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EPISODE 98: COME

EPISODE 98: COME

— Edryan Queendom, Year: 7291. Season Color: Fading.

I stretched—yawning as I started my daily routine. Minerva let out a big yawn to accompany my own. Yesterday’s events…

I glanced toward Madria’s bed but found it neat and clean—she’d most likely got up and began to make breakfast. I smiled, this would be nice if not for the situation we were in.

“Are we sure about this Law?”

“No, but what choice do I have? I need answers. This quest… [Born To Be King] and the opportunity to learn more about the first [Chosen]. I need to know why they failed and what I should avoid. I must understand what Goddess Madris—Her Three Faces—wants from me.”

Yesterday we unloaded a ton of biology and chemistry on the Aspect of Knowledge—only a few days remained before the start of my trial and there was still so much on my plate.

“Let’s go make you your bracelet,” I said to Minerva as I held my hand out.

Her red-gold eyes lit up with excitement. The bracelet I mentioned would allow her voice to be transmitted into the air. She would finally be able to talk to people.

“Let’s—but first breakfast!”

I chuckled and began to leave the room. Momentarily, I stopped by a washroom to take care of my morning necessities, as did Minerva. The washroom was small—with grey-toned walls and floors, and a small pump to pull out well water. On the wall was a small simple bronze mirror that could use a polish. Whoever kept up the appearance on Final Hope, missed a few spots. I shook my head and began to take care of myself.

Once done, I stared at myself in the bronze mirror. A slight, unfamiliar face looked back as the beginnings of a beard began to grow. A lean, muscular body was on display—if I was still on Earth, I’d look like the perfect track athlete. Now, I held the body of a warrior. My right arm was strapped to the golem prosthetic, which remained immobile under my command. Today, I will be building a better-functioning arm and several supporting devices to protect myself in the upcoming Trial of Six.

Minerva hopped back on my shoulder, she’d reduced her size to something more manageable as she took a perch. Her horned owl features quickly dried. Minerva’s second class [Imperius Owl-Lord] held several powerful skills, with one, (Divine Beast Expansion), allowing her to take on a greater, larger form. The very one she used to save our lives in the Black and White—space in between the Mortal, Astral, and Underneath.

Our morning necessitates done, I quickly dressed myself and moved through the bleak corridors of Final Hope—an apt name for such a depressing area.

My steps took me through the grey stone building and into the servants’ kitchen—as I arrived closer, the smell of hot food drifted into my nose.

Minerva took off the moment I opened the door, flying excitedly as she chirped.

Madria turned, and I paused in my tracks—a smile gracing my face at the sight of her. She wore a coarse apron over her simple linen clothes with patches sown into it. If I didn’t know who she was—I’d imagine her as an extraordinarily beautiful but homely commoner wife. The patches and splotches of foodstuff—especially the small bit on her cheek—suited her very well.

THUMP.

She smiled as our eyes met—hers lit with excitement. “Good morning Law…”

Chirping excitedly, Minerva dove toward Madria. “GOOD MORNING MADRIA!”

The young woman held out her arm for Minerva to perch on, “…and good morning to you too, Minerva.”

She couldn’t understand her just yet, but I felt like she was picking up on the tone of Minerva’s chirps.

Nothing but warmth entered my heart. If I were reborn under a different circumstance—would my life be like this? Would I have been a commoner waking up to his … cooking breakfast?

“Good morning Madria. It seems you’ve been busy—allow me to help,” I responded.

What would it be like for me to live my life as a common Edryan citizen? Everything I did, the changes to society I began to make, were for that citizen.

To be a [Hero] in their eyes.

“What are we making today?”

“The bread is already in the oven, it is fortunate my mother made me take a cooking skill as one of my general skills. I don’t know how you do it so easily without the skill!”

Golems walked the streets of Edrya, doing the heavy lifting for any [Worker] and helping in various other ways—guards for warehouses, patrolling with guards to protect the city, and more. In the coliseum, daily shows with cash prizes as incentives began to cultivate a growing series of golem battling. It was not as bloody as the slaves and poor men who previously fought, but it was far more exciting.

“That’s what having a mother who forces the skill upon you does. It really helped when I began living on my own.”

Madria stopped her portion of preparation and stared at me weirdly. “The Queen forced you to cook?”

I chuckled, unable to help myself, as the look of incredulousness crossed her face. “No, not my mother, Queen Titiana—but my mother from my previous life. She was a great cook, it was a passion of hers that she passed onto me.”

The weird expression disappeared as a look of understanding crossed her face. “Such a world without the Prime System and skills… it is a wonder I still find hard to believe.”

“That is my experience as I began to interact with the Genesis Realm. No magic existed in the world I came from—at least to my knowledge.”

“What is she like?”

“What is who like?”

“Your first mother,” Madria asked—her face showed curiosity. I told her about my previous world, but not much about my family and who I—Lawerence Brown was —before coming to Edryan.

I paused in my work and looked upwards. Thoughts of my previous mother were on my mind.

“ Strong , just like my mother—Queen Titiana. Both were strong women who supported more than just themselves or their families. She loved art—graphic novels where artists would tell stories through paintings. She also loved to go on walks through parks and would take me all the time.”

Madria’s eyebrows raised, and a thoughtful expression appeared on her face.

“Is that why you enforce so many parks throughout Edrya? There are so many in Imperius Academy as well. They are… nice. The animals—birds and other small creatures… the fountains and displays of statues… I think they’re beautiful.”

There was a reason I supported the arts and non-combative professions at Imperius Academy. Although I never publicly endorsed the president of the Crown Prince Fan Club—they held my silent backing. When I swooped down during my coronation event and waved toward the concert-like performance being put on—that showed my approval.

“Thank you,” I said. A small smile once again graced my face.

“I believe I understand more of these changes you brought to Edrya… and want to bring to Edryan as a greater whole. The public transport ideas… the rails…,” Madria said. She placed her index finger on her chin as she thought back over the years.

In the meantime, I continued to work on our breakfast. Yet, my thoughts were with her.

Imperius Law…

Golems…

…and more were all from the terrible fate I knew would befall me. They were precautions to safeguard me and guide Edryan in a direction I deemed the best.

They weren’t enough. Not out of a fault of their own… but mine.

I continuously disregarded and disrespected the power of the Prime System and Genesis Realm. Not out of malice—but ignorance.

Hearing of fantastic tall tales is one thing. Growing up—that was all I heard and experienced—seeing them was another. I knew of the power high levelers held, but I continuously brought them to a more mundane understanding. The reality was… the Genesis Realm just didn’t function through the same laws I grew up learning on Earth. Yes—those laws were present—but they were not absolute .

You have received one level from worldly experience. Please assign the level to [Imperius Golemlord] or [Holy Prince of Edryan].

I blinked slowly and at the unexpected notification. It’d been a while since I saw one of those. It felt like months since my last level gained from worldly experience. What caused the change?

“Your mentality, at least that is the theory I’ve been working on,” Minerva commented before continuing.

“There are several experience types and worldly, from what I have seen, has something to do with the changing state of mentality, events, and other smaller factors.”

I listened to Minerva as she began to explain her theory on leveling. Madria glanced at us but continued to cook.

“You’ve gained levels in several different situations. The first was when Goddess Madris — The Sage — descended. Everyone present there leveled. Some once, some twice. Regardless, such an event was an experience like no other, causing you to gain a level. The same could be said for my birth and other events that happened around Edryan…

The coronation, golem events, and more. With each time, something of significance or importance was ongoing. I recorded them all… and each usually has something to do with a mental change in some format.”

While she talked, I assigned my level, before summoning fire magic to begin cooking. Madria continued to be lost in her thoughts, but I could see she moved somewhat mechanically, as if under the effects of a skill. Most likely she was taking a passive role as her cooking still did the work.

‘So when my mentality strengthens, it adds experience to me and the possibility of gaining a level.’

‘Well it was partially obvious from the name but yes,’ Minerva responded internally.

I nodded my head, the sizzling of eggs added to the potent aroma drifting through the air.

I felt everything Minerva said was correct. Mentally, I felt stronger—firmer in myself, choices, and the path I walked. I understood what I was lacking and what I wasn’t.

The burden on my shoulders was immense—but… I think that's why Goddess Madris picked me to be her [Chosen]. The more I learned of Union and the events that took place after the Jagged Crush, the more I understood the similarities between me and the Goddess.

The weight, protection, hopes, dreams, desires— faith — all of it was placed upon our shoulders. The people of Edryan held no one higher to look up too… no one higher to depend on.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

So We Took Up The Burden.

Your Achievement has been upgraded.

Achievement Type: Blessing

[Chosen of Madris] – Stage 2

Function 1:

The Greatest Gift

Gather the Faith of the People and convert them into attribute points. You now possess greater control in accessing the Faith of the People and harnessing their energy.

Function 2:

Aura of The Chosen

The Aura of the Chosen of Madris surrounds you. This aura is now stronger and quickly decreases and cures all aliments/de-buffs while strengthening all attributes of your allies by 30%. You may now choose when and whom to strengthen.

Function 3:

Power Onto Thee

+150 All Attributes

Description:

Goddess Madris has proclaimed you her chosen. A physical representation of Her Will upon the mortal world. The stronger your faith in your Goddess, the more stages unlocked.

The influx of power was immediate. The pan handle crumbled as I held on to it. This action shocked Madria out of her state of contemplation as she turned toward me far quicker than normal. I instantly turned off her boost. She gasped, the aura I constantly radiated as the [Chosen of Madris] was displayed in full force, and I felt the strange connection all followers of a deity feel—strengthen. My connection to Goddess Madris grew stronger.

“Y-yo-Your Holiness,” Madria stuttered—face flushed with emotion.

Carefully, I lowered the pan and slowly moved back.

My strength was at a new unmanaged level and I would once again have to learn to control this new level of Power.

The very thing I understood I lacked the most was one of the gifts the Goddess continued to bestow upon me.

“Give me space and some time to adjust myself to this new level of strength.”

Quickly, I distributed my attributes before summoning my status sheet.

Lawruthian Imperius Koltius Edryani – Level 41

HP: 825/825 (+600)

SP: 765/765 (+720)

MP: 1050/1050 (+720)

Base Atk: 145 (+145)

Base Def: 85 (+99)

HP Regen: 36/Hour (+22)

SP Regen: 35/Hour (+27)

MP Regen: 45/Hour (+27)

Bloodline:

‎ [+]

Race:

‎ Magi-Human

Main Class:

[Imperius Golemlord] — 30

Perks:

Codex of Earth

Power: 290 (+290)

2nd Class:

[Holy Prince of Edryan] — 11

Core Skills: [+]

Vitality: 275 (+200)

3rd Class: [LOCKED]

Racial Skills: [+]

Endurance: 265 (+240)

Faith: Goddess Madris

Status Effects: [+]

Mind: 350 (+240)

Faction:

‎ Imperius

Equipped:

Basic Linens

Self: 207 (+250)

Faction Benefits:

Skills: [+]

Intent: 220 (+240)

Achievements: [+]

Active Quest: [+]

Magic Affinity: -

Attribute Points: 0

This… was a significant boost to my strength… something I would need for the upcoming Trial of Six. It was unexpected that putting a single thought together would unlock a significant boost to my strength. Controlling my new-found strength was not the only thing I needed to get a control over.

Madria was staring at me—eyes shone with divinity—as a feint trace of the golden-brown color made its way out of her.

I watched it as I began my martial kata, the smoke like material constantly different from her as she prayed, hands clasped together. I wasn’t sure what it was, but if there was any indication from what just happened… then what I was seeing was the metaphysical representation of faith energy.

It was beautiful.

I felt tempted to reach out a grab at the wisp before it disappeared but controlling my new level of strength was far more vital. I’d literally double in my Base Attack. If I accidentally hit myself or, Goddess forbid, Madria, then the damage I could deal be extremely harmful. I just firmly entered the range of a Gold Knight and could firmly be considered a middle tier powerhouse.

It was exciting, but internally, I didn’t know what to feel.

The [Chosen of Madris] growing stronger signified a growth in my closeness to Goddess Madris. A conflicted feeling I dealt with every day.

Every day…

…since my death on Earth and becoming Her Chosen. A part of me wished to let it all go and accept who I was as Her Chosen. Another part—the majority—still held resentment. The spatial anomalies of Earth weren’t normal, and something had to have caused my death. I knew the answer but…

…I lacked the Power to do anything about it.

I didn’t think the Goddess was my enemy, but she wasn’t my ‘friend’ either.

My body moved step after step. Carefully adjusting myself as the ground and walls cracked in multiple places. Madria halted her praying to remove the bread from the oven before continuing. Her eyes never once left my figure, and a wisp of golden-brown smoke continued to escape from her and into the air.

The Trial of Six was my answer. I was going to reject the Aspect’s offer until he revealed more information and that these trials were designed by Alidra Edryani.

Who was she? I knew of the history of the Edryani, my House, but never once had I heard of her. Why? Why were the history of the [Chosen] hidden to Edryan?

Hopefully, the Trial of Six would have the answers I sought.

Cautiously, I brought the martial kata, (Imperius Combat Arts) to a halt. Exhaling slow breaths as I understood the new level of strength I faced. I consistently held in mind the power I possessed, which is why I was meticulous when toughing someone or something beneath me in strength.

“What… what has happened, Your Highness,” Madria questioned as if she suddenly remembered I was her prince—no, [Chosen].

“None of that. You will always address me by my name,” I responded and moved to the half finished food before continuing.

“What do you feel…? What does my presence feel like to you?”

“A beacon. I… I think any worshiper of the Goddess can instinctively sense you as long as you’re close.”

She closed her eyes, eyeballs rapidly moving underneath her skin. “You feel like a flame… like… you’ve Be Come More. I… I don’t know how else to describe it,” she finished and reopened her eyes.

“I’ve become more, huh?”

I certainly felt that way with the magic now coursing through my veins. My crystalized heart continuously beat. My senses were sharper, more alert as my Intent spread further. Each point in the attribute was roughly a foot in distance. Of course, most of the information provided by my Intent remained passive in the back of my mind until I actively began to focus. It was like having eyes constantly watching 360° around you. The information overload would kill a regular human, but the attributes strength and reinforced my body to handle such loads. What else did they do that I did not understand?

Time to find out.

“Come on, let’s eat.”