empire


    But if you think about it, it made sense. Not everybody has the ability to heal themselves, much less heal themselves perfectly.


    Injuries are not only painful but, if not treated properly, could become the very thing that hinders them on the road to godhood.


    With such an obvious danger, who in their right mind would practice such a skill?


    These techniques were left only for the truly desperate or utterly insane.


    Aiden had to scrounge around in the back rooms and restricted areas to find the divine technique that fit the description, and he had to sift through and look even harder to find divine techniques that matched his divinity.


    But although Aiden was tired and exhausted, there was still a giant smile on his face.


    It was a troublesome experience, but it had still been a success after all.


    Aiden looked at the small booklet in his hand and caressed it like he was holding a precious treasure.


    [Sun Forged Body Refinement]


    It was a grand-sounding technique, and to be fair to its creator, if the theory could be put into practice, the divine technique would really be befitting of such a name.


    To complete the technique was not easy.


    As the name implies, the creator of this divine technique wanted to create a divine practice that could allow one to have the power of a body forged in the heart of the sun!


    Like all body refinement techniques, just getting started required harsh damage and testing of the body.


    But this one bordered on torture.


    The term "Sun-Forged" wasn''t a joke.


    Although anything close to the sun was just a metaphor at this stage, the entry levels of the [Sun Forged Body Refinement] required training in boiling conditions that would simply fry someone''s skin.


    It was ridiculously harsh and brutal, but if that were simply the end of things, there would have been at least a few people crazy enough to try it and even fewer crazy enough to succeed.


    No, what truly made this technique impractical was not the physical damage, but rather the mental damage.


    The visualization of this divine technique involved imagining yourself entering the sun.


    Visualization wasn''t just some flimsy mental exercise.


    When it came to beings with the blood of the gods, visualization was something more mystical, bordering on the barriers between realms and reality.


    Visualizing a sun, especially one that would be used to temper your body, was the same as bringing a sun into your mind.


    Even if you had the blood of the sun god flowing in your veins, there was simply no way to withstand that!


    Your mind and your mental strength wouldn''t just be damaged; they would be burned and evaporated.


    The pain inflicted directly on the mind was beyond comprehension. One''s essence was being burnt away, and unlike with physical injuries, injuries to the mind were much more serious.


    They were harder to heal.


    Even if you could endure the pain, without a way to properly recover your mental strength, if you kept repeating that technique, you''d practice yourself into becoming an idiot, if not simply annihilating your mind completely, becoming nothing more than an empty shell.


    If there was a silver lining to such a condition, it would be that one''s mental strength would effectively be nurtured and strengthened to an unimaginable degree with such practice. The only regrettable thing was that by then, the practitioner would likely already be long dead.


    [Sun Forged Body Refinement] only came with one real combat technique.


    [Sun Forged Battle Body]


    A pure, flat-out multiplicative effect in the wielder''s strength that only increased as the degree of body refinement rose.


    Aiden could still remember the detailed diagram, showing that when activating the technique, the user would become a wild flaming warrior with enough force to shatter mountains.


    Aiden sighed and thought about the creator of the technique, who had left the visualization scroll. sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was said that the poor man went too far practicing the technique and burned his mind, soul, and body to a crisp.


    Not even Hades could reclaim the poor man''s soul, which just goes to show how horrifying the technique was.


    If Aiden didn''t have the mystic Life Liquid to help him, even if he had the courage of a god, he still wouldn''t dare practice this technique.


    In fact, everyone else thought the same thing.


    The [Sun Forged Body Refinement] could be used without the visualization technique to a much weaker degree and still had a moderate effect on beings within the first rank.


    So, when Aiden redeemed it, the librarian at the counter just thought Aiden was using the technique without visualization to increase his strength before the final trial.


    She never would have thought there was actually someone in front of her crazy enough to practice the technique in its entirety!


    [Sun Forged Battle Body] wasn''t the only divine technique Aiden redeemed as well.


    He had also redeemed a minor combat technique from Apollo, called [Healing Hand].


    As the name implied, it was a minor healing technique that descendants of Apollo could learn.

 Chapter 1 - 1: 1. The Gods exist and they are calling for you....

    In a dark small room, only the faint whirrs of a heated PC could be heard.


    ¡¸Game Over¡¹


    Looking at the flashing light on the screen, the boy just sighed before leaning back in his chair. Right now, even gaming had lost the same thrill and excitement it used to have.


    "What am I actually doing¡­."


    The boy couldn''t help but mutter in a slightly exasperated tone.


    Aiden Evans, that was his name.


    A 16-year-old orphan since birth with nothing given to him except his name. His childhood had been equally just as ordinary; he was cleanly funnelled through the American orphanage system, and at the age of 16, Aiden Evans felt like his life couldn''t get any more dull.


    It was so bad that sometimes he felt like he was living in solitude.


    But It wasn''t always this way.


    Back when he was younger, Aiden Evans had a few friends back in the orphanage, but due to funding and other issues, the orphanage was forced to shut down.


    After that, he and his friends, who were basically like family, were split up and sent to various different orphanages across the states that had space and could afford to take them.


    He had never spoken to them since that day. As a result, his personality became more reserved. He wasn''t necessarily a complete introvert; it was just that nobody really bothered to speak to him, and he didn''t bother to speak to anyone else in turn.


    As an orphan, if you don''t really make an effort to speak to anyone, no one will really speak to you.


    Aiden thought about this and couldn''t help but sigh. It was summer break, and he was starting high school soon, and yet his life couldn''t feel more bland.


    High school.


    It was supposed to be some of the most fun and impactful years of your life, and yet Aiden didn''t really have much anticipation for it. After all, won''t things still be just as they are now?


    Aiden didn''t want to dwell on such gloomy thoughts any longer and decided to get up and get a drink, but just as he did so, he heard a sudden sound.


    Knock! Knock!


    "Who is it?" asked Aiden curiously, swivelling around in his chair to look at his door.


    But after waiting for a few seconds, there was no response, just another loud knock.


    Knock! Knock!


    "I said, who is it?" asked Aiden, now slightly annoyed. But just like last time, he was only greeted by another set of knocks.


    Unable to stand it any longer and a little annoyed, Aiden got up to open the door, but as he did so, his jaw almost dropped to the floor. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ''What the hell is this?! Cosplay!''


    Aiden couldn''t even be blamed for this sudden outburst, as in front of him were two figures that appeared pulled straight out of fantasy. There were two giant men, each standing at a minimum of 6''10. Their presence alone brought an invisible weight that didn''t allow Aiden to speak rashly.


    The two men were clad in gleaming bronze armor that seemed to shine with an awe-inspiring and mystical light, leaving any viewer breathless. At the same time, in their hands was a terrifying spear that gleamed with a menacing light.


    On their heads was a large Corinthian helmet, its horsehair crest dyed deep crimson, sitting on their heads like a crown of blood.


    Aiden wanted to get a better look at the two strange men, but the helmets partially obscured their faces, and what Aiden could see remained stern and shadowed. At least for Aiden, it was completely inscrutable.


    Just as Aiden was observing the strange pair, the two men were also observing him.


    "Aiden Evans?" asked one of the men.


    "Erm, correct? How can I help you?" Aiden was a little thrown off by the sudden question, but the strange pair of armored men didn''t seem to care.


    After confirming that they got the right person, they simply walked right into his room. Seeing this, Aiden was stunned! Even if he was caught off guard by their sudden presence, he couldn''t just let them walk in.


    "Hey, hold it! Where do you think you''re going?! This is my room! No, how did you even enter the orphanage in the first place?!"


    The two soldiers didn''t seem to care about Aiden''s outburst and waited a few moments for him to calm down before starting to speak.


    "Aiden, I am going to keep things simple with you," said the man. "Do you want to change your life?"


    As soon as Aiden heard this question, his heart skipped a beat. It was ridiculous. Two strange men barged into his room, but for some strange reason, deep down inside his heart, on an instinctual level, Aiden felt like this man wasn''t telling any jokes.


    From that moment on, whether he wanted to admit it or not, Aiden''s whole demeanor and attitude began to change. The two guards saw this change but still kept professional and carried on explaining.


    "I will explain this in the simplest terms that you can understand and believe. Aiden, you are special."


    Hearing this, Aiden didn''t really know how to react. For a nameless orphan, this was the first time he had ever heard those words in his life. It was embarrassing, but Aiden was even slightly happy to hear it. Fortunately, Aiden kept his expression completely stiff and avoided embarrassing himself.


    The soldiers didn''t notice Aiden''s little thoughts and continued.


    "Aiden, your blood is divine. By this, I mean you are a descendant of the gods. Those magnificent beings from myth and legend exist, and they are calling for you."


    As Aiden heard this, his mind went blank for a second. Gods? What the hell! A pair of cosplayers barged into his room, and now they were talking about gods. Instead of believing what they were saying, Aiden started to believe they were crazy!


    But as if reading his mind and suspicions, the air around the two soldiers started to change. Suddenly, one of the soldiers'' eyes glowed golden before his body burst into blinding ripples of lightning that danced all over his body like dazzling golden snakes.


    As if not to be outdone, the other soldier clenched his fist and a blood-red flame bloomed from his hands, spreading across both his arms like a terrifying flame demon!


    As Aiden saw this, his jaw dropped to the ground, and his glasses nearly slipped off his nose!


    "M-m-agic..." said Aiden, stuttering so hard the words barely escaped from his mouth.


    "So, what about it? Do you believe us now?"


    In response to the guard''s words, Aiden could only take a hard gulp. Aiden didn''t know what to say. He wanted to deny the discovery, to say it was an illusion. It had instantly shattered the worldview and understanding of the world that he had built for the past 16 years, so Aiden couldn''t accept this sight easily.


    But when he remembered the warmth of the raging flames and the slight sparks he felt as some of the lightning radiated through the air, Aiden knew that the sight any normal person would label as an extreme hallucination was all too real.


    "Since ancient times, the gods have existed and walked among men. The gods saw their creation and loved them. From this came divine union between man and the divine, giving birth to demigods.


    The demigods had children, and their children had children, and so forth, until the blood of gods had spread throughout the human population."


    "Aiden, you are one of them. The blood of gods flows through your veins, separating you from other mortals. You just need to awaken it."


    "So, what do you want from me?" asked Aiden.


    Seeing Aiden''s cautious appearance, the soldiers just smiled.


    "We don''t want anything from you," stated the soldier. "Instead, we want to offer you something¡ªa chance. A chance to change your life and live up to your divine heritage."


    "We can give you a chance to awaken your divine blood, train your abilities, and develop your divine power with us at Olympus Academy."


    "Olympus Academy?" asked Aiden.


    "Consider it the formal education institution for descendants of the gods throughout the worlds."


    Aiden was confused and about to ask further when he suddenly realized something.


    "Hold on, worlds?" asked Aiden, confused.


    Seeing Aiden''s confusion, one of the soldiers quickly added,


    "Of course there are other worlds. Although Earth may have been the favored world for the gods at one point, you don''t think beings as powerful as the gods would only be limited to this one world, do you?"


    All this news flowing into him at once was just too much for Aiden to take in, and the two soldiers seemed to notice all this. Reaching out, they handed him a small card.


    "Here are some websites and a number you can call to get some more information if you''re still confused."


    Seeing this made Aiden even more confused.


    "Wait, you guys have phone numbers? Hell, you even have a website?!"


    As the two soldiers heard Aiden say this, they turned to look at him like he was a complete idiot.


    "Kid, we''re in the 21st century. Surely you don''t think the gods don''t even have something as simple as the internet? Even the gods have to keep up with the times?"


    Hearing these words from two men dressed up in ancient Greek armor left Aiden speechless.


    "Whether you change your mind and believe us or not, we will come back in a week to pick you up. Of course, if you still refuse to join by then, you can carry on with your life as usual. The memory of all this would gradually be erased from your mind as if this never happened."


    Aiden wanted to talk to the soldiers a lot more. The brief conversation wasn''t enough to solve his endless questions this brief meeting had left.


    His worldview had completely changed within a few minutes, after all. But unfortunately for Aiden, the two soldiers promptly declined. In their words, they still had many more descendants they had identified that they had to meet with.


    So after handing Aiden the card and leaving him with a few more words, the two soldiers said their goodbyes before exiting outside his room.


    Aiden got up and quickly followed them outside his room, but he soon found that the two disappeared from his sight, leaving behind only a faint golden mist, almost as if they had never been there in the first place and it was all just a dream.


    It was only the card in his hand that stopped Aiden from believing that he just had a crazy episode.


    Walking back to his room, he looked at the card. Eventually, he couldn''t contain his curiosity and dialed the number.


    "Hello and welcome to the call line for Olympus Academy. How can I help?"

 Chapter 2 - 2: 2. Leaving

    Since that fateful day when Aiden met the two soldiers, nearly 2 weeks had passed by already.


    Aiden had already spoken to the director and sorted many things out.


    Right now, he stood at the door to the orphanage with a suitcase at his side and a large backpack on his back.


    His bags were already packed, and his decision was firm. There was no going back; all he had to do now was wait.


    Thinking about the admission process, Aiden couldn''t help but admire them. He didn''t even have to say much to get through with the deal.


    Olympus Academy was a real, listed private school that could complete his high school education and was even recognized by the government.


    With just a few phone calls, the entire ordeal was completed before he could even believe it.


    There were even people that called and spoke to the director on his behalf. Aiden even wondered how such a magical and mystical organization could have people so adept and specialized to deal with modern-day bureaucracy.


    Laughing to himself that he even had such silly thoughts, Aiden looked up at the glowing moon hanging in the sky. The bright silver sphere poked its head out of the curtain of misty clouds to shine over all the people below. Aiden took a moment to admire the scenery, rare to see in the modern age, when he suddenly froze.


    Within a second, Aiden''s surroundings seemed to have transformed. It was instantly flooded with a faint golden hue. Aiden suddenly turned around, sensing something, only to have his heart skip a beat when two familiar soldiers walked out of the golden hue.


    It was the two soldiers he had met before, standing there proudly like two legendary heroes of antiquity, their bronze armor shining.


    As the two appeared and saw Aiden''s surprised look, they both showed a rare smile.


    "Seeing as you''re here, I''m taking it that you talked to the number I gave you and you''ve made your decision."


    Although they were happy to see Aiden, they didn''t forget to confirm one last time.


    "I know that you are excited right now. You do know that although the academy will try to nurture and grow you, the academy will be more dangerous than anything you can imagine. There is still time to turn away now if you choose to do so."


    Aiden heard this and just shook his head.


    "A little danger is a small price to pay to enter such a world. Besides, something in my blood boils when I hear the stories you told and the powers you described. If I turn back now, I don''t think I''ll be able to forgive myself until the day I die."


    As the soldiers heard Aiden say this, a smile couldn''t help but appear on their faces.


    This was their nature! It was something they couldn''t fight, something they couldn''t resist. As ones who carried the blood of heroes, the very descendants of the gods themselves, when given the chance to seek glory, to gain honor and renown, they could never resist!


    "Good! Good!" laughed the soldiers, satisfied with Aiden''s response. "Try as you might, you can''t deny the blood of the gods!"


    Seeing Aiden''s eager looks, the two soldiers didn''t wait any longer.


    "Well then, there should be no need to wait any longer. It''s time to journey to the domain of the gods!"


    As the man spoke, he brought out a small wooden sculpture about the size of a palm.


    The sculpture in question was that of an exquisitely crafted aquila, made from a beautiful dark brown oak filled with beautiful and artistic lines that traced across its entire body. The eagle had a laurel wreath crowned on its head.


    The soldier then threw the aquila into the air, and to Aiden''s disbelief, the aquila continued to grow and grow until it was at least several meters large.


    "CAW!"


    The bird let out a strangely lifelike roar as its terrifying giant eyes shone with an awe-inspiring golden light.


    The two soldiers didn''t hesitate for a second and easily jumped onto the back of the giant wooden eagle.


    Aiden just stood there, embarrassed with his large suitcase in hand, until the giant wooden eagle lowered its stance and expanded its wings like an easy ramp for Aiden to walk up.


    Aiden took the invitation and easily walked up the back of the giant eagle and stood behind the two soldiers.


    In that moment, the giant eagle sculpture unfurled its wings and, with a massive flap, soared right into the sky. S§×arch* The novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With just one flap, it was as if they had switched into fifth gear. Aiden felt the wind flash past his body as the eagle covered tens of meters in mere seconds.


    At the same time, Aiden felt his body shake, and a deep feeling of fear flooded his body, snapping him out of his amazement. It was only now that he remembered when a white mist flowed from the wings of the giant eagle, wrapping around everyone on the back of the great bird and holding them in place. Even Aiden''s luggage was safely secured.


    Realizing he was still safe, Aiden breathed a deep sigh of relief but only dwelled on things for a moment before he began to admire the strange sight he had seen for the first time in his life. He boldly reached out his hands, grasping the clouds that quickly passed by.


    The giant wooden eagle only continued to soar until it completely broke through the cloud line, and when it did so, Aiden''s jaw dropped to the floor.


    It wasn''t the beautiful scene of the sky above the clouds that shocked Aiden but an actual object.


    It was a giant flying ship of completely gargantuan proportions.


    If Aiden had to describe it, it would be like an extremely sized-up galleon.


    But it was not just the size that impressed Aiden. It would be no exaggeration to describe the ship as an art piece.


    Made from a beautiful sleek material that seemed to be a strange synthesis of some sort of wood and strange metal. Not to mention the embellishments composed of marble and glowing white metal, that made it look less like a ship and more like a holy temple.


    It truly took Aiden''s breath away.


    Seeing Aiden''s awe-filled look, one of the soldiers soon explained, "That beauty right there is a Void ship. It''s the means used to travel between the worlds under the gods'' domain. Without it, transporting so many people would be near impossible."


    ''A Void ship¡­''


    Aiden was impressed by such a magnificent behemoth.


    He quickly looked around. He was surprised to see that he could see many other giant wooden eagles with other people on them.

 Chapter 3 - 3: 3. Bloodline lineage

    The many giant eagles were constantly flying towards the designated landing area on the ship, offloading different people and their luggage, and it wasn''t long before the eagle Aiden was standing on started heading in that direction as well.


    The giant eagle soon perched on the edge of the ship, allowing Aiden and the two soldiers to easily step onto the Voidship.


    After dismounting, the two soldiers quickly greeted another man in similar armor. If Aiden had to pick a difference, it would be that this man''s armor shined with a more golden glow, and combined with the more respectful attitude, it was clear that this man was their superior.


    After a brief word, the two soldiers came back to Aiden with a smile and handed him a wooden token.


    "Everything''s good on our end, feel free to head to your room. It''s on the token."


    "So, what will you two be getting up to?"


    "Us? We''ll be picking up other students. It''s gonna be a long night."


    Laughing, the two men headed back to the landing area and disappeared on the back of a giant wooden eagle down to the world of mortals below.


    Aiden looked down at his token. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Room 202..."


    Knowing his destination, Aiden didn''t waste any time and quickly found his way around.


    Although the ship was enormous, the symbols were pretty simple.


    Entering his room, Aiden noted that there wasn''t much to note; it was just a plain old wooden cabin with a single bed and a small desk.


    Aiden''s body was still buzzing with the excitement of setting off on this mystical and mysterious journey. Even though he hadn''t arrived at his destination yet, if he continued to stay in this small room, it would be no different than suffocating him.


    So, after quickly organizing all of his luggage, Aiden quickly opened his room and rushed out towards the deck.


    But Aiden barely made it a few steps before he brutally crashed into an unsuspecting figure.


    Aiden and the poor young man both tumbled on the floor, a little dazed.


    Aiden, realizing what happened, was quickly embarrassed and immediately apologized.


    "Sorry about that, I wasn''t watching where I was going."


    Fortunately, the victim wasn''t too hard on Aiden and responded,


    "No worries, man, it''s not all on you. I should have been paying attention as well."


    Aiden got to his feet and stretched out his hand, helping the unfortunate victim onto his feet. It was at that time that Aiden got a clear look at the man.


    He was a handsome youth, a few inches taller than Aiden, with dark, messy ginger hair with faint freckles on his face.


    Given the ridiculousness of the current situation, Aiden eventually ended up introducing himself.


    "Aiden Evans, and what about you?"


    "Oliver McKinley," replied the young man.


    Aiden and Oliver got talking and quickly hit it off. Maybe it was because of Aiden''s nature.


    "So, are you headed to Olympus Academy as well?" asked Oliver.


    "Aren''t we all?" replied Aiden, confused.


    "Of course not! How don''t you know this already?"


    "Well, am I supposed to know this?"


    "Huh? But everyone knows this!"


    It was only now that Oliver took a proper look at Aiden with a shocked expression.


    "Wait, don''t tell me that you''re a true mortal!"


    "True mortal?"


    Oliver saw Aiden''s confusion and explained.


    "Although we are all descendants of gods, the blood of gods is too powerful for most mortals to handle and exists in a suppressed state. Only Olympus Academy has the way to safely awaken the blood of the gods in their descendants.


    But despite the blood being suppressed, there are families that have regularly gone to Olympus Academy, allowing their bloodline to be awakened and maintain a strong bloodline lineage of considerable purity.


    A true mortal is, as the name suggests, a person whose ancestors lost their bloodline lineage, and in doing so, their bloodline''s purity fell to that of a mortal. At that point, even if you head to Olympus Academy, they won''t be able to awaken your blood.


    In cases such as your own, there are people who experience something called bloodline regression. Despite being no different from mortals, due to a recessive mutation, your divine blood is revived, allowing you to regain the chance of awakening your divine heritage.


    Unfortunately, divine descendants awakened in this way tend to be weaker than those of other divine descendants at the same level who have maintained a bloodline lineage. Because of this, even if your family passes on for hundreds of years, without a divine lineage, you won''t be taken seriously and will be looked down on."


    Oliver looked at Aiden and couldn''t help but feel a sense of pity.


    After speaking with Aiden for a while, he found that he really got on with him, and he could clearly sense his pure eagerness and happiness to go to the Academy. He couldn''t imagine how much of a blow this would be.


    "So, do you care about bloodline lineage?" asked Aiden cautiously.


    "Me? Fuck no. In my opinion, it''s all kind of stupid and cringe. Most matters about bloodline lineage are just a group of grumpy old men huffing and puffing at a table. It''s not worth my sanity caring about such a thing. Besides, my lineage isn''t even that outstanding.


    If it was, we wouldn''t be on Earth but on Olympus itself."


    Hearing this, Aiden internally breathed a sigh of relief. Although he didn''t care too much about this so-called bloodline lineage and the weakness it brought, Aiden wasn''t stupid. If the discrimination was enough to get rid of the friend he had just made, Aiden''s approach to his life at Olympus Academy would have to change very quickly.


    Oliver looked at Aiden and spoke up.


    "I might not look it, but my family says I''m very talented. I might not be the best, but I can guarantee that no one will be picking on you."


    Aiden was quite touched by Oliver''s gesture, but as for being weaker due to his lack of bloodline lineage? Aiden simply didn''t care at all!

 Chapter 4 - 4: 4. Gate of fire

    Oliver''s view wasn''t wrong per se, but when it came to his view on Aiden, it would best be described as some sort of cognitive dissonance.


    For Oliver, he had known about the gods and their power, so naturally, he would have a stronger yearning for power. From his point of view, that could only be the normal reaction to such a devastating realization. For Aiden, he was a complete and ignorant mortal up until only a few days ago. Now he was told he could be a super-powered being.


    After all, no matter how weak they were, a slap from a divine descendant against a mortal was enough to set them up with an appointment with Lord Hades himself! What Aiden was feeling was not depression; no, he was on cloud nine!


    Oliver obviously couldn''t read minds and cautiously avoided the topic of bloodline lineage while continuing to talk to him about some basic knowledge about the life of a Divine descendant and life in Olympus as they walked around the ship.


    As they journeyed around the ship, Aiden looked up to the bow of the ship and saw a strange sight.


    It was a woman.


    Aiden took a closer look, but the more he looked, the stranger she seemed. Her figure seemed to be shrouded in mystery, standing poised, enveloped in a flowing robe of greyish-white, highlighted with crimson red accents. The fabric shifted and shimmered as if the red patterns were burning flames begging to burst into life. S~ea??h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her face was hidden behind a pure white veil of the same ethereal material as her robe, but this time it only bore a burning red flame pattern on it.


    Besides her obscured face, in her hands was a chalice. A large golden ornate vessel that seemed almost too heavy for her slender fingers to hold, yet she managed to do it with ease. And this wasn''t the most impressive thing. No, what drew Aiden''s attention were the raging flames held within the chalice, dancing and flickering like a strange ethereal spirit.


    Just by looking at it, Aiden''s eyes seemed to be drawn in, yet at the same time, his own eyes started to heat up, almost as if he was standing right beside a wild bonfire.


    "Who is that?" asked Aiden, amazement evident in his voice.


    But this time, Oliver didn''t explain much. A small smile appeared on his face as he spoke.


    "You''ll see soon enough, just watch."


    Oliver''s words weren''t wrong either. After a few short minutes, a deep and commanding voice rang out from the quarterdeck of the ship.


    "Everything is in order. Fire up the enchantments and ready the ship, we set sail immediately."


    Aiden looked up to see the origin of this voice, and in a high position looking over the deck, he saw a gruff-looking middle-aged man. His hair was starting to gray, but his face didn''t seem too old, like that of a man in his forties or possibly even late thirties.


    His face could even be described as rather handsome, but because of the permanent frown it was placed in, it was extremely hard to see it.


    Maybe it was fate, curiosity, or maybe even Aiden''s bad luck, but the man above seemed to notice him looking over towards him.


    For him, it must have been a mere scan. He probably wasn''t even directly looking, just a quick scan of the area, but for Aiden, his heart skipped a beat. Just one look at the deep blue eyes made it feel like his entire body had been struck by a whip of terrifying lightning.


    Aiden gasped to gather his breath and looked over to see that even Oliver was looking a little pale. At least it wasn''t just Aiden that was embarrassed by a brief glance of this powerful captain.


    As Aiden was recovering, the ship began to writhe and shake. Aiden quickly turned around and looked towards the origin of this strange phenomenon¡ªthe bow of the giant voidship. At that place, he saw the strange woman from earlier raise her burning chalice into the sky.


    The chalice shook violently as the flames began to rage, but the woman''s slender hands were as stable as a mountain as a deafening incantation left her mouth.


    "Via Pyrignis, anoig¨­ emprosthen me!"


    With those words, the fire burst forth from the chalice, tearing across the sky, forming a giant gate of fire that dwarfed even the giant voidship.


    Above the clouds, a giant gate of fire was formed¡ªa truly enormous whirlpool of crimson fire covered, radiating a deep divine golden mist. If Aiden looked carefully, he could be sure what he saw was an endless sea of glowing gold.


    "This is..."


    "The gate of fire..." said Oliver, placing his hand on Aiden''s shoulder.


    Although Oliver was educating Aiden right now, his voice was still filled with awe.


    "I had heard about it before but never imagined that it would be so magnificent. It really does live up to its title of ''Gate to the gods.''"


    As Oliver spoke, the voidship shook as a faint white translucent barrier appeared, covering the entire deck as the ship moved forward, heading straight for the gate of fire!

 Chapter 5 - 5: 5. Void shark

    After they entered the gate of fire, Aiden was greeted with a sight he swore he would never be able to forget in his life.


    Aiden was greeted with what he could only describe as a golden sea. No matter where he looked, whether it was up or down, forward or behind, Aiden and the voidship were completely surrounded by a boundless ocean of dazzling golden energy.


    Judging from the faint excitement Aiden could feel deep in his blood, he didn''t need anybody to explain what exactly this was. It was a sea of divine energy, the power of the gods themselves!


    Aiden had just started on this journey for a short while, but it seemed like everything was moving forward and quickly surpassing even his wildest of imaginations and expectations!


    ... Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Time passed as Aiden continued in his journey towards Olympus. Instead of staying inside, Aiden spent more of his time admiring the sight of the sea of divine energy he could see from the deck. From what Aiden had heard, it was something similar to a highway created by the gods, allowing one to travel between the void of worlds at a much faster rate than one would have been able to otherwise.


    It just went to put the power of the gods into perspective. For a mere mortal like Aiden, it was something completely beyond his comprehension.


    As Aiden and Oliver were talking, their entire bodies suddenly shook.


    "Bang!"


    A loud bang sounded from the right-hand side of the voidship, causing the entire ship to shake and even helpless passengers like Aiden and Oliver to lose their footing.


    "Damn it, what happened!"


    "What on earth is going on!"


    Panicked and disgruntled screams of displeasure sounded across the ship deck as various passengers recovered from their embarrassed state.


    A particularly bold young man wandered to the edge of the ship where the first impact had rocked the ship to have a closer look. He placed his hand on the railing and leaned over, moving so close that his nose was almost touching the faint translucent barrier that was covering the entire ship when suddenly-


    "Roar!"


    "Bang!"


    A horrifying roar sounded out as a blackish-purple behemoth lunged out of the divine sea, snapping at the young man! If it wasn''t for the barrier that was now flashing bright white, the young man would have turned into a ghost on his way to the underworld.


    This time, after attacking, the creature didn''t disappear into the divine sea, allowing Aiden to get a clear look at the attacking creature.


    It wasn''t small by any means, at least 10 meters long if not larger, with thick blackish leathery skin with a purple hue. It was shaped like a shark with a terrifying fin shooting out its back. This was the most purple feature on its body, and it glowed with ominous light.


    Aiden was no creature expert, but he could be nearly one hundred percent certain that it wasn''t a good thing.


    "V-void shark! Fuck, it''s a void shark!"


    Aiden heard the despair-filled cry from one of the prospective students near him and his heart sank. Although he didn''t know the strength of this so-called Void shark, if it could cause...


    As if things couldn''t get bad enough, Aiden soon realized something. It wasn''t just one of these monsters that were here. There were tens of void sharks circling over the roof and sides of the voidship, simply refusing to move.


    Like a pack of sharks that had smelt blood, now that these Void sharks had discovered some fresh prey, these guys would not be going anywhere!


    "Bang!"


    "Crack."


    The void sharks began to grow restless, wildly attacking the barrier around the voidship, even going so far as cracking it. In that moment, everyone present on the deck collectively felt their heart sink. It didn''t take long for total panic to break out as people began shouting and shoving each other as everyone tried to get further away from the barrier as possible.


    Just as Aiden and Oliver were beginning to move to get into a safer position for themselves, they suddenly stopped.


    "Tch! What''s the use of all this panic? Just a few monsters can cause you to lose all your composure."


    The clear, confident voice drowned the murmurs of panic on the deck. It was like a bright torch in the middle of the night, grabbing everyone''s attention. Looking towards the origin of the voice, they all saw a stern-faced middle-aged man.


    He stood confidently on the quarterdeck, looking down on the chaos below, his armor shining splendidly under the rays of divine light that rained down from the surrounding sea of divine energy.


    And the captain didn''t just spend his time chastising the aspiring students.


    "And you soldiers, what are you doing? Monsters are at your door and you''re just standing there?! Organize yourselves and protect all passengers on the deck!"


    With the words of the captain, the few guards quickly began to move into action, rounding up the people on the deck and forming a temporary guard perimeter, protecting the aspiring students as best as they could.


    While this was going on, the captain decided to focus on the monsters at his front door. His cool blue eyes locked onto the Void sharks at the front of the pack and let out a cold snort as he stretched out his hands and opened his mouth.


    Caelum bront¨¥ doru (sky thunder spear)


    As the captain murmured the archaic chant, lightning began to crackle and rage as it writhed up his arm, gradually coalescing into a giant golden spear of divine thunder! The captain''s eyes glowed with a terrifying deep blue fury as the cape on his back fluttered wildly. He pulled back his arm, like a sharpshooter drawing his bow, and then released.


    "Boom!"


    It was impossible for Aiden''s mortal eyes to see the attack; all he heard was a deafening explosion as the terrifying thunder spear hit its location, causing even the void ship to start shaking.


    Aiden looked at the aftermath and his jaw dropped.

 Chapter 6 - 6: 6. Power of Divine Descendant

    The Void shark hit head on was instantly annihilated.


    It quite literally got blasted into nothing more than a plume of blood mist on direct impact, and with said impact, the lightning spear exploded, spreading the web of golden lightning out and frying many of the surrounding void sharks into a pile of charcoal!


    The void sharks saw this tragic sight and backed up as they let out a tragic and mournful wail. But what made the captain frown was that although the void sharks backed up, they didn''t completely retreat.


    Instead, he could see them gathering some distance away. As they gathered together, he could see that the dorsal fin on the backs of the void sharks started glowing an even deeper purple. At the same time, purple lights began to flicker between the dorsal fins of the dozens of void sharks, resonating and harmonizing, creating a terrifying multiplicative effect.


    As the captain saw this, his cold blue eyes narrowed even further as his expression turned completely ugly. The void sharks weren''t retreating; instead, they were just regrouping to form an even stronger attack!


    "How dare a mere monster stand in front of me! Not only do you invade the domain of the gods, you dare treat a vessel under the banner of the gods as prey!"


    Although the captain felt slighted, what truly enraged him was that after breaking into the divine pathways, the void sharks still dared to remain.


    It wasn''t an insult against him but one against the gods! His divine ancestors were being mocked, and by some brainless creatures no less! Seeing that they dared to confront him, he wouldn''t hold back.


    Since ancient times, the punishment for ignoring the domain of the gods had always been one thing¡ªcomplete and utter annihilation!


    The divinity in his body began to bubble as he finally moved.


    [Feat of Renown: Ogre Slayer!]


    The captain let out a low growl as a tragic wail emanated from his body. It wasn''t like that of a raging beast, but more like the tragic wails of a butchered animal. Even the most ruthless killer would feel cold after hearing such a tragic cry, much less these ignorant academy aspirants, but the captain didn''t seem to notice or care.


    Slowly, an 8ft tall phantom appeared behind the captain. It was bulky and muscular, emitting a wild aura that made one not dare look at it, just like an ogre from legend! Even the captain began to change. His bones crackled as his height jumped up a few centimeters, and muscles in his arm ballooned and squirmed as a familiar call escaped from his mouth.


    Caelum bront¨¥ doru (sky thunder spear)


    With the ancient call, a familiar golden spear coalesced in the captain''s hands once more, only this time it was much larger, and the golden color was even darker. The giant arm of the ogre phantom merged with the captain''s normal arm holding the spear.


    If before, when pulling back his arm, the gathered power felt like pulling back a bow, now it was like pulling back a catapult¡ªno, it was even more than that. Now it was like loading a howitzer! The very air around him began to tremble and shake as an unbelievable amount of power was gathered, the golden lightning erupting like a raging hurricane.


    The captain''s blue eyes flashed with a mystical divine light as he fired the spear.


    "BOOM!"


    For a few seconds, the world turned completely white. It wasn''t as if he had fired a spear but more like a laser beam! The void sharks roared and charged towards the beam, with their entire pack wrapped around with an ominous purple energy.


    The two energies clashed beautifully for a few seconds, but it amounted to nothing more than that. When a descendant of the gods got serious, how could mere monsters be a match?


    The tide of golden energy didn''t stop and swept across the entire group of sharks, painfully annihilating them on a molecular level until there was nothing left behind but a pile of ash.


    Be it the aspiring students, the watching soldiers, or even a few unlucky passengers, all that were on the deck just paused in silence to admire this truly overwhelming display of might!


    Watching his enemies get annihilated, the captain spoke out to the people below.


    "Watch and watch properly! This is the power of divine descendants, the power of the gods! This is the power you will all be capable of in the future. So remember, with the blood of gods in your veins, nothing is impossible! Spread the glory of the gods throughout the cosmos and your power will be eternal."


    The captain waved his hand, and the giant phantom and scattering lightning instantly disappeared, but this didn''t make him any less intimidating to the people watching from below. His figure only grew mightier in the mind of the aspiring cadets watching on from below.


    Aiden on the deck floor looked to Oliver with shock still evident in his eyes.


    "Are all divine descendants that strong?"


    "I don''t know about the elders of my family, but I can guarantee that amongst the regular people in the family, absolutely none of them are his match. Even within the world of Olympus, such a man can never be considered weak!"


    "The power of the gods, huh." S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden''s anticipation for Olympus Academy just seemed to keep growing with each passing day.


    ...


    Time continued to pass after the attack of the void sharks, and Aiden didn''t have to wait too long before they arrived at the destination they had all been anticipating and waiting for, Olympus Academy!


    Maybe it was because they had encountered enough bad luck, but after encountering the void sharks, their journey had been completely smooth.


    Later, Aiden learned that encountering monsters inside of the gods'' divine network was an extreme anomaly. Some people have been regularly using the divine network for decades and never ran into monsters inside of it.


    They were really just that unfortunate.

 Chapter 7 - 7: 7. Training Camp

    Fortunately, their misfortune during the journey couldn''t affect them any longer.


    The mysterious lady appeared once again holding a new chalice of fire, and after starting an inaudible chant, a new gate of fire was opened. And under the anticipated gazes of everyone, the voidship headed straight for the gate of fire!


    Suddenly, the surroundings began to twist as the old backdrop of endless flowing golden energy morphed into that of a boundless blue sky. From the deck of the voidship, Aiden could get a clear view of the world below, and he felt amazed. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The voidship traveled through the air, and Aiden got to take a look at the world below. Below, he could see a beautiful and lush grassland scattered with beautiful flowers and blossoming trees, and it wasn''t just wilderness either.


    Although distant, Aiden could still see small pockets of civilization scattered around, be it small picturesque towns or splendid burgeoning cities lined with magnificent constructions of glowing marble and gold.


    But in truth, these things were just a sidepiece. From the moment Aiden arrived in this new realm, what truly grabbed Aiden''s attention was one thing: a giant majestic mountain range!


    It stood there, overshadowing everything in sight, looming so far above everything as to brush against the skies, radiating golden splendor that stood out against the backdrop of the clear, azure sky.


    As you would expect for the place called the residence of the gods, Mount Olympus was the center of the divine world. Such a title made it a verified hub for interdimensional travel. This was only made even more visible from Aiden''s position on the voidship as he could see that there were many other voidships converging on the location of the giant mountain.


    Each ship was as large as the voidship Aiden was on, holding hundreds of people if not even more than that. Aiden looked at the voidships flying to and from Mount Olympus and tried to count them¡ªtens, hundreds, maybe even thousands. Aiden saw so many that he just gave up trying to count!


    The gods ruled many worlds, and each would have countless divine descendants that aspired to join Olympus Academy. Only now did Aiden begin to start to understand how expansive and titanic the rule of the gods truly was.


    After that, the voidship only hovered in place for a short while before it began to move, but what surprised Aiden was that the voidship wasn''t headed for the famed Mount Olympus, but instead a small cluster of buildings some distance away.


    Soon the voidship landed, and all the people on board were asked to disembark. Confused, Aiden asked a few questions and finally got the gist of what was going on.


    Olympus Academy was a famous institute of all realms. If they truly accepted everyone that joined, how could they be worthy of the title ''the training ground of the gods''?


    The gods will favor and bless their descendants, but that only applies to the descendants that are worthy. To truly pass and enter Olympus Academy, you must pass an entrance examination.


    When Aiden first learned this, he would not lie¡ªhe panicked. Before all this, he was a complete and utter civilian, and after seeing the amazing display of power by the captain of the voidship earlier, he knew he was completely out of his depth. If the assessment was based on power, he would be finished.


    Fortunately, his worries were quickly alleviated by what came after. The Academy obviously knew such things. It wasn''t just Aiden who was in this situation; there were many other people who may have just lived a regular life.


    Besides, there was an even more grueling problem: regardless of whether they were civilians or descendants of high nobles, all students would be awakening their divine blood for the first time. It would take some time to train and master such abilities, even if it was just at a rudimentary level, and this is where the facility Aiden was currently at came into play.


    A training camp.


    Before the students entered the academy, they would be gathered and trained in basic combat and basic knowledge. Before Aiden could spend any time enjoying an idyllic Academy life, he would first have to survive a grueling and ruthless training camp!


    It didn''t take long for Aiden to come to terms with his new reality because right when he stepped off the voidship, he felt the entire aura of everything around him change.


    Different from the polite and cordial attitude he felt from the people on the voidship and even some of the soldiers to an extent, the people at the training camp were different. It would be wrong to say that they weren''t polite, but they definitely weren''t there to serve and cajole you. You either stepped up to the plate, or you were kicked to the curb!


    Aiden and Oliver were quickly shuffled along and given their place of residence before being given a prompt time to gather once again on the training grounds. Fortunately, since they specifically asked for it and there wasn''t much demand, Aiden and Oliver were allowed to be grouped in the same dorm.


    They didn''t have much time to celebrate and quickly moved and settled in their residence. After that, they quickly got changed into their new clothes: dark brown pants, leather boots, and a loose white blouse with some red accents.


    After changing, Aiden and Oliver followed the signs and the slowly gathering trail of people and came to the training ground.


    There were hundreds of people gathered here, each in their own training clothes. Aiden saw people of different varieties; he saw some people short and tall. He saw people with seemingly inhuman hair, be it blazing red or a deep aquamarine blue, some even silver or even glowing directly.


    And Aiden wasn''t being rude, but there were some he wouldn''t even consider human¡ªa group of giants that stood head and shoulders above everyone else with a single eye or even some with scales growing out of their face and arms.


    Aiden didn''t dare look too long, so he only took a quick glance before looking away. Nobody was looking at him either.

 Chapter 8 - 8: 8.Blood examination

    Instead, they focused on an elevated wooden stand in front of them. On the stand stood an imposing man.


    He didn''t look too old, but a stern expression was constantly fixed on his face, and his very body radiated an overwhelming aura that commanded respect. After waiting a few moments for the crowd to settle down, the man on the stand finally began to speak.


    "I won''t waste too much time giving you an introduction since you should have already known what is going on when you arrived here. This is a training camp. You all may be excited to join Olympus Academy and begin your divine journey, but remember if you fail the exam, all the hope and excitement will be for nought. In order to succeed in your ambitions, you will need to suffer and sweat.


    You may find it hard, but remember in this world, there is no medicine for regret."


    After saying this, the man on the stand showed a surprising smile.


    "I won''t hold you up after all, today is an important day for all of you. Enjoy the moment in which you awaken your divine blood, as today is the only day you will have off. From tomorrow, your training and mastery of your newfound powers will begin."


    Ending the brief speech, the man ordered the managers and assistants to begin the awakening process for these aspiring students.


    Aiden and Oliver were split into different groups, and then each group was herded towards a different sector to test and choose their divine blood. On the way there, Aiden learned more about the divine awakening process.


    Before the divine awakening process, divine descendants can actually carry the blood of multiple different gods. Thinking about it carefully, it was only natural; countless years had passed since the time of demigods. The gods themselves had a chaotic love life, how could they not expect their own descendants to follow suit and mix with one another? But this led to another problem.


    All gods are naturally vain and aloof. Although there may be some that are stronger, none viewed themselves as inferior to their counterparts. How could they accept the fact that there was the blood of other gods in their chosen descendants? S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The awakening process not only awakened the chosen bloodline but purged the blood of all other gods in your body. This was the unique benefit and power granted to Olympus Academy by the gods. Even the most powerful clans and families didn''t have this ability. If you were a divine descendant and wanted to go further, your only choice was to enter Olympus Academy or live your life as a mortal.


    Aiden learned more about the awakening process and followed the group into a different room. In the center stood a large glowing board with a shining crystal ball placed right in front of it.


    As Aiden was watching, one of the trainees was called to step forward. Following his instructions, the young man placed his hand on the ball, causing it to glow with a golden divine light as two symbols appeared glowing on the board.


    One was a hammer wrapped in burning red flames, the other was a golden crackling lightning bolt. One of the instructors turned his head to the man who had just placed his hand and spoke.


    "You contain the blood of both Lord Zeus and Lord Hephaestus. They are both found in similar concentrations and amounts, which means there will be no inherent disadvantages or benefits based on which bloodline you choose. Knowing this, the choice is up to you. So which god do you choose to follow?"


    The questioned trainee pondered for a moment before a resolute expression appeared on his face.


    "I choose to follow Lord Zeus."


    Hearing this, the instructor nodded and motioned to a nearby assistant to lead the trainee away. Where he was going, Aiden had no clue.


    After the trainee, many other trainees walked up and placed their hands on the ball, showing the dazzling various symbols of the gods. As Aiden watched the various trainees, he noticed something rather interesting.


    At first, Aiden thought that people would most likely choose to follow the gods that were typically known to be more powerful, but that was not actually the case. Instead, people would rather choose to follow the blood that had a higher concentration, showing that the power of the god you choose to follow may actually not be all that important at the end of the day.


    Soon it was Aiden''s turn to go. Aiden calmly stepped up and placed his hand on the crystal ball, causing it to burst out with a bright golden light. On the screen behind, a bright crackling lightning bolt appeared, but at the same time, an even brighter sun-shaped symbol appeared next to it. Seeing this, the instructor spoke to Aiden.


    "You contain the blood of Lord Apollo, but at the same time, you contain trace amounts of blood from Lord Zeus."


    But the instructor didn''t stop there and added a further point.


    "Although you have the blood of Lord Zeus, it is highly advised that you don''t make this choice. The low concentration of blood could create a lot of obstacles in your future. But this is just advice, the choice is still yours at the end of the day."


    Hearing this, Aiden didn''t hesitate for long before he made his decision.


    "I choose the blood of Apollo," said Aiden.


    As the instructor heard this, a faint smile appeared on his face before he placed his hand on Aiden''s shoulder.


    "It was a good choice and trust me boy, you won''t regret this decision."


    After saying this, the instructor motioned for an assistant to help take Aiden away. After that, he went back to help all the other trainees examine their blood and make important decisions that could affect them for the rest of their life.

 Chapter 9 - 9: 9. Divine Blood awakening

    Aiden followed the assistant and received a brief warning.


    The awakening process was absolutely safe, but people would have different reactions, so it would not be unexpected to experience slight pain; he must not panic.


    In addition, there might be some slight physical changes in one''s body after the awakening process, so he shouldn''t be alarmed if such a thing happened to him.


    Soon, Aiden found himself outside an eerie room marked with a large sun symbol, with a line waiting outside of it.


    The line moved rather quickly, and soon it was Aiden''s turn to go inside. Aiden didn''t hesitate and stepped inside, but although he walked in confidently, he couldn''t help but flinch when the door closed behind him with a loud thud.


    As Aiden walked forward, he saw a man fully covered in a dark cloak, even his face completely hidden, giving the figure a strange and illusory feeling. The man''s cloak was lined with golden thread depicting glorious symbols of the sun and an enchanting lyre.


    Just as Aiden was hesitating on whether to move, a hoarse yet welcoming voice escaped from behind the hood of the cloaked figure.


    "Calm down, little one, there is nothing to fear."


    The voice sounded old, and although it was trying to calm him down, when he saw the hooded figure''s head turn toward him, Aiden felt goosebumps crawl all over his skin. Despite this, Aiden suppressed these uncomfortable feelings and walked toward the hooded figure. Seeing this, the figure chuckled.


    "At least you''re not a coward."


    Aiden didn''t know how to respond to such words, and fortunately, the hooded figure didn''t seem to be looking for one either. Instead, he turned around and brought out an exquisite goblet, but instead of wine, what was contained inside was a strange glowing golden liquid.


    The second Aiden laid eyes on the goblet, time seemed to freeze. His heartbeat sped up as his pupils dilated.


    "Huff! Huff!"


    At the same time, his breathing became crazed and erratic, almost like that of a wild beast''s. Aiden''s mouth opened as every last fiber of his body seemed to go berserk.


    Although Aiden had never encountered this substance before, something deep inside of his body knew exactly what it was. There was only one thing that could leave him so crazed and have all his body cells agitated. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "The blood of a god..."


    Aiden spoke in disbelief, almost not believing his words, but it was impossible to deny his genetic instincts.


    The thing in front of him was the blood of a god.


    Although there may be other substances, it didn''t change the fact that the main component was the true blood of the gods! Aiden''s body was twitching at him and screaming for him to take and consume the drink without hesitation.


    The blood of the gods was the best elixir to increase your strength, and Aiden knew that. Aiden was sure that if it wasn''t for the eerie and intimidating aura emanating from the hooded figure, he would have rushed at him like a crazed beast and snatched it out of his hand.


    The hooded figure looked at Aiden and secretly nodded his head. He was slightly impressed by Aiden''s composure at this moment in time. He had seen on multiple occasions trainees coming in contact with the blood of the gods that they lost all composure, becoming no different than feral monsters.


    If he had known that the only thing maintaining Aiden''s sanity was not composure but instead fear, his expression would definitely change.


    Fortunately, the hooded figure didn''t want to torture Aiden, so after showing some brief appreciation, he quickly spoke up.


    "Boy, there is no need to resist the urge. Go ahead, drink it."


    Receiving the final confirmation, Aiden didn''t think anymore and reached for the goblet. His hands moved faster than they had ever done in his life, and he gulped down the blood of the god. Aiden instantly felt a warm feeling slide down into his stomach.


    At the same time, a warm fuzzy feeling began to spread all over his body. Instantly, his cells squirmed and were overwhelmed with a feeling of pure pleasure. The feeling of biological ascendance was so euphoric it was hard to put into words.


    But Aiden''s pure joy didn''t last forever. The fiery feeling in his stomach started to go wild and rage and writhe all through his body.


    "Badum! Badum! Badum!"


    His heart started beating like a deafening war drum as creaking and popping sounds started echoing out from his bones. Aiden fell onto his knees. His skin turned as red as a boiling prawn as the veins started writhing all over his body like a nest of twisting snakes. The hooded figure watched this and frowned.


    "This is not normal. Although they are supposed to show a level of reaction, it should never be to this level."


    Realizing there was an issue, the hooded figure reached out to touch Aiden, but before he could, Aiden let out a deafening roar.


    "ARGH!"


    A pained and tortured cry escaped from his mouth along with a streak of golden gushing flames.


    It wasn''t just his mouth either; soon, a raging stream of golden flames was gushing out of his eyes and mouth, streaking all over his body, wrapping Aiden in a sea of flames. For Aiden, it was like he had been placed in a pit of magma, his skin and flesh constantly being scorched, torched, and reformed.


    At the same time, he wanted to curse the assistant that had brought him here and told him what to expect during the awakening process.


    Slight pain my ass!


    Where the hell was the slight pain?! This was jsut pure torture!


    Although the pain was horrific, Aiden didn''t dare give in and lose consciousness. His instincts were warning him that such a thing was unacceptable.


    During a process that was no different than a biological transcendence, losing consciousness would be no different than suicide. Even if he didn''t die, his path towards godhood would definitely be cut off in the future.

 Chapter 10 - 10: 10. Embers of creation

    Aiden gritted his teeth and held onto his consciousness with pure determination. But Aiden was just a regular boy at the end of the day. He held on for a while, but his consciousness soon began fading.


    Just as Aiden was about to lose all consciousness, he noticed a strange feeling. As quickly as the terrifying pain had arrived, it began to recede.


    As Aiden stood to his feet, the golden flames slowly extinguished themselves on his skin.


    The cloaked figure looked at Aiden, and if his face hadn''t been covered by a hood, the shock on it would have been shockingly evident.


    He had been conducting the awakening process for the descendants of Apollo for many years, and this was the first time in his entire career that he had ever seen such a violent reaction.


    He didn''t know the complete implications of such a powerful reaction, but one thing he did know was that the boy in front of him would definitely not be an ordinary person.


    As the hooded figure looked at Aiden, his eyes shook once again.


    "Is that... is that still the same boy from before?"


    In the eyes of the hooded figure, the new Aiden was completely unrecognizable from the old Aiden.


    The training top Aiden wore had been completely burnt off, revealing a sleek and fit body. Although the slight physical changes in Aiden were impressive, what truly shocked him was Aiden''s change in appearance.


    It would be wrong to call the previous Aiden ugly; in fact, he had been rather handsome, but his new looks could put models to shame.


    His skin became smooth and clear, completely without any spots or blemishes, like that of a newborn baby''s. At the same time, all his features became sharper and even more charming. His brown eyes morphed into deep glowing amber, which seemed to completely enchant anyone who made contact with them.


    But the most distinctive change was his hair. His originally dirty blonde hair had changed to a vibrant gold, like that of a dazzling golden sun shining in the sky.


    "Is anything the problem?" asked Aiden.


    Hearing Aiden''s voice, the cloaked figure snapped out of his stupor and replied, "No, there''s no issue. It''s just that your body changed quite a bit after the divine awakening process, so I was a bit surprised, that''s all."


    Aiden was still incapable of looking at himself, so he just took the cloaked man''s words at face value and didn''t think too deeply about it.


    After this, the cloaked figure handed him a red stone no bigger than the palm of his hand. Soon after he held it, the small stone began to heat up until it was practically scalding. A sharp burst of flames shot out, branding Aiden''s hand with a bright red diamond shaped mark.


    Aiden wanted to throw the stone away, but a calm old voice quickly sounded in his ear.


    "Calm down, boy. This is an essential process you need to go through, and it won''t hurt you in any way."


    Although Aiden calmed down, he was still a bit panicked and asked,


    "What exactly is this?"


    "It''s an ember of the Fire of Creation," responded the cloaked figure. sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "For the mortals of Olympus, everything begins and ends with the embers of creation from the fire of the hearth located at the peak of Mount Olympus. In this life, you may not know many things, but you should know that for mortals and divine descendants, the Fire of Creation is your everything."


    After the hooded figure finished speaking, the ember completed the branding process and soon lost all color, becoming a simple and unassuming plain rock.


    Aiden put the rock aside and looked at the bright red diamond mark on the back of his hand. Seeing Aiden''s curiosity, the hooded figure instructed Aiden on how to activate the mark and fed some newly awakened divine power into it.


    Since Aiden''s control of divine power was poor, he had to rub the mark with his hand to get it to activate. Soon, a burst of flames grew from the back of his hand, forming an information panel composed solely of deep crimson flames:


    ----


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: N/A


    Strength: F+


    Agility: F


    Endurance: F


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F (1/100)


    [Feat of Renown: Descendant of Apollo (A) ]


    Feat type: Passive


    -Increased healing affinity


    -Increased fire affinity


    -Increased archery affinity


    -Increased strength


    ----


    "This... This¡ªwhat is this!" Aiden''s mind struggled to accept the strange phenomenon before his eyes, buzzing with countless questions. But as the hooded figure heard this, his half-hidden expression quickly contorted into one of utter disgust.


    Only the gods knew how many times he had been asked that question, not just today but throughout his entire career. If he had to explain such a complicated thing every time to each trainee, he would be there all day.


    "Don''t think about too many things too fast. It''s not my job to teach you the basics; you''re at the training camp for a reason. If you have any questions, just ask your instructor. Everything will be explained to you soon enough anyway."


    Aiden wanted to ask again and pry him open for more answers, but one look at the man''s half-covered face told Aiden that his actions would lead to a complete dead end. Sighing, Aiden suppressed his curiosity and left the room, heading toward his dorm room.


    What he didn''t know was that the hooded figure kept his eyes on Aiden''s back the entire time. Even after Aiden left, his eyes remained glued to the door.


    It was only after the next trainee came in that the hooded man finally drew his attention away.


    Aiden''s transformation had left that deep of an impression on the poor old man.

 Chapter 11 - 11: 11. Changes

    Aiden quickly walked back toward his dorm room. As he stopped outside his door, he ran into a familiar figure.


    "Oliver, is that you?"


    Aiden was surprised to see Oliver''s changes.


    His appearance had become more refined, and his hair color had even changed slightly. If Aiden''s hair was like the dazzling sun, then Oliver''s was like the setting evening sun, a deep and mesmerizing reddish-orange.


    But if Aiden experienced a slight surprise, then what Oliver experienced was near a heart attack.


    "A-Aiden, what the fuck happened? How did you change so much?"


    Oliver walked closer to Aiden but suddenly cursed all over again.


    "Fuck! Why are you at eye level all of a sudden?"


    Before, Oliver clearly remembered that he had a few inches on Aiden, but now they were the same height. This was not to even mention the rather drastic change in Aiden''s appearance.


    The gods are vain and arrogant, so for mortals to mate with the gods, their looks were without question, making it natural for divine descendants to be beautiful and handsome. Apollo, as a god of music and song, was naturally charming, his looks were without question, but even so, Oliver couldn''t believe his eyes.


    "I''m just curious, but which god''s blood did you use to awaken?"


    Hearing this, Aiden tilted his head to the side and answered, "The blood of Apollo."


    When Oliver heard this, his disbelief only grew further. "Fuck! So you''re telling me we drank the same shit?"


    It was either Oliver was scammed or Aiden was cheating. Of course, Oliver knew that something like cheating was impossible, but that just put into perspective how ridiculous Aiden''s transformation was. Such a claim wasn''t a crazy response but instead a logical deduction.


    As Aiden and Oliver talked more about the divine awakening process, Aiden finally understood how freakish he appeared to others. As the two were throwing out possible theories, Aiden guessed,


    "Maybe my recessive mutation was enough to mirror the effect of a strong bloodline lineage. I''m sure there have been cases of such a thing happening in the past."


    Oliver paused for a second.


    This wasn''t a completely impossible claim. It was possible for recessive mutations in powerful bloodlines to show strange phenomena during an awakening, but the problem was that in the cases Oliver had heard about, they at least came from a rather minor bloodline lineage.


    Such an occurrence happening from a true mortal was unheard of, but at the very least, it wasn''t statistically impossible, so there was no way of ruling it out. If it wasn''t for the fact that Oliver knew that Aiden came from Earth and was an orphan, he would really be questioning who his father was.


    Who knows, maybe he was the abandoned child of a powerful bloodline lineage and was about to start his counter-attack to the top of the divine world.


    Laughing at their own crazy conspiracy theories, the two continued talking before finally settling into their new dorm and preparing for the new day.


    As Aiden was falling asleep, a hooded figure was rushing through the hallways. He quickly came before an instructor''s office and loudly knocked on the door.


    "Come in," responded a voice.


    The hooded figure walked inside and saw a familiar figure. If any of the new trainees were here, they would recognize that this man was the chief instructor who had given a speech earlier today.


    The man put down the files and notes in front of him and looked at the man who suddenly arrived in his office.


    "So, what brings you here?"


    "Instructor Kyros, you may not believe it, but today I conducted the awakening ceremony for a strange trainee. They showed a strange phenomenon during the awakening, meaning the power of their blood could be extraordinary!" S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Instructor Kyros raised an eyebrow and asked, "So what is the name of this trainee?"


    "Aiden Evans. Aiden Evans is the boy''s name."


    Hearing this, Instructor Kyros nodded before waving his hand. "The information you gave is noteworthy, and I will pay attention to it. If that is all, you can take your leave now."


    Hearing Instructor Kyros speak, the old man was shocked. "Is that all? Instructor, I don''t think you know how rare it is to witness a strange phenomenon during the awakening process."


    "Old man, you need to be aware of your roles. You are merely a guide to the awakening process, a servant of the gods. While we may note his potential, only his performance can shake us. The only ones who care about powerful bloodlines are the families obsessed with their bloodline lineages.


    Remember, old man, I don''t care what happens in the academy, but at the training camps, the families can have no influence at all. If anything happens, you won''t be able to bear the consequences."


    With Kyros''s last words, the old man felt like he was choking as an unbelievable pressure descended on his body. "Y-yes, sir!" stuttered the shaking old man.


    Realizing his blunder, the old man didn''t dare stay any longer and quickly left the instructor''s office.


    Watching the old man leave, Kyros couldn''t help but sigh.


    Despite the restrictions, the claws of these bloodline families never knew when to calm down and kept stretching forward. Despite this, Instructor Kyros couldn''t help but smile.


    "What number does that make now, three? Each one with a strange phenomenon during the awakening process. Maybe this is fate?"


    Instructor Kyros didn''t dare ponder too deeply on something even the gods would struggle to predict.


    "Whether it is fate or not, this training camp will at least be rather interesting," muttered Kyros to himself, chuckling as he did so.

 Chapter 12 - 12: 12. A simple run

    The next day, just after the crack of dawn, Aiden was woken up by Oliver''s rough shaking of his shoulder.


    "Get up! We can''t afford to be late on the first day! Who knows what punishments these vicious bastards could cook up for us."


    Aiden heard this and shivered.


    Yesterday, Oliver had told him about the training he had endured with his own family and reminded him that the training at this camp could only be worse.


    Who knows what sort of old and archaic punishments these weirdos could cook up


    The two boys quickly got ready and changed into their newly picked out training clothes before rushing to the training field.


    They had only stood on the training ground for a short while when a familiar figure walked out. It was the man who had given their introductory speech yesterday, and it didn''t take long before he started speaking once again.


    "It''s good to see all of you out here again. I am the chief instructor of your training camp, and you can call me Instructor Kyros. I take it you had a good time yesterday. Awakening your divine blood must have you feeling an immense amount of power, but you are still new trainees after all." As Instructor Kyros spoke, a slight smile appeared on his face. Sear?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Your first task as trainees will be something simple, a warm-up if you will. Your task is simply to run a short distance and go from point A to point B."


    After saying this, Instructor Kyros raised his hand and pointed into the distance.


    "Your goal is to reach the marked destination at the top of the cliff."


    As the trainees looked over, they could see Instructor Kyros pointing to a cliff in the distance. Between them and the cliff was a lush, packed forest with hilly terrain leading up to a distant and tall cliffside.


    "The faster you arrive, the better your rewards will be. Additionally, there will be a penalty for all those who finish later, so you better get a move on."


    After saying this, the instructor''s figure flickered before disappearing from the spot, leaving the group of trainees looking at one another completely confused.


    It was only after a few moments that someone finally began to start moving. That one action was like throwing a rock in a pond. Instantly, the entire group of trainees began to move and head for the forest.


    Aiden and Oliver were no exception. After taking a look at each other, the two also headed toward the forest.


    It didn''t take long before the large group of trainees quickly split up. Shortly after entering the forest, the group of trainees saw many different paths branching out and scattered across the various paths in front of them.


    Aiden and Oliver didn''t think too much about it and headed toward a random path, running alongside each other at a steady rate. But as they ran further and further, Oliver suddenly noticed something.


    "This fog, it''s suddenly becoming strangely thick all of a sudden."


    As Aiden heard this, he finally noticed the gradual change in their surroundings and the fog. But just as Aiden was about to speak, Oliver''s face suddenly hardened as he dived toward Aiden, dragging him to the floor.


    Aiden was about to complain, but that''s when a large wooden tendril swept over where their heads were just a moment ago.


    "Fuck!" cursed Oliver. "If I hadn''t felt something, we would have lost our heads."


    Aiden listened to Oliver, and his skin crawled.


    "This forest, no, the entire area to the cliff, it''s all filled with traps!"


    Just as the words escaped his mouth, Aiden was suddenly filled with a strange feeling. The strange feeling he had only felt during the awakening process was vaguely activated, a fuzzy feeling crept into his mind.


    "Move now!"


    Aiden didn''t even think and dragged Oliver to his feet and ran, just in time.


    "Boom!"


    Another giant tendril slammed out of the mist, crashing down onto their previous spot! Aiden and Oliver just couldn''t get a break. They started running through the forest, with strange objects breaking out of the mist trying to attack them.


    Fortunately, with their newly awakened divine blood, their senses had been boosted to near unimaginable levels, and when put to the test, they were forced to activate and were slowly being polished and refined.


    At the same time, every time Aiden''s senses were activated and he dodged, a warm and fuzzy force started swirling inside his body, slowly growing stronger with each passing second. Aiden didn''t need a teacher; he instantly recognized what this feeling was.


    Divinity.


    The mystical power was coursing through his body, and even with Aiden''s current primitive and rudimentary control, it had a clear strengthening effect on his body.


    Sayings don''t get passed down for no reason; the best way to learn is truly with experience. Aiden only wished that this "experience" wasn''t giant objects trying to crush his bones.


    Just as Aiden had this thought, the ground beneath him started to shake.


    Aiden and Oliver could only watch wide-eyed as what could only be described as a wave of earth rushed toward them. It was like someone had grabbed the earth and shook it like a dusty blanket, causing ripples to rush forth.


    Oliver''s jaw dropped in disbelief.


    "What the actual fu¡ª"


    But Oliver didn''t even get to finish his sentence before he and Aiden were flying into the forest with a panicked scream.


    The two friends landed harshly on the ground, and Aiden was certain that if it wasn''t for the transformation he had undergone yesterday after the divine awakening, he would have broken several bones by now.


    But just as they were getting themselves together, they suddenly heard some rustling in the forest around them as a group of creaky wooden puppets walked out from the tall grass and started approaching them.


    "You''ve got to be kidding me."


    This time, Oliver wasn''t even shocked; he had really seen it all at this point. Aiden looked at the group of puppets, his face showing confusion before a sudden light flashed in his amber eyes.

 Chapter 13 - 13: 13. The true situation

    Aiden looked at the group of puppets, his face showing confusion before a sudden light flashed in his amber eyes. Aiden looked at the group of puppets once again and burst into laughter.


    "So that''s it. We were never supposed to reach the cliff from the start; we weren''t even expected to get close."


    When Oliver heard this, he almost slipped over.


    "Damn it! These vicious instructors are heartless enough to screw over their own trainees."


    Oliver, now realizing what was going on, looked towards Aiden.


    "That means that we''re totally fucked, right?" asked Oliver.


    "Completely fucked, my friend," responded Aiden.


    Just after Aiden responded, a wooden puppet suddenly rushed over, but although the puppet was quick, Oliver was even quicker. He stepped forward and raised his fist, covered in glowing divine light, and smashed it into its head.


    "Bang!"


    A cracking sound emanated from beneath Oliver''s fist as the puppet was flung back, crashing against the dirt. Looking at the puppet, Oliver scowled as he shook his now slightly pained hand. "Even if it''s a trap, I''m not going down without a fight!"


    The puppets seemed to respond at the same time another wooden puppet tried to sneak up on Oliver. Fortunately, Oliver wasn''t fighting alone.


    Stepping forward, Aiden pulled back his hand and used his willpower to mobilize the slithering sense of divinity he had recently become familiar with and punched forward.


    "Bang!"


    Aiden felt his hand sting and even felt a sense of recoil rush back along his arm. Fortunately, at the same time, the divinity in Aiden''s body rushed along, strengthening his arm. It was poor, simple, and rather crude, but Aiden was now capable of fighting with divinity!


    Aiden and Oliver quickly got up and fought fiercely against the approaching wooden puppets.


    "Bang! Bang! Bang!"


    Their fists glowed like rockets as they smashed down into the mob of attackers. The two boys didn''t back down, and their determination was impressive to see, but it was just that¡ªonly impressive to the eyes.


    The two young boys clearly weren''t trained fighters, and without a proper mastery of their own divine power, their weaknesses were eventually revealed. Eventually, the defenses of the two friends were quickly breached, and each was struck with a hard blow to the head, knocking them out cleanly.


    ....


    An unknown time later...


    "Urgghh..." A pained groan escaped Aiden''s mouth as sharp pain was ringing in his mind.


    "Where am I?" S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden''s eyes opened as he looked up at a completely unfamiliar ceiling. The last thing Aiden could remember was being swarmed by the attacking wooden puppets before suddenly waking up here in this strange new location.


    Fortunately, Aiden''s nervousness only lasted for a short while before he quickly calmed down. That was because he realized he wasn''t on a battlefield or any other dangerous location. Aiden''s current location was an infirmary room!


    Breathing a sigh of relief, Aiden slowly sat up and looked around. The infirmary room was filled with countless groaning trainees; some unlucky ones were even bleeding and bandaged. Aiden looked at the carnage and secretly shook his head.


    "Tch! They really didn''t spare anyone. Everyone got hit pretty bad."


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, he felt himself being tapped on the shoulder. Looking up, Aiden found himself looking at a pretty nurse checking on him.


    "Trainee Aiden, you''ve been diagnosed as fine and not deemed to be suffering from any major injuries. As such, you''ve been instructed to head to the grounds to gather with other trainees."


    Hearing this, Aiden was left speechless. Didn''t he just wake up from being knocked out? He didn''t stay silent and made his confusion heard.


    "I have to go right now? I just woke up. How does that make sense?"


    The nurse looked at him helplessly and said, "It''s the instructions we''ve received from the chief instructor. If the trainee can walk, he should head to the grounds."


    Aiden could only groan and hide his displeasure. A body with awakened divine blood was truly superhuman, so although Aiden was feeling some displeasure, he could still move without any major trouble. Slowly but surely, Aiden headed towards the gathering hall...


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden was sitting among other trainees. Aiden could hear the uncomfortable groans of a few trainees, or even in some cases, curses flying at the lunatics that led them to go on such a mad run.


    Soon, Inspector Kyros walked in.


    His walk was the same as ever: a calm and commanding posture with a steady gait.


    But that was just Inspector Kyros. Although the trainees maintained basic respect and didn''t cross the line, there was still a subtle level of anger or even hatred in their eyes as they watched Inspector Kyros walk in.


    It was only natural.


    This time they had been completely played.


    Being sent on a wild run they were never destined to complete, only to be brutally ambushed and knocked out before they even made it a fraction of the distance along.


    When Aiden thought about it, even his teeth would ache with anger. Much didn''t need to be said for the tired descendants of the divine families that had lived prideful lives knowing that they were descendants of gods. They had never been so humiliated in their lives.


    Instructor Kyros didn''t seem to care about any discontent and casually laughed it off. "Hahaha! I can see you guys were having fun. The newbies always leave their first run with a memorable experience!"


    Although Instructor Kyros was laughing, only other instructors joined in on his light chuckle. Where the new trainees were, it was only filled with deathly silence. Anyone watching on could see the glares at Inspector Kyros get more ugly and even slightly murderous.


    But the second Inspector Kyros'' eyes swept over them, they quickly awakened to their senses, and the murderous intent disappeared even faster than it appeared. A few were even left shaking.

 Chapter 14 - 14: 14. Weak

    Soon, Inspector Kyros'' smirking face disappeared, morphing into a vicious frown.


    "A lot of you are unhappy even if you don''t dare openly admit it," said Inspector Kyros calmly. "Do you think what I did was unfair? Do you think what I did was cheating? Well, I stand here to tell you that not only is it not unfair or cheating, but it is deserved."


    No one dared speak after they heard this, but Inspector Kyros had been doing this long enough to know that no trainee who ever heard him say this had accepted it in their heart. Despite this, Inspector Kyros continued on.


    "What do you think you even faced? It was not the dangerous creatures of legends, but instead just low-level monsters and constructs barely even considered skilled creations. Such creatures left you embarrassed to the point you couldn''t even fight back, and yet you dare hold onto something so pathetic as your pride at this moment in time."


    "Pride without substance isn''t admirable, it''s simply stupidity. You have only just awakened your divine blood and you feel like nothing could stop you, but you need to curb your arrogance."


    "You may be something in the world of mortals, but in the world of the gods, you are nothing. If you want to have pride, if you want to earn respect here in the world of the gods, you can''t rely on your divine blood like you did in the world of mortals. Divine blood isn''t an anomaly anymore, it is the norm.


    The only thing that can get you respect here in this world is your strength, and you weaklings are just beginning your journey." sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The field was completely silent. No one dared speak, but they could feel it completely in their hearts: just how fragile and powerless they were. These arrogant children who had lived their lives believing that they were part of an exclusive superior class, a great cabal of elites, realized that there were mountains above mountains, a sky above the sky.


    In the grand picture.... they were really nothing.


    For the newly awakened divine descendants, such a feeling of inferiority and nothingness was unbearable. It''s much harder to go from wealth to frugality than the other way around. After living as members of the superior class, how could they accept that they were falling down again?


    For these new trainees, even if there was no entrance exam into Olympus Academy coming up, they would train with unprecedented vigor! Inspector Kyros saw this and smiled. As descendants of the gods, they inherited some of the bad traits of their forefathers. Pride. To truly subdue these prideful youths and command them with any sort of respect, you had to break them down first.


    Only then could you build up a strong and terrifying foundation.


    The interesting days at the new training camp were finally starting to begin.


    The next day, after getting a good rest and recovery, Oliver and Aiden dragged their bodies to the training ground along with the others. As they arrived at the training ground, the new trainees couldn''t help but pause; the place had changed completely. In terms of size alone, it seemed to have multiplied, but that was not all.


    All sorts of strange training equipment could be found all over the training ground. But the most eye-catching change would have to be the weapons rack. All sorts of weapons were lined up: swords, spears, war hammers, daggers, flails¡ªyou name it, it could be found.


    "Is this what they meant by free training period..." murmured Oliver, a little stunned.


    Like Oliver had said, the morning of today would be taken up by a free training period where instructors encouraged the trainees to practice the weapons they knew so they could get a rough average of the abilities of the trainees. Aiden and Oliver didn''t linger around looking on for too long. Soon, Oliver dragged Aiden to pick up a set of bows and arrows and headed to the archery range.


    Aiden and Oliver stood behind a wooden fence, and in front of them were many shooting targets arranged at varying distances away from them: 20 meters, 50 meters, 100 meters, etc. Aiden had no experience in any form of combat, but he was determined to follow down the path of archery. He hadn''t forgotten what happened to him during the awakening process.


    Besides the horrifying pain, he saw a strange thing on a screen of fire:


    [Feat of Renown: Descendant of Apollo]


    Feat type: Passive


    -Increased healing affinity


    -Increased fire affinity


    -Increased archery affinity


    -Increased strength


    -Ancient Greek


    -Latin


    As a complete novice, he was being handed his next steps on a plate. If he still refused to pick up archery, then he would be a complete and unsalvageable idiot.


    As Aiden thought this, Oliver got ready to practice. He pulled out an arrow from the quiver on his back. From the outside, it looked like Oliver was harmonizing with his bow; even his small breaths were completely in line with the small tremble of the bowstring. Suddenly, a sharp look passed through Oliver''s eyes as he released the bowstring.


    "Bang!"


    The arrow soared through the air, crashing into the target like thunder, but that wasn''t the end. Oliver''s hands moved in a blur, and Aiden couldn''t even see how Oliver drew the next arrow.


    "Bang!"


    Another thunderous shock erupted as another arrow trembled inside the target! And that wasn''t the end.


    "Bang!" "Bang!" "Bang!"


    Within seconds, five arrows flew out and slammed into the target in rapid succession.


    "Hisss!"


    Aiden took a mouthful of cold air.


    How terrifying!


    Such power!


    Such accuracy!


    Aiden imagined himself in the place of the target and shivered. How was a person even supposed to dodge that!?

 Chapter 15 - 15: 15. Archery

    Oliver put down his bow and quickly burst out laughing.


    "Hahaha! So this is it! This is just the start of the blood of the gods!"


    Hearing this, Aiden turned to look at him a little confused, and Oliver quickly explained.


    "My skills have improved quite a bit just by awakening my bloodline. Before, I would struggle to fire three of such arrows; now I can fire five without even breaking a sweat!"


    Hearing this, Aiden''s jaw dropped.


    "Is the blood of the gods so powerful?"


    Seeing Aiden''s shock, Oliver just chuckled and motioned towards Aiden.


    "How about it? You have a try and see how much you''ve improved?"


    When Aiden heard this, an awkward look appeared on his face. Oliver quickly rubbed his head in embarrassment.


    "I forgot you used to be a complete mortal before all this and have no training."


    It wasn''t just no training; before this, Aiden had never touched anything that could even be considered a weapon before!


    Oliver laughed and patted Aiden on the back.


    "Well, now''s as good a time as any to start. If it''s just basic archery, I can help you get started. Look."


    As he spoke, Oliver moved and took up a basic shooting stance for Aiden to watch. Aiden looked for a while before copying him, and that''s when Oliver walked around him, using a stick to shift his feet around while moving his back forward.


    "The first point I can teach you about archery is stance. If your stance is off, everything you shoot won''t work."


    Any time Aiden''s body tended to drift out, Oliver would quickly try and correct it, but even so, from his eyes, Aiden''s stance was still a complete mess. He could only sigh in his mind. S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ''It''s better than nothing, I guess.''


    It had taken him years to get his stance up to par; how could Aiden do the same in moments with just a few words? So instead of worrying, he continued his explanation.


    "The next part of archery is actually to draw your arrow and shoot, and this is where people get confused. Don''t be deceived and focus on appearances. The trick to shooting doesn''t focus on the arms; instead, it all stems from your back. Your back is your anchor and your lynchpin. Most of your strength and power originate here. Use your back to control the drawing process."


    Aiden did as he was told and drew out an arrow, using his arms and his back to draw the arrow. As he did so, he suddenly heard Oliver''s voice.


    "Don''t be too stiff! There''s no such thing as a rigid bow! The more fluid and relaxed the muscles in your back, the easier it is to quickly adjust your aim and redraw your bow. Develop that habit now!"


    Aiden adjusted his movements as Oliver kept on speaking.


    "Next is the final piece of the puzzle: your breathing. While it might seem trivial, this is the thing that separates the good from the bad. Controlled breathing can help you steady your aim and your body, so don''t underestimate it."


    Aiden tried controlling his breathing as Oliver guided him from the sidelines.


    "Take steady breaths. Feel your bow. Feel the upper and lower limb. Feel the bowstring, even the wind in your surroundings."


    Slowly but surely, Aiden started to feel a sense of harmony flow through his entire body.


    Soon his eyes narrowed on the target in front of him, and then he fired. His bow let out a yellow sound as the arrow soared through the air.


    "Thud!"


    Aiden''s arrow quickly landed, but to his despair, he not only missed, but he missed horribly! Seeing Aiden''s appalled look, Oliver just chuckled.


    "That was your first shot; it''s normal to miss. Adjust yourself and go again."


    Aiden calmed himself down, took a deep breath, and fired again.


    "Thud!"


    Like his last arrow, Aiden missed, but this time it was much better, with his arrow landing at the foot of the target.


    Oliver wanted to encourage Aiden once again, but he quickly found out that there was no need. Aiden calmly redrew.


    "Amazing, you hit the target, Aiden!"


    "Aiden?"


    Oliver called out to Aiden but found his friend was completely unresponsive. He seemed to be in a complete trance-like state, solely focused on the target.


    "Bang!"


    An arrow was fired out of Aiden''s bow with much more power and accuracy than the previous shots, and that wasn''t the end.


    "Bang!"


    Another.


    "Bang!"


    And another.


    "Bang!"


    Aiden and his arrows just showed no sign of stopping, each one only becoming more lethal and accurate with the next one fired.


    If one looked closely at Aiden, you could see the muscles on his arm and back subtly squirming and shifting with each arrow fired. His body was slowly but constantly adjusting and perfecting itself like some biological autocorrect.


    Aiden himself didn''t seem to be aware of the strange state his body was in and continued uninterrupted. The fire of arrows continued. It was nowhere near as fast as Oliver''s almost instantaneous barrage of arrows, but it was a quick and continuous fire of arrows that did not show any sign of stopping.


    Oliver watched on, first puzzled, then amazed, then terrified!


    "M...monster!"


    As Oliver watched Aiden, his heart dropped.


    In just a few short moments, Aiden had shifted from the 20-meter target to the 50-meter target to even the 200-meter target, and yet he was still firing each arrow with deadly accuracy!


    If he hadn''t been the one to guide Aiden, he wouldn''t believe this was the same person that had picked up a bow only mere moments ago!


    Such a speed of learning couldn''t even be classified as a simple genius anymore; no, this was a monster of a completely different caliber!

 Chapter 16 - 16: 16. Talent

    Aiden was completely unaware of the shock he was inflicting on Oliver and was still trapped in the mysterious state. Aiden drew another arrow, but this time something happened.


    "Huh?"


    Aiden suddenly paused. He grasped around in his quiver and felt nothing. It was only after that Aiden snapped out of whatever trance he had been in for the last few minutes.


    "What¡­ what happened¡­"


    Disoriented, Aiden looked around at the targets littered with arrows, completely confused.


    "Did I¡­ did I do all this?"


    Before Aiden could second-guess himself, someone else responded for him.


    "Yes! Yes, you did! Don''t tell me you can''t remember anything?"


    Oliver looked at Aiden, completely stunned. How could someone put on such a magical performance and barely even know how they did it?


    But Aiden was truly helpless at this moment in time.


    "I really can''t remember anything," said Aiden helplessly.


    But although Aiden couldn''t remember anything, he would be lying if he said he didn''t feel any different. The bow in his hand was completely different; if before it felt like a foreign object, now it was much more familiar.


    It would be exaggerating to say it felt like an extension of his arm, but at the very least it felt like a snug glove. Something comfortable that could be manipulated with ease.


    Even Oliver didn''t believe that Aiden was the same after that shocking performance and handed him an arrow.


    Aiden nocked his arrow and instantly had a new feeling. It was strange to put into words, but he felt like he could hit any target. It wasn''t something that needed to be focused on too deeply. As long as he tried, he felt like he could do it. It was as simple as taking a walk or breathing.


    Aiden took a calm and controlled breath and¡­


    "Bang!"


    The arrow was released, streaking across the air and nailing into the target with a loud impact. Bullseye! And to prove it was not just some freak coincidence, Aiden fired off three more arrows and all three expertly found their mark.


    Aiden looked between his hands, elated but still a bit confused. But soon, Aiden calmed down.


    Since he had met those two soldiers of the gods all that time ago, not a single thing had made sense!


    If something strange was happening, then it was the blood of the gods that was at fault, not him!


    Aiden also remembered that Oliver said he received an improvement in his archery after awakening his blood, so Aiden was not alone in this phenomenon.


    Aiden looked towards Oliver, impressed by the power of the blood of the gods.


    "The blood of the gods is really impressive. Just after picking up a bow once, I can already use it at such a high level."


    When Oliver heard this, he nearly fell over!


    The blood of the gods? What a joke!


    He didn''t know what blood Aiden had, but it definitely wasn''t the same as whatever he got!


    If the blood of the gods was so powerful, what was the point in all the time he had spent training?


    If all that was needed to become proficient in your weapon of choice was the blood of the gods, then, even if his father chased him around with a sword, Oliver would never train hard a day in his life!


    This simply wasn''t normal.


    It could be seen from the changes after his blood awakening that Aiden''s god''s blood was stronger than average, and the display today only further proved it.


    Even amongst those with the blood of the gods, there are levels. The commoners and the geniuses. The mundane and the monsters. It was obvious to anyone who had seen Aiden''s performance that he was clearly in the latter. This was the realm of elite monsters!


    Oliver looked at Aiden and wanted to sigh. Thinking back to the time he said that Aiden would have a hard time for coming from a mortal family, he felt like laughing at himself.


    This guy? Have a hard time?


    From what he could see, he was bound to fit in just like a fish in water.


    As Oliver was having these thoughts, he suddenly saw Aiden grabbing a new bunch of arrows and putting them in his quiver.


    Aiden once again stood in front of the shooting range with his familiar bow in hand. But this time, instead of drawing just one arrow, he drew two!


    Seeing this, Oliver''s eyes jumped.


    "Aiden, you''re not trying two at once, are you?"


    Hearing this, Aiden looked towards Oliver and smiled.


    "Since learning how to shoot a bow and arrow came quite easy, I thought why stop there? Why not try two?"


    Hearing this, Oliver''s mouth twitched.


    Such a train of thought was extremely arrogant, and for someone who had been practicing archery for a long time, it would even come across as plain disrespectful. But Oliver would be lying if he said he wasn''t curious. He wanted to see just how far Aiden''s monstrous talent could reach.


    Aiden didn''t keep Oliver waiting for too long. He calmed his breathing, steadied his body, and locked onto his targets. His back and arm muscles activated as he pulled back the bow with tremendous force and¡­


    "Bang!"


    One arrow nailed into the target with a powerful force, while the other was sent flying off into the horizon. Aiden saw this and frowned before quickly calming down. It was just one failure; he didn''t succeed on his first try last time either. Calm and patience were the keys.


    Aiden tried again and again, but to his dismay, nothing seemed to be working. He could manage to hit at least one target with his arrow, but the other would always end up missing. Aiden didn''t stop, continuing to fire until his arm was sore. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He went through at least two quivers worth of arrows, but nothing seemed to be working. The mysterious and amazing state that had helped him master archery before showed no sign of resurfacing.


    Eventually, after firing the last two arrows in his quiver and not being any closer to his goal, Aiden finally couldn''t remain calm and cursed.


    "Fuck!"

 Chapter 17 - 17: 17. Lecture hall

    "Fuck!"


    "Why is nothing I try working!"


    Aiden was about to head back and collect more arrows when he suddenly heard a voice from behind him.


    "If you''re trying to shoot two arrows at the target, it isn''t going to happen if you keep trying as you are now."


    Hearing the voice appear behind him, Aiden nearly jumped out of his skin. When he turned around to look, his fear only grew even further.


    "I-Instructor Kyros!"


    The instructor didn''t seem to care about his sudden ghost-like appearance and continued explaining.


    "The way you learned archery is magnificent, yet it is also unorthodox. For you, shooting an arrow would be less systematic and more instinctive, almost like moving a body part. Naturally, if you wanted to accurately aim two arrows at once, it would be like using your mind to do two separate things at once.


    So before you continue, let me ask you this: can you do two separate things with your arms at the same time?"


    As Aiden heard Instructor Kyros''s question, he paused for a second before shaking his head and replying.


    "Instructor, I''m afraid I cannot."


    Hearing Aiden''s words, Instructor Kyros wasn''t disappointed and instead smiled. S§×ar?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Well then, you know where to start. When you can confidently move your arms to do two separate things at once, shooting two arrows should come to you as naturally as breathing."


    Hearing this, Aiden was naturally excited and started thinking about how to train this and develop this ability. He quickly came to the conclusion that the first step would naturally be to develop a sense of ambidexterity.


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, Instructor Kyros lightly smiled and then turned to look towards the trainee next to him.


    Feeling Instructor Kyros''s gaze, Oliver''s skin jumped, but he didn''t dare make any large moves.


    The instructor looked at Oliver and nodded.


    Although he was paying special attention to Aiden due to his unique circumstances, if there was a student in front of him, he wouldn''t ignore their struggles. Although he could appreciate talent, normal trainees were still important. Furthermore, the trainee in front of him could still be considered very talented, even if it was not to a monstrous level.


    "You also seem to be sharing a similar problem to the boy from before. Although you can shoot arrows in rapid succession more skillfully than your friend, you have talent and can go much further. The next step for your archery should be just like what your friend is trying to achieve: shooting two separate targets at once."


    Realizing what was happening, Oliver''s eyes showed a look of joy before he bowed respectfully.


    "Please guide me, Instructor!"


    Instructor Kyros smiled before beginning to speak.


    "Unlike your friend, your archery is conventional and follows the orthodox training system. Your foundations and fundamentals are perfect and as solid as rock. Learning to manipulate two arrows like your friend will only do more harm than good. Since you learned systematically, you should continue to do so.


    Calculate with your mind the two different trajectories of your arrows before you even draw them. Although your archery will lack a sense of fluidity and change, such problems can be fixed when you can shoot multiple targets at once."


    Oliver thought for a while.


    If the instructor''s words were correct, then his next step forward would be to develop his mind''s separate and parallel thinking while also developing his calculating and predictive abilities.


    Realizing he had found his next path forward for his immediate training, Oliver was overjoyed. Just as he looked up to thank the instructor, Oliver was left speechless.


    The instructor that had clearly been in front of him only moments ago had completely vanished.


    It was as if he had disappeared into thin air.


    Oliver stood there confused for a second, but when he looked over to Aiden and saw that he had already started training with impressive vigor, he just chuckled.


    Even a complete newbie like Aiden was training hard. How could he fall behind?


    Without wasting any more time, Oliver picked up his bow once again, ready to work his heart out!


    After training, Aiden and Oliver quickly rushed back to their dorms to take a shower before their next class.


    Their first training session had passed, and now it was time for the first actual lecture of the training camp.


    No one knew how long the lecture would be, and Aiden and Oliver didn''t dare risk being crowded in a room filled with hundreds of other trainees after sweating it out this morning.


    The two took their notebooks and rushed towards the lecture hall, which wasn''t too hard to find. As they walked in, they could already see it beginning to fill up with other students.


    Since the front seats were already packed, Aiden and Oliver walked up and found some seats about two-thirds of the way up the auditorium.


    After sitting down, the two friends watched for a few minutes as the lecture hall quickly filled up. Then, a slightly older, middle-aged man walked into the room.


    The man was dressed neatly, with dark brown pants and a loose robe covering his body. He wore silver-rimmed glasses.


    The man was calmly walking into the room, but with just one glance, you could sense that he had a strong scholarly air about him.


    The second the man walked into the room, the light background chatter quickly disappeared as the hall descended into silence.


    None of the trainees were stupid.


    Theory was just as, if not more, important than physical training.


    Everybody was ready to write down every word spoken.


    The teacher didn''t need to ask the class to be quiet or anything like that.


    If anyone dared to mess around and disturb the lecture, the first one to deal with them would not be the lecturer but the furious students all around them!


    The professor looked at the full lecture hall and smiled.


    "Good afternoon, class, and welcome to your first lecture at Olympus Academy."

 Chapter 18 - 18: 18. Feats and Divinity

    "Good afternoon, class, and welcome to your first lecture at Olympus Academy."


    Seeing the eager look on the hundreds of students, the lecturer lightly chuckled.


    He could tell from the looks on their faces that they didn''t want to waste time on simple introductions, so he wouldn''t torture them with boring details either.


    Clearing his throat, the professor spoke up.


    "The first lecture will be on the most important thing you will learn here: your strength and where it comes from. Of course, this includes how to grow stronger."


    The second the professor said this, the trainees couldn''t control themselves and broke out into chatter, but how could you blame them?


    This was the thing that had drawn them here to struggle and train.


    This was their path to true power!


    Fortunately, the chatter only lasted for a brief moment before the students controlled themselves.


    Seeing this, the professor smiled before continuing his lecture.


    "All of you here have the blood of the gods flowing in your bodies and must realize that you are different from regular mortals. This feeling would have only become more evident after awakening your divine bloodline through the awakening ceremony.


    The blood of the gods grants us a special advantage that regular mortals don''t have. Any training we do would be at an accelerated rate and magnified, but if it was simply that, then descendants of the gods wouldn''t be anything special. At best, we would be slightly stronger mortals.


    And in fact, for a period of time, this was how descendants of the gods lived. The further and further you were born from your first demigod ancestor, the weaker you would become.


    The gods, in their infinite grace and mercy, saw this problem and thought about how to fix it.


    But this wasn''t a simple problem. The gods, like the predecessors before them¡ªthe primordials and titans¡ªwere born with their power, but in addition to this power, they were born with something else that helped separate them.


    Divinity.


    Inside the gods lay a burning flame of divinity, allowing them to accept the worship and praise of all beings, enabling them to claim their rightful positions as rulers of the universe!


    As descendants of the gods, although we don''t possess a divine true fire, our blood is still able to gain and contain fragments of divinity, and this was enough.


    The gods discovered this and would grant their descendants some of their purified divinity, allowing them to grow and strengthen themselves beyond their mortal limits at an alarmingly fast rate."


    As the professor spoke, he brought out a fist-sized see-through bottle, but inside lay a swirling deep golden liquid that enchanted anyone who laid eyes on it.


    Instantly, every student present felt their thoughts grow itchy as a strange sense of hunger started to well up from within them, but this hunger didn''t come from their stomachs but instead their own blood! sea??h th§× N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Ambrosia¡ªthe food of the gods."


    "It is divinity condensed and made into physical form for the consumption of divine descendants. Without the formation of ambrosia, simply accepting divinity would lead to a whole host of problems.


    Ambrosia is helpful, but simply accepting divinity can only take you so far.


    Divinity in itself is not something destined to be controlled by mortals. If you want to continue mindlessly accepting divinity, your body will reach a limit, and if you continue past it, your body will burst and explode.


    To continue to accept divinity and tread the path to the gods, you must shed your mortal coil and transform your being.


    Divine descendants are classified into Heroic Ranks, and each time you ascend a rank, you must break past a mortal limiter known as a divine shackle.


    The power of divine descendants and plain divinity alone is not enough to break a divine shackle, so a theory was proposed: What if divine descendants generated their own divinity with the reaction between their own divinity and the gods''? Would it be enough to generate a transformation strong enough to break the divine shackle?


    Divine descendants don''t have a divine flame to accept the worship of countless beings, so the gods came up with an alternative.


    The gods grant each of their descendants an ember of the fire of creation, a fragment of the eternal flame burning in the hearth located at the center of Mount Olympus.


    With the flame of creation acting as a nexus, all divine descendants are linked to a pseudo fire of divinity, but instead of accepting the worship and faith of countless beings, they must do something similar.


    Spread renown!


    Spread your tale through the world, accomplishing heroic feats of renown worth admiration and awe amongst the endless masses. Only then would you be allowed to take steps to become heroes, demigods, and even the gods themselves!


    Why do you think the powerful heroes of legend were always adventuring, slaying beasts, fighting and starting massive wars, and even risking their lives saving beauties?


    It was all for Renown!


    As soon as you complete a feat of renown, you can instantly break your divine shackles, and from then on, there are no limits to the levels your strength can reach.


    If you have the talent and ambition, the realm of the gods is no longer a ridiculous dream!


    If you don''t believe what I am saying, then you can just look at one of the greatest alumni of Olympus Academy, one of the few men to ascend to godhood!


    Like every other Divine Descendant, he completed 12 feats of renown, spreading his name throughout the world with many of you knowing them right now.


    You may know them as the 12 Labors.


    As you can guess, this man is none other than Lord Hercules, the god of strength and power!"

 Chapter 19 - 19: 19. Divine Ember Rank

    "As you can guess, this man is none other than Lord Hercules, the god of strength and power!"


    As the professor said these words, the class broke out in excitement.


    Many of them already knew this fact; after all, the origins of the god of strength and power were no secret, but having them confirmed by the professor was still stimulating.


    They were talking about the gods!


    A being capable of standing next to all other Olympians as an equal in divine status. One that wasn''t born a god but fought and worked his way towards that status.


    Everyone was having the same thought.


    If they worked hard enough, if they fought hard enough, then maybe they could become gods too!


    Of course, no one dared to say such thoughts out loud. Not only was it borderline blasphemous, but it was also incredibly arrogant.


    Olympus Academy has existed for countless years, but the number of people that could truly become a god from a mortal are few and far between.


    Beings so legendary that they wouldn''t even be qualified to kneel in their presence haven''t made that final leap. It was truly audacious if they dared to voice such enormous ambitions when they hadn''t even begun their journey.


    As this was happening, a trainee raised their hand and asked.


    "Excuse me, professor, but what exactly are the Feats of Renown, and how will we know if we have accomplished one?"


    Hearing this, the professor smiled.


    "Good question.


    The truth is that in this world, anything can become a feat.


    A world-shaking speech that shaped an era, an idea or philosophy that influenced the thoughts of thousands, or even something as unique as an incredible piece of art¡ªthese are all things worth notoriety and acclaim and, as such, are all worthy of being Feats of Renown. Not all feats have to be tales of legends about fighting wars or slaying monsters.


    It is the world that determines whether it is a feat, not the individual themselves.


    And as for the question about how you will know if you have accomplished a feat."


    As the man said this, a comedic smile appeared on his face.


    "The simplest way to put it is, you''ll just know."


    As the students heard this, they all froze in disbelief. For a second, you could probably hear a pin drop anywhere in the room.


    Seeing the stunned look on all the students after giving such a blunt answer, the professor burst out laughing.


    Of course, his explanation wouldn''t end there, but it was always funny watching the new students pause in disbelief every time he said it.


    "Achieving a Feat of Renown is not something scientific; it is something intrinsic that goes down to the core genes and blood of the gods that flow through your body.


    After achieving the feat, your divine blood will react with the Ember of Creation within you and form a link with the Fire of Creation located at the heart of Olympus.


    The Fire of Creation acts as your divine fire for all the descendants of Olympus, allowing one to gain abilities and magic powers similar to the gods.


    The abilities you receive are solely dependent on the type of Feat of Renown you accomplish, with each feat having its own unique abilities.


    I''ll show you myself as an example."


    As the professor spoke, he closed his eyes and stretched out his hand as he stimulated the Ember of Creation deep within his body.


    Slowly, a wave of fire burst out of his hand to form a translucent red screen that was wrapped in flickering flames.


    [Feat of Renown: Slayer of the Two-Headed Giant]


    Feat Type: Active


    When feat is activated, gain:


    Giant Slayer (Aura effect)


    Partial Giant Strength


    Increased strength of attacks against all beings deemed as ''Giants''


    Active Skill¡ªOne Sword, Two Heads


    The entire lecture hall watched and read the display with awe.


    Who could have thought that this warm-looking middle-aged man used to be so fierce!


    From the title and effects, "Giant Slayer," the Feat of Renown doesn''t sound like an easy one to achieve either.


    The lecturer looked at the slightly intimidated trainees and shook his head.


    "Achieving a feat is not something you need to worry about, at least not for now.


    The first Divine Shackle you had was already broken when you awakened your divine bloodline, as at that moment, you had already achieved your first Feat of Renown."


    Aiden thought back to the strange screen of fire he had seen after the harrowing awakening process he had endured.


    When he survived, he saw the strange screen; he was shocked and confused and eventually just ignored it, but now everything started making more sense.


    Although the awakening process was extreme and brutal, if it was all to achieve a Feat of Renown, it seemed understandable. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Poor Aiden didn''t know that his awakening was anything but regular.


    If he knew that none of the other students had to endure self-immolation to awaken and get their first Feat of Renown, he would be so angry he might faint on the spot!


    Regardless of this, Aiden continued to listen.


    "The Heroic Ranks are split into 12 ranks, and the first rank you are currently in¡ªand by far the easiest¡ªis known as the Divine Ember Rank.


    At this rank, your sole aim is to accumulate divinity in your blood and use it to fuel and strengthen the Ember of Creation deep within your body, located in your inner relam.


    you can think of your inner realm a closed internal space formed by your body .


    Fortunately, you don''t have to worry about opening your inner realm as this was done during the bloodline awakening.


    The process is largely simple at this stage.


    After consuming ambrosia, you will use your mind to guide your divinity towards your inner realm where it will feed the new the Ember and grow it to the limit.


    Once your Ember of Creation reaches the point where it can''t grow anymore, you will encounter your second Divine Shackle and your first real test.


    But that point is still going to be a way off for now. Your goal should be to become proficient in the process of activating and linking with your Ember of Creation in your inner realm, as well as feeding it divinity to grow and increase the divinity in your blood."

 Chapter 20 - 20: 20. Moonlight

    After some final instructions and guidance, Aiden''s first lecture at Olympus Academy ended.


    After the lecture, each student rushed out of the lecture hall and went to the respective sites for their chosen god on the training ground.


    At each site, each student was given three bottles of ambrosia infused with the divinity of their chosen god. Afterwards, they didn''t hesitate to rush back to their dorm rooms.


    After Aiden and Oliver arrived in their dorm room, they didn''t speak to each other much and remained in their own worlds.


    Aiden placed his three bottles of ambrosia on the bed as he sat down cross-legged.


    He took a few deep breaths and took some extra time to prepare his mind.


    The professor had already told him earlier that there isn''t any danger in the Divine Ember stage and that everything would come easily, but Aiden didn''t want to develop any bad habits.


    If he was going to meditate and train his divinity, he would try to do it in the best possible way.


    Eventually, when Aiden felt like his mind was ready, he unscrewed the bottle and brought it to his lips.


    Soon, the golden liquid poured into his mouth.


    ''Delicious,'' Aiden thought.


    He wanted to describe it as delicious, but ambrosia, the food of the gods, went beyond the simple sensation of taste.


    Aiden felt his very being savoring the moment and the sensation that came with it.


    Aiden had never done drugs before, but he was sure that even they couldn''t beat this feeling.


    A soothing sensation warmed his entire body, but at the same time, Aiden was flooded with a sense of boundless strength.


    For a while, he felt like he could crush mountains and fling continents with just a move of his hand. It was just an illusion, but that was how terrifying divinity felt to a Divine Descendant.


    As time went by, Aiden eventually came to his senses. He quickly realized that now was not the time to become lost in his false illusion of strength but to focus on controlling divinity.


    Divinity that is not properly absorbed can only be wasted.


    Aiden focused up, concentrating on drawing the divinity that was now spreading wildly throughout his body and concentrating it in his already divine blood.


    If one looked at Aiden''s body, they could see countless tiny golden strands wiggling around and feeding their way back to Aiden''s blood cells before condensing and merging with them, giving them a faint golden hue.


    But the job wasn''t over yet.


    Aiden; ''s mind concentrated and groped around in his body before it locked into a faint space. his mind was sucked in and found pure black space illuminated by the faint flickering wisp of deep crimson fame.


    Seeing this Aiden smiled. He had found it, his inner space ad ember of creation


    Finding the faint crimson flicker deep within his body, Aiden started to control his divinity to flow towards the flicker. With each passing minute, the flicker seemed to get more and more lively, jumping around and turning a bright reddish gold.


    Aiden continued in this mystical state for an unknown amount of time before he felt a slightly painful ache occurring in his veins, causing him to stop his training.


    Right now, his veins were completely saturated with divinity, and he would have to stop training for the short term until his veins recovered.


    This was nothing to worry about, as the professor had told him that this was something that would naturally occur within all Divine Descendants once they officially began their practice.


    As Aiden got up, he looked over towards Oliver and saw that he was still deep in meditation.


    Not wanting to disturb him, Aiden stretched his body a little and decided to head to the training ground.


    The training camp had no curfew that he currently knew of, and now that he had increased his divinity and strength after training, Aiden wanted to practice his archery again to really test his new limits! S§×ar?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    ...


    Aiden walked out of his dorm and was greeted by the cold night air.


    He had never been outside at the academy this late, and even if he had been outside, it was never this quiet.


    Because all the other trainees were stuck inside meditating and training, it created an almost deathly silence that was quite unsettling.


    Aiden didn''t dwell on it too much and headed to the training ground, picking up a bow and several sets of arrows before heading towards the shooting range. But as Aiden arrived at the entrance to the shooting range, he suddenly paused. No, it would be best to say he was stunned.


    The sight in front of him completely took the young man''s breath away.


    Aiden watched, stunned, as a beautiful figure stood there under the cold glow of the moon.


    The beautiful figure wasn''t human¡ªor at least not completely.


    Wolf-like ears poked out from her hair on the top of her head, and a bushy tail swung with the wind.


    But despite all this, what caught Aiden''s attention the most was her striking silver hair.


    It was beautiful and enchanting, flowing down her back like liquid moonlight.


    The mysterious girl wasn''t just standing there but was instead performing a set of archery moves that left Aiden breathless.


    He watched as she calmly nocked three different arrows before firing them all at once.


    The arrows soared through the air, twisting and twirling with a graceful, smooth, fluid motion.


    The arrows overlapped and crossed each other before nailing into the target.


    The beautiful young lady continued to shoot three arrows simultaneously, constantly sending out arrows in flashes of silver that seemed almost like parts of the moonlight itself!


    The scene was almost otherworldly, as if he had stumbled upon a moment that wasn''t meant to be seen¡ªa perfect harmony between the young woman, her bow, and the night.


    Aiden almost felt like an intruder in a sacred space, where the moon itself watched over this lone, silver-haired archer practicing her art.


    What was truly scary was that despite showing enough force to crack stone, each arrow that landed was deceptively silent.


    This wasn''t archery for sport or theatrics.


    It was archery designed for one thing: bloody hunting.

 Chapter 21 - 21: 21. An Idiot

    "Amazing¡­."


    Entranced by the display, Aiden couldn''t help muttering in admiration. But the second he did, the world seemed to freeze.


    Aiden saw two glowing eyes lock onto him like a bloodthirsty hunter in the night, sending shivers down his spine.


    Aiden was sure that if it had been a few days ago, he would have fallen over in fear.


    Fortunately, Aiden had begun his training as a Divine Descendant and was much stronger than he was days ago, so he could avoid an embarrassing situation.


    But even with his newfound strength, Aiden was still intimidated and remained silent.


    It was only when the arrow in the girl''s hand was aimed at him that Aiden didn''t stay silent anymore for fear of being shot.


    "Whoa! Whoa! I''m a student here too. There''s no need to be so on edge. I''m just here to train, just like you!"


    Aiden quickly brought out his token as proof of identity, fearing he might be too late and get shot on the spot.


    "I came to practice my archery when I noticed you were already here. Your archery was so impressive that I stood and watched for a while. If I offended you in any way, I didn''t mean to."


    Seeing the shocked look on Aiden''s face, the mysterious girl quickly realized she was in the wrong and dropped her bow.


    She looked at Aiden before slightly bowing her head. Then, she replied in a cold and clear voice,


    "I''m sorry, I was too focused on practice and overreacted. I shouldn''t have responded in the way I did."


    Seeing that the girl wasn''t an unreasonable lunatic who would shoot on sight, Aiden finally relaxed a little before replying,


    "It''s okay. You don''t have to take it to heart."


    After Aiden said this, there was a long, awkward silence.


    Eventually, Aiden couldn''t stomach the awkward silence any longer. If she wasn''t going to talk, then he could only bite the bullet and try to start a conversation.


    "Your archery, it''s really impressive."


    The girl looked up at Aiden with her bright blue eyes and blinked.


    "Thank you. I practice a lot."


    Looking at the bow in her hands, Aiden''s eyes shone with a curious glow.0


    "I''m interested in the archery skill you were practicing before. Can you teach me to shoot like you do?"


    The girl looked at Aiden and saw the bow and arrows in his hand. Seeing that he had come out to practice so late at night, he must at least be somewhat serious about archery.


    She had also been rude earlier, so she didn''t immediately reject Aiden''s request and just asked,


    "How long have you been practicing archery?"


    Hearing this question, Aiden froze before becoming utterly embarrassed.


    "One¡­ one day." S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, the girl, whose face had been as cold as the night moon, finally showed a mixture of emotions as she asked again in disbelief, "Sorry, I must not have heard correctly. How long have you been practicing archery?"


    "One day," replied Aiden.


    The girl''s face twitched as it turned red, before shifting into a terrifying expression as an endless amount of hostility burst from her eyes.


    Aiden, who was actually the target of this hostility, felt all the goosebumps on his body stand up as he tightened his grip around his bow.


    Just now, he actually felt his life was being threatened.


    Not caring about Aiden''s reaction, the girl stared at him with a pair of wolf-like eyes that threatened to swallow him whole.


    "Are you¡­ Are you mocking me right now?"


    She had spent endless hours training and bleeding to perfect her craft, and now somebody who had barely touched a bow for a day was asking her to teach him something she had spent her life perfecting.


    If that wasn''t mocking her, then what was?


    Aiden, unfortunately, didn''t know the reason for the sudden burst of hostility, but he wanted to de-escalate the situation regardless, so he quickly spoke up.


    "No. I think you''re misunderstanding the situation. It was never my intention to insult you at all. Although it''s embarrassing to say it with my own mouth, everyone around me says I''m pretty talented in archery. Your archery is the most advanced I''ve ever seen, so I thought that since I''ve progressed this far, I should start learning from an expert like you."


    Hearing Aiden''s explanation, the girl was left speechless.


    Talented?


    Progression?


    If she heard correctly, this boy just said he had barely even been practicing archery for a day. How much progress could he possibly achieve?


    The girl didn''t want to believe it, but she could tell from the look in the boy''s eyes that he was being honest.


    This time, the girl wasn''t even angry; she was genuinely confused.


    The girl looked at Aiden and could still see the innocent and confused look in his eyes, and it was then that she realized something.


    This guy¡­ He wasn''t mocking her. He really was just an idiot!


    He truly believed that he could start learning her expert archery after picking up the bow for just one day.


    There really were people this ignorant in the world!


    It was then that she remembered what her father told her before leaving for Olympus Academy.


    Here, she would meet geniuses that would leave her questioning reality, and she would also meet idiots that would leave her thinking the same thing.


    The boy in front of her was obviously the latter.


    Realizing this, the hostility in the girl''s eyes vanished as her body completely relaxed. She spoke with a look of realization,


    "I see. You''re just an idiot."


    Now it was Aiden''s turn to be confused.


    "Idiot? Where are you getting that from?"


    Ignoring Aiden''s words, a look of pity appeared in the girl''s eyes.


    Sometimes people say something so stupid, you can''t even get mad.

 Chapter 22 - 22: 22. Raelia

    Aiden was happy that the hostility had been dissolved, but he was uncomfortable being called an idiot and tried to defend himself. However, the more Aiden spoke, the more the pity in the girl''s eyes grew.


    To her, it was one thing to be stupid, but people who are stupid and unaware of it are truly the ones to avoid.


    Who knows, trying to reason with them might have the opposite effect and turn you into an idiot just like them!


    Realizing this, the girl shivered. She didn''t dare stay any longer and patted Aiden on the shoulder, speaking in a comforting voice.


    "Keep trying hard at archery; I''m sure things will work out, okay?"


    "Cough!" Aiden couldn''t stand it anymore and nearly choked, but by the time he had recovered, the girl had completely vanished from sight.


    The girl disappeared, treating the incident as a rare and ridiculous encounter.


    If the girl knew Aiden was someone who could get the hang of archery within just one day of picking up a bow, her reaction would have been completely different. sea??h th§× N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It just goes to show that Aiden wasn''t the one who was crazy¡ªhis talent was!


    The things he did were so outlandish and unbelievable that normal people would think you were crazy if you tried to convince them it was the truth!


    ...........................


    The night turned into day, and Aiden was awake the next morning, preparing for their morning training. After Aiden got back from the encounter last night, he had told Oliver about his strange experience. But when Oliver heard it, he couldn''t stop laughing.


    "Wait, so you met a mysterious and beautiful lady, but after speaking to you, she treated you like an idiot and ran away?"


    Aiden tried to explain and defend himself, but unfortunately, even Oliver wasn''t on his side this time around.


    "If somebody insisted that they had mastered archery in less than a day, I would look at them like they were an idiot and try to avoid them as well!"


    Because of that, Aiden had a disgruntled expression on his face the entire morning. Fortunately, they were having combat-related training this morning, so Aiden didn''t have to think too much and could blow off some steam.


    Soon, the boys made their way to the training grounds and were greeted by the stern-faced Instructor Kyros.


    "All of you will have made some progress in your training and absorption of divinity, but you should know that strength is only maximized when it is used in conjunction with the appropriate skill. Regardless of which weapon you use, regardless of which god your blood comes from, a basic mastery of weapons and close combat is imperative for a student at Olympus Academy.


    So, as you can guess, that''s what today''s training will be based on. You will be split into pairs and duel against someone as a way to temper and polish your close combat skills."


    After Instructor Kyros gave the instructions, each trainee was given a specific number and told to head to a specific area to begin their close combat sparring.


    Although the training ground was big, there wouldn''t be enough space to have the entire cohort dueling at once. Fortunately, there was more than one training ground in the camp, so they were able to allow everyone to spar simultaneously.


    Aiden was one of the lucky ones who didn''t have to trek halfway across the camp to go to another training ground, as his assigned area was still there. After talking to Oliver for a while, Aiden made his way to his assigned area, but as he arrived, Aiden was left stunned. But it wasn''t just Aiden¡ªhis sparring partner was equally stunned.


    "It''s you!" they both blurted out at the same time.


    "Idiot boy."


    "Wolf girl."


    Aiden was about to ask more questions when he froze. "Idiot? Just what about me makes you think I''m an idiot?"


    The beautiful wolf girl tilted her head to the side and blinked her beautiful blue eyes. "I would explain it to you, but you''re an idiot, so I don''t think you''ll get it."


    Hearing her say this, Aiden''s eyebrows twitched in annoyance. He was ready to bring out his years of online gaming experience and curse her into oblivion, but Aiden calmed himself and took the higher ground.


    "Let''s introduce ourselves. It''s rude to call people by strange titles, after all. My name is Aiden Evans."


    "Raelia."


    As they spoke, a faint, malicious air began to form between them. After all, Aiden would be lying if he said he didn''t want to use this training experience to teach this little girl how to respect her peers. Raelia obviously sensed Aiden''s intention and met it in kind.


    The two quietly drew their wooden training swords, but before anything could happen, Aiden suddenly smiled as he spoke.


    "Ah, you might think I''m an idiot because I mastered archery in a day, but just because you''re not talented enough to do it doesn''t mean others aren''t. You shouldn''t dismiss others'' achievements; it just makes you look ignorant."


    As Aiden spoke, there was an obvious mocking smirk on his lips.


    Even though Raelia had classified Aiden as an ignorant idiot, hearing another person mock her and put down her talent and hard work greatly irritated her. When she looked at Aiden, a light snarl escaped from her mouth as she growled,


    "You''re noisy."


    Before Aiden could get out another word, she leapt forward at him like a wild beast, swinging her sword.


    Not wanting to be outdone, Aiden snorted as he stepped forward and swung his sword, ready to meet Raelia blow for blow but Aiden instantly regretted it.


    "Bang!"


    The two wooden swords clashed, but Aiden''s expression immediately changed. He felt a terrifying power in Raelia''s sword that passed through every bone in his body.


    Shocked and embarrassed, Aiden could only stumble backward as he tried to control the recoil from their last clash.

 Chapter 23 - 23: 23. Arrow Sword

    Aiden still couldn''t believe it. Sear?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    How could such a young girl possess such terrifying strength?


    He wanted to back off and create some space to reassess the situation, but Raelia wasn''t about to let him do as he pleased. She stuck to him like a relentless predator, determined to exhaust and frustrate her prey.


    As Aiden endured her suffocating pressure, Raelia''s sword shot out in what could only be described as a blur. Fortunately, due to his bloodline awakening and recent divinity training, Aiden''s body and senses had been strengthened immensely. His dynamic vision was strong enough to track the sword, allowing Aiden to twist his body and narrowly avoid the blow.


    Aiden barely got to his feet before Raelia was upon him again. This time, it was too late to dodge, so Aiden had no choice but to meet the attack. Yet, he still didn''t dare to match the wolf girl''s horrifying strength directly, so he deflected the attack to the side.


    A rapid clash of swords ensued, with Aiden competently holding back each of Raelia''s attacks despite the clear difference in strength. But suddenly, Raelia raised her sword high¡ªAiden had already anticipated her next move.


    "Bang!"


    Instead of the expected sword strike, Aiden was greeted with a fierce kick to the stomach that sent him sliding backward, gasping for breath. He paused for a moment, trying to collect himself after being utterly winded by the unexpected attack. Raelia saw this and chuckled.


    "You leave a better impression when you''re quiet. At least then you don''t come across as idiotic or annoying." Her words were an obvious jab at him, payback for his earlier mocking.


    Even though Aiden knew he had it coming, he wouldn''t take it lying down. He snorted, and his amber eyes flashed with a golden light as the divinity within his veins surged to the surface. Raelia noticed this and just chuckled with a wolf-like smile as she pounced on Aiden once more.


    The exchange between them was vicious and exhilarating, but anyone with a keen eye could see that Raelia was clearly winning. It wasn''t that she had an advantage in swordplay; both of them could be deemed novices when it came to the sword.


    Instead, Raelia''s true advantage lay in her combat experience. Everything she did was calculated, and Aiden felt his movements choked and stifled, though he couldn''t understand why.


    Aiden knew that if this continued, his defeat was inevitable. But what was he supposed to do? He was a complete novice in swordplay and didn''t have the otherworldly talent that had assisted him in archery.


    Suddenly, Aiden had an idea¡ªone that seemed crazy, perhaps even the pipe dream of a madman.


    Who said swordplay and archery were mutually exclusive? Why couldn''t they be combined?


    In theory, there was nothing wrong with the idea, but theory and practice are often worlds apart. Success depended on his talent, and Aiden was determined to find out just how far it could take him.


    Aiden backed away from Raelia, his mind focusing intently on his new plan. The three components of archery¡ªarms and back, breathing, and stance¡ªcame to the forefront of his thoughts.


    The first thing Aiden corrected was his breathing. Instead of being rapid and disorganized, it became condensed and controlled, like that of an archer harmonizing with their surroundings.


    Raelia, with her beast-like senses, immediately noticed the change, but surprisingly, she didn''t act. She actually felt a terrifying threat emanating from Aiden and cautiously circled him, like a wolf stalking its prey.


    Aiden noticed this but didn''t care. He had only achieved the first step. After correcting his breathing, he adjusted his stance, widening it slightly with a lower center of gravity¡ªmore suited to close combat than traditional archery.


    Finally, Aiden focused on his arms and back, shifting his muscles as he pulled his sword closer to his body. It was a subtle change, but if one looked closely, they would see the muscles under Aiden''s clothes were pulled taut, like a large hunting bow drawn to its limits.


    Raelia began to realize that the threat Aiden posed wasn''t diminishing but increasing. She looked at him, now exuding a menacing aura, and her eyes shook with a mix of fear and determination. Gritting her teeth, she decided to go all out, launching a desperate attack rather than waiting for inevitable defeat.


    When backed into a corner, any beast will burst forth with unprecedented strength¡ªmuch less a vicious wolf!


    Raelia blitzed forward in a flash of divine light, her sword aimed directly at Aiden. But just as she moved, the divine energy that had been accumulating in Aiden''s body burst forth like an erupting volcano. Simultaneously, Aiden''s tense muscles released, springing forward with unprecedented power as his sword lunged ahead.


    For a brief moment, Raelia''s world froze. She seemed to see an illusion of a giant, all-encompassing arrow launching straight for her throat. Though the vision was terrifying, Raelia''s strong will broke through, and she raised her sword to defend. Despite her best efforts, Aiden''s sword smashed through her defenses, her beast-like strength no match for Aiden''s newfound technique.


    She was sent hurtling across the floor, her sword fracturing in the process.


    Raelia lay there, stunned, trying to comprehend the overwhelming power Aiden had just unleashed.

 Chapter 24 - 24: 24. Talent

    Aiden wasn''t one to boast, but after being taunted, beaten, and taunted by Raelia the entire fight, he wanted somewhere to vent.


    Turning towards Raelia with a wide smile on his face, he asked,


    "So how about it? Am I genius enough for you to believe me yet?"


    Raelia looked at Aiden and then at the shattered sword in her hand and let off a defeated smile.


    "Fine, I admit it. You are talented."


    Although Raelia came off as hostile, it was because Aiden''s claims were too crazy to believe that she instead thought he was mocking her.


    Now that proof was in front of her eyes, she had nothing else to say.


    A person that could turn swordsmanship into archery? She had never heard of something so crazy! If she continued to insist that Aiden wasn''t talented, she wouldn''t be stubborn but just plain stupid!


    With his level of talent, his claims of familiarizing himself with archery in just one day don''t even seem that outlandish.


    In this regard, Raelia could accept that she was in the wrong.


    But just because she could accept that Aiden was talented didn''t mean she had accepted defeat!


    She smiled as she looked towards Aiden.


    "Aiden, you are talented, but talent doesn''t always equal strength. In the world of the gods, all kinds of forces exist!"


    As Raelia spoke, she threw away her broken sword, leaving Aiden confused. S§×ar?h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But before Aiden could even ask, a deep growl escaped from within her body as her bones started to creak with a terrifying aura.


    Aiden completely froze, his heart started beating rapidly, and he found it even hard to breathe.


    Slowly, her nails started to sharpen as dazzling silver hairs began to grow out of her arms.


    But fortunately for Aiden, before Raelia''s terrifying transformation could continue any longer,


    a deafeningly loud bell rang out, causing all students on the training ground to freeze.


    "That''s it, end your sparring. Today''s training session is over."


    As Raelia heard this, a dissatisfied snort escaped from her lips before she quickly ended her transformation before it had truly even started.


    Aiden was quite literally saved by the bell.


    Seeing this, Aiden breathed a sigh of relief.


    But as he put his sword away, he suddenly noticed something


    ''Sweat?''


    He was actually sweating from fear?


    What was even more horrifying was Aiden truly wasn''t afraid. This was something put his control, It wasn''t emotional; it was biological fear!


    As Aiden realized this, his heart trembled slightly.


    Who was Aiden?


    A divine descendant with the blood of the gods flowing in his body.


    Although Raelia was also a divine descendant, she had completely suppressed him on a biological level!


    What terrifying creature could cause him to feel fear on a biological level?


    That girl, what exactly was she?


    All of a sudden, Aiden saw Raelia slowly walking towards him.


    Pausing for a second, she looked up at Aiden with her sparkling blue eyes and smiled.


    "Aiden Evans, you fight well."


    Hearing this, Aiden was surprised. The previous tension he had felt from Raelia''s intimidation quickly left his body as his entire body relaxed.


    Smiling, Aiden chuckled to himself.


    "You too, Raelia. The fight with you taught me a lot."


    As Aiden spoke, he stretched out his hand, and Raelia didn''t think too much about it and shook it.


    Leaving Aiden with a smile, Raelia turned around to leave, but before she could take a few footsteps, Aiden quickly grabbed her arm and spoke.


    "Since we both agreed that my talent is up to par, don''t we have an agreement to fulfill?"


    "And what is that?" asked Raelia.


    "Teaching me your archery techniques, of course."


    As Aiden spoke, a wide smile appeared on his face.


    This was his ticket to learning an exquisite set of archery for free; he''d be damned if he just let her walk away.


    Raelia looked at Aiden and could see one emotion in the boy''s eyes¡ªgreed.


    He was greedy for her archery!


    But after seeing the boy''s display today, she couldn''t really blame him.


    If she was as talented in archery as he was, she would probably be more obsessed with archery than she already was.


    Realizing this, she burst out laughing.


    "Okay, Aiden Evans, if you want to take my techniques, then I''ll teach you. But be warned."


    "You''ve already seen my talent, there''s no need to worry."


    Hearing this, Raelia raised an eyebrow.


    "Oh really? I''ll make sure to put that to the test then."


    With those final remarks, both Aiden and Raelia put away their weapons before leaving the training grounds.


    Aiden knew that there was still an afternoon class today, and after working up a sweat, he quickly wanted to head back to his dorm and shower.


    But on his way back, Aiden unexpectedly saw Oliver, who was also heading back from his training.


    His reddish-orange hair, that used to look like a majestic morning glow, had now been ruffled into that of a crazy bird''s nest.


    His shirt was slightly torn, and he was completely covered in dust.


    Instead of dueling, Aiden almost thought that this man had been rolling around in the mountains!

 Chapter 25 - 25: 25. Friends

    "What happened to you?"


    "I don''t even want to think about it."


    Aiden just chuckled as the two walked back to their dorm.


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden and Oliver left for the afternoon class. But on the way there, Aiden saw a familiar face. A beautiful girl with silver hair and a cold, hard expression on her face. It was Raelia.


    As she walked, she seemed to be radiating an invisible barrier that pushed everyone else away from her. Anyone would look at her stone-cold face and icy aura and subconsciously avoid this mean-looking girl.


    Seeing this, Aiden wasn''t bothered and chuckled as he walked over.


    "It''s nice to see a familiar face after we just finished our sparring match."


    Hearing Aiden''s voice, Raelia suddenly paused and looked up at him.


    "Idiot boy?"


    Aiden''s eyes twitched.


    "My name is Aiden, not Idiot. I thought we already cleared this. I''m not an idiot, I''m a genius."


    Although it was a little arrogant saying it like that, Aiden felt like he had to clear up the misunderstanding.


    Hearing Aiden''s words, Raelia just rolled her eyes.


    "It''s true that you''re talented, but it doesn''t change the fact that your brain is weird."


    Raelia didn''t care to elaborate on her statement and asked with the same static expression,


    "Anyway, why are you here?"


    "Why can''t I be here? Is it wrong to hang out with my fellow classmates?" responded Aiden.


    "Why would I want to hang out with you?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, confused.


    "Why wouldn''t you? You don''t have anyone else to hang out with."


    Aiden''s words seemed to hit a sore spot, causing Raelia to snap back.


    "How do you know I have no one else to hang out with? I could be waiting for them right now."


    Aiden heard this and shook his head.


    "Your cold and icy aura might make you look cool, but it also means that you''ll have few friends, and from the looks of things, you don''t seem to be waiting for anyone."


    "Ugh¡­"


    Being found out, Raelia groaned, but she didn''t bother to defend herself and flipped the script.


    "The way you speak makes it seem like you''re somebody with a lot of friends."


    Aiden was about to talk when he suddenly paused. Thinking about it, Aiden''s only real friend was Oliver. Although he was better off than Raelia, it was not by much!


    Aiden had been found out, but even so, he would never admit it!


    "I have many friends actually."


    "How many?" asked Raelia, not believing him in the slightest.


    "One¡­" said Aiden, slightly embarrassed.


    When Aiden turned to look at Raelia, he could see the cold expression on her face had been replaced with one of pity.


    Seeing this look, Aiden''s body shivered, and he thought back to the time when he first met this strange wolf girl.


    ''Fuck! She''s treating me like a complete idiot again.''


    Aiden was determined to beat the idiot accusations and scoffed.


    "Humph! One is still infinitely larger than zero."


    As he said this, Aiden turned around and grabbed Oliver, who was trying to slip away from his friend''s embarrassing performance, and pushed him out like a proud father showing off his child.


    "See, my friend is here with me."


    Seeing herself being obviously proven wrong, Raelia viciously glared at Aiden before turning towards Oliver, her intimidating aura causing him to take a step back, but Aiden just pushed him forward.


    "She may look scary, but she doesn''t bite¡­ at least I think she doesn''t."


    Ignoring Aiden''s remarks, Raelia looked at Oliver in utter confusion.


    "You''re friends with this idiot¡­ willingly?"


    Oliver heard this and sighed.


    "While the guy may lack common sense¡­ he''s a nice guy at heart."


    "Hold on? How do I lack common sense?"


    Oliver didn''t humor Aiden at all and quickly replied.


    "Experiencing a strange phenomenon during your bloodline awakening, while also mastering archery in one day? You treat it as if it''s a normal thing to do, where is the common sense in that?"


    "I mean it''s not common, but surely it can''t be that rare¡­"


    Aiden spoke up, trying to defend himself, but when he saw the crazy looks he was getting from both Raelia and Oliver, he didn''t dare continue. Instead, realizing he couldn''t win, Aiden expertly changed the subject.


    "Anyway, I''m not here to debate you on whether I''m weird or not. I''m here to make friends."


    "Friends?"


    Raelia was confused, but she quickly seemed to realize something and spoke.


    "If you''re doing this for me to teach you archery, there''s no need. I''m a person of my word, and I won''t go back on my promise."


    But this time it was Aiden''s turn to be completely confused.


    "Why on earth would I do that?"


    "Huh? Then why else would you want to become friends?"


    "Just because."


    Raelia blinked.


    "So you just want to become friends for no reason¡­ just because?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, confused.


    "Isn''t that how it normally is?"


    Raelia found out that this guy she thought was an idiot was actually quite simple. Simple people act in simple ways, I guess?


    Realizing this, a slight smile started to form.


    "Well¡­ I guess if you''re asking so nicely, I can reluctantly agree."


    Aiden heard Raelia''s words and raised an eyebrow, but after he looked behind her, he just sneered.


    "You put it like that, but you seem quite happy."


    Raelia just scoffed.


    "If it wasn''t for your incessant pleading, I wouldn''t have agreed at all." sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden just chuckled.


    "I don''t quite believe that."


    "And why is that?"


    "Check for yourself, your tail is wagging."


    Shocked, Raelia looked behind her, and her cold expression instantly collapsed. Her face turned red before she growled,


    "Are you trying to die!"


    But before anything could happen, Oliver''s voice rang out.


    "Everyone''s already going inside."


    Realizing now wasn''t the time to make a scene, she glared at Aiden before walking inside.


    "Snort!"


    But as she walked past Aiden, a cold voice sounded in his ears.


    "It''s a natural and random reaction. Don''t think too much of it."


    Aiden just snickered.


    "Yeah, sure it is."


    Raelia''s eyes twitched, and she suddenly had the urge to punch Aiden in the gut, but unfortunately for her, the group had already walked into the lecture hall by then.

 Chapter 26 - 26: 26. Divine techniques

    The trio walked inside before finding a place to sit in the middle row of the lecture hall before moving on.


    As they sat down, the lecturer walked into the class, and it was the familiar middle-aged man from yesterday.


    He looked at the class, smiled, and began his lecture.


    "Good afternoon, class. From the looks of things, I can see that you''ve all remembered what I taught you yesterday well and started to walk the road of divine ascendance.


    But while training the ability to accumulate divinity is impressive, it''s all useless if you end up dying before you complete your journey. I''m sure you have realized it from the abundance of combat-based lessons, but actual fighting is a core ability that all Divine Descendants must develop.


    Feats of renown are impressive and grant wonderful and powerful abilities, but feats are too specialized and lack the ability to grant you comprehensive strength. At lower heroic ranks like yours, this is essential.


    That is why separate from Feats of Renown, there exist methods of using divinity and the divine abilities granted to you by the blood of the gods, called divine techniques.


    Divine techniques are techniques used for fighting or the grand manifestation. Another word you might be familiar with that people use to call divine techniques is magic.


    You see, the blood of gods grants the ability to manipulate forces inherent in the universe. This process is beyond the understanding of mere mortals, as it is an inherent ability of the gods akin to the laws of physics this world is built on. While manipulation as easy as the gods is hard, the blood of gods still flows in our veins, and thus divine techniques were created.


    There are four key components to actually performing divine techniques:


    Blood of the Gods


    Visualization


    Chanting or Incantation


    and Manifestation


    The first component, the blood of the gods, is simple to explain. As Divine Descendants, you should know by now that all your powers, your abilities, and even the divinity you refine, all come from the gods. Without the blood of the gods, even if we trained until our bones fell apart, we wouldn''t have even a fraction of the power we have right now.


    The blood of the gods is our greatest strength, but it also comes with some restrictions. A Divine Descendant of Lord Poseidon would easily be able to learn powerful and magical divine techniques based on water, but if they wanted to learn divine techniques created to manipulate fire by the descendants of Lord Hephaestus, then they would have to forget about it for the rest of their lives.


    The same would also apply in reverse.


    This does not mean that you are solely restricted to learning divine techniques created for the house of the god you follow. You can also learn divine techniques from other houses to an obviously lesser effect.


    It''s just that some techniques are specific and impossible to learn, while others might just be completely opposite to the attributes of the blood flowing in your body, making it naturally impossible to learn."


    "If you can get past the barrier of god''s blood and choose a divine technique to learn, the next three components will come into play.


    First is Visualization. This is the most vital stage. Without visualization, everything crumbles into nothing. At this stage, you must mentally visualize the intricate details and casting of your divine technique. The visualization of such will help guide your divinity to follow your visualization and begin to generate your divine technique.


    After Visualization comes chanting.


    Speak in the language of the gods and chant the name of your divine technique. This helps focus and refine your visualization as well as activates the divinity in your body.


    The last and final aspect is Manifestation. This involves reacting with your divinity to bring your visualization into the physical world¡ªthe creation of force from pure divinity.


    Manifestation is the final aspect of performing divine techniques, but all steps are important and linked to each other.


    Think about it like this: If the manifestation of a divine technique is like driving a car, then the blood of the gods is the fuel, visualization is the engine, and chanting is the spark to start the ignition. Only when all things are used in tandem can divine techniques be properly cast.


    Despite this, there is still a clear and most important aspect that you must focus on when performing a divine technique.


    Going back to the car analogy, the more vivid and powerful your visualization, the stronger your engine. The same divine technique performed by Divine Descendants in the same rank can show vastly different levels of power depending on the caster''s mastery of visualization.


    Visualization is important, but it is not easy to master. Divine techniques involve the intrinsic manipulation of your blood and divinity. It is something hard to convey via word of mouth, and for someone to truly begin to understand and master the visualization of divine techniques, it needs to be truly experienced.


    For that, we have Visualization Scrolls.


    They contain the true visualization of powerful Heroes and Divine Descendants that have mastered the divine technique to a near-perfect state. It allows you to experience visualization at a high level, which will help you in the subsequent visualization and mastery of your divine technique.


    Basic spells and techniques can be cast without the need for a Visualization Scroll, but for the truly powerful techniques, a Visualization Scroll is a must. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    This time, I am unfortunately unable to give you a demonstration of any divine techniques or Visualization Scrolls.


    As the professor said this, there was an air of disappointment lingering around the lecture hall.


    But the professor didn''t leave them in that state for long.


    "I can''t give you a demonstration because there''s something even better. Today, right now, you will be picking out your first divine techniques at Olympus Academy!"


    The crowd couldn''t contain their excitement; after all, the mysterious world of magic and god-like abilities was right on their doorstep.


    Everyone had already gotten up and was quickly packing away all the things they brought to the lecture hall.


    Nobody wanted to wait another second!

 Chapter 27 - 27: 27. Camp library

    A short while later, the entire class arrived at a new building in the training camp.


    "This is the library where all the information needed for basic trainees can be found," the professor explained.


    "I don''t know if any of you have been here already, but it wouldn''t be a bad thing to visit from time to time to read up on information. Combat is important for a divine descendant, but so is theory¡ªyou never know when information can save your life."


    Afterwards, the professor led the group of students into the library.


    As Aiden walked inside, he was instantly amazed. He didn''t know what magic was used, but the interior of the library seemed much larger than the outside would have let him possibly imagine. S~ea??h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Inside, the air was cool and faintly musty, carrying the scent of aged papyrus and parchment. Light filtered through narrow windows set high in the walls, casting long, golden beams that illuminated the dust particles hanging in the air.


    The floor was made of smooth stone, worn by the footsteps of countless people who had come before, showing not only the age of the library but the entire camp as a whole.


    All around him, Aiden could see rows of wooden shelves lining the walls, filled with scrolls and codices meticulously organized by subject. The scrolls, wrapped in leather or linen, were labeled with tags for easy identification. But even more eye-catching than this mystical den of knowledge was a giant crimson flame burning in the heart of the library.


    At first, Aiden''s initial instinct was to curse.


    "Which crazy bastard dared to set a fire in the library? Was he not afraid of being struck down by divine thunder?!"


    But after closer inspection, Aiden soon realized that there was a faint translucent barrier encasing the giant flame. Obviously, this had been placed here with careful consideration, so Aiden''s fears were completely unwarranted.


    Despite this, Aiden still found it a little odd.


    Even if there were backup measures, was it necessary to have a giant bonfire in the middle of the library? It was quite literally playing with fire!


    It wasn''t just Aiden who was confused; other students had similar looks of bewilderment on their faces as they saw this strange sight. The professor noticed this and smiled as he spoke.


    "The fire of creation is linked to all Divine Descendants and acts as a nexus enabling them to accumulate and develop feats of renown. The true effects of the fire of creation do not stop there by any means. The Gate of Fire, the divine network for transport, or even the devices you use for communication¡ªall of it can be linked to the fire of creation.


    It lives up to its name and acts as the origin for the creation of countless things."


    He continued, "Think of it like the main server of all the gods'' domains and facilities. As a library, even though it''s just a minor offshoot for the camp, it''s naturally linked to the fire of creation back on Mount Olympus."


    Hearing this, a few students couldn''t help but marvel at the gods and their methods. But one student had a question on his mind and asked, "If the divine fire of creation is so important, doesn''t that mean anything that happens to it could affect everything? What if someone tries to sabotage it?"


    Hearing this, the professor tilted his head and almost burst out laughing. With a dazzling smile on his face, he turned to the student who asked the question.


    "The fire of creation is located at the peak of Mount Olympus and at the heart of the domain of the gods. If someone enters such a place with malicious intentions, you shouldn''t be worried about the fire of creation; instead, you should be worried about why someone chose to commit suicide in such a strange way!"


    It was only then that the student realized how ignorant his question was. But Aiden had another thought. If there really was a being that could cause such a ruckus upon Mount Olympus, his worries wouldn''t be limited to just the fire of creation. Shaking such ominous thoughts out of his head, Aiden and the other students listened to a few more instructions.


    Looking at the vast, large library, Aiden was stunned and didn''t really know where to start. The library was built on three floors, each floor being at least 12 feet high.


    Aiden saw this and was left breathless.


    There were many different gods, and naturally, divine descendants of all these gods would create and pass down various techniques, so he naturally expected there to be a lot, but even so, Aiden was still a little intimidated.


    He had to remember that this was just a small branch built specifically for the training camp. These trainees and students were just 1st rank Divine Descendants in the Burning Ember stage¡ªhow many techniques could they possibly learn?


    Imagine how vast and magnificent the main library located at Olympus Academy would be. As Aiden thought about this, his resolve to enter the main academy was only strengthened once again.


    Aiden finally began to look around and browse the bookshelves for the descriptions of the techniques they wanted. Fortunately, the library was properly labeled, allowing one to find the sections for their bloodline without much hassle.

 Chapter 28 - 28: 28. Movement

    Aiden, Oliver, and Raelia didn''t need to go far from each other. Although Aiden already had his suspicions, Raelia turned out to be a divine descendant of Artemis, and techniques for the bloodlines of Artemis and Apollo were placed right next to each other. Of course, this was all relative. Each section contained a vast sea of books that would take anyone a decent amount of time to get through.


    Aiden browsed through the divine techniques and magical abilities. Naturally, he found himself drifting towards the section that held divine techniques based on movement. His thinking was straightforward: since he planned to focus on archery, he would definitely be somewhat lacking in close combat.


    Unlike other divine descendants who had trained their entire lives for this moment, Aiden had just been thrust into the combat world. His talent was in archery, not fighting. While his fighting ability couldn''t be considered bad per se, he was definitely behind his peers in comparison.


    Don''t misunderstand his duel with Raelia¡ªshe was a divine descendant of Artemis and someone who didn''t specialize in swordsmanship. In the eyes of a true expert, it looked like two children throwing dirt at each other. Despite this, Raelia had controlled the tempo and momentum for the entire fight.


    If it wasn''t for his amazing talent and newly created sword technique that had effectively stunned Raelia, his defeat would have been assured. There was also the fact that Raelia obviously had some hidden cards and didn''t go all out.


    The more Aiden thought about it, the more his expression darkened. At least in the early stage, this would be difficult to fix.


    If there was time, Aiden would be more confident, but the one thing he lacked was time. Although the true assessment for entering Olympus Academy was still some time away, the assessments at the training camp were already looming.


    Performing well could allow you to receive extra bottles of ambrosia, increasing the rate at which you gathered divinity. It could even allow you to come back to the academy with substantial benefits. With such large rewards at stake, Aiden knew he couldn''t give up on the training camp''s rewards. He needed immediate results, not long-term gains that would make him suffer now.


    Aiden''s thoughts were clear: since he would be at a disadvantage in close combat, he would just avoid it altogether. Instead, he would rely on his talent in archery to crush his opponents. Naturally, there were risks, like what to do if a true master broke through and closed the gap, but Aiden would just have to accept the stopgaps until he could take some time to focus on archery.


    Besides, his newly created sword technique, while not a divine technique, was clearly not something ordinary. If he could further tap into his archery talent and spread it to other areas, his gains might be worthwhile.


    Aiden didn''t rush. He read through several books and finally narrowed his choice down to three techniques:


    [Chariot''s Blaze]


    A powerful technique inspired by Apollo''s chariot that drags the sun across the sky. The practitioner channels solar energy into their body, building up an intense glow before exploding forth with terrifying speed and force capable of obliterating everything in its path.


    [Sunbeam Ascension] S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The practitioner gathers solar energy beneath their feet, launching themselves high into the air. They then descend rapidly, delivering a powerful strike infused with solar energy to crush their opponent.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    The practitioner gathers solar energy and divinity, transforming their body into a semi-photon state, allowing them to move as fast as light, granting them illusive and erratic movements. The semi-photon state also offers partial resistance to purely physical attacks. However, in the light energy state, the practitioner would be slightly vulnerable to energy-based attacks.


    Aiden looked at these descriptions and paused to think. All three techniques were different and had their own advantages.


    [Chariot''s Blaze] offered a powerful burst of movement as well as some defensive and even offensive capabilities when moving. The only downside would be the lack of agility when using this technique. After activating it, it would be difficult to quickly change direction and move.


    [Sunbeam Ascension] was also a strong technique that offered not only strong burst movement but also great vertical mobility as well as offensive capability. The vertical capability would add an extra dimension to Aiden''s movements, making them more versatile and harder to predict.


    The only downside would be that with vertical movements, it''s hard to make any adjustments once in the air. If used at the wrong time, instead of adding to your evasive capabilities, it would just make you a sitting duck.


    [Sunlight Shuttle] was seemingly the least interesting of the three. In a sense, it was the most traditional of the movement techniques, focusing not just on fast and continuous speed but also on high agility and dodging potential.


    Although it did not share any offensive capabilities, its semi-photon state did offer some levels of physical resistance. The only weakness would be that in the semi-photon state, you would become slightly vulnerable to energy-based attacks. In addition to that, any physical attacks you would want to make would require you to exit that state before continuing.


    From just a simple look, this technique seemed to be the most challenging. Effective use of the technique would require one to be able to quickly enter and exit the light energy state.

 Chapter 29 - 29: 29.[Apollo’s Archery - True Dawn]

    Aiden looked at all three books and hesitated. The advantages brought by all of them were really enticing. If possible, Aiden would have wanted to collect all three. But as soon as that thought appeared, Aiden quickly shook it out of his head. S§×arch* The nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Ignoring the fact that he didn''t have the ability to choose that many techniques, Aiden knew it would be a horrible idea to bite off more than he could chew. He was just starting his journey of divine cultivation; he couldn''t afford to get greedy and waste time falling behind his peers.


    Aiden believed in his talent. As long as he performed well, there would always be chances to return to the library. Right now, he just needed to steadily train, and he would definitely see results.


    With that thought process in mind, Aiden knew what technique he was going to choose: [Sunlight Shuttle]. Although it was the most difficult to get started, it was clearly the most traditional movement technique with the most versatility.


    Although [Chariot''s Blaze] and [Sunbeam Ascension] were powerful techniques, they also demanded a certain type of fighting style to get the most use out of them. Aiden was still learning the basics of combat, and it would be too daring to try to master those demanding fighting styles.


    Even though [Sunlight Shuttle] was challenging to get started with, its versatility would not only allow him to follow a stable combat approach but also give him the freedom to develop other styles. And although not as obvious as the other two options, if used properly, even close combat wouldn''t be off the table.


    Aiden wasn''t the type to second-guess himself. Now that he had made his decision, he would stick to it. He put the books on the other techniques away and continued to hold the book on [Sunlight Shuttle].


    The book didn''t actually contain more than just the basic descriptions, as well as some weaknesses and advantages. Aiden held onto it because he needed it to redeem the true full book at the reception. Even then, the book alone would not be enough to truly start with¡ªthe visualization was essential.


    But before all that, Aiden''s journey in the library wasn''t finished just yet. New students could pick up two divine techniques for free, and Aiden had only chosen one. Since Aiden had already chosen a movement technique, his mind was already made up on what technique to choose next: fighting


    Before coming here, Aiden had spoken with Oliver, who had actually informed him of a little secret. Well, it would be inappropriate to call it a secret¡ªit was more like an open secret; anyone who asked would be able to discover it anyway.


    For Divine Descendants of Apollo, there weren''t many restrictions, but there was a certain archery technique that was highly recommended to pick up. The technique was the core staple divine technique that all Divine Descendants of Apollo should learn, and many other divine techniques were developed that built on it.


    Walking towards the archery section, Aiden saw that it was crowded with other Divine Descendants of Apollo. As he expected, the technique in question was popular, with many people standing by the bookshelf.


    Perhaps already knowing the popularity of the technique, the library was ahead of the game and had already made many duplicates of the divine technique''s introductory manual so many people could read it at once.


    Aiden didn''t wait long and found the practitioner''s manual:


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn]


    The practitioner draws his bow, fueling it with divinity and solar energy, before channeling it into his arrow, imbuing it with the power of devastating solar fire!


    The description wasn''t long, but Aiden didn''t dare underestimate this technique. For something to be considered the staple technique of House Apollo, its power could only be devastating. Besides, the simpler the description, the stronger the emphasis on visualization¡ªwhich wasn''t necessarily a thing that made the technique easier to master; in fact, it was probably the opposite.


    Taking a deep breath, Aiden could no longer contain his anticipation. Besides, he didn''t want to stay in the library any longer to read more techniques. Staying any longer would only make his heart ache with jealousy at his inability to acquire more techniques. Rather than suffer any longer, it would be best to start learning his new techniques.


    There would always be a chance to return to the library anyway.


    Aiden didn''t waste time and quickly headed to the reception. As he walked over, Aiden noticed a slight line had formed, so after waiting for a while, it was finally Aiden''s turn.


    The receptionist was a beautiful woman with deep black hair and deep crimson eyes. Although the woman was beautiful, the thing that earned Aiden''s attention was the badge on her chest. It was a small badge with a simple symbol of flames erupting out of a bowl.


    Aiden wasn''t a complete novice anymore; he knew what that symbol represented. It was the divine symbol of Goddess Hestia!

 Chapter 30 - 30: 30. Token

    As the goddess of the hearth, she is the guardian and overseer of the fire of creation located at the heart of Mount Olympus. Aiden had heard that while her combat power may not be high, in terms of influence, none of the gods dared to underestimate her.


    As it stands now, the fire of creation was at the heart of essential functions in Olympus. Things as majestic as Feats of Renown, or even something as trivial as travel between worlds, all relied on the fire of creation.


    Divine Descendants of Hestia would naturally inherit some of her divine authority and be able to manipulate the fire of creation to a lesser extent. One could not underestimate how vital this was to the daily upkeep of Olympus and her vassal worlds.


    Aiden heard that they don''t even have to pass any combat-related assessment to enter Olympus Academy. As long as their affinity with the fire of creation was up to par, their entry was basically guaranteed. Divine Descendants of House Hestia were not valued for their combat prowess but their utility.


    A perfect example of this would be the mysterious lady Aiden had seen open the Gate of Fire for the giant voidships Aiden was riding to Olympus Academy. Only Divine Descendants of House Hestia are capable of opening the Gate of Fire.


    "I''d like to redeem these two divine techniques," Aiden said as he put the books for both [Sunlight Shuttle] and [Apollo''s Archery¡ªTrue Dawn] on the counter for the exchange.


    The receptionist brought out a red gem which shot out a red light and scanned the books. Before Aiden knew what was happening, the red light shot out towards the back and after a short while returned with two new books floating along with it.


    Aiden''s eyes widened with shock at the display of these strange supernatural means. The receptionist just smiled. She had seen several similar reactions from the new trainees already today.


    The receptionist put the two incomplete books to the side and handed Aiden the complete manuals. Aiden didn''t hesitate and quickly took them, but as he was looking through the manuals, the receptionist suddenly called out to him.


    "Your token."


    Aiden, realizing what she was asking for, reached into his pocket and found the identification token he had been given when he registered at the training camp. He then passed it to the receptionist.


    She took Aiden''s token and reached to the side, bringing out a crystal ball that seemed to have a small crimson flame flickering inside of it.


    As Aiden gazed into the crystal ball, the crimson flame inside captivated him. The flawless glass amplified the flame''s fluid, hypnotic dance, casting a warm glow as it swirled with graceful energy.


    Aiden watched carefully as the receptionist brought his token to the crystal ball, causing the flame to shake and shoot out a crimson light that merged with the token.


    Aiden saw his token emit a warm white flash before quickly returning to normal. The receptionist took one last look at the token before nodding and passing it back to Aiden.


    When Aiden received the token, he instantly realized that the token in his hand was obviously different. Now, instead of just being a cold, lifeless token, it carried a warm, soothing feeling¡ªalmost as if holding a warm mug. The receptionist knew what Aiden''s confusion was about. Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I have recorded your redeemed divine techniques and passed the information onto your token. With this token, you can gain one-time access to the Visualization rooms that contain the visualization scrolls for your chosen technique.


    It should be noted that while the first-time use for the visualization scroll is free, subsequent uses will require points to redeem, so try to make the best of the free chance you get."


    Hearing this, Aiden nodded and thanked the receptionist before walking away and letting the person behind him redeem their techniques.


    Aiden walked through the library¡ªwell, technically it couldn''t be considered the library any longer as it was instead a building attached to the library, the Visualization Hall. Walking through the hallway was highly confusing.


    Aiden didn''t even need anyone to tell him before he realized that some sort of space magic had been applied to the entire building, allowing for the inside to be far larger than the outside would make you believe. It was large enough that an unguided person could easily get lost.


    Fortunately, the facility was well-built enough that there were proper signs placed around that could accurately guide anybody to their desired destination.


    Because of this, Aiden rather easily navigated the hallways. As he was doing so, Aiden was looking through his newly received divine techniques. Unlike the introductory manuals, these ones were complete with tips and tricks to help one get started. They included circulation pathways that would be best for one to use to pass through divinity and stimulate the power of the god in their veins.


    Aiden was slowly becoming absorbed in the mysteries of the book, but soon had to stop reading¡ªthat was because he had arrived at something more important than the manual, the visualization scroll.


    Aiden stopped before a door, and a room hanging above the door was a simple plaque that stated what technique the visualization scroll inside was for. Aiden looked up and smiled.


    "[Sunlight Shuttle]"


    Aiden knew that he had arrived at his destination. Bringing out his identification token, Aiden walked towards the door. The door was strange. It was plain and simple, composed of a strange type of golden bronze, but even stranger still was that the door was completely bare.


    By that, I mean there was nothing on it¡ªno door handle, no doorknob, no bars to pull, or even buttons to press. Aiden looked around and the only thing he could see was a strange small crystalline hemisphere poking out of the wall to the right of the door. Aiden looked at it and hesitated before bringing his token and placing it over the hemisphere.

 Chapter 31 - 31: 31. Visualization

    As Aiden did this, he saw the crystal light up with a bright red glow before the door in front of him started to tremble slightly.


    Slowly, the door in front of him began to slide open, revealing a strange room inside. The room wasn''t too spectacular; there was a strange crystal hanging from the roof, acting as a light source. But even with that, the room was still rather dim.


    Aiden looked to the floor and saw two rows of cushions placed there, all pointing in one direction.


    Aiden looked forward and saw what the cushions were all facing¡ªa visualization scroll.


    Although it was called a scroll, it would be more accurate to describe it as a painting. It was a large tapestry of art. Aiden was a novice in things like art, but even he knew that this was a masterpiece. A truly exquisite piece of art, each stroke seemed to contain the soul of the artist, each detail so vivid it seemed to jump out of the page.


    Aiden gazed at the picture, captivated by the scene before him. A man sat calmly on a massive rock, his body engulfed in countless ethereal rays of sunlight that seemed to coalesce around him like a divine aura. As Aiden continued to stare, he felt a strange, inexplicable sensation stir deep within him. It was as if the image itself had come alive, reaching out to him across the distance.


    The feeling was both unsettling and mesmerizing.


    Aiden quickly resisted that feeling and sat down on one of the cushions, crossing his legs. He took a second to control his breathing before opening his eyes.


    Once again, when Aiden looked at the scroll, he was drawn in by a mysterious feeling, but this time Aiden didn''t resist and let himself be taken away.


    Instantly, Aiden felt his senses churn, as if the very world itself had been flipped on its head, and his vision was clouded with an imperceptible blindness.


    Aiden closed his eyes and opened them, and when he did, everything around him changed.


    Aiden suddenly found himself outside in the middle of the day, surrounded by a wooden forest. The slight rustle of the trees, the wind gently brushing against his skin, even the distant chirping of birds¡ªAiden felt as though he had been transported to another world. The scene before him was so vivid and realistic, it was as if the boundary between reality and imagination had dissolved.


    "Visualization scroll," he murmured to himself, marveling at the mystical power it held. Only now did he truly grasp the depth of its enchantment¡ªhow just one glance at the scroll could pull him into an entirely different realm.


    Maybe this was the true goal of Visualization that everyone sought to master: to visualize an image so perfectly that it was no different from reality.


    Aiden looked forward and saw the exact same image he saw in the scroll, but this time it had been brought to life.


    A man calmly sat on a large boulder, meditating as if completely integrated into the world around him. Aiden tried to look at the man''s face, but it was obscured by a blinding white light that only made his face more hazy the more Aiden tried to focus on it.


    Realizing this would get him nowhere, Aiden moved on. The more Aiden paid attention to the breathing, the louder it became¡ªfrom a small whisper to a sharp whistle, to booming thunder! Aiden''s body shook and subconsciously harmonized with the booming breaths. sea??h th§× Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden soon discovered that the more he focused on the man, the more he could uncover, as if looking through an endless treasure chest.


    With each breath, the man''s chest rose and fell, and as Aiden looked again, he saw a small stream of light descending from the sky and entering through the man''s mouth and nose in a magnificent stream of flowing energy.


    Aiden could see into the man''s body and saw that as the light entered, it would quickly break apart. Like ink placed in water, it would quickly dissipate and spread throughout his body before merging and transforming with every cell the light encountered.


    The light shimmered and danced. Aiden tried to copy and memorize the pattern of the light''s flow, but it was completely impossible.


    This realization caused Aiden to despair.


    If he couldn''t memorize the pattern, how could he properly visualize this image? How could he perform this divine technique?


    Aiden''s entire plan for future combat was based on this technique. If he couldn''t even get started, how was he supposed to fight properly?


    How was he supposed to enter Olympus Academy?


    Aiden''s thoughts were swirling, growing more and more chaotic and erratic, when he suddenly paused.


    "That''s it!"


    It was as if a switch had been flipped in his head.


    The movement technique, [Sunlight Shuttle], wasn''t about specific pathways or precise circulation, nor was it about intricate and mesmerizing footwork. The movements themselves were ordinary, but the true technique lay in transforming your body into light.


    If you could achieve that, everything else became secondary. If you could move at the speed of light, all other techniques would be unnecessary, and perhaps even a hindrance. The essence of the art was not in the complexity of the motions, but in the mastery of becoming light itself¡ªa state where all other skills faded into irrelevance!


    Boom!


    The second Aiden made this realization, his mind seemed to pop open, it was almost as if a completely new world had been unveiled to him.


    The man seemed to respond to Aiden''s realization, standing up before floating into the sky as if trying to compete with the sun. In that moment, the man appeared more than human¡ªhe seemed to embody the very essence of a mythical deity, newly born into the world!


    Just as Aiden was beginning to tap into that mystical feeling of divine transcendence, his vision went black as the world spun. The next time Aiden opened his eyes, he was back in the room, sitting cross-legged in front of the scroll of the man sitting on a rock.

 Chapter 32 - 32: 32. True Dawn

    Aiden took one last look at the painting and closed his eyes. He started breathing deeply, his chest rising and falling like ocean waves. As Aiden did this, he visualized the dazzling scene he had just experienced.


    The man rising from the stone with the glorious sun at his back, bursting forth with radiant light like a god descending into the mortal world!


    At the same time, as this was happening, light in the room began gathering and forming a stream, flowing into his mouth. Aiden could feel the energy scatter throughout his body, and when he looked down, his body was surrounded by a golden glow!


    Aiden saw this and smiled. His body hadn''t truly been transformed into a semi-light state, so he couldn''t be said to have even started with the Sunlight Shuttle technique, but Aiden was satisfied.


    He had gotten the direction correct; perfecting the art was only a matter of time.


    Satisfied, Aiden left the room and walked a small distance until he came before a new room and read the title:


    Apollo''s Archery¡ªTrue Dawn.


    Seeing this, Aiden brought out his token and opened the door.


    As soon as the door opened, Aiden noticed a large difference between this room and the last. There were people, and not just a few. Aiden could see a large group of people, each sitting on a cushion, looking at the visualization scroll at the front of the room, completely immersed in a trance.


    Aiden was a little shocked, but when he thought about it, it made sense. Unlike [Sunlight Shuttle], [True Dawn] was a staple technique for Divine Descendants of Apollo. Since everyone wanted to learn it, it was only natural for the room containing the visualization scroll to be full and busy.


    Aiden sighed and looked around for a place to sit. He found an out-of-the-way spot in the second row, sat down, and looked at the visualization scroll: a man holding a bow in front of a dark sky.


    As Aiden looked at the scroll, he felt a familiar feeling calling to him, drawing him in. This time, Aiden didn''t resist.


    Aiden felt his world swirl as the world around him vanished, engulfed in darkness. When Aiden opened his eyes, he was already in a completely different realm.


    Unlike the sunny scene from the last visualization, it was now night, but Aiden could tell that the darkness was nearing its end.


    Aiden saw a man, their face obscured, but he could sense a dazzling smile on their lips. The man stood at the edge of a cliff, the night sky pitch black above them. The wind brushed against their back as they gazed out toward the endless dark horizon from the high peak.


    The man didn''t speak but instead slowly raised his bow and drew his arrow.


    Aiden could feel the terrifying amount of divinity flowing through the man''s veins like raging magma. Mesmerizing golden strands of divinity leaked out, wrapping around the man''s body before slowly tracing along the man''s arm and concentrating in the arrowhead.


    As the man pulled back the arrow further and further, the air and the ground around him started to tremble violently!


    It continued until the effect reached near-cataclysmic levels, and just when Aiden thought the floor was about to shatter¡ªit happened.


    A dazzling blast of golden light erupted, blinding Aiden''s world for a few seconds!


    When he looked again, the night had faded, and the entire world seemed to have brightened as if touched by Lord Apollo himself.


    Aiden gazed upward and saw a streak of light arcing gracefully into the sky before bursting into a dazzling explosion that burned with an intensity reminiscent of the sun itself.


    Though it was merely an appearance rather than a literal celestial event, the sight was still utterly breathtaking. To shoot something as radiant as the sun into the sky¡ªhow magnificent! How awe-inspiring!


    This was the power of the gods! This was what he desired!


    Aiden''s mind opened as he realized something. His innate talent for archery, his personal understanding, and even the blood of the god Apollo¡ªit was all reacting and coming together.


    Aiden understood it all:


    An arrow that pierces through the darkness. An arrow that cuts a path across the horizon. An arrow that heralds the arrival of¡­ Dawn.


    Boom!


    Suddenly, Aiden''s body began to shake as divinity stirred within him. His mind was racing, visualizing every second of the magnificent scene he had just seen in exquisite detail.


    Aiden raised his arms and looked for a bow. He was certain that as long as he drew a bow at this moment, his archery would be able to display a dazzling brilliance not too dissimilar to the sight he had just witnessed.


    But just as Aiden thought this, he felt the world spin, and his vision went black.


    The next moment, Aiden opened his eyes and found himself back in the room with the other trainees sitting on their cushions as if nothing had happened this whole time.


    Only the memory of his transcendent experience was there to remind him that this was not, in fact, a hallucination.


    Aiden stretched forth his hand in a drawing motion, and he could already feel his divinity starting to bubble violently within him.


    Although Aiden couldn''t wait to unleash this new, profound archery, he quickly suppressed the phenomenon. Only the gods knew how much destruction he could cause with this new skill. If he somehow ended up damaging the visualization scroll, the academy would never let him off, even if he cried until his tears ran out.


    Not wanting to endure such an uncomfortable feeling any longer, Aiden calmly made his way out of the room, and once he was back in the hallway, he rapidly made his way to the training grounds.


    The power of the gods¡ªit was now in his grasp!


    ...


    A short while later, Aiden was walking toward the training grounds with a bow on his back and a large set of arrows.


    S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 33 - 33: 33. Explosion!

    To nobody''s surprise, the training ground was absolutely jam-packed. Everyone, of course, had similar ideas to Aiden¡ªnow that they had gotten their hands on these mystical divine techniques, they wanted to test them out.


    As Aiden walked through the bustling crowd, he observed the intense focus on the faces of those around him. Each trainee was driven by the same ambition, the same hunger for power that had ignited within him.


    Determined to find his own space, Aiden maneuvered through the crowd and managed to make his way to a relatively empty section of the training hall.


    Finally, in his chosen spot, Aiden stretched his body, loosening his muscles as he prepared for what was to come. He then drew his bow and notched an arrow, feeling the familiar weight and balance in his hand.


    The second he pulled back the bow, Aiden felt a surge of joy. His muscles moved with precision, his very cells seemed to sing with pleasure at the simple act of drawing the bowstring. It was as if his body had been waiting for this moment, craving the harmony that mere act of holding bow could bring him.


    Anyone who saw Aiden would have thought he was born with a bow and arrow at his bedside¡ªthe fluidity and grace with which he moved were in complete harmony.


    Smiling to himself at the sensation coursing through his body, Aiden didn''t hold back and fired.


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Phew!


    The arrows flew out in a storm, but this time, they could no longer be described as mere bullets¡ªthey were more akin to cannons! Each arrow exploded forth with devastating power, propelled by Aiden''s enhanced physical strength and divine energy. They struck the bullseyes of their targets with such force that the very stone seemed to tremble before shattering into pieces.


    Aiden surveyed the destruction he had wrought with a vicious smirk on his lips. His blood was boiling with exhilaration. It had only been a few days since he had arrived in the realm of the gods, and yet, his strength had already surged to this incredible level. Aiden was at the progress he had made, but deep down, he felt something more¡ªa hunger that gnawed at him.


    It wasn''t enough.


    Aiden didn''t know if it was greed or hubris driving him, but the power he had just displayed didn''t satisfy him. He wanted more¡ªhe craved even greater strength.


    He paused for a moment, considering the dangers of his ambition. Aiden was aware that eagerness and overconfidence could lead to one''s downfall. Perhaps in the future, this relentless pursuit of power could be his undoing. But that was a concern for another time. Right now, all he knew was that he would charge down the path to power with full speed and no second thoughts.


    Any doubts or cautions lingering in the back of his mind were swiftly buried beneath his resolve. If the instructors at Olympus Academy knew of his thoughts, they wouldn''t be worried; they would welcome them. After all, one could not dare to call themselves a god without an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride, arrogance, confidence¡ªthese were traits deeply embedded in the very essence of divinity.


    Putting those thoughts to the side, Aiden drew an arrow and his mind drifted back to the magnificent visualization he had experienced earlier, to the dazzling ball of fire that had been shot into the sky. The memory was vivid, as if the scene had been etched into his soul.


    As his mind replayed the image, something incredible began to happen within him.


    His body was reacting.


    The divine blood in his veins surged with energy, exploding like a torrent that flooded his entire being. It gathered and concentrated in the tip of the arrow he held, a force that was both terrifying and exhilarating.


    Aiden''s amber eyes began to glow, transforming into a brilliant, dazzling gold. He could feel the power thrumming through him, a connection to something far greater than himself. His mouth opened, and words spilled forth, spoken in a language he had never learned but which came as naturally to him as breathing.


    "Arcus Apollinis - E¨­s Veritas."


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn]


    As soon as the words left his lips, a light burst out from his arrowhead, so blindingly bright that it eclipsed the setting sun. Aiden felt an immense heat radiating from the arrow, a searing power that shot forth in front of him with a terrifying intensity.


    "BOOM!"


    Aiden''s eyes widened as he witnessed the devastating impact. The target he had aimed at was completely consumed by a ball of solar fire, leaving nothing but scorched earth in its wake. The sheer destructive power was enough to make anyone''s heart race with fear¡ªor with exhilaration.


    Aiden stood in stunned silence, taking in the scorched floor, the obliterated target, and the lingering heat in the air.


    Such power... it was beyond anything he had imagined. But the shockwave of the explosion hadn''t just affected Aiden. All around him, the training ground erupted into chaos as trainees panicked at the sudden explosion.


    "What the hell is going on?!" a helpless trainee cried out, his voice tinged with fear.


    "An attack! It must be an attack! Quick, run for cover!" screamed another, his words sparking a wave of confusion and terror.


    Some froze in shock, while others scattered in all directions, trying to escape the perceived danger. Amidst the chaos, Aiden stood numbly at the scene of the explosion, his mind still reeling from the power he had unleashed.


    As the trainees scrambled, a figure quickly approached Aiden. It was a beautiful young woman with silver hair that shimmered like moonlight, her wolf ears standing alert atop her head. Her striking blue eyes locked onto Aiden, flashing with a strange light.


    "It''s you!" she exclaimed, recognition and something else¡ªcuriosity, perhaps¡ªflickering in her gaze.


    Raelia wanted to continue speaking, but when she looked at the devastation in front of Aiden, she paused, her mouth falling open in shock.


    "What the actual hell!" she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.


    She turned back to Aiden, her eyes narrowing as they scanned him up and down, suspicion evident in her expression.


    "This guy¡­ Is he really human?" Raelia wondered aloud, her disbelief growing. After all, what sort of human could display such monstrous power?


    As Raelia tried to process what she had just witnessed, a familiar ginger-haired figure appeared behind her. Oliver, who had been around Aiden the longest, couldn''t help but shake his head in disbelief as he took in the scene.


    "This fucking monster¡­" he muttered, though there was a hint of admiration in his voice.


    Oliver had seen enough of Aiden''s antics to develop a certain immunity to the shock. Although the display was still deeply unsettling, he was no longer as easily rattled as he had once been. Aiden''s knack for pulling off the impossible had become almost routine¡ªthough still no less extraordinary. S§×ar?h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    As more trainees arrived at the scene, the reality of Aiden''s actions began to sink in. They gawked at the destruction, their expressions ranging from awe to fear.


    "Fuck! You''re telling me this was an actual trainee, not an instructor?" one trainee exclaimed, his voice tinged with disbelief.


    "He did this naturally?! I don''t believe it. That guy is definitely on drugs!" another shouted, trying to rationalize what he had just seen.


    It didn''t take long for word of Aiden''s actiosn to spread like wildfire, drawing even more people to the scene.

 Chapter 34 - 34: 34. True Dusk

    Two people were walking side by side, engrossed in a heated discussion about the recent events on the training ground.


    "I''m telling you, man, it wasn''t just an accident. The young man was really a trainee," one of them said, his voice filled with conviction.


    The friend walking beside him shook his head in disbelief. "Who are you trying to fool? We just got our divine techniques today. How could a trainee cause such destruction? Humph! If it really was a trainee, then I''ll eat my own shoe¡ª" sea??h th§× ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Fuck! It really was a trainee!"


    The doubter, now standing among the crowd, looked at Aiden with a mix of awe and fear , as if he were some kind of monster.


    Aiden, who was the center of attention, remained motionless.


    He stood there with his eyes closed, deliberately ignoring the crowd''s gaze. His calm demeanor was in stark contrast to the chaos around him. Many onlookers were whispering amongst themselves, speculating that Aiden had experienced a sudden burst of enlightenment and made significant progress with his visualization technique.


    This speculation only led them to sigh, reflecting on the obvious disparity in talent between themselves and Aiden.


    Unfortunately, Aiden''s situation was far from enviable. The reason he stood still wasn''t due to any divine blessing or newfound enlightenment.


    In reality, he was quite literally unable to move!


    The shot he had fired from his bow had been so powerful that it drained all the divine energy from his body. The sheer magnitude of the shot left him completely exhausted.


    It required every ounce of his willpower just to remain standing; even the simple act of moving was beyond his reach.


    As Aiden struggled with these thoughts, he took a cautious glance at the training ground.


    The sight of the wreckage made him break into a cold sweat. He began to worry about the potential consequences. Would he have to pay a hefty fine for the damage? In this place, where the laws were unfamiliar to him, he feared that if he couldn''t cover the costs, they might resort to selling him into slavery to settle the debt.


    Aiden''s mind raced with anxiety. He shook his head, trying to dismiss these thoughts. After the huge commotion he had caused, even the other trainees were visibly alarmed. He couldn''t believe that such a dramatic scene had gone unnoticed by the instructors. They hadn''t emerged to confront him or to assess the damage, which led him to relax.


    Obviously, the situation wasn''t as dire as he feared, no there was only one problem left on Aiden''s mind.


    ''How on earth am I supposed to leave this situation when I can not walk!''


    So as the group of trainee was watching Aiden in both awe and amazement they never noticed the slight tear, that was forming in the corner of the poor boy''s eyes,


    ....


    Away from the group, a figure stood in front of a path of cracked and torn earth. A terrifying burst of murderous intent swept around his blade in a horrifying storm.


    His deep crimson eyes, cold and calculating, swept over the crowd with intense focus. When his gaze landed on Aiden, a cruel, bloodthirsty smile slowly spread across his lips.


    "Interesting..." he murmured, his voice tinged with dark amusement.


    The smile on his face was one of malicious pleasure, as if he derived satisfaction from Aiden''s situation and the destruction he had caused.


    "They didn''t lie after all. This academy will be quite fun," he muttered.


    ¡­


    Time passed, and several days went by.


    Aiden had spent these days cultivating his divine energy and mastering his divine techniques. Now, he stood in a clearing on the training ground, some distance away from Oliver, his bow raised and ready.


    "Are you ready, Aiden?" Oliver asked, his voice steady.


    "Yes, you can begin," Aiden replied, his eyes sharp with focus.


    "Alright then," Oliver said, drawing his bow as his auburn hair flickered with divinity.


    With a deep breath, Oliver released his arrows one after another, sending them shooting into the sky before they rained down on Aiden like a deadly shower.


    Aiden had been watching carefully. As soon as the arrows hit the air, golden divinity began to radiate from his body, flickering like a dazzling light ray. With a simple step forward, Aiden''s body blurred, dodging through the falling arrows with ease.


    Seeing Aiden handling the challenge well, Oliver smiled and decided to increase the difficulty. Now, each arrow was channeled with divinity, streaking toward Aiden like a rain of light-infused missiles.


    Aiden could only concentrate on maintaining his semi-light state while narrowly evading the vicious arrows pouring down toward him. His every move was calculated, his body reacting instinctively to the escalating danger.


    Watching from the side, Raelia smiled and spoke, "He managed to pass the first two levels we set up. Let''s see if he can finally pass level three."


    Raelia drew her bow, her wolf-like eyes locking onto Aiden with predatory intent. Divinity flowed out from her body, feeding into her arrow. Unlike Aiden and Oliver''s reddish-gold divinity, Raelia''s was a deep silvery blue, like the cold light of a moon overlooking an endless wilderness.


    She exhaled a breath of misty, cold air as she spoke,


    [Artemis''s Archery ¨C True Dusk.]


    As soon as Raelia spoke, Aiden''s body shivered, sensing the deadly precision of a vicious predator locking onto its prey. Quickly, he phased out of his semi-light energy state and drew his bow, but by then, Raelia''s attack had already finished charging.


    Unlike Aiden''s True Dawn, which heralded the birth of a new sun with dazzling, blinding light, Raelia''s was the complete opposite. The silvery light transformed into a vicious beast that devoured all nearby light, turning it into an even more menacing silver attack.


    The arrow flew forward with terrifying speed.


    But just before it smashed into Aiden, an arrow left his bow, trailing a brilliant streak of silver-cold energy.


    [Apollo''s Archery ¨C True Dawn.]


    "Boom!"


    The surrounding area was engulfed in a shockwave as the ball of silvery and golden divinity clashed, blinding everyone with its aftermath. As the dust cleared, Aiden stood slightly embarrassed but still relatively unharmed.

 Chapter 35 - 35: 35. Surprise exam

    His attack had spent as much time charging as Raelia''s, but it was still naturally weaker. However, Aiden couldn''t help but smile.


    He had managed to resist and that was enough for aiden. His performance just now just assured him in how much his techniques had progressed


    The technique, True Dawn, didn''t take much time for Aiden to master after all; archery for him was just as easy as breathing.


    The real challenge came when it was time for Aiden to learn the Sunlight Shuttle technique. He quickly grasped the basics, managing to enter and exit the semi-light state after some trial and error.


    However, to truly master the technique, there was one crucial aspect that he needed to perfect: the ability to freely transition in and out of the semi-light state.


    When Aiden was in the light state, he was physically incapable of attacking. This limitation meant that he couldn''t counterattack or defend himself while in this form.


    In other words, once he entered the light state, it was an all-or-nothing situation¡ªhis only option was to dodge. This was further complicated by the fact that energy-based attacks actually caused greater damage to him while he was in the semi-light state.


    This wasn''t a significant problem if Aiden could move at the speed of light, but he was nowhere near that level yet.


    Aiden couldn''t always dodge every attack, and the increased damage from energy-based assaults made it even more challenging.


    The only reasonable solution was to lift the semi-light state temporarily and either face or deflect the attack. That was exactly what Aiden had been working on.


    He had been training to develop the ability to sense and identify attacks he couldn''t dodge and to react and counter them effectively


    . Aiden first tried this with Oliver alone, but he noticed that, perhaps because they were both divine descendants of Apollo, Aiden could always sense Oliver''s attacks and react with ease.


    So, he switched to training with Raelia. The first time Raelia attacked, Aiden completely missed the reading. He was critically injured and out of commission for an entire day.


    It was only due to the magical healing abilities of Olympus that he recovered so quickly, Otherwise, he might have been out for at least several weeks.


    After his recovery, Aiden trained relentlessly and eventually got the hang of it, to the point where he could perform the technique as he just did. Looking at himself, Aiden couldn''t help but smile, and when he turned to his two friends, his smile only grew wider.


    "Thank you, guys. I really couldn''t have done it without you."


    Hearing this, Oliver just chuckled, "No need to over-thank us. With your talent, you were bound to figure it out anyway."


    Aiden just shook his head


    "No, you guys were essential. Even if I could figure it out on my own, there''s no way I could have done it this fast without your help," Aiden insisted, his gratitude evident.


    Raelia, far less modest than Oliver, accepted Aiden''s praise with a satisfied nod. After this, the trio gathered to discuss their techniques and exchange ideas.


    Since all three were archers, their conversations were not just helpful, but necessary for refining their skills.


    After a while, each of them felt satisfied with their discussion. Aiden then asked,


    "Do you have any idea what''s planned for the afternoon lecture?"


    "I have no idea," Oliver responded with a shrug.


    Over the past week, they had been delving into more theory-heavy subjects¡ªhistory, tactics, monster biology and weaknesses, breeding patterns, and other intricate details.


    What had initially been exciting quickly turned into a monotonous chore as the sheer volume of theoretical knowledge began to feel overwhelming.


    Just as they were contemplating the rest of the day, a thunderous voice echoed across the academy campus. "All trainees gather at the training ground immediately!"


    Aiden and the others froze for a second before exchanging surprised glances. Without wasting any time, they hurried toward the training ground. As they arrived, they saw others doing the same.


    A murmur rippled through the sea of trainees, but no matter what they were saying, all eyes were fixed on one figure standing tall and proud on the platform before them¡ªnone other than Instructor Kyros, the head of the training camp.


    "I''ve called you here for one thing," Instructor Kyros announced, his voice cutting through the murmurs.


    "A surprise examination."


    As soon as the words left his mouth, Aiden heard curses being muttered all around him, and he completely understood their sentiments.


    Nothing was worse than going about your day, only to be blindsided by a surprise exam. Although Instructor Kyros didn''t say "pop quiz," the effect was just the same.


    The instructor clearly sensed the displeasure among the trainees, but he didn''t care.


    "You''ve had a week to familiarize yourselves with the techniques, and now we''ll test and rank you. Naturally, since you''re hearing this from me, this exam will be about your combat abilities."


    As soon as Kyros said those words, Aiden felt the entire crowd tense up. Everyone had been expecting something like this, but hearing it confirmed still sent a jolt through them.


    Once again, Instructor Kyros continued without any concern for their reactions.


    "Olympus Academy is known as the training ground of the gods. Only the best of the best are accepted here. The gods refuse to train any waste.


    If you''re not up to par, you may as well quit now. There''s no pity for the inferior, only admiration for the strong. If you believe you belong here, then prove yourself in the arena! Prove yourself in battle!" S§×arch* The n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The group of students followed the instructors, their excitement palpable as they approached the massive arena built near the training grounds.


    Aiden and his fellow students had glimpsed the arena upon their arrival and had even attempted to explore it, but the guards had promptly shooed them away.


    As they drew closer, Aiden couldn''t help but be captivated by the grand structure. The arena towered over the training grounds, its stone walls standing strong against the elements. It loomed over them like an imposing sentinel.

 Chapter 36 - 36: 36. Kain Sanguinos

    The arena towered over the training grounds, its stone walls standing strong against the elements. It loomed over them like an imposing sentinel.


    Three tiers of graceful arches encircled the arena, each supported by sturdy columns. Some of these columns were adorned with intricate carvings of gods and heroes, adding an air of ancient majesty to the structure.


    The group spent only a brief moment outside before they were ushered in. Inside, they were met with an equally impressive sight.


    A vast expanse of golden sand stretched out before them, bearing the scars of countless past conflicts. Surrounding the sand, the seating tiers rose sharply, creating a seamless circle that provided an uninterrupted view of the arena floor.


    Each row of stone seats was meticulously arranged, ascending gracefully to ensure that every spectator had a clear and commanding perspective of the action unfolding below.


    The group of students made their way to the stands before Instructor Kyros started speaking.


    "When your name is called, you will begin the assessment."


    "First up, Kain Sanguinos."


    As the name was called, a figure stood up¡ªa handsome man with crimson red eyes and black hair streaked with deep blood-red. Immediately, murmurs began circulating among the crowd of students. Aiden noticed the commotion and turned to Oliver at his side.


    "Who is this guy? Is he someone I should know?"


    "You''re too focused on training, so I expected you not to know," said Oliver with a smile.


    "You know, during the first trial to scale the mountain, when everyone else was left unconscious, he was the only one to make it back on his own. Plus, there''s an even more ridiculous rumor, but I don''t know if it''s true."


    Aiden, already impressed by the first statement, leaned in for more details.


    "What is it?" asked Aiden.


    "I heard that he''s already unlocked his second Feat of Renown."


    Aiden''s eyes widened.


    Normally, it was he who amazed others with his accomplishments. Now, he found himself on the receiving end of surprise.


    This wasn''t the same as simply walking out of the difficult mountainous trial; this was completely unprecedented.


    "How is that possible? We just awakened our bloodline a few days ago. How could he have already accomplished a Feat of Renown?" asked Aiden, his shock evident.


    Oliver shook his head. "It''s a little-known fact, but if you achieve something worthy of a Feat of Renown before awakening your divine blood, it is possible that you can automatically generate a feat for that.


    Although this doesn''t directly promote you to such a rank, it completely breaks your divine shackles, meaning that if there is enough divinity, you can be directly promoted to the next rank."


    Oliver''s voice was filled with admiration, but he was still a bit dubious.


    "Although it sounds impressive, it''s still a bit ridiculous to believe. He''s the same age as us¡ªat most 16. How could he have accomplished a Feat of Renown at such a young age?"


    Aiden was taken aback. "Many people don''t believe it. They''re even saying that after what you pulled on the day we got our divine techniques, he might not be as good as you."


    Aiden looked toward the man named Kain. Their eyes met, and Kain''s face curled into a chillingly confident smile. Seeing that smile sent a shiver down Aiden''s spine. In that moment, Aiden realized the truth. He didn''t know if the rumors about Kain having a Feat of Renown were true, but he knew Kain was no ordinary person.


    Aiden had been training his body''s sensitivity to threats to perfect the Sunlight Shuttle technique. From that heightened awareness, he could sense that the threat posed by this young man was overwhelming. The aura emanating from Kain was intense; it was like a dark wave of murderous soldiers rushing at him.


    Kain''s gaze remained fixed on Aiden for a moment longer before he turned away, his confidence unwavering.


    He stepped forward, his body leaning into the air before gracefully landing on the arena floor.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Kain''s bold and confident demeanor and nodded with a smile.


    "As expected of someone who could show a special phenomenon during his awakening."


    "Trainee Kain, the test will begin whenever you''re ready."


    When Kain heard this, a wide smile appeared on his face.


    "You can start at any time. I''m always ready."


    "Very well, trainee. The test will now officially begin."


    Clank. Clank.


    Chains rattled, and metal scraped as one of the massive gates slowly opened.


    "Roar!" sea??h th§× n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A vicious, blood-curdling roar echoed from the depths of the hallway as the crowd felt the presence of a beast rushing out from within. And then, it appeared.


    A giant and ferocious lioness.


    Though it resembled a lion, it was clear this was no ordinary beast. Its fur had a metallic sheen, giving it an almost armored appearance. Anyone nearby could see that ordinary weapons would shatter upon contact with its defenses.


    But although its defense was formidable, its size was even more striking.


    The lioness stood on all fours, towering over an average man by at least a head. Its limbs were massive, more akin to a bear''s than a lion''s, yet they still conveyed an unsettling agility.


    What made it even more terrifying was that this was a lioness. If these creatures followed typical biological norms, it meant there was an even more formidable male somewhere out there.


    The crowd of trainees collectively gasped at the sight. The ancient, wild aura radiating from this crazed beast was enough to send some into a state of shock.


    Kain, however, felt no fear¡ªonly excitement. His heart raced as his usually ice-cold face warmed allowing a dazzling smile to spread across his lips. Perhaps if he were facing a regular human, they might have paused to admire his handsome features, but here, against this wild beast, there was no such pause.


    The ferocious beast let out an enraged roar and charged straight at Kain, leaping forward with its massive claws swinging down on him, but Kain remained unfazed.

 Chapter 37 - 37: 37. [Bloodlust]

    Kain leaped forward as the beast''s massive claws swung down at him, but he remained unfazed.


    A grim smile stretched across his face as he brandished his sword to block the strike.


    "Bang!"


    The beast''s devastating blow clashed with Kain''s sword, sending a metallic screech echoing through the air.


    The claws of the beast, as formidable as the strongest metals, scraped harshly against Kain''s weapon. The ground beneath Kain''s feet cracked and crumbled from the force of the impact, but he stood steadfast, his muscles tensed and veins bulging as he pushed back against the lioness. The sudden force made the beast stagger, creating a momentary distance between them.


    But Kain wasn''t finished yet. A blood-red aura, ominous and divine, flowed from his veins and enveloped his sword.


    This was the colour of his divinity and the god he descended from.


    The divinity of Ares!


    To the watching students, the scene blurred into a whirlwind of red, only the devastating sound of Kain''s attack landing allowed them to know what was going on and when the attack landed it landed with devestating effect


    Despite the beast''s heavy armor and thick fur, Kain''s sword cut through it like a hot knife through butter, leaving a gaping, brutal wound.


    "Roar!"


    Blood poured out the wound like a burst dam as The beast howled in agony.


    But for such a ferocious and primal creature The horrific wound only seemed to fuel its rage, making it even more aggressive.


    Kain snorted in response and activated his divine technique.


    An ominous air quickly descend onto the field as he spoke in a booming voice


    [Bloodthirst]


    Instantly, Red sparks erupted from his eyes, and a crimson wave surged over his skin.


    The metallic scent of blood filled the air, igniting an insatiable hunger for battle within him. His body expanded, bulging with power as crimson energy flickered like raging serpents across his form. His bloodthirsty gaze locked onto the vicious beast.


    In an astonishing display of strength, Kain''s hand shot out like a spear. With a burst of speed, he grasped the lioness by the throat holding onto it in a vice like grip and slammed it to the ground with a thunderous crash.


    "Boom!"


    A cruel smile curled on Kain''s lips as he stomped down, crushing the lion''s head with a sickening splatter, like a burst watermelon. Blood sprayed across half his face, but he didn''t flinch. His gaze remained locked on the instructor.


    "Is that it?"


    Although those words were rather straightforward, when Instructor Kyrs heard them, his lips curled up into a smile. "Of course not. The test ranges from level 1 to 10. You''re free to choose any level to progress to."


    "So what level will you choose?"


    Kain looked at the corpse of the lioness and the pool of blood gathering at his feet, falling into thought. Although confident in his abilities, he knew that in combat and war, arrogance could only lead to his downfall. So he decided to test the waters a little more.


    "Level 5."


    As Kain spoke, the entire arena was bathed in a golden light, causing the corpses and blood of the previous battle to vanish.


    Simultaneously, five gates around the massive arena began to shake and open. A symphony of low roars filled the air as five majestic and imposing lionesses emerged from their respective tunnels. Kain hadn''t completely suppressed his aura from the previous battle, so his vicious war presence was keenly felt by these beasts and their terrifying instincts. Lions are pack hunters.


    While one may be strong alone, a group is where they truly show their terrifying might.


    The lionesses let out a few low roars, quickly communicating with each other. This time, they weren''t quick to pounce but prowled around Kain in a circle, slowly closing in on him with a terrifying presence. A normal mortal might have gone insane with fear in such a situation, but Kain instead smiled.


    [Bloodthirst]


    Right iut of the gates Kain activated hsi divine techniques as his crimson eyes brust forth Without hesitation, Kain unleashed his divine technique.


    Crimson lightning crackled from his eyes as his aura surged violently. His foot slammed into the ground, shattering it into fragments as he launched himself forward in a blaze of speed. His body blurred red as he raised his sword, slashing toward the lioness directly in front of him!


    The lioness barely had time to react, raising her claws in a futile defense.


    With the divine fury of god of war coursing through his veins, Kain''s sword cut through the air, creating a crimson wave of blood that sprayed through the air like a torrential downpour.


    The lioness was hurled backward, but Kain didn''t relent. Just as he was about to drive his advantage home, a sudden shift in the air froze him in place.


    Spinning around, Kain saw two colossal lionesses attacking from both sides. The arena above erupted in gasps as the students realized the brutal nature of the challenge. This was no longer a simple duel; it was a savage, full-scale battle. If Kain advanced, more would come to restrain him. S~ea??h the NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For the first time since stepping into the arena, Kain felt a genuine surge of danger. He roared defiantly, his divinity pulsating through his body like a living storm. As his sword clashed with one lioness''s claws, his glowing crimson fist met the other''s attack head-on.


    "Boom!"


    "Bang!"


    The two lionesses were sent flying backward when another set of growls snapped Kain''s attention. The lioness he''d first attacked was charging at him from behind, while two fresh lionesses surged forward, claws bared. Kain''s eyes narrowed in realization;


    he had underestimated the ferocity of these beasts.


    It seemed he needed to fight a little more seriously.


    Taking a deep breath, Kain felt the world around him slow to a crawl. As he raised his sword, a profound shift occurred in the arena.


    An ominous and ghostly aura descended from Kain''s body, enveloping the arena. It felt as if they had been transported to a cruel battlefield haunted by tragic wails and unfulfilled dreams, where the very essence of despair and sorrow flourished and ran rampant.

 Chapter 38 - 38: 38. [Millennium Killing Sword]

    If the Kain from before seemed to carry the rage and fury of war this Kain was the complete opposite


    Kain seemed to embody the very essence of war''s despair¡ªthe tragic cries, the unwilling roars, the shattered dreams.


    All the dark and unpleasant aspects of war and conflict that everyone dreaded and feared but didn''t dare to talk about, about manifested before everyone''s eyes, furiously spewing forth from Kain''s blade like an endless torrent


    The aura it emitted was horrifying; just one glance at it seemed to freeze the very soul.


    Next a gloomy, blackish-red light swirled menacingly around the sword as Kain spoke in a haunting voice.


    [ Millennium Killing Sword!]


    Brr!


    The sword in his buzzed and roared to life as Kain swung it with terrifying force at the lioness.


    A reddish-black storm erupted from the blade, swirling with the twisted faces of hundreds of crimson skulls that seemed to scream in torment as they rushed toward the helpless beast.


    The lioness, sensing the deathly aura, froze in terror, her soul quaking with dread. She could barely muster a pitiful whimper before she was completely obliterated.


    Her body exploded in a gruesome shower of flesh and shattered bones, painting the arena in a thick, bliniding mist of blood.


    But Kain wasn''t done. His sword arced through the air like a ravenous dragon, turning with lethal precision toward the two lionesses that had dared to encircle him.


    The beasts let out desperate, guttural roars of despair, their eyes wide with the realization of impending doom. But their cries were swallowed by the cacophony of agonized wails emanating from Kain''s blade, the embodiment of the countless souls that had died at his very own hands.


    In an instant, the storm of crimson divinity smashed into the two creatures with bone-shattering force.


    Their bodies were torn apart in an instant, limbs and entrails scattering like confetti in a twisted celebration of gruesome carnage.


    Their tragic cries echoed briefly before being silenced forever, their souls joining the legion of wailing skulls that fuelled the endless development of Kain''s killing sword.


    Kain''s eyes, cold and devoid of emotion, surveyed the carnage with ruthless indifference. He stepped through the river of blood and shattered bones forming at his feet, the ground slick with gore, as he advanced toward the next two lionesses.


    He moved with the relentless inevitability of a constructed war machine, like a demonic entity that had just crawled from the darkest pits of the underworld, thirsting for more slaughter.


    The crowd of students that had been worrying about Kain merely moments ago all froze.


    No one spoke, but those watching collectively broke out in a cold sweat.


    An eerie sense of fear descended onto the stands.


    Except for the instructors, probably none were spared.


    Aiden would admit it too¡ªwhen he looked at Kain bathed in that bloody light, he was slightly afraid.


    The sword strike was just too horrifying! A mere swing seemed to contain the screams of hundreds of unwilling victims.


    Aiden had entered the world of the gods from regular civilian society.


    While the world of mortals may have been slightly boring, for Aiden, it was exceptionally safe.


    Things like violence and murder were so far removed from Aiden''s life that they were nearly incomprehensible.


    But being from the world of mortals wasn''t enough to explain the sense of fear that Aiden was feeling.


    After all, there were many other trainees from the world of gods, and they were also feeling this inexplicable fear.


    Take Oliver, for example.


    No, it should be said that because he was from the divine family, he was not only feeling fear, but his fear was much deeper than Aiden''s.


    After all, unlike Aiden, who could only feel the terror instinctively, Oliver knew exactly how horrifying the sight in front of him was.


    Oliver, by his side, was much better¡ªno, he was much worse¡ªbecause, unlike Aiden, he actually knew what that sword represented.


    "The Millennium Killing Sword. He actually used the Millennium Killing Sword!"


    Oliver''s voice contained equal parts shock and amazement. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden, to the side, heard this and frowned.


    Just looking at the sword was enough to elicit an instinctive sense of fear. Aiden wouldn''t feel comfortable if he knew nothing about such a horrifying move, so he asked, "Oliver, what exactly is this Millennium Killing Sword?"


    Oliver took a deep breath before speaking, his voice low and almost shaking


    "The sword technique isn''t something simple. It''s a divine technique that only the most talented divine descendants of Ares can hope to wield. But even though those talented divine descendants may have it available as an option, it''s strongly advised that most steer clear of it.


    The power of the technique may be beyond comprehension, but so is the challenge of mastering it, particularly for those who are new to the art of war.


    "The essence of this sword technique lies not just in its formidable strikes and elaborate visualization. No, the true enigma of this technique lies in grasping the essence of war and death itself¡ªa concept so elusive that it can only be understood by those who have walked the fine line between life and death countless times on the battlefield.


    But do you see the problem? How can a mere student, a teenager yet to fully live and start his life properly, hope to comprehend the endless horrors of war?


    Legend has it that the creator of this divine technique wandered the blood-soaked fields of battle for a thousand years, slaying without mercy, until the true nature of war revealed itself to him in a moment of grim enlightenment.


    It was only then that he forged the Millennium Killing Sword, hence the prefix millennium killing.


    Even if getting started didn''t require you to immersive yourself in killing for a thousand years, the time definitely wasn''t short


    For Kain to wield such mastery over this horrifying technique, it means he isn''t just someone who''s tasted the bitterness of war a few times¡ªhe is a true veteran, a spirit forged in endless conflict.


    War isn''t something he''s experienced; it''s something he is living and breathing at all times


    Aiden took a deep, cold breath.

 Chapter 39 - 39: 39. Lion King

    He knew his situation well. He was an exceptional talent. If he still denied it, it wouldn''t be being humble but instead just ignorant.


    His Talent was amazing and clearly his biggest asset, but talent was just a possibility. Aiden knew he lacked actual combat experience and field practice, but this Kain looked to be even more of a monster than he was.


    He had endless talent and somehow had endless battlefield experience. How were other students even supposed to compete?!


    Kain could care less about the thoughts of the trainees watching from the stands. He charged forward at the remaining lionesses, raising his sword.


    The two lionesses didn''t even get a chance to react. The second Kain swung his sword, it sliced cleanly through their necks, sending their heads flying and causing blood to splatter across the floor like spilled paint.


    Ignoring the pool of blood gathering at his feet, Kain looked at Instructor Kyros with cold, emotionless eyes.


    "Let''s move on to level 10."said Kain


    "Very well then." responded the instructor


    The entire arena was once again bathed in a golden light, causing the corpses and blood from the previous battle to vanish.


    Soon after, a familiar trembling could be felt throughout the arena as five gates around the massive arena began to shake and open. Terrifying growls and snarls echoed as ten lionesses stalked into view.


    But this time, it didn''t end there.


    Behind the steps of the giant lionesses, there was a loud, thunderous thud. The growl that followed was much deeper and more vicious, emanating from the shadows within.


    And soon, the origin of this monstrous sound stepped into the light.


    It was a giant lion, towering over its female counterparts with two heads, each as menacing as the other. Its muscles rippled with every movement, causing the very air to tremble. Its flowing mane glistened with a metallic sheen, a faint mystical light emanating from it.


    "ROAR!"


    A world-shaking roar escaped its lips as it declared its dominance over the arena, glaring at Kain with an uncaged rage and bloodlust that seemed to fill the entire space.


    In response, Kain simply let out a faint smile.


    The lionesses crouched, their bodies tensing as they prepared to spring. A golden beam of light arced from the lion king''s mane, surging toward the lionesses before returning to the mighty beast.


    Once it did, a faint golden glow began to swim across the bodies of all the lions.


    Kain frowned. He didn''t know what it meant, but he knew it couldn''t be good.


    "Roar!"


    A vicious roar erupted from the lion king''s mouth as all the lionesses charged forward. Kain instantly noticed the change.


    The charge was more coordinated than before. They were coming at him from all angles, trying to cut off any chance of escape.


    Seeing this, he just sneered.


    Since they didn''t want him to dodge, he would just meet them head-on!


    [Bloodlust]


    Kain felt the divine power in his veins surge as a crimson light burst from his eyes, wrapping around him like a shroud.


    Badum! Badum! Badum!


    His heart thundered like a divine war drum, his muscles bulging and flexing to their absolute peak. Raising his sword, the crimson divinity coiled around him, making him look like a warrior straight out of myth.


    Kain swung down, his sword crashing onto the attacking lionesses like a mountain.


    "Bang!"


    The sword collided with the iron-hard fur of the lionesses, the sound echoing as if two iron blocks were grinding against each other. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But as the attack landed, Kain quickly frowned.


    The scene he had expected of the lioness '' body bursting open simply didn''t . In fact, he barely drew blood with his slash.


    For some reason, the defense of these lions had increased to an alarming degree.


    Kain looked toward the gargantuan Lion King and saw it glaring down at him from its towering height with an almost human-like mocking expression.


    ''It''s because of this bastard.''


    Kain had found the source of the problem, but even so his fighting rhythm had been completely thrown off but before he could adjust, he saw another lioness pouncing on him from the side.


    Kain coldly snorted before wrapping his fists in crimson divinity and punching out.


    "Boom!"


    Kain fist shot out wrapped in the blackish red divinity of Ares and smashed into the hard skull of the lioness, but with its now enhanced defense, it barely managed to stun it. Instead, the attack only seemed to increase the cruel beast''s ferocity as it bit down hard on Kain''s arm.


    Kain didn''t cry out in pain¡ªhis expression only turned colder. With his arm restricted, he moved to kick, but under the Lion King''s leadership, these lionesses were now more vicious than a pack of hyenas.


    Another lioness shot out from nowhere, sinking its teeth into Kain''s thigh.


    He groaned, but before he could react, yet another lioness appeared, gnawing down on his other leg.


    Kain was now furious, the divinity in his body surged, ready for Kain to unleash it.


    But before he could act, the giant Lion King, which had been watching arrogantly from afar, disappeared and reappeared before Kain in an instant.


    Kain tried to react, but it was too late.


    The massive claw of the Lion King slammed into Kain, swatting him away and sending him hurtling through the air like a comet.


    "Boom!"


    Kain crashed down with terrifying force, creating a human-sized crater in the wall of the arena.


    The crowd instantly fell silent, everyone watching in fear of the worst. But just as they thought it was over, a faint rustling was heard as the shattered bricks around Kain''s hand were all dislodged.


    Dusted and slightly roughed up, Kain walked out of the damaged wall. After stretching his neck, Kain smiled.


    Touching the corner of his head, Kain looked at the blood that had now stained his fingertips and was slightly shocked.


    Blood? My own blood?


    How long had it been since he had fought like this?

 Chapter 40 - 40: 40. Kains offensive

    Kain suddenly halted his thoughts and laughed


    ''It had been too damn long!''


    His cold and emotionless facade had been completely shattered. Now, his face had morphed into a crazed grin as blood flowed down from his forehead, streaking across his features like war paint.


    The drums of war pounded relentlessly in his mind.


    This was the kind of battle he craved¡ªthe kind where he could feel the sting of injury, where there was even the slightest hint of risk. It was a battle that truly made his blood boil, where the thrill of danger was palpable, and the line between life and death blurred!


    Kain pulled out another sword, his eyes gleaming with an unholy fire. Now armed with a blade in each hand, he was completely fearless, a whirlwind of death and chaos.


    [Bloodlust!]


    Activating the divine technique, the aura around Kain twisted and churned violently, a thick, red mist seeping from his body.


    The bloodlust was so intense that even the spectators in the stands could feel it. It was a suffocating presence so daunting that it made even the lionesses hesitate, their primal instincts recognizing a predator, a killer in fact, that was far more dangerous than themselves.


    Even the mighty Lion King paused, as its colossal frame trembled slightly under the rush of Kain''s overwhelming killing intent.


    But Kain didn''t wait. If they wouldn''t come to him, he would bring the fight to them.


    With a thunderous stomp that cracked the arena floor, Kain surged forward, tearing through the ground like a living meteor.


    In a blink, he was in front of the Lion King, his twin swords blazing with crimson divinity as he brought them down in a vicious, X-shaped slash.


    "Bang!"


    The Lion King raised its massive paw to guard against the attack, but the force behind Kain''s strike was immense, sending shockwaves through the arena.


    Sparks flew as Kain''s swords clashed against the beast''s metallic fur, a screeching sound that echoed like the wail of damned souls.


    The attack had a minimal effect but Kain wasn''t finished. His figure flickered, disappearing from sight, only to reappear above the Lion King''s back. With a powerful spin, he slashed down with all his might.


    "Bang!"


    The beast roared in pain, but Kain''s face darkened. Despite the power behind his strike, he had only managed to leave a faint mark on the creature''s hide.


    The Lion King''s defenses were near impenetrable after being bolstered by the mysterious light that had arced off the lionesses and into the beast earlier.


    "Fine," Kain muttered through gritted teeth, his resolve hardening. "I''ll just change the strategy."


    Without hesitation, Kain ran along the Lion King''s back, his speed blurring his movements as he stepped onto its massive head. S§×ar?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Lion King was enraged by such a blatant display of disrespect and let out an earth-shaking roar, but Kain paid it no mind. Instead, he leaped into the air, and a horrifying aura descended upon the arena.


    A blackish-red light engulfed Kain''s swords as his voice boomed with divine authority.


    [Millennium Killing Sword!]


    A bone-chilling storm erupted from the blades, a swirling vortex of countless roaring skulls, their hollow eyes filled with the agony of a thousand wars


    But Kain wasn''t done. He brought the two swords together, and with a powerful twist of his body, the storm around his swords, wrapped around his body transforming him into a mind-numbing tornado that embodied war and death itself.


    The killing tornado, a vortex of pure destruction, descended from the sky like the wrath of the gods, crashing down upon a pair of helpless lionesses.


    Kain''s swords, bathed in the bloodlust of the Millennium Killing Sword, slashed through the creatures. But this time, it wasn''t an instant kill.


    The Lion King''s defensive aura still protected them, but faced with this hinderance, Kain''s resolve to kill them only grew stronger.


    His eyes turned a deep, ominous red, crimson lightning crackling from his pupils until the whites of his eyes were completely consumed, making them appear as if they had been soaked in an ocean of blood.


    [Bloodlust!]


    The divine technique surged within him, deeper and more ferocious than ever before. His muscles bulged, adrenaline pumping through his veins like molten fire


    Kain roared, his voice containing a godly war cry that shook the very foundations of the arena as his swords tore through the lionesses like a raging river, sending their heads soaring into the sky.


    A fountain of blood erupted from their necks, drenching Kain''s body in a crimson rain.


    His now blood-soaked eyes scanned the remaining lions, locking onto his next victim with a savage grin. Without hesitation, he charged forward, his movements an eerie blur of blood red divinity.


    The Lion King, realizing the danger, let out a devastating roar and charged to block Kain''s path. But all it received in response was a cold, disdainful snort from the warrior.


    The Lion King''s defense was formidable, Kain admitted that much. But if you looked at it from another perspective then the only thing of note to Kain was also the beasts formidable defence.


    If he ignored that then their really was nothing left for Kain to fear,


    If the beasts dared to confront him head on then Kain would face it on fearlessly. When it came down to a contest of strength Kain never once thought he could lose!


    With a roar that echoed the fury of a thousand battles, Kain swung his swords with unmatched ferocity, the air itself trembling under the force of his strikes.


    The Lion King''s massive frame shuddered as Kain''s blades clashed against its hide, sparks flying like molten steel, but this time, the Lion King felt the sting. Kain''s relentless assault was like a storm, each strike more powerful than the last, as he pushed the beast back, step by step.


    "Get out of my way!" Kain roared a thunderous command that shook the arena.


    His skin glowed an ominous red as his muscles expanded, his veins bulging with what felt like infinite raw power.

 Chapter 41 - 41: 41. Dissapointment

    Kain''s eyes narrowed and with a single, earth-shattering swing of his arm, he unleashed a devastating attack.


    "Boom!"


    The Lion King''s eyes widened in disbelief as it stumbled back, its massive frame unable to withstand the sheer might of Kain''s blow.


    The beast, once so proud and untouchable, was thrown aside like a ragdoll, crashing into the ground with a resounding thud.


    By the time the Lion King had managed to recover, shaking off the daze, Kain had already moved on.


    He appeared in front of a new group of lionesses, his blood-soaked figure casting a terrifying shadow over them. His eyes, glowing with a fierce crimson light, locked onto the frightened beasts as he prepared a devastating strike


    "Kill!!"


    The cold war cry erupted from Kain''s lips, echoing through the arena like the toll of a death knell.


    Phantoms of his countless sword strikes descended upon the two lionesses with relentless fury, each slash a promise of death.


    Blood-red sword lights flashed in the air, painting a gruesome picture that left every one breathless. The moment his strikes landed, a torrent of blood erupted, blooming like forest dark bloody roses.


    As the blood splattered across his face, Kain''s expression twisted into a cold and victorious smile, He turned his head slowly, locking his gaze on the Lion King, who watched in horror from across the arena. Kain''s voice dripped with cold certainty.


    "I knew it. If I take down the lionesses, your defenses will weaken with each one."


    With his conjecture confirmed, Kain''s cautious approach evaporated.


    Confidence surged through him, manifesting as a murderous intent so palpable it seemed to darken the air around him.


    He stepped forward, and the pools of blood on the ground seemed to follow, as if the lifeblood of the fallen beasts was drawn to him, their new master.


    Anyone who witnessed this sight could not help but tremble. The once-ferocious beasts in the arena were no exception.


    With four lionesses now dead, the mood among the remaining creatures shifted drastically.


    Despite the Lion King''s imposing presence, these once-fearless monsters began to falter.


    A faint dread crept into their hearts as they stared at the much smaller human who now radiated suffocating pressure.


    It was a complete and utter dominance that made them feel like helpless victims.


    For the first time, these giant beasts were afraid.


    They had been wrong from the very start. They were never in control, never the true predators of this battlefield.


    From the beginning to the end, they had always been prey.


    This realization sent a wave of fear through their massive bodies, almost bringing them to their knees.


    Kain tilted his head to the side, watching the scene unfold with mild curiosity.


    "So, even monsters can fear war," he mused, his voice cold and devoid of emotion.


    But despite his intrigue, there was not a trace of pity in his heart. War was a place where many emotions could thrive¡ªanger, hatred, greed¡ªbut pity?


    For the life he lived, that was an emotion that only led to death.


    For someone like Kain, pity was a concept that had likely been killed off at birth.


    With a heart as cold as the steel in his hands, Kain raised his sword, and gathered a storm of killing intent, blood, and despair.


    Kain swung out with brutal efficiency.


    The relentless hurricane of violence tore through the battlefield, obliterating another lioness in a single, devastating blow. Their weakened defenses left them as helpless as newborn cubs before Kain''s relentless onslaught.


    He raised his sword again, and like the merciless executioner he was, he swung it down and systematically chose another lioness to slay.


    One by one, they fell helplessly, dropping like flies under his blade.


    The Lion King, once so proud and invincible, roared in wild desperation, running aimlessly around the arena. But with each lioness that fell, the confidence and arrogance drained from his demeanour, replaced by a growing sense of dread.


    When the last of his kind was cut down by Kain''s crimson-stained sword, the Lion King found himself alone, trembling under the boundless weight of Kain''s murderous gaze.


    The once-mighty beast, now a shadow of his former self, quaked with fear. With each step Kain took toward him, the King retreated, each movement betraying his growing terror.


    Kain continued his slow, inevitable advance, his eyes locked onto the Lion King with a predatory gleam. The King, once the ruler of this arena, was now nothing more than a cornered animal,


    Seeing the Lion King cower before him, Kain didn''t feel any pride or elation but instead what he felt was a deep wave of disappointment.


    "King? No, you''re just a coward," Kain spat, his voice laced with disdain.


    The intensity of the battle, the thrill of bloodshed, the brush with death¡ªit was all slipping away from him, further and further with each pathetic whimper from the once-mighty beast.


    Kain had actually thought, even if it was only for the briefest moment, that he had actually found it again in this arena¡ªa true battle that could push him to his limits.


    It was only now that he realized just how wrong he had been. S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    True battle? These pathetic beasts didn''t even warrant the use of his Feat of Renown.


    The more Kain thought about it, the more his anger grew, boiling within him like a raging storm.


    He looked at the Lion King¡ªthis cowering, scared creature that had disappointed him so greatly¡ªand felt the murderous intent in his heart surge forth, unrestrained.


    The Lion King''s soul trembled, and in the blink of an eye, it found itself in a completely different realm.


    The sky above was painted a deep crimson, as if the very air had been soaked in blood. The ground was littered with corpses, bones, and broken bodies, a hellscape that reeked of death and decay.


    Facing the Lion King was a lone figure.


    It had a set of crimson eyes that burned with a terrifying intensity, a terrifying physique forged by countless battles, and a more horrifyingly sword that embodied the very essence of killing.

 Chapter 42 - 42: 42. Lion King Slayer (C)

    The Lion King looked upon this sight and felt a deep, soul-crushing regret.


    It regretted the day it had dared to face such a monster. Deep down, in the primal instincts that guided its every move, the Lion King knew it had met a superior lifeform. It may have been the king of its species, but now it stood before an even greater king.


    The king of the battlefield.


    The king of war.


    That was the last thought the beast had before a dazzling blade shot out, severing its head and sending it on a journey to meet King Hades.


    As the Lion King''s lifeless body collapsed to the ground, the arena fell silent. The atmosphere was completely stagnant, the remaining trainees watched in fearnas they looked on at the being of what they could only describe as carnage incarnate.


    This was the level of someone that had already gained a second [Feat of Renown] during their awakening!


    There have been some doubters about the rumors of Kain, but now all of them had been completely convinced.


    They refused to believe that such a monster was on the same level as them!


    Soon after, Kain had defeated all his opponents.


    An excellent display, perfect score¡ªnaturally, there will be regards.


    As she said this, the arena began to shake as golden light bounced off the walls before falling on Kain like angels'' warm embrace.


    As this was happening, the Ember of Creation swirled, and a panel of fire appeared in front of Kain''s eyes.


    -------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    Lion King Slayer (C)


    Rank: C sea??h th§× N?velFire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Effects: Enhanced Physical Abilities, Strength Boost


    Description: This divine blessing significantly amplifies the user''s physical abilities, enhancing speed, endurance, and overall combat prowess.


    --------


    Kain quickly felt a warm feeling coursing through his body as it was washed over by a euphoric sensation.


    Kain quickly raised an eyebrow; not only could he feel his physical abilities increasing, but he also felt something else.


    ''Divinity?'' thought Kain to himself in surprise.


    It wasn''t like the divinity of Ares he was used to but instead more mellow and pure. This was divinity in its purest form. It could directly increase his cultivation level without any side effects.


    Even the usually stoic Kain was rather excited. If he could just get a few more doses of this treatment, the 2nd rank of Heroic Cultivation would be right around the corner!


    Smiling to himself, Kain activated his Ember of Creation and looked at his panel.


    ------------


    Name: Kain Sanguinos


    Bloodline: Ares/Mars


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E ¡ú E+


    Agility: F+ ¡ú E


    Endurance: F+ ¡ú E


    Charisma: F


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (25 ¡ú 50/100)


    --------


    A substantial increase.


    Kain clenched his fists, adjusting to his newfound power, and suddenly looked back at the arena, secretly hoping that another group of monsters could find their way out.


    Seeing this sight, Instructor Kyros looked at Kain and then back toward the rest of the trainees and spoke reassuringly.


    "Don''t be surprised; that''s just a blessing from the gods.


    Don''t be afraid to perform your best; the gods will always reward their greatest champions."


    The trainees looked towards Kain, but this time their eyes no longer contained any fear but instead endless jealousy.


    In another breath, they also realized just how cruel the world of gods really was.


    The strong would get rewarded, and the weak ignored.


    In such a world, the strong would only get stronger while the weak would fade into irrelevance.


    Although it was rather cruel, it also made a lot of sense.


    The gods had countless descendants throughout the myriad of worlds. If each descendant was given equal resources, even the gods would find it hard to provide for all of them.


    As a result, they could only go the elite training route. The ones who shine will flourish.


    Instructor Kyros looked at the group of trainees that were about to explode with fighting intention and smiled; his purpose had been perfectly met.


    He chuckled to himself and spoke up.


    "Well then, next up is¡­"


    ....


    Time passed and soon, countless students had been called up to the arena.


    At first, they were all excited and eager. All of them had been expecting things to go rather well.


    They hadn''t expected to steamroll the lions like Kain, but they at least expected to do decently well. But they soon realized how helpless they had been.


    The average level people could reach was only around 3. Some excellent students had managed to reach 5, but there were just a few exceptions.


    This news struck the students like a lightning bolt.


    Every so often, the trainees couldn''t help but look at Kain, who was only watching the scene, obviously bored.


    This monster made the levels people couldn''t pass seem like an idle walk in the park.


    Instructor Kyros didn''t seem to be fazed at all by the performance of the trainees. He had been here a long time and knew that people like Kain were extreme anomalies.


    After all, if it was a common thing to reach level 10, why would the gods reward it?


    The gods only reward and pay attention to those who have the potential to walk down the roads of heroes and legends.


    As he was having these thoughts, he saw yet another trainee struggling under the barrage of numerous lions. Yet just before an attack could land, Instructor Kyros snapped his hands.


    Instantly countless, terrifying thunder spears manifested themselves from the heavens, striking down the beasts until only ash remained.


    Instructor Kyros looked down on the trainee he had just saved, not even acknowledging his feat of slaying the beasts the trainee was struggling with.


    "Trainee, you have failed the level 4 challenge. Please return to the stands. Train hard. There will be more opportunities to prove yourself in the future."


    The trainee could only groan before he sighed with regret and walked away.


    Instructor Kyros looked down at his sheet and called out yet again.


    "Orphalon Melthyr, please come up to the arena."


    As soon as the instructor called out the name, there was a small commotion. When Aiden looked over, he instantly recognized why.

 Chapter 43 - 43: 43. Orphalon Melthyr

    Although it was shaped like a man, the being that walked out could only be described as a giant.


    He stood towering completely over the crowd of students. The muscles on his body popped and quivered under his clothes as if they threatened to burst out of his shirt at any moment. Each step carried with it an oppressive air that made many trainees feel suffocated.


    Its eyes, or more correctly, eye, shined with an intelligent light as it quickly scanned the arena as if assessing something.


    And yes, Aiden meant singular eye, and that was because the being in front of him was no regular human; it was a cyclops!


    Aiden knew that in the world of gods there were many mystical beings and not all the descendants of the gods would necessarily be ''human,'' but it was still the first time he had met such a monstrous being up close.


    The Cyclops Orphalon was unfazed by the incessant murmuring and jumped down onto the arena, causing the floor to tremble under his weight as he did so.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Orphalon and asked,


    "What level would you like the trial to be on?"


    Orphalon looked back at Instructor Kyros and spoke calmly.


    "Level 9."


    As Instructor Kyros heard this, a slight smile appeared on his face.


    "Very well then." S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The gates started to tremble as nine low growls escaped from the shadows.


    Soon the golden-furred lionesses were out of their confinements and on the prowl once again.


    They slowly circled Orphalon, but he didn''t buckle at all. His body remained stoic and unfazed like a stone statue, unaffected by the elements.


    "Roar!"


    The lionesses no longer tried to stalk and instead charged out at full speed, surrounding him from all directions.


    Orphalon just scoffed as he finally made his move.


    [Drowning Waves]


    Orphalon stamped hard on the ground, causing it to crack as geysers of deep blue waves poured out from it and rushed towards the lionesses.


    The effect could be seen immediately as the lionesses'' movements were greatly hindered by the sudden appearance of raging waves. Every single one was struggling to maintain steady footing, much less continue with their attack.


    As the floor around Orphalon quickly flooded, the only person that remained unfazed was Orphalon himself. He stood completely still at the center like an ancient titan, as the elements brushed against him¡ªbut this didn''t last for long.


    Orphalon stepped forward, his feet cruising along the floor and walking through the surrounding waves completely uninhabited. He quickly appeared before a lioness and raised his giant warhammer into the air before bringing it down with inhuman ferocity.


    "Bang!"


    There was a heart-wrenching sound as the hammer crashed down on the lioness''s head, popping it like a balloon.


    As the trainees watched this, they couldn''t help but gasp!


    Fuck! That cyclops was too fierce!


    In certain ways, the sight was even more harrowing than watching Kain at work. At least with Kain, you could see the traces of years of technique and experience, but when it came to Orphalon, all that was non-existent.


    What was on display was pure biological brutality that they could never hope to match.


    Seeing one of their own die such a brutal death, the lionesses were only further enraged!


    A few managed to break through the suppressing waves and launch themselves at Orphalon, but his single eye was already shining with an ominous light as he had already predicted all this.


    Instantly, his muscles tensed as the veins on his giant arms popped. A low growl escaped from his lips as a deep blue divinity poured out from his body and wrapped around his warhammer.


    Orphalon sensed the time was right and lowered his hammer, allowing it to wrap around the waves, and swung out with the power of a deep-sea behemoth.


    "Boom!"


    A cataclysmic shockwave echoed as three more lionesses were swatted away like a baseball.


    Each vomited up a litre of blood as they roared their death throes.


    Orphalon lowered his hammer and exhaled deeply. Even if he didn''t show it obviously, sweat was beginning to build up on his brow as a sense of exhaustion piled up.


    Although his physical abilities were far from reaching their limits, the cost of the divine technique he used to create a miniature ocean was far from light. Orphalon thought he had calculated everything perfectly, but it seemed that he had still overestimated his limits.


    Knowing things would get ugly if he continued at this rate, he quickly deactivated [Drowning Waves], causing the water to quickly recede almost as if it had never been there in the first place.


    The remaining lionesses took this as their chance and rushed over to attack Orphalon, but they had made a vital mistake.


    His divinity reserves were low but not completely finished!


    As the lionesses leapt towards him, Orphalon''s eye glowed with an ominous black light.


    In that instant, the air seemed to freeze, and a booming voice seemed to resound in the ears of all the attacking beasts simultaneously.


    [Gaze of the Abyss]


    All of a sudden, in the minds of all the lionesses, Orphalon''s figure seemed to vanish and was instead replaced with an all-consuming whirlpool.


    It carried with it a deeply ancient and harrowing aura. Each second gazing into it seemed to bring that aura closer and closer until the beasts had completely lost their minds.


    In their moment of madness, everything became an enemy, and the attacks that were initially directed at Orphalon were now all headed towards each other!


    Orphalon didn''t just stand there and watch, however. Now that they were enemies, he wouldn''t hesitate to kick them while they were down!


    Rushing up, he raised his trusty warhammer once again and brutally smashed it down once again like he was playing a deadly game of whack-a-mole.


    Three more lionesses had their heads exploded in their state of confusion under the assault of Orphalon''s deadly hammer.


    It was unknown if the death of their companions that shocked them to their senses or if the effect of Orphalon''s divine technique simply wore off but soon the remaining two lionesses came to their senses

 Chapter 44 - 44: 44. Strange Cyclops

    With a furious roar, one of the lionesses moved in a blur and bit down furiously on the hand wielding the mighty warhammer.


    Orphalon let out a painful groan as his warhammer was knocked far to the side.


    His eye glowed red with fury as he used his free hand to form a fist and struck the lioness on the head repeatedly.


    The lioness could only let out a tragic whimper as it rolled off to the side, twitching repeatedly, its life or death unknown.


    Orphalon breathed rapidly, the wild and brutal aura brought out by his cyclops DNA now completely unleashed.


    He stood face to face with the remaining lioness, looked at the injury on his right arm, and frowned.


    The warhammer was too far away to reach without falling victim to the lion''s attack.


    ''Well, since I can''t retreat, we can only go forward.''


    Orphalon took in a deep breath, let out a furious war cry, and charged towards the beast.


    The two giant monsters collided, their wild nature on full display.


    The lioness roared as she bit down on Orphalon''s exposed body, scratching and gnawing at his skin.


    Orphalon didn''t just sit there and take the beating.


    His massive arms wrapped around the lioness''s neck, wrestling and slamming it to the ground.


    The two monsters rolled around for a while, each one writhing and struggling in a bloody mess for control.


    The struggle continued, but eventually, the arena fell silent as everyone heard a deafening and sickeningly loud crack.


    Orphalon, victorious, threw the now limp and lifeless lioness to the side. Ignoring the blood on his body, he looked towards Instructor Kyros calmly, as if the furious and ferocious giant on the battlefield wasn''t him just moments ago.


    "Instructor, I have finished the assessment."


    Instructor Kyros frowned slightly.


    "You don''t want to attempt the tenth level? If you need, you can be given time to recover your stamina and divinity reserves. The benefits of passing the tenth level can''t be understated. Early-stage advantages can have a great effect on your path to true godhood."


    Orphalon smiled and shook his head.


    "I''ve already calculated my chances of winning, and even if I sustain a life-threatening injury, my chances are still not up to standard. Fighting is only a means to an end, a method of self-preservation, but not the end goal. If there isn''t an optimal chance, then there''s no point in fighting. Harming yourself without any benefit is simply operating at a loss."


    The instructor looked at Orphalon, slightly stunned. It wasn''t that he disagreed with Orphalon''s words or that he hadn''t heard a student say something similar before, but he had never heard it from a cyclops.


    He had taught a few cyclopes in his time as an instructor, and to put it simply, they were all rather simple.


    Brutal and fierce battles were their preferred activity; such sophisticated words were completely beyond their capabilities.


    Such words were often said by educated children from divine families. Hearing them from a cyclops made him take a second glance at Orphalon.


    From the looks of things, this cyclops wasn''t a simple character.


    And it wasn''t just the instructor, many trainees couldn''t help but look at this massive being once again.


    ...


    After many trainees took their turns to test their skills, none were as astounding as Orphalon. The person who came closest to his record was, surprisingly, Oliver, who reached level 8. What surprised Aiden the most wasn''t Oliver''s archery technique¡ªhe was already familiar with Oliver''s excellent archery/


    No, what truly reorganized Aiden''s view was Oliver''s close combat technique.


    When the lionesses broke through the barrage of arrows, Oliver actually dropped his bow and used his fists to blow the heads off two lionesses.


    It once again made Aiden realize that, although his initial combat style had some advantages, there were still some flaws that needed to be addressed.


    For example,one obvious flaw was that he lacked a truly powerful close combat technique.


    Aiden knew about these things but he didn''t regret it.


    He was confident in his decision. All he had to do was remain calm and prove that his choice was the right one.


    Fortunately, Aiden didn''t have to wait too long because after a few more students, he heard what he had been excitedly waiting for.


    "Trainee Aiden Evans, please head to the arena."


    Hearing his name called, Aiden calmly stood up, feeling Oliver pat him on the shoulder.


    "Good luck out there."


    "Thanks," said Aiden with a smile.


    But before he stepped out, Oliver paused and then asked curiously,


    "What level are you going for?"


    Aiden didn''t answer straightforwardly and instead asked with a mysterious grin,


    "What level do you think I''m going for?"


    Oliver paused for a few seconds, then thought back to the crazy deeds his friend had accomplished these past few days and looked back at Aiden with the utmost certainty.


    "Level 10. Only level 10 makes sense for someone as ridiculous as you."


    "Hehehe¡­"


    Aiden didn''t respond, only chuckled.


    Seeing Aiden act like this, Oliver just shook his head, thinking, ''This monster''s about to do something crazy again.''


    Unaware of Oliver''s thoughts, Aiden stepped forward and deftly landed on the arena floor.


    Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden and asked,


    "What level would you like the trial to be on?"


    Aiden felt the arrows in the quiver on his back and looked back with a confident smile.


    "Level 10."


    Instructor Kyros heard this, and his face bloomed into a wide smile. Eventually, he couldn''t contain his excitement and burst out into a loud chuckle.


    "Good! Good! The young should be bold and dare to take risks! Since you dare to be bold, don''t hold back in the slightest. Show everyone that you are ready to walk the path of the gods!"


    Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden with excitement. He was one of the three trainees who had shown a special phenomenon during his awakening ceremony.


    But unlike the others who came from a background and experience, he was the only one who was truly a mortal and had no connection to the gods before this. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

 Chapter 45 - 45: 45. A Genius (1)

    Instructor Kyros wanted to see it. He wanted to see if a mortal really had the potential to stand at the peak of the realm of the gods.


    Aiden gazed at the excited instructor and a confident smile grew on his lips.


    Call it pride or call it hubris.


    Aiden couldn''t quite put a name to what it was exactly, but ever since his divine bloodline awakened, he revlled in the thrill of shattering limits and defying expectations.


    Perhaps it was the suppressed nature within him, or perhaps it was the blood of gods coursing through his veins creating an insatiable hunger to rise above all others and be worshiped and envied by the masses .


    Aiden wasn''t entirely sure. But there was one thing he knew with absolute certainty: he relished the intoxicating feeling of being a genius. S~ea??h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden chuckled to himself as he thought about his new found quirck, when suddenly the ground all around him trembled violently, and a terrifying roar echoed through the air.


    Slowly, the shadows in the tunnel began to shift, giving way to the towering presence of the Lion King.


    Despite having encountered a Lion King before, its colossal majesty still struck fear into the hearts of many trainees, leaving them trembling in its overwhelming presence.


    Aiden fixed his gaze on the monstrous behemoth. His body was shaking too, but not from fear¡ªhe was trembling with excitement!


    Adrenaline surged through his veins, his blood boiling with anticipation.


    The Lion King unleashed another earth-shattering roar. In response, the lionesses roared in unison, their combined voices sending out a shockwave so powerful it made bones tremble and hearts falter.


    But in the face of such terrifying waves, Aiden simply smiled, standing motionless.


    Seeing that Aiden wasn''t intimidated The lionesses snarled as they advanced with lethal intent whilst the Lion King observed silently from behind.


    Slowly, they circled Aiden, closing the gap from all sides, ensuring there was no possible path of escape.


    When they were close enough, the lionesses unleashed a feral roar, their ferocity fully unleashed, eyes blazing with murderous intent.


    Five of them lunged simultaneously, their massive jaws aimed at Aiden''s throat and limbs.


    Yet Aiden remained still and unmoved.


    The trainees watching saw this and gasped, their eyes widening in horror.


    "It''s over!"


    "He''s dead!"


    But just as the lionesses closed in and bit on Aiden;s body the result was unexpected.


    Aiden''s body flickered like a glitching screen and then suddenly burst into a cloud of light!


    "No, it''s an afterimage!" someone cried out in disbelief.


    High in the sky, a streak of light instantly condensed into Aiden''s smiling figure.


    He looked down upon the lions below, his bow fully drawn as a surge of golden, divine energy poured out of his blood. His bow trembled under the terrifying power as it all coalesced into a dazzling yet menacing flame that danced around the tip of his arrow


    [Apollo''s Archery- True Dawn]


    A blast of golden light shone as a second sun appeared in the sky


    Aiden unleashed a volley of golden arrows, sending them hurtling towards the earth like a cascade of falling stars.


    "Roar!"


    Sensing the imminent danger, the Lion King roared, slamming its massive paws into the ground. A golden wave of energy erupted from its body, expanding outward and synchronizing with the lionesses in perfect harmony.


    "BOOM!"


    Aiden''s arrows collided with the golden wave. The resulting impact was like a rain of missiles crashing down from orbit


    His sunlight-infused flames clashed violently with the metallic sheen of the each lions defenses, creating a magnificent explosion that shook the ground beneath them to the core, kicking up a dust cloud that engulfed and blinded the entire arena


    But Aiden wasn''t finished. His eyes glowed with a brilliant golden hue as he nocked another arrow, releasing it with a sharp whistle as it streaked through the air!


    Meanwhile, in the cloud of smoke, an unsuspecting lioness had barely recovered from Aiden''s last attack when an arrow cut through the smoke, appearing right in front of its face!


    "Boom!"


    The lioness had managed to close its eyes at the last minute, and relying on its horrifying defense, stacked together with the aura of the Lion King and was able to survive the lethal attack.


    If it were any other creature, it would have died on the spot!


    But before the beast could breathe a sigh of relief, its body trembled as its instincts screamed at it to move. It didn''t need to look to know what was happening.


    More arrows were being shot over to finish the job.


    It desperately tried to dodge, but the arrows fired were locked onto it like heat-seeking missiles, having already predicted its movements. Each arrow was like an inescapable curse and was fired with expert precision, viciously drilling into the same wound and breaking away at the defense.


    Even drops of water can wear away stone, so how could a mere beast''s defense stand up to the continued arrows of the descendant of the sun god?


    A final arrow landed on its eyelid but the lioness was no longer so lucky. The arrow drilled through and burst the Lioness head


    The beast howled in despair, but it was all for nought.


    A final arrow landed on its eyelid but the lioness was no longer so lucky. The arrow drilled through and burst the Lioness head


    The last thing it saw was a set of merciless golden eyes looking down on it like a tyrannical king would look down on a single crawling ant as Aiden watched the last arrow that he fired sealed the beast''s death.


    It had only been a few moments, but when the smoke cleared, they saw that the lioness was already kneeling over dead before anyone had realized what had happened.


    The trainees saw this and instantly felt their backs grow cold.


    A few from divine families even remembered the sharp warnings from their elders.


    "You can fight the average students but No matter what you don''t offend the talented descendants from the twin houses. If they really want to kill you, you won''t even know how you died."

 Chapter 46 - 46: 46. A Genius (2)

    They weren''t the strongest, nor the fastest, or even the most magical, but they were the only ones among the Divine Descendants adept in ranged combat.


    Naturally, their attacks would be extremely hard to guard against.


    As a result, most would tend to avoid forming deadly feuds with them, or if they did, they had to kill them on the spot.


    But this was only natural. Be it in the world of mortals or the world of the gods, the last person you would want after your life would be an expert sniper!


    Seeing the sight of his dead companion, the Lion King was not only furious but also secretly shocked.


    He knew better than anyone how shocking the defense of the lioness stacked with his aura could be, but now she had simply died just like that?


    No! This couldn''t continue. If he left things as they were, that cruel human would pick them off on the spot.


    The Lion King roared and furiously charged towards Aiden.


    But Aiden had already anticipated that the Lion King would make such a move. S~ea??h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He instantly reached into his quiver and nocked two arrows at the same time.


    With such a daunting enemy in sight, Aiden didn''t hold back in the slightest. His heart pounded furiously as divinity surged, causing golden flames to burst out of his skin!


    Instantly, the very air around Aiden seemed to ignite as terrifying heat surged, making the stone ground beneath his feet start to turn into magma.


    The stream of flames rushed forward, concentrating in his arrows in a blinding flash of light.


    In this world of blinding golden light, only one commanding voice rang out that seemed to shake their very souls:


    [Apollo''s Archery- True Dawn]


    Screech!!


    The two arrows whistled through the air, charging straight towards the Lion King like two emerging fire dragons!


    "BOOM!"


    A devastating explosion went off, leaving a buzzing ring in many people''s ears.


    It was as if a little nuclear blast had gone off.


    Although the blow was devastating, it had still drained a lot of divinity from Aiden, and what was even worse was that Aiden knew it was not enough to put the Lion King out for the count.


    Fortunately, though, it at least bought him enough time to finish off the remaining lioness, and after that, the Lion King''s head would be his!


    Aiden''s glowing golden eyes looked over towards the lioness, and the second he did so, every lioness on the arena floor felt their hearts shake!


    Before they even knew what was happening, Aiden had already drawn his bow as his killing intent locked onto their weak points.


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Phew!


    Within seconds, countless glowing arrows were shot out, hurtling towards the lionesses like gunfire!


    But as Aiden fired more arrows, his expression turned quite ugly.


    These damned lionesses just weren''t dying!


    See, although Aiden and Kain had both managed to kill a lioness that had been stacked, Kain was like a ruthless bulldozer and used his overwhelming might to completely shatter the lioness''s defenses.


    Aiden was different. He was like an exquisite surgeon. Each arrow was fired with superb accuracy, landing on the same weak spot time after time before eventually breaking through their defenses.


    Obviously, one way was much harder to do than the other, but Aiden didn''t do this because he wanted to show off; he did it because he had no choice.


    He may be a genius, but that only meant that he had outstanding potential, and potential needed time.


    His physique was still quite shabby when compared to other Divine Descendants that had always lived a life expected of the bloodline of gods in their body.


    The most exercise Aiden used to do before was curse at his useless teammates in online matches, so how good could his physique become in such a short span of time?


    The lionesses had also realized that Aiden''s arrows would be rendered ineffective if they failed to hit the same spot, so they just gathered in a group, using their own giant bodies to body block for each other.


    It was a disgusting and shameless strategy, but it was one that unfortunately worked!


    If it was any other creature, even if Aiden''s arrows couldn''t kill them, they would leave terrifying wounds that could bleed them out and exhaust them to death.


    These gargantuan monsters were no ordinary creatures.


    Their defenses and vitality were outstanding; they could be shot so full of arrows that they looked like porcupines and would still have enough energy to run rampant on the battlefield.


    The secret to Aiden''s technique had been found out, and Aiden was annoyed by the shameless moves of these lionesses.


    A cruel purple light subtly flashed in his eyes.


    His divinity had been slightly drained, but it was far from over. If these beasts thought he would just roll over, they were in for a big shock!


    Aiden''s eyes burned, the muscles all over his body contracted and pulled to full strength as terrifying geysers of flames erupted all around them.


    "Eat shit!"


    With a hate-filled cry reminiscent of his old gamer days, Aiden shot countless arrows that arced into the sky before falling back down in an apocalyptic rain of fire.


    It was as if he had called in divine artillery.


    The scene quickly engulfed in flames as if the world had been turned into a primordial hellscape!


    Earth cracked and fire raged, but within the flames, a proud figure was still standing, uninhibited by the sea of fire that was running rampant all around it.


    The lionesses, on the other hand, were instantly thrown into chaos.


    These arrows were not like the ones Aiden had fired before; all accuracy had been traded away for pure damage. They couldn''t simply shrug these off and were sent roaring and stumbling in pain.


    The lioness looked back towards Aiden, wanting to get a look at that brutal and hateful archer had left them in this sorry state


    But that''s when their hearts collectively sank.


    That hateful archer was¡­ gone...

 Chapter 47 - 47: 47. A Genius (3)

    Just as they realised this as they realised this a mystical streak of light had appeared in the centre of their group , quickly materialising into a handsome young man


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Using the utter chaos he had created as a sort of smokescreen, Aiden had used the Sunlight Shuttle technique to sneak into the newly created gap between the lionesses that had descended into utter chaos.


    Aiden''s hand gripped tightly around the hilt, divinity in Aiden''s body began to bubble as Aiden''s muscles tensed and pulled like an enormous bow.


    ''Now!'' thought Aiden with a vicious glint in his eyes.


    Arrow Sword!


    Buzz! Buzz!


    Aiden''s sword let off a metallic screech as it roared out of its sheath!


    The lioness trembled as her entire body froze in place.


    What she saw in Aiden''s hand was not a sword but instead a giant flaming arrow heading straight for her!


    With his expert accuracy, Aiden''s sword flew out, landing on a shallow wound he had already created with his previous arrow barrage.


    "BOOM!"


    "Roar!"


    A tragic wail erupted as hot blood spilled like a flood. The lioness stumbled to the ground with the gaping sword wound on its neck.


    The group of lionesses looked back and were both shocked and angered. How dare this human play them like this!


    The furious beasts charged forward, but Aiden just smiled confidently as his body flickered into a beam of golden light.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Easily phasing past their attacks, Aiden''s body reappeared in the sky several meters away, but this time his sword had been swapped back to his bow. S~ea??h the n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Suddenly, a dazzling golden light burst out from Aiden''s hands as he shot down another barrage of arrows like crashing meteors.


    The lionesses could do nothing but rage as these brutal arrows pierced deep into their skin.


    This was the true lethality of Aiden''s moves. With his superb movement technique, he could easily sneak into the gaps and deal a lethal blow at a simple moment of distraction. But when they tried to close the gap, he would simply move away and switch to his bow to fight back at range. He simply couldn''t be touched!


    The lionesses were enraged and charged forward, leaving the one seriously injured lioness on her own again.


    Aiden didn''t say anything and just transformed into a beam of light.


    The lioness saw Aiden appear in front of her and just looked at him with a pair of tired eyes.


    Of course, Aiden wouldn''t show any pity to the beasts that had tried to devour him mere seconds ago. He gripped the handle of his sword, and his attack didn''t disappoint.


    With a horrifying screech, his sword roared out of its sheath like a burning fire arrow, and after landing on the previous terrifying wound, it cut cleanly through the beast''s neck, sending its head soaring high into the sky.


    The lionesses let off a tragic wail to mourn their fallen companion and charged towards Aiden even more recklessly than before, but Aiden just shook his head.


    Their anger wouldn''t change the outcome.


    The only winner in this arena would be Aiden!


    His figure was quickly wrapped in a dazzling light as he leaped high into the air.


    But as Aiden pulled back his bow, his body froze for a second as every alarm he had in his body went on high alert.


    Aiden desperately tried to react but it was already too late!


    ¡­..


    A few seconds ago, deep within the sea of flames that Aiden had created, a giant, golden figure was stalking along the ground, its figure completely covered by the torrential fire.


    The Lion King''s gigantic body didn''t seem to have the same bold and fearless posturing it had before.


    Now it was hunched and crouched like the vicious stalking predator it had always been. It didn''t like to behave like this, but once it did, it meant that it had met an extremely formidable enemy.


    Its cold golden eyes had been watching Aiden terrorize its lionesses, and even though it was angered, it controlled its emotions and remained calm. But when it saw Aiden arrogantly jump high into the sky once again, its eyes lit up with actual bestial glee!


    It had recovered a while ago but had hidden itself in Aiden''s sea of fire, waiting for the opportunity to strike. And now that it came, it wouldn''t be polite.


    "Roar!"


    With a horrifying roar, its titanic body emerged from the flames, looking like an ancient mythological creature that dared ti even fight the gods!


    Aiden saw this and felt goosebumps all over his skin. He poured all of his divinity out to defend himself, but it was futile.


    His divinity barrier was easily shattered by the Lion King''s gargantuan paws as Aiden''s body was slapped up into the air, blasting off into the sky like a group of unlucky pet snatchers.


    Aiden felt his mind go blank, and his world spun as he even lost consciousness for a second.


    Aiden quickly regained his senses, but his mind was ringing as the terrifying gust of air ripped against his skin as he continued to soar high into the air.


    The vicious Lion King didn''t smash him to the ground but into the air. This crafty beast was trying to kill him directly with fall damage!


    Aiden''s heart sank; he was still flying up, but this would naturally not last for long, and besides, the higher he flew, the worse his trip back down would be!


    The more Aiden thought about it, the more the anger in his heart burned.


    That damn lion, a mere beast, actually dared to sneak attack him?


    The fire of hatred burned bright in Aiden''s heart, raging and furious like a flame that wanted to devour the entire world.


    The hatred burning in Aiden''s heart was hotter and more fierce than any flame his divinity could ever hope to create, as an ominous purple color started to dye his eyes completely.


    But as Aiden felt this feeling, he quickly realized something was wrong.

 Chapter 48 - 48: A Genius (4)

    Anger? Hatred?


    Sure, he was annoyed at the attacks of the Lion King, but was he really so angry?


    He had never been so enraged in his life, so was it normal to feel so angered over a mere test fight?


    No, this was not normal!


    These were not his feelings. Something wasn''t right here!


    As Aiden realized this, the ominous purple light faded as quickly as it had come. Although this took a long time to describe, it all happened in under a second.


    But the strange occurrence wasn''t without any benefits. After Aiden suppressed the burning anger, he felt his mind grow calmer and more clear than ever before. It was a good thing too, as just after this happened, Aiden began to crash back into the earth!


    The terrifying winds cut past his face like sharp blades as Aiden started to tumble.


    Despite his perilous situation, Aiden''s mind was as calm as a lake.


    His mind even had time to wander and appreciate the situation.


    Ignoring the impending fall, the sense of soaring through the air made Aiden smile. The rushing air, the feeling of pure weightlessness, even the deafening winds¡ªin a sense, it was strangely liberating.


    It was almost as if he was just like one of the many arrows he had fired into the sky.


    Hold on¡­ Arrow?


    As soon as Aiden had this thought, it was like a spark had gone off in his mind.


    Yes, that''s it!


    He had already started to see his archery in everything he did. Last time, he had used his experience in archery to use his body as a bow and his sword as an arrow, but why stop there?


    Why limit yourself? Think broader, think wider, think to¡­


    The realm of the gods!


    Since everything in the world could become a form of archery in the right situation¡­


    Couldn''t he himself also become archery?


    The thought was bold and even more ridiculous than the one he had when he tried to turn his swordplay into archery. But when he thought about it, Aiden couldn''t suppress his wild thoughts.


    His mind started to run wild, and the gates couldn''t be closed anymore.


    His body would become the arrow, and the sky, the earth, and gravity would become his bow.


    An arrow transformed from the body and a bow that became the world!


    It was a grand and courageous concept but Aiden didn''t back down


    He thought back to the time when Oliver taught him archery and applied it perfectly.


    First was stance.


    Thinking about this, Aiden corrected his body posture perfectly, facing head-on like a sharp spear that wanted to pierce straight through anything.


    Next came muscles.


    As he thought this, his heart began to beat like a deafening drum as divinity began to bubble, and a golden divine light poured from his veins like a raging river gushing out and surrounding his body, strengthening his muscles to an almost inhuman degree.


    Last came breathing.


    As Aiden entered this state, he felt everything was extremely different


    . This time, he wasn''t just trying to harmonize himself with the surroundings but with the very essence of the world and the beauties that came with it.


    Of course, it would be impossible for Aiden to truly complete this step, but if he could achieve just a fraction of this skill, the strength he could achieve would be unimaginable.


    And so, that''s exactly what he did.


    Even as Aiden was falling, his mind began to wander as his breathing became stranger and more ethereal.


    The wind, the sun, the clouds, even the minuscule trembles of the ground far beneath him, Aiden tried to feel it all and draw it towards himself, becoming one with it.


    Aiden was so preoccupied with the process that he didn''t even notice that as this was happening, a strange phenomenon was forming.


    Golden clouds of light started to slowly gather in the sky above him, forming a dark and ominous cloud that hung over the arena.


    Hailing winds began to rage as a storm from heaven began to descend and surround Aiden''s body. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In this strange state of breathing, Aiden felt a sudden enlightenment and went even further.


    Visualization.


    This was the true core of divine technique and separated mere parlor skill and street techniques from the techniques of the gods.


    Aiden thought towards the two divine techniques he started to practice, drawing them to himself.


    He thought back to the man that absorbed light rays and turned into a true manifestation of heavenly light. He also thought back to the arrow that tore through the sky like a rising sun.


    Intrinsically stowing away the insignificant parts, Aiden made a realization¡ªand that was all that was needed.


    BOOM!


    The last chain had been shattered, opening up the gates to a new world, and it couldn''t be stopped.


    Fueled by divinity, the air around Aiden instantly combusted, turning into a massive streak of golden-red flames.


    The surroundings all around Aiden seemed to turn into a primordial hellscape!


    Fire from heaven descended from the skies, wrapping around Aiden and only becoming more ferocious and deadly as the winds raged even wilder.


    As this was happening, all light in the vicinity under the giant golden clouds was drawn towards Aiden and his raging flames, leaving the surrounding arena in a night-like darkness.


    It was as if a small world had been created under the golden clouds, and in this small little world, there could only be one source of light, there could only be one sun!


    That sun was Aiden!


    Aiden''s body had been replaced by a gigantic flaming arrow that made one''s scalp tingle and eyes burn just by looking, as if these horrifying flames would leap across space and burn anything in their path!


    The Lion King and his followers all froze as dread descended, nearly driving them mad with fear.


    A terrifying, malicious intent locked onto them from the skies.


    Their bestial instincts were screaming and afraid to the point of near collapse.


    It was as if they had been looked down upon by an immortal and omnipotent god in the skies!

 Chapter 49 - 49: 49. [ Heavens Arrow ]

    Instructor Kyros saw this sight and jumped up from his seat, slamming the railing in utter surprise.


    That monster¡­ he had actually done it.


    He had actually created a divine technique!


    Even someone as experienced as Instructor Kyros, who thought he had seen a lot of things, didn''t know how to react. He simply stared at the magnificent figure in utter disbelief.


    His face morphed into a weary smile filled with countless emotions, and even his hands were trembling.


    What was a divine technique? S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    It was the crystallization of a divine descendant''s mastery and understanding, their countless years of comprehension and experience visualized and brought to manifest.


    Even the simplest divine technique would take a long time to master, not to mention creating one!


    Such a task could only be measured in years, if not tens or hundreds of them, and yet what was he seeing now?


    A man¡ªno, a child¡ªone that had been a mere mortal, one only exposed to the world of gods for at most a couple of weeks, had done it.


    Something like this was the lifelong aspiration but now it had been done in a mere matter of weeks.


    How were others even supposed to process this!


    Seeing Aiden''s magnificent thought Instructor Kyros suddenly had a shocking thought


    It was a fleeting thought that had only been in his mind but even though he suppressed it the thought still crossed the Instructor''s ,mind


    ''Maybe he wasn''t just standing in the presence of a talented student maybe¡­ maybe he was standing in front of a future god!''


    Instructor Kyros quickly shook the thought to his head and continued to observe aiden.


    But it wasn''t just the instructor having wild thoughts at this moment, others were equally as shocked


    The second Kain felt the horrifying aura radiating from Aiden''s new divine technique, his body began to tremble as a truly horrifying smile appeared on his face.


    Yes, that''s it! Haha, this is it.


    A massive blast of killing intent and battle mania spread out from his body, so potent and overwhelming that some nearby trainees were knocked out on the spot.


    It was as if the surroundings had been transformed into an ocean of blood.


    But Kain didn''t care about the effects; his sight was solely locked onto one dazzling figure.


    Aiden didn''t know about the things going on in the stands in the arena.


    Right now, he was in a mystical state of enlightenment. It felt as if the world itself could move at his whims.


    His eyes opened and looked at the trembling Lion King rapidly approaching. He spoke in a voice that boomed across the arena like thunder.


    [Heaven''s Arrow]


    It was the perfect name to describe the technique.


    An arrow that tore through the skies, an arrow that was fueled by the very essence of the world, an arrow that looked like it was fired by the gods from their mighty seat in heaven on their high mountain.


    This was Heaven''s Arrow!


    BOOM!


    A blinding blast that looked like a miniature nuclear explosion landed straight on top of the Lion King.


    His once-terrifying golden aura of divinity barely even managed to put up a pathetic flash before being completely devoured in the sea of Aiden''s endless fire.


    A shockwave of light blasted out that sent some of the spectators stumbling backward.


    Everyone present couldn''t help but gasp at such a devastating attack, and that was because once the light cleared up, the scene was even more horrifying than they could have imagined.


    In the center of the arena, there was a giant crater that had been burned into the ground. Even after the attack landed, the ground was still a scalding, molten red as orange streams of magma streamed and bubbled around the impact site.


    Smoke was still steaming off the surroundings, revealing only a staunch figure still wrapped in golden-crimson fire.


    This didn''t look like the attack of a trainee but instead the impact site of a raging comet!


    As for the Lion King that had been on the receiving end of such an attack? The poor beast had been completely vaporized!


    Even the nearby lionesses that had been gathering near him to maximize his defensive aura had been thoroughly cooked into a black pile of charcoal.


    The remaining lionesses that had been fortunate enough to survive the impact of Aiden''s Heaven''s Arrow were shaking with dread.


    To them, the figure in the center of the crater was no human but instead a monster that had crawled out of hell.


    Aiden saw the despair in the beasts'' eyes and wouldn''t let them go. His golden eyes burned with relentless flames as he once again drew his arrow.


    [True Dawn]


    A dazzling beam of golden light fired off, tearing through the helpless lionesses in a devastating collateral shot!


    The lionesses were now deader than dead, even their ashes could barely be found.


    Seeing this sight, Aiden finally breathed a sigh of relief.


    He had passed the most difficult level that only one man had reached until now.


    But before Aiden could even start to feel a sense of pride, his body started to falter.


    All of a sudden, a sickening sense of weakness poured into his body. It was almost as if he had been starving himself for weeks on end.


    Although his creation of the Heaven''s Arrow technique was a magnificent sight to behold, it was clearly a technique beyond Aiden''s current limits.


    Aiden was fortunate that he was the creator of the technique and that the technique hadn''t even been properly finalized and was still in the development stages.


    If he had tried to perform a perfect divine technique of this level, Aiden would have used so much divine energy that his blood would have been sucked dry.


    But just as Aiden''s body was starting to tip over, he bit the edge of his mouth, causing blood to splatter, shocking himself back to his senses.


    That was enough time for Aiden to place his bow in the ground and use it as a crutch to prevent himself from collapsing.

 Chapter 50 - 50: 50. Strength Increase

    In front of everyone here, he would not fall.


    It might mean nothing to the countless trainees watching, but to himself, its value was immeasurable.


    It was proof that the Aiden from the past was truly no more.


    He, Aiden Evans, was a divine descendant that was inferior to no one!


    Mortal past or not, it didn''t matter. His only road from now was up towards the skies and towards the realms of the gods themselves!


    As if in response to Aiden''s thoughts, a majestic golden light surged as it bounced off the arena walls before descending onto Aiden''s body.


    As this was happening, the Ember of Creation inside of Aiden''s inner realm began to swirl, and a panel of fire appeared in front of Aiden''s eyes.


    -------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    Lion King Slayer (C)


    Rank: C


    Effects: Enhanced Physical Abilities, Strength Boost


    Description: This divine blessing significantly amplifies the user''s physical abilities, enhancing speed, endurance, and overall combat prowess.


    --------


    ----


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: F+ ¡ú E


    Agility: F ¡ú F+


    Endurance: F ¡ú F+


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (15 ¡ú40/100)


    ¡ª-----


    Aiden looked at his panel and smiled. His strength had increased by a significant amount, almost doubling in an instant.


    The simple blessing from the gods was worth countless hours of struggle for mortals.


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, a voice was heard sounding out across the arena:


    "Trainee Aiden Evans, congratulations on completing the highest level and receiving the blessing of the gods."


    As Instructor Kyros looked at Aiden, he paused as a complicated expression subtly appeared on his face.


    This calm and composed young man in front of him was a monster who showed a level of understanding and talent that was in a different world compared to others.


    Instructor Kyros knew that Aiden was talented when he first saw him and was notified that he exhibited a special phenomenon during the awakening process, but this was beyond his expectations¡ªit was far beyond his limits.


    He had initially intended to keep Aiden''s abilities a secret while he was in the training camp, to at least give him a small buffer period when he truly entered the academy before those divine-blood families would pounce on him. But now he knew that there was no chance of such a thing.


    It would only be a matter of time before they got the news, and then it would only be a matter of time before he was embroiled in things beyond his level.


    Instructor Kyros looked at the smiling young man and shook his head. "Maybe that might not be the case," he thought.


    He had tried to judge him with his understanding and realized just how wrong he had been. So maybe, if Aiden could defy expectations once, he could do it again.


    Aiden listened to the usual congratulatory words from the instructor and spoke with him for a short while before heading back to his seat.


    As Aiden walked towards his chair, he could feel the eyes of everyone in the arena on him. Aiden knew that the attention he was receiving, unfortunately, wasn''t because of his looks¡ªalthough, not to brag or anything, he did feel like he had become rather handsome over these past few days.


    The reason they were all watching Aiden right now was that his performance was too stimulating. Many of them had heard Instructor Kyros''s ramblings and also learned that Aiden had created his own unique divine technique.


    While they were still struggling to master their own techniques, he had already created his own unique one. So how were they supposed to compete?


    The gazes were mostly filled with curiosity and disbelief. The few gazes filled with malice were passed over and ignored by Aiden. These people were just some rather spiteful or jealous individuals.


    Even if they were jealous of his ability and talent, it didn''t mean anything to him. He had left them behind in this moment, and this was the reason for their jealousy.


    The gap between Aiden and them would only grow even wider in the future. These people couldn''t possibly attack during the training camp anyway, and by the time they would want to make a move, it wouldn''t be Aiden who would be in danger.


    Walking towards his seat, Aiden saw Oliver looking at him and shaking his head as he spoke, "I knew you were going to do something ridiculous, but I never expected you would be able to go so far."


    Hearing these words, Aiden just sheepishly smiled and responded, "Would you believe me if I said that I didn''t expect things to go to this level?"


    At first, Oliver didn''t believe it, but as he saw the truthful look in Aiden''s eyes, he couldn''t help but take Aiden''s words seriously for a second.


    "Wait, you''re telling me you just came up with this on the fly?" S~ea??h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Aiden instantly shook his head. As the creator of the technique, he knew his situation best. Saying that he came up with it on the fly was a gross understatement.


    "It would be more accurate to say that it was the accumulation of the right circumstances and a little bit of luck. Understanding and experience I had learned over time built up and exploded into what you saw back then."


    Aiden was a genius, not a god. His accomplishments were a buildup of breakthroughs until he reached his current state.


    Since it hadn''t been long since Aiden started, he could even clearly track the process. His first archery lessons with Oliver, his sparring with Raelia, and then his integration of the bow and the sword.


    His insights into his visualization techniques also played a vital role, and once all those things were combined with a little bit of luck, a magnificent technique was born.


    Hearing Aiden''s explanation, Oliver couldn''t help but wonder and asked, "If you don''t mind me asking, how did you even think up such a technique?"

 Chapter 51 - 51: 51. Jealousy

    Hearing this, Aiden smiled as he responded.


    "Well, I don''t mind telling you. It''s not like it''s some grand secret, after all.


    The truth is, when I was falling through the air, I just thought back to the things you taught me during my first time trying archery. As I was falling, I accidentally fell into a strange feeling.


    I felt like the world could become my bow, so I went with that feeling and transformed myself into an arrow that could fit the world''s bow. I simply followed the basic rules of archery that you taught, and once everything clicked, the rest was history.


    As Oliver heard Aiden''s deceptively simple explanation, his mouth twitched.


    If it was anyone else who said such a thing, he might have jumped up and slapped them across the face for daring to speak such nonsense in front of him.


    But if Aiden said it, he would really come to accept it.


    He couldn''t forget that he was the one who taught him archery just that short time ago, and he had seen firsthand how Aiden broke his average cognition.


    Oliver looked back at Aiden, and his eyes were filled with complex emotions.


    He could barely even associate Aiden''s new figure with that shy young man from just a few weeks ago.


    It was ridiculous, but there was a time when he thought that Aiden would need his protection over here at Olympus Academy. Now, he realized just how ignorant he had been.


    Ever since he stepped into the world of the gods, Oliver watched as Aiden blazed forward, advancing at a rate which could only be described as blinding.


    It was a talent so bright and dazzling that sometimes Oliver felt like he was standing next to the sun.


    The young man in front of him, his first true friend he had made, was whisking to Olympus at blinding speeds while he¡­


    AS Oliver was thinking he looked down at his hands that were so tightly clenched he had even cut his skin slightly.


    It was only then that Oliver realized something and took a proper look at himself with widened eyes.


    ''Am I¡­ am I jealous of Aiden?''


    For the first moment that the thought crossed Oliver''s mind, he actually felt sick.


    Jealousy, it was such a pathetic and disgusting emotion, and Oliver knew that clearly.


    He had only known Aiden for a few weeks, but he truly considered him a close friend¡ªno, it was more than that; he was his closest friend.


    Naturally, as Aiden''s closest friend, he also knew that in addition to having an insane amount of talent, Aiden also put in a ridiculous amount of hard work.


    He had been there when Aiden was firing arrows again and again, long into the night, trying to master the dual arrow technique.


    He was also there when Aiden was learning Sunlight Shuttle, when he had been injured so badly it could even be considered life-threatening.


    Despite being there and knowing the full story, even Oliver felt slightly jealous.


    No, maybe it was because he knew the full story that it was natural to feel jealous.


    Aiden was too dazzling.


    Next to him, even someone like Oliver, someone who clearly stood out above the rest of the trainees, felt greatly inadequate.


    As Oliver was thinking, he suddenly felt like laughing.


    What was he getting so bothered about?


    Next to a monster like Aiden, it was normal to feel slightly jealous. No, if he didn''t even feel a little envious of Aiden''s talent, then there would be something wrong. The problem was not being envious but instead what he did with this feeling of envy.


    He could let it rot and fester, turning into something dark and twisted that could be his downfall Or instead, he could take it in and own it, using it as fuel to push even further.


    If he worked harder, planned harder, and dared to risk it all, how could he be inferior to anyone else!


    If he couldn''t make up for it with talent, then he would make it up with knowledge and effort.


    He wouldn''t let himself be suffocated by a brief feeling of inferiority!


    Aiden didn''t know what Oliver was thinking, but he subtly noticed a while ago that Oliver seemed to be immersed in his own thoughts. Realisng this, he opted not to disturb him and quietly sat down.


    As Aiden sat down, he didn''t just remain idle and do nothing. Instead, he took the time to gather himself and meditate on his thoughts.


    See, although Aiden had already left the mystical state of enlightenment he achieved when he first created the technique, he was still the one who created the technique in the end. The countless insights, thoughts, and experiences were all still firmly engraved in his mind and could never be removed.


    So although meditation and self-reflection won''t have any magical effects like enlightenment, its effects should not be underestimated.


    He closed his eyes, and suddenly the thoughts and experiences in his mind were flashing past like countless elusive shooting stars. Aiden took the time to focus on the image and exercise of [Heaven''s Arrow], feeling the image and bringing it closer to the forefront of his mind. But just as Aiden had the image in his grasp, he suddenly frowned.


    The reason Aiden stopped his meditation and frowned was because he sensed a presence standing right in front of him.


    Aiden grumbled as he slowly opened his eyes with a displeased expression on his face.


    When he saw the person standing in front of him, his eyes narrowed slightly.


    The man was tall and well-built, with a body that radiated a fierce and bloody aura.


    He had crimson eyes that glowed like those of a wild beast. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden didn''t need to ask who he was and instantly recognized him; he was the only other trainee who had passed the 10th level and succeeded in slaying the Lion King, so how could he not recognize him?


    It was Kain Sanguinos.

 Chapter 52 - 52: 52. Fight me!

    Looking at the powerful divine descendant in front of him, Aiden calmly asked: S§×ar?h the n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Hello, can I help you?"


    Although Aiden spoke politely, the displeasure was clearly evident in the tone of his voice.


    After all, nobody would take kindly to someone suddenly appearing out of nowhere and breaking them out of their own meditation.


    When Kain heard Aiden speak, he didn''t seem to recognize Aiden''s displeasure and instead showed a toothy grin.


    "Indeed, you can help me. That technique you showed back in the arena¡ªdo it again. I want to try it out."


    Aiden heard this, and the fake face of politeness he had put on completely shattered. If what Aiden''s face looked like before could only be described as a hint of slight displeasure, then now it turned as gloomy as a dark cloud.


    Who did this guy think he was? Was he some sort of circus animal that would perform?


    Aiden looked at Kain, his face cold.


    "I refuse. You can leave now."


    But instead of listening and going on his way, Kain took a step closer.


    "You might not understand. I''m serious. The technique you showed before was impressive. Show it to me again. Show me the technique again, and let''s fight."


    Now Kain had simply thrown off all pretenses; his true desire and battle intent were completely unleashed for Aiden to face. But instead of provoking him, it only made Aiden frown even deeper as he spoke:


    "No, I think you''re the one who doesn''t understand. I don''t care what your reason is; I refuse¡ª"


    But before Aiden could even finish his sentence, a deep and bloody aura pulsed around Kain''s body as his sword flew out, heading straight for Aiden''s head.


    Aiden''s eyes widened as he cursed crazily in his heart:


    ''Crazy fucking bastard!''


    Aiden''s body reacted instantly, morphing into a stream of light as he flashed away.


    Boom!


    The second Aiden left, the ground beneath his feet was split apart by a powerful sword wrapped in blood-red divine energy.


    Kain looked at Aiden with a wild smile as he called out:


    "Don''t run away! Fight me; there''s no need to hold back at all."


    As Kain spoke, tendrils of a blood-red aura twisted around him like countless oscillating snakes as he slammed his foot into the ground and charged headfirst towards Aiden.


    Aiden saw this and finally snapped. He had been avoiding this madman, but he still charged head-on at him like this. This crazy bastard must really think he was a pacifist or something.


    The light in his eyes finally changed as old light flashed around Aiden''s body as he gripped his sword.


    Kain obviously sensed the change in Aiden''s aura and was even more excited, knowing his plan was about to work. But before the poor boy could even enjoy the fruits of his labor, he finally received his judgment.


    "BOOM!"


    A loud explosion of purple thunder shook everyone''s eardrums. Everything happened in a blur, and the people could only see the sorry figure of a red-faced young man flying into the wall.


    As Kain landed on the ground, sorry and embarrassed, a booming couple echoed across the stands.


    "Kain Sanguinos, you stubborn boy! If someone says they refuse to fight, then they refuse. You can''t just force someone to fight you against their will. This is against the rules of my training camp and Olympus Academy."


    Instructor Kyros looked at the talented boy he had just sent flying and was utterly speechless. He had read in Kain''s files that the boy''s upbringing was far from conventional, so he could sometimes act rather drastically and violently. But he had truly never expected him to pull something like this.


    Asking someone for a spar is all fair and well, but after being rejected, you nod your head and pull out your sword to attack the person?!?


    Instructor Kyros had been watching and saw that Kain really swung his sword with a tremendous amount of force, an ordinary trainee wouldn''t have rbrm been able to react and could have lost their head on the spot!


    What was this if not a mental illness?!


    What people didn''t know was that Kain was not stupid; he simply assessed that this was the quickest and easiest way to get Aiden to fight, so he took it without hesitation. To be fair to the boy, his plan would have really worked out if Instructor Kyros hadn''t intervened.


    What could you say? There really was a method to his madness.


    Kain would still stand by his thinking that his method was still the most optimal and efficient. Fortunately, those thoughts were still kept in his heart because if Instructor Kyros heard this, he might not be able to stop himself from giving this top student some extra shock therapy!


    Instructor Kyros looked at Kain and just shook his head. He thought that this trainee still needed to be educated on some societal norms and spoke:


    "Kain, take a moment to reflect on yourself. Just who would want to fight someone as crazy as you for free? If you want someone to help you do something, at least offer them an equal deal in response."


    Kain heard this and groaned as he stood up, shaking off the debris on his body.


    Although Instructor Kyros''s attack looked quite fierce, it was actually well controlled, and for someone with a body as tough as Kain''s, it was just a light scratch.


    But as Kain heard Instructor Kyros''s words, he really got to thinking. Although it wasn''t as efficient as simply grabbing them by the throat and beating them around the head until they did what you told them to, Instructor Kyros''s words did have some merit to them.


    Suddenly, a look of realization appeared on his face. He even lightly smacked his head as if he was chastising himself for making such a silly mistake.


    His foot slammed into the ground, causing him to disappear for a few seconds. Aiden saw this and breathed a sigh of relief. It''s not that he was afraid of Kain¡ªfar from it¡ªbut having to deal with such a crazy person was truly tiring.


    If the gods allowed it, he hoped he would never have to deal with such a crazy man again in his life!

 Chapter 53 - 53: 53. Arrogance

    Now he suddenly started to understand Raelia''s thinking. When she had first met him and ran away, she must have thought he was an idiot. He hadn''t believed the words Raelia had said before, but now he was starting to think that such a level of lunacy might really be contagious!


    Unfortunately for Aiden, his relief could only last for a few seconds before a familiar red-eyed man showed himself in front of him once again.


    Once the man opened his mouth, it only made Aiden want to facepalm.


    "Hahaha! This time, I''m going to make an offer you can''t refuse, so let''s fight."


    Aiden heard it and didn''t want to listen for another second, so he quickly interrupted,


    "Listen here, I''m not going to¡ª" S§×arch* The N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But before he could get the next few words out of his mouth, Aiden froze.


    The words he was about to speak were utterly silenced when he saw the golden glowing bottles in Kain''s arms.


    "Ambrosia¡­" Aiden finally faltered.


    Was this guy being for real? Was he really willing to trade ambrosia for just a simple fight? For a second, Aiden really wanted to crack open this guy''s head just to see which strange brain could even function like that. But besides that, Aiden was really starting to get tempted.


    It couldn''t be helped¡ªambrosia was really that important. It was quite literally the only known way to increase divinity and his rank. All his supposed talent and skill didn''t mean anything; even creating a new divine technique was negligible when it came to increasing your strength. Fighting across ranks might look cool, but in reality, it was just stupid and life-risking.


    The true kingly way was crushing your opponent with the difference in ranks.


    But just as Aiden''s eyes were beginning to glow, an arm stretched out and pulled him back as a cold growl sounded out.


    "He said he''s not interested, okay? leave him alone!"


    The woman stood in front of him, her silver hair shining like stars and her canines fully bared. From a certain angle, it looked like a mother wolf protecting her cub.


    Kain was stunned speechless for a second. Where on earth did this grumpy wolf girl even come from?


    When Raelia saw Kain looking at her, she just glared back even more ferociously. She just didn''t like this arrogant guy who came out of nowhere and started bothering Aiden.


    "And who are you?" Kain asked.


    Raelia heard this and cleared her throat. She puffed out her chest as a proud expression appeared on her face, and her tail started wagging.


    "I am his first friend."


    When Aiden heard Raelia''s proud voice, a thought suddenly popped into his mind.


    ''Well, technically speaking¡­ you were second, but¡­''


    Aiden had these thoughts, but he didn''t speak them out loud. She was so excited to brag and say these words that if Aiden said it out loud, he was afraid she''d pop and deflate like a balloon.


    He could only let his good friend Oliver continue to suffer in silence.


    As Kain heard Raelia''s statement, he looked at Aiden suspiciously and asked


    "Is this true?"


    Aiden only nodded his head as he sighed


    "Yeah, it''s true."


    WHEN kAIN HEARED THIS


    Well, Kain was only bothered for a while before he moved his arm and tried to push past her.


    "Friend or not, it doesn''t matter. I''m not interested in you girl, you''re simply too weak."


    When Raelia heard this, she didn''t even get angry. Instead, she looked cold.


    "Weak?" She just looked at Kain with cold eyes and asked, "Oh, and what about Aiden?"


    Hearing this, Kain smiled and turned towards Aiden. "He''s still weak, but at least he''s interesting."


    As Kain spoke, even Aiden, who was at his side, had his face turn a little ugly. Kain seemed to sense the unhappy aura brewing in both Aiden and Raelia and spoke up.


    "Oh, but don''t be offended by these words. I''m not specifically targeting you two. Compared to me, everyone is weak. At least you still fare better than most."


    Aiden and Raelia were both stunned. How arrogant! Nobody likes being called weak, especially to their face, but what made it worse was that although his words sounded arrogant, his demeanor was anything but that.


    It was as if it was simply a matter of course, as if he was simply stating a well-known fact as common as the sky is blue.


    Although Aiden was displeased, he didn''t know what to say and only had one thought: ''Is a full power Kain really that powerful?''


    Kain and Aiden were still the same rank, and Aiden didn''t want to brag or anything, but when it came to people of his level, it wasn''t an exaggeration to say he was at the peak. His understanding and techniques were top-notch; at least, they were able to compete with the performance Kain had shown in the arena. If there was one difference it could only be one thing


    "A feat or renown.."


    The words escaped from Aidens mouth themselves and for a second, there was a burning light in Aiden''s eyes.


    Such arrogance¡ªhe really wanted to see if it was really justified and if the difference between him and someone with a feat of renown was so great. Kain sensed Aiden''s growing battle intent and smiled menacingly, but before he could act, a commanding voice sounded out.


    "Trainee Raelia, please head to the training grounds."


    At the same time, Kain and Aiden felt a large pressure bear down on their shoulders, and a cold snort sounded in their ears. No more needed to be said. It was obviously Instructor Kyros, who was now greatly displeased with their actions and was giving them a slight warning.


    While the two young men were heeding their warning, Raelia listened to her call and leapt down onto the arena floor.


    Seeing Raelia head out, Aiden also came back to his senses and secretly cursed under his breath.


    That bastard Kain had almost got him!

 Chapter 54 - 54: 54. Werewolf

    His arrogant words really stirred up the will to fight deep inside Aiden.


    Realizing this, Aiden made a mental note to not fall for Kain''s tricks again.


    After this, Aiden headed back to his seat to properly watch Raelia''s match. But what made him unhappy was that Kain simply didn''t get the memo and continued to follow him.


    Fortunately, his seat was in a unique spot, meaning that only one person could sit beside him, and naturally, that was Oliver''s seat. Kain would at least not be able to sit next to him the entire time.


    Kain saw this and frowned. He then looked at Oliver with a cold look in his eye as his tall figure cast a shadow over him like a looming mountain.


    Only one commanding word escaped from his mouth.


    "Move."


    As he spoke, his aura and killing intent flared, completely locking onto Oliver as if he was strangling him.


    Some of the weaker trainees could have been directly knocked out by this move.


    But Oliver was no normal student. His face turned slightly red as he glared back at Kain.


    He might not be able to fight Kain one-on-one, but to scare him off with a simple gaze was completely underestimating him. He simply wasn''t taking him seriously at all.


    He could miss him with that nonsense!


    Kain saw Oliver glaring back at him, looking like he was about to fight back at any second. But Kain wasn''t angry, he wasn''t offended. Instead, he looked at Oliver and smiled!


    That''s right, he smiled back happily.


    As Oliver saw this, a cold tingle ran down his spine.


    Kain, on the other hand, was quite amused and thought,


    "Well, I guess someone talented won''t hang out with those who are not worthy either. Another person who is going to be quite fun."


    Seeing this, Kain nodded and smiled before sitting down next to Oliver with a grin as he stretched out his hand.


    As Oliver saw this, he shivered.


    "What''s with this guy?'' thought Oliver


    ''One second he looks like he wants to tear me apart and the next he acts like my best pal.''


    No matter how he thought about it, he couldn''t understand a thought going through this strange boys brain and simply came to one conclusion


    ''[This guy was not normal at all!''


    As Oliver realised this He secretly cursed Aiden in his heart.


    This guy shamelessly sat down and brought this weirdo along with him and was using him to block off this nut job.


    Tsk! How shameless!


    Aiden saw Oliver''s look but quickly pretended to ignore it and looked away.


    ''Sorry, friend, but you''re on your own this time'' he thought giving Oliver only a mental apology


    As Aiden had these thoughts, a loud series of roars escaped from the training ground. It wasn''t just a regular roar, it was the roar of the Lion King.


    Raelia had also chosen level 10!


    All of a sudden, a few lionesses broke out of the packs and charged straight toward her!


    Raelia let out a cold snort as her eyes narrowed like those of a vicious predator eyeing up her prey.


    The arrow on her back was drawn as silver energy splashed around, transforming into an endless wave that seemed to swallow all the light, leaving the attacking lioness in a cold yet endless night.


    [Artemis''s Archery ¨C True Dusk.]


    Boom!


    A titanic explosion went off, and pained wails could be heard echoing from the arena, but due to the strange shadowy and silver lights that completely engulfed the arena, no one could even see what was going on.


    That''s when it happened!


    "Roar!"


    A furious, rage-filled roar shook the air as a mighty golden light emanated from the Lion King, rushing forward and breaking through the darkness.


    But the Lion King didn''t just stop there. It was furious, and all the muscles in its body swelled as its monstrous veins popped all over its body.


    The golden behemoth charged forward, acting like a biological tank, aiming to crush and destroy anything in its way.


    When Raelia saw this, she didn''t even bother to dodge or move out of the way. Instead, she just smirked menacingly.


    As she did so, a low growl seemed to emanate from deep within her body as her bones started to pop and creak.


    All of a sudden, a deep and cold aura descended onto the arena floor.


    Many trainees looking on felt their hearts begin to speed up as a sense of dread filled them.


    Only Aiden, who had been watching closely, quickly recognized this feeling.


    It was the same feeling he had encountered when he faced off against Raelia in the duel those days ago. It was the feeling of biological fear!


    Of course, Aiden was much stronger than he was back then, so he brushed it off much easier than he did last time And now there was no interruption from the instructor; he finally got to see the full transformation.


    Her nails sharpened and elongated as dazzling silver hairs, reminiscent of rays of moonlight, started to grow out of her arms.


    At the same time, her body started to grow. From a short girl, her body kept on growing and growing until her small frame became a towering silver werewolf with blue eyes that glowed with a feral madness!


    "HOWL!!"


    A soul-shaking howl echoed through the world, leaving everyone''s ears ringing as Raelia looked toward the Lion King and charged forward.


    Bang!


    Raelia and the Lion King collided, and it was absolutely brutal.


    Two ferocious roars echoed as boiling crimson blood splattered across the floor.


    No blades, weapons, or even techniques were used in the first clash. It simply descended into a true primal battle, using nothing but claws and fangs.


    Limbs and claws flashed around in a feral frenzy. Sear?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Each of them had terrifying strength and defenses, so although cuts were being made and blood was spilled, they were all shallow wounds, and for monsters with vitality as horrific and terrifying as thiers. These wounds were basically non existent,

 Chapter 55 - 55: 55. Beast

    Raelia howled as her beautiful blue eyes burned with a deep red hue.


    Her arms trembled as she lifted them into the air, as they quickly shot out wrapping around the lion''s massive body.


    A fierce growl escaped from Raelia''s lips as all the muscles in her body trembled before she lifted the giant lion into the air before suplexing it into the ground, causing it to shake like an earthquake!


    Seeing this sight, the crowd couldn''t help but gasp.


    What terrifying brute strength!


    The strength shown by Raelia was no longer in the realm of humans!


    It was so horrifying that it could even give the monstrous cyclops from earlier a run for its money.


    The lion king shakily rose back to its feet and charged back at Raelia.


    It must have it''s revenge!


    A terrifying collision between these two terrifying beasts occurred on the arena floor and continued for a while longer, but as the fight kept going on Raelia realized a problem.


    if things continue as they were, she would be making no more progress even if she fought for days on end


    Aiden and Kain hadn''t dealt with the remaining lioness first before slaying the Lion king for no reason.


    The lion king was simply too disgusting. If she continued to fight head on, exchanging blow for blow like this, she would only end up defeated.


    Her eyes flashed cruelly as her figure quickly disappeared from the Lion King, appearing above an unsuspecting lioness.


    Howl!


    A frenzied cry escaped from her lips that seemed to shock the lion in place as she raised her claws.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    An enchanting silvery light burst out of her claws as it simply pierced through the hard skull with a metallic screech before completely puncturing the poor beast''s brain.


    The giant monster trembled for a while before falling to the ground, dead.


    Raelia pulled out her claws, cleanly flicking the remaining blood off them and onto the ground as a satisfied smile appeared on her face.


    This was the look of a beast that took pleasure in the hunt.


    When the remaining lionesses looked back at Raelia, they all started to tremble uncontrollably.


    This was a suppression and fear not even Kain or Aiden could inflict on these creatures. It wasn''t just a simple difference in strength, it was a different level in the class of monsters!


    Right now, they were facing a creature that was simply higher on the food chain.


    A true pureblood werewolf!


    Her figure flashed away, and it was quickly accompanied by the tragic wailings and shrieks of the lionesses in the arena as she moved around like a ghostly reaper.


    The lion king furiously roared as its metallic golden wave spread out from its body, but it didn''t mean anything.


    Even if their defenses were added on, Raelia could just brute-force her way through them.


    These once majestic and proud golden lions were simply helpless prey in front of this apex predator in the silver wolf!


    Eventually, her majestic and beautiful fur was tinted with the warm crimson glow of fresh blood, but Raelia didn''t stop until she saw the last lioness fall.


    Then her feral, yet somehow beautiful blue eyes locked onto the Lion King, and she flashed forward.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    As Raelia''s claw swung forward, her wolfish face curled up into a happy smile.


    "Finally, you''re bleeding properly."


    Her arms turned into a biological blender, cleanly slashing apart the lion king until it was left staggering, tired, on the floor.


    And that''s when Raelia decided to deal the final blow. She stepped forward, causing the ground beneath her feet to crack and shatter and appeared before the lion king in an instant.


    Both arms sunk fully into the king''s chest before she fully activated her muscles, causing the upper half of the lion king''s body to be completely torn off in a crimson geyser of blood.


    "Howl!"


    A victorious and feral war cry escaped from her lips.


    Raelia stood victorious over the lifeless body of the giant lion roaring into the air victoriously until she finally released her werewolf form.


    The bright silver fur slowly receded back into her body


    Her beautiful silver hair flowed down her back like a river of liquid moonlight, shining beautifully and charmingly with specks of crimson blood that now covered her.


    Her deep, watery blue eyes shone with satisfaction.


    Her form was slender and graceful, with a delicate, almost fragile appearance that fully accentuated her lithe, feminine beauty.


    In her right hand, Raelia held the massive head of the defeated lion, its once-majestic mane now soaked in blood. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The lion''s dead eyes stared into nothingness, its face contorted in both pain and horror.


    Blood continued to drip from the poor beast''s wounds, pooling at her feet and staining her hands and forearms. Her lips curled into a beautiful, almost innocent smile, a stark juxtaposition to the gruesome scene she had created.


    Seeing the sight of such a beautiful girl happily smiling amongst the sea of corpses and blood made many of the trainees look at her in utter horror and fear.


    It wouldn''t be wrong to say that most of the trainees were looking at her like that.


    The world of gods was magical and filled with all sorts of beings and beasts. The gods had never been ones to restrict themselves, so their children could come in many different forms.


    But just because such things were said didn''t mean such things were truly the case.


    Humans were by far the most common and dominant divine descendants of the gods. Naturally, it was they who would use their human standards to judge everyone.


    In the eyes of many trainees, how was Raelia even human? She turned into a horrifying and feral creature that covered herself in blood. How was she any different from the beasts she was supposed to be fighting?


    Raelia''s senses were also superb, and she quickly noticed the fearful and horrified looks of the other trainees.

 Chapter 56 - 56: 56. Fear

    Although she told herself that she wouldn''t take it to heart, deep down inside she was secretly a little hurt.


    It was never easy to be looked at like a monster, especially when you believed you had left those stares behind. Raelia thought she had escaped that kind of attention, but the more she tried to ignore the feeling, the more suffocating it became.


    She had hoped to leave those piercing, judgmental gazes in her past, but somehow, they had followed her even here.


    "What if..."


    Raelia didn''t want to look. She was afraid of confirming her worst fears, but her head turned anyway, almost against her will. Slowly, her gaze rose toward the stands, and her eyes locked onto a young man with glowing amber eyes and tousled blonde hair.


    But instead of the disgust and fear that hung on the faces of the other trainees, his face held something entirely different¡ªan excited and radiant smile.


    It was t he kind of smile that made her breath catch, so brilliant that even the sun seemed to pale in comparison.


    "What did I expect from someone like him?" she thought, half-smiling despite herself.


    There was no trace of fear or hesitation in his eyes, only a wide-eyed curiosity. It wasn''t the cold, cautious interest of others, but something warmer, something¡ªmore genuine.


    He looked at her as if he saw something fascinating, something magnificent, It was as if the idea of her being a monster had never even crossed his mind.


    For Raelia, in that moment, Aiden''s presence was light, one bright and warm that could chase away any darkness just by being near it.


    For a moment, even Raelia herself was caught off guard. But it only lasted for a short while before a beautiful smile finally bloomed on her face.


    As Raelia had this feeling a bright golden light fell front the arena and wrapped around her body


    ------


    <<God''s Blessing>>


    [Lion King Slayer (C)]


    --------


    Name: Raelia


    Bloodline: Artemis/ Diana


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E ¡ú E+


    Agility: F+¡ú E


    Endurance: F ¡ú F+


    Charisma: E


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (20 ¡ú45/100)


    -----


    Raelia smiled. The golden light transformed into a warm burst of energy that was transforming her body on a cellular level.


    The warm feeling of increasing her strength made her cells buzz with unmatched excitement.


    As Raelia was adjusting to her newly increased strength, a loud voice rang out in the arena:


    "Congratulations, Trainee Raelia, on passing the examination with flying colors and defeating the 10th level."


    Instructor Kyros looked at Raelia and smiled.


    As one of the three trainees who had shown a special phenomenon during her bloodline awakening, he had been keeping an eye on Raelia, and her current performance had not let him down.


    As for Raelia''s monstrous transformation? Instructor Kyros simply didn''t pay any attention to it.


    Not only had he seen things much more monstrous than a simple werewolf transformation, he didn''t have the simple ignorance of these surrounding trainees.


    Although the gods are depicted as looking like humans, they are anything but that.


    Many gods had children, as in direct offspring, that could only be described as monsters much worse than this.


    In a way, the biggest monsters on Mount Olympus were the progenitors of their bloodlines that they worshipped so highly.


    Since he was aware of this truth, how could he be fazed by a little werewolf?


    Instructor Kyros and Raelia spoke a few more times before he nodded and logged her exceptional evaluation.


    Afterward, Raelia made her way up the stands. As she walked, the entire area seemed to be enveloped by a profound silence.


    As she walked, she could feel the weight of the trainees'' intense gazes and catch snippets of hushed whispers.


    Trying to ignore them only made their scrutiny more unbearable. But then, her eyes landed on a familiar face amidst the crowd, and suddenly, all the strange feelings began to fade away.


    Suddenly, she smiled slightly as she spoke to Aiden.


    "How was it? Impressive?"


    Aiden smiled, "Very impressive."


    "Will you admit that I let you off earlier?"


    Hearing this, Aiden raised an eyebrow and said, "I admit it, you let me off easy last time, but I don''t think things would be so simple this time around."


    "I''d be happy for you to try it. I also want to see how much your talent can improve."


    But as the two were looking at each other, a sudden voice interrupted.


    "Instead of fighting her, I think our fight would be much more interesting."


    As soon as they heard the voice, both of their faces turned ugly.


    Who invited this guy?


    But before Aiden could even get a chance to voice his displeasure, Raelia glared at Kain and spoke up.


    "Why are you still around? Aiden doesn''t need any weird friends like you."


    Kain heard this and smirked


    "Now, now. Aiden can make his own choice. I just want to fight him, that''s all." Sear?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing this, Raelia just snorted.


    "You just want Aide to get into a bloody fight with you, well If a fight is what you want, then I can fight you right now. Surely you still don''t think I''m weak after seeing my performance."


    Hearing this, Kain looked at Raelia and smiled.


    "You are indeed strong,"


    But after saying this he turned back to Aiden with a bloody glow in his eyes


    "Even so, I still find Aiden more interesting."


    When Raelia heard this, her annoyed face twisted into a vicious snarl.


    She didn''t know why and she couldn''t quite put her finger on it, , but for some reason, she really didn''t like this guy.


    Seeing Raelia becoming more and more feral, as if she was about to transform at any moment, Aiden decided that he had to calm things down.


    He knew that Kain was trying to get them annoyed. He was suspicious that if everyone here turned on him, he wouldn''t be worried or afraid but instead excited.


    What an Annoying guy.

 Chapter 57 - 57: 57. Daybreak Fist!

    Knowing Kain''s thoughts, how could Aiden let them succeed?


    He just sighed and waved his hand.


    "You guys can keep on arguing if you want to, but I''m done. I''m going to grab something to eat."


    Hearing this, Oliver took it as a sign to be liberated and quickly chimed in.


    "If you''re going to grab something, then count me in. I''m kind of hungry as well."


    "If you''re going, then I''m going too," said Raelia matter-of-factly.


    The trio looked at each other. But when everyone had been expecting Kain to tag along and insert himself among them, his next words left them kind of shocked.


    "If you''re just going there to socialize and talk, then count me out. Beautiful, if you want to fight, then you can call me at any time."


    When the rest of them heard this, instead of feeling relieved, they felt even more weirded out.


    This guy was so strange. It was as if his whole life was simply based around war and fighting. How was it even possible for a normal person to live like that?


    But as he was having these thoughts, Aiden quickly remembered that this was the same person who had already started to master the Millennium Killing Sword at the same age as a high schooler.


    For someone to be so adept and familiar with war and killing, it was impossible for him to have been normal from the very start.


    They had been looking at this guy through the wrong lens right from the start.


    -------


    Time passed since the day of the arena examination battle, and Aiden was currently inside a private the training ground, slowly trying to digest the benefits he had gained from reaching the 10th level.


    After reaching level 10, Aiden, Raelia, and Kain had been rewarded with a unique currency known as divine credits.


    Divine credits were basically the unique currency used to exchange and buy things in Olympus Academy.


    After the battle, Aiden had sought to fix his one glaring weakness and chose to pick out a close-combat technique.


    Although his Sword Arrow technique could be used as a close-combat technique, in truth, its effectiveness was rather mediocre. It didn''t even qualify for the category of divine technique and was, at most, a rather fancy parlor trick.


    The only really wonderful close-combat technique he had under his belt was the [Heaven''s Arrow] technique that he had just created and still had much more room to develop.


    But he still couldn''t rely on that as his crutch because the attack was still very situational.


    If he wanted to eliminate the weakness of close combat, he needed to learn a powerful divine technique that could be activated at all times.


    So that''s exactly what he did!


    Aiden was currently standing inside an exquisite marble-lined private training room when the ground beneath his feet started to shake violently.


    A massive metal puppet thundered toward Aiden, raised a massive battle axe, and swung at him.


    The terrifying force behind the swing easily stirred up a miniature hurricane, but as the attack landed on Aiden, it had no effect. No, it would be more accurate to say that it passed straight through him!


    Aiden''s afterimage shattered into a shower of light as his figure instantly appeared in front of the steel giant.


    He stepped forward, clenching his fist as his muscles trembled.


    Golden divinity poured out from his blood, wrapping around his fist until it turned bright reddish-gold, like heated metal.


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Boom!


    A circle of golden fire erupted as Aiden''s fist barreled forward, sending the giant iron puppet flying backward with a bright red fist mark planted firmly on its chest.


    Aiden took several deep breaths to reconnect and smiled.


    Success!


    Aiden was extremely pleased with his new technique. If there was any weakness, it would probably be that it was a boxing technique and not a weapon one, but that couldn''t be helped.


    When it came to divine techniques for the divine descendants of Apollo, the bow dominated by an overwhelming amount. After that came boxing. All other weapon techniques were either for much higher ranks or were completely mediocre.


    But if you thought about it, it made a lot of sense.


    Divine descendants of Apollo would almost always be archers anyway. For an archer to switch to close combat would often mean that they were fighting through extreme or unexpected circumstances. S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Regardless of what happened, the ability to switch to close combat as quickly as possible would be essential.


    And despite how quick you thought you were, nothing would be quicker than simply dropping your bow and using your fists!


    "End the training session."


    With his words, a white light flashed on the floor as a faint magic circle could be seen. Next, the giant puppet lit up in a magical flash of light as its giant body began to squirm around until it had melted into a liquid and seeped into a hole, completely disappearing from his sight.


    It was a truly strange sight, and Aiden couldn''t even begin to comprehend the strange technologies at play.


    The first time he had seen it, he was mesmerized and tried to figure out its inner workings. But after finding out the mountain of books he would have to read just to get a basic start, Aiden quickly gave up.


    Marveling at the mysteries of the realms of the gods once again, Aiden picked up a nearby towel and used it to wipe off some of his sweat. After taking a drink, he fixed himself up a little and exited the training room.


    Leaving the training room, he was greeted by the sight of a familiar silver-haired girl.


    Aiden noticed Raelia stepping out of another nearby training room. She was dressed in some breathable training clothes that hugged her athletic figure.


    Her silver hair was slightly damp and shimmering with sweat, while her tail swayed lazily behind her. Despite this, her face still had a rather content and confident look on it.

 Chapter 58 - 58: 58. Theory Exam

    Obviously, she was extremely satisfied and happy with the training session she just had.


    Aiden smiled and walked over, tapping her on the shoulder, causing Raelia to quickly turn around.


    "Aiden? Why are you here?"


    "The same reason as you, I presume. I was simply testing out the new divine technique I picked up with my divine credits."


    When Raelia heard this, her mystical blue eyes shone with a strange light.


    "Have you already started to master it?"


    Aiden heard this question and shrugged.


    "More or less, I suppose."


    When Raelia heard this, she took a deep, cold breath. It was times like this that made her want to open Aiden''s head and see how that strange brain of his really worked.


    She just shook her head and smiled.


    "You''re already stronger than you were during the exam? How are other trainees supposed to even catch a break?"


    "Hey, you make it seem like I''m a mindless training drone. Even I take breaks, you know. In fact, I''m going on one right now. You just finished training as well, why don''t you come along?"


    When Raelia heard this, she just shook her head.


    "Unfortunately, I can''t join you. The results of the theory exam are going to be posted up soon. I''m going over to see how well I did."


    When Aiden heard this, his face turned extremely ugly. It wasn''t like Raelia had said something to offend him, but the word "theory exam" had evoked a kind of suppressed response in him.


    He couldn''t help but slightly shiver when he heard the words.


    Shortly after their surprise practical exam, their theory exam was also announced. Fortunately, the professor for their theoretical examination was much more humane than Instructor Kyros and had at least given them a week''s worth of time to prepare and revise beforehand. But even so, Aiden still knew that he was royally screwed.


    He had put his head down and revised like a madman. It was so bad that Aiden was sure that, despite having the blood of a god flowing through his veins, he had still lost years of his lifespan.


    What made matters worse was that when Aiden sat down in the exam hall, he could barely even understand half of what was written in the exam paper.


    He was cooked!


    After the exam, Aiden had been living like a ghost, so the word "exam" still caused him to have a trauma response.


    Raelia saw Aiden''s reaction and knew just how bad he''d had it these last few days, so she just patted him on the shoulder.


    "You''ve got to see your results eventually. After all the work you put in, surely it won''t be that bad."


    Aiden heard this and slowly came to his senses.


    Raelia was right.


    He had worked his butt off; there was no way his results could be that bad.


    Reluctantly, Aiden also accompanied Raelia to go see the results of his examination.


    On the way there, they ran into a familiar face.


    It was Oliver.


    To be honest, Aiden hadn''t seen Oliver much over these last few days. He had been busy training with his new technique, and Oliver had been busy doing his own things.


    Aiden had asked him about it, and he told him that he was busy doing research in the library. He had even invited Aiden to join him a few times, but after the horror experience Aiden had revising for the exam, Aiden would be lucky if he didn''t develop a new phobia.


    Oliver came close and patted Aiden on the shoulder as he asked, "How are you feeling about the exam?"


    "Like shit," said Aiden in a grim tone.


    Oliver didn''t say much else, just gave him a light pat on the shoulder to console him, and then turned towards Raelia and asked, "Raelia, what about you? How are you feeling?"


    Raelia placed her hand on her chin and thought for a moment.


    "I''m not feeling too bad, actually. I actually felt quite good after the exam, so I think I scored pretty highly."


    "And you, Oliver?" S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "I think I did great as well."


    Aiden looked at his two friends and just sighed.


    He was the only anomaly here. The other two were extremely confident. He was the only one who didn''t even want to look.


    Hopefully, his score was somewhat decent so he could avoid embarrassing himself.


    Soon, the trio appeared before the board that was filled to the brim with trainee names.


    By the time they arrived, there was already a large crowd forming around the results that had been posted. But when the people saw that the group walking over contained both Raelia and Aiden, two people that had reached level 10 in the combat assessment, they quickly humbled themselves and moved aside.


    Aiden and Raelia didn''t even need to ask for them to do this, they just did it of their own volition.


    This was simply the rule of the world of the gods; only the strong had the final say.


    Such a thing like moving ahead in line might be nothing, and it really was. But if you encountered a person with a bad temper, you wouldn''t even be able to plead your case before you were punched into orbit.


    Although there were rules to prevent such behavior, the perpetrator being punished wouldn''t heal your broken bones.


    Besides, such behavior was subtly acknowledged after all.


    Even the gods themselves can be quite temperamental, so how could they expect their mortal descendants to be much better?


    As long as you didn''t go too far, you would likely be able to get away with a lot of things, so nobody wanted to test how far people were willing to go.


    The group walked forward and looked closer at the board to get a good look at the names on it. When Aiden took a look at the names topping the board, he was so shocked that his jaw dropped to the floor!

 Chapter 59 - 59: 59. Results

    No. 1 Oliver McKinley


    No. 2 Orphalon Melthyr


    Aiden didn''t know what to say. He just looked at his friend in utter disbelief.


    Oliver just rubbed his nose, a little proud of himself.


    "I went through hell to get these results."


    Aiden suddenly had to admit it. While he was trying to master his newly acquired Oliver had basically been living in the library.


    Of course hard reviso alone would not be able t turn ut such outstanding results but


    Aiden could acknowledge Oliver coming in first, but what was the deal with second place?


    Orphalon Melthyr¡­ If his memory was correct, then that was the name of the cyclops. A cyclops scored higher than him on the written exam? And not just higher than him, this cyclops had come second?!!?


    What on earth was going on?


    As Aiden was having these thoughts, a small commotion broke out among the nearby trainees, and it didn''t take long for Aiden to figure out why.


    As soon as he looked over, Aiden''s eyes locked onto the massive figure of a giant that towered over all the other students.


    As soon as Aiden saw Orphalon, his mouth twitched.


    His appearance was truly strange. This giant cyclops was actually wearing glasses¡ªor well, he was wearing a glass? S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Imagine glasses, but with only one lens built into them. It was a strange sight to anyone who saw it.


    But Orphalon didn''t seem to care about any of the looks and continued to look at the board. When he saw the position of his name on the board, he suddenly frowned.


    Orphalon looked around the crowd until his singular eye locked onto Oliver''s figure.


    The cyclops didn''t waste another second and quickly walked towards Oliver, his steps booming along the hallway floor.


    Eventually, the giant cyclops was now towering over Oliver. Although it didn''t say anything, its mountain-like body brought a heavy suppression that made one feel on edge just by standing in its presence.


    Even Aiden was slightly on edge and secretly stirred his divinity, ready to act at any given moment to protect Oliver from the cyclops.


    But just as everyone was waiting for something to happen, Orphalon suddenly bowed his head and stretched out his hand as he asked in a booming voice, "Please be my study partner!"


    Oliver, as well as everyone in the hallway, was completely shocked and silent.


    What did he just say? Study partner?


    Oliver looked at the cyclops and carefully asked, "Orphalon, I''m not quite sure what you''re asking?"


    When Orphalon heard this, he tilted his head to the side, slightly confused.


    "I thought it was quite obvious though? You''re the first hero I met that is better at studying than me, of course, I would like your help so we can help each other study and improve. I believe it will be of great help to accomplish my dream of becoming a legendary scholar."


    Aiden heard Orphalon''s words, and his eyes widened.


    ''Hold on, did this guy just say scholar?''


    Aiden suddenly felt like he was dreaming! A cyclops, as a scholar? What was going to happen next? Was Zeus suddenly going to declare himself celibate?


    It was such a stark juxtaposition of concepts that Aiden didn''t even know where to start.


    Aiden suddenly understood the feeling of those high school coaches on Earth who forced students to join their sports team.


    What?! You''re 7ft tall and a freshman? Follow me to the sports department right now, we''re getting you on the basketball team!


    What?! You want to study?! Boy! Put down those books and pick up a ball, we''re going to the league! The Lakers are calling!


    A cyclops becoming a scholar? Ignoring the fact that most cyclops have impaired mental abilities. Even if his mental abilities were up to par, it was simply a waste of talent!


    Muscles that bulged and looked like they could smash a head in as easily as cracking an egg would not be used to wield a furious warhammer, but instead, be used to flip through books and scrolls, or endlessly stack scriptures high up on shelves.


    Anyone who heard this thought it was a waste!


    Orphalon didn''t care about the strange looks he was receiving and asked Oliver slightly nervously.


    Oliver looked at the strange cyclops and was slightly amused.


    Since he had seen something so ridiculous, Oliver wanted to learn more about this cyclops. And the cyclops'' scores were obviously the real deal. Studying with him would really bring him some benefits.


    Stretching out his hand, Oliver shook Orphalon''s hand as he spoke,


    "Sure. It''s never a bad thing to have an extra study partner, so why not?"


    Aiden looked at both first and second place shaking hands and didn''t know what to say.


    Oliver had brought him a big surprise by coming in first place, and so did the fact that second place was a cyclops but even Raelia''s score was a bit shocking,


    No.5 Raelia


    She had actually backed up her confident talk and coming directly in fifth.


    He knew she was smart, but damn, everyone was scoring highly.


    Aiden carried on looking down the ranking, trying to find his score when he saw something that made his knees go weak.


    No. 25 Kain Sanguinos


    "Fuck!"


    A foul curse escaped his lips.


    It couldn''t be helped. Aiden could accept being dumber than a lot of people, but how could he accept being dumber than that crazy bastard!


    There was something definitely wrong with the world.


    Aiden kept looking and eventually saw his ranking.


    No. 200 Aiden Evans


    Aiden looked at it and frowned slightly.


    His score was mediocre, if not slightly good, but Aiden was not satisfied.


    He had come joint first place in the practical assessment, so doing so poorly in theory was kind of a big blow.


    Amongst the hundreds of trainees, he had only managed to rank No. 200. It would cause him to receive all sorts of dodgy looks from the people around him, especially when you consider the fact that the people who got joint first place with him at least managed to make it into the top 25.


    Although it didn''t look good, in fact, Aiden was still being too harsh on himself.

 Chapter 60 - 60: 60. SunStrider_19907

    He was still forgetting to take into consideration that, unlike almost all the other trainees here who had already come from the world of the good and existing divine bloodline families, before all this, Aiden was a complete mortal!


    Before the two divine soldiers had visited him, Aiden had originally thought that he was just a complete mortal. He even thought the gods were just mere figures of imagination and legend.


    Other children who came from divine families would have access to basic knowledge and information, while Aiden had come in with absolutely zero knowledge.


    In a way, it was like trying to start learning high school algebra when you hadn''t even learned elementary school-level math, and all this in just a few weeks.


    The fact that Aiden had even scored so highly was impressive.


    But even so, Aiden was still not satisfied. It was kind of unpleasant to say this, but ever since he had awakened his divine blood, Aiden was used to aiming for the best. Being humbled so badly left him feeling quite complicated.


    Unfortunately, whether it was in the realm of gods or the realm of mortals, the world never cared about one''s feelings.


    Aiden had performed poorly and missed out on some rewards allowing for other to close the gap between him and them


    Next, Raelia and the others in the top 5 headed over to receive e their divine credits


    Having already experienced this before Aiden knew that the entire process would take quite a bit of time


    Aiden decided that there would be no point in waiting around for them and doing nothing and doing nothing so he headed back to his dorm room to take a break


    So Aiden went back to this room and as he did so he sat down in a comfortable chair and booted up a computer.


    That''s right, a computer!


    Aiden was surprised when he saw the things he could buy with his divine credits and had discovered a computer was one of them.


    When he had first discovered this fact, Aiden could barely contain his disbelief but after remembering that they had a phone number and even a website, Aiden''s shock could be greatly reduced.


    As the soldiers who picked him up all those days ago once said, even the gods have to keep up with the times


    After booting up the computer, other then some default applications there was only one other application installed.


    Hovering his cursor over the application Aiden read out its name


    "Hermes Web"


    Clicking the icon, the application booted up with a line of beautiful text


    "Welcome to the Hermes Web!"


    "Would you like to create a Hermessenger account?"


    Aiden stroked his chin before he came up with a username. Not thinking too much, Aidne created a username


    "SunStrider"


    But as he clicked enter, he was met by a stream of red coloured words


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    Seeing this Aiden frowned and put in the name again


    "SunStrider1"


    But just like last time Aiden was once again met with an annoying stream of text


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    "SunStrider_1"


    Error! That name is already taken, please create your own unique username.


    Aiden''s eyes twitched in annoyance but he calmed himself and continued and added something to make it different


    "SunStrider_19"


    Error! that name is already¡­..


    "SunStrider_199"


    Error! that name is already¡­..


    "SunStrider_1990"


    Error! that name is already¡­.. S~ea??h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "SunStrider_19907"


    Just as Aiden was beginning to wonder whether he had been trapped in some sort of genjutsu that would have him create a new username for all of eternity, he received a new notification and was saved from despair


    Congratulations on creating your Hermessenger! Please be polite and kind and use our service with respect and may the gods bless you!


    Just as Aiden was prepared he heard a light notification go off


    [Ding! New message received!]


    Receiving a new message so quickly Adien was a little surprised


    Huh? What is this?


    You have been invited to the group chat [Triumvirate Titans] would you like to join?


    After suddenly being invited to some strange group chat, Aiden was a little cautious. I mean something did seem a little off, but Aiden curiosity was bigger than his caution and he quickly accepted the invitation


    Triumvirate Titans ¡ª Online Members (3/8)


    LightningTheQueen1 added SunStrider_19907 to the group chat


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @Sunstrider_19907 Now that we got a hold of you I don''t think anymore needs to be said. I need you to come over and do your share of the work asap,


    Aiden just looked at the text that popped on his screen extremely puzzled. He didn''t have even the slightest clue what this person was going on about


    SunStrider_19907


    @LightningTheQueen1 I really don''t understand what you mean by work. I think you got the wrong person.


    LightningTheQueen1:


    Haha, very funny¡­. Your joke has gone on for long enough now though. It''s time to be serious for once. You''re behind on a lot of work that you need to catch up on, no type of bullshit excuse is getting you out of this one.


    Aiden saw this and felt extremely annoyed. He really wasn''t giving an excuse; these people were really accusing the wrong guy!


    Aiden felt like he had to clear things up to avoid things developing into a bigger misunderstanding


    SunStrider_19907


    @LightningTheQueen1 I''m telling you, you got the wrong guy. I''m not the one you''re looking for.


    But instead of making things better, Aidens excuses only seem dt piss off the other people in the group chat even more


    PuppyLover699:


    @Sunstrider_19907 ?_? I''ve been covering for your dumbass these past few days and now you still want to play around in one of your stupid pranks to avoid your work. If you keep this up i really will send you on a one way ticket to the underworld


    MuscleMan1212:


    @Sunstrider_19907 Bro, I really don''t think you should play around with the two bosses any longer. I''m afraid they''re really angry this time if you keep it up they really will kill you!

 Chapter 61 - 61: 61. The trouble maker

    Aiden saw the message and felt his heart sink.


    ''First off, I''m not your bro, and secondly¡­ what the actual fuck?!''


    Aiden''s thoughts were all over the place


    He had been just going about his day when, all of a sudden, he was added to a group chat by a bunch of crazy people who seemed intent on killing him.


    Sure, his exam results were mediocre, but were they so bad that the universe needed to punish him in this way?


    Aiden felt like he had to clear up this misunderstanding no matter what. It didn''t feel good having some unknown guys threatening to come beat him up at any moment.


    SunStrider_19907:


    It''s impossible for the person you''re looking for to be me. I only created this account today. Hell, I didn''t even get this computer until I redeemed it with divine credits.


    PuppyLover699:


    Are you being serious right now?


    SunStrider_19907:


    Of course I am. What reason do I have to lie?


    PuppyLover699:


    Getting a computer now still doesn''t add up unless you''re a first-year, but the first-years should still be in training.


    But right after sending that message, PuppyLover699 seemed to have realized something.


    PuppyLover699:


    Wait a second, what level did you get in the first practical test?


    SunStrider_19907:


    Level 10.


    PuppyLover699:


    ¡­..


    A few seconds passed without anyone saying anything, causing Aiden to think his screen had frozen. Then he finally saw the next message.


    PuppyLover699:


    @LightningTheQueen1, I think we might have really got the wrong guy. There''s no way that idiot would make up such a lie. The kid is telling the truth.


    It seems like the information Aiden gave was finally enough to convince them but that now brought on a whole set of other issues


    LightningTheQueen1:


    If he''s telling the truth, where did we go wrong then? Don''t tell me that this guy¡­


    While some people were racking their brains over their new situation, others couldn''t be bothered to think so hard and were more interested in other things.


    MuscleMan1212:


    @SunStrider_19907, you said you reached level 10, meaning you''re extremely talented. What House do you come from?


    SunStrider_19907:


    ¡­


    Aiden didn''t know what to say.


    The question was so stupid he actually thought he was being trolled. And evidently, it wasn''t just him that felt this way.


    PuppyLover699:


    @MuscleMan1212, we''ve been friends for a while now, so be real with me. Are you seriously mentally challenged?


    MuscleMan1212:


    ¡­ That was uncalled for.


    PuppyLover699:


    The word "sun" is quite literally in his name. Think for a second: what bloodline do you think is flowing through his body? Think with your brain and not your muscles; this is how you keep getting tricked by that other idiot.


    MuscleMan1212:


    Aren''t you the ones being tricked right now?


    PuppyLover699:


    ¡­


    Knowing that he had no comeback, puppylover was silent for a while before he snapped back with another insult.


    The two kept going back and forth, with Aiden just watching in disbelief, as his two supposed seniors started utterly embarrassing each other.


    The messages continued until they were interrupted by an interesting notification.


    LightningTheQueen1 added SunStrider_19907 to the group chat.


    When Aiden saw this notification, he finally understood what was happening.


    This guy had given them the wrong username which just so happened to be the one aiden had chosen, but what made things worse was that his actual username was only slightly different from the one he gave them originally that had left them confused all this time.


    Aiden could already imagine just how annoyed and frustrated these people must be.


    SonStrider_19907:


    Hahaha! Guys, you finally solved it. Did you like my little joke? I gave you the username, so I thought you''d figure it out faster, but it still took you quite a bit of time.


    PuppyLover699:


    (¨p?_?) ¡­


    LightningTheQueen1:


    (?_?) ¡­


    MuscleMan1212:


    {-?-} ¡­


    No words were said, but Aiden felt like he could sense the annoyance radiating from the screen.


    Finally, Aiden saw hundreds of curses and violent threats flood the screen.


    PuppyLover699:


    @SonStrider_19907, you dumb bastard! You better not show yourself in front of me, or I really will kill you this time!


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @SonStrider_19907, you better give us a good reason for this dumb trick, or I will personally fry you to a crisp.


    The stream of curses and foul language seemed to go on for minutes until everyone had properly vented.


    SonStrider_19907:


    I know I goofed up a little, but it can''t be that bad, right? Hey, @MuscleMan1212, back me up here.


    But instead of the support he was expecting, he received another message.


    MuscleMan1212:


    Please don''t speak to me because I really feel like smashing your head in right now.


    Knowing that he had successfully pissed off everyone in the group chat, SonStrider turned toward the only person he hadn''t offended for help. That was, of course, the newly added Aiden.


    SonStrider_19907:


    Ahh, Junior, we''re divine descendants from the same bloodline, please tell your mean seniors to calm down. Who knows, maybe these cruel guys will try put up a good impression in front of their new junior


    Seeing this, Aiden wanted to curse.


    He didn''t know who this "SonStrider" was, but he was definitely an unserious guy. Now he was trying to drag Aiden into this mess. Aiden would be damned if he took his side. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Knowing this, Aiden quickly typed out a message to distance himself from this clown.


    SunStrider_19907:


    Sorry, Senior, but I really don''t know enough about this situation, so I can''t help you.


    SonStrider_19907:


    You don''t need to know the most. I''ll give you a tip as your reliable senior: you shouldn''t take the words these grumpy people say too seriously.


    Before Aiden could even respond, someone interjected to cut off this dangerous train of thought.


    LightningTheQueen1:


    @SonStrider_19907, you better behave yourself. If I find out that you''ve corrupted a promising trainee to start behaving like you, I''ll put a spear through your head. As for you, Junior, I hope you don''t emulate his disappointing behaviour. It would be really disappointing if I had to fry a talented junior along with this immature idiot.

 Chapter 62 - 62: 62. A hint

    Aiden read this message and felt his heart speed up.


    She was joking, right?


    Unfortunately, Aiden never got an answer for his growing concerns but was instead greeted with some new messages


    SonStrider_19907:


    Miss Sparky, how many times do I have to tell you not to speak to people like that? It''s really scary, man. My poor little junior has probably wet himself by now.


    Aiden saw this and snorted, but the annoying guy behind the screen just kept typing.


    SonStrider_19907:


    My little Junior, you may have been scared by these big, bad seniors, but don''t worry, I am here. How about I tell you a little secret to make up for it?


    Despite the first impression that this guy was unreliable, Aiden was slightly curious. Sear?h the Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    SunStrider_19907


    A secret?


    SonStrider_19907


    Yes a secret, and not just some useless garbage but instead that can help you a lot in the training camp and even your path when you enter the


    But before they could continue someone came in to pour cold water all over their conversation


    LightningTheQueen1


    Don''t you feel embarrassed deceiving your juniors with words? Giving information to the trainees is against the rules, someone with your rank is clearly aware of this


    Sonstrider was clearly annoyed by this accusation and quickly retorted


    SonStrider_19907


    Humph! What would you know you grumpy old lady? Who says I was going to trick my junior over here? I was actually going to give him some important information.


    But instead of making things better, this message only made things worse


    LightningTheQueen1:


    This is why everyone calls you an idiot! Giving information to the trainees is against the rules,


    SonStrider_19907


    And this is why everyone calls you a grumpy old lady. What are rules if they can''t be bent a little? Besides, it''s basically an open secret. The kids from the strong divine families already understand anyway. Surely you won''t object to this going on. Besides, after threatening this poor junior, don''t you even feel slightly bad for your actions if you do think of it as a way to make up for it?


    LightningTheQueen1: ...


    Although she didn''t want to admit it, Sonstrider had a fair point for once


    LightningTheQueen1


    Fine. You can tell him but only this once


    SonStrider_19907


    Poor Junior, for the grumpy sparky old lady to break the rules even slightly, she must be feeling really bad. How bad did these guys treat you whilst I was away?


    LightningTheQueen1


    I thought you were giving important information not just talking about unimportant things


    SonStrider_19907


    Alright, alright, I''ll stop messing around now. The secret I want to tell you junior is about the cliff trial.


    SunStrider_19907


    You mean the trap that we go through on the first day?


    SonStrider_19907


    Exactly. It seems the school still hasn''t fixed their bad habits though


    SunStrider_19907


    What about it then?


    SonStrider_19907


    Well, simply put, I''m telling you two things.


    First do not underestimate the cliif trial no matter how easy it seems the next things is complete it by any means necessary and reach the peak of the cliff as early as possible and remain there once you do. In addition to this, when the final cliff trial begins, make sure that whatever you do, you complete it as soon as possible and do not complete it alone.


    Bring as many strong people from your training camp as you can¡ªthe more, the better. And the last thing I have to tell you is... underneath the chin.


    Aiden heard this and was confused


    SunStrider_19907


    Underneath the chin? What on earth are you trying to tell me?


    SonStrider_19907


    Sorry my little junior a hint is just a hint, after all, there is no point in babysitting you.


    I hope you take these hints seriously, as this can be of great help on our road to godhood. There can be another talented child for House Apollo; we''re severely lacking when it comes to the other houses.


    I don''t mean to brag or anything, but I''m quite the talented big shot in house Apollo. If your are that talented I don''t mind helping you a few more times


    Aiden read the message and just rolled his eyes.


    This shameless guy was a big shot?


    The world of the gods might not be as impressive as he thought, but even if the guy was being unserious, seeing as nobody else in the group chat jumped up to contradict him, the messages he sent should still be reliable.


    Aiden started to think for a while and condensed the hints he received into 4 points:


    1. No matter what happens on the final day of the cliff trial, reach the peak by any means necessary.


    2. Don''t underestimate the challenge of the cliff trial, and overprepare if you can.


    3. Team up and bring as many strong people as you can on the final day of the cliff trial.


    4. Underneath the chin?


    Aiden didn''t dare underestimate the trials now that he had this information. He had originally thought that he was strong enough to start to chill out a little for the rest of his days at the training camp, but now he threw the idea of chilling out right out the window.


    Instead of chilling out, he would have to put himself into overdrive. Anything that could affect your road to godhood was few and far between. If he missed this chance, he would regret it for the rest of his life.


    In a way, maybe he really had to.


    It might not be that much information, but the difference between someone that was expecting something and somebody who wasn''t was basically like that between night and day.


    Aiden looked at his status screen once again


    ===Status====


    Name: Aiden Evans


    Bloodline: Apollo


    Rank: Rank 1 Intermediate - Divine Ember Rank


    Strength: E


    Agility: F+


    Endurance: F+


    Charisma: F+


    Intelligence: F


    Divinity: F+ (40/100)


    -----


    Divine techniques


    [¡ï¡ï¡ï Sunlight Shuttle] 15%


    [¡ï¡ï Apollos Archery- True Dawn] 25%


    [¡ï¡ï Daybreak Fist] 5%


    [¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï Heaven''s Arrow] 0.1%


    (Note: stars have been introduced to show the difficulty of the technique whilst percentages are there to show the mastery of said technique )


    ....

 Chapter 63 - 63: 63. The Mountain Cliff trial

    Aiden looked at his panel and frowned.


    ''It''s not enough.''


    His stats appeared more and more inadequate the more he looked at them. There were only two things that could help him right now: Ambrosia and Divine Credits.


    Ambrosia was obviously used to increase his level and divinity, and Divine Credits were the hard currency of the world of the gods. They could be used to buy various treasures that could increase his strength and other attributes, as well as redeem new divine techniques.


    Aiden suddenly started feeling a great regret about his theory exam score. He had just let a great haul of Divine Credits slip through his grasp just like that.


    ''No, I can''t just sit down like thiss. I have to earn some more Divine Credits as soon as possible.''


    Aiden quickly stood up from his seat and reached for the door, but when his hand touched the handle, he suddenly froze.


    Aiden now realized a major problem.


    "Wait a second, how exactly do I even earn Divine Credits?"


    It was quite embarrassing to have only realized it this late, but Aiden was clueless on such a major thing. He had been so focused on mastering his divine techniques and increasing his strength that he had spent zero time learning how to earn Divine Credits.


    Aiden''s face turned ugly, and as he was frozen at the door in confusion and embarrassment, the handle he was holding suddenly turned, and the door swung open.


    A figure appeared in front of Aiden and looked at him strangely.


    "Aiden, what''s wrong with you? Is anything going on?"


    Oliver looked at his friend, who was now frozen with an ugly expression on his face, in complete confusion.


    The sight of Oliver snapped Aiden out of his stupor, and he eventually recomposed himself.


    Aiden just looked at Oliver and sighed.


    "Something is going on. I''m broke."


    Hearing this, Oliver was confused.


    "Broke? How?"


    "It''s simple. I''ve got no Divine Credits. I used them all already."


    Hearing this, Oliver quickly understood what was going on. After having just received his first reward of Divine Credits, he understood just how useful and important these credits would be in his life at Olympus Academy.


    Even though he had just been rewarded some Divine Credits, after realizing what they could do, Oliver himself had already been thinking about how to earn more Divine Credits. S§×ar?h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Knowing what was going on, Oliver looked at Aiden and smiled as he spoke.


    "Well, Aiden, if you''re stressed out because you can''t earn Divine Credits, then you''re in luck because I might already have a solution."


    Hearing this, Aiden''s eyes shone with a golden light.


    "Oh? And what is this solution?" asked Aiden eagerly.


    "You know how I''ve been doing some research in the library these past few days?"


    "Yeah, you''ve practically been living in that place."


    Hearing this, Oliver chuckled.


    "Well, all that effort wasn''t for nothing, and I finally pieced together some secret information. It has a lot to do with the mountain cliff trial we underwent on the first day at the training camp."


    Aiden was surprised at a certain phrase that Oliver had said.


    "The Mountain Cliff Trial again?"


    When Oliver heard Aiden speak, he was slightly confused.


    "What do you mean, again?"


    Aiden didn''t hide any secrets and quickly explained.


    "Well, I''ve recently received some information that there''s more to this cliff trial than meets the eye."


    Oliver looked at Aiden, and he couldn''t even close his mouth.


    After watching Aiden''s performance at the arena all those days ago, Oliver had been greatly stimulated, and he had been basically living in the library, not only revising for the theory exam but using it as a method to research ways to increase his strength.


    It was only after checking many books and double-crossing records that he came across this knowledge.


    Yet somehow, despite avoiding the library like it was a cursed land, Aiden had just simply received this information for free? What sort of luck was this?


    Aiden saw Oliver''s stupefied face and quickly cleared up his misunderstanding.


    "I only received some vague hints. There was no actual concrete information, so for all intents and purposes, I''m basically blind when it comes to the specific details."


    Oliver nodded his head and continued.


    "Searching the historical records available in the library at the training camp, I got a rough understanding of the situation surrounding the mountain cliff.


    The cliff appears to be a landmark, but it''s more than that. It appears to be distorting space around it. This means that the distance we see from the outskirts to the true mountain peak is just an illusion.


    The true distance inside could be tens, if not hundreds, of times the distance visible to the naked eye."


    Once Aiden heard the news, he took a deep breath.


    The world of the gods was just full of surprises.


    Another great wonder beyond his comprehension had been living underneath his nose just like that.


    What made it worse was that he had even entered the realm multiple times, but he had still not felt any strange change. And he probably would have never noticed it either if Oliver had never mentioned it!


    Slightly alarmed now, Aiden knew that he had to spend more time learning about his surroundings and quickly asked Oliver.


    "Is there anything else important worth noting?"


    "Of course there is. The area around the mountain cliff forms its own realm and is split into three sections: the outer area composed of the trial grounds, the inner area filled with dangerous domains, and the mountain peak, which is rumored to contain Rank 2 monsters."


    Aiden frowned.


    Rank 2 monsters were no joke. The Lion King was a strong monster that shouldn''t be taken lightly, and that was just barely classified as a monster nearing the peak of Rank 1. A true Rank 2 monster could only be way more terrifying.


    Unfortunately for Aiden, Oliver wasn''t finished bringing in the bad news just quite yet

 Chapter 64 - 64: 64. Risk of Death

    The three different sections of the mountain cliff area have their own rules. Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The first section, for example, is really just the true training area for trainees.


    At first, it might be difficult for us, but by the end of the training in the camp, we should be able to pass the first area of the mountain cliff trial and gain the qualifications to enter the true trial for Olympus Academy.


    The second section is where things start to get serious.


    Instead of just puppets and constructs that were in the first area, the inner areas and mountain peak are filled with real monsters, and instructors will also not be present in these areas.


    Aiden heard this and frowned as he asked,


    "This means..."


    "Yes, it is as you''re thinking. If things go wrong in the inner area or on the mountain peak, the instructors will not save you. You can truly be killed."


    Although Aiden had a faint suspicion of this in his heart, when he had it confirmed he couldn''t accept it.


    "So what will the training camp do?, they just leave us there to die? What''s the point in training us or even bringing us here!"


    As Aiden spoke, his voice couldn''t help but rise.


    Deep down inside, there was a part of Aiden that was afraid.


    His talent, his bold performance, and his wonderful fight against the lion king.


    He was able to fight so fiercely because he knew that no matter what happened his life would never be in any real danger


    If we go back in time, would Aiden be willing to fight that fierce lion king if it meant risking his own life?


    Aiden didn;t know. He wasn''t sure if it was really worth it to risk his life to fight against monsters for some extra divine credits.


    He was talented , even if he missed out on this chance his road wouldn''t end here right? there will always be opportunities in the future.


    With this thought in mind Aiden asked Oliver the question that had been bothering im


    "Will the gods and the instructors let even their talented students die, don''t they care about our potential and strength?"


    When Oliver heard Aiden''s question, he just smiled self-deprecatingly.


    "The gods lack anything but divine descendants. Our numbers mean nothing to them.


    Our strength? Our talent? It doesn''t mean much before such beings


    Think about it for a second, do you really think the gods lack our measly strength?"


    Aiden didn''t speak, his frown only grew deeper.


    Oliver noticed Aidens expression but he still continued speaking


    "Although gods do want to use the strength of their divine descendants, it''d be wrong to say that''s their end goal. They value the utility of their descendants much more than their might.


    Believe it or not, even the weakest true god could wipe out our training camp, instructors and all, with just a simple thought.


    The gods are so powerful beyond our imagination that a slightly stronger divine descendant with no utility is completely useless to them. Olympus Academy sees a few of us dying as nothing more than a more optimal selection process."


    Aiden heard this and felt as if a bucket of cold water had been poured down on him.


    Oliver''s words quickly sobered him up.


    He was new to the world of the gods.


    He was so enamoured with the mystical abilities that he had let himself get swept up in the propaganda being spewed out by the instructors.


    ''The gods are calling for you?''


    ''The gods need you?''


    What a joke!


    How could the gods care about the existence of a small fry like him?


    Even Politicians in his world that only held the ability to influence people''s lives view the average human as nothing more than a group of mere numbers. How could the gods, beings that exist on a completely different plane of life, be any better?


    No, if anything, they could only be much worse!


    Thinking like this Aiden quickly came to a new realisation


    He wasn''t doing this training and hardwork out of a sense of duty, nor was it a for any favour of the gods, nor for their reward.


    His purpose in coming to Olympus Academy and for his harsh training had aways been himself


    The gods obviously needed their divine descendants to serve a certain purpose, and Aiden would fulfil it, but at the same time, he would absolutely pursue his own interests first.


    He couldn''t get swept up in the rhetoric and act like a mindless soldier.


    The joyful and fanatical who believed that gods were always watching over and protecting them would be the ones who died first.


    Aiden''s heart was now clear.


    He couldn''t go into the world of the gods relying on charity or even his own talent.


    He wasn''t from a divine family; he was a complete mortal.


    Nobody would be there to watch over him.


    If he wanted to grow stronger, then he had to claw at every opportunity himself.


    Oliver didn''t know what Aiden was thinking, but he quickly realized that the panic that was growing in Aiden''s eyes had disappeared and was now replaced with a newfound calm.


    Oliver looked at Aiden and was once again impressed.


    He was from a divine family and had been brought up with the training that came with it.


    He had been told and taught how to fight and risk his life from a very young age.


    Aiden had lived a normal civilian life before this, so Oliver never expected Aiden to be able to accept this quickly.


    He was even prepared to spend some time convincing Aiden, but from just one look, Oliver could tell that was no longer necessary.


    Oliver couldn''t help but sigh in his heart.


    ''Talented people really are different from others. You can''t understand them with normal thinking.''


    Knowing there was no need to spend any time convincing Aiden, Oliver quickly moved on to the next step of his plans and explained them to Aiden.

 Chapter 65 - 65: 65. Team

    Seeing this, Aiden raised an eyebrow.


    "This is?"


    "A map I put together from the information hidden in the library," responded Oliver.


    "The map is composed of the information hidden in the library and notes the growing places of treasures that can be used to increase one''s strength and divinity."


    Aiden saw this and nodded, but before he got excited, he asked another important question.


    "This map was made from the information that could be gathered in the library, so how many people do you think know about it?"


    "As it stands currently, I think none, but there''s no way it''s going to remain like this for long," replied Oliver.


    "People aren''t dumb. Take Orphalon, for example. While I was speaking to him when we were redeeming our divine credits, I had a faint feeling that he was already onto the trail. He''s just the first, and many others will join after him."


    "That means we''re operating on a timer, then," said Aiden.


    "Exactly," replied Oliver.


    "We need to move as fast as possible to make sure that we can gather as many resources as possible.


    "Aiden, you said you also have some information about the mountain trial?"


    When Aiden heard Oliver''s words, he was a little embarrassed.


    Compared to Oliver''s comprehensive investigation, his information was much less detailed, but it was at least better than nothing.


    "The information I received wasn''t much and it could be summarized into four points," said Aiden.


    No matter what happens on the final day of the cliff trial, reach the peak by any means necessary.Don''t underestimate the challenge of the cliff trial, and overprepare if you can.Team up and bring as many strong people as you can on the final day of the cliff trial.Underneath the chin?


    Oliver heard Aiden''s words and fell into thought.


    "Well, we clearly know now not to underestimate the cliff trial," said Oliver.


    "The information you received seems to be slightly different from the one I got."


    "My information is just an overview about a certain area, whereas yours seems to be focused on a certain event" explained Oliver


    "the last day of the mountain cliff trial," said Aiden.


    "That''s right," replied Oliver.


    "Whoever gave you this information was warning you. Something important will happen on the last day of the mountain cliff trial. It will be an extremely difficult challenge and it''s something you absolutely can''t afford to miss."


    Aiden heard this and fell into thought.


    Oliver saw Aiden thinking and made a few proposals


    "So what do we do? Do you want to listen to that guy''s information and make a team now?


    We can invite Orphalon. Although the guy focuses on his brain, his physical strength is no joke. I''m pretty sure you could get Kain to join us with minimal persuasion." Sear?h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Hearing Oliver''s words, Aiden shook his head.


    "We can invite them later, but not yet."


    Aiden wasquite hesitant to bring in more people into their team so early; after all, the more people there are, the less share of the pie there is to go around.


    Oliver understood Aiden''s mindset, but he was still a little worried.


    Considering the fact that this was the first time they were going out, he still felt like they should bring in more people that could ensure their strength, just out of caution.


    Despite this, Aiden was still resistant to bringing Kain along for another reason.


    Orphalon, Kain, and the others could strengthen their team, but Kain was different from them.


    Simply put, Kain was stronger than he was, and it was by a rather wide margin.


    With the addition of such a strong individual, the team dynamics would obviously change, and while he had the most say, it would obviously be the person with the greatest strength.


    It might not be a big deal in most scenarios, but now that they were going to search for treasures, it wasn''t something that could be overlooked.


    Let''s ignore the fact that Aiden was uncertain that he could beat Kain in an all-out fight. Even if he could, it definitely would not be an easy one.


    Such a fight would leave him greatly wounded, and in an area like the wild, he would be leaving himself vulnerable to any watching predators.


    Aiden simply wanted to avoid teaming up with Kain if it was possible for the time being. At very least he wouldn''t want to team with him until he was more confident he could stand closer to him on equal footing.


    Aiden didn''t know if it was the realization that Olympus Academy views the trainees as disposable assets, but he started to approach things with less open-heartedness and more caution.


    Of course, the views of the academy may change once they became official students at Olympus Academy, but until then, Aiden''s outlook would inevitably be quite jaded.


    But he still understood an aspect of what Oliver was saying.


    Just the two of them alone would bring too much risk. They should at least bring one more person.


    "How about Raelia?" asked Aiden.


    In his mind, she was the perfect fit. She was strong but not unfathomably so like Kain. Even in the worst case scenario, Aiden felt confident he could fight back against her.


    Besides, it probably would never come down to that. After all, after Oliver, Raelia was the person he trusted most at this training camp.


    If he was still betrayed by such a person, then Aiden would really have to reevaluate his people skills.


    Not to mention that Raelia was a divine descendant of Artemis, the goddess of the hunt. For the task they were doing, Raelia may even be more suitable than Kain himself.


    Oliver heard Aiden''s words and thought about them for a while before nodding.


    "Raelia is a good pick; she seems reliable and trustworthy. The next question is about the split of treasures."


    As Oliver said this, he couldn''t help but glance at Aiden secretly.


    This was the final part. Although he trusted Aiden, he couldn''t help but feel slightly nervous.

 Chapter 66 - 66: 66. Arming up

    He had already shared his revelations and map with Aiden. If Aiden asked for an unreasonable share, he could only suffer in silence.


    Aiden heard Oliver''s words and didn''t put too much thought into it and said,


    "Let''s just share it equally. How about each person takes a third?"


    Hearing this, Oliver was shocked.


    "A-a third?"


    Aiden tilted his head to the side, curious.


    "Are you saying I shouldn''t take a third?"


    "No, I''m saying I shouldn''t take a third," said Oliver quickly.


    "All I did was bring the map. The main combat power is still going to be you and Raelia, after all. A third seems a bit unreasonable."


    Hearing Oliver''s words, Aiden just shook his head.


    "Don''t underplay your role in information gathering. Some heartless information brokers could even demand half of the total haul. You getting a third is more than deserved."


    Oliver wanted to still say something, but after seeing the resolute look in Aiden''s eyes, he quickly gave up.


    "Will Raelia be okay with a third?"


    "Of course, she will. Someone as proud as her won''t stoop so low as to argue about the shares of treasures. Remember, when it comes to divine credits, she''s currently richer than both of us."


    It was only then that Oliver remembered that Raelia was the only person who received divine credits from both the theory and practical exams. She really was a person that couldn''t be underestimated!


    "So, all that leaves now is the time we set off," asked Oliver.


    Aiden smiled.


    "Let''s set off as soon as possible. Theory lectures are happening less and less to give us as much time as possible to train. We should have no lectures for the rest of the week, so why not set off tomorrow?" S§×arch* The N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "What about Raelia?" asked Oliver.


    "Don''t worry," said Aiden. "I''ll speak to her after this. She''ll definitely be able to join us tomorrow."


    After saying this, Aiden didn''t leave first but looked at Oliver with extremely serious eyes.


    "But before I leave, I need you to confirm something for me."


    "What is that?" asked Oliver, puzzled.


    "Whether creating a Hermes Messenger account will automatically add you into a crazy group chat."


    Oliver looked at his friend and secretly swore to help Aiden get as many credits as possible.


    The feeling of poverty had evidently fried his friend''s brain. Otherwise, how could he say such nonsense with a serious face?


    ...


    Like that, time passed, and the next day came.


    As roommates, Aiden and Oliver could help wake each other up and make sure they got up on time.


    The two had gotten up early and headed to the camp armory to get stocked up with a good bow and a full quiver of arrows. Since they were venturing into the forest for an unknown amount of time, they didn''t know when they would be able to restock supplies again, so they took as many arrows as possible.


    Every member of their team was primarily an archer, so having a stable supply of arrows was essential.


    After leaving the armory, now armed to the teeth, Aiden and Oliver headed to the meetup spot and saw that Raelia had already arrived, waiting for them at their destination.


    She was wearing brown leather boots and pants with a pale white shirt on.


    A quiver full of arrows hung on her back, and her silver hair was tied up neatly in a high ponytail. Her blue eyes were sharp, like those of a glowing wolf eager to hunt.


    Aiden could tell, just from a brief look, that Raelia was excited.


    She wasn''t a descendant of the Goddess of the Hunt for nothing.


    "You guys finally arrived," said Raelia in a complaining tone.


    Hearing this, Aiden just chuckled.


    "If anyone heard you speak, they would have thought we were late. We''re still perfectly on time, you know?"


    Hearing this Raelia scratched her head slightly embarrassed.


    "I can''t help it. It''s been so long since I went on my last hunt. I can''t help but get a little excited."


    As Raelia spoke, her tail wagged rapidly, and even her fangs started growing, a blush appearing on her face.


    Oliver saw the sight and was suddenly hit by a flashback of a crazed, silver-haired beauty standing amid a pool of blood and giant lion carcasses. He felt a cold tingle run down his spine.


    Aiden saw this sight and had a completely different reaction.


    ''Cute,'' he thought.


    Aiden smiled and subconsciously stretched out his hand, ruffling Raelia''s hair and her cute, fluffy wolf ears.


    "A-Aiden Evans! What are you doing?" cried Raelia, now flustered, her face blushing red.


    "Ah, sorry," said Aiden, quickly apologizing.


    "You reminded me of a puppy so much that I did it without even realizing."


    Hearing this, Raelia turned a little embarrassed and asked, is it because i''m a werewolf


    Aiden just shook his head


    "No, it''s because you''re cute."


    The second Aiden said these words, Raelia''s already blushing face turned completely red. She quickly rushed up and placed both her hands on his mouth, preventing him from saying another word.


    "A-As expected of a divine descendant of the God of Song, your words can cast a magical effect. You need to be kept in check."


    Oliver heard Raelia''s excuse and just chuckled.


    "I don''t think his bloodline is the reason those words left you so flustered, little lady."


    Raelia seemed to sense Oliver''s gaze and snapped at him.


    "Mr. McKinley, what are you doing just standing there? Hand me the map!"


    Being targeted by the embarrassed wolf girl, Oliver grumbled under his breath, but he still handed Raelia the map.


    As soon as Raelia opened up the map and took a look at it, she quickly entered professional mode, and the flustered look quickly left her.


    Aiden and Oliver didn''t disturb her. Things like this should be left up to the experts.


    A few minutes later, Raelia rolled up the map and securely placed it on her belt as she spoke.

 Chapter 67 - 67: 67. Not the same

    A few minutes later, Raelia rolled up the map and securely placed it on her belt as she spoke.


    "Okay, I''ve familiarized myself with the map and planned a route we can take to hit all the treasure spots in the shortest amount of time."


    Hearing this, a majestic golden light bloomed in the eyes of the two young men as their divine blood boiled.


    Raelia looked at her two friends with a pair of glowing blue eyes and spoke with excitement.


    "Now everything is in order. Let''s hunt!"


    ....


    A short while later, three trainees entered the forest pathway.


    As the group walked, Oliver looked around and chuckled.


    "It brings back pleasant memories, doesn''t it?"


    Raelia heard this and just scoffed.


    "We''re not the same people we were weeks ago. We''ve grown stronger, and we won''t be stopped by just some preliminary trials. We didn''t come here as trainees but as hunters."


    "We''ve arrived."


    Aiden''s voice rang out, causing the entire group to pause.


    The trio looked forward and saw many different branching pathways, all covered in fog.


    Oliver eagerly stepped into the fog, grabbing the faint mystical mist and letting it trickle through his fingers.


    "If my guess is correct, this should be the start of the space distortion barrier that allows for a much larger area to be contained within. From this moment on, things get serious."


    The trio looked at each other and just nodded.


    With that motion, they dove deeper, each of them channeling energy into their legs as they rushed forward fearlessly into the mist.


    The second Aiden entered, he noticed something off and frowned.


    He couldn''t quite feel it before, but now that his strength had greatly increased, he noticed it instantly. This fog seemed to have a faint suppression on his senses. He probably hadn''t discovered it earlier because his senses were so weak that the suppression effect was negligible.


    As the trio charged forward, Aiden''s eyes narrowed with a golden glow as he looked ahead before shouting, "Watch out, those tendrils are attacking!"


    Shortly after Aiden''s warning, a swarm of dark brown wooden tendrils burst out of the fog like a tide of raging dragons!


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden''s figure exploded with blinding radiance as he flickered with countless afterimages, practically phasing through the endless attacks.


    While Oliver and Raelia didn''t have as easy a time as Aiden, they still managed to comfortably skip past the raging tendrils.


    If it were the Aiden from before, he would''ve breathed a sigh of relief and thanked his lucky stars before continuing down the path. But how could the current Aiden be compared to his former self?


    Since he was being attacked, he would definitely fight back!


    Aiden''s eyes shone with a magnificent glow as he quickly drew the bow from his back. As soon as his hand touched it, the bow glowed with golden light, buzzing with excitement.


    [True Dawn]


    Aiden''s words echoed throughout the forest like a god-emperor''s divine judgment as his arrow blasted forward. A golden light tore through the mist, slashing straight into a towering ancient tree.


    Boom!


    An eruption of golden fire completely engulfed the tree, causing many of the attacking tendrils to go limp and instantly combust.


    And now that Aiden had fired the first shot, how could Raelia and Oliver let him have all the fun?


    Soon, a swarm of golden and silver arrows descended from the sky like a divine missile salvo, completely littering any tree that was releasing attacking tendrils.


    It barely even took a minute before the forest returned to its previous silence, meaning one thing: all enemies were eliminated.


    The group hadn''t even broken a sweat.


    Just like that, an area that had once left them no choice but to run helplessly a few weeks ago had been completely annihilated.


    If it weren''t for the cautious nature of the group wanting to retrieve their fired arrows, they wouldn''t have even bothered to look back at such an easy foe.


    After quickly retrieving their arrows, the group continued their run.


    Aiden and his group continued to move for a little while before they suddenly started to feel a violent trembling from the ground beneath their feet.


    Looking into the distance, Aiden could see what could only be described as a tidal wave of earth rushing toward them.


    Aiden remembered exactly what this was¡ªthe ground itself would try to fling the trainees off the pathway and into the forest to separate them and get them lost.


    Looking to his side, Aiden could see fine silver hairs starting to pop out of Raelia''s skin, an obvious sign that she was about to use her werewolf transformation. But Aiden just patted her shoulder with a confident smile.


    "You can relax. I''ve got this." sea??h th§× NovelFire.net* website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    While she was still stunned, Aiden''s body flashed forward until he was only a few meters away from the tide of earth.


    Stepping forward, Aiden took a deep breath.


    "Badum! Badum! Badum!"


    Aiden''s heart started to speed up echoing through his surooundings like a raging war drum as the divinity within him bubbled violently !


    Clenching his fists, the veins on Aiden''s arms popped as his eyes burst out with golden flames and he punched forward


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist seemed to contain the power of the sun itself as it made contact with the tide of earth.


    Boom!


    The world was quickly covered with blinding gold as it was blessed with the radiance of a miniature sun, all emanating from Aiden''s fist!


    The collision created a shockwave that sent dust and debris flying everywhere!


    When the dust settled, they were all greeted with a sight of hellish carnage!


    They saw a gigantic fist-shaped hole stretching through the miniature mountain of earth. The ground around Aiden was still bubbling with violent crimson magma that had been generated from his scorching solar flames.


    All that remained was an imposing figure wrapped in golden, solar flames standing there motionlessly, almost as if he was oblivious to the utter carnage he had created with his own hands

 Chapter 68 - 68: 68. Arrow storm

    But Oliver''s and Raelia''s shocked expressions couldn''t be blamed on their ignorance or even narrow thinking.


    Aiden''s display was really just that ridiculous.


    A mechanism meant to leave trainees helpless had been shattered by the force of just one man''s fist. How could they not be shocked!


    Just after redeeming a new divine technique, Aiden''s strength had jumped to a new level again.


    Aiden''s growth could only be described as exponential; he just kept on growing and showed no sign of slowing down.


    He was like an all-consuming flame. Anything and everything would be added and devoured within his flame, allowing it to burn stronger and stronger with each passing moment.


    Looking at the burning path he had created in front of them, Aiden looked back towards Raelia and Oliver and spoke.


    "Let''s continue moving. This is just the beginning."


    With that, the group continued journeying forward.


    But as they were journeying through the mist, it didn''t take long before Aiden paused once again as a cruel smile appeared on his face. He turned towards his good friend.


    "Oliver, you sense them, right?"


    Oliver, in turn, responded with a smile just as cruel as Aiden''s.


    "Of course I do. They''re those bastards from before."


    Just after Oliver had finished his words, countless figures could be seen emerging from the mist.


    Several ominous dark wooden puppets walked out.


    The dark wood composing their bodies almost had a metallic sheen to it as they cut through the mist like a spectral army.


    Maybe it was because they hadn''t been knocked off the path, but unlike the last time they ran this trial, the puppets numbered in the hundreds.


    In addition, the darker coloring and more ominous aura emanating from the bodies of these puppets showed they were much stronger than the ones they had encountered when they first arrived.


    But once Aiden and the others saw this sight, they weren''t fearful or annoyed; instead, they were excited!


    These puppets were the ones that had left them brutally hospitalized and knocked out when they first came to the training camp.


    In a way, they served as symbolism for their awakening to the world of the gods and their inherent weakness.


    But what would it mean if they could now defeat this symbolism?


    It would mean that they had successfully started their journey towards true strength, no matter how small it may seem now.


    It was a step-by-step process that could reach unimaginable heights.


    The trio stared at the hundred different figures in front of them, and their eyes glowed with an unimaginable battle intent.


    Each of their hands flashed in a blur, and all of a sudden, a terrifying storm of arrows descended from the skies!


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Apocalyptic explosions rained from the sky as Aiden''s figure flashed forward in a beam of golden light.


    Back then, he had rushed into the forest recklessly and hadn''t even thought to bring a bow, facing these puppets with just his fists, which caused him to be helplessly defeated.


    Now he would shatter these enemies with just these very same fists!


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Boom!


    An explosion of light appeared, annihilating these puppets as if they were early morning darkness before the rising sun.


    And Aiden''s reign of terror was just beginning!


    Aiden stepped forward, and the earth beneath his feet shattered as his body continued to lunge forward into the endless swarm of puppets. sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Countless fists and kicks rained down on Aiden''s body, but it was all for naught.


    Aiden''s figure was like that of an elusive ghost. It was constantly flashing with a golden light as it flickered around, phasing through every attack.


    But Aiden wasn''t just dodging. After entering the semi-light state, Aiden would instantly phase back out of it to return a devastating punch that sent every puppet his fist landed on flying.


    This was all happening within the span of mere seconds, with Aiden''s body moving in a massive blur and his fists flying out like a storm of arrows!


    All of a sudden, Aiden''s mind seemed to wander off into a different space.


    A Storm of Arrows?


    A simple observation had awakened something in Aiden.


    As soon as that thought hit Aiden''s mind, his body began to tremble.


    Thousands of thoughts and theories flooded Aiden''s mind as the divinity within his blood surged with excitement.


    His fist techniques and his monstrous archery talent were reacting again to form something.


    Aiden could feel it and smiled as he leapt high into the air.


    Pulling back his fists, the muscles in Aiden''s arms and back twisted and coiled until they perfectly accumulated all the power in his body, like that of a fully drawn bowstring.


    Aiden took a deep breath and breathed out a cloud of white, mist-like air before his voice bellowed throughout the skies, calling forth the name of his newly created technique:


    "Fist like Arrow ¨C Arrow Storm!"


    The puppets all paused to look up at Aiden''s figure, and it''s a good thing they were puppets as well because if it were humans in their place, they would have all collectively shat themselves.


    Aiden''s fists seemed to have multiplied, forming countless shadows that seemed to blot out even the dazzling sun behind him!


    As these shadows fell, they no longer took the form of fist shadows but instead of countless deadly arrows that appeared as if they could pierce through anything!


    It really was a storm of arrows!


    Countless explosions sounded as the puppets exploded and were shattered under Aiden''s newly created fist technique.


    By the time Aiden landed, his feet fell upon a mountain of destroyed puppets.


    Howl!!


    Although Aiden''s performance was magnificent, he wasn''t the only one wreaking havoc.


    A short distance away, a towering figure wrapped in glowing silver fur could be seen howling manically as her terrifying claws dismantled any of the attacking puppets in a cold flash of silver light.


    Cruel, calculated, and fierce!


    Although each movement seemed wild and berserk, if one looked closer, they could see that they all contained a deadly amount of precision and accuracy.

 Chapter 69 - 69: 69. passing the first area

    Unparalleled strength combined with genius-level precision¡ªit was enough to leave any opponent helpless.


    Anyone who was fortunate enough to gaze upon this sight would instantly admit in their hearts:


    Right now, an apex predator was unleashed on the battlefield.


    Suddenly the ground beneath their feet trembled.


    Aiden felt something wrong and quickly called out:


    "Raelia, look out!"


    But the warning came too late. A dark, heavy fist tore through the mist, crashing down on Raelia''s body.


    Boom!


    A deafening shockwave spread across the area as the ground trembled.


    Aiden looked at the terrifying aftermath of the attack, and his eyes burned with anger. But just as he was about to move, he looked closer, and his eyes shook.


    Underneath the giant fist, a burst of dazzling silver light shone out as an enraged cry shook the sky.


    "How dare you try to crush me? Do I look like some bug to you!"


    Howl!


    A furious wolf''s howl escaped from Raelia''s transformed lips as she flung the giant puppet''s arm away, causing it to stumble backward.


    Despite falling backward, the puppet mechanically raised its arm and readied to attack Raelia once again, but before it could act...


    Two flaming arrows pierced through the mist, landing squarely on its shoulder.


    Boom! Boom!


    Oliver had fired two arrows that disrupted the giant puppet''s movement, allowing Raelia to easily avoid its second blow.


    Standing a distance away, Raelia snarled viciously as her claws protruded from her hands, now glowing with a cold silver light.


    [Crescent Moon Claw!]


    Raelia moved forward in a silver flash of light, and Aiden could just see Raelia appear behind the giant puppet before its legs exploded and were completely sliced and dismantled into falling wooden blocks.


    Despite collapsing, the giant puppet clasped its hands together and raised them to the sky, ready to bring them down like a divine warhammer, but Oliver was already a step ahead.


    [Apollo''s Archery - True Dawn!]


    Oliver''s bow was engulfed in a dazzling golden flame as a blinding burst of light exploded from the arrow tip.


    The arrows tore through the sky, smashing through the giant fist, and that''s when Aiden made his move.


    His figure moved forward, appearing high in the sky as his eyes glowed with a cold golden light.


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist left a golden line through the air as it smashed down like a falling meteorite.


    The head of the puppet was as tough as iron, but it still shattered helplessly underneath Aiden''s fist!


    As Aiden landed back on the floor, he took a deep breath as he looked at the sea of shattered and destroyed puppets and smiled.


    "Clap! Clap! Clap!"


    Suddenly, Aiden and the others heard the sound of slow clapping coming from behind them.


    "Who!"


    Aiden frowned.


    He was just thinking about how much stronger he had gotten, and yet he hadn''t even sensed the person who suddenly appeared from behind him!


    But soon, Aiden''s caution quickly disappeared.


    "I-Instructor Kyros?"


    Seeing Aiden''s surprised look, the instructor just chuckled.


    "Congratulations, students. You are the second group to break through the first sector of the mountain cliff trial."


    "Second? Who was the first group?" asked Aiden, a little surprised.


    "Well, it would be wrong to call them a group since it was only one person at the end of the day."


    As Aiden heard this, his expression hardened.


    If it was only one individual, then that could only leave one person¡ªthe only one who made Aiden feel unsettled and cautious throughout the entire training camp.


    "Kain."


    "Yes, it was that boy," replied Instructor Kyros.


    Aiden took a deep breath and clenched his fist. While Kain was ahead of him now, it would not be that way forever.


    Instructor Kyros saw this and nodded his head, looking towards the three trainees in front of him.


    "I won''t bore you with meaningless words. Unlike the fool before you, I came with a map, so I assume you''ve already done your research. From this point on, the area beyond is its own independent realm. You won''t be facing constructs made to test your abilities, but real monsters that would devour you at any moment.


    You could die."


    When Instructor Kyros said these words, he had expected the trainees in front of him to flinch or at the very least become unsettled, but instead, he saw them smile.


    "When I was first invited to Olympus Academy, I was already told about the possibility that I could die, and I still chose to come," explained Aiden.


    "In life, nothing can be gained without taking risks. This is even more true for us who desire the power of the gods. To seek such otherworldly strength, it''s only natural that your life can also be put up for collateral."


    Instructor Kyros looked at the confident and resolute expressions on the students in front of him and smiled.


    "Very well, then. Each of you are among the top talents of this year''s selection. I''m expecting great things from you, not just at the training camp, but at the academy in the future."


    As the instructor said this, his voice seemed to fade away, becoming distant as his body disappeared from the spot, making Aiden wonder whether the entire conversation he had just had was just an illusion.


    But after he turned to look at Oliver and Raelia and saw them with similarly confused expressions on their faces, he knew that his eyes weren''t deceiving him¡ªit was just Instructor Kyros acting mysteriously. S§×ar?h the Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Shaking his head, Aiden walked towards Raelia and Oliver, placing a hand on each of their shoulders as he smiled.


    "The real challenge begins now, so, shall we head out?"


    "Of course!" replied Raelia.


    "I can finally participate in a proper hunt again."


    As Raelia spoke, her fangs started elongating as her eyes glowed with an ominous silver light.


    Seeing the eyes of both of his friends bursting with excitement, Oliver just shook his head.


    "You can get excited, but you still have to remain calm and follow our laid-out plans. We can''t afford to fail here. Our lives are at risk."

 Chapter 70 - 70: 70.

    Aiden and Raelia calmed down for a second.


    Oliver''s words were correct. Whilst there was no harm in being confident, caution was still necessary.


    The group looked at one another and nodded as they walked forward.


    As they each took steps forward, the grey mist around them started to grow fainter and fainter until it completely disappeared.


    Aiden seemed to feel a faint cover pass over him, and when he looked up again, the mist that had surprised him had completely vanished.


    Now, the group stood amidst a vast, verdant forest. Towering trees loomed above as the gentle chirping of birds filled the air. The faint, earthy scent of the forest drifted by, carried on a soft breeze brushing against their faces. They had entered the second stage.


    .....


    An unknown amount of time later...


    Deep within the cliff trial forests, a faint growl could be heard as a large badger-like creature was tearing into a half-eaten rabbit.


    But as the badger was eating, its ears suddenly stood alert as it roared into the sky, but it was too late.


    A bright silver light tore through the air and pierced the badger''s head, nailing it helplessly against a nearby tree.


    Shortly after the attack passed, three elusive figures could be seen walking out.


    A handsome blonde-haired boy yawned as he looked toward the silver-haired girl beside him.


    "How many creatures does that make now?"


    "Fifteen," replied the girl nonchalantly.


    After saying this, the girl calmly walked up to the monster and brought out a sharp dagger, beginning to dissect the creature.


    After a short amount of time dissecting, the silver-haired girl ignored the blood staining her body and showed off an enchanting smile.


    "We''re in luck, guys. We got another magic core!"


    Magic cores were the accumulation of energy and vitality within divine beasts.


    They were used in various industries throughout the world of the gods¡ªbe that forging terrifying divine weapons, crafting mystical potions, or creating heavenly enchantments. Magic cores could be used in nearly anything.


    But the most important thing about magic cores for the current Aiden was that these could be exchanged for divine credits.


    Despite hunting around fifteen divine beasts, they had only been lucky enough to get five magic cores, which wasn''t that good of a record.


    Aiden looked toward Oliver and frowned.


    "It''s as you said, hunting these weaker divine beasts is really an inefficient way to earn divine credits." Sear?h the novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In response, Oliver just patted Aiden on the shoulder.


    "Fortunately, this won''t have to continue for long. We''re now nearing the location of the first treasure."


    Just as Oliver said this, Raelia, who had now finished retrieving the magic core, wiped the blood from her hands and pulled out a map.


    Oliver then pointed at a specific location.


    "Here. This is the place where the Morning Dew Flower grows."


    The Morning Dew Flower is a golden flower that''s said to gather divine energy from the atmosphere generated at the start of each new day.


    Each petal on the flower is an amazing tonic that can greatly increase our divinity, but there''s one problem.


    "This treasure is also guarded by a divine beast, and an extremely powerful one at that," explained Oliver.


    "The Crimson Star Bear. Named for its crimson fur, constantly stained with dark red blood and glowing red star-shaped patterns along its back and chest."


    The Crimson Star Bear, like the Lion King you faced in the practical assessment, is a divine beast at the peak of the first rank.


    "You''re much stronger than you were when you faced the Lion King, but don''t underestimate the Crimson Star Bear¡ªit is also much stronger than the Lion King.


    It doesn''t have any glaring weaknesses that can be exploited like the Lion King, and it possesses terrifying levels of strength and vitality."


    Aiden heard this and tightened his hand around the bow, asking:


    "You''re giving us its threat level, but I''m sure you also have a plan to beat it, so tell us, Oliver¡ªhow do we kill it?"


    Oliver heard this and smiled.


    "Like I said before, the Crimson Star Bear has a terrifying level of vitality. Although we''re all archers, we could slowly wear it down and kill it from a distance, but the problem is that the Crimson Star Bear was never our target to begin with.


    Our real target was the Morning Dew Flower.


    The Crimson Star Bear is a divine beast, meaning it''s started developing its intelligence. If it realizes it''s being hunted for the Morning Dew Flower, it would eat or even destroy it before we could kill it off.


    To prevent that, we would need a frontline fighter to occupy and restrict the bear''s movements, and that''s where you come in, Raelia."


    As Raelia heard this, she frowned slightly.


    Oliver saw this and smiled helplessly.


    "I know it''s uncomfortable since you''re also an archer like the rest of us, but when it comes to frontline fighting, you are obviously the best pick.


    Among us all, you are the most experienced in hand-to-hand combat, and your werewolf form and bloodline grant you strength that can''t be matched by the rest of us.


    Although Raelia, you will be fighting on the front line, Aiden will also be there to assist you. While his physique and raw strength aren''t as good as yours, due to his mastery of divine techniques, his pure burst damage is still overwhelming and can pose a lethal threat at any moment.


    This, combined with his proficient movement techniques, allows him to be a constant and powerful threat to the enemy, able to attack from range and up close at any moment.


    He will be there to help you through any sticky situation you may get in. His role is more of a flexible fighter that can assist both the front and back lines.


    While this is happening, I will be in the rear, providing cover fire and restricting the movements of the Crimson Star Bear."


    As Oliver said this, he scratched his head, a little embarrassed.


    His friends would be fighting a terrifying monster.

 Chapter 71 - 71: 71 . Crimson Star Bear

    His friends would be fighting a terrifying monster up close and risking their lives, whilst he, on the other hand, would be safely firing arrows from a distance.


    Aiden saw his friend''s embarrassment and patted him on the shoulder.


    Feeling that, Oliver regained a little bit of his confidence.


    Everyone had their role to play and he count let his doubts allow him to mess up his role which was also the safest,


    He wouldn''t let his friends down!


    ¡­.


    A short while later, the group entered deep into the forest, but this time, every single one of them was deathly silent.


    Even their breathing couldn''t be heard as they looked towards their target, killing intent rising within their eyes.


    A short distance away from them was a creature that could only be described as a small mountain.


    The beast was massive and covered in deep blood-red crimson fur, while orange-red star-shaped patterns were scattered across its chest and back.


    The beast lay down on the ground lazily, each breath it took causing the ground to tremble.


    But Aiden and the others didn''t fall for its tricks, as despite its lazy appearance, the creature was surprisingly alert.


    From time to time, it would open its crimson eyes and look towards a glowing golden flower with a look of boundless greed.


    All of a sudden, three dazzling beams of light shot through the forest and towards the bear.


    Two golden and one silver light beam roared through the sky like a group of enraged dragons, smashing into the crimson star bear!


    "Boom!"


    An explosion shook the forest as the crimson star bear reappeared from the dust with three deep wounds across its arm and back.


    "Roar!"


    The furious crimson star bear let out a defiant roar that sent earth and grass several meters around it flying.


    Its deep crimson eyes burned with endless rage as it locked onto the direction the arrows had originally come from.


    The enraged bear then charged forward. In its rage, it was no different from a bulldozer, shattering and trampling over any tree or boulder unfortunate enough to be caught in its path.


    Roar!


    The bear''s giant paw smashed down onto the ground, destroying its surroundings and causing a massive crater to form.


    But when the bear looked around, it was confused to find no enemies in sight.


    That''s when a terrifying screech shook the air as a bombardment of arrows rained down upon the crimson star bear''s body.


    The bear roared and writhed in pain and as this was happening, clarity began to return to the bear''s eyes.


    The Crimson Star bear had lashed out furiously before because it thought it was being attacked by another beast that had intruded on its territory, but the it wasn''t stupid.


    It knew there was no beast that acted this way.


    This was not normal behaviour for beast that roamed around in this forest


    Its instincts were warning it, so it decided to act.


    It would devour the morning dew flower right now to avoid any problems!


    The crimson bear rushed forward, ignoring all the falling arrows, but as it did so, a figure enveloped in silver light rushed out of the forest.


    Raelia''s eyes burned with ghostly blue light as her nails turned into sharp, elongated claws, and silver fur appeared on her arms and feet.


    "Bang!"


    The giant bear collided with the small, petite wolf girl in a horrifying show of force.


    But the wolf girl didn''t budge and firmly held the crimson star bear in place!


    A cruel snarl escaped from Raelia''s lips as she weaved past the bear''s massive paws and slashed across its chest with her sharp silver claws


    "Roar!!!"


    Blood spattered across the floor as the giant bear lashed out in pain.


    Its furious eyes locked onto Raelia once again, and it slammed down its paw with the force of a falling mountain! sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Boom!"


    "Urghh..."


    Raelia groaned as she felt a sharp jolt of pain run through her entire body, causing her to freeze in place for a second.


    The crimson star bear saw the opportunity and wouldn''t let it slip by. It swung out its paw, ready to smash Raelia into a pile of meat paste, but Aiden was already on the move.


    The moment he saw Raelia freeze up, he flashed forward at blinding speed, easily weaving through the giant bear''s paws and appearing right underneath the massive creature.


    Right as the bear was about to land its attack on Raelia, Aiden''s fist was already under its chin, ready to deliver a devastating uppercut.


    [ Daybreak Fist! ]


    "Boom!"


    A flash of light exploded.


    Aiden''s punch sounded like a cannon shot, causing the crimson star bear''s body to lurch upwards.


    The force was so great that it caused the four-legged creature to rear up and stumble backward on its two legs.


    But Aiden wouldn''t stop there.


    Before the crimson star bear could recover, his fist was already in front of the monster''s chest.


    The muscles in his arms and back trembled as his eyes shone with a harsh golden glow.


    [ Daybreak Fist! ]


    "Boom!"


    Aiden went all out!


    His fist hit the bear with the force of a speeding truck, sending the hill-sized beast flying backward, crushing several trees in the process.


    Aiden quickly pulled out the bow on his back and fired a barrage of arrows toward the helpless bear.


    But right as the arrows were about to land, the bear''s eyes opened, revealing deep crimson pupils. Inside those eyes, there was no sanity, only raging, endless madness.


    "ROAR!"


    The bear''s massive body grew even larger as the stars on its back started glowing with an ominous red light.


    Boom!


    All of a sudden, the stars on the bear''s body seemed to explode as a sea of fire poured out from them.


    Some of the vicious red flames spread out, burning and annihilating anything they came into contact with.


    The rest wrapped around the bear''s body, clinging to its rapidly expanding physique like a set of living fire armor.


    "ROAR!"


    A deafening, berserk roar shook Aiden''s and Raelia''s eardrums, causing them to freeze in place for a second.


    Aiden looked at the raging monster in front of him and frowned.

 Chapter 72 - 72: 72. Crimson Star Bear (2)

    Just a roar from the beast had almost left them paralyzed.


    If they were going to properly deal with this creature, they needed to be more careful.


    Unfortunately, the crimson star bear wouldn''t give them any time to think. It roared as it rushed forward in a sea of flames.


    It had completely lost its mind and didn''t care about its surroundings.


    If it got any closer, the morning dew flower would definitely be damaged, if not outright destroyed.


    "HOWL!"


    Raelia knew her role and let out a defiant howl as she fully transformed into a towering silver werewolf.


    Bang!!


    The two beasts collided in a brilliant show of force.


    The deep red flames of the crimson star bear burned furiously against Raelia''s skin, but she didn''t back down.


    Her cold silver divinity shone on her like the soft glow of the winter moon, allowing her to resist the terrifying flames.


    While Raelia held back the crimson star bear, Aiden dashed forward, ready to strike it down with his fist.


    But he had missed something. In the crimson star bear''s berserk state, while its reasoning may be reduced, its instincts were heightened to an unprecedented level.


    It quickly sensed the aura of danger from Aiden''s movements and swung out in his direction.


    Aiden was completely caught off guard by the bear''s sudden movements and was sent flying through the trees.


    "Aiden!"


    Raelia cried out in horror at the sight of Aiden being flung through the air like a ragdoll.


    But that was the chance the bear had been waiting for. It took Raelia''s moment of distraction as its opportunity and smashed its claw down, sending Raelia flying through the air.


    However, the crimson star bear didn''t get to celebrate. Right after its paw smashed into Raelia, a golden glowing arrow shot through the air, nesting itself deep inside its eye socket!


    "ROAR!"


    Oliver had taken the perfect moment to greatly wound the crimson star bear.


    Now blinded in one eye, the crimson star bear howled as its arms flailed around.


    Suddenly, a bloodied and bruised figure rushed out of the forest and appeared right in front of the bear''s head.


    [Daybreak Fist!]


    Aiden''s fist drilled into the arrow that was still sticking out of the bear''s eye, lodging it deeper into the bear''s head and even reaching its brain.


    The crimson star bear''s rampage became even more frantic.


    The crimson star bear swung its arm, but Aiden''s body flickered as he disappeared, allowing the paw to pass straight through him.


    Next, Raelia made her move.


    Her claws elongated and started glowing with an ominous silver light.


    Her body flashed forward with a silver light, and a howl echoed through the air.


    There was a bright flash of silver and a devastating roar. A giant arm flew into the air, and blood poured out like a river.


    The crimson star bear was furious, with blood splattered all over its body. It looked at Raelia with eyes filled with hatred.


    The crimson star bear charged forward and collided with the wolf girl, sending her flying backward.


    But the beast wasn''t done. It rushed toward Raelia, its jaws wide open and its eyes completely bloodshot, ready to finish the job.


    But before its jaws could close, three golden arrows collided with it like a missile barrage, sending it stumbling backward.


    Aiden joined in, sending another arrow that smashed against the crimson star bear''s back.


    His arrow pierced its burning flame armor, digging deep into the bear''s back.


    With its grievous wounds accumulating, the bear had now lost all sense of reasoning. It simply targeted the person who had last attacked it¡ªAiden.


    Seeing the crimson star bear looking at him, Aiden stimulated his divinity, causing his aura to rise and provoke the bear. sea??h th§× n??el Fire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The bear roared and charged forward. Aiden''s body also glowed as he charged toward the bear as well.


    But the collision of forces they expected didn''t occur.


    Aiden easily weaved past the bear and rushed toward Raelia.


    He leapt onto Raelia''s arm, and she then threw him up into the air.


    Aiden''s figure soared into the sky.


    He could feel the wind rushing against his back as the air swirled around him.


    Aiden''s eyes started to glow with an ominous golden light as he began to harmonize with his surroundings.


    As this was happening, golden clouds started rumbling in the sky, and the crimson star bear far below trembled, feeling a horrifying will lock onto its body.


    [ Heaven''s Arrow ]


    Aiden''s body disappeared and was now replaced with a giant golden arrow that crashed toward the ground at a terrifying speed!


    The sky trembled as a pillar of golden flames shot towards the ground as the arrow finally made impact.


    Boom!


    A dazzling clash of gold and crimson erupted on the forest grounds.


    The two terrifying flames rushed at each other, trying to devour and overpower the other, but the result was quickly determined.


    By the time the smoke cleared, a tall, handsome figure could be seen standing calmly inside a crater of molten magma.


    It was Aiden, who had completely come out on top in the final clash between him and the crimson star bear!


    As for the crimson star bear in question?


    It had been completely blown apart!


    Aiden''s final move burst through the massive beast''s body, sending parts of its limbs flying all over the battlefield.


    And that was just the few parts that had managed to resist his terrifying flames.


    If it wasn''t for the crimson star bear''s already terrifying flame resistance, it would have been completely vaporized on the spot.


    "Aiden! Are you okay?"


    A silver-haired girl called out with clear worry in her voice as she rushed toward Aiden.


    Aiden saw this sight and smiled as he wiped the faint trickle of sweat from his forehead.


    "I''m fine, Raelia, there''s no need to worry about me. If there''s anyone we need to worry about, it should be you. You weer the one who was fighting on the front line and had to endure most of the damage."

 Chapter 73 - 73: 73. Netherspring Lotus

    Raelia heard this and blushed slightly as she raised her arm.


    "You don''t have to worry about me, Aiden. My body is far tougher than it looks."


    Aiden saw Raelia showing off to him, standing happy and proud, and lightly chuckled.


    As the two of them were talking, Oliver walked out of the forest with a bow on his back and patted both Aiden and Raelia on the shoulder.


    "Good work, guys. The Crimson Star Bear was definitely fiercer than the records I could find in the library, but you two still handled it with relative ease."


    Aiden heard this and smiled as he also patted Oliver on the back.


    "Things only went this smoothly because you two are such good teammates. Raelia fearlessly faced the Crimson Star Bear head-on, while you brutally punished any slip-up the bear made, allowing me to fully display my abilities."


    "Now that we''ve worked hard, we should at least get our reward."


    As soon as those words were said, an excited light flashed in the eyes of everyone present.


    They looked towards the direction of the Morning Dew Flower and felt breathless.


    Due to the relentless protection of Raelia and everyone else, the area around the Morning Dew Flower was the only place that was unaffected by the surrounding carnage from their fight with the Crimson Star Bear.


    In the center of this island of serenity stood a divine glowing flower.


    Its petals seemed to be made of pure gold, as dazzling rays of mystical light twinkled across the plant''s entire body.


    There were exactly six petals on the Morning Dew Flower, which meant there were two for each of them.


    After scouting their surroundings and making sure it was safe, Aiden and the others found a rather undamaged area and sat down to consume the Morning Dew Flower.


    As soon as Aiden put the petal in his mouth, his face blushed a deep red as the blood in his body stirred.


    The Morning Dew Flower had an intoxicating honey flavor that left Aiden wanting more.


    He quickly consumed the second petal, causing the divinity in his body to become even more excited.


    Divine energy started rushing towards the fire of divinity burning in his inner space.


    The ember of divinity burned brighter and brighter as Aiden could feel his blood strengthening throughout his body.


    Clenching his fist, Aiden looked at his status screen and smiled, slightly excited.


    Divinity: F+ (40 ¡ú 55/100)


    Just one-third of this rare treasure had been enough for Aiden to gain several weeks'' worth of training. It would be strange if Aiden wasn''t excited.


    At the same time, an unquenchable sense of greed was starting to grow inside of Aiden. If just one treasure was already this effective, one could only imagine how strong they would grow after they completely swept away all the treasures in the Forest of the Mountain Cliff Trial area!


    Aiden turned towards his two friends to see their eyes glowing with a similarly greedy light.


    Obviously, the two had tasted the sweetness of these divine treasures and were just as eager for more as Aiden was.


    Eventually, Raelia couldn''t contain herself any longer and looked at Oliver with a pair of wolf-like eyes.


    "Oliver, quickly tell us where the next location is! We need to get these divine treasures as fast as possible."


    Normally, Oliver would have been a little scared, seeing Raelia look at him with such wolfish eyes. But now, even Oliver, the most level-headed of the group, was subtly affected by the growing greed and was eagerly planning their next move.


    "You guys don''t need to worry about anything. I''ve already planned out the route; we just need Raelia to navigate us there."


    After Oliver''s words, Raelia didn''t waste any more time. She quickly pulled out the map and practically dragged Aiden and Oliver towards their next location.


    ...


    An unknown amount of time passed, and Aiden, Oliver, and Raelia were still hunting in the forest of the Mountain Cliff Trial.


    On their journey, they had hunted many different types of magic beasts and were lucky enough to accumulate quite a few magic cores. Most importantly, they had managed to find many different divine treasures, allowing their divinity to soar.


    [Divinity: F++ (55 ¡ú 80/100)]


    Of course, such a journey wasn''t easy. Searching through the thick and desperate forest was tiring, and if it weren''t for Raelia''s experience and the bloodline bonus brought by being a descendant of Artemis, things wouldn''t have been this manageable.


    In addition, there were still strong divine beasts guarding these treasures.


    While they weren''t as horrifying as the Crimson Star Bear they had faced at the beginning of their journey, they were no pushovers either.


    If Aiden and his group were any weaker or had not taken things seriously, instead of rapidly increasing their strength and divinity, they would have been forced to leave the forest severely injured, if not outright dead.


    Aiden, Raelia, and Oliver were walking through the forest.


    Their expressions were slightly hardened, but the look of satisfaction couldn''t be concealed from their eyes.


    The Netherspring Lotus.


    It was an elusive and magnificent treasure that seemed to form and grow on the surface of lakes and ponds fed by tributaries of the River Styx, which sometimes breached into real space.


    The Underworld was a vast, endless realm, formed as a separate yet equal subspace to the real material plane.


    Despite being linked, the realms of the dead and the living are supposed to remain distinctly separate. sea??h th§× N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    For regular mortals, just an encounter with anything from the Underworld can be lethal, so gods and rulers of the Underworld like Lord Hades make it a top priority to stop breaches from the Underworld into the real world by keeping the barriers between worlds stable


    The universe is constantly expanding, and worlds are always shifting and moving. Sometimes, even the activities of the gods can cause the very fabric of reality itself to shake, so how could the realms be perfectly stable?

 Chapter 74 - 74: 74. Weeping Soul Serpent

    Sometimes, the space between realms weakens and this allows for different realms like the underworld to overlap with the real word.


    The overlap had resulted in creating the nests for the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    There were two reasons that Oliver had saved the Netherspring Lotus to be the last thing they retrieved in their journey inside the forest.


    The first reason was that the Netherspring Lotus was the strongest and most potent divine treasure on the list of treasures he had been able to make from the records in the library.


    This was important because the very point of their trip was to quickly enter the forest and sweep away as many treasures as they possibly could.


    This was obviously a good thing, but it also came with its own drawbacks.


    Taking many divine treasures in rapid succession would naturally reduce their effectiveness.


    The body would gradually develop resistance against the rapid intake of supernatural medicine.


    That''s why children from powerful noble families would space out their consumption of drugs, so as to not encounter this problem.


    The good thing about the Netherspring Lotus was that since it was so potent, it could mostly ignore the resistance they had already built up, making it the best to save for last.


    The second reason that Oliver had saved the Netherspring Lotus for last was simply because it was the most difficult to grab.


    The beast guarding the Netherspring Lotus was no ordinary Rank 1 monster but instead a terrifying peak Rank 1 monster that could defeat even the Crimson Star Bear: the Weeping Soul Serpent.


    What made it worse was that the Weeping Soul Serpents were an associated species and lived in extremely large groups, all led by the peak Rank 1 divine creature.


    Saving the Netherspring Lotus for last also allowed them to increase their divinity and strength in preparation for facing the army of Weeping Soul Serpents.


    The trio of Oliver,Aiden and Raelia came to a large entrance hole at the side of the mountain and gulped.


    Despite standing near the entrance, Aiden could already feel the temperature drop as a faint, ominous air clung to his skin.


    Even for a divine descendant like him, the surroundings had started to feel eerie. One could only imagine how horrifying the area would feel to a regular mortal.


    Aiden then turned to Oliver and asked, "This is the right place, correct?"


    "Correct. This is the right area. From now on, we have to be careful. These Weeping Soul Serpents are vicious creatures that would not spare anything that intruded on their territory. Plus, they live in such large groups that total extermination is a ridiculous idea.


    Our plan is to execute a beheading tactic.


    We will sneak into their nest and quickly assassinate the leader of their group, sending the rest of the Weeping Soul Serpents into disarray and buying us enough time to escape.


    I won''t lie to you two, this plan is risky, and there is a chance things will go wrong and leave us seriously injured, if not dead. But I believe in you guys and my plan.


    As long as we pay attention and work hard, there should be no problems."


    Aiden heard this and just shook his head.


    "Oliver, I trust your plans. They''ve got us this far, so I''m willing to take the risk." sea??h th§× nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Raelia poked her head out from behind Aiden and also chimed in.


    After reconfirming their resolve, the group wasted no time and started to move.


    The tunnels leading to the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents were anything but small, their towering walls reaching several meters high. Looking into the entrance, you could feel an imposing and ominous aura stretch out as if it wanted to consume you whole.


    Despite the ominous aura they felt, the greed and ambition in their hearts suppressed their fear, allowing the trio to continue walking.


    As the group ventured deeper into the underground cave system, the echo of their footsteps bounced off the damp stone walls, creating an eerie rhythm that seemed to follow them through the passage.


    Inside the tunnels, the darkness was suffocating, so thick and complete that even Aiden and Oliver, who usually had sharp vision, found it difficult to see clearly. Shadows danced along the rough, uneven surfaces, adding to the oppressive atmosphere, as if the cave itself was alive, watching their every move.


    The unsettling aura, coupled with the distinct blindness, made Aiden feel extremely uncomfortable. Despite being divine descendants, even they could not adapt to this level of darkness.


    Only Raelia, with her excellent dark vision, fared slightly better, unaffected by her surroundings.


    Aiden thought about this and frowned.


    If things continued like this, he would be completely oblivious to any incoming attack until it was already too late.


    Aiden quickly extended his hand and used his divinity to create a small fireball that hovered above his palm.


    The surroundings instantly brightened up, but at the same time, Aiden quickly felt a hand on his shoulder. It was Oliver.


    "Aiden, what are you doing? Didn''t I say that we need to be as stealthy as possible? What we''re trying to execute is a beheading tactic against the leader. If the monsters discover us first, then it''s over!"


    Aiden understood Oliver''s worry but calmly explained his own perspective.


    "What you''re saying makes sense, but I still think it''s too risky. My senses are too poor to handle any surprise attack that might come from these shadows. Raelia might be able to fare good enough, but there''s no point in actually getting seriously injured for this treasure. If lighting up the surroundings makes the mission impossible, then we might as well just turn back right now."


    Oliver looked at Aiden''s firm expression and knew right then that Aiden had made up his mind, and he couldn''t convince him otherwise.


    Eventually, Oliver just sighed as he relaxed his clenched fist.


    "Sigh... Aiden, you''re right. Our safety should still be the first priority, and as a main fighter, we can''t allow you to have any injuries before the main fight starts."

 Chapter 75 - 75: 75. Weeping Soul Serpent (2)

    Aiden heard this and smiled, happy that his friend understood his thinking. But before he could talk, Oliver cut him off.


    "The fire is fine for now, but when we approach the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents, the light must be out, or there is no point in taking another step forward."


    Aiden heard this and casually waved his hand.


    "There''s no need to worry about that. When it gets to that time, I won''t be a liability for the mission."


    Seeing this, Oliver nodded and brought out the map to begin leading the group again.


    With the light emanating from the orb in Aiden''s hand, the group seemed to gain some added confidence and moved forward at a faster speed.


    Despite moving much faster than before, the journey wasn''t easy. They were traversing underground tunnels that were teeming with potential monsters.


    Oliver didn''t want to take any chances and would often pause at certain times to make markings and double-check his path at crossroads.


    Oliver looked around again when suddenly there was a low, guttural hissing emanating from the shadows. A deep black serpent leapt out towards Oliver''s leading figure.


    Aiden, who had been paying attention to his surroundings, had his eyes flash with a strange golden light as his figure flickered forward.


    Bang!


    His fist glowed bright golden-red like hot molten steel and came crashing down from the sky!


    "Screech!"


    The attacked serpent let out an ear-piercing screech that made Aiden pause for a few moments as it writhed on the ground, but Aiden soon overcame the discomfort and stepped forward, crushing the injured snake beneath his feet.


    Bang!


    The bottom half of the serpent''s body exploded, causing the creature to writhe for only a few more seconds before coming to a complete standstill.


    Oliver came over to Aiden''s side and frowned.


    "Thanks for helping me back there, Aiden. I didn''t even realize that it had gotten this close."


    Aiden just waved Oliver off, not taking what he did as any sort of big deal, and crouched down next to the corpse of the crushed creature and asked,


    "This is¡­?"


    "Yeah, it''s a Weeping Soul Serpent," replied Oliver.


    "And that screech from earlier?" asked Aiden.


    "It''s the unique ability of the Weeping Soul Serpent. [Soul Weep]. It''s an attack that targets the mind and soul directly of the attacked creature. For regular mortals, it would prove lethal, but for divine descendants like us, even the leader of the group could only incapacitate us for a few seconds at most."


    Aiden heard this and frowned.


    "Is there any way to guard against such abilities?"


    "I''m afraid not. We can only overpower it with sheer will for now. That''s why the Weeping Soul Serpent is such a terrifying creature at early ranks. It''s one that can''t be guarded against, only endured."


    Aiden and Oliver kept talking for a while longer when their conversation was suddenly interrupted.


    Hiss! Hiss! Hiss!


    Low, eerie hissing came from every direction in the darkness, just outside the range of Aiden''s light source.


    The group paused as they could clearly feel the gaze of countless green eyes watching them from the shadows.


    They were surrounded!


    Raelia looked around and snorted. In contrast to Aiden and the others, who were blind under the glow, her blue wolf eyes could see as clearly as day.


    Before Aiden and Oliver could even realize what was happening, the bow on Raelia''s back had been fully drawn.


    Phew! Phew! Phew!


    A storm of arrows flew out as the small tunnel was flooded with silver light.


    Raelia''s arrows flew like a storm of silver bullets, piercing through the bodies of the serpents and pinning them to the walls of the underground cave passage.


    Raelia looked around and saw that the serpents had been cleanly killed off. She wanted to inspect the bodies for any magic cores when Oliver quickly pulled her back.


    "We have to leave now. Our fight has already started to attract the nearby Weeping Soul Serpents to our location. Remember, our mission is a beheading tactic. If we get bogged down by a swarm of serpents, we''re going to be in deep trouble!"


    Oliver didn''t need to explain any more to Aiden and Raelia before they got the gist of what was happening. They didn''t say another word and followed closely behind Oliver as the three figures flew through the cave passageways.


    Before, when they first entered, the group traversed rather slowly, making sure not to get lost and taking as much time as needed to ensure they took the correct path.


    Now, under the threat of encirclement by the Weeping Soul Serpents, the group didn''t dare stop and continued moving.


    They kept moving through the maze-like cave system at blinding speeds.


    Oliver''s eyes were glowing with a blinding golden light as they constantly darted about, processing all information and comparing it with their surroundings in the blink of an eye, readjusting their direction.


    Of course, since they were nearing the nest of the Weeping Soul Serpents, no matter how cautious or careful they had been, they would inevitably run into a few serpents along the way. But that was a complete non-issue.


    Any serpent unlucky enough to run into their path would find itself completely suppressed and annihilated under Aiden''s ruthless golden fist or mercilessly eviscerated by Raelia''s silver claws. S§×arch* The ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    With the team working at such an efficient pace, it didn''t take long for them to reach the end of the tunnel and near their destination.


    Suddenly, the caves, which had been pitch black before, began to light up gradually as the tunnels became more spacious.


    The group''s rapid movement eventually slowed to a crawl as they traded speed for stealth.


    Over the past few days, since they had entered into the mountain cliff trial, Aiden and Oliver had learned a few things from Raelia. One important part of hunting they had learned was stealth.


    The stealth that they had learnt wasn''t any grandiose divine technique or anything like that instead was something much more basic. But basic didn''t mean it was ineffective

 Chapter 76 - 76: 76. king

    The stealth that they had learned wasn''t any grandiose divine technique or anything like that; instead, it was something much more basic. But basic didn''t mean it was ineffective.


    Sometimes, you also had to take a look at who was teaching you such basic techniques. Raelia was a divine descendant of the goddess of the hunt, and things like stealth and avoidance were as easy as breathing to her.


    Even basic techniques from someone like her would be enough to be considered a god-like skill in the mortal world.


    The trio used the stealth techniques to sneak up to the entrance and were quickly mesmerized.


    he tunnel gradually widened into a vast underground cavern, its scale overwhelming. Along the walls and ceiling, faint patches of glowing green moss twinkled like distant stars, casting an eerie, magical light across the space.


    The cool, heavy air felt alive, as if the cavern itself was watching them. The shimmering light gave the chamber a strange, enchanting beauty, but beneath the surface, a sense of foreboding lingered.


    Their awe was short-lived, as their gaze fell upon a sight that made their skin crawl. Beneath them, the cavern floor was swarming with snakes, their bodies writhing in a sea of endless motion. Each snake was covered in sleek, abyssal black scales, with eerie white markings resembling ghostly faces twisted in silent screams.


    The air was thick with the unsettling hiss of scales brushing against stone.


    At the center of the cavern lay a crystal-clear lake, its surface smooth and undisturbed, reflecting the faint light above. Floating on the water was a single large black-and-white lotuses, its petals glowing faintly, pulsing with an otherworldly energy. The flowers, beautiful yet ominous, seemed to draw in the viewer''s gaze, as if luring them into a trance.


    Eventually, Aiden managed to overpower the soul-charming effect of the Netherspring Lotus and took a good look at his true enemy.


    It was the Weeping Soul Serpent King that they had to eliminate.


    It lay calmly on a large boulder near the Netherspring Lake.


    Its body completely dwarfed the other Weeping Soul Serpents twisting and writhing around the lakeshore with its massive and thick frame.


    Its green eyes opened slightly from time to time, gazing over the surroundings with a grand sense of majesty.


    Aiden looked at it and could feel the threat the beast posed.


    He took a deep breath, loosening his muscles, and let the divinity inside his body flow through him. He turned towards his two companions.


    "Ready?" asked Aiden.


    "Ready," they both replied with confident smiles.


    As they said this, both of them dashed to the side, leaving Aiden all alone. S~ea??h the N??elFir§×.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The plan was to ambush and assist in defeating the Weeping Soul Serpent King.


    To do that, they needed a distraction, and in such a dark underground cave, what better distraction was there than a dazzling ball of golden light?


    Aiden took a deep breath, and the divinity within him began to surge. His dazzling blonde hair started to float in the wind as bright golden flames formed a giant whirlpool all around him.


    The second he acted, Aiden''s torrent of fire didn''t stop and surged forward, burning and annihilating any Weeping Soul Serpent that dared to get in his way.


    Within just a few seconds, Aiden had appeared in front of the gaunt Weeping Soul Serpent King.


    Aiden pulled back his fist, causing the golden flames around him to tremble as they coalesced around his arms.


    [Daybreak Fist]


    Boom!


    In that second, a burst of blinding light exploded in the darkness, like the rising sun breaking through the horizon.


    Even the massive Weeping Soul Serpent King felt its bones shake as a massive force tore through its scales, penetrating deep into its body.


    Roar!


    A soul-shaking cry emanated from the giant serpent''s lips.


    This was one of the unique techniques of the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    [Soul Weep]


    A loud, distinct cry that mimicked the wailing of souls crossing the River Styx!


    Even someone as resolute as Aiden ended up stumbling, raising his hands to cover his ears as he winced in pain.


    The surrounding Weeping Soul Serpents didn''t let the chance their king had created go to waste.


    Countless Weeping Soul Serpents rose up like an endless tide and rushed toward Aiden, hissing and crying as their countless green eyes burned with an ominous light.


    Aiden braced himself and channeled the divinity within his body directly toward his hands, ready to face the swarm, but his two teammates were a step ahead.


    A wave of golden and silver light spread across the roof of the cavern before a barrage of golden and silver arrows crashed down from above.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    The sight was terrifying.


    The deadly arrows fell from the sky like a rain of death, piercing straight through the Weeping Soul Serpents and nailing them deep into the ground.


    Silver lights flashed from the tips of Raelia''s arrows like lethal blades, slicing and eviscerating anything they touched, while golden flames bloomed from Oliver''s arrows, crashing into the ground with a deafening explosion that swept out a wave of golden divine fire.


    Within seconds, the inside of the cavern had been turned into a hellish purgatory.


    Blood spilled, and the wails of the slaughtered beasts filled the room as a sea of fire raged all around.


    With just one look around, Aiden knew that he didn''t have to worry about the remaining Weeping Soul Serpents for the time being.


    Right now, all he needed to do was repay his teammates'' trust and defeat the Weeping Soul Serpent King as quickly as possible!


    Aiden''s body flickered like a golden ghost, and before the serpent king could blink, Aiden was hovering over its head.


    Boom!


    Aiden brought down his fist, wrapped in golden flames, sending the upper body of the giant Weeping Soul Serpent King crashing into the floor.


    The serpent king howled furiously and swung its tail like a colossal whip with the force to shatter mountains, but Aiden''s body just flashed with a golden light, and he disappeared.

 Chapter 77 - 77: 77. King (2)

    Boom!


    Aiden reappeared by the side of the monster with a cruel look in his golden eyes and buried his fist deep into the sides of the Soul Serpent King!


    An explosion of golden flames seared deep into the serpent''s skin, peeling off its hard outer scales and bursting its flesh.


    The body of the poor snake curled like a pretzel as a tragic wail escaped its lips.


    Tsssss!!


    Hot blood poured out of its wounds, burning away against Aiden''s golden flames and creating a crimson blood mist.


    Roar!!!


    The pain, coupled with the humiliation of being constantly wounded by such a small creature, made the Weeping Soul Serpent King lose its mind.


    [Soul Weep!]


    The Soul Serpent King, losing all sense of reason, activated its signature skill to its maximum effect.


    For a second, it even seemed like green flames were bursting out of its serpentine eyes!


    Regardless of the ominous visual, an impeccable force traveled alongside the sound waves that escaped from the creature''s mouth, penetrating deep into Aiden''s soul.


    The effect was much more powerful than the last soul attack and nearly dropped Aiden to his knees.


    Aiden gritted his teeth and activated the Fosbury in his body, causing him to pulse with a golden light.


    The attack had stunned Aiden for just a few moments, but a few moments were all the Soul Serpent King needed.


    By the time Aiden opened his eyes, he could only see a massive black scaly tail crashing toward him.


    Boom!


    Aiden barely even had time to block before he felt the tail collide into him like a speeding truck.


    His feet were easily lifted off the ground, and he was sent flying through the air.


    Bang!


    Aiden''s body crashed into the wall, creating a human-shaped imprint inside the hard stone.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King let out a spiteful hiss as its long snake tongue flickered out.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King looked in Aiden''s direction and raised its upper body, ready to pounce on him and finish the job. But when it tried to move, it felt a massive amount of resistance as sharp pain penetrated deep into its tail.


    HOWL!!


    A furious, bestial roar echoed through the walls of the cavern, and when the snake king turned around, it could see a beautiful silver-furred werewolf grabbing onto its body with its sharp claws pierced deep into its tail.


    Snarling, the Serpent King''s eyes glared at Raelia before its massive head charged forward, hurling her away.


    But right as the Weeping Soul Serpent was about to finish the job, a blinding golden light filled the cavern as a calm voice spoke out.


    [Apollo''s Archery ¨C True Dawn]


    A golden flame arrow shot out like the rising sun, screeching through the air before it crashed into the head of the serpent, exploding in a giant fireball.


    The giant beast wailed in pain as it thrashed about, going completely berserk.


    When it opened its massive green eyes, it scanned the surroundings, looking for any of those pesky humans that it could use to vent its frustrations. But to its surprise, the humans had completely disappeared.


    It quickly turned around again, but there was nothing.


    Just as the beast was about to lose its mind and lash out, it suddenly froze.


    Not because it couldn''t find anyone, but because it sensed something, something ominous...


    As an extremely spiritual beast king, its senses were one of the things the Weeping Soul Serpent King prided itself on, and right now, its senses were screaming.


    The air around it seemed to tremble as it felt like its body had been marked by a supernatural being¡ªand this feeling came from above.


    Panicking, the Serpent King looked up, and it finally saw it.


    The small, insect-like human that had been bothering it before was hanging from the high ceiling of the cavern, glaring at it.


    Aiden''s golden eyes burned like torches and seemed to see through its very existence.


    But what... what was this ominous feeling it was getting?


    It was almost like... fear.


    At that very moment, Aiden exploded in a burst of golden light. S§×arch* The Nov§×l?ire.n(e)t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Aiden kicked off the roof, and golden clouds of divine mist manifested as the entire cavern seemed to tremble.


    It was then that Aiden''s voice echoed.


    [Heaven''s Arrow]


    Despite being underground, it was as if the force of the heavens had descended.


    Aiden''s body was warped by the phantom of a giant flaming arrow and crashed downwards to the ground like the judgment of Lord Apollo himself.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King felt an overwhelming sense of dread and howled.


    In an instant, countless lesser Weeping Soul Serpents swarmed toward their king, but they didn''t stop there.


    They continued on like a tide, rising up above and trying to block Aiden with countless bodies. But it was useless.


    It was like a group of ants trying to stop a bullet train¡ªno, a high-speed rocket!


    Boom!


    Aiden''s [Heaven''s Arrow] tore through any opposition, burning any of the Weeping Soul Serpents that blocked him to a crisp, crashing down into the ground with a giant ball of fire.


    The impact was blinding and left the entire cavern shaking for what felt like several minutes.


    But when the smoke cleared, the aftermath was even more horrifying.


    A single figure remained standing in a crater filled with flowing magma, his golden hair flowing like the sea of flames all around him.


    As for the Weeping Soul Serpent King, only the cracked scales and burnt pieces of charcoal at his feet were left as proof of its existence.


    "Aiden!"


    Just as Aiden was feeling dizzy, he heard a sudden cry snap him out of his stupor.


    Looking over, he could see two figures rushing toward him, and he couldn''t help but smile.


    Although he had dealt with the Weeping Soul Serpent King relatively quickly, it was because he had burnt through a ridiculous amount of divinity to do so.


    As he stood now, Aiden was covered in sweat, and even his legs were starting to feel a little weak.

 Chapter 78 - 78: 78. Hidden Threat

    But Aiden still knew that this was no time for rest.


    Even though they dealt with the Weeping Soul Serpent King, they were still deep within the underground system, which was a nest of endless Weeping Soul Serpents.


    There were no serpents attacking them right now, but that was only because of the mental backlash caused by killing their king. However, this state wouldn''t last forever.


    No matter how tired he was, Aiden knew he had to get the Netherspring Lotus and get out of here as soon as possible.


    But even if Aiden wasn''t one to worry about himself, there were still people who would worry about him.


    A silver-haired wolf girl dashed through the flames and grabbed Aiden''s arm.


    "A-Aiden, are you okay? I saw those snakes swarming you just now. I told you this plan was too risky."


    Aiden heard Raelia''s worries and just chuckled.


    "It''s fine, it''s fine. I''m just a little exhausted, that''s all. We can check for injuries later, but first, we need to get the Netherspring Lotus."


    Raelia still wanted Aiden to take it easy for a little longer, but that''s when Oliver''s voice sounded out. Sear?h the N?vel?ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aiden''s right, this isn''t the time to worry about anyone. Time is of the essence."


    Raelia shot a glare at Oliver, causing him to flinch, but eventually, she just sighed.


    "Yeah, you''re right. We really should get moving first."


    Aiden and his companions walked toward the lake, captivated by its crystal-clear waters. At the center stood a glowing plant, its soft light casting gentle ripples across the surface.


    A thin, silvery fog hovered above the lake, swirling in delicate tendrils. This mystical haze gave the whole scene an otherworldly quality, as if time itself had slowed in reverence to the magic present. Each step Aiden and the others took toward the lake felt as though they were being drawn deeper into an ancient mystery, yet strangely enough they weren''t unsettled by this feeling


    "It''s beautiful¡­."


    Raelia couldn''t help but whisper in admiration, and even Aiden and Oliver felt no different.


    They knew right away that what they laid eyes on was a divine object, something far beyond the realm of mere mortals.


    If it wasn''t for the time constraints, they would have definitely taken some time to relax and destress near such beautiful scenery.


    Aiden was never one to admire such scenic spots, but just one look at the ethereal landscape made him feel that emotion.


    Alas, the world was never what you expected it to be, so after an unwilling sigh, Aiden leapt up and swam across the lake, arriving at the Netherspring Lotus.


    Just arriving near the lotus, Aiden could feel the divinity inside his body circulating and speeding up. It had already started to recover somewhat.


    For a moment, Aiden even had the idea to forget everything and simply meditate here, enjoying the blissful sensation of recovering divine energy. But he quickly suppressed the idea.


    Aiden steeled himself and reached down toward the lotus, feeling a cold yet somehow energizing sensation spread from his fingertips to his entire body.


    But as the lotus was in his hands, Aiden suddenly felt uncomfortable.


    He didn''t know why, but his senses were completely unsettled, and he had the sudden urge to look down.


    One look won''t hurt, I guess.


    But he quickly became more and more uncomfortable.


    What on earth¡­?


    Aiden took one look at the scene below him, and his thoughts were sent into a mess.


    He could see a strange green light shining toward him, which only seemed to get brighter and larger as time passed by.


    Aiden was never one to scare easily, but somehow, this time, he was extremely unsettled.


    What is this ominous green light? A treasure? A new space?


    Although a morbid sense of curiosity was there, it was suppressed by a fear of the unknown.


    Aiden didn''t dare linger any longer and quickly swam away. But as he did so, the light below him brightened at an alarming rate.


    And the situation around him became clearer.


    Unfortunately, that was the worst possible scenario for Aiden.


    "Aura¡­ it''s the aura of a divine beast."


    A suffocating aura erupted from the lake below, swallowing everyone present like the jaws of a ferocious beast.


    It hadn''t even revealed its presence, but Aiden felt like he was being strangled.


    His heartbeat sped up, his breathing became fractured and erratic, and the blood drained from his face.


    My life¡­ it''s in danger.


    And it wasn''t just Aiden feeling this overwhelming sensation. Oliver and Raelia were suffering just as badly as Aiden was.


    Oliver''s face scrunched up as a look of despair flashed in his eyes.


    "R-Rank 2¡­ it''s a Rank 2 divine beast!"


    Oliver''s cry was the last thing Aiden heard before his brain shook.


    ROAR!!!


    A deafening cry rang out, leaving everyone''s minds buzzing as something emerged from the lake below.


    What emerged from below could only be described as titanic.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent King was nothing in front of this behemoth.


    If the previous snake could be called a king, then this one was an emperor.


    The difference was like that between heaven and earth.


    All of a sudden, Aiden clenched his teeth as he burned through the divinity in his body.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden instantly transformed into a beam of light, shooting forward and grabbing both Raelia and Oliver, who were stunned by the beast''s presence, and dodged desperately.


    Boom!


    Right after Aiden disappeared, a humongous scaly black tail crashed down from the skies.


    It was a simple tail slam, but to anyone watching, it felt like Armageddon.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor slammed down its tail with the force of a mountain, obliterating anything in its path and cracking and splintering the earth beneath it.


    If Aiden and the others were unfortunate enough to be caught in that attack unprepared, they would be lucky if they even left any body parts behind.


    Oliver and Raelia were only snapped out of their stupor by the thunderous sound of the ground being torn to pieces all around them.


    The second they heard this, they were shocked out of the stun effect of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s roar.

 Chapter 79 - 79: 79. Emperor

    Oliver''s face went pale as a look of despair flashed in his eyes.


    "Shit! Shit! It''s actually a rank 2 divine beast. How could this happen? I scanned the records, and it assured me that there was only a rank 1 divine beast here. A rank 2 divine beast should only appear at the top of the mountain!"


    Oliver felt endless despair.


    Don''t look at the difference of one rank and underestimate it; for the normal man, the difference between rank 1 and rank 2 was like the difference between gods and mortals, completely insurmountable.


    Oliver was scared, but if it was just facing a rank 2 divine beast, he could still grit his teeth and face his death like a man.


    What truly made him despair was not the death of himself, but instead the death of the two friends he had brought along with him.


    He was neither as talented nor as skilled as them, but he thought that with his cleverness and planning, he could help them advance their strength.


    Yet despite his efforts, despite his countless nights planning and scouring through the records,


    all that effort not only failed to bear fruit but even betrayed him in the end.


    He had killed the friends he wanted to help with his own plan, with his own two hands.


    Oliver looked down at his hands and trembled.


    Is this it?


    Self-loathing and hatred bubbled deep within Oliver, rolling in like an endless dark wave, clouding not only his vision but even his mind.


    Fuck! I''m so useless! Because of me¡­ because of me.


    Slap!


    As Oliver''s mind was beginning to turn to shambles, a loud, crisp slap echoed.


    "Goddamn it, Aiden! You actually hit me! Instead of doing something so useless, leave behind and realistic and run. It''s my fault, so I''ll buy as much time as I can."


    "Idiot?! Instead of sacrificing yourself, we''re all going to escape from here!"


    Raelia growled, her silver light flashing from her eyes. "I get it; it''s a rank 2 divine beast, but can''t we kill it if we try?"


    Aiden looked at this beautiful wolf girl and suddenly felt like hitting her.


    "Look at this thing! Are you fucking crazy?! We won''t last minutes in a fight. We have to run. Now!"


    As soon as those words left Aiden''s mouth, his face contorted into an ugly grimace as he pulled all the divinity into his fist and punched out.


    [Daybreak Fist]


    The tail of the Serpent Emperor swung out like a cataclysmic whip, exploding against Aiden''s fist in a dazzling beam.


    Aiden had managed to block the attack and save his companions, but his arm made an unhealthy cracking sound as he was swatted away as fast as a bullet.


    Oliver and Raelia''s faces changed from hurt to anger as they glared at the Soul Serpent Emperor with hatred.


    Raelia''s hair whistled through the air crazily as she rapidly transformed into a dazzling silver werewolf.


    "You crazy snake! I''ll fucking kill you!" S§×arch* The n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Her beast-like nature was fully revealed as she charged fearlessly at the gaunt serpent and slashed.


    Sparks flew as her claws scraped against the monster''s scales, like metal crashing against each other.


    But the giant serpent didn''t even react and only looked down at Raelia with an almost mocking gaze.


    Raelia didn''t care and kept up from the ground, crashing the earth beneath her,


    and shot towards the monster''s giant serpentine eye with her claws glowing in a lethal silver light.


    Seeing this, the Serpent Emperor''s expression finally changed as cruel light flashed within its massive green eyes.


    It opened its jaws wide, and evil green energy started to swirl and form inside it.


    Before Raelia got too close, a small ball of dark green energy expanded into a giant beam and shot out.


    Boom!


    Raelia''s painful screech could be heard as her beautiful silver fur was singed, and she was sent crashing into the mountain.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor looked down on Raelia, the mocking light in its eyes calmly returning.


    Divine beasts of rank 2 were extremely intelligent. Some beasts were even capable of speaking the human language, so it wasn''t strange for a beast to take pleasure in hunting humans.


    The monster in front of them was obviously a type of that kind.


    It had been slumbering, waiting for the Netherspring Lotus to fully mature so it could advance further along the ranks as a rank 2 divine beast, but it woke up to find its lotus stolen.


    Fortunately, these three pests contained a high amount of divinity, and consuming them should have an even greater effect than taking the Netherspring Lotus as an elixir.


    But since it had been asleep for so long, it couldn''t help but toy with its prey.


    Unfurled, even though it was still young, it seemed it had taken things too far, and things had ended rather quickly.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent looked at Raelia''s fallen body and slithered toward her with a malicious look in its eyes when suddenly, a bright flaming explosion erupted and blinded the side of its face.


    The weeping soul serpent King was relatively unfazed by the attack only suffering some light bruising. But the attack definitely drew his attention and now it was completely pissed off


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor glared at Oliver but Oliver didn''t seem to be fazed and glared right back with an greater level of hatred and ferocity


    He had told his friends to trust him and had brought him here but now all it did was lead to their injury and near death


    Oliver hated himself for causing such a tragic situation for his friends but even more than his elf loathing was his endless hatred for this vicious beats


    It had seen it mockingly attack and dominate Raelia and held no fear and fired one of his strongest attacks towards it.


    Even if it was certain he would face death doing so Oliver was furious enough to do the same thing countless more times

 Chapter 80 - 80: 80. Escape

    Even if it meant death, Oliver''s stance would not change.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t care to admire Oliver''s fearlessness in the face of death. It coiled its body, ready to pounce on and destroy this puny human.


    But right before it did so, a golden arrow burst forth, crashing into the side of its head in a golden explosion. This time, the attack was much more lethal!


    Roar!


    Suffering from the same attack twice in a row from two different people drove the Soul Serpent Emperor to near insanity.


    It didn''t even think or try to toy around with its prey anymore and instantly lunged in the direction of the next attacker.


    But to the Serpent Emperor''s surprise, it found that when it landed, its assailant was nowhere to be found.


    Looking back, it saw a handsome young man with dazzling blonde hair and a streak of blood dripping from the edge of his lips, looking back at him.


    Aiden held Oliver under his arm and took a moment to gather himself.


    This entire sequence of events happened so quickly that Oliver barely had time to react. By the time he did...


    "Aiden! Don''t just pick up someone out of nowhere¡ª"


    Oliver didn''t even get to finish his complaint before Aiden''s figure transformed into a streak of light and flashed forward.


    A few moments later, Aiden appeared in front of a crater on the opposite side of the cavern.


    He saw a beautiful yet brutal wolf girl, covered in blood.


    Raelia, who had taken on the full brunt of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s breath attack, was groggily standing back up when she saw a golden flash appear in front of her, whisking her off her feet!


    The wolf girl barely saw what was happening and was about to viciously bite down when she caught a sniff of his scent.


    "Aiden! What is going on?"


    Despite the wind blasting against them, Raelia barely managed to get out a question.


    "Can''t talk. Running!"


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor watched everything through its cruel, deep green eyes.


    Suddenly, it came to a realization.


    ''These bugs are trying to escape!''


    The Serpent Emperor''s head rose high into the sky as the obsidian-black scales on its neck trembled. It unleashed the unique skill of its race.


    [Soul Weep!]


    Instantly, a devastating sound wave mixed with soul power swept out, causing a storm within the cavern.


    Aiden stood no chance of dodging or blocking.


    The speeding Aiden stumbled badly and almost fell face-first onto the ground.


    The attack was vicious, as if a giant had taken a hammer and smashed it directly into his brain.


    Aiden bit down hard on his tongue, sending a jolt of electric-like pain throughout his body, causing his mouth to fill with blood.


    Although it was painful, the shock quickly allowed Aiden to break free from his stupor and start running again.


    So, despite his mouth being filled with blood, Aiden couldn''t help but smile. But that didn''t last long, as he quickly realized something.


    Despite attacking Aiden and the others, that had never been the Serpent Emperor''s true goal from the start.


    No, the goal of this insidious snake had been to reawaken its subjects.


    Soon, the sea of endless Weeping Soul Serpents all around them, which had been stunned by the counter blast of killing their king, instantly rose to their feet.


    Aiden''s expression quickly turned ugly as he looked around.


    The serpents had risen and were rushing toward him like a group of mad, mindless beasts. To make matters worse, the few exits that did exist were also being swarmed by the Weeping Soul Serpents.


    Aiden''s heart sank.


    ''No! We can''t be trapped here!''


    The group was low on divine energy and injured, while facing a divine beast that completely surpassed them in rank.


    Defeating the beast was out of the question, so their only hope of survival was escaping. If that was cut off, then they were as good as dead.


    Aiden was carrying his companions. He was the only one capable of escaping at fast speeds, so it all rested on him.


    The exits couldn''t be cut off!


    Knowing this, divinity rushed through Aiden''s body like a berserk dragon, as a dazzling golden light burst forth from his eyes.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    In this desperate situation, Aiden activated his divine technique, reaching speeds he had never attained before, and beamed for the nearest exit.


    Despite moving at almost unbelievable speeds, a large number of Weeping Soul Serpents had already arrived at the exit first, coiling and snaking around each other.


    Aiden''s eyes burned with anger!


    After all his efforts, how could he allow a bunch of no-name snakes to stop him here?


    No matter how many there were, he was determined to break through.


    Aiden didn''t slow down in the slightest and crashed forward!


    Bang!


    The sound that resounded was sickening.


    The sound of a human comet crashing into what could only be described as a barrier of beasts was never pleasant, but Aiden didn''t care.


    Despite feeling his skin peel and crack, despite feeling his flesh and muscles burst and squirm, Aiden''s legs never stopped for a moment. He continued to run, leaving the cavern and the terrifying beasts behind him as far as possible. Sear?h the ¦ÇovelFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    A short while later, a being of pure golden light that had been running through the endless, confusing snake tunnels finally came to a halt.


    Well, it would be inaccurate to call it a halt, as much as it was simply falling face-first from exhaustion.


    Oliver and Raelia, who were in Aiden''s arms at the time, also crashed face-first in embarrassment, but they didn''t care about that.


    Right now, their only concern was Aiden.


    Rushing to his side, they quickly flipped him over. But as soon as they touched him, Aiden''s body trembled as a deep red pool of blood was vomited from his mouth!


    "Aiden!"


    Raelia and Oliver''s worried cries echoed though the dark tunnels at the same time.

 Chapter 81 - 81: 81. Injury

    Despite not receiving any medical training, they could both tell with just a glance that Aiden''s wounds were serious.


    They quickly turned him over onto his side, and Aiden''s eyes met their worried gazes.


    The two of them looked at Aiden''s body and were horrified.


    All over his body, patches of skin were peeled off, as if torn, and his flesh was shredded. In some unfortunate places, there were even tiny bone fragments stuck all over him.


    Just looking at the sight made them feel queasy. If the sight alone caused such a reaction, one could only imagine the immense pain Aiden was going through.


    But Aiden was prepared for it. The moment he chose to escape, no matter the cost, he knew something like this was bound to happen.


    Aiden had been moving at speeds that could put a sports car to shame. But despite these ridiculous speeds and having the blood of the gods in his veins, Aiden was still part mortal.


    He charged through and annihilated any Weeping Soul Serpents he came into contact with.


    A collision like that was bound to leave harsh damage on his body, especially when moving at those horrifying speeds.


    All things considered, Aiden could still consider himself quite lucky to have continued running for so long after such a fierce collision.


    Aiden looked towards his two worried companions and smiled weakly, opening his mouth, wanting to reassure them that he was fine. But that plan quickly backfired as soon as he opened his mouth¡ªa burst of blood shot out.


    This sight alone caused their faces to morph into pure horror.


    "No, we can''t leave him in this state! If nothing changes, he''s bound to die!" said Oliver in horror.


    "Damn it! I should have learned the healing divine technique of Apollo!"


    Apollo was the god of many different domains, and healing was one of his most notable ones. There were many divine techniques in the library focused on healing, but Oliver had put off learning them for later. He had considered himself weak and thought the most important thing was to strengthen his own power.


    Although that decision may have been correct at the time, right now he fully regretted it.


    ''Damn it! If I survive this, no matter what happens next, I''m going to learn a healing technique!''


    Oliver swore and cursed in his heart, but he knew now was not the time to focus on his regrets. He had to concentrate on the present.


    With that, Oliver started brainstorming.


    Even if he didn''t know any healing techniques, he wasn''t completely hopeless.


    The divinity they possessed was derived from the power of Apollo.


    While Apollo''s divinity carried the power of the blazing sun, it also had strong healing properties, especially for his descendants.


    If given enough time and proper treatment, Aiden and Oliver''s divinity could be used to heal.


    But for Aiden''s current condition and level of injury, a simple infusion of divinity wouldn''t be nearly enough. No, what he needed was a large, powerful influx of divinity to help him.


    At that moment, Oliver''s eyes fell on something not too far away from Aiden.


    The Netherspring Lotus!


    When Oliver saw this, his eyes lit up like shining stars.


    "Haha! The gods have not forsaken us. If handled correctly, this can be turned into just what we need!"


    Although it was not guaranteed to work, it was better than just waiting around. So Oliver didn''t waste any more time thinking and sprang into action.


    In just a few seconds, Oliver moved and started fiddling with the Netherspring Lotus.


    Raelia, who was at Aiden''s side tending to his body, noticed the quick and obvious movements and was alarmed.


    "What are you doing?" asked Raelia, confused.


    Oliver only glanced at Raelia for a second before quickly turning back to the Netherspring Lotus as he spoke.


    "I''m working on a way to heal Aiden," said Oliver coldly.


    He planned to give Aiden the Netherspring Lotus to boost his divinity reserves and heal himself, or at the very least stop his injuries from getting worse.


    Hearing this, Raelia was excited. Holding Aiden in her arms, she got a clearer look at his condition and noticed he was starting to worsen. She even began to fear the worst. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    But her joy only lasted for a short while before she realized something odd about Oliver''s words and actions.


    "If you want to give him the Netherspring Lotus, then why are you only breaking off a small part of it? If you want him to heal, shouldn''t he take the entire thing?"


    Hearing Raelia''s words, Oliver didn''t even turn around. He simply shook his head and quickly denied her.


    "Impossible! We can''t give Aiden all of it."


    Raelia frowned and looked at Oliver with cold eyes.


    "Aiden just saved our lives. Now is not the time to be greedy about some mere treasure."


    Oliver heard Raelia''s words and snorted.


    "What do you take me for? Do you really think im such greeddy and narrow mindeed person?"


    "If we give Aiden the full Netherspring Lotus, he will be forced to fully absorb it to prevent further injury. Such a large influx could take hours, if not days, to fully digest. We can''t afford such a thing right now. We''re running for our lives."


    "It''s not just for Aiden, but for ourselves, too."


    "Remember, Aiden is the only one fast enough to escape a Rank 2 Divine Beast. His movement technique is the only thing we can rely on. He''s our only hope right now."


    Oliver lingered on the words that came out of his mouth and felt disgusted with himself.


    He felt like a complete and utter piece of shit.


    The person they were relying on was severely injured from saving them. Now, they were trying to heal him just to rely on him all over again.


    His body was prcatically shaking from the sheer wait of his own uselessnes. Oliver had felt this feeling back in the cavern with the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor and he felt even more strongly now

 Chapter 82 - 82: 82. Flickering

    Gritting his teeth, Oliver ignored the disgusting feeling of his own weakness and focused on tending to Aiden.


    Pulling apart the leaf of the Netherspring lotus, he carefully wrapped it in his palm, slowly crushing it between his fingers and into a test tube.


    But Oliver wasn''t finished yet. Pulling out a knife, he slit his hand, causing glowing reddish-golden blood to drip down.


    Divinity pumped from his heart throughout his body, concentrating into the blood that Aiden was now forcing into the test tube.


    As soon as Oliver''s blood, filled with divinity, made contact with the leaves of the Netherspring lotus, the test tube began to shake violently. An ominous sizzling sound could be heard as golden smoke started pouring out of the test tube.


    Holding the test tube, Oliver quickly frowned and called toward Raelia.


    "Hey, Raelia, get over here. I need your help."


    Raelia was a little surprised, but despite the sudden call, she obediently walked over.


    Crouching down, she looked at the test tube and asked, "Okay, so what do you need me to do?"


    "I don''t need you to do much. I just need your blood. Make sure to stimulate your divinity and concentrate as much of it into your blood as you can," Oliver instructed.


    When Raelia heard this, she was stunned.


    "Are you sure you want this? Isn''t the divinity of Artemis the direct opposite of Apollo''s? Won''t this have a negative reaction?" she asked, hesitant.


    Oliver, who was desperately trying to contain the reaction in the test tube, responded, "Of course I know that, you dumb wolf! But it''s because they''re opposites that it can act as a neutralizing agent in the right quantities. So stop asking questions and just give me some blood!"


    Raelia saw the furious look in Oliver''s eyes, and for the first time since meeting him, she was even a little intimidated by the man.


    Grumbling under her breath, Raelia reached out to slash her palm when Oliver quickly stopped her.


    "Not that much, we only need a few drops. Prick your finger instead," he instructed firmly.


    Raelia didn''t say much and complied.


    Soon, she brought her finger over, and reddish-silver blood, the color of liquid mercury, dropped into the test tube one drop at a time.


    It wasn''t until the third drop had fallen in that Oliver quickly pulled the test tube away and sealed it.


    Oliver''s divinity poured out from his hands as he tried to calm the violent reaction, sweat forming on his forehead.


    The reaction was stable, but it wouldn''t stay that way for long. Even now, the solution formed from the Netherspring lotus and the blood of divine descendants was still bubbling like boiling water.


    Oliver knew he couldn''t afford to wait and walked over.


    "You''re going to feed him that without even waiting for it to stabilize? Isn''t that like feeding him a bomb? Are you crazy?" Raelia exclaimed.


    Oliver snapped at her, "Yes, I''m fucking crazy, okay? But it''s either this or nothing. It''s all we can rely on right now!"


    In truth, Oliver knew Raelia''s words were correct. Proper safety protocol would be to wait for the solution to stabilize before even thinking about feeding it to a grievously wounded patient.


    The only problem was that Oliver had no confidence that the solution would ever stabilize.


    To put it bluntly, with their shabby conditions and limited materials, it was a miracle they had gotten this far.


    And although this wasn''t their last batch of materials, who knew if they could even achieve similar results with another attempt?


    This was the best chance they were ever going to get.


    Ignoring any more of the words coming out of Raelia''s mouth, Oliver rushed toward Aiden''s side, picked up the test tube, and slowly fed the potion to him.


    At this moment, the world had already become blurry to Aiden. It was to the point that he didn''t even recognize Oliver when he walked over to him.


    He just felt the potion under his nose, and his body stirred back to life.


    A sense of clarity that had been slowly fading away started to return as he drank the potion without any second thought.


    At first, Aiden drank the potion with no obvious reaction, and Oliver even thought things were going well.


    But that didn''t last long before Aiden''s body began to convulse violently.


    His body spasmed as veins bulged all over his skin.


    Divinity within him began to riot as golden flames roared all over his body.


    Pain.


    Horrible, mind-numbing pain.


    Aiden couldn''t help but cry out with such a wretched voice that both Oliver and Raelia began to shiver.


    Oliver looked at the sight and was horrified.


    What was going on?!


    Apollo was the god of healing. Even if Aiden burst into flames caused by an overload of divinity, Oliver had expected them to be endurable. There was no reason for Aiden''s own flames to cause him this much pain!


    Aiden''s mind surged with agony. The divinity and the flames were simultaneously healing him and burning his flesh away.


    Aiden cried, but what was the point? The tears evaporated immediately under the terrifying heat.


    Aiden''s body writhed and roared as he struggled to regain control over the flames ravaging inside him.


    Flames.


    Mere flames!


    Who was he? sea??h th§× novel(F~)ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    He was a divine descendant of the sun god! One with the power to manipulate divine solar fire, and yet here he was, succumbing to his own flames.


    No, Aiden wouldn''t accept it. He couldn''t accept it.


    The stubbornness of Aiden''s newfound pride turned into anger, and that anger quickly morphed into something more sinister, something darker- hatred.


    It was a strange sense of hatred, one that felt slightly misplaced,even but at the same time, it didn''t feel entirely foreign.


    Despite having no direction, no end goal or motive, this burning never ending hatred almost seemed familiar...


    Suddenly, a strange purple light began flashing in Aiden''s eyes, and if one looked carefully, they could see a faint flickering light.


    The flickering of something that threatened to devour the entire world

 Chapter 83 - 83: 83. Recovery

    The second Aiden''s eyes turned purple, the raging flames seemed to stop, almost as if they had run into something much more terrifying.


    They immediately retreated back into Aiden''s heart, leaving only the mighty healing properties of his divinity to work on his body.


    Soon, the wounds began to close up, and even as his skin regenerated and his flesh and muscles regrew, Aiden felt the change and got to his feet, stretching.


    There was still some aching and pain coming from Aiden''s bones, but it was bearable. At the very least, he was in a much better state than he had been a few days ago.


    Seeing Aiden standing, Oliver approached and looked him up and down to get a better look.


    "Are you really... okay?"


    Aiden heard this and chuckled.


    "Everything''s okay. I''m as good as new," said Aiden confidently, waving his arms as if to show off his strength.


    Oliver heard this and sighed in relief, full of fear.


    "Thank the gods! In my recklessness, I almost killed you. I''m so sorry, Aiden."


    Hearing this, Aiden just smiled and dismissed it.


    "There''s no need to be sorry. You ended up saving my life, after all."


    Aiden wanted to continue talking for a while longer when they suddenly heard a loud crash.


    All of a sudden, the ground and walls around them seemed to be trembling.


    In that moment, the expressions on the trio of divine descendants simultaneously turned grim.


    They were all smart enough not to need anyone to explain what was currently going on.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor¡ªit was nearby.


    Gradually, the faint sound of hundreds of hisses could be heard coming from every branch and tunnel leading in their direction.


    This entire underground tunnel system was swarming with Weeping Soul Serpents, and they were rushing toward them from all directions.


    Without wasting a second thought, Aiden picked up Oliver and Raelia once again.


    "The rank 2 divine beast is getting closer, and we have to run once again. But this time, you guys have to help me. Destroy any Weeping Soul Serpent that gets close."


    As soon as Aiden said this, he didn''t even wait for a response from his two friends and surged with divinity as he activated his divine technique.


    [Sunlight Shuttle]


    Aiden''s figure began to surge forward. Despite moving in the complete opposite direction of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor, they quickly ran into a swarm of snakes.


    If it had been like last time, Aiden would have had to rush forward recklessly, risking his own life. But this time, his teammates wouldn''t leave him to handle everything alone.


    As Aiden ran forward, two silver and golden flashes of light shot ahead of him!


    Boom! Boom!


    Two explosions sounded as the blasts tore through the group of Weeping Soul Serpents, exploding them apart like a display of monstrous fireworks.


    Even as they ran, Raelia didn''t let up.


    Her hands transformed into a set of dazzling silver claws and stretched forward as she waved them around wildly.


    She didn''t even have to do much.


    With the amazing speed Aiden was moving at, just a bit of contact with the Weeping Soul Serpents was enough to eviscerate them.


    Even if there were a few serpents that managed to break past the attacks of Raelia and Oliver, just a few attackers didn''t pose much of a threat to Aiden.


    The combination of his wonderful footwork and divine technique allowed him to act like an otherworldly specter in front of these beasts.


    They couldn''t even lay a finger on him!


    Seeing this, Aiden gradually smiled subtly.


    If things continued like this, then their escape was inevitable!


    If only Aiden knew at that moment just how wrong he had been...


    ...


    Several unknown hours later, a golden figure could be seen speeding through the underground tunnels.


    Compared to his confident and hopeful expression from earlier, Aiden now looked completely embarrassed.


    His handsome features were nowhere to be found¡ªonly a body covered in hardened blood and torn clothes, looking like a complete beggar.


    Sweat constantly dripped from his brow like a miniature waterfall, and with every step his legs took, they shivered and quaked. And yet, despite all this, his legs never stopped moving forward.


    After all, the lives of him and his friends were resting on the back of this determined young man.


    "Aiden, please stop and take a rest! There are no Weeping Soul Serpents nearby. You can rest, even if it''s only for a moment!"


    It was only when the loud and desperate cry came from his side that Aiden came to his senses and stopped.


    Aiden put down Raelia and Oliver, and the trio rested against the wall, looking at each other.


    Aiden''s chest heaved up and down like a trembling mountain as he desperately tried to catch his breath.


    Nobody spoke, but the atmosphere of despair was heavy.


    At first, they had thought they could make it out...


    But the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was too cunning!


    The number of lesser Weeping Soul Serpents under his command seemed endless!


    What''s worse, they seemed to be spread out across every corner of the tunnels, and yet somehow always managed to lock onto them.


    Nowhere was safe.


    If they could get past two serpents, five would be waiting. If they could get past five, there would be ten, twenty, fifty, a hundred.


    You get the idea.


    With every step they took, nothing got better¡ªonly worse.


    Aiden swore that if he managed to get out of here alive, he would definitely report the situation to the higher-ups at the trading camp and get a high-ranking divine descendant sent to annihilate these ugly beasts.


    Aiden looked over toward Raelia and Oliver.


    Although they weren''t as bad off as him, Raelia and Oliver were also showing signs of exhaustion.


    They had constantly used their divinity while making attacks to clear the way forward for him.


    Right now, they were resting at an intersection where the tunnel seemed to branch off into two different sections.


    The group had long since given up trying to map the tunnels. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    In their desperate attempt to flee, they seemed to have only gone deeper into the tunnels and completely lost themselves.

 Chapter 84 - 84: 84. Bait

    Under normal circumstances, there would have been a chance to safely navigate their way back. But under the constant chase of a sea of snakes, there was no chance of doing such a thing.


    The group looked at each other and frowned.


    "This can''t go on," said Aiden. "If nothing changes, we''ll eventually exhaust ourselves to death."


    Raelia heard Aiden''s words, and her ears drooped in despair.


    "Aiden, we all know this, but what can we do? No matter what we do, they keep chasing us. If we want a way to escape, we need to lose them and find a way out of these tunnels without fighting. But that''s impossible¡ªthey can track us no matter where we go!"


    "Well, I''m not so sure about that," said Oliver. "I think there really is a way for us to lose them."


    "How?" asked Raelia and Aiden at the same time.


    "Isn''t it simple, really?" said Oliver. "Just abandon the Netherspring Lotus."


    But as Oliver said this, both Aiden and Raelia froze.


    The idea of abandoning the Netherspring Lotus was extremely obvious, but Raelia and Aiden hadn''t mentioned it¡ªnot because they hadn''t thought of it, but because they refused to consider it.


    Although a leaf had been broken off, the Netherspring Lotus was still extremely valuable. As the most potent treasure they had found, even if it was split between them, it could effectively double their divinity and push them to the peak of Rank 1.


    They had already put in so much effort and work to get this far, and now they were being asked to abandon it just like that. Anyone, especially a group of arrogant divine descendants, would struggle with such a choice.


    Oliver saw the hesitation on his companions'' faces and scolded them.


    "What use is the Netherspring Lotus if we''re dead? Although we''ve worked hard to get it, it''s not to the point where we can''t let it go. Don''t get absorbed by the idea of sunk costs. No treasure is worth our lives."


    Aiden, who had obviously put in the most effort so far, showed clear hesitation. But after struggling with himself for a few moments, he eventually relented. Sear?h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Even so, his expression didn''t soften, because there was still a hard problem to solve. Aiden voiced it aloud.


    "Even if we abandon the Netherspring Lotus, there''s no chance the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor will abandon us."


    Oliver sighed.


    "I know, that''s why... for us to truly escape, someone will have to serve as bait."


    Hearing this, Aiden''s expression turned stone-cold.


    Oliver knew that such a suggestion would be hard to accept, so he quickly explained.


    "Aiden, there''s no need to worry. I''ll¡ª"


    But before Oliver could finish his sentence, Aiden had already acted.


    His figure flashed forward, as quick as lightning, instantly appearing behind Raelia and knocking the unsuspecting wolf girl out cold.


    Oliver watched the entire process, stunned. His mouth opened, but no words came out.


    "Aiden? Really? Aiden... betrayed us?"


    Before that thought could even solidify, Aiden picked up Raelia and threw her toward Oliver.


    It was only then that Oliver snapped out of his trance, quickly catching the poor girl before she fell face-first onto the floor.


    "Aiden, you¡­ why?"


    Aiden saw Oliver''s expression and sighed.


    "It was the only way. You were about to say something like, ''I''ll stay behind and lure the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor away¡ªit''s my responsibility.'' So, I acted before you could."


    Aiden paused, looking at Oliver seriously.


    "We both know how Raelia operates by now. She doesn''t say much, but when she does, she''s incredibly proud and stubborn. There''s no way she''d let either of us be the bait. She''d insist on making the sacrifice to protect us, and we''d waste hours arguing about it. That''s time we don''t have."


    Oliver thought about it and slowly accepted the truth of Aiden''s words.


    Raelia was indeed arrogant and proud, but with that pride came a deep sense of responsibility.


    She was their strongest frontline fighter, and for that reason, she always felt like it was her duty to make the sacrifice when needed.


    Thinking more carefully, this really was the only way to convince her.


    But Oliver''s concerns weren''t fully settled.


    "I get why you knocked Raelia out, but why are you throwing her to me? It was my miscalculation that caused all this, so it''s my responsibility. I should be the one to¡ª"


    Before Oliver could finish, Aiden scoffed coldly.


    "Your responsibility to do what? What can you even do?"


    Aiden''s tone was brutal, and he didn''t hold back.


    "Are you as fast as me? Can you outrun the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor? Are you stronger than me? Can you fight better than me?"


    He glared at Oliver. "You wouldn''t even be able to serve as proper bait¡ªyou''d just be throwing your life away!"


    Under Aiden''s relentless barrage of words, Oliver could only grit his teeth and endure, knowing that Aiden was right.


    But even if Aiden was correct, Oliver couldn''t just stand by and watch his best friend sacrifice himself.


    "Aiden, let me do this! Someone as talented as you¡ªyour story shouldn''t end here. Didn''t you say when we first came here that you wanted to explore the world, to see the mystical realms of the gods?"


    "They''re still out there, waiting for you. Don''t give up."


    Aiden smiled as he listened to Oliver''s words, and for a moment, Oliver thought he had convinced him. But just as that hope bloomed, Aiden''s hand moved in a golden blur.


    Oliver barely had time to exclaim before he felt a strong force slam into his chest, sending him flying down a tunnel that branched off from the one they were standing in.


    Oliver flew backward with Raelia still in his arms, rolling to protect her from the impact.


    Oliver quickly got up and rushed towards the tunnel but Aiden was faster.


    A bow had already appeared in his hand with a an arrow loaded that glowed in a divine gold light


    Boom!

 Chapter 85 - 85: 85. Shattered Hope

    The roof above them exploded, collapsing in on itself and completely blocking off the route between them.


    Soon after the rubble settled, Aiden could hear Oliver''s furious voice coming from the other side of the wall.


    "Aiden, what are you doing?! You''re really going to die and throw away your life like this?!"


    Aiden heard Oliver''s cries and just chuckled.


    "Die? That''s impossible!"


    "I''m going to live and ascend the peak of Mount Olympus and become a true god! How could I die in a place like this?" said Aiden


    Oliver was so shocked by Aiden''s bold declaration that he was left speechless.


    "You shouldn''t stay around either," Aiden continued. "You''ve got to protect Raelia and figure out a way out of here. Oh, and apologize to her when she wakes up. She''s gonna go crazy, so make sure she doesn''t tear off your head."


    Oliver heard Aiden''s warning and shivered.


    ''Yeah¡­ that crazy b¡ªshe really will tear my head off if I''m not careful.''


    Oliver shivered a little as she imagined dealing with the aftermath of the furious wolf girl.


    But soon he seemed to realise something and spoke up sea??h th§× N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "Aiden¡­ Aiden!"


    Oliver called out again, but there was no response.


    The person he was looking for had already turned into a streak of light speeding through the tunnels.


    But contrary to his earlier appearance, there was no smile on Aiden''s face. His expression was grim.


    Aiden wasn''t stupid¡ªhe knew that his chances of survival were low.


    Lady Fortuna, if you''re watching, please smile upon me today.


    Saying a quick, silent prayer to the goddess above, Aiden carried on moving.


    ...


    Time passed, and a reddish-gold figure could still be seen running through the tunnels.


    Blood from the countless serpents he had crushed to get this far stuck to his body like a grim layer of paint.


    How long has it been now?


    Minutes? Hours? Days?


    Aiden''s mind was in complete disarray.


    After running and pushing his body for so long, he was nearing collapse. His mental faculties had all but shut down. Every step felt like it was ripping his legs apart, while each breath was like fire burning in his lungs.


    Despite the overwhelming exhaustion and being on the brink of death, Aiden refused to stop. The fire of hope in his heart still burned.


    A short while ago, he had felt a change.


    A slight breeze had brushed against his skin.


    Aiden knew what it meant¡ªairflow. And that meant an exit.


    Tracking the airflow, he had rushed in that direction, and with each step, he was getting closer. His footsteps pounded against the ground, and despite the pain, he smiled. Soon, he was rewarded.


    Light.


    It was brief and hazy, and his mind was spinning from exhaustion, but Aiden was certain it wasn''t a hallucination. In these tunnels of endless darkness, a light source was unmistakable.


    It could only mean one thing¡ªthe exit was nearby.


    Fueled by hope, Aiden''s steps quickened. Step by step, he rushed forward, the light blinding him, but he didn''t care. He charged through the tunnel, rushing towards the exit and into the sky filled with light.


    Aiden rushed out and felt like he was floating.


    Wait. Why am I floating?


    But soon, Aiden realized the problem. He wasn''t floating. He was falling.


    Bang!


    His feet slammed into the ground as he rubbed his eyes, adjusting to the sudden surge of light. But when he opened them again, his heart sank.


    Ha!


    Haha!


    Hahahahaha!


    In that moment, something inside Aiden seemed to shatter as he looked upwards.


    The sky?


    No.


    All Aiden saw was a ceiling full of dazzling white glowstone.


    What he had thought was airflow from the outside world was just a draft caused by the difference in air pressure between the tunnels and this giant cavern.


    Aiden hadn''t escaped. He wasn''t even close. He was still deep inside the tunnels of despair.


    Aiden''s mind went blank. He stared up at the glaringly bright ceiling. Even as the glowstone seared his retinas, he didn''t seem to care. He was already numb.


    Haha!


    Hahaha!


    Laughter, filled with both ridiculousness and despair, echoed throughout the cavern.


    I''m such a fool.


    He had really thought he''d done it. That fate was on his side. That his life could change, that he truly could be like the heroes of legend¡ªbrushing against death but still coming out alive to tell the tale.


    But now he realized it.


    Despite having the blood of gods, despite having talent¡­


    He was no champion.


    He was no hero.


    The gods¡­ they didn''t smile upon someone like him.


    As Aiden had this thought, a horrifying, loud rumble shook the entire cavern. But he didn''t care¡ªhe kept staring upwards at the glowing ceiling.


    All of a sudden, an endless swarm of Weeping Soul Serpents burst out of the tunnels, pouring out like a broken dam, slithering across the ground, crawling towards Aiden, and surrounding him.


    Suddenly, a deafening roar echoed through the cavern as a monstrous figure appeared in one of the tunnels.


    A massive snake head emerged, scanning the cavern with its gigantic, ominous green eyes.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor had arrived.


    Aiden finally looked away from the glowing ceiling and turned his gaze towards the serpent emperor.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor seemed to sense Aiden''s attention and raised its head high into the air, glaring down at him with what could only be described as a smug smirk.


    Aiden saw this, and his blood began to boil.


    As an intelligent Rank 2 monster, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was already as smart as a human.


    Aiden looked at the monsters eyes and all he could see looking back down on him was one emotion


    mockery!


    A human like sneer crossed the face of the divine beast .


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor cornered Aiden so how could it not mock him.


    Although It didn''t want to admit it, Aiden was an extremely tricky opoonnent.


    If he didn''t have the home field advantage of trapping him inside of these maze like tunnels or even if Aiden was just a bit luckier, then there was a real possibility that Aiden could have escaped from its grasp!

 Chapter 86 - 86: 86.

    Now that it had cornered Aiden like a trapped mouse, it wouldn''t mind tormenting the poor little human.


    After causing it so much grief, there was no way it would let Aiden die so easily.


    But Aiden, who was on the brink of despair, filled with no hope of survival, saw the mocking look on the face of the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor and heard something crack inside of him.


    "Fuck!"


    A curse escaped from Aiden''s lips as his expression turned foul.


    God damn it! He couldn''t even die with dignity!


    It was one thing to die in despair, but to die mocked and abused by a mere beast?


    No fucking way!


    Aiden just couldn''t accept it.


    He was on the brink of despair, teetering on the edge of madness, but the mockery from the Weeping Soul Serpent had sent him over the edge.


    The boy who knew his death was inevitable stood up once again in defiance.


    But it was just his ugly, petty, and despicable spite.


    Thinking about it clearly, Aiden was losing his mind from being mocked by a creature that couldn''t even speak.


    Maybe he was going insane?


    No, maybe he was already insane.


    Perhaps from the time he started running through the endless tunnels with his life on the line, he had already started teetering towards insanity.


    Aiden didn''t care. He looked up at the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor with a chilling smile as he spoke.


    "Is it fun?" he asked.


    "Is it fun to see me running around like a headless chicken, squirming and struggling to survive?"


    Roar!


    The Soul Serpent Emperor wailed, and a shockwave echoed as all the subordinate Weeping Soul Serpents rose to their feet as if to pounce on Aiden.


    Instantly, Aiden''s body tensed as he got into a fighting stance.


    But the attack he was waiting for simply never came. Looking up, Aiden could see the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor shaking its head as its entire body trembled, almost as if it was laughing.


    Aiden saw this sight and gnashed his teeth.


    He had been tricked again.


    Fine! If that damn beast wants to mess around, I''ll show it that two can play at that game!


    While the beast was laughing, Aiden reached into his hand and pulled out an object.


    The second he pulled out his hand, the distortion in the air seemed to stir as the eyes of every creature present locked onto Aiden''s hand.


    And that was because floating in his palm was a beautiful, glowing Netherspring Lotus.


    Seeing that he had finally gotten the beast''s attention, Aiden smirked.


    "This is what you''re after, right? Despite being a mere beast, you must have put in a lot of effort to grow it to this stage."


    "You completely hid your presence from the academy and even created a fake Weeping Soul Serpent King to take attention away from you."


    Aiden didn''t know if it was because it was the first time it had spoken to a human, but the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor seemed to be lingering on Aiden''s every word.


    Aiden wasn''t one to complain either, so he just carried on. S§×arch* The Novel?ire(.)ne*t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    "You caused me to reach the end, ran me ragged, and cut off all hope. By all measures, you''ve won, so let me leave you with one last sentence."


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was the proud ruler of its race. A being so talented that it had already broken past the racial scale and done something even the brilliant minds at Olympus Academy had not expected.


    Seeing Aiden''s serious look, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor raised its head arrogantly into the sky once more.


    In its eyes, now that Aiden was approaching death, he was finally going to acknowledge its greatness.


    Although Aiden''s death was still inevitable and would still take place without question, at the very least, it would make Aiden''s death swift.


    But much to the beast''s shock, instead of any honorable words leaving Aiden''s mouth, the beast only saw him simply raise his middle finger as a smirk grew on Aiden''s face.


    "Go eat shit and die, you land-crawling bastard!"


    As Aiden spoke, he wickedly opened his mouth, stuffed the entire Netherspring Lotus inside, and swallowed it in one bite, not leaving a single piece behind!


    They say you can see someone''s true character in the face of death, and that statement couldn''t be more true!


    In the face of death, Aiden was no true hero, nor was he an honorable adversary. He was just one hell of a petty bastard!


    As soon as Aiden swallowed the Netherspring Lotus, the air seemed to freeze.


    It was a sight so unexpected that even the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was frozen in shock and couldn''t react.


    Remember, a potion containing only half a leaf was enough to make Aiden''s flames go out of control.


    After swallowing the entire thing, he would be lucky if he didn''t explode on the spot!


    But regardless of how good his luck was, his death was inevitable, and it would be one of the most brutal¡ªhis body decaying from the overload of divinity.


    Nobody could survive such a rush of divinity and stay sane.


    Even if you were going to die anyway, why not face your death swiftly and quickly like a man? Why torture yourself with such a gruesome and horrible death?!


    Aiden, of course, knew this, but he didn''t care.


    After sweating, struggling, and despairing, he had come this far not to be made fun of by a fucking snake!


    No! Aiden wouldn''t allow this annoying beast to have the last laugh.


    If the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor knew that this happened not because of Aiden''s strong will but because it chose to mock him, it would probably pass out on the spot.


    It had just wanted to flaunt its might a little.


    Who knew it would piss off this unreasonable guy so much that he would rather die in agony than leave it a way out!


    The poor divine beast had completely underestimated the full power of sheer human pettiness!

 Chapter 87 - 87: 87. Hate

    ROAR!


    A titanic roar echoed through the cavern, one so terrifying that it directly killed a few of the weaker Weeping Soul Serpents right there on the spot!


    Fury!


    Boundless, unquenchable, raging fury!


    It had spent countless years of its life carefully planning and scheming, and now it had just turned into a dazzling way for this shameless human to commit suicide.


    The giant serpent couldn''t speak any human language, but if it could, just one word would come out of its mouth:


    Fuck!


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was so angry its mind went blank.


    A roar echoed throughout the cavern once more, one so clear that even if you couldn''t speak snake, you knew exactly what it meant¡ª


    Kill that shameless piece of shit for me!


    With that, the Weeping Soul Serpent erupted into a frenzy, but so did Aiden.


    Boom!


    Argh!


    An explosion of flames burst further from Aiden''s body as he screamed wildly.


    The divinity was slowly wearing down on his body, but at the same time, it transformed his flames into deadly weapons.


    The earth around him turned red and started melting into lava.


    But the Weeping Soul Serpents around him didn''t seem to care. S~ea??h the nov§×lF~ire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The order of the emperor came down, and now they threw away their lives with reckless abandon.


    Aiden saw this and laughed divinely.


    His body was breaking down from the overwhelming power of divinity, and there was no way to save his life, so he didn''t hold back at all and decided to take as many of these damn pests along with him!


    Boom!


    His foot kicked against the floor as he rushed forward, gathering the terrifying flames onto his palm, burning anything in front of him into a charred crisp.


    With just a simple move, hundreds of Weeping Soul Serpents were annihilated, but the gap only lasted for mere moments before hundreds quickly took their place.


    The swarm continued, so not wanting to be held back, Aiden leapt up into the sky.


    He looked down on the rising tide of serpents as he pulled back his fist, dazzling flames flickering across his arms.


    [Fist like Arrow ¨C Arrow Storm!]


    The air around Aiden trembled as his fists seemed to multiply, forming countless flaming lights that rained down like a storm.


    Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Fire rained down from above like a torrent, and the wails of the beasts were endless.


    But even if their cries were endless, so were Aiden''s movements.


    He was like a relentless firestorm, a force of nature, if you will.


    Fire bathed around him and raged uncontrollably.


    Blood and burnt pieces of flesh were kicked up into a storm as his own body was being burnt and destroyed from the inside.


    If anyone took a look at Aiden''s state, you wouldn''t even dare to think that this was a descendant of a god.


    Only the term ''devil'' could fit such a being.


    His arms would reap and sweep countless lives.


    Aiden stepped out once again, but when he did so, the flesh on his leg simply exploded.


    Boom!


    Bright golden lights of divinity shot out from his legs, revealing pale white bone and disfigured flesh.


    As bright golden blood droplets fell onto the floor with an ominous sizzle¡ª


    Shit!


    The Weeping Soul Serpents couldn''t stop him, but the overload of divinity got to him first.


    Aiden ignored the horrifying sound in his leg¡ªthat was only a sign of his impending death¡ªand continued to charge into the endless sea of monsters.


    But that brief moment of looking at his wound was enough to form a crack in Aiden''s defense.


    Chomp!


    Ignoring the specifics of its own life, one Weeping Soul Serpent braced through the flames and bit down on Aiden''s shoulder.


    Aiden scowled and quickly threw it off onto the floor, stomping on it.


    The backlash was so bad that it left him stunned for a moment.


    But a moment was all these beasts needed.


    They rushed at Aiden like a living torrent and knocked him onto his feet.


    Countless of these ruthless snakes bit down on Aiden


    Arms, legs, chest, throat, heart.


    Aiden was being cruelly devoured alive!


    Even if he burst out with a wave of fire to burn the attacking snakes to crisps, a new set would just devour the dead ones and start eating away at Aiden all over again!


    It was horrible!


    The feeling of being suffocated and drowned by countless bodies while your own body disintegrated was nightmarish.


    ''Ahh¡­ So this is how it ends¡­''


    From the moment he decided to swallow the Netherspring Lotus out of spite, Aiden knew that he wouldn''t have a good end.


    He knew it better than anyone, but why¡­ why couldn''t he accept his fate?


    He wasn''t proud of this ignorant and spiteful death. Instead, he hated it.


    He hated these snakes.


    He hated his weakness.


    He hated his luck.


    Hate! Hate! Hate!


    Once it started, it didn''t seem to end. The hate that had no boundaries or limits was overflowing from Aiden''s body like a dark purple tide.


    The veins in Aiden''s body shifted around as his once dazzling golden eyes turned dark, ominous purple¡ªas if collapsing from a radiant sun into the gates of the abyss.


    It was unknown if it was because of his near-death state.


    Slowly but surely, his once dazzling golden eyes turned a bright red-purple.


    As a faint whisper echoed in his ears:


    ''If you hate it all, then burn it all to the ground¡­. Don''t you agree?''


    Aiden didn''t know if it was a hallucination, but he didn''t care.


    If he was of sane mind Aiden would have instantly noticed something eorng. such ominous and cryptic words could only be the whispers of the devil if not even something darker.


    But blinding by the unstppabel evergtowing hate, Aiden welcomed the whispers with open arms


    His throat had already been torn apart, so no words could escape, but his mind was only saying one thing:


    "Yes, let''s burn it all!"


    And that was the last thought Aiden had before his mind went blank.

 Chapter 88 - 88: 88. Khaos Child

    When Aiden next opened his eyes, he found that his surroundings had completely changed.


    He was floating inside an empty space, and a short distance in front of him was a bright, burning crimson flame.


    Aiden took a glimpse at it and instantly knew what he was looking at.


    "The ember of creation¡­"


    Or more accurately, it was his ember of creation.


    This was his inner space. S§×ar?h the N??eFire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The place where the ember of creation was born on the day of his bloodline awakening. It was also his link to the true fire of creation, located at the peak of Mount Olympus, and his key to his path towards godhood.


    His inner space was an empty void, with the only thing of note being the ember of creation he possessed, but calling it an ember didn''t really do it justice.


    The flame was burning brightly and violently, almost seeming to be out of control.


    And the flame was also¡­ changing.


    At first, it was slow, so Aiden didn''t notice much, but gradually a purplish-black glow started appearing, like ink being dropped in a pool.


    It was slowly engulfing the entire flame.


    It didn''t take long before the crimson-gold flame had turned into an ominous blackish-purple.


    And that was just the idol''s effect.


    The second the change was finished, Aiden''s mind seemed to buzz as all sorts of strange things started happening to him.


    Whispers.


    At first, they were faint and distant, but soon they became louder.


    Slowly, Aiden walked towards the center of the flames, and as he did so, the manic and incomprehensible whispers slowly became clear.


    "Kha¡­"


    "Khaos¡­"


    "Chi¡­"


    "Child¡­"


    "Khaos¡­ Child¡­"


    Eventually, a few words could be heard clearly.


    But despite the words becoming clearer, the pain Aiden felt only seemed to worsen.


    Despite being unclear and chaotic, these words themselves seemed to be something beyond his comprehension.


    The mere sound of them seemed to be slowly fracturing his mind.


    But Aiden continued to walk forward, eventually placing his hand inside the flame when he heard a final set of words:


    "Accept my blessing¡­ Accept your fate¡­"


    A normal person would feel some sense of aversion to these words, but Aiden didn''t.


    As if this was a natural phenomenon, a natural way of life.


    These terrifying flames and their destructive tendencies were him, and he was the flame.


    They were one and the same.


    They were a flame that would devour everything.


    ¡­


    Boom!


    Aiden, who had been smothered and covered in snakes, burst forth with a pillar of ominous purple-black flames.


    The flames were so hot the air itself started to burn!


    A scorching wave of heat burst out, causing the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor to close its eyes. When it opened them again, it couldn''t help but coil back in fear.


    Standing there was Aiden, wrapped in a sea of purple flames.


    His eyes glowed like a pair of demonic amethysts, and his once dazzling golden blond hair had now turned into a ball of purple, chaotic fire.


    But perhaps most unsettling of all was the strange smile plastered on his face.


    Aiden''s face wasn''t ugly by any means. No, it was extremely handsome.


    A perfectly sculpted face that could make one silently admire. Just looking at it would be enough to convince someone that he had the blood of gods flowing through him.


    Yet under the shadow of the light of these purplish flames, that handsome face couldn''t be any more disturbing.


    It was uncanny. It was something so perfect yet so desperately twisted at the same time.


    And as for the Weeping Soul Serpents that had covered him before? They had been burnt away so cleanly that not even their ashes remained.


    Aiden looked around at the carnage he caused, and the smile on his face curled upwards even more.


    He stretched forth his hand towards the remaining Weeping Soul Serpent and spoke a simple word:


    "Burn."


    For the flames at his feet, Aiden''s words were no different from an imperial decree.


    The flames bubbled and roared as they surged forward, engulfing everything.


    What was even more horrifying was that under Aiden''s perfect control, the temperature of the flames didn''t increase but decreased.


    In this new state, Aiden''s flames had now reached an unimaginable level.


    If they swallowed the serpents, they would turn to ashes in mere moments, which was far from what Aiden wanted.


    After suffering such humiliation at their hands, how could Aiden let these beasts have a good end?


    They had tried to devour him while he was alive, so for that, their ending could only be even worse.


    The flames licked and wrapped around every Weeping Soul Serpent as their once hard, metallic scales began to melt!


    Such a sight was absolutely horrifying to watch.


    Watching the surface of a living creature peel away and drop to the floor like hot metal was horrifying. What was even worse were the screams.


    As made evident by their name, the Weeping Soul Serpents were spiritual creatures.


    Their voices carried the power to reach the soul, and now these voices were being used to convey their unimaginable pain.


    By all definitions, this was an ominous scene.


    Devilish dark flames danced around while horrified screeches and screams echoed, sounding like they belonged in the deepest pits of Tartarus.


    The sick smell of burning flesh mixed with the bestial smoke to fill the cavern.


    It was tantalizing. But to Aiden, there couldn''t be a sight any more beautiful.


    More!


    I should burn more!


    I should burn everything!


    While Aiden was slowly being lost in the carnage, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was feeling the worst sense of fear it had ever felt in its life.


    As a genius ruler of beasts, its senses were nigh unparalleled.


    Yet the same senses that had constantly saved its life until now were blaring alarms so powerful it could barely breathe.


    ''That thing¡­ It''s no longer human,'' thought the Serpent Emperor.


    Before whwen it looked at the human it felt only contempt and disdain and even greed but now...

 Chapter 89 - 89: 89. a game

    Now, it didn''t even dare to look at Aiden!


    It could feel something within those flames.


    Something dark and chaotic, a primordial grasp that hovered through its soul.


    It was the shadow of a being beyond its comprehension.


    ''No! I can''t stay here any longer,'' thought the Serpent Emperor.


    With that thought, its massive body coiled up and quickly tried to slither away, but the poor beast didn''t get very far before a slightly mocking voice boomed in its ear.


    "Now, now, where are you going?"


    The body of the giant beast froze in fear.


    It didn''t know when, but that ominous flaming monster had now appeared in front of it, looking directly at it with a pair of purple mocking eyes so deep they shook its soul.


    Just a second of eye contact made it shiver uncontrollably.


    If it weren''t for the fact that the temperature was so high, it really would have pissed itself on the spot.


    Aiden looked at the beast. It was slithering against the floor, but due to its sheer size, even lying prone allowed it to completely tower over Aiden.


    Realizing this, Aiden''s face, which had an eerie smile, quickly morphed into a frown as he spoke.


    "I don''t like how you''re looking down on me, you filthy beast. Lie down."


    The request was really unreasonable.


    It was already lying down on its stomach, so how could it get any lower?


    Even Aiden himself knew this, but perhaps reason had never been Aiden''s goal from the start.


    Aiden stretched forth his hand, and the ominous flames gathered around the roof of the cavern, forming a giant purple burning hand.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t even get a chance to react.


    The chorus of dazzling purple flames surged into the air, colliding to form a giant flaming palm that smashed the Serpent Emperor into the ground.


    Boom!


    The flaming hand seared the divine beast''s scales as its massive body was forced several feet deeper into the ground.


    Aiden looked at the giant Serpent that had now been pressed into the ground and nodded as he smiled.


    "Much better." S~ea??h the n?velFire.net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t even dare complain and just looked at Aiden with pitiful, helpless eyes.


    But how could Aiden show it any mercy?


    Even the old Aiden would have been ruthless enough to crush this beast.


    Much less this new Aiden that had found intense pleasure in slowly melting away countless living creatures.


    This was only the start of his twisted game.


    He just looked at the behemoth and smiled.


    "Now we can speak properly. Let''s play a game, shall we?


    You had quite some fun chasing me earlier, so now it''s my turn to chase you.


    Run for your life. If you can get far enough, I''ll really let you go."


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor looked at Aiden''s evil smile and knew that this person didn''t have any good intentions.


    But what could it do?


    The difference in strength was now obvious, and based on that terrifying aura emerging from Aiden''s flames, it had already lost its will to fight.


    The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor didn''t waste another second and coiled its body before shooting out in the other direction!


    Don''t be deceived by its massive body. The Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was deceptively fast.


    It had been only a bit behind the speed of Aiden before, and that was just in its regular state.


    Now, it had stimulated its body to the max and was practically burning its own blood, so the effects were worlds apart.


    Its massive body moved in a blur.


    Despite having a size comparable to the freight trucks back on Earth, its speed was dazzling.


    For a second, the Weeping Soul thought it stood a chance at escaping if it kept up this momentum.


    But just as the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor was getting its hopes up, it heard an ominous voice ring in its ears.


    "10¡­."


    "9¡­."


    "8¡­."


    The voice had a sense of majesty but was still tinged with undeniable mockery.


    What was even more horrifying was that no matter how far the serpent ran, the voice still seemed to ring in its ears from the same distance.


    The Serpent''s humongous body quickly squirmed even harder, as faint blood-red mist could be seen leaking through its scales.


    It was burning every last bit of its blood as it scrambled to get as far away as it could.


    All this was happening while Aiden remained watching with a mocking smile.


    "7¡­"


    "6¡­"


    "5¡­."


    Each number was said with the same tone, but in the ears of the Serpent, they were no different from a death sentence.


    "4¡­."


    "3¡­."


    "2¡­."


    "1¡­."


    When the time reached its final point, the Weeping Soul Serpent had already covered an unimaginable distance, but it still wasn''t enough.


    "How disappointing¡­."


    Aiden''s cold chuckle sounded in the beast''s ears, almost as if he was standing right next to it.


    Hearing this, the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor''s heart sank.


    Nothing¡­ nothing had changed.


    It was only then that the Weeping Soul Serpent Emperor realized something.


    Right from the very start, there had been simply no chance of escaping from the hands of this ruthless monster.


    This entire game was nothing more than that¡ªa sham to give it hope and then ruthlessly tear it away and crush it.


    The feelings of a Rank 2 divine beast were no less vivid than a human''s, so the despair it felt was overwhelming.


    The giant serpent turned back in horror, but it could only see the tunnels all around it starting to twist and turn.


    Slowly but surely, the dark brown rock began to feel brighter and brighter until it turned a blazing hot crimson!


    All around, the tunnels made from the hardest stones seemed to be melting like hot wax.


    Purplish flames burst out of the ground and walls, mixing together with the burning crimson magma to create a hellish and apocalyptic sight that would haunt one''s nightmares for years.

 Chapter 90 - 90: 90.

    The weeping soul Serpent Emperor howled in despair as it drowned and burned in a pool of molten magma.


    But it was all futile.


    Aiden saw this tragic sight and smiled as he stretched forth his hand, pressing it against the back of the snake''s head.


    With that, the deep purple flames began to burn through the snake''s scales and flesh, tearing it apart like they were just flimsy pieces of paper before Aiden violently tore its head off its neck and threw it to the side.


    The blood didn''t even get a chance to splatter before it quickly boiled into a large crimson mist that seemed to circle around Aiden like the embrace of the devil.


    Crushing and torturing that annoying beast that had humiliated him for so long brought an unmatched sense of satisfaction to Aiden.


    But Aiden didn''t get the chance to admire this feeling for long before he felt some changes in his body.


    The second Aiden took off the monster''s head, he felt the divinity inside him begin to bubble.


    All of a sudden, deep inside of him, Aiden felt shackles that represented his mortality and human limits begin to shake and weaken.


    A familiar screen appeared in front of his eyes as Aiden smiled.


    [You have completed an unprecedented feat!]


    [You have slain a beast Emperor above your rank.]


    [Your divinity is boiling!]


    But just as Aiden''s divinity was reaching its zenith, the screen in front of Aiden cracked.


    [Error¡­ Error¡­ Ember of creation is being corrupted!]


    [Resisting corruption¡­ Resistance¡­]


    [Linking your inner flame¡­ link blocked.]


    [Seeking Divine Intervention¡­]


    [Do you want to proceed with divine intervention from the gods? The gods will pay attention to your unprecedented achievement!]


    The temptation to seek was unimaginable. S§×arch* The N?vel(F)ire.n§×t website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    The cells throughout Aiden''s body seemed to be screaming for him to go ahead and break that divine shackle.


    But somehow, when Aiden heard this notification, he soon came to his senses.


    He didn''t know why, but a sudden thought, something akin to a murky whisper, began to grow inside Aiden''s heart.


    ''If I am seen by the gods in this state, I won''t have a good end.''


    The second this thought grew in his heart, Aiden only seemed to become more and more certain of that fact.


    The temptation of increasing in rank was unimaginable, but Aiden still managed to control his greed and mumbled:


    ''I refuse.''


    Aiden''s thoughts were simple.


    He didn''t want to take risks.


    Although the flames of chaos were bringing an urge for him to do nothing more than bathe the world in endless flame, it was this same desire that kept him sober right now.


    The gods were so powerful that they could eliminate him with an accidental sneeze if he was unlucky enough.


    If he was wiped from the face of the earth¡­


    What would burn?


    What would turn to ash?


    What would be bathed in flames?


    Ironically enough, his endless desire for destruction was the same thing that triggered his preservation instincts at this moment.


    [Ascension Failed. Your glorious feat is dissipating¡­]


    As those words appeared, he could feel the receding divinity inside of his body start to cool down.


    And the shackles of divinity began tightening around his being, restricting his rank to the peak of the first rank.


    All around him, Aiden felt a strange rumble in the air as some strange, imperceptible rules dissipated from his presence.


    Aiden knew instantly that his chance at ranking up had completely slipped from his grasp.


    But now that he was down here, he couldn''t be bothered crawling through the tunnels and finding a way back up.


    He stretched forth his hand towards the roof as purple flames rushed toward him, causing the space to tremble.


    Boom!


    A terrifying beam of concentrated purple flames shot towards the sky and shook the realm.


    All throughout the realm of the world, in regions of the mountain forest, a beacon of horrifying purple flames burst forth into the sky as if it were trying to reach the heavens themselves.


    The air around him instantly began to heat up as any plants or wildlife unfortunate enough to be within a kilometer radius of the beam were instantly turned into ash!


    With his exit in front of him, Aiden didn''t waste another second and made his way out.


    Stepping first, a cloud of purple flames gathered beneath Aiden''s feet, allowing him to fly out of the underground cavern and see the surface again.


    Only a few seconds after Aiden exited the caverns, the hole he made began to crumble in and collapse on itself.


    Aiden paid no attention to this and continued forward.


    He calmly stepped onto the surface, but the chaotic desire in his eyes was still burning just as brightly. However, as he stepped forward, he suddenly felt a horrible pain jolt through his body.


    ''No! What is this!''


    Looking inward, Aiden was surprised to find that all of his divinity had simply been burned away!


    If Aiden had taken the opportunity to advance, things might have been different, but now he was completely dry.


    The thing Aiden had been using to fuel these terrifying, chaotic flames was never the puny divinity of a rank 1 being.


    How could that support the true flame of such a chaotic being?


    No, what Aiden had been running on was mere whispers of the chaotic being from his awakening as fuel for his flames.


    Now that those whispers had faded, so did the power that came with it.


    Aiden realized what had happened in mere moments and cursed his luck.


    His body was already falling toward the ground, his mind growing dark.


    Aiden''s only regret was that he couldn''t see more of the world burn in the bright purple glow of his flames.


    ...


    When Aiden woke up, he found himself looking up at a pure, blank, white ceiling.


    His mind was a foggy mess.


    He remembered leaving behind Oliver and Raelia.


    He remembered almost dying to the swarm of snakes.


    He even remembered the strange changes to his ember of creation and even the...

 Chapter 91 - 91: 91.

    He even remembered the strange changes to his ember of creation and even..


    Even the Flames of Khaos


    "Eghh..."


    Aiden tried to move his body, but that''s when a howl of pain shot through his entire body.


    Just as Aiden was about to curse, he heard a rustle to the side and froze like a diver.


    Only now did he realize that, sitting in a chair next to his hospital bed, was a beautiful young woman with flowing silver hair, reminiscent of liquid moonlight.


    Just a glimpse of this sleeping beauty was enough to leave any mortal breathless.


    Slowly rubbing her eyes, the beauty looked over with a tired expression, but when she saw a pair of beautiful golden eyes looking back at her, the tiredness evaporated from her body.


    "Aiden! Are you really awake?"


    Without caring about her appearance, the young girl rushed over and grabbed the boy''s face.


    She pushed and pulled the handsome young man''s cheeks to make sure that she was not dreaming.


    "Raelia¡­ you¡­"


    The two of them didn''t speak, only looking at each other.


    A hint of sadness and melancholy lingered in Raelia''s eyes as she looked at Aiden''s body, which he had scarred and sacrificed to protect her and Oliver. But the sadness didn''t last long; the more she looked at the handsome young man''s face, the more she remembered the events of that day.


    That sadness quickly turned into another emotion¡­


    Aiden looked into Raelia''s eyes and was puzzled as he sensed the air growing cold all around him.


    "R-Raelia!"


    Aiden tried to speak, but Raelia was having none of it!


    "Aghh!! Why should I be worried about an idiot like you? Damn it, I really feel like strangling you right now!"


    Now that she had started complaining, the words simply wouldn''t stop.


    "How dare you sneak-attack me!


    How dare you leave me behind!


    Why did you even invite me onto a team in the first place?


    Do you even trust me as a partner?"


    Aiden wanted to speak, but no words came out of his mouth.


    Raelia was pissed off¡ªand rightfully so.


    Although Aiden''s actions had been a message at the time, in another sense, it was a complete and utter betrayal of trust.


    Having your partner knock you out and make a decision for you¡­


    "Raelia, I won''t make excuses. What I did was wrong, but¡­ if I were put in that position again, I would still make the same choice every time."


    "You!!"


    Raelia was so angry, Aiden felt he could see steam coming out of her ears.


    "You say you''re sorry but then go ahead and say this."


    Aiden just sighed and tried to calm her down.


    "Let me ask you this: if I told you to abandon me and run away, could you do it?"


    Raelia just shook her head.


    "Of course not. I could never abandon my friends!"


    Aiden just face-palmed and shook his head.


    "You see, that''s the problem!"


    Aiden and Raelia went back and forth for a while longer, but they made no progress.


    Eventually, they could only agree to disagree.


    In fact, Raelia knew that, from another perspective, Aiden''s decision had been the correct one.


    Instead of having everyone die, wouldn''t it be better to have just one person sacrifice themselves?


    It was true and logical, but Raelia didn''t care.


    Since when had the world of the gods ever been logical?


    Ascending from mortality to godhood was akin to going against the common rules of the world, so why should she care about logic?


    After arguing for a while longer, Aiden just sighed.


    "Since we can''t agree on the correct answer, let''s just agree on one thing then, shall we?" said Aiden.


    "Oh, and what is that?" asked Raelia.


    "It''s simple. Let''s just get so strong that this situation never occurs again in our lives.


    If you''re strong enough, then when would you ever have to make that kind of decision again in your life? Just deal with everything in front of you with the might of your fists!"


    Raelia heard Aiden''s words, and a light seemed to shine in her eyes.


    "Well said!" She couldn''t have said it better herself.


    If she were strong enough, that smelly snake wouldn''t even dare look in her direction, much less chase her.


    Seeing Raelia lost in her own thoughts, Aiden snapped her out of it and asked a question that had been bugging him for a while now.


    "So, how did you find me in the mountain forest, anyway?"


    Raelia sighed a little before giving her explanation.


    "Not long after you collapsed the cave and separated me from you, I woke up.


    Although it was hard to convince me at first, Oliver insisted that getting help was the fastest way to save you. We quickly made our way out.


    Since there were no serpents chasing us, we could use both my tracking and Oliver''s careful but steady navigation skills to find our way.


    By the time we got out, we saw a massive beam of pulsing fire shooting into the air and ran in that direction.


    By the time we arrived, we found you passed out in a massive circle of scorched earth.


    Afterward, we quickly took you away for fear of attracting monsters. Then, you received treatment until you woke up now."


    Aiden heard this and took a cold breath.


    Lucky!


    He was really lucky.


    In that strange state, when he awakened the Flame of Khaos, he didn''t seem to care about reason.


    Even if the power of the flames had lasted longer, all that would have happened was that he''d go on a senseless massacre a while longer before running out of energy and passing out helplessly.


    If he hadn''t been lucky enough to have been spotted by Raelia and Oliver and quickly brought back, such a show would have definitely attracted powerful monsters. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    By then, future generations wouldn''t tell a tale about how a man ascended to godhood, but instead, how a talented senior talent became a pile of horse manure.


    Aiden looked at the many gifts sent by students and instead looked for his water bottle.


    "What about Oliver¡­?"


    Raelia paused and just frowned.


    "He''s been taking it pretty badly.


    He''s been training like a possessed man every day, and no amount of talking will get him out of it."


    Aiden just sighed.


    He could understand why Oliver was like that. So, there wasn''t much he could say.

 Chapter 92 - 92: 92.

    He could understand why Oliver was like that. So, there wasn''t much he could say.


    In a way, maybe it''s a good thing.


    The final train is coming up, so there really is nothing wrong with increasing your strength a little bit.


    Despite thinking this, Aiden still made a mental note to check up on him sometime.


    He couldn''t let him go completely mad.


    -----


    Soon after checking up on Aiden and making sure that he was truly fine, Raelia took her leave.


    It was unknown if it was Aiden''s words from before or simply the mention of Oliver again, but she left with a vigorous determination growing inside her.


    After Aiden watched Raelia leave, he closed his eyes and used his mind to look into his inner space.


    Aiden was brought to a completely dark realm with a bright, burning flame.


    And just like Aiden had suspected, the ember of creation burning in the center of his inner space was a bright, ominous purple.


    The Flame of Chaos.


    Aiden took a moment to calm himself.


    It was real.


    All the experiences he remembered feeling in his skin weren''t just illusions.


    He really did go crazy.


    Aiden tried to use his senses to explore this flame closer, but as he did so, his mind grew fuzzy, as a strange sense of anger started building up in his heart.


    Aiden quickly withdrew his senses and took a deep breath. S§×ar?h the ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Damn it! It''s that strange feeling again!


    Aiden had discovered this anomaly quite early.


    For some reason, if his emotions fluctuated too much, he could easily fall into a strange state of anger that seemed overblown and out of proportion.


    He was always confused as to why this was happening, but now there seemed to be a connection.


    It didn''t take a genius to figure out that his strange emotions had something to do with this.


    Aiden was about to pull his senses away from the Flame of Creation when he noticed something strange.


    Underneath the ominous purple flame, there was a small white puddle.


    It was not too eye-catching and actually quite easy to miss if you didn''t pay attention, so Aiden moved his senses closer, exploring this new substance when a sudden message popped into his mind.


    Life Liquid.


    For every action, there will be an equal and opposite reaction.


    If there is destruction, it will also give birth to creation.


    This is Life Liquid!


    A strange by-product of using the Flame of Chaos.


    Aiden wasn''t completely sure and stretched forth his senses to try absorbing it.


    The second he did so, Aiden felt a cool, fuzzy sensation, as if his body had taken in a cold, refreshing drink.


    The pain in his body and bones seemed to ease, and even his mind quickly relaxed.


    For a few seconds, Aiden was stunned.


    Healing!


    Complete and terrifying recovery that covered not only physical but also mental aspects as well.


    Aiden''s body and soul were being repaired to their complete and optimum state!


    Aiden immersed himself in that feeling for a while longer until it faded away.


    When he recovered, he eagerly looked toward the pool of Life Liquid.


    But his eager expression quickly turned into a frown.


    The puddle had now shrunk to barely even a single droplet.


    It seemed like the Life Liquid was all but consumed.


    Aiden wasn''t too surprised; surely he couldn''t expect to get such otherworldly healing for free.


    But what bothered Aiden wasn''t the consumption of Life Liquid but the fact that he had desperately needed more of this stuff.


    Life Liquid was a complete lifesaver, and anyone who was aware of it would be frantically looking for ways to acquire more of it, so it was inevitable that Aiden would be a little concerned.


    Life Liquid came from the Flame of Chaos, but Aiden already had his concerns about using such a strange power.


    When those flames were fully activated, he would turn into something that was him and yet not him at the same time.


    It was uncanny, and Aiden resolved not to use such power¡ªwho knew if the effects would worsen with more use.


    But the Life Liquid was too tempting to give up.


    Aiden just shook his head, sent his mind out of the inner space, and woke up back in the hospital ward.


    This time, all the aching in his bones and minor pains had disappeared.


    Even the hidden injuries he had gained from his arduous training at the camp over the past few weeks had completely cleared.


    This wasn''t the same as simply being healed; no, it was practically being reborn!


    Aiden took in a cold breath of air.


    Be it the Flame of Chaos or the Life Liquid, they were both forces behind his progression.


    Despite knowing that, Aiden grit his teeth.


    It was almost like a naked conspiracy.


    An obvious risk daring him to take it.


    Yet despite knowing this, Aiden resolved to face it head-on.


    After all, looking at it from another perspective, this wasn''t just a risk¡ªit was his chance!


    Aiden was talented and, in the eyes of others, nothing short of a complete and utter monster.


    But he wasn''t even the greatest monster at this training camp.


    That title belonged to Kain.


    If he wasn''t even the biggest talent in the training camp, how could he claim to be the greatest talent in the first year or even the academy as a whole?


    In a world filled with legends and monsters, all descendants of the gods aspired to ascend to true godhood as their dream.


    But it was really just a dream, a distant goal that people strived for but knew would never become a reality.


    Among the billions of descendants, how many became gods?


    Everyone said they would, but most ended up as nothing more than ashes on the wayside.


    Even for Aiden, although he was filled with youthful vigor and ambition, there was still a part of him that saw becoming a god as nothing more than a distant, foggy dream.


    But that wasn''t the case anymore.


    There was a truly god-given chance right in front of his eyes.


    As for the side effects?


    Who gives a damn!


    Countless people would kill for this opportunity, even if it meant turning into a madman on the spot.

 Chapter 93 - 93: 93. [Sun Forged Body Refinement]

    Everything in life comes with a risk.


    His chance to become a true god is right here in front of his eyes.


    He must make full use of it by any means necessary.


    After reading this, Aiden''s mind wandered.


    After thinking this way, Aiden''s mind began to whirl.


    Life Liquid and complete body recovery.


    He needed a divine technique that could take full advantage of this ability.


    Although his venture into the mountain forest had left him half-dead, he and the others had earned a lot of divine credits, so money was not an issue.


    Knowing this, Aiden could barely contain his excitement and got up.


    From now on, he was only going to get even stronger.


    ...


    Hours later, a slightly tired figure could be seen leaving the divine library.


    Finding the perfect divine technique was much harder than he had expected. S§×ar?h the N?vel(F)ire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Simply put, nobody practices techniques that cause injury!


    But if you think about it, it made sense. Not everybody has the ability to heal themselves, much less heal themselves perfectly.


    Injuries are not only painful but, if not treated properly, could become the very thing that hinders them on the road to godhood.


    With such an obvious danger, who in their right mind would practice such a skill?


    These techniques were left only for the truly desperate or utterly insane.


    Aiden had to scrounge around in the back rooms and restricted areas to find the divine technique that fit the description, and he had to sift through and look even harder to find divine techniques that matched his divinity.


    But although Aiden was tired and exhausted, there was still a giant smile on his face.


    It was a troublesome experience, but it had still been a success after all.


    Aiden looked at the small booklet in his hand and caressed it like he was holding a precious treasure.


    [Sun Forged Body Refinement]


    It was a grand-sounding technique, and to be fair to its creator, if the theory could be put into practice, the divine technique would really be befitting of such a name.


    To complete the technique was not easy.


    As the name implies, the creator of this divine technique wanted to create a divine practice that could allow one to have the power of a body forged in the heart of the sun!


    Like all body refinement techniques, just getting started required harsh damage and testing of the body.


    But this one bordered on torture.


    The term "Sun-Forged" wasn''t a joke.


    Although anything close to the sun was just a metaphor at this stage, the entry levels of the [Sun Forged Body Refinement] required training in boiling conditions that would simply fry someone''s skin.


    It was ridiculously harsh and brutal, but if that were simply the end of things, there would have been at least a few people crazy enough to try it and even fewer crazy enough to succeed.


    No, what truly made this technique impractical was not the physical damage, but rather the mental damage.


    The visualization of this divine technique involved imagining yourself entering the sun.


    Visualization wasn''t just some flimsy mental exercise.


    When it came to beings with the blood of the gods, visualization was something more mystical, bordering on the barriers between realms and reality.


    Visualizing a sun, especially one that would be used to temper your body, was the same as bringing a sun into your mind.


    Even if you had the blood of the sun god flowing in your veins, there was simply no way to withstand that!


    Your mind and your mental strength wouldn''t just be damaged; they would be burned and evaporated.


    The pain inflicted directly on the mind was beyond comprehension. One''s essence was being burnt away, and unlike with physical injuries, injuries to the mind were much more serious.


    They were harder to heal.


    Even if you could endure the pain, without a way to properly recover your mental strength, if you kept repeating that technique, you''d practice yourself into becoming an idiot, if not simply annihilating your mind completely, becoming nothing more than an empty shell.


    If there was a silver lining to such a condition, it would be that one''s mental strength would effectively be nurtured and strengthened to an unimaginable degree with such practice. The only regrettable thing was that by then, the practitioner would likely already be long dead.


    [Sun Forged Body Refinement] only came with one real combat technique.


    [Sun Forged Battle Body]


    A pure, flat-out multiplicative effect in the wielder''s strength that only increased as the degree of body refinement rose.


    Aiden could still remember the detailed diagram, showing that when activating the technique, the user would become a wild flaming warrior with enough force to shatter mountains.


    Aiden sighed and thought about the creator of the technique, who had left the visualization scroll.


    It was said that the poor man went too far practicing the technique and burned his mind, soul, and body to a crisp.


    Not even Hades could reclaim the poor man''s soul, which just goes to show how horrifying the technique was.


    If Aiden didn''t have the mystic Life Liquid to help him, even if he had the courage of a god, he still wouldn''t dare practice this technique.


    In fact, everyone else thought the same thing.


    The [Sun Forged Body Refinement] could be used without the visualization technique to a much weaker degree and still had a moderate effect on beings within the first rank.


    So, when Aiden redeemed it, the librarian at the counter just thought Aiden was using the technique without visualization to increase his strength before the final trial.


    She never would have thought there was actually someone in front of her crazy enough to practice the technique in its entirety!


    [Sun Forged Battle Body] wasn''t the only divine technique Aiden redeemed as well.


    He had also redeemed a minor combat technique from Apollo, called [Healing Hand].


    As the name implied, it was a minor healing technique that descendants of Apollo could learn.

 Chapter 94 - 94: 94. Boiling

    It''s visualization wasn''t difficult, and the effects of healing were moderate. But for Aiden, it was enough.


    The reason he even redeemed this technique was just to use it as a cover-up for when he would use life liquid in public.


    Even if someone could see some flaws with it, it would still be better than healing all the way back to full health with nothing to show for it.


    ¡­


    A few hours later...


    Aiden was in his dorm room and brought out a large cauldron from God-knows-where and started boiling water in it. sea??h th§× ¦Çov§×lFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    And it wasn''t just water; Aiden could be seen adding other liquids and chemicals to this cauldron from time to time until the solution turned a bright, burning orange.


    Just one glance at the bubbling, ominous surface could tell you that this was not a safe thing. But Aiden didn''t care and was constantly looking back and forth between the large cauldron and a small manual in his hands to ensure he had gotten the ratio right.


    Shortly after, Aiden had started preparing to practice. But just as he was about to change his clothes, he heard a sudden yell.


    "Fuck! What the hell are you doing in our dorm room?"


    Aiden looked over and just rolled his eyes.


    Oliver was looking around the room with a face of utter disbelief! But Aiden ignored him and continued working.


    "There''s no need to have such a ridiculous look on your face; I''m just practicing a new divine technique, that''s all."


    Oliver was so shocked that he forgot to speak for a second.


    "Hold up. Weren''t you supposed to be seriously injured? I was over here feeling worried and guilty, but now you''re out here acting crazy in the dorm room. Fuck! Give me back my grief!"


    Aiden saw that the cauldron was beginning to boil over and ignored Oliver''s words, getting to work again¡ªthis time working hard to increase the temperature of the flames until the water in the cauldron was bubbling like crazy.


    Seeing Aiden being so serious, Oliver couldn''t help but become curious now.


    The initial shock at not only Aiden''s recovery but even his strange actions started to wear off, and he came to Aiden''s side to get a closer look.


    "So you''re stirring all this stuff in a cauldron, but what are you planning to do with it, anyway?" asked Oliver.


    "This? It''s quite simple, actually. I''m planning on boiling something."


    "Oh, and what is that?"


    "A human," replied Aiden casually.


    "Eh? What the hell did I just hear?"


    Oliver looked at Aiden, who was still working on the cauldron as if he had never said anything in the first place, and just shook his head.


    "Yeah, I must be hallucinating."


    He patted Aiden on the shoulder and asked him again, "Pardon me, my ears might not be working. Did you say you were going to boil a human?"


    "No, you heard me right. I said I was going to boil a human."


    Aiden calmly spoke his words with a smile, but the more Oliver looked at the smile, the more eerie it seemed.


    "Surely, the near-death experience hasn''t driven him crazy, has it?"


    More importantly, who is he planning to boil?


    He can''t be planning to go out and kidnap someone, right?


    Wait, if he doesn''t kidnap someone, then¡­


    Oliver shivered.


    Shit, is this crazy bastard planning on boiling me?


    Oliver trembled and took a step back from Aiden.


    But when Aiden saw Oliver shiver and tremble, he burst out laughing so hard he held his stomach to keep from falling over.


    "Haha! There''s no need to be so scared. I''m not going to be boiling you."


    Oliver heard this, and his face turned red.


    "Fuck, if you''re not planning on boiling someone, then stop speaking so ominously!"


    "Hey, it''s not my fault. You''re the one with the vivid imagination. The human I''m planning on boiling is actually myself."


    Hearing this, Oliver wasn''t reassured; instead, the look he gave Aiden only got worse.


    If Aiden said he was going to boil other people, Oliver could accept it as a slight manic episode. But eagerly declaring that you were going to boil yourself?


    How was that anything except utter madness?


    Instantly, Oliver was hit with a pang of guilt.


    This poor child. His experience in the cave must have left him crazy.


    But as Oliver was having these thoughts, Aiden just smacked him on the back of the head, snapping him out of his illusion.


    "Fuck! What was that for?"


    Despite Oliver cursing, Aiden didn''t show him any pity.


    "That was for looking at me like I''m a crazy person."


    "You just said you''re going to boil yourself. How is that not crazy?"


    "Like I said, it''s for a new divine technique I''m practicing. If you don''t believe me, you can read the divine technique manual. In fact, it would be better for you to read the manual. I might need some assistance maintaining the temperature and keeping the lid shut."


    As Aiden spoke, he pointed to a booklet on his bed.


    Oliver quickly saw it and went over to have a read.


    At first, as he was reading, his expression turned into one of awe and amazement. But as he continued, it got worse and worse, to the point where he threw the booklet on the floor.


    "What the hell is this? You call this a divine technique? If I help you practice this, I''ll be put in prison for assisted suicide!"


    The only warnings for practicing the divine technique were all there in the manual, so Oliver quickly discerned the horrors of the [Sun Forged Battle Body].


    "Relax; I''m not planning on doing the visualization part of it. I''m only planning on using it to strengthen my body a little before the final exam.


    The effects of strengthening the body are real and very effective, especially while still in Divine Ember Rank (Rank 1)


    the horrors described in the book are obvious for anyone to see. Do I really look like sine crazy enough to try practising the technique for real after reading all that

 Chapter 95 - 95: 95. Body Refning

    Oliver looked Aiden up and down for a moment ebefore he finally relented.


    ''This guy just survived a near-death experience. He didn''t believe he was crazy enough to risk his life.'' thought oliver


    "Fine," sighed Oliver. "I''ll help you out."


    "That''s great," said Aiden with a smile. "Since you''re going to help me, remember this: no matter how much I wail or scream, you can''t open the lid of the cauldron. If I jump out of the cauldron due to the extreme pressure, all this effort will be wasted and in vain.


    I don''t have enough credits to set up another body-refining bath."


    After saying this, Aiden took off his clothes until he was in nothing but his shorts.


    He looked at the bubbling orange concoction in the cauldron, gritted his teeth, and followed through with it.


    Splash!


    Aiden''s body leaped into the cauldron. A horrifying pain quickly spread through his limbs, but Aiden just gritted his teeth and endured as he sank further and further, fully submerging himself.


    As that happened, Oliver quickly put the cover on the cauldron and sealed it.


    Aiden wanted to wail, but he somehow managed to endure it.


    With each second that passed, Aiden''s skin was being boiled and peeled apart as the powerful divine concoction was slowly starting to seep into every part of his body.


    If things remained like this, although Aiden would get stronger, it would remain a simple medicinal bath.


    He needed to use the visualization technique to bring out the true effect of the [Sun-Forged Body Refinement] technique to its fullest.


    Each passing second only made the pain grow worse, so Aiden knew that the sooner he started visualizing, the better off he would be in the long run.


    Closing his eyes, Aiden''s mind wandered to the picture he had seen from the visualization scroll, calling forth the image from deep within his mind.


    Soon, Aiden found himself in a blank space, and not too far away was a massive golden sun.


    Despite being far away from it, the sun''s radiance was glaring.


    But this was just the start of the visualization. To truly master [Sun-Forged Body Refinement], you had to visualize yourself being tempered in the heart of the sun. Right now, Aiden was barely approaching the surface!


    Aiden gritted his teeth and ignored the scalding heat that was burning his mind, moving closer towards the sun. As his body grew closer to this magnificent sight, he could feel his mind being burned away.


    Each movement, even if it was just a millimeter closer, seemed to set his mind on fire.


    Eventually, even Aiden couldn''t bear it anymore and wailed and screamed.


    The visualization around him began to shake, and Aiden knew that this was the sign of his own gradual mental collapse.


    Although Aiden was still a bit of a distance away from the surface of the sun he had visualized, he knew that this was the closest he could get at his current level.


    Getting any closer wouldn''t slowly break down his mind like it was now; it would instantly annihilate it.


    Knowing this, he didn''t hesitate and quickly summoned the thing he had been waiting to use all this time: Life Liquid!


    With a single mental call, the Life Liquid in his inner space quickly rolled out, spreading through his body and mind.


    Aiden''s mind felt a cool, calming sensation that quickly neutralized the burning pain of the sun visualization, while his body was also being healed.


    The rapid regeneration of his flesh and skin allowed it to perfectly absorb the divinity contained in the cauldron, and gradually, the solution Aiden was in started to fade from a bright golden-orange to clear and transparent.


    On the other hand, his skin started to glow an even brighter gold as his hair seemed to flicker and crackle like burning embers.


    Boom!


    All of a sudden, an explosion seemed to go off inside of Aiden''s body, causing the entire cauldron to tremble as Aiden soon opened his eyes.


    Slowly but surely, Aiden crawled out of the cauldron. As he stood up, his skin flickered with a golden, divine glow, and his hair floated in the air with a crimson-reddish hue, as if ready to burst into flames at any moment.


    Aiden simply clenched his fist, and a ripple of air seemed to ring through the room.


    Strong!


    That was the only thought echoing through Aiden''s mind right now.


    Each and every cell seemed to be roaring with power, like a series of engines raring to go!


    If Aiden wasn''t afraid of the punishment for wrecking his room, he would definitely vent and use his strength to the extreme.


    It felt like he could crush mountains right now!


    Oliver looked at Aiden in disbelief.


    "Are you sure this is just a pure technique with no visualization involved?"


    Aiden looked at Oliver''s suspicious gaze and just shrugged. "I''m surprised too. But you know my blood has experienced a strange mutation; maybe that''s why I showed such a strange response to this divine technique."


    Although Oliver found it hard to believe, he could only sigh at Aiden''s luck.


    ''This guy is so lucky with his bloodline mutations!'' thought Oliver.


    If he didn''t know any better, he would seriously start doubting who Aiden''s father really was right now! sea??h th§× n?vel_Fire.¦Çet website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.


    Although Oliver had these thoughts, he didn''t dare say them out loud.


    Someone like Aiden may not know this, but with his full education from his clan, Oliver knew just how taboo talk of true demigods could be.


    It was enough to have his head rolling!


    Aiden looked towards Oliver, who seemed to be stunned into a trance by his divine appearance, and silently apologized to him in his heart.


    If possible, he really didn''t want to lie to his closest friends, but this time, the secrets involved were just too deadly!


    The entire refining process was based on the life liquid and the life liquid couldn''t be explained without talking about the flames of chaos